Hello fellow Hopefulleigh link-upers! My post today pretty much covers what I've been reading and watching for the past two months. My Pa (grandfather) died quite unexpectedly at the end of last month and I missed posting for May in the week that followed. So, without further ado, here's a few books and shows that have brought me joy (or at least distraction!) during May and June:
Read and Reading:

The Shadow Year
Absorbing and enjoyable read from Hannah Richell, author of Secrets of the Tides. Reminiscent of Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
Kind of Cruel
intriguing crime drama by Sophie Hannah.
The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds The latest Isabel Dalhousie novel from the incomparable Alexander McCall Smith.
You'll Be Sorry When I'm Dead
I didn't actually want to like this since Marieke Hardy is such a notoriously harsh critic. Unfortunately she can flat out write! Admittedly some of the essays were on subjects I have no interest in (ahem, swinging!) but her wit, honesty and exceptional turn of phrase kept me riveted regardless. I guess it's true there is nothing she won't try - or write about!
All Good Things
The follow up to Sarah Turnbull's mega best seller, and my personal favourite, Almost French
. I would have preferred more Paris again but Turnbull is certainly a wonderful memoirist and she evoked the beauty and history of Tahiti as well as the bittersweetness of infertility and eventually childbirth and new motherhood perfectly.
Farewell to the East End
The third of Jennifer Worth's Call the Midwife memoirs; as ever challenging subject matter, faithfully chronicled.
Sparkly Green Earrings
by
Melanie Shankle. I got this one free on the kindle app. and must admit I was kind of glad I hadn't spent money on a paperback. Sometimes amusing but the tone wore on me a little. Maybe if I'd read more of Melanie's (very popular) blog first.
The Likeness
by Tana French. Fascinating and very well written but didn't quite live up to the massive hype for me and I thought the resolution could've been better.
Broken Harbor
by Tana French. Gripping from start to finish. Her characterisation and ability to convey a sense of place is genius.
The Hive
by Gill Hornby. Fun, frothy but also well observed and insightful. I do find the idea that all female relationships conform to this 'Queen Bee' pattern a tad disturbing and hope it's not true!
Bread & Wine
by Shauna Niequist. Utterly delicious, comforting and inspiring read. And there's recipes! I will try and write a proper review (read: gush!) in the coming weeks.
Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner. Very interesting exploration of Jewish traditions and practices but for me it fell short in application. Maybe, having grown up in the Seventh-Day Adventist faith tradition, I don't find ideas like observing Sabbath and dietary disciplines particularly revolutionary.
TV:

Packed To The Rafters (Top left) Only one more episode to go until we say goodbye to Australia's 'favourite family'. I've found the last couple of seasons a bit lack lustre but am still sad. The upside of the finale though should mean the return of Ben and perhaps even Rachel.
Revenge finally caught the finale this week - sob! Gasp! Noooooo! (As you can see my thoughts on this are profound!)
Offspring (Top right) Of course I am loving this season. The new characters are interesting, there's more Clegg, Kim and Dr Noonan hilarity than ever. Kat Stewart is killing the Billie storylines and, is it just me, or are we getting even more shirtless Patrick action this season? Again, profound I know.

The Time Of Our Lives (Top left) New contemporary Australian drama. Feels like The Secret Life of Us went and grew up behind our backs! This could have the greatest ensemble cast I have ever seen and so far I'm absolutely loving it.
A Place To Call Home (Top right) just keeps getting better. The exploration of issues of class, religion and sexuality in 1950s Australia has been excellent. I'm particularly fascinated by the relationships between James and Olivia/James and Harry.
Endeavour The young Inspector Morse. So good. Okay, so Shaun Evans is no John Thaw (yet!) but I think he's doing a phenomenal job with the iconic and beloved character.
Now I don't have much to offer in the way of music but I'd certainly be remiss if I didn't share Ricky Martin and my man Luke Kennedy's duet from The Voice (Australia) finale. Enjoy!
So, what have you all been watching/reading/listening to this month? I'm looking forward to visiting as many of your sites as possible and finding out!
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