For this month’s Pick Six, we turned to writer, entertainer, and all round creative type, the fabulous Nana Arthole.
Film
Now, I thought about this long and hard (careful, I’ll do the jokes!) before ultimately deciding to just be honest – what’s the film I’ve probably watched the most times in the past twelve months. Rocky Horror Picture Show or Hedwig and the Angry Inch? Queer films that opened my eyes and changed my life during formative years? Alas, ‘twas not. It’s the gay romcom The 10 Year Plan which I’m fully aware is utter dross. Acting so wooden you can see the strings moving. A preposterous plotline. Dialogue that turns you cringeside-out – this film's got it all, and I absolutely love it. More like ‘The 10 out of 10 Year Plan’! I’ll see myself out…
Book
I’m starting to wonder if I’m the worst person for this task of picking favourites – looking at my shelves and selecting only one precious paper baby seems impossible! I’m going to go with The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, it’s such a gorgeous love story featuring an adorable cast of misfits you can’t help but adore. I’ve never been disappointed by any of Klune’s books, but this one I specifically remember once I finished reading it that I genuinely missed the characters - the wyvern Theodore the most. I’m thrilled that a sequel is coming out later this year, I can’t wait to see how my friends are doing.
Song
My earworms change with the wind but looking at my ‘On Repeat’ on Spotify, holding top spot presently is The Order of Spiritual Virgins by Lingua Ignota. It’s quite surprising I haven’t given myself some manner of mental disorder the amount I’ve listened to this track, it’s quite the journey. Difficult to describe it in less than a thesis, it has to be experienced firsthand. If you do give it a go, I accept no liability for any emotional or psychological damage inflicted.
Notts spot
The much underrated and likely unknown Sausage Island (no, really – google it!) is a little slice of oblong paradise randomly plonked near where I live in Sherwood. It’s a moment of mindfulness to walk along it whenever I’m popping to the high street; long grass, lush trees, looking at the birds and bees and even the occasional squirrel or rat rustling about the borders. With headphones on you can momentarily forget you’re living in a city with a million and one things on your mind.
Notts meal
As a plant-based girly, I’m a total slag for Asian cuisine and its plethora of vegan options. If I’m out and about, I could quite happily unhinge my jaw to tip the tofu kimchi bowl at Broadway into my gaping maw at any time of the day. With extra chilli, of course. The hotter the better, because let’s be honest – if you wake up the following morning and your backend’s still speaking to you, was it even worth it? I’ll take my answer off the air...
[Image: Tom Morley]
Holiday destination
My band G4YB0Y (@alrightG4YB0Y on Insta) have a song called Berlin Darling where we bellow accusatory lyrics about Berlin being the centre of the art world, darling, which everyone simply must visit or else face ridicule. At the time of its composition, neither myself nor bandmate Franx had actually been. It was something of a spiritual pilgrimage to finally land in the city last year. There's a gorgeous energy and ease there that makes you realise our own capital London is truly rotted. Can’t wait to go back. To Berlin, obvs. If I never go back to London it'll be too soon.
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