OH MY MELLOW NO. 25
Whether you’re procrastinating from packing reading this or already by the pool, here’s our holiday hitlist of quality reads, audio, documentaries and dinner dates.
READING Heart, Be at Peace
Wherever in the world you’re on your holidays this month, your heart will be in small-town Ireland reading Donal Ryan’s follow up to his Man Booker nominated debut The Spinning Heart. Not unlike Colm Toíbín’s long-awaited Brooklyn sequel Long Island, which revisits Eilis years later, Ryan here picks up with 21 of Spinning Heart’s characters, though it can still be read as a standalone novel. The financial crisis of 2008 may be long behind Ryan’s ensemble but there are more insidious domestic influences this time, from social media to street drugs. Released today, August 8.
PODCAST Late to the Party
Over-sharing British comedian Grace Campbell invites well-known guests to reveal their best and worst party experiences, and their fantasy partygoers. It’s potty-mouthed, frank, and is as visceral as Campbell’s stand-up shows, but is frequently laugh out loud as the likes of fellow over-sharers Kathryn Ryan and Joanne McNally spill the beans on their most memorable social antics past and present, and how the increasing glare of the public eye has each made them more cautious when going out on the tiles.
STREAMING Simone Biles Rising
Our jaws were on the floor and our hearts were in our mouths the past few weeks, watching the world’s most garlanded gymnast pull in multiple gold medals at the Paris Olympics. The American super-athlete, when she pulled out of competing in Tokyo four years ago, proves how knowing when to quit should be applauded and needn’t be a barrier for future triumphs. This fascinating two-part Netflix documentary charts her comeback, with more episodes to come in the autumn.
ONE TO WATCH Ben Flanagan’s Supper Club
“I want people to get as dressed up as they want and to feel fabulous while socialising and enjoying my food – which I try to keep as seasonal as possible, working with the current ingredients that Mother Nature has in vogue.”
So says up-and-comer chef Ben Flanagan, who’s juggling his interest in fashion with training at Ballymaloe, studying culinary arts in Waterford (with an upcoming placement in Barcelona), and hosting exceptional five-course supper clubs at Cunningham’s Bar in Kildare town. Food and high fashion are not so common bedfellows but if you book a table at said supper club (€68 a head, including a welcome cocktail) you’ll get why his buzzy soirees are for the out-out It crowd – follow his Instagram for news and dates @ben_flanagann.
DRESS CODE Resort Mini
Waft around in style this holiday season, with our flamingo pink Resort Mini that’ll hopefully colour-match a host of shepherd’s delight sunsets. Blousy sleeves and deep pockets in 100pc organic cotton combine style with practicality, while a matching belt adds optional structure. Don’t forget there’s matching headband too, to help frame your lovely sun-kissed face.
