As more and more of us practice social distancing, cancelling our plans and staying inside to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we here at Romance thought we’d start a new weekly article from three of our writers round-up what they’re reading, watching and listening to each week to stay happy, active and feeling great!
P.S we’d love to hear what you’re reading, watching and listening to! Let us know on Facebook or Instagram @romanceanz or by commenting below!
What We’re Watching
The Office
Courtney: Honestly The Office is just my go-to for something to cheer me up. It’s so easy to watch, and so flawlessly funny, it never fails to help me look on the bright side of life. Whether your take away from the show is that no one is perfect and it’s okay to laugh at yourself, or you simply like knowing that at least you’re not as weird as any of the characters – The Office is just perfection in all aspects.
Where to watch: Stan
New Girl
Eloise: This show is pure chaotic joy! I discovered, to my pleasure this week, that EVERY season of New Girl is on SBS! What better way to while away the hours than with this feel-good show about a madcap group of housemates and their zany adventures in love and life?! Plus it’s definitely giving my housemates and I a lot of fun ideas to help us keep occupied during social distancing – a game of All American anyone?
Where to watch: SBS On Demand
The Sopranos
Saskia: My partner and I take turns choosing what show we’re going to watch, so I’m on the final stretch of six seasons of The Sopranos. Whilst definitely not the most uplifting show in our current crisis, the thought that I’m only a few hours away from making him watch five seasons of Outlander is getting me through. Hello sexy Scottish hunks, I am coming for you!
Where to watch: Foxtel
What We’re Reading
Virgin River by Robyn Carr
Saskia: Now that I’m trapped at home, there’s nothing I want more than to be outdoors (and my backyard just doesn’t scratch the itch). So what better way to curb my cabin fever than by travelling through the pages to a cabin (!) in the remote mountain town of Virgin River? I haven’t seen the Netflix show yet so no spoilers please!
The Right Moment by Heatherly Bell
Courtney: I’m a sucker for a firefighter and boy does this story deliver! Our heroine Joanne is left at the altar, and just simply has to go on her honeymoon with her best friend, who happens to be a tall, strapping firefighter who’s never really gotten over their high school romance… So we’ve got a sad bride, a hot best friend, AND a forbidden romance, all while on a tropical honeymoon. The absolute perfect escape <3
Lovestruck by Bronwyn Sell
Eloise: It can get a bit grey and gloomy sitting at home every day… so this week I’m escaping to a tropical paradise with this romantic comedy! It has a gorgeous bright orange cover, hilarious rom-com mishaps and, best of all, the whole thing is set on a Whitsunday Island so I can pretend I’m sitting on the beach, coconut drink on my hand, relaxing by the water as I read!
What We’re Listening To
03.15.20 by Childish Gambino
This is definitely the weirdest of Childish Gambino’s releases to date. Cue autotuned electronic vocals, extremely long outros with strangely disconcerting rattles, heavy breathing and occasional gremlin noises. I 👏 AM 👏 HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏. Possibly not for everyone, but the world is a bit of a weird place right now, so I may as well have a soundtrack to suit.
Where to listen: Spotify or Apple Music
Worm Audiobook podcast
Courtney: A friend introduced me to this podcast a few weeks ago, and since then I’ve been HOOKED. It’s quite a fascinating project – the author published his story chapter by chapter on a WordPress site, and it grew such a massive fanbase that some of those fans got together to record an audio version – and it’s all free! The story is set in a world where super powered people are the norm, and our heroine is a sassy teenager who has recently acquired some powers of her own.
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or their website
You Must Remember This podcast
Eloise: This is a bit of a darker suggestion, but I am currently OBSESSED with this podcast! Host Karina Longworth explores the tawdry drama and scandals of classic Hollywood in this podcast that has been running for YEARS! There are literally hundreds of episodes to pick and choose from, or you can go back and listen from the very beginning. In a world where seemingly every news bulletin, social media post, or daily podcast is full of COVID-19 talk, sometimes it’s nice to step away and revel in a good juicy story about drama, intrigue and the Golden Years of Hollywood…
Where to listen: Spotify or Apple Podcasts