🎧 Podcasts I’ve Been Listening To
This month has been a bit of a podcast personality split.
On one side: Heart Starts Pounding, a newer listen for me that blends true crime, mystery, supernatural stories, and generally darker, spookier themes. It’s eerie in that “I shouldn’t listen to this before bed” kind of way… so naturally I do.
My favourite episode so far has been Deathbed Confessions. Proper chilling, properly gripping.
On the other side: Toni and Ryan, which I’ve been listening to for about 18 months now. They are genuinely hilarious. It’s become my go-to when I want something light, funny, and completely unserious.
I like switching between the two depending on the day — something darker and immersive, then something funny and chaotic to reset my brain.
📺 What I’ve Been Watching
I binged The Boroughs on Netflix recently and absolutely loved it. It’s this mix of sci-fi and suspense that really pulled me in… which makes it even more painful that it’s already been cancelled.
I’ve also been rewatching Modern Family, which has been such a comfort watch. I’ve only seen it all the way through once, so going back to it feels like rediscovering an old favourite with slightly fresher eyes.
🎬 Movie of the Month
I watched Leave the World Behind, and honestly… it was bizarre.
I don’t think I’d recommend it overall. It’s one of those films where I went in expecting an unsettling ending and still felt slightly unsatisfied by it. Interesting idea, but not quite landing for me.
🎵 Music on Repeat
I haven’t been sticking to one artist this month. I’ve been using Spotify’s DJ feature a lot and letting it surprise me.
It’s been a mix of random tracks I’d forgotten I loved and new songs I didn’t know I needed. A bit chaotic, but in a good way.
🎮 Other Nerdy Joys
I got my hands on three new Funko Pops from The Cruel Prince series, and they now have pride of place next to the books on my shelf.
That series isn’t even my absolute favourite, but the Funkos are too cute not to collect.
I also tried out Substack for a couple of weeks… and quickly realised it wasn’t for me. It felt a bit too close to IG vibes, which I’m trying to step away from.
📚 Bookish Corner
Favourite read of the month: Rookie Season by Katie Bailey and Leah Brunner
Biggest surprise: A False Start by Elsie Silver — I don’t usually reach for age-gap romance, but this one really worked for me.
Reread / current obsession: I’m deep in my Throne of Glass reread. I’m currently listening to Kingdom of Ash, and somehow it’s hitting even harder this time around.
Currently reading: Thorn Bird by E. Kennedy
Only a few chapters in, but I’m already intrigued. The FMC is the daughter of a serial killer returning to her hometown for her final year of high school. It’s giving very strong “something is definitely about to happen” energy.
☕ Tiny Joys
- I had a lovely birthday, even if it was absolutely boiling
- I’ve restarted my running journey (some days feel great, some days feel like a negotiation with myself)
- Slow Saturday mornings with coffee and my husband
💭 Final Thought
June has felt like a mix of chaos and comfort — a bit spooky, a bit funny, a bit nostalgic, and a bit of getting back into small routines again.
A good reminder that not everything has to be polished or productive to be worth enjoying.
Books & Other Pursuits 