Monthly Consumption // May 2020

Another month in lock-down means another month of heavy media consumption. With that in mind, here's everything I've read, watched and listened to in May 2020.

Books

'The Heart's Invisible Furies' by John Boyne - A beautiful novel about youth and sexuality, set against the backdrop of Catholic Ireland from the 1940's to the present day. One of the best books I've read in some time.

'Yes Please' by Amy Poehler - I'm not really sure what possessed me to read the autobiography of American TV personality Amy Poehler, given I've never seen most of her work, but it was a quick and entertaining read nonetheless.

'Don't Come Back' by Adam Fletcher - The second part of Fletcher's "weird travel" series (the first of which I read last month) chronicles his adventures in South Africa, Cuba and Indonesia, making me laugh out loud and yearn for the days when we're free to explore the world once again.

'The Quaker' by Liam McIlvanney - A Scottish crime novel set in 1960's Glasgow sees DI McCormack consumed by the investigation into 'The Quaker' - a serial killer with a penchant for Bible verses, destroying the lives of young women across the city. I don't read much in the way of crime fiction, but I enjoyed this book.

'Wholly Unravelled: A Memoir' by Keele Burgin - The autobiographical tale of a young woman growing up in a Catholic cult and how she found the courage to move on, this book was a quick and engaging read.

Movies

I didn't watch many movies at all this month. The first was Michael Scorcese's psychological thriller  'Shutter Island'; the second was a re-watch of the beautiful children's film 'Bridge to Terabithia'; and the third and favourite of the month was 'Red Joan', in which a retired widower is accused of leaking war-time secrets to the Russians.

TV

This month's TV-viewing included Netflix's 'Pure', about a young woman struggling with obsessive sexual thoughts; the fifth series of Tommy Shelby 'Peaky Blinders'; and the supernatural shape-shifting 'The Innocents'.  We also watched the interactive special of 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' - 'Kimmy vs. the Reverend' - with its pick-your-own-story format; seasons one to four of 'New Girl', which I love just as much the second time round; channel 4's crazy military selection test, 'Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins'; and Hannah Gadsby's new stand-up show 'Douglas', which made me cry with laughter. Last but not least, there was the final season of 'Homeland', where Carrie Mathison took us on exactly the emotional roller-coaster we've come to expect, bringing 9 years of CIA drama to an end.

Music 

I've been listening to lots of old faves this month - particularly Tori Amos and Foy Vance - but, in terms of new releases, I was enjoying Frank Turner's 'Live In Newcastle'; Hayley Williams' 'Petals for Armor'; and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's brilliant 'Reunions'.

Seen Live 

No live music this month as we're all still stuck in bloody lock-down. Sad times. 

xo