It’s the end of June and the end of the first month of 20 Books of Summer!

So, how is everyone who is taking part doing? I am actually well on track, with seven books reviewed, an eighth review coming tomorrow and a ninth book almost finished. Can it last? Let’s hope so! Do let me know how you are all getting on. As of last count, there were over 150 of us taking part so it’s been hard at times for me to like all your posts and comments.

READING

As I have been concentrating on 20 Books of Summer so much, I haven’t been reading too much outside of that, but read a few books this month that were outside of my challenges.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

I very much enjoyed this collection of essays by Roxane Gay which explores the difficulty of living up to an ideal of feminism. It’s actually about so much more and alongside critiques of The Help and Django Unchained, I very much enjoyed her essays on professional Scrabble tournaments, Sweet Valley High books and her love of trash reality television.

Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo, translated by Jamie Chang

Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 is the calmest howl of anger I have ever read. Telling the seemingly ordinary story of an ordinary woman living in Korea, the book dissects a world of misogyny and a country where women are considered second-class citizens. Billed as a Korean #MeToo, this book’s power comes from its frightening banality.

WATCHING

This month has seen us watching some real duds on Netflix – which can be so hit and miss on quality.

We did however redeem our viewing with the brilliant The Sisters Brothers, which I loved and the interesting Freaks which is like a smaller, more intelligent version of X-Men.

Thanks to the lovely Marina Sofia, I have finally subscribed to MUBI, so am pulling together a watch list of lots of interesting films. If you’ve seen anything good on this channel, do let me know and I’ll add to the to-watch pile.

Netflix has kindly put all episodes of Anthony Bourdain’s fascinating Parts Unknown up for viewing and we have been meandering all round the world in his company, enjoying the food and his musings. In light of what happened, the show can be emotional and at times very poignant, but still well worth watching.

And finally, we are binge-watching Season 3 of Dark – which has been one of my favourite shows of the last few years.

Just when I’d got my head around the while time-travel plot, they’ve now thrown alternate worlds into the mix, but despite the fact that I have, at times, no clue what it going on, this remains really smart, beautifully filmed television that rewards hard work.

LISTENING

Music-wise this has been a great month for me and I reviewed three of my favourite new releases for No More Workhorse.

I’ve loved the loose sunshine country-rock sound of Rose City Band, the sharp and sassy sounds of Phoebe Bridgers and the stunningly beautiful piano compositions of Gabriel Olafs.

That’s been my month in reading, watching and listening! What’s been on your cultural radar this month?

20 Books of Summer Monthly Miscellany 20 Books of Summer anthony bourdain born 1982 Gabriel Olafs kim jiyoung Monthly Miscellany Phoebe bridgers Rose City Band roxane gay the sisters brothers