We decided to start out the new series straight away!
I switched phones and now have no music on my new phone. I also have a really short commute and although I have been trying to read a Tale of Two Cities on the phone, its not easy. Its not exactly the kind of book that can get anywhere in the five pages I am able to finish during my 10 minute tube ride. So I started listening to podcasts and now I am hooked.
The husband introduced me to my first podcast and I have to start out my list with that.
Serial: If you haven’t heard of Serial, you have obviously been living under a podcast rock! Its the no. 1 rated podcast, with countless Reddit threads and people obsessed with it. Its under the true crime genre and fascinating for both the subject matter as well as the characters involved.
Its an investigative piece about the murder of a young girl and the (ex) boyfriend who is now in jail for the crime. The podcast takes you through the incidents, the people involved, the evidence against the boyfriend and evidence in his defence. The series is made even more interesting by the fantastic narrator Sara Koenig and the boyfriend, Adnan, who is a very interesting character to follow (and now apparently has countless fans). Thanks to the investigation by the podcast, Adnan has now been granted some relief. (I don’t want to give too much away so read the link only after you have heard the whole podcast).
Best episodes: impossible to choose since each episode is imperative and relevant in the whole story but I really enjoyed the episode where Sara investigates about the cultural backdrop of the crime – the second last episode.
Criminal: I started on Criminal after Serial finished. Same true crime genre but more criminology than crime investigation.
Best episodes: The series covers strange crimes as in Episode 5: Dropping like Flies, to the absurd like Episode 9: Crime of the Month to the chilling, blood curling, Episode 16: Poster Boy.
Pop Fashion: This is what I am currently listening to. Fantastic. Covers fashion news and ideas – from why did J Crew think that sweater is great, to why are they doing so badly business wise. Must listen if you are in the fashion business or just a fan (like me!). I was wary after a few episodes since I felt it was too America oriented but they are covering other major fashion markets like China and Europe as well so I am happy.
Best episodes: I enjoy most of them so its difficult to choose. However, I did enjoy the ones about the Birkin battle, fashion law degrees, the Kashmir sapphire news (the same as the Taylor Swift jumpsuit episode) and the Mary-Kate & Ashley intern issue because of my general interest in these issues.
Strangers: Exactly how it sounds – stories about strangers. It just stories about different kinds of people. They are beautifully told, some sad, some funny and some strange. This is very easy to get addicted to.
Best episodes: The Love Hurts series may start out sounding like a strange idea but its also an interesting one since its explores the most basic mystery – why we love the people we do.
The Bugle: If you are a John Oliver fan this is a must. Although I have to warn you that its not too relevant unless you listen to the current episodes.
Best episodes: Any episode where John Oliver is there.
Bonus pick: TED Talks, although I really enjoy some episodes and find some of them really tedious. I was really intrigued by Trevor Aaronson’s talk about the FBI – definitely worth a listen.
More books, music, movies, fashion trends coming up!
– Anisha
can’t wait to download these, serial has had me hooked since the first episode and i’m looking forward to hearing the rest! x
I am so jealous you get to hear Serial for the first time. I didn’t enjoy their second season though!