Category Archives: Books

Podcast Recommendations: what I’m listening to and why

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Over three years ago I blogged some of my current (at the time) book recommendations. I’m still reading lots, but I’m also finding myself listening to more podcasts recently, as well as having some interesting conversations with friends about podcasts they’re currently enjoying. While I’ve given in to the kindle, I still resist audio books because they are ‘just not the same’. Yet I recognise that I learn and engage differently by hearing than I do reading. Podcasts can be great for that space. I find them a good way of connecting various strands of my life and thought – faith, culture, politics, entertainment – by listening to interesting and inspiring people, both those like me and those very different from me.

I think I came slightly late to the world of podcasts, although I know there are still plenty who haven’t yet engaged with the phenomenon. This is my current “Top 10” podcast list (in no particular order). I’d love to hear some recommendations from others as to what you’re listening to and why so please feel free to comment below!

Wilosophy

This was in some ways my introduction to the joy of podcasts and certainly the first podcast I was ‘in on’ from the start. I pretty much stumbled upon it, but listening to someone I find interesting having conversations with other interesting people about the big questions of life is inspiring, challenging, fascinating, and thought-provoking. Many of Wil Anderson’s guests see life and faith very differently to me, but as I learn about them I’m often learning about myself and my world as well. New episodes come out a bit sporadically (maybe once a month or so) and I tend to save these for a longer car or train journey. I think perhaps some of the earliest interviews were the best, but you never know whose ideas are going to resonate or provoke the most.

Conversations

I’m an ABC radio listener from way back, so have appreciated Richard Fidler’s ability to draw out stories of life from all kinds of people for many years – if I happened to be driving at the right time of day. Getting on to the podcast means I can listen when I choose, but given that this is 5 episodes a week, I tend to listen either if I’ve heard a snippet in the car and been intrigued, or I’m already interested in the person or their story. From Miroslav Volf to John Howard, to a woman whose husband went to gaol and a Saudi Arabian woman who dared to drive, Fidler always manages to draw out thoughts, emotions, and experiences that connect to my own life and easily transport me into walking in someone else’s shoes for a time.

The Allusionist

I love language, so British linguist Helen Zaltzman’s 20 minute podcasts exploring words is one I keep coming back to. Recent episodes on ‘indefinite hyperbolic numerals’ (i.e. the words zillion, squillion, and kajillion), the words we use for migrants (including how immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker have become pejoratives used for the ‘other’ whereas ex-pat is solely reserved for those who look like us), and lexicography (what it’s like to write dictionaries) have not only expanded my vocabulary and my thinking, but continue to develop my own use of this beautiful, messy tongue we call English.

Theology for Life

I work in this discipline, plus I had the privilege of meeting one of the co-hosts when she was in Australia a couple of months ago, which got me started on a few episodes of Ed Stetzer and Lynn Cohick’s endeavour of relating theology to everyday issues. These run around the 20-30 minute mark and I’ve already found a couple I want to recommend to my students as they apply issues in biblical and theological studies in practical ways.

The West Wing Weekly

The West Wing remains my all time favourite TV series and I’m pretty sure this is also my favourite podcast. Another one that I have been ‘in on’ since the first episode was released, I look forward to Hrishikesh Hirway and Joshua Malina’s recap of episodes as well as behind the scenes interviews and real life political connections. They too have influenced my vocabulary, with things I ‘bump’ on in other areas of life as well as many of my own ‘ay-ay-ay’ moments in the current political climate. The idea of the podcast is to re-watch each TV episode before listening, but I’m mostly familiar enough from multiple previous watchings to just listen to the podcast as soon as possible after it is released each week. They have already had as guests key cast members including Brad Whitford, Richard Schiff, Dule Hill, Janel Moloney, Rob Lowe, and Allison Janney, as well as series creator Aaron Sorkin a number of times. More recently they scored some impressive ‘gets’ with guest star Mark Harmon, Canadian Prime Minister (!) Justin Trudeau, and even an unaired interview with the late John Spencer. I’m just waiting and hoping for Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing …

Chat 10 Looks 3

I’m a bit newer to this podcast, whose followers are a bit of a self declared ‘cult’, and was introduced by a number of different friends. The audience appears to be made up predominantly of Australian women around my age and the basic agreement is that you listen to this because you think you would be good friends with Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales if you met them in real life. Most of the time you’re just listening in on their conversation as these two intelligent and engaging women discuss what they’re reading, watching, cooking, and thinking about. Oh, and once you listen it’s pretty much obligatory to buy some saladas and make this thing called ‘crack’ at least once.

Sermonsmith

As a preacher, there are numbers of podcasts that talk about the art of sermon preparation and delivery. This is one I have found useful so far, with interviews with a range of preachers providing great insights into different ways people go about this ancient and contemporary task. I have also really appreciated their desire to hear from a wide range of preachers – women and men, people from various cultural backgrounds and church contexts, and people working in a diverse range of communities. Episodes come out twice a month and there is a back catalogue I haven’t gone very far into, but the few I’ve listened to so far have contained helpful hints and moments of good ‘solidarity’ with others engaging in the same area of ministry.

Pray as you go

I have been listening to this on and off for many years, long before I even realised it fit the category ‘podcast’. A daily 10-15 minute reflection on a Scripture reading, this uses the Ignatian tradition to provide space for prayerful engagement with the text. I find engaging with different Christian traditions at different times helps enrich and renew my own spirituality and so this is one I regularly come back to in different seasons. While travelling around Europe earlier this year, I loved using these podcasts each day, taking time to sit in the pews of one of the cathedrals or ancient churches I was visiting and ‘tune out’ the tourist noises, reconnecting with God in those sacred spaces. Back home, I try to find my own ‘sacred space’ to make the most of these.

The Comedian’s Comedian

While I have no illusions that I will ever be a comedian, I enjoy listening to them and have found that I get good insights from them about how to think and speak. This podcast is one comedian interviewing other comedians about what makes them tick and how they do what they do, which can be surprisingly poignant and moving. I’ve only listened to episodes with guests whose comedy I am already familiar with, but have found it insightful and entertaining and in particular good for listening to on long plane flights as long as you don’t mind the occasional odd look from fellow passengers if you do actually laugh out loud.

Red All Over

I recently watched The Handmaid’s Tale and found it overwhelmingly beautiful, entirely compelling, and completely disturbing. Continued watching almost required finding people to debrief with and so I went looking for a podcast to hear what others were seeing and thinking. This was the best I came across. I found it a bit hit and miss (and I wondered whether Hrishi and Josh have ruined TV show podcasts for me by setting my expectations too high), but it did give me opportunities to work through my own reactions and responses to what I think was a significant contemporary series to engage with.

So there you have it … another list that probably says more about me than I intended it to! What podcasts are you listening to and would you recommend?

Book Recommendations: My Top 20 Novels (right now)

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The movie of one of my all time favourite books comes out next week and organising to see it has led to a few conversations with fellow book lovers about our favourite fiction. I always say The Book Thief is one of my top five, but I’ve never been able to definitively name the others on that list. Probably because it changes so often. But for now, here is my best attempt at my favourite novels of the last few years. I’ve limited myself to one book per author and they are not necessarily ranked in permanent order as more recent (re)readings tend to move things up the list, and it is certainly weighted towards books published in the last decade or so.

A friend gave me this T-Shirt a couple of years ago. Probably a fair call.
A friend gave me this T-Shirt a couple of years ago. Probably a fair call.

1. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak (2006)

I don’t know anyone who has read this book and not loved it. (But now I’ve said that I’m sure someone will let me know if they have!) Narrated by Death and set in Nazi Germany, you know from the start that things will not all be okay. And yet it is sweet and funny and moving and uplifting. Beautifully written, it was Australian author Zusak’s first book and his follow ups haven’t quite managed to hit such heights. It is a book for book lovers; a book about the power of words written in powerful words. I’ve read it three times in as many years and I know it will be on my re-read list for years to come. I’m really looking forward to the movie … with slight apprehension as I wonder how on earth they can do it justice.

2. Life After Life, Kate Atkinson (2013)

I bought this after hearing the author interviewed, intrigued by both her passion and the premise. Another book with an innovative central conceit, here the protagonist dies at the end of each chapter. Each new/parallel life is based on the idea that one small change in circumstance can change a whole life. The first few chapters allow time to get into the rhythm, a few are frustrating, one is so sad you can’t wait for it to end, and others are joyful and riveting. The backdrop is the first half of the 20th century and historical and literary references are woven in throughout. Loved it.

3. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn (2012)

A much darker and more twisted tale, this is a great book to talk about with others who are reading it, especially as they hit certain points in the narrative. Told from the dual perspectives of husband and wife in alternating chapters, each starting at a different point, it’s the story of a woman gone missing. It’s a psychological thriller, at times graphic and disturbing, and I couldn’t put it down. The twists and turns are fairly over the top but that’s probably a good thing here. Completely gripping. The movie version with Ben Affleck as the lead is due for release late this year, again bringing me both great anticipation and some trepidation in wondering how they can possibly pull it off.

4. To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee (1960)

Despite being a fairly prolific reader, somehow I had missed reading this until recently (I know!!) I am now firmly convinced of its status as a classic that everyone should read. Enough said. I haven’t seen the movie but it is on my to do list.

5. The Source, James Michener (1965)

I love historical fiction and I love the land of Israel’s history so this was an obvious recommendation to me. A sweeping story of a fictional place set in a very real historical context which examines the many episodes in the history of this amazing land from centuries past right through to modern day. If you’ve been to Israel you will love it; if you haven’t, you will still probably enjoy it.

6. Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks (2001)

The first of Brooks’ books I read and still my favourite. Inspired by the true story of an English village which in 1666 decided to cut itself off from the world to keep the Black Death from spreading. Brooks imagines what life was like in that small village for that year. Questions about God, science, hygiene and meaning are raised as well as friendships and life in community. I couldn’t put it down, but highly recommend ignoring the epilogue which seems to belong to a different book altogether (what’s with that?)

7. Life of Pi, Yann Martel (2001)

Loved the book, loved the movie. Probably the closest I’ve ever come to preferring the movie – it’s visually stunning – but still glad I read the book first. The writing is so evocative, I was totally there as the improbable tale unfolded. For me, this book is proof that a good storyteller can make even the most implausible events believable! Deeper questions of truth and meaning are raised right at the end and make for interesting discussion, but I still think it should mostly be enjoyed as just an incredibly well told story.

8. The Help, Kathryn Stockett (2011)

The movie was good. The book is better. Set in the US South in the 60s, it’s the story of racial tension and segregation told from women’s perspectives and told well. Easy to read and gently confronting.

9. The Submission, Amy Waldman (2011)

A novel evoking the real controversy about the building of a ‘mosque’ near New York’s Ground Zero, here it’s a 9/11 memorial design selected anonymously by a committee which turns out to have been submitted by a Muslim. Set within the aftermath of the well-known events of recent history, all the different perspectives are examined in an interesting way. The ending is a little too neat but I really enjoyed the read overall.

10. One Day, David Nicholls (2009)

It seems from this list that I enjoy novels that don’t have a straightforward timeline and here is another one! The story of a couple who meet and become friends their final day of University, we peek into their lives once a year on that same day. It’s fun, romantic, a bit nostalgic for the 80s/90s and a fairly light easy read with some good perspectives on friendship and love.

11. We Need To Talk About Kevin, Lionel Shriver (2003)

Not for the faint hearted. (Or pregnant/new mothers). Written as letters to her absent husband, our unreliable narrator’s son has just committed a school shooting. She looks back over his life, questioning whether she should have become a mother and whether he was born evil. It is brilliantly written, with the impact of what has happened in the present hanging over the retelling of the past and yet full details withheld until the cracking ending. The movie was fairly faithful to the book but I don’t know if it made any sense as a stand alone story, there’s too much missing and what’s left is more an ode to the feelings the book evokes.

12. Bel Canto, Ann Patchett (2001)

In an unnamed country the guests and staff at an embassy party find themselves taken hostage by revolutionaries. The complicated relationships that arise are examined in the ensuing weeks of stalemate as the captors have no clue how to end it and the hostages perhaps don’t want it to. Quite an easy read, Patchett paints her characters so well that it’s a shame the situation has to come to an end. But the one page epilogue is banal and pointless – I seriously considered ripping it out of my copy. I think this would make a great movie, I wonder why no one has tried?

13. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbra Kingsolver (1998)

The story of a Baptist missionary in Africa, parts of this cut a little close to home. Set in the 60s when the word (and idea of) “contextualisation” was unknown, the mix of genuine compassion and incredible ignorance makes for a fascinating read. Told from the perspective of his four daughters, the second half shows the varied impact of their childhood on their adult lives, as well as the emerging history of the so-called dark continent. This is another one that stands up to multiple readings and would make a great movie some day.

14. Sarum, Edward Rutherfurd (1987)

Rutherfurd has written a whole series of books using the same premise: the story of a place throughout its history, with fictional characters and their families’ tales unfolding through the millennia. I also loved London (1997) and New York (2009), but this is his original epic and will always be my favourite. My sister and I both read it in high school and it lived in our memories enough to prompt a visit to the real ancient site when in the UK a few years ago. Near Stonehenge and Salisbury, Rutherfurd imagines in Sarum a small group of families who create the mysterious stone structure as well as the beautiful cathedral years later. The intertwining of history and ordinary lives.

15. The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger (2003)

Good movie but great book. The chronology is completely disjointed but easily followed, tracked by the ages of the main characters: the man who travels through time and the girl he befriends and later marries. Time travel is used as the backdrop to questions about life and relationships rather than as a sci-if device. Funny, sad, moving, ordinary, a good read which I have dipped back into a number of times.

16. The Runaway Jury, John Grisham (1996)

Do not see this movie!!! In my opinion the best Grisham novel of all and the worst movie adaptation. There’s a good reason the movie didn’t do well, but I can’t understand why the book isn’t better known. I went through a Grisham phase a few years ago (yes, while I was studying law) and read all his books. This is the one I keep coming back to read again. A multi-million dollar trial against the tobacco industry and a juror who has stalked the case, sets this up as a fascinating look at the way juries work and can potentially be manipulated. The movie changed the setting and the entire motivation for the protagonists.

17. Lightning, Dean Koontz (1988)

Another author I had a ‘phase’ of reading, I own a number of Koontz’s books despite his Stephen King-esque style not usually being my thing. This one is not as heavy on the sci-if thriller side and has better developed characters and drama. A time-traveller who is not from where you might think and another ‘change one detail and see what else changes’ story, it’s easy to follow and a good light read. It is starting to date a little, but I read it again recently and enjoyed it. Would make an interesting movie.

18. The Dovekeepers, Alice Hoffman (2011)

Another book I read after visiting Israel. Hoffman imagines the circumstances behind the true story of Masada and the two women and five children who survived the mass suicide of the last Jewish holdouts against the mighty Roman army in the first century. Another easy read, it’s probably important to know the story of Masada before you read it, but for those who do, highly recommended.

19. Sophie’s World, Jostein Gaarder (1995)

A cross between a novel and a very readable crash course in philosophy. The story of fourteen year old Sophie who begins receiving letters from a philosopher who guides her through the history of Western philosophy and its questions, which then start to take shape in her own life. Unique and fascinating, it also manages to explain some seriously cerebral concepts in relatively practical ways.

20. The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas (2008)

I wasn’t sure whether to put this on my list or not. I’m not sure I enjoyed reading this, but I am glad I did. Made into an ABC miniseries a couple of years ago, the beauty of the book is that each chapter is told from a different person’s perspective and yet the chronology continues to move forward in sequence. The title incident is the rebuke given by an adult to someone else’s terribly misbehaving child at a backyard Aussie BBQ. The moral dilemmas as well as issues of race in modern Australia are looked at from different angles. However, some sections are close to pornographic and unnecessary.

And the ones that got away … War and Peace (Leo Tolstoy), Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts) and Wolf Hall (Hilary Mantel)

I hate not finishing books. I mean, I’ve read some seriously bad books to the bitter end just because I couldn’t leave them uncompleted. But these three I have not yet conquered, and the first two I’m not sure I ever will. My best attempt at War and Peace was about a quarter a few years ago. This time I only made about 10 pages before I thought about all the better things I have to do with my time and that I don’t want to plough through it just for the sake of it. Shantaram I passed half way before throwing in the towel and on second reading not that far. I know others love it, what am I missing? And Wolf Hall was a recommendation this year from no less than four fellow book lovers I know and respect. I devoured the first half in about three days, then got distracted and haven’t been able to get back into it. I love the historical setting, I don’t mind the stream-of-consciousness-type writing, but for some reason am just finding it hard to jump back into!

So there you have it. An eclectic list that probably says more about me than I intended it to 🙂 Feel free to chime in with suggestions, recommendations, opinions, disputes, below …