Heather's November Favourites

I have realised that I am very late with this, but oh well.

Book
Again, my favourite book this month was also the only one I read this month. Oooooops. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer really is a wonderful novel, and you can read my review on it to find out more.


Film
Easily my favourite film of November was The Imitation Game. I didn't really know anything about Alan Turing before seeing the film, and after watching it, I was angry that I had never been taught about his heroic story. The film is beautifully made, and Benedict Cumberbatch gives an absolutely stunning performance as Turing. This film is basically just important. Everyone should see it and learn about Turing.


Song
Blank Space by Taylor Swift has definitely been my song of the month. Love it, love it, love it. The video is a fab accompaniment to the song, but my favourite thing about this song is the video that Taylor made with Greg James. It basically shows them miming Blank Space whilst driving through London, and it's hilarious.


TV Show
The Apprentice is back!! I absolutely adore this show. It is hilarious. Lord Sugar's criticisms and insults are always really witty, and I love to watch all the entrepreneurs bitching about each other behind their backs. My favourites are Roisin and Bianca, and sometimes Solomon. And I HATE Mark.


Album
My favourite album this month is 1989 by Taylor Swift. The whole album is full of songs that could easily be top ten hits, and I think her fusion into pop music has worked really well. Basically I am in love with this woman, and you should be, too.


Whatever
This month I went to two gigs, and so obviously I have to mention both. I saw The Kooks at Sheffield's O2 Academy and Lady Gaga at the Motorpoint Arena, also in Sheffield. If I had to choose, then Gaga's concert was better (obviously) but The Kooks were also 100% awesome. Basically both nights were awesome.


Heather out.

8. Nativity!

(sorry for being shit at this, I completely forgot about it!)

Nativity! is one of my favourite Chesitmas films (along with Elf) and for me, Christmas hasn't started until I've watched it. My family and I watched it this evening and we still laugh out loud, even though we've seen it roughly seven million times. It's hilarious and also lovely, and I always tear up.

7. Atlantis

Ok, so it's a little trashy, but it's always good fun to watch. And actually, this series has got quite a lot better so far. Atlantis is the story of Jason and his friends doing cool stuff. It's basically Merlin but about ancient Greeks.

5. The Piano Guys

As a cellist myself (who, by the time this reaches you, will have taken their grade 8 :O ) I can't recommend these guys to you enough. They take well known songs and arrange them in a very clever and enjoyable way, normally for cello and piano. They've done all sorts, but I've posted a Christmassy example below. It's pretty darn funky. Word.

They have incredible skill and are always very impressive. They also have a number of albums out and their own YouTube channel, which you should definitely subscribe to.

The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmKurapML4BF9Bjtj4RbvXw

3. Ello

Did you know that social networking is simply a means for advertisers to buy our details? We are worth millions as individuals in advertising, and in return we get to talk to each other on the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Have you ever noticed that you might be talking to someone on "private" messenger about something you want, and then suddenly on a completely different website, you see an advert for it? Yeah. Something's up.

Well, Ello is the new social network which promises never to use us as a way to make money through advertising. Our details will never be sold and it will never cost us anything, either. What's also good about it is that it is simple but very effective. I hope that one day I will be using it more than facebook.

It's currently in beta, meaning it is still short on features, but a features list on the page will show you what they are planning on building, and it looks very exciting indeed. Also, because it is still being built, you can only join via invitation at the moment. However, anyone can request an invitation on their home page - or if you know me, ask me and I will send you an invitation.

Once you're on, you can add me if you like. I'm @Benjaminj1996. I hope to see you on there!

www.ello.co/

1. Miranda

Well hello to you my old chums! What a veritable thrill to see you all again - especially you.

So it's December - that means that Christmas is well and truly on the way. To celebrate, we've decided to post once a day this December until Christmas day. Like an advent calendar, if you will. Each day we will have something cool to show you or recommend to you. The hope is that you'll discover something new. Me and Heather will be taking it in turns to present our faves to you over the month, and I'll be taking the odd numbered days.

So today I am starting with my all time favourite comedy show - Miranda. It's all about a 30 odd year old woman getting to grips with life with her tiny best friend, hilariously posh mother and other characters. There's just something about it that's so ridiculously funny - check out the video below for a look. There are 3 whole series out there, with two more Christmas specials on the way this year, the show's last ever episodes. Sad times. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it...