Latest news with #ALittleLife
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Comedian Andrew Doherty announces new comedy-horror show for Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe will see Andrew Doherty present his sophomore show, 'Sad Gay AIDS Play'. This follows a critically acclaimed debut run at the festival last year with 'Gay Witch Sex Cult' which saw him sell out his entire full festival run. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Having built a name for himself as the new voice of comedy-horror with his 'Wicker Man' inspired debut show, Andrew is all set to relaunch himself with a groundbreaking piece of tragic theatre – the depressed love child of 'A Little Life' and 'Angels in America', cooked up in an effort to be taken more seriously by The Pulitzer committee and earn his one way ticket to success. 'Sad Gay AIDS Play' will see the brave and fame hungry Andrew Doherty throw the book at AIDS and ask the Arts Council to pick it up. Fans of Andrew's off-beat comedy will be satisfied with silliness, but ultimately his attempt to bask in the warmth of dramatic clout is doomed by the interference of supernatural forces, in true Andrew Doherty fashion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The rising star has made a name for himself as one of the hottest, fresh new voices on the comedy scene. His unique style is consistently praised for being compelling horror comedy hours mixed with gleeful silliness. Andrew Doherty, Sad Gay AIDS Play Ahead of his debut run last year, he was tipped as one of the 'six funniest comedians at the Fringe' by The Guardian. He then went on to sell out his entire month long run and he later brought the highly praised show to London for three sold out runs at Soho Theatre. He has also performed the show at VAULT festival and at the Brighton Fringe, which saw him win the Best of Brighton Comedy Award 2024. As well as his work as a solo comedian, Andrew is well known as co-founder of the sketch comedy duo Megan from HR alongside star of One Day, Ambika Mod. Their 2019 show Children of The Quorn™' was a critical hit in Edinburgh. EDINBURGH FRINGE LISTINGS INFORMATION: Andrew Doherty: Sad Gay AIDS Play Venue: Pleasance Dome, 10 Dome Date & Time: 30th July – 24th August, 8.30pm Duration: 60 mins Twitter: @AndrewShandrew Instagram: @ADohertyComedy
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
10 books one should read in their 20s
Written by Prachi Mishra Our twenties are a paradox: we're meant to enjoy ourselves, discover our future, find our tribe, and somehow remain sane throughout it all. It's also the first time most of us really venture out of the comfort of our habitual lives. Some of us are warm and trusting, others guarded and cold. Some enter shyly, others with boisterous, extroverted energy. But whatever we are, our twenties require us to be independent, without the protection of school schedules or parents wrangling solutions behind the scenes. We enter a world that is unpredictable, often intrusive, and sometimes brutally honest. And somewhere during this process, we are compelled to confront the most vulnerable aspects of ourselves – our fears, our doubts, and our insecurities. That's where books come into the picture. These ten books won't provide you with all the answers, but they'll definitely encourage you to ask the right questions. They won't fix our twenties, but they'll guide us better through them. 'There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.' In a decade that worships hustle, noise, and social media visibility, Quiet is a whisper of resistance. Cain goes all in, exploring the inner psychology of introverts, celebrating those who think twice, work quietly, and lead from behind. For the twenty-something who's ever been 'too quiet' for the world, this book is a game-changer in the sense that it redefines quietness not as a flaw, but as a strong ability. In an extrovert culture that worships boldly going where no one has gone before, Cain's Quiet raises up the introvert's inner life. With research and anecdotes, she demonstrates how introverts introduce creativity, leadership, and richness into the world. The book draws on psychology, cultural commentary, and narrative nonfiction and provides straightforward advice about how introverts can succeed in their work and relationships. 'We are all unreliable narrators of our own lives.' A sorrowful and lovely memoir of loss and friendship, Stay True, Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Memoir, explores the emotional landscape of young adulthood like few other books have. Hsu's friendship with Ken, his college buddy who was a wild and generous man unlike him, is a prism through which he examines memory, mourning, and identity. It's a close-up reminder that some of our most formative relationships aren't romantic, but platonic and sadly fleeting. It's more than just a coming-of-age narrative, but rather it serves as a reminder of how people affect us long after they're gone. 'You won't understand this now, but some things matter more than the pain.' This novel is not an easy read, but it surely has an indelible effect on one's memory. Spanning decades, A Little Life follows both professional and personal lives of four friends – Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Jude navigating ambition, trauma, and love in New York City. Through Jude's deeply tragic life, it exposes how childhood pain can ripple through adulthood. Yanaghira's novel is a raw, devastating, yet strangely tender book about friendship as both salvation and sorrow. Through the book, one understands the slow and complicated process of healing. 'The love of money is not the root of all evil. The lack of money is the root of all evil.' Our twenties often bring us our first paychecks, along with our first financial blunders. In this finance staple, Kiyosaki juxtaposes two kinds of money mindsets: one that chases security, and one that builds assets, and he does so by using two father figures—his biological father (Poor Dad) and his friend's father (Rich Dad). With simple anecdotes and real-world wisdom, this book encourages young readers to rethink wealth, risk, and responsibility. A bestseller around the globe even to this day, particularly with young businesspeople, the book helps understand the importance of financial independence and early investing. 'And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.' Just a handful of books manage to strike a chord across generations like The Alchemist does. Half spiritual quest, half philosophical parable, Paulo Coelho's protagonist, Santiago, is a young shepherd from Andalusia who dreams of discovering a worldly treasure. Through deserts and encounters with mystics, merchants, and philosophers, he finds something far more significant, the pursuit of his personal legend. Coelho's The Alchemist is a very gentle nudge toward courage, intuition, and faith for anyone standing at a crossroads wondering which path to choose. It's simply a metaphorical tale about dreams, destiny, and listening to your heart. 'Happiness is only real when shared.' An eclectic fusion of biography, travelogue, and philosophical reflection, this book presents the true story of Christopher McCandless, a boy who rejected any material possessions and went into the wilds of Alaska. His trek through America and onward to Alaska ends in tragedy but has sobering questions concerning freedom and human connection. Krakauer does not romanticize McCandless' choices but probes deeply into his rebellion, his desire for truth, and his singularly tragic end. The read provides to its readers a sort of meditation on freedom, society, and the repercussions of isolation. In 2007, the book was adapted into a drama film, directed by Sean Penn. 'Claiming your 20s is one of the simplest, yet most transformative things you can do.' With this assertion, the psychologist Meg Jay sets the tone for The Defining Decade, a book that turns the concept of a throwaway decade into a time that needs to stand as the essential base for adulthood. Blending real clinical stories with a developmental psychological perspective, Jay provides guidance on finding a job, having relationships, and growing personally. She disputes the notion that your twenties are irrelevant, and instead says that those years are the prime time to create one's identity and future. 'Our twenties are the time to build a real life, not just a resume,' she writes, which is a reminder that this decade deserves our intention, not ambivalence. 'If there's one thing we can be sure of, it's that we are always too quick to blame others.' Against the backdrop of 1970s Bombay, with its political skulduggery and domestic mayhem, this novel tracks Gustad Noble, a bank clerk and devoted family man. Mistry skillfully entwines political turbulence with profoundly human issues—aging parents, filial obligations, and shattered friendships. It's a rich, slow-burning story that reflects the turmoil many experience in their twenties, particularly in a world freighted with tradition and change. As Mistry mentions, 'Sometimes, when there is no one to turn to, when all else fails, you have to make do with your own company.' The 1998 Indo-Canadian English language film, directed by Sturla Gunnarsson, was based on this novel. 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.' Set in the racially divided American South, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel recounts young Scout Finch's observations of her father, Atticus, defending a black man unjustly accused of assault. With a child's perspective, it is really about justice, kindness, and moral courage. It is not just a commentary upon race and justice but more so a coming-of-age story teaching empathy. As in our twenties, when we are learning to see beyond our world, this book amplifies our moral imagination. The novel was adapted into the coming-of-age legal crime drama film of 1962. 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' Excess, illusion, and yearning are the elements that disassemble the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby's nostalgia for an idealized past is horribly attractive and painfully tragic. To young adults facing a culture consumed by image, desire, and nostalgia, this book poses the question: What are we chasing, and why? Set amid the fertile life of the 1920s, it is a story of Jay Gatsby who, an enigmatic millionaire, keeps throwing mad parties to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. The whole story is a scathing indictment of the American Dream and explores illusion, love, and greed. Many adaptations of the novel exist, but the most famous is Baz Luhrmann's 2013 romantic drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Our twenties are half mess and half magic. These years instruct us things that no syllabus has ever taught us, i.e., about ambition and failure, about friendship and money, about heartbreak and identity. And although no book can live our life for us, some may just help us live it better. And, as J.K. Rowling has said, 'I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book'. Whether we're picking up a classic or a memoir, reading can offer few things that we need in our twenties: perspective, stillness, and the comforting knowledge that we're not alone in trying to figure it all out. The author is an intern with The Indian Express.
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"Every book teaches me something, even the ones I leave unfinished...": Sonali Bendre talks about finding peace in reading
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Actor and author Sonali Bendre, known for her grace on screen and resilience off it, is also making waves in the literary space. In a candid conversation with ANI, Bendre reflected on her deeply personal relationship with books and the motivations behind her latest literary offering, 'A Book of Books.' The book, released in collaboration with her thriving online community, Sonali's Book Club, is not a traditional memoir or novel, as she explains it as a celebration of reading itself. 'It's essentially a book of recommendations -- books that touched me, inspired me, or simply stayed with me,' she shared, adding, 'It's an extension of the book club I started eight years ago, one of the largest digital book clubs in South Asia.' Bendre began the club as a way to reconnect with her own reading habits, which had taken a backseat amid the responsibilities of motherhood and career. 'I had lost touch with books in the hustle of life. The club gave me the structure to come back to it,' she said. One of the most striking ideas in 'A Book of Books' is the permission it grants readers, especially those who feel burdened by expectations, to let go of guilt around incomplete books. 'There is no shame in not finishing a book,' Bendre said, adding, 'You don't have to read a book just because it won awards. If it doesn't connect with you, it's okay to move on.' She drew from personal experiences, even recalling a moment during cancer treatment when she realised some books, despite their literary merit, were emotionally draining. 'I couldn't finish A Little Life. It's a brilliant book, but so sad. My book club members gently suggested I step away from it -- and they were right,' she told ANI. Reading habits evolve over time, and so has Bendre's. Once an avid consumer of heavy literature, she admits her preferences shifted post-illness. 'I used to read very dark books. Directors like Sooraj ji would tease me on sets, especially during Hum Saath Saath Hain, about my taste,' she laughed, adding, 'Later, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I understood what he meant. I needed books that healed, not hurt.' This transformation is reflected in her book as well, which includes ideas like creating a reading bucket list and finding the right time of day to read and for Bendre, that's the early morning hours, 'before the world wakes up.' Even in her early acting days, Bendre was known as the one who always had a book in hand, even in the absence of vanity vans. 'There was just a chair and a fan. While others chatted, I'd read,' she recalled, adding, 'People thought I was boring. Maybe I was! But I was happy being that kind of boring.' Over time, she's come to embrace that image. 'Being non-controversial doesn't make headlines. But I'm okay with that. Social media gave me a chance to connect with fans directly, without a journalist's filter.' 'A Book of Books' is designed for a wide spectrum of readers, from seasoned bibliophiles to children just beginning their literary journey. 'On page 64, I've written about children who struggle to read. It's important for parents not to force reading on them. The joy of reading should come naturally,' she said. The book is packed with inventive ideas, like exploring genres through the lens of Snow White's seven dwarves, or reflecting on how reading can be the 'cheapest way to travel,' a belief she holds dear from her childhood. 'We didn't have the means to travel. But reading books took me everywhere, to the past, the future, across time and even other planets,' she said. While Bendre modestly claims she's 'not an amazing writer,' her book's thoughtful content says otherwise. In fact, it was HarperCollins who nudged her into the project after seeing the impact of her book club's recommendations. She said, 'I initially said no. But when they suggested a book about the books I love, it felt right.' The result is a work that blends memoir, advice, reflection, and recommendations, all rooted in a deep love for literature. On the professional front, Bendre recently made her OTT debut with ZEE5's 'The Broken News', where she portrayed journalist Amina Qureshi. She first entered Bollywood with 'Aag' in 1994 and rose to fame with 'Diljale' in 1996. Over the years, she's been part of acclaimed films like 'Sarfarosh', 'Zakhm', 'Major Saab', 'Duplicate', and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. In 2018, Bendre was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment in the USA. Her recovery journey has not only made her an advocate for cancer awareness but also brought her closer to literature, both as a source of comfort and a means of connection. 'I may not finish every book I start,' she said with a smile, adding, 'But every book teaches me something -- even the ones I leave unfinished.' (ANI)
Mint
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
'Every book teaches me something, even the ones I leave unfinished...': Sonali Bendre talks about finding peace in reading
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Actor and author Sonali Bendre, known for her grace on screen and resilience off it, is also making waves in the literary space. In a candid conversation with ANI, Bendre reflected on her deeply personal relationship with books and the motivations behind her latest literary offering, 'A Book of Books.' The book, released in collaboration with her thriving online community, Sonali's Book Club, is not a traditional memoir or novel, as she explains it as a celebration of reading itself. "It's essentially a book of recommendations -- books that touched me, inspired me, or simply stayed with me," she shared, adding, "It's an extension of the book club I started eight years ago, one of the largest digital book clubs in South Asia." Bendre began the club as a way to reconnect with her own reading habits, which had taken a backseat amid the responsibilities of motherhood and career. "I had lost touch with books in the hustle of life. The club gave me the structure to come back to it," she said. One of the most striking ideas in 'A Book of Books' is the permission it grants readers, especially those who feel burdened by expectations, to let go of guilt around incomplete books. "There is no shame in not finishing a book," Bendre said, adding, "You don't have to read a book just because it won awards. If it doesn't connect with you, it's okay to move on." She drew from personal experiences, even recalling a moment during cancer treatment when she realised some books, despite their literary merit, were emotionally draining. "I couldn't finish A Little Life. It's a brilliant book, but so sad. My book club members gently suggested I step away from it -- and they were right," she told ANI. Reading habits evolve over time, and so has Bendre's. Once an avid consumer of heavy literature, she admits her preferences shifted post-illness. "I used to read very dark books. Directors like Sooraj ji would tease me on sets, especially during Hum Saath Saath Hain, about my taste," she laughed, adding, "Later, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I understood what he meant. I needed books that healed, not hurt." This transformation is reflected in her book as well, which includes ideas like creating a reading bucket list and finding the right time of day to read and for Bendre, that's the early morning hours, "before the world wakes up." Even in her early acting days, Bendre was known as the one who always had a book in hand, even in the absence of vanity vans. "There was just a chair and a fan. While others chatted, I'd read," she recalled, adding, "People thought I was boring. Maybe I was! But I was happy being that kind of boring." Over time, she's come to embrace that image. "Being non-controversial doesn't make headlines. But I'm okay with that. Social media gave me a chance to connect with fans directly, without a journalist's filter." 'A Book of Books' is designed for a wide spectrum of readers, from seasoned bibliophiles to children just beginning their literary journey. "On page 64, I've written about children who struggle to read. It's important for parents not to force reading on them. The joy of reading should come naturally," she said. The book is packed with inventive ideas, like exploring genres through the lens of Snow White's seven dwarves, or reflecting on how reading can be the "cheapest way to travel," a belief she holds dear from her childhood. "We didn't have the means to travel. But reading books took me everywhere, to the past, the future, across time and even other planets," she said. While Bendre modestly claims she's "not an amazing writer," her book's thoughtful content says otherwise. In fact, it was HarperCollins who nudged her into the project after seeing the impact of her book club's recommendations. She said, "I initially said no. But when they suggested a book about the books I love, it felt right." The result is a work that blends memoir, advice, reflection, and recommendations, all rooted in a deep love for literature. On the professional front, Bendre recently made her OTT debut with ZEE5's 'The Broken News', where she portrayed journalist Amina Qureshi. She first entered Bollywood with 'Aag' in 1994 and rose to fame with 'Diljale' in 1996. Over the years, she's been part of acclaimed films like 'Sarfarosh', 'Zakhm', 'Major Saab', 'Duplicate', and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. In 2018, Bendre was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment in the USA. Her recovery journey has not only made her an advocate for cancer awareness but also brought her closer to literature, both as a source of comfort and a means of connection. "I may not finish every book I start," she said with a smile, adding, "But every book teaches me something -- even the ones I leave unfinished." (ANI)
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Norton 'splits from model girlfriend and joins celebrity dating app Raya'
Happy Valley star James Norton has reportedly signed up to exclusive celebrity dating app Raya after splitting from his girlfriend Charlotte Rose Smith James Norton is back on the market after splitting from his model girlfriend Charlotte Rose Smith. The Happy Valley star has reportedly appeared on celebrity dating app Raya with his shaved head he is currently sporting for his role in Sunny Dancer featured in his profile picture. James, 39, is currently filming in Scotland for the movie alongside Bella Ramsey. The actor - who is a strong favourite to play James Bond when Daniel Craig's replacement is picked - was pictured with Charlotte, 26, several times after they started dating late last year. At the time, an insider told The Sun: "They have been enjoying dates and seem very happy together. "It has been a year since his relationship with Imogen ended and he appears to get on so well with Charlotte. They make a lovely couple." While James seems to be ready to date again, Charlotte - who is also an artist - has been sharing a few cryptic posts on TikTok. Sharing a video of herself working in her studio in London she wrote: "When everything is falling apart I will always have art. Broken heart? Still got my art." Another video shows her walking around in a fitted dress alongside the caption: "How I imagine every ex thinks of me." The Mirror has reached out to James' representatives for comment. James recently divulged that he is planning a trip to Kenya with his parents, Hugh and Lavinia, and sister Jessica, while talking on the Travel Secrets podcast. He said: "It's with my family, which is really lovely. There's a point you get to in your early twenties... I was lucky enough to look at my mum and dad when we were all adults, and say, 'We get on!' "My dad and I have a grudge match playing chess and we play bridge. My sister has two little boys who are six and four and we have a really nice little family unit. So for the first time, I'm taking them on holiday. We're going to the Masai Mara for some Safari. I can't wait to see my little nephews do Safari." Prior to dating Charlotte, James was engaged to actress Imogen Poots, 35, but they split late in 2023. The former couple dated for seven years before the demands of their hectic lifestyles and careers drove the relationship apart. Talking to The Sunday Times he said: "Some of the choices recently weren't mine, yet I don't feel begrudging. If the work starts to compromise one's relationships, it can become unhealthy. Suddenly you realise you haven't left any space for other people and so I was p***ed off with that." James had been starring in A Little Life - a West End adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara's novel which focuses on trauma and abuse - and said he had "given his life" to the role.
