Come on October!

Welcome to a moment of respite from London’s endless rain! Take this month's 'One to Escape' with a pinch of salt... or not :)

This issue has wonderfully coincided with the start of my Master's degree in Journalism. So, I have leant into the changing times of news reporting, faced several literary giants (old and new), and enjoyed moments in sporty spots across the city!?

It was once said that good things come in threes. Both the article and podcast I review involve discussions with three interesting and intelligent people. I hope that there is plenty here to keep you inspired!

Roll on October… ?

ISSUE FOUR

One to Read ~ Circus of Dreams, a book by John Walsh (2022)

This is a book about books. ‘Circus of Dreams’ invites you to sit and watch the (sometimes) dazzling 1980s British literary landscape unfold. It follows John Walsh, former Literary Editor of The Sunday Times, on his journey from working at the London publishing house Gollancz, to being a business journalist and the never-ending swing of flashy lunches with literary stars like Martin Amis, Ian McEwan and so forth. Written with immense enthusiasm and wit, Walsh certainly conjures the magic of the era and isn’t shy to share his opinion about the ‘clowns’ he meets: the small, the tall and the scary!??

One to Learn ~ ‘Despite sexist attacks, these female journalists have built massive online audiences on their own. Here’s how’, Gretel Kahn for Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, (23 September 2024)

Have you ever wondered whose faces are you looking at when you watch the news? Until now, you might not have focused on who is telling you the news, but what they are telling you. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism recently discovered that most popular news creators are men. Gretel Kahn, a journalist for the Reuters Institute, talks to three women from France, Canada and Argentina who are leading the way in reporting news. It is an important discussion, exploring the determination women have to make their voices heard, misogynistic algorithms, online harassment and imbalance in the industry. This article is a testament to the hard work of Salomé Saqué, Rachel Gilmore and Tiffany Del Mastro, whose faces and voices I hope you recognise the next time you’re scrolling!?

One to Listen ~ Culture Chat: ‘Intermezzo’ and the Sally Rooney phenomenon, Life and Art from FT Weekend (Episode from 27 September 2024)?

I seem to have missed the grand street party celebrating the release of Sally Rooney’s fourth novel, Intermezzo (24th September). So, I made sure not to miss three journalists, Lilah Raptopoulos, Laura Battle, Griselda Murray Brown, unwrap the layers of mystery and intrigue surrounding author Sally Rooney. They concluded that Rooney’s skill lies in perfecting a simple plot with achingly frustrating characters. Intermezzo goes further this time and also looks at an underexplored power dynamic in popular fiction, siblings. This podcast will ease you into Rooney’s reflections on chess, brotherly rivalry and the art of overthinking. I’m desperate to know, will she squash our hearts the same as with Normal People??

One to Watch ~ Jo Hill?

I spent my Saturday listening to the talented Jo Hill sing in a boxing ring. Strings of fairy lights and gold streamers fluttered away as she played the guitar, surrounded by boxing bags, balloons and many dedicated fans. The location of the concert was crucial to the singer's message. Her music is uplifting and playful, but directly tackles topics like male vulnerability in ‘Big Boys Cry Too’, body empowerment and female friendship! At one point, Hill’s microphone loosened during a song. One fan sat in the front row of the boxing ring, instantly stretched out her hand and held the mic stable until Hill finished singing. As it turns out, displays of friendship, trust and having a good time were the real exercises of the evening!

One to Escape ~ A cold dip at Brockwell Lido

A strangely warm afternoon in September beckoned my first swim at Brockwell Lido. After hearing several friends rave about their outdoor swimming sessions, it seemed only right to test the waters myself. Post-freezing-swim I felt fresh and invigorated, like my blood was fizzing through my veins. The regulars sauntered out to their favourite spots on the deck, donning varied faces from the laid-back to serious swimmers. This ‘no fuss, get-in-fast’ approach made this spot popular amongst London’s 17 other lidos, when in 2016 fans lobbied to keep the lanes open well into the winter months. Now, there is no excuse for claiming that swimming is only a summer sport!?