As we wrap an extraordinary year of live events, touring artists and unforgettable audiences, the Fane team is taking a moment to reflect, reset and recharge. We can’t think of a better way to do that than immersing ourselves in the books, podcasts and shows that have sparked our curiosity, expanded our thinking, or simply help us unwind.
From crime to paranormal, cosy Christmas rewatches, epic fantasy to sharp cultural commentary, here’s what the Fane team will be reading, watching and listening to as we close our 2025.
Spooky, true crime mixed with paranormal elements…taking you just a little out of your comfort zone, but leaves you wanting more? UK Actor Hugh Dancy’s brother-in-law Tristan Redman hosts the podcast Ghost Story, which investigates the unsolved 1937 murder of Dancy’s great grandmother.
Also on the same lines of true crime, but wanting more: Dr. Death and Love Bombed.
For a Laugh, escape and what the helly: Vicky Pattinson and Angela Scanlon’s Get a Grip and Abbie Chatfield’s It’s A Lot.
Brain thinkers on rotation: Diary of a CEO and We Need To Talk.
A typical romance novel is usually from the perspective of a femme character. The storyline typically introduces the two main characters, the meet cute, the story then develops from there. Have you ever read a story from the male perspective? And one starting with a breakup and the emotions that come with it – but again, from the male perspective – Good Material by Dolly Alderton.
What drew me even further into wanting to read this novel, was knowing that Dolly’s research into the male perspective involved her interviewing the men of different backgrounds, and how they deal with breakups, the big emotions, relationships. To the point the main character Andy encapsulates characteristics from some of these men – made if feel that much more real.
Also, as a massive Sally Rooney fan (prior to her books turning into tv shows), currently working my way through Intermezzo. To be honest this read has been a little harder than her others, but love how she explores the complex relationships and dynamics of her characters.
This is a tough one, as I love most genres.
For those into –
Quirky: Sirens
Crime / Drama / Thriller: Absentia _(recent watch)
Drama /Supernatural: Manifest
Romance / Period Drama: Bridgerton [season 2 specifically] / Outlander [season 1 & 2 specifically]
Period Drama: Peaky Blinders
Action / Thriller: Squid Game
Comedy: Working Moms / Schitts Creek
Thriller / Horror: The Haunting
Let’s Give Your Brain a Break Watch: Love Island UK & AU (0 judgement please haha).
When I get time this during this hectic time, will make my way through the latest Stranger Things drop and Emily in Paris to give my brain a break.
Yes, I’m a grinch – Hallmark Christmas films, please stay away from me haha.
I’m excited to dive back into Diary of a CEO and a few more episodes of Mel Robbins’ podcast. There’s something about long drives with a good podcast that just feels grounding. I’ll also admit I’m a sucker for a gripping murder-mystery – Rotten Mango is my guilty pleasure.
I’m determined to finally finish the Throne of Glass series — eight books is a commitment, but I’m ready to power through a few more. I also want to pick up The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Pride and Prejudice, and The Art of Spending Money to mix in some classic romance and a bit of personal development.
Wicked: Part 2 is absolutely on my radar – I loved the first movie and can’t wait to experience the continuation. I’m also planning a Christmas-movie binge with Elf, The Holiday, and The Grinch… give me all the cosy vibes. Add in a few classic rom-coms (because you can never go wrong), plus Pride and Prejudice – both the mini-series and the film – and my watch list is set.
I am a creature of habit and have these pods on regular rotation: Keep It! and Las Culturistas for all my pop culture news and laughs. The Handsome Pod for my guaranteed weekly giggle. As well as Adam Buxton and Louis Theroux’s podcasts to throw some intelligence into the mix. With the Christmas season here, I’ll be listening along to my all-time favourite Christmas album: A Very Kacey Christmas by Kacey Musgrave. It is 10/10 no notes…and I controversially think she deserves Mariah’s crown (also check out Kacey’s Christmas special on Netflix).
I love a good biography, so I have added Dolly Parton’s new book “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage” to my Christmas wish-list. She has lived an incredible life, and I can’t wait to hear her story in her words.
I am so excited to binge Vince Gilligan’s (creator of Breaking Bad) new Sc-Fi thriller, Pluribus. A mysterious Alien signal that triggers a global virus?…..sign me up! Also starring Rhea Seehorn who was incredible in Better Call Saul.
Swindled – nothing like the exasperated monotone of A Concerned Citizen to keep me company on long drives.
Unruly – David Mitchell’s history of Britain is so well-read that my preference for reading over listening to books was completely overturned. He is infinitely engaging, and it’s worth the time invested.
The Poppies Bloom For No King – Panopticon’s Austin Lunn is a one-man band par excellence, and as with most things that are deeply satisfying to me, I have not paid it nearly enough attention. This EP was released to benefit families affected by ICE deportations in the US. I strongly recommend reading about it further here. Even if the music is completely inaccessible for you, the decency is universal. I will be playing this, and Deafheaven’s Lonely People with Power regularly throughout the holidays.
The Emperor of Gladness – Ocean Vuong, a poet and poetic storyteller, this has been out a few months and I look forward to snaffling it up.
The Silmarillion – JRR Tolkein’s posthumous book on the First Age is an incredibly rewarding read. This is back on my list as on a few occasions when Rosie has been in pain and crying/unable to sleep, whilst rocking her I found myself retelling the stories of the primary characters and particularly of the singing-into-being of Middle Earth. Realised I wasn’t doing such a good job as I might like, so need to brush up on the content!
Dead and Alive – Zadie Smith’s essay anthology covers ‘some of the most urgent preoccupations and tendencies of our troubled times’, and her insights are always so perceptive, but wholesome.
Moral Ambition – I can’t recommend Rutger Bregman’s Human Kind highly enough. It flies directly in the face of widely held psychosocial views and carries hope through brilliantly constructed and conveyed metaphor and story. Moral Ambition, his latest work, is an encouragement to pursue good and create change without the self-serving rot of the betterment genre. I pickled it up and put a big dent in it a while back, but haven’t had the occasion to finish it.
The Name of The Wind – Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicle starts with this, one of, if not the best piece of fantasy writing I have ever read. Deeply human, every character indelibly etched into my emotional consciousness when I read this first nearly 15 years ago. The 3rd book of the trilogy still hasn’t been finished, with the second book having come out 14 years ago. Don’t let that stop you, but instead join the chorus of those who are pleading to see it finished. Also, I am aware George RR Martin is in a similar position with finishing ASOIAF, however George RR Martin’s writing is pathetic by comparison.
Shōgun – nearly 2 years from its release, and I’ve still not finished it. Who knows how that might be possible, but I will remedy over the holidays.
South Park – the latest season needs no introduction.
Dark – Perhaps the greatest sci-fi TV of the century, and I am a fan of the genre; The Last of Us, The Peripheral, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Westworld, 3 Body Problem are all good, but Dark is unimpeachable. It’s also German, so don’t expect to be able to watch this whilst scrolling Instagram – you’d come away from any of these shows confused and disengaged doing so, but Dark is the deepest, twisting ride imaginable.
Anything from How To Academy podcasts – choose your own adventure from topics across mind and wellbeing, politics and society, science and technology, art and culture from the thinkers shaping the 21st century.
The books I’ve waited all year to read over my Christmas break are The Heart-Shaped Tin by Bee Wilson, as recommended by Nigella Lawson. How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel. I devoured Katy’s previous book The Story of Art Without Men and am looking forward to daily inspirations from artists on how to bring creativity to my every day. And finally, Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood. Billed as the most anticipated book of the year, I know this one will not disappoint.
The Last of Us – perhaps a nexus with my great love of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian storytelling to the post-apocalyptic world in the Last of Us, this show had me hooked and I binged every episode. I’m planning a re-watch and adding the game-play to my Christmas to-do list too. For something a little lighter, I’m going to rewatch Bridgerton in preparation of Season 4 drop in early 2026. I was very late to the Bridgerton party but have enjoyed the lightness of this show, it’s an easy watch. For a local, easy watching Five Bedrooms is a probably going to be streaming in the background, while I enjoy some knitting/ napping.
It’s been a year shaped by unforgettable audiences, inspiring artists and the joy of connecting people through stories. Thank you for being with us in 2025. We can’t wait to see where the next season takes us.
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