Team member Hazel shares with us a selection of their favourite books, music, films, TV, LGBTQ+ moments and fashion items for this months 'RTR Recommends' feature...
BOOKS: The best book I’ve read so far this year is Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki. Aoki’s prose is simple yet beautiful, and seamlessly weaves together different stories: deals with the devil, a trans girl looking for belonging, aliens far from home. Ultimately, it’s a book about learning to live and to love, and its descriptions of food will definitely make you hungry.
Another notable read is Babel by R.F. Kuang. This is my favourite book of all-time, and anyone who knows me knows about my obsession with Kuang’s work. The dense, Dickensian writing style may not be for everyone, but I love it. As always with Kuang’s work, Babel features sharp social commentary and devastatingly loveable characters.
MUSIC: There are two albums that I’m primarily listening to at the moment. The first is Tommy Lefroy’s Rivals EP. The band, composed of Tessa Mouzourakis and Wynter Bethel, is currently supporting Niall Horan on tour across Europe. This EP features soft vocals, witty lyricism, and cutting production, as the North-American duo explore what it is to be queer and a woman in the present day.
The second is Tracy Chapman’s eponymous debut, Tracy Chapman. I was drawn to this album after seeing her live performance of the lead single Fast Car at the 2024 Grammys. Chapman is an incredible storyteller, with both her writing and her voice.
I’m also listening to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor on repeat, for my music class coursework. Good stuff.
FILM: I’ve not watched a single movie yet in 2024, but I watched The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) in December last year, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. The cinematography is absolutely stunning, and the cast brought the characters to life perfectly. I’ve been a fan of the book since it came out in 2020, and the movie definitely did it justice.
TV: I’ve also not watched any TV in 2024 so far, but I’m long overdue for a rewatch of BBC’s Sherlock (2010). I first watched it at a very formative time in my life, and it’s certainly played a role in making me the insufferable person I am today. Haha!
LGBTQ+ MOMENT: It was surprisingly difficult for me to come up with a singular moment, but the one that first came to mind is the scene in Alice Oseman’s Radio Silence where Frances convinces Aled to step off the train. It’s not a romantic moment, but it is queer nonetheless. To me, it represents queer joy, resilience, and community. It reminds us of the important platonic relationships in our lives.
FASHION ITEM: On someone else, I’d have to say Mandip Gill’s look for the premiere of "The Power of The Doctor" in 2022. Still not over that gorgeous, cream three-piece suit! Personally, I’m not really one for fashion, usually aiming for comfort and practicality over aesthetics. Does it count if I say my sword? It’s certainly more aesthetically pleasing than the fencing getup that goes along with it. Fencing is my current obsession, and I didn’t expect the outfit to give me such gender euphoria, but it does. Or maybe it’s just the sword.
Words: Hazel Ashe (she/they)
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