Your ultimate holiday season entertainment guide
There’s no doubt we’re all exhausted…
To unwind and put whatever negative has happened this year exactly where it belongs, we’ve compiled a guide of mind soothing activities to do: reading, watching TV and eating — that’s all you should be focusing on during the break, we think. Then, as soon as we enter the new decade, we can stand tall and do some great things.
Here, on our exhaustive, saucy list, you’ll find some really good summer reads, worthy new movies and series to binge and some mouthwatering recipes to indulge in because it’s been a long year and no matter whether you’ve been naughty or nice, we all deserve a treat.
To read
A novel for hopeless romantics — Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
This classic romance novel, the winner of a Pulitzer Prize, is an absolute must for the slow days on the beach, on a deck, in a bath and in bed pulling all nighters. I remember reading it for the first time and I just couldn’t sleep, eat or communicate — for a few days I was vicariously living life through Scarlet O’Hara, the belle of the South, in the time of the Civil War. This summer I’m going to give this book another read and you’re more than welcome to join me for Sauce Book Club’s first affair (#saucereads).
A candid narrative to catch some LOLs — Dear Girls by Ali Wong
Featuring a collection of letters Wong addressed to her daughters, this novel is as hilarious and profound as her act on stage. There, she shares what she’s learned in her life so far and covers an array of topics such as childhood, career, single life in New York and dating, including some horribly intimate details. If you forgot what it’s like to giggle while reading a book, we suggest you cosy up on your deck one summer afternoon, put your favourite jumper on, and read this book from cover to cover. There’s a part of me that genuinely hopes that her daughters won’t read it ever as learning about their mom’s sex life can scar you forever.
A mind blowing and honest read for curious minds — Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
In case you haven’t had enough to read about sex in Ali Wong’s memoir, this engrossing nonfiction work of a highly committed journalist had me terrified and thrilled all at the same time. Based around desire and sex lives, it tells three true stories: Lina, a housewife whose sexual needs been neglected for years and years, Maggie, a high school student who fell in lover with her married teacher, and Sloane, an accomplished restaurateur whose husband enjoys watching her have sex with other people. This might not be your usual read but it will definitely broaden your horizons.
A group biography to get ready for kicking ass in 2020 — Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion by Michelle Dean by Michelle Dean
Yet another non-fiction book based around lives of interesting, smart women. It focuses on ten female writers — Dorothy Parker, Rebecca West, Hannah Arendt, Mary McCarthy, Susan Sontag, Pauline Kael, Joan Didion, Nora Ephron, Renata Adler, and Janet Malcolm — and what their sharp voices have meant for the twentieth-century society (where women didn’t always have a say). Obviously, as a collection of biographies, it’s more of an introduction into each person’s life but that didn’t stop me from reading more about the ones I adored the most once the book was finished.
A genuine memoir to reset priorities — Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage by Dani Shapiro
An autobiography by one of the brightest writers of the modern age. Shapiro’s braveness is surprising and shocking at the same time as she opens up about her matrimonial life: the good, the bad and the ugly. The book is here to reassure us that no bond is perfect and marriage could be a piece of work but it’s all about perspective.
Some food for thought for your holiday brain — How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
Despite the title, this book is everything but a how-to guide on how to do nothing. However, the author addresses all the issues that have been barely spoken about such as bioregionalism, attention, the self, productivity, capitalism and techno-determinism. Think of it as of a very long-form essay that will twist your brain and make you think of something you haven’t even considered beforehand.
A book to inspire the new year — Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Guaranteeing that the morning routine that he put together from already researched and known habits, Elrod’s book turned upside down many lives if you search the reviews. While six minutes a day seem like an unreal time frame to change your world in an instant, we still suggest to give it a go as you might be positively surprised. New year, new you, right?
To watch
Thought-provoking series based on real-life — Modern Love
Co-produced by Amazon Studios and the New York Times, the collection of eight episodes focused on love in all shapes and forms, came to life in retrospection to the eponymous newspaper’s column and is therefore partially based on real-life events. With a wonderful cast that features such names as Dev Patel and Anne Hathaway, these series are nostalgic and melancholic enough to make you rethink your whole love life, including friendships and family. Sad, moving, joyous and incredibly smart, these series must be watched and then, you know, watched again.
A truly promising adaptation of the beloved book — Little Women
The long-awaited adaptation of the March sisters’ story that we all loved and cherished as both kids and adults. Directed by an up-and-coming filmmaker Greta Gerwig, it’s packed with talented thespians, starting with a star boy Timothée Chalamet (if you’ve missed his acting break-through in ‘Call Me by Your Name’, we suggest you add it to your list too), Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan and finishing with Laura Dern and Meryl Streep, who will most likely never stop surprising us.
A hilarious comedy show to let the stress go — Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Coming from the creator of public’s most loveable TV-show of all times, Gilmore Girls, this show is everything but a dull production. Amy Sherman-Palladino altogether with Rachel Brosnahan sure know how to make people laugh and then keep their attention for longer than one season. If you’re a fan, catch up on the freshly released season three or, even better, binge it ALL.
A gripping thriller-series we all binged a year ago — YOU
The crazy boy is back… so Netflix has just dropped the second season’s trailer of YOU and we are ready to book 26th December for a day in the sheets with the TV and disturbingly frightening Penn Badgley. Last December YOU was the most discussed topic at every gathering or group chat due to its level of creepiness being so high. And, according to the trailer, the new season is promising to be absolutely batshit crazy and even more plot twisting than before.
A perfect movie for your night out with the gals — Bombshell
Starring a killer trio, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie, this upcoming drama is apparently so good that W Magazine popped the bomb squad onto the cover of its latest issue. The movie takes us through the story of a few women at Fox News who went on a mission to expose its CEO, Roger Aisles, for sexual harassment.
A historical drama to watch — The Crown
With the third season being recently released on Netflix, it’s time to catch up on the royal life of Queen Elizabeth II starting from her wedding with Prince Philip in 1947 to modern times. If you haven’t started watching it yet, the dramatic chronicles are full enough of intrigues, romance, political conflicts and crises to take the attention from your own problems.
A hope-giving reality show — Queer Eye
Funny and uplifting, Queer Eye is one of these shows that make you believe in humanity again, which is exactly what you need if this year has taught you otherwise. I, personally, have watched some episodes so many times that I lost the count. It gives me hope that we all can become better versions of ourselves possible if only we try. Queer Eye We’re in Japan, in particular, turned me into such a cry baby for the whole day…
Nostalgic episodes to revisit — Friends
There might not be a better thing to watch either solo or with your nearest and dearest than old-time favourite Christmassy episodes of Friends. Whether you’re looking for something to get in the holiday spirit or to watch on the big day, here’s the cheat sheet: episode 10 of seasons 1, 3-7, 9-10 and episode 9 of seasons 2 and 8. Enjoy!
To listen
A useful podcast to get rich — Money Diaries by Refinery 29
Maybe it’s just me getting ready for my Saturn return next year (if you thought Mercury retrograde fucks you up, go on, read about old mate Saturn) but at the ripe age of 27 I started education myself on how to be an adult: stop overeating and shopping over my feelings and find a way to keep my bank accounts healthy. Money Diaries, inspired by the namesake column on Refinery 29, allows us to take a glimpse at the budgets and bank statements of people from all walks of life, and then listen to what experts have to say about that. After listening to it, I’m quite hopeful that in 2020 I will be broke no more.
A brand new podcast to listen on your morning walk — On Five Things with Lynn Hirschberg
Brought to us by W Magazine and its Editor-at-Large, Lynn Hirschberg, it’s about Hirschberg sitting down for a chat with our favourite A-listers to ask them five things that played a vital roles in making them who they are: a person, a place, an object, one positive event, and one negative event that ultimately turned into something positive. With Margot Robbie being the first interviewee I just can’t wait to see who and what they bring to the table next.
An album to listen to on repeat — Coldplay Everyday Life
After not releasing any albums for four long years since A Head Full of Dreams, Coldplay finally did it again and did it well. If there’s one theme to pick up on that goes throughout the album it’ll be the utter rejection of sticking to one genre, which is what turns an album into a playlist.
A non-cheesy playlist to boogie to — Saucy Holiday Playlist
Whether it’s a picnic, soiree or a full-on party, here’s something not so wishy-washy and corny to get in the right headspace. We’ve put together all our favourite songs of all time, so go and and boogie.
To cook
A New York Times worthy side dish — Harvey House Candied Sweet Potatoes
Known as a traditional alternative to potatoes, kumara is the ultimate vegetable for either solo meals or holiday dinners here in New Zealand. And, with that in mind, we’ve sourced a bloody delicious sweet potato recipe that deserves to be on your dinner table — follow the link above to see the recipe.
A dessert to spice things up — Ottolenghi’s Tangerine and Ancho Chilli Flan
Not your typical Chirstmas dessert, right, but I thought why not trying something fresh while swinging into the new year. Surprisingly, tangerines and chilli form one hell of a combo too.
Something yummy to sip on in summer — Studio Red Rose Tea Cocktail
Ingredients:
2 cups of SR Rose Tea (brewed)
½ cup vodka
½ cup Rosolio Rose Liqueur or any other you prefer
Lots of ice
Preparation:
Boil the kettle to 80 degrees and pour two cups of boiling water into a serving jug once it’s ready. Place three rose teabags into boiling water and brew for six minutes, then remove them and place tea into the fridge to chill for one hour. Remove Tea from the fridge and pour in ½ cup vodka and ½ cup Rose Liqueur. Serve Rose Tea Cocktail with lots of ice. Hope you love it as much as we do.
And there is always Champagne Mumm to kick off the celebrations. Happy holidays, Sauce Friends! Now go on and boogie…
Image Source — here
