Simone Reddington

• Race Across the World- One of the most underrated TV shows is back on our screens for its fourth series, this year set in Asia. The concept is simple; five pairs of contestants race each other along a set route from Japan to Indonesia, without mobile phones or using aeroplanes (or in this series, Japan’s ultra-fast bullet trains). It’s really good telly that doesn’t rely on attention-seeking antics from the contestants, but simply shows us the wonders of the wider world and educates us on the cultures of the people who live there.

• Milk Teeth- I’m currently reading Milk Teeth, a novel by Jessica Andrews, which I bought in Waterstones after reading from the blurb that the protagonist is from County Durham, near me. Andrews’

• Scoop– I don’t watch many films as I’m more of a TV series girly, but I really enjoyed Netflix’s dramatized account of how the BBC secured their award-winning 2019 interview with Prince Andrew which destroyed his public image (for a very good reason). As an aspiring journalist, I found it very interesting to see an imagined glimpse of what happens behind the scenes at the world’s biggest broadcasters and the different roles in the field of journalism. Even better than the plot, however, was the cast which was led by a powerhouse trio of Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper and Keeley Hawes.

(Image source: Netflix, 2024)

• The Tortured Poets Department- I wish that I could say that I discovered a new and exciting artist which dominated by musical tastes this month but, alas, like 90% of every other girl on the internet I have been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s new album. The busiest woman in the world dropped a 31-song album last Friday and it slaps. My favourites include ‘The Tortured Poets Department- I really wish that I could say that I discovered a new and exciting artist which dominated by musical tastes this month but, alas, like 90% of everybody else on the internet I have been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s new album.  There are some brilliant tracks on it that will no doubt be sung non-stop by the Swifties all summer, but my favourite has to be ‘Florida’, on which she is joined by the legendary Florence and the Machine.

(Image source: Twitter, @taylorswift13, 2024)

• Running- I am one of the least athletic people you will ever meets and hate competing in any sports whatsoever, so nobody is more surprised than myself that I’ve taken up running as a hobby this month. Since leaving my job in hospitality in January, I’ve become very conscious that I’m doing a lot less exercise and my daily step intake has dropped dramatically (thank you for regularly notifying me Apple) so I’ve downloaded the NHS Couch to 5k app, on which I’m currently on the end of week 2. I’m no Paula Radcliffe by any means and its far too early to notice if I’ve lost weight but I can already confirm what all the experts say: it is so good for your mental health. If I’ve been sitting down all day, feeling sluggish, putting on my trainers and going for a quick run honestly makes me feel so much better.

(Image source: Pinterest, @callmelou6)- definitely not me running!!