Top Recommendations
What we’re watching, listening to, reading and playing
My top five TV shows by Millie Nugent
The Queen’s Gambit - ‘The Queen's Gambit’ is a Netflix original series which follows the life of an orphan chess prodigy, Elizabeth Harmon, during her quest to become the world's greatest chess player while struggling with emotional problems, drugs and alcohol dependency as a young woman who travels the world to play professional chess tournaments.
Derry Girls - This Irish sitcom, currently streaming on Netflix, follows four girls (and their teen guy accomplice) who are growing up in Northern Ireland during the last years of the Troubles. Derry Girls focuses on that part of life when, as a teen, everything feels unpredictable and exciting and is bound to make its viewers laugh.
Outer Banks - ‘Outer Banks’ is a Netflix original set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The main plot surrounds a tight-knit group of teenagers from the wrong side of the tracks called The Pogues. When a series of unusual events occur on the island, The Pogues, led by their charismatic leader John B, embark on a mission to find John’s missing father.
The Society - ‘The Society’ is a Netflix original which follows a group of teenagers who must learn to run their own community after the rest of the population of their town (West Ham, Connecticut) disappears. The teenagers must come up with their own rules to survive with limited resources and no adults in sight.
Ackley Bridge - This series, currently streaming on Netflix and All4, follows the lives of teenagers affected by a merger of two schools in a largely segregated British and Asian community. Filled with thought-provoking topics of racism, poverty, bullying, sexuality and violence, the headmistress of Ackley Bridge College deals with never ending problems and explosive fallouts as the prejudicial and cultural issues clash between pupils, staff and parents.
Top 10 albums by Eve Perris
1. Bella Donna – Stevie Nicks
2. Live Through This – Hole
3. Hypersonic Missiles – Sam Fender
4. Harry Styles – Harry Styles
5. Sawayama – Rina Sawayama
6. The Chaos Chapter: Freeze – Tommorow x Together
7. Bleach – Nirvana
8. Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1 – Taemin
9. A Day at the Races – Queen
10. Sounds Good Feels Good - 5 Seconds of Summer
Top 10 books for all Readers by Eleanor McLean and Anna MacIlvany
1. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Genre: contemporary fiction, tragedy
Summary: Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukaemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged… until now.
Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
*Has also been adapted as a film*
2. IT by Stephen King
Genre: horror, thriller, dark fantasy, coming-of-age
Summary: A promise made 28 years ago calls seven adults to reunite in Derry, Maine, where as teenagers they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city's children. Unsure that their Losers Club had vanquished the creature all those years ago, the seven vowed to return to Derry if IT should ever reappear. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that summer return as they prepare to do battle with the monster lurking in Derry's sewers once more.
*Has also been adapted as a film*
3. Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: fantasy, young adult
Summary (Book 1): Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he’ll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist: break into the notorious Ice Court (a military stronghold that has never been breached); retrieve a hostage (who could unleash magical havoc on the world); survive long enough to collect his reward (and spend it).
Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done – and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable – if they don’t kill each other first.
*Has also been adapted as a film*
4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Genre: literary fiction, mystery
Summary: For years, rumours of the ‘Marsh Girl’ haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world— until the unthinkable happens.
*A film adaptation is set to be released in 2022*
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Genre: young adult fiction
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does — or does not — say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
*Has also been adapted as a film*
6. The Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini
Genre: young adult, fantasy
Summary (Book 1): When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.
*Book 1 has also been adapted as a film*
7. The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy
Genre: mystery, young adult, historical fiction, romance
Summary: Aila Quinn’s mother, Juliet, has always been a mystery: vibrant yet guarded, she keeps her secrets beyond Aila’s reach. When Juliet dies, Aila and her younger brother Miles are sent to live in Sterling, a rural town far from home - and the place where Juliet grew up.
Sterling is a place with mysteries of its own. A place where the experiences that weave life together - scents of flowers and food, reflections from mirrors and lakes, even the ability to dream - vanish every seven years.
No one knows what caused these ‘Disappearances’, or what will slip away next. But Sterling always suspected that Juliet Quinn was somehow responsible - and Aila must bear the brunt of their blame while she follows the chain of literary clues her mother left behind.
As the next Disappearance nears, Aila begins to unravel the dual mystery of why the Disappearances happen and who her mother truly was. One thing is clear: Sterling isn’t going to hold on to anyone's secrets for long before it starts giving them up.
8. His Darkest Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
Genre: fantasy, science fantasy
Summary: When Lyra's friend Roger disappears, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, set out to find him. The ensuing quest leads them to the bleak splendour of the North, where armoured bears rule the ice and witch-queens fly through the frozen skies - and where a team of scientists are conducting experiments too horrible to be spoken about. Lyra overcomes these strange terrors, only to find something yet more perilous waiting for her - something with consequences which may even reach beyond the Northern Lights...
*Has also been adapted as a film and a TV series*
9. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Genre: realistic fiction, coming-of-age
Summary: Little Women is a novel about the different lives of four sisters by the names Beth, Amy, Jo, and Meg. Set in the 1860s, the novel follows the sisters as they struggle through poverty, hardship and loss, all while discovering themselves as the world around them changes.
*Has also been adapted as a film*
10. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Genre: autobiography/memoir, non-fiction
Summary: In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America — the first African American to serve in that role — she established herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the US and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he made his mark on America.
In her memoir, Michelle Obama talks about her roots and how she found her voice, as well as her time in the White House, her public health campaign, and her role as a mother. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it — in her own words and on her own terms.
Top 10 podcasts by Alice Martin
Desert Island Discs - Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
Wake Up/Wind Down with Niall Breslin - Beautifully crafted audio to start and end your day. An easy-to-follow mindfulness podcast.
I Weigh with Jameela Jamil - Jameela Jamil challenges societal norms through conversations with thought-leaders, performers, activists, influencers, and friends about their own experiences and stories with their mental health.
Youth Speaks - High schoolers from Hampden County, Massachusetts, speak about their views and experiences on issues such as racial inequality, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, and more.
Sensemaker - One story every day to make sense of the world.
BBC Earth Podcast - Intimate stories and surprising truths about nature, science and the human experience in a podcast the size of the planet.
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day - A podcast that celebrates the things that haven't gone right. Every week, a new interviewee explores what their failures taught them about how to succeed better.
Teenager Therapy - Five stressed, sleep deprived - yet energetic - teens sit down and talk about the struggles that come with being a teenager. Is high school really as bad as everyone says?
The New York Times Book Review - The World's top authors and critics join host Pamela Paul and editors at the New York Times Book Review to talk about the week's top books, what we're reading and what's going on in the literary world.
The St Ninian’s High School Podcast - Podcast made by the pupils of St Ninian's High School, East Renfrewshire.
Top 10 video games by Luke Campbell
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of my go-to games when I want to sit down and experience an adventure game of epic proportions. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the newest entry in the Legend of Zelda series, you play as Link: a Hylian warrior, who awakes after a 100-year slumber to find the kingdom of Hyrule ruined beyond recognition. It is your job to save Hyrule from the clutches of the evil Calamity Ganon, the villain of the story. I hold this game to such a high regard due to just how inventive the gameplay is. It is an open-world game that redefined the genre as it gives you the freedom to explore this jaw-dropping world and play the game in whatever way that you please.
Super Mario Galaxy: Super Mario Galaxy is a 3D-platformer that puts all other platform games to shame. In this instalment of the 3D Mario series, you play as the famous denim-wearing plumber, Mario, or his brother Luigi, if you complete the game. Super Mario Galaxy thrives on inventiveness and the game will constantly throw you new mechanics as you fly amongst the stars in this truly unique gaming experience. The game follows the same story of the previous Mario games where you must save Princess Peach from her kidnapper, Bowser. However, the galactic set up of this game makes it stand out from the rest. It also has an orchestrated soundtrack, making the music of the game make you feel all sorts of emotions: from incredibly powerful to giving a rushing, dangerous tone to the game.
Hollow Knight is one of the most creative and beautiful games that I have ever seen. It was created by Team Cherry, a small independent game studio. This 2D Metroid-Vania invites you to explore the world of Hallownest, a dilapidated kingdom of bugs and critters. You play as the Knight, a masked warrior, who slowly becomes stronger as you progress through the game, unlocking new abilities. It gives you a real sense of progression. This world has a bleak but hopeful atmosphere and gives subtle clues to how this kingdom fell into disarray. Saving the world of Hallownest was a personal treat and I cannot recommend it enough.
Enter the Gungeon is a rogue-like or bullet hell top-down shooter that was developed by the independent studio, Dodge Roll. You can play as of one of six different characters at the beginning of the game. This can increase to eight players as you progress through the game. The game has a charming visual style: it reminds me a lot of the 16-bit era of the SNES. Everything, and I mean everything, is based around the idea of guns. Even the currency to buy items is shell cases. However, do not let the visual style put you into a false sense of security as this game is incredibly challenging and a huge part of this challenge is the fact that when you die, you must start the game from the very beginning - only retaining some coins that can be used to upgrade your character. The rogue-like element of this game may frustrate you; however there has been no other game that has left me with such a huge sense of accomplishment after beating it.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the newest entry in the Mario Kart series and by far its best. For those of you that don’t know, Mario Kart is a mascot racing game that includes characters from the Mario series of games. The character roster is sublime with the vast number of characters there are, and the course selection is magnificent. Each course in this game has its own unique atmosphere and they are all so much fun to race on. What makes this game one of my personal favourites is the multiplayer. The game supports four-person split screen multiplayer, eight-person local multiplayer, and it also supports online play. So, there are so many ways you can play with friends. This is my favourite party game to date, and I always have a blast when playing with friends and family.
Minecraft, in all definitions of the word, is a sandbox game. You begin your adventure in a procedurally generated world, meaning that all the worlds created will be unique. You begin with absolutely nothing to your name and it is your job to gather resources and survive. And, once you are confident with the game and how it works, you can make truly impressive things. The worlds are made from simple blocks, making the game easy to pick up and play. However, it has truly deep mechanics that expert players can test out, making it an excellent game for all skill levels and ages. Minecraft also supports online play so you can explore and work together with friends.
Super Smash Bothers: Ultimate: READY, FIGHT! Super Smash Brothers: Ultimate is the newest entry in this truly innovative 2D fighting game. What makes Smash Brothers unique is the character roster, as it includes gaming icons from all genres. You can control the famous plumber, Mario, and duke it out with Street Fighters’ Ken and Ryu. There is truly a character that all gamers will be able to recognise. Smash Brothers strives to have multiplayer focus, that allows for up to eight players to fight online or locally. There are also online tournaments which allow you to test your skills against strangers online. I cannot recommend picking up this game enough - it is the best fighting game, in my opinion, of the 21st Century.
Cuphead, by studio MDHR, is the most unique game on this list. It has a hand-drawn 1930s art style that remind me of the works of early Disney. You play as Cuphead, and, as the main protagonist, you must fight your way through the world in this boss rush experience, collecting the souls of the bosses to give to the devil in return for losing a bet to him. So, as you can see, the game prides itself with contrasting appearance and reality. The charming art style contrasts with the harsh difficulty of this game. It is not for the faint of heart. So, if you are a skilled gamer that enjoys a challenge, Cuphead is the game for you.
Dark Souls is a masterpiece. You explore the cursed land of Lodric, aiming to free it from the monsters that lurk within. This game is tough. So tough that it created a brand-new video game genre of its own, the Souls-like. I do realise that I have mentioned a fair few difficult games on my list, but they are all high-quality games and Dark Souls is no exception to this rule. There is nothing more rewarding than overcoming a difficulty that feels as if it has impossible odds against you. It is, as I said, a masterpiece.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time pioneered the 3D adventure genre. Released on the N64 in 1998, this instalment in the Legend of Zelda series was Link’s first 3D outing. And, while this game is on incredibly old hardware, it still holds up to this day. It is so good, in fact, that it holds the world record rating for a game on Metacritic. And it deserves the score. You don the green tunic of our Hylian hero, Link, who must travel through time, to the past and the future, to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil Gerudo King, Ganondorf. Now suit up and save Hyrule!