rebelrebel:    culture

Books

I'm not very clever when it comes to literature (but I know what I like etc.) so it's probably best to list just a few favourite authors (restricting myself to just one most recommended book for each of them) for now... you can look at my ever-expanding collection in its entirety on LibraryThing or see what I'm currently reading for the book group too.

Radio and TV

I am completely besotted with Adam and Joe (Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish) who have hosted an absolutely wondrous show on BBC 6 Music for the last few years. In fact I made felt portraits of the two of them to show my affection and they were kind enough to put a picture of my handiwork up on their BBC blog. I am quite heartbroken that they have gone on sabbatical (as of Xmas 2009) and hope they'll be back soon.

Being old-fashioned, I do like a bit of Radio 4, as long as nothing too argumentative is going on. I've also been listening to the BBC World Service a lot lately (largely because it seems to give a better perspective on global issues than the standard UK media). I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to Oneword Radio over the last few years and was choked when it closed down in January 2008. On a Friday or Saturday night I often succumb to cheesiness and dance round my inner handbag to 'Club Classics' on Heart.

I don't watch that much TV any more... I used to find some comfort from watching old re-runs of 'Challenge Tommy Walsh', 'Garden Highs', 'How to be a Gardener', 'Gardener's World' (up to and including the Monty Don era), 'Take Three Gardeners', 'Birding with Bill Oddie', and any number of other undemanding shows that I could probably recite in full given the number of times I've seen them. Sadly all the gardening and DIY channels seem to be slowly disappearing or taken over by deeply unpleasant schedules full of cars/surgery/'reality'/general shoutiness. Bah. Thank goodness for the BBC (expecially BBC 4) and Sky Arts which both contain thoughtful little gems from time to time.

Films

I don't see that many films as I'm a bit highly strung and so can't cope with too much in the way of dramatic tension... and I've got out of the habit of going to the pictures in recent years (though I recently renewed my BFI membership - originally just to see Adam Buxton at the BUG nights - but now I am beginning to get back into the habit of seeing slightly more obscure cinematic treats there). I've only recently got round to cataloguing my collection online here. I will list a few characteristically sedate favourites of mine (again, in no particular order) too:

Music

Although I'm getting old, I do still enjoy a good pop tune, and I'm inclined to feel a deeper love for those pop stars whose outlook seems to overlap a little with my own. But there's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned knees up. Off the top of my head, in no particular order, I'll list those long-standing favourites that come to mind: Blur (and various offshoots), Radiohead, Teenage Fanclub, The Smiths, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Billy Bragg, Sigur Ros, Indigo Girls, Lush, David Bowie, Julian Cope, Natacha Atlas, The Lilac Time, The Raincoats, Madness, Chas'n'Dave... and various poptastic disco and dance music from just about any era. More recently I've enjoyed Friendly Fires and Vampire Weekend.

Spirituality

I don't suppose this strictly fits under 'culture' but I'm not sure where else to put it. I mainly want to say 'hurrah' for the Brussats who have put together some great spirituality e-courses and this marvellous site which is a good source of inspirational quotes and other resources (including books and films). I particularly like the philosophy they've adopted, of only reviewing things they actually like, so as to keep it positive.