Welcome to the weekend 😊 Here’s issue #9 of the things I’ve been listening to, watching, and reading lately. 

As always, do drop me a note with any of your recommendations. 

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel quite like this! It an odd, unlikely premise, but somehow it works and, like all good novels, sheds light on aspects of humanity. It’s funny, it’s dark, it’s entertaining, it’s illuminating. It’s the story of a transcriber of therapy sessions inadvertently realising she’s just bumped into the person whose sessions she’s been transcribing… And starting an affair under false pretences. It’s messy, it’s broken, it’s touching. 

I read this article in The Times about an Ugandan man being subject to the death penalty for being homosexual. It’s shocking and heartbreaking in equal measure. This paragraph in particular is a devastating indictment on segments of the church too: “Growing intolerance of homosexuality across Africa has been linked to lobbying and funding by modern-day fundamentalist American missionaries operating on the continent.”

My friend Richard alerted me to The Bear recently and his recommendation did not disappoint. I’d seen it promoted on Disney+ several times, but it took Richard’s nudge to get me to click play. And I’m so glad I did. It has the feel of a documentary more than a fictional TV show, but the format shines. It stars Jeremy Allen White as a young, award-winning chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to manage the chaotic kitchen at his deceased brother's sandwich shop. The result is a gripping show with a compelling cast of characters. Looking forward to watching season two. 

This Guardian article is from back in March, but I didn’t see it at the time. It’s about a €49 ticket now available on Germany covering regional rail, metro, trams, and bus travel. This feels like exactly the kind of option needed here in the UK. I’d love to use the car less, but it’s rarely an option as public transport is so often the costlier option.

Thanks for reading,
–Sam

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