52 Awesome Things

Once a week I want to talk about something that I think is awesome. My interests include Vin Diesel, make up tutorials and Harvest Moon. 

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Awesome Thing #47 - The Woman in White

Written in 1859, Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White is one of the earliest examples of the mystery genre. It follows the misadventures of average joe drawing teacher William Hartwright, badass lady Marian Halcombe and beautiful yet bland heiress Laura Fairlie. The story is a gripping adventure of multiple narrators and unexpected twists - I could barely put it down.

The second time I read it.

The first time I didn’t get past the opening chapter.

What I have learned from this experience is that sticking to a book through the first few pages is always worth it. William Hartwright is not an instantly engaging character, but the story is gripping enough for me to turn a blind eye to his painfully average-ness. The best narrator of all the available accounts in the book is Marian Halcombe, it’s kind of fun to watch Collins panic about having created a far too-empowered woman and have to occasionally reign her in with remarks about hating her own gender or swooning, so that women readers of 1859 didn’t get the wrong idea. These remarks aside, Marian is an ass kicking heroine and the chapters that are written from her perspective (where much of the action of the story takes place) are almost impossible to put down. The diary entry format of Marian’s narrative means that every new twist is as new to us as it is to the narrator, and makes for an incredibly tense experience.

The central mystery is not impossible to predict, twist wise, but there are moments where events genuinely shocked me. As a lover of mysteries, in both book and TV form, this was a source of great joy. The characters are compelling. The story is dark. There are terrifying villains.

The Woman in White has become one of my favourite books.

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Awesome Thing #46 - Nigel Slater

There are potentially too many celebrity chefs in this world. There, I said it. There are vegan chefs, meat only chefs, weight loss chefs and indulgent chefs. Why does Nigel Slater stand apart? He’s a cook.

I first started watching Nigel Slater’s programmes with my mum as a way of relaxing. A detox for the mind. Nothing takes away the stresses of everyday life as well as Nigel Slater talking softly over some soft focus shots of herbs, while the introduction (and only ever the introduction) of a Mumford and Sons song lilts away in the background. Smashing.

When I was struggling with my mental health at University, Slater’s work was an oasis of sorts. Nothing in a Nigel Slater programme is upsetting, unless you have particularly strong feelings about cumin. This was the first time I actually attempted cooking one of his dishes, an aubergine curry. I love vegetables and this was the first time I had ever cooked with aubergine. Needless to say it didn’t end well, but at least I gave it a go. Nigel’s recipes are easy to follow, and a joy to read, but if you’re a uni student sharing your kitchen with 16 other people, maybe try and stick to the basics.

Three years ago I was given “Eat”, one of the satisfyingly fat Nigel Slater cook books, for Christmas. I used to read it when I was sad, because food makes Nigel Slater happy. That passion is infectious, even in the way he writes.

It wasn’t until mid 2016 that it occurred to me that beyond bad mood busting, I could actually have a go at cooking the recipes in “Eat.” Mind sufficiently blown, I set about trying some of the simpler dishes and found that if I follow simple instructions, I’m not a bad cook. The recipes in this book aren’t complicated, but they teach you a lot about how to combine basic ingredients with herbs and spices to achieve incredible flavour. There’s a tomato sauce recipe in there that I’ve used about 30 times.

The books also encourage you to experiment and explore cooking, and to have fun. There is no clean eating regimen. There is no prime food directive. There is no “this will save you money” or “this will lose you weight.” A lot of the recipes in eat, by virtue of being heavy on vegetables and lighter on meat, tend to be fairly good for your body and your wallet. But that is not the selling point, the selling point is that they taste good. If that isn’t the best justification for buying a cookbook, then I don’t know what is.

Whether he’s getting distracted by bargain price pan shops in the middle east, being surprised by the heat of his own curry, or just throwing together a soup with the parmesan rinds from his fridge (top Nigel moment) - Nigel Slater cares about food, and his love of food is contagious!

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Awesome Thing #45 - I,Tonya

This year has been a great one for strong female leads. I, Tonya tells the story of Tonya Harding’s famous rise to fame and fall from grace from her perspective. Despite combining recreated interviews and scripted scenes to snappy comical effect, the film reminds us that behind the scandal there was a real woman.  

Margot Robbie brings vulnerability and a sense of extreme violence to the character. Even when Tonya skates in the film, it is with an undercurrent of aggression. Violence is central; whether it is her mother beating her or her boyfriend, Tonya is on the receiving end of most of it. That doesn’t mean to say that the character is portrayed as passive. On occasion we see a woman who gives just as good as she gets, particularly in the memorable moment where she shoots at her husband and announces to camera “I never did this.”

Director Craig Gillespie does not shy away from conflicting historical accounts. In fact, he emphasises that his choice of narrator is deeply unreliable. He relies on Robbie’s compelling performance to make her likeable in spite of her inconsistency.

The ensemble cast are well matched. Sebastian Stan is completely clueless as Jeff Gillooly, while Paul Walter Hauser’s overconfident lack of intelligence as Shawn Eckhardt leaves the audience in stitches. Allison Janney, from the moment she appears on screen, asserts her character’s semi-sociopathic drive to get Tonya to the top - and she’s terrifying.

The story that this movie ultimately tells is that Tonya Harding’s career ended because the people around her didn’t believe she was good enough to beat Nancy Kerrigan. Harding’s passion for skating is clear throughout, but her background and her style of personal presentation hold her back in the eyes competition judges. Ultimately, if her “friends” believed that she needed to cheat to win, then they didn’t have faith in her ability as a skater.

I,Tonya is a movie that is punchy in so many ways. The dialogue is fast and compelling. The story moves through years of Tonya’s live in seconds. You can also never quite predict when a punch/bottle/knife is going to get thrown part-way through a scene. This chaotic world, combined with the graceful “femininity” of figure skating, demonstrates the conflict between what the outside world sees of a person’s life, and what is going on inside.

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Awesome Thing #44 – Any Suggestions Doctor

Is it OK to plug your friends’ show on your secret blog that mainly your mum reads? DAMN STRAIGHT IT’S OK.

I wrote earlier in the year about how much I love Doctor Who. This is a love that I share with many of my friends – but a few of them took their passion for the show one step further by creating “Any Suggestions Doctor?” – IMPROVISED DOCTOR WHO FOR THE MASSES. This show is great: it brought a female Doctor to the audiences before Jodie Whittaker had even uttered the word TARDIS, it has been wowing audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe for two years, and the people taking part take genuine joy from working on it.

I’ve seen multiple incarnations of the show, and been lucky enough to watch it grow from a nebulous idea thrown about in a pub on a chilly afternoon to a high production values performance that keeps the audience in stitches.

ASD have just started doing shows in London. If you’re a resident of this grim metropolis and a fan of Doctor Who, a fan of improv, or just a fan of laughing – I recommend looking up their next performance!

Details for their shows can be found on their Facebook page!

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Awesome Thing #43 - Gilmore Girls

I never really believed in watching Gilmore Girls until I had to take a mental health day off of work and I needed to bathe my brain in goodness.

Gilmore Girls was the warm bath that my mind needed and I have never looked back.

Set in the small town of Star’s Hollow, the show follows the lives of Lorelai and Rory, a mother-daughter duo just trying to make it in the world. Their relationship is heartwarming and adorable, and the setting makes for proper cosy watching. They battle the woes of Lorelai’s privileged upbringing and controversially teenage motherhood, while also eating a whole bunch of take out and having cosy movie nights. What about this show is bad?

The aesthetic of the show is extremely satisfying, all the seasons are covered in deliciously lush tones: vibrant oranges for autumn, rich greens for spring and summer, and of course glistening white for winter. I love this because each episode makes me feel genuinely excited about weather - a sentence I never thought I’d write. Warm visuals and excellent/embarrassing early noughties fashion are accompanied by gentle music and storylines that keep you wedged comfortably in the middle of your seat. The most tense thing that happens in the first series is the death of a cat and I am not joking.

The show establishes a “ross/rachel-esque” will-they-won’t-they from the first episode. It’s rare that a show is unafraid to not resolve all sexual tension before the end of each series, but I like that Gilmore Girls has the gaul to do that. There has been literally one Lorelai/Luke kiss, and it was a dream sequence - cruel, Amy Sherman-Palladino, too cruel.

The characters are effortlessly charming, apart from potentially “Jess” who appears in series two, but I’m pretty sure the whole point of Jess is that he isn’t charming and is deeply annoying, an audience needs someone to be pissed off with. Even Paris, who is Rory’s school nemesis/friend, is relatable and interesting. Rather than the traditional mean girl, Paris is a deeply driven young woman whose flaws stem from a fear of failure, rather than a desire to hurt her peers.

I love this show. Gilmore Girls is not afraid to be a little bit fantastical in its depiction of small town American life, and sometimes a little romance and a warm filter are all that you need to take the edge off of a difficult day.

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Awesome Thing #42 - Ladybird

Ladybird follows the story of a young woman’s final year of high school. So many films and TV shows have followed this kind of story that even to someone from the UK who has never experienced American high school, each scenario that Ladybird faces is familiar. Her failed romances, her involvement in the school play, her relationship with her best friend - it is not the first time that these stories have been told on screen, but Greta Gerwig’s oscar nominated feature tells them with a unique combination of heart and honesty.

Set in sleepy Sacramento, the film doesn’t have the snappy pace of a hollywood blockbuster. This is definitely a plus, as Ladybird stands apart from the crowd of fast-talking, quip heavy teen movies. While there are many familiar tropes to the story, this is not the tale of “a teenage girl” it is specifically the story of Ladybird - there is nothing generic about it. Each episode of Ladybird’s senior year shows her growing and learning. Her relationship with her mother is impacted in some subtle way by every incident, making this a beautiful portrayal of the symbiosis between mother and daughter. Ladybird becomes a new person with every new day, and her mother is trying to adapt to her.

Saoirse Ronan gives an utterly believable performance, presenting a character who is equal parts unreasonable hormones and beyond-her-years understanding. She’s been applauded for showing her real acne scars in the film - I can only emphatically shout “YES SAOIRSE!” By showing her skin as it really is on screen, Ronan exposes the amount of work that goes into constructing a Hollywood starlet, as well as bringing truth to her character. The glamor of the red carpet isn’t real, but Ladybird seems to be.

The supporting cast, particularly Tracy Letts and Laurie Metcalf as Ladybird’s struggling parents, are incredible - there are hints of other stories unfolding outside Ladybird’s internal world, but these are subtle. I loved the way that Gerwig portrayed these characters, we are aware that there are bigger things going on in the world than Ladybird’s teenage trauma - but the character doesn’t see that. We see the world through her teenaged eyes, her perspective is flawed, occasionally selfish and occasionally ignorant - but I remember seeing the world that way at seventeen.

Ladybird is nothing like the usual teen movie. It isn’t a gross out comedy, with teenage awkwardness exploited for cringe-worthy effect. This film is a sensitive, understanding story of what it feels like to grow up, told with a love for the character that eliminates the possibility of her being a figure of fun.

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Awesome Thing #41 - Kate McKinnon

I was first introduced to Kate McKinnon’s comic genius by my friend Stephen, who was obsessed with her hilarious impression of Anne Romney on SNL’s Weekend Update. McKinnon’s ability to bring a character to life (even when they’re already living) is astounding. I still go back and watch the Anne Romney sketch when I’m in need of a laugh, and since then a whole host of excellent impressions have been added to McKinnon’s extensive repertoire.

There are a lot of people who, despite it being 2018, are convinced that women aren’t funny. Kate McKinnon and her fellow SNL comediennes absolutely prove this wrong. These women are fearless and creative, unafraidd of being ugly, AND unafraid of being weird. There is still enough social pressure on women to be “pretty” that a woman who is not scared to don a bald cap, false jaw and boxy suit to play a dull politician on prime time television stands out from the crowd. Kate McKinnon, as well as Cecily Strong and Melissa McCarthy are confident, funny women. Their impressions and characters are performed with such enthusiasm that they inspire me to have that amount of confidence when I’m just being myself.

Next time someone tries to make me feel weird or bad about who I am, I’m going to think about Kate McKinnon dressed as Anne Romney and singing “Ladies if you love your man, show him you the flyest” and laugh that shit right off.

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Awesome Thing #40 - Victoria

I am going to be honest with you: I don’t like The Crown. The Crown is a show that I put on in the background when I am doing something else. In a way, The Crown spurs me into action by being so boring that I cannot possibly sit and watch it. My apologies for lovers of The Crown - it is just not for me.

I started watching Victoria under the assumption that it would be similarly dull, as it has a very similar formula of “Doctor Who star and period drama stalwart play royals.” However, Victoria keeps my attention - here are three reasons why.

Number One - Jenna Coleman is a very entertaining actress. She got a bad reputation playing Clara Oswald, but Victoria is much better scripted than the series of Doctor Who that Clara appeared in. Victoria as a character is charming and beautiful, she draws you in with her innocence and lightness of touch. The victorian era, and indeed Queen Victoria herself, has been one I always saw as stuffy, conservative and deeply miserable. Coleman, and writer Daisy Godwin, have brought something vibrant to this established figure. The contrast between Coleman’s cut-glass-but-still-somehow-warm voice and Rufus Sewell (yes Rufus, so glad to have you playing someone that isn’t a complete and utter arsehole) as the gruff and inaccurately handsome Lord Melbourne brings romance and beguiling camaraderie to a story I had always thought to be faintly dull.

The second reason that I love this show is the costume. OH THE COSTUME - be still my beating heart. I don’t care how much of a stereotype it is, I love period drama and I love sending my mum pictures of dresses I think are stunning. Victoria is no exception, with gorgeous colours and beautiful necklines galore. My brain often shuts off at the very mention of Victorian costume because it’s all puffy sleeves and enormous skirts, but this show has opened my eyes to a more sumptuous version of Victoriana and I’m utterly hooked.

Finally, one of the greatest things about this show is that it isn’t delicate with history. I don’t for a moment think it’s an accurate document of historical fact, but the point of a period drama is to educate through romance. I don’t know if one of Queen Victoria’s uncles was really a pantomime-esque villain with a bad German accent, but I am at least a bit more educated about how her marriage to Albert came about. I had never heard of Lord Melbourne but I found out lots of interesting facts about him after developing a teensy bit of a crush on our good friend Rufus (I know, my memories of A Knight’s Tale should have put me off… BUT HE’S JUST SO TRAGIC.) While there are a few things about period dramas that often frustrate me (SHE WOULD HAVE HAD SODDING ARMPIT HAIR - said no makeup artist on a Hollywood film ever) - I love Victoria because it is entertaining, sparkly and educational, where The Crown tries to tell the miserable truth and make it a little bit sexier.

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Awesome Thing #39 - Children of Time

Somewhere when I was looking for books that my boyfriend might want for Christmas, I came across Adrian Tchaicovsky’s Children of Time. I remember reading a review and thinking this might make a good gift, but not buying it because my damn boyfriend reads so fast that buying him a book lasts about as long as buying him a sandwich. Not long.

In the end, it was I who received this exceptional novel for Christmas, and I loved it. This is one of the most engaging books I have read recently; Tchaicovsky’s world building and attention to detail kept me rapt for all 500 pages.

Presented as two parallel narratives, Children of Time explores the concept of evolution, interfering with nature, and playing God. As the last of humanity drifts silently across the universe in an ark ship named the Gilgamesh, Classicist and crew member Holsten Mason experiences the unfolding of human society on a small scale. Mutinies, civil wars and religions develop in between his long bouts of suspended animation, or “sleep.” Mason’s character is not particularly unusual, but as a historian he provides a clear lens through which the reader can observe the events onboard the ship. We are also introduced to Isa Lain, an arse-kicking, foul mouthed lady-engineer who is the backbone of the Gilgamesh’s fragile society. I loved Lain’s character, she is the heart of this side of the narrative, and surprisingly well crafted (there is no “breasting boobily down stairs” in Tchaicovsky’s writing, proving that unlike many other writers, male and female, he may in fact have encountered women at some point in his life.)

The other side of the narrative shows the development of a species of spider infected with a nanovirus that encourages speedy evolution. The spiders populate a planet that has been terraformed by “ancient” humans. They are the result of an experiment gone wrong, but their society grows. We see many familiar arguments and issues come across the path of their developing society: religion, gender roles, war and even the space race. Tchaicovsky’s spider society provides an opportunity to reflect on the way that humans interact, contrasted beautifully with the brutal events taking place on the Gilgamesh.

This book is an excellent read, my first finished book of 2018! Read this book if you want something that is both intellectual and exciting, a workout for the brain!

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Awesome Thing #38 - Monsters

Released in 2010, Monsters is the story of two people trying to make it home to America from alien-infested Mexico. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards, who also wrote the script and created the stunning visual effects.

I saw Monsters when I was 18, having picked it up in the “5 for £5” section of our local Blockbuster (oh for those Halcyon days, rest in peace my sweet dvd-rental prince). At that age I liked Harry Potter, Star Trek and Doctor Who - I wasn’t very familiar with more “subtle” forms of online entertainment. Monsters blew my mind for so many reasons; it was a simple story, it’s use of CGI was minimal but incredibly effective, the characters behaved like real people and the world building was wonderfully consistent and believable.

Edwards’ script and direction present us with two people, Sam and Kaulder, who are not heroic or special - they are flawed characters who have one goal in mind: to get home. As the two make their perilous journey across the “infected zone”, they bond, and Edwards builds a love story that is compelling without being saccharine. As a viewer, I did not find either of the characters initially “likeable”, but as the characters are drawn closer to each other, the audience begins to root for them.

The “Monsters” of the film’s title are quite unique in their design. They appear to be giant, glowing octopuses - augmented versions of something you might see in Blue Planet. The creatures therefore appear implicitly intelligent while also being far different from humans. This design has influenced other films of a similar genre, such as Arrival, which also has squid-like beings invading earth.

The reason that the creatures have so much impact is a result of their limited appearance in the film. We see snapshots and glimpses throughout, but it is not until the denouement that we are shown full shots of the monsters. Beautiful in form but terrifying in size, these are images that you won’t forget once the movie is over. This kind of “less is more” approach to visual effects in cinema leaves a strong impression on the viewer. CGI is used to enhance the film, rather than to tell the entire story.

Overall, the story of this film is memorable and effecting. Despite having seen it once, six years ago, it has remained one of my favourite pictures (you can imagine my joy when I found a copy of the DVD in a charity shop.) Whitney Able and Scoot McNairy provide a captivating emotional backbone, while documentary style camera work adds a tense, realistic atmosphere. This film will renew your faith in cinema, or at least the cinema of 2010.

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Awesome Thing #37 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi

I’m going to try not to put any spoilers in here, instead I’m going to probably spew enthusiasm for a few hundred words. The Last Jedi has split opinions a fair bit, but I stand firmly in the camp of “Greatest Star Wars Film Since The Originals.”

This film combines all the tight plotting and complex mythology of the original movies with all the best elements of modern blockbusters. These elements include: diverse casting, unexpected love triangles, a little (but not too much) self-aware humour, and adorable cute things that serve no narrative purpose but will make good merchandise. I say this with no hint of sarcasm, this movie made my year.

Of all the consumerist Christmas traditions that have developed over the last few years, Star Wars at Christmas is my favourite. This is something that people can get really excited about, that unites older generations of fans with younger (my 57 year old dad is taking my 9 year old nephew to see it this year!), and that ultimately brings a lot of joy! There is dark and light in Star Wars (as if I needed to point that out) but broadly the films are exciting, lighthearted adventures that have loud noises and lots of explosions. Thrills, spills and automo-spaceships!

The new cast gel beautifully, and the film is a fitting tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, who brings Princess Leia into the 21st century with style and wit. Mark Hamill’s character has developed something of a “Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy” style humor, which works beautifully, and lest we forget Daisy Ridley, who has a proven ability to hold her own in a cast of established stars, and drives this plot forwards with passion and verve.

The villains must not be forgotten either, Adam Driver manages to capture the conflict of Kylo Ren’s character excellently, managing to seem terrifying and oddly pathetic at the same time. Domhnall Gleeson is also a fabulously over the top villain, whose ability to be thrown about by Sith Lords should earn him some kind of award.

I saw this film at 9.15am on a Tuesday and I talked about it for the rest of the day. There are so many brilliant moments, twists and lines that I couldn’t possibly list here. Go and see The Last Jedi - it will make you happy!

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Awesome Thing #36 - Reputation by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has a lot of fans and a lot of “haters.” Regardless of this - I think she cranks out cracking pop hits.

I love Reputation as an album. Initially I thought it was shouty and bad but that was definitely because I was listening at work, on a day when I felt shouty and bad myself. Listening a couple more times, I discovered that this album tells a story, and has some incredible stand out tracks.

One of my favourite things about Reputation is the way that Swift seems to be trying different styles on for size. “This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” is a peppy, angry track that smacks of MIA, “Don’t Blame Me” is a towering, moody song that harks back to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and “New Year’s Day” has something of the Lisa Loeb about it (and who *doesn’t* love Lisa Loeb.)

There are songs about being distant from your lover, about breakups, about vengeance – all of which we could have predicted from the flagship single “Look What you Made Me Do.” There are also some beautiful romantic tunes, like “Delicate”, “Call it What You Want” and “Dress.” While she claims that “the old Taylor is dead”, the songstress behind 1989 is alive and well in these tracks, crafting perfect pop to keep you going through a workout or a dull day in the office.

I’m not up on the gossip, I don’t know which boyfriend each song is about, I don’t follow her on Instagram – but as a standalone piece of music, devoid of controversy, Reputation is a solid and fun album.

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Awesome Thing #35 – Dirty Works Cosmetics

I’ve never done a beauty review before, but this range, available from Sainsbury’s, is a favourite of mine. Like a lot of people, I love vintage style packaging with bright colours. I’ve never been able to justify buying anything from Benefit, and even Boots’ Soap and Glory range is more of a holiday treat than a regular purchase. Dirty Works is great because it’s so affordable, but still feels luxury because the packaging is so well designed.

The main scent that carries through the products I use (body scrub, body butter, shower gel) is a really refreshing and light fragrance. A lot of lower budget shower gels overcompensate for less luxury ingredients by throwing cheap fragrances at the problem – sometimes this works (check out the Superdrug Rhubarb and Custard shower gel and moisturiser) but a lot of the time you end up with a shower gel that gives you a headache. The delicate fragrance used for the Crème De La Crème body wash (which smells the same as the body scrub and body butter) is made up of essential oils: Rock Rose, Neroli and Jasmine. Using all the products together means that you end up with a lasting soft scent.

The Buff Your Stuff body scrub is a real highlight, as it leaves your skin feeling ridiculously soft, and you don’t need much scrub to cover a really large area of skin. Combined with the body butter this results in a luxurious and hydrated feeling.

You can find the website for Dirty Works here, their products are cruelty free which is great! And the price point is really unusual for products that give such wonderful results.

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Awesome Thing #34 – Howards End

Howards End is a novel by EM Forster, published in 1910, that tells the story of two sisters and their interactions with the Wilcox family. This book is so beautifully written that I literally cursed EM Forster aloud for being too damn good at writing. As well as creating a clear image of what life in London was like before the first world war, Forster makes some startlingly prescient observations about the future of the city. Through the words of Margaret Schlegel he discusses the ever-expanding population of the city, how crowded it feels, and through the story of impoverished clerk Leonard Bast he explores how intangible a London life can feel.

Each character contrasts starkly with every other, and a full range of opinions on class, wealth, and romance are captured in the story. I found it fascinating that while characters often voiced opinions and took actions that seemed deplorable, or at the very least insensitive, Forster never lays any judgement on them. Rather than saying that Mr Wilcox is right or wrong, Forster simply observes that his beliefs are his belief, each character an example of a different belief system – but none of them are perfect. Rather than the black and white world that modern narratives (through news and social media, as well as fictional texts) – Forster was unafraid to present a world full of grey areas, with Margaret Schlegel trying to navigate her way through the impenetrable fog.

This book is gripping, surprising and wonderful to read. I’m spending a month exploring Forster’s works, a fact that will please my mum no end as she’s been recommending this author to me for most of my adult life. I cannot recommend Howards End enough!

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Awesome Thing #33 – Timeless

Time Travel is not a new subject to television. Humans are fascinated with the passage of time, possibly because the past is something we can never get back. Living as we are in uncomfortable political times, it is unsurprising that there should be a few shows about changing the past/returning to a better time cropping up here and there.

Timeless is the story of 3 adventurers, a programmer, a historian and a white man with a gun (always take one of these with you if you’re going to the past in America because he’ll normally be ok). Our heroes are tasked with the challenge of tracking down time terrorist Garcia Flynn, who seems intent on destroying the United States by undoing or altering pivotal historical events. The team have a time machine, an oddly encyclopaedic knowledge of their nation’s history, and a nefarious organisation to do battle with.

I don’t know very much about American History, but Timeless is gently making me aware of events that I’ve heard referenced. It educates without being bookish, and every episode is a new adventure. I was also surprised to find that the character development in the show is really well crafted: where some shows may use massive life changing events to change the way a character reacts or behaves, Timeless allows the characters to grow at a more natural pace.

If you’re interested to hear more about Timeless, I’m reviewing each episode one by one here. I would recommend this show as it is an engaging, no holds barred adventure!

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Awesome Thing #32 - Duolingo

I’ve been trying to learn Spanish on Duolingo for the last two years, I’m still only 53% fluent. This is not a reflection on the site but on my level of commitment, which has improved over the last few months.

Free education is always useful, and learning another language has had a really positive impact on my memory, organisational skills and confidence in my own intellect. With only 10 minutes of lessons a day, you can work your way through a language of your choice – there are loads to pick from.

The interface of Duolingo is so easy to use and complete with a fancy little owl that tells you you’re doing great. I don’t know about you, but if a bird tells me I’m learning something, then I’ll damn well believe him. There are regular email reminders which may come across as a little overzealous, especially when they contain a picture of Duo the owl crying a single tear about your lack of logins. The reminders are helpful, because they let you know that you can make progress in learning another language in just five short minutes. That’s less time than it takes to get confused by an article about symbolism in Taylor Swift videos! If you commute, you can learn on the bus, if you work in an office you can learn on your computer in between tasks.

In the UK our language education can be a bit lacking compared to other countries where learning English is a must. Duolingo can help us bridge the gap and become a more linguistically diverse nation! Let’s do this!

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Awesome Thing #31 - The Financial Diet

The Financial Diet is a personal finance and lifestyle blog run by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage. I’ve always had a difficult time with money, owing to a compulsion to save but an inability to budget. Over the last year or so, I’ve managed to massively improve my approach to personal finance and I have the Financial Diet to thank for that.

I discovered TFD through their YouTube channel, where they release new videos every Tuesday (in the US, so I usually watch on a Wednesday morning). The videos offer frank advice on saving, careers, lifestyle changes and so much more. The approach that the TFD team take to money is sensitive without skirting around issues like poor credit and student debt. I love the practical advice that they offer, and I appreciate how realistic they are. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach to saving, TFD discusses a range of options – there are multiple perspectives, and most articles are written by writers who are aware of their foibles when it comes to spending.

A significant chunk of the writers who provide content for TFD are women. I love this because I regularly come across an article that essentially says “Hey, this mental block/hang up you have – I have that too and here’s how I deal with it.” TFD is a nurturing community that offers guidance and suggestions rather than hard and fast rules. The tone of the site is not a judgmental one, although they are not afraid of throwing a few hard truths out there (“Stop f*cking spending money” Fagan calls in this video about useless life advice.) TFD makes saving seem possible without completely cutting out everything in life that is enjoyable. This site has never left me feeling guilty about my spending. Instead, I come away from each article with a new idea to experiment with that might help me save money, or improve my career prospects, or make my house feel more like a home.

The key thing that I’ve learned from The Financial Diet is that while personal finance is not in itself the most interesting part of your life, changing your attitude towards it can make a world of difference to how you feel about yourself.