Add to List - #34 (Italy Edition)
Kidnapped, Common People and a wow-wow wedding
How many times do people give you a recommendation and you say ‘Oh, really? Cool. I’ll add it to the list!’ and then you go away and do not add it to any list anywhere?
Well, I present you with Add to List: the Sunday newsletter containing small things that brought joy, evoked an emotional reaction or became some short-lived stability for me in the past 7 days.
Obsession
Common People, by James Smith
This isn’t the first time I’ve plugged James Smith’s work on here but I am so excited that his debut album is out!
The man is a good egg, a pure soul and an incredibly talented musician, producer, songwriter and creator. Currently got We Move on repeat. It’s vibey funkalicious stuff — perfect for making scrambled eggs and coffee to and settling into your Sunday. Groove to it or get gone.
Confession
This post has not been published from Italy, despite being called Italy Edition.
So, here’s a picture from my writing desk earlier this week, where I spent time using the temperamental mountain clouds and incoming thunderstorms to help me build relationship tension between my two protagonists.
Shook
My sister’s transformation into Chloe Ayling for Kidnapped, on BBC.
I might be biased because I am related to her but I think this performance of a harrowing, haunting real-life kidnapping is totally transfixing. Nadia has embodied Chloe to an unrecognisable affinity that I forget I am watching my own sibling on T.V.
This is not just a true crime story; it is a cautionary tale of the role media has to play in how we see victims in our society. Through this show, we see how those who have experienced traumatic events are not given the correct after-care; we witness how easily we can pick apart the pieces that might just be the only things holding someone together. It’s an important watch.
Book
For Such a Time as This by Shani Akilah
I spoke about this in my last full Add to List but I cannot recommend this one enough. Gently inter-woven stories filled with heart, soul and truth within a London friendship group — each with their own unique narrative voice and important attached message. This is unique and sparkling storytelling which uses small details to tell much bigger pictures. Adored it.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
End of summer getting you down? Want something light but with meaning to cheer you up? If so, this is a good book for you.
A brilliant premise filled with parallel lives, ever-changing worlds and romantic magical realism. Lauren, our protagonist discovers a new husband comes down from her attic every time she sends them up to retrieve something. With each husband, her entire career, home and hobbies change alongside him. After overcoming her initial confusion and fear and embracing some of the positives of being able to start a new life from scratch repeatedly, we begin to understand through this ever-changing, entertaining roll-call of spouses, what it is that Lauren really wants and we question if she can ever be happy knowing there’s an infinite number of possibilities out there for her. Whilst the writing style wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, I loved the way the book was set up to question our romantic integrity, probe our societal desires and leave us pondering what (or who) it is in life that can truly makes us happy.
All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (Publishing in Spring 2025)
I received this proof back at a publishing party at the start of the summer. (I have to admit, one thing I am really missing about my job is the endless supply of early copies of books).
This novel has an unreliable narrator, Florence, who has fractured relationships with those close to her in her life. Our zany female lead despises the boy who has recently gone missing from her son’s school. The side-characters, a wealthy set of west London yummy-mummys provide a backdrop of great comedic moments. I’m only a few chapters in but it’s already had some wild turns. I’m expecting high-drama from this book. Another end-of-summer read I think I’ll tear through quite quickly, I’ll let you know if you should add it to your list when I’m done.
Cook
I’ve been back in the U.K. for a wedding this weekend and have enjoyed the temporary hiatus from my all-tomato, all-pasta, high-cheese based diet.
On Friday I had the fish curry at Granger and Co, Notting Hill. It was just what I wanted: creamy, light, full of flavour. The food at the wedding I attended yesterday was 12/10. More below.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Pictures from a friend’s wedding yesterday.
Oh boy was this a wedding to remember. We got a speedboat from St. George’s Wharf to Greenwich. (Yes — Storm Lillian and all.)
The most insane venue. I have never tasted canapés like it. Tuna Tartare. Smoked Duck. Wagyu Beef. The food was knock-out. As an indicator, there were three types of butter on the table: chicken, truffle and marmite. (The marmite one was my favourite).
There was a live band in an art gallery. We sang Love Story by Taylor Swift after the legal vows. I cried so hard during every speech because they were equal parts moving and hilarious. I got to catch up with friends who live in Australia. There were disco ball cocktails. There was SO much dancing. But also, so many touches were just so perfect and specific to the couple too. Honestly. Perfection. I bloody love love.
Plus, I got to read extracts from Bridget Jones’s Diary in the ceremony. If you don’t think that’s the coolest wedding ever, then you’re clearly boring, a Smug Married or don’t have the correct appreciate for our rom-com heritage. Come the fuck on Bridget.
p.s. so pleased to announce that my blow-dry survived the boat ride. Shout out to ponchos, the real wedding MVP.
Forward Planning
Back to Italia
I fly back this week and will be heading out of the mountains and down to the coast for a couple of nights with my parents soon. Some wholesome family planning time is commencing and I predict sun, sea, and a suspiciously large number of Campari Spritz in our future.
Can’t wait for those Campari spritz