September feels like a month made for curling up with a screen, a book, or a playlist that hits just right. Between end-of-winter blues and spring’s first promise, the RUSSH editors have been busy swapping recommendations that span the cosy, the chaotic and the downright nostalgic.
From cult-favourite TV series and psychedelic animations to Substack rabbit holes and Bridget Jones-worthy comfort watches, our team’s taste runs the gamut. Expect obsessions with Audrey Hobert, dog-eared fantasy series', and even the eternal usefulness of Google Maps. Here’s what we’ve been watching, listening and reading this month.
Kitty Callaghan
Contributing Editor
Watch... Black Rabbit for the story (apparently loosely based off real events in 2000s NYC) and music. Love how Jason Bateman has been a true chameleon for the role.
Read... Two Dozen Eggs by Hugh Corcoran. I once ate his food in Paris and am very curious to try his new spot in London, The Yellow Bittern.
Listen... The new Cate Le Bon album, Michelangelo Dying. Am also very much looking forward to Insecure Men's new album coming out next month. I have been loving the first single from the album, Alien.
Kirsty Thatcher
Digital Editor
Watch… The Summer I Turned Pretty, obviously. I also devoured The Girlfriend on Prime, and finally got around to seeing The Companion, and We Live In Time. All good, for very different reasons.
Listen… I have been listening to Audrey Hobert and Sabrina Carpenter pretty much exclusively this month. To say I’m obsessed with them both would be an understatement.
Read… Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror, which came highly recommended to me by a few friends, and Clare Stephens’ debut novel, The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done, which is a particularly interesting read for anyone who works in digital publishing.
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
Watch … I recently watched Vernon, Florida which is an early 1980s documentary on a small town and the characters that are populated within it. It’s shot incredibly and the people are deeply compelling, I did request we put on subtitles as some of the accents are so thick. A personal highlight was the old gentleman with a tortoise and a possum. I also watched Asparagus, a psychedelic and erotic cartoon/claymation short, which I won't divulge too much about but would recommend. Next on my list is Carax’s The Lovers on The Bridge and Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.
Listen … I’ve been enjoying the new Baxter Dury Album, Allbarone, it’s a lot more dance-centric than former records but it’s particularly good if you need to move fast.
Read … I’ve been enjoying my Encyclopedia of Italian Cooking, it's so 90s and nostalgic. I have been loving learning about which cheese and wine comes from which region. It’s almost like a holiday through Italy, but stationary.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … I finally finished The Bear S4 and Yellowjackets S1. Both left me on the verge of a nervous break.
Listen … Still loving Bella Freud’s Fashion Neurosis podcast on Spotify (currently finishing off Jonathan Anderson’s episode in time for his womenswear show in Paris). Also loving Penny Goodwin’s Portrait of a Gemini album for some easy listening.
Read … My to-read stack has grown ever-higher. I’m still polishing off Floor Sample by Julia Cameron, but I’m also diving into some great Substack articles, like So Darling’s What Addison Knows.
Samantha Corry
Social Media Coordinator & Assistant to Editor In Chief
Watch … I watched Together with Dave Franco and Alison Brie, which was good – the wardrobe was my favourite part of the movie though. I also started watching Alien, a new show on Disney+. It's very good, but I love the Alien franchise, so I might be biased. I also started watching The Studio, which is so entertaining.
Listen … I have been listening to Djo’s The Crux deluxe album, which I am loving at the moment. And also Miley Cyrus’s new album, which is a vibe.
Read … Google Maps. I’m currently in Milan, and that has proven to be my number one most-used app at the moment.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch … I finally made it out to see Weapons. It was so beautifully shot, a fact I picked up even if I did have my eye shut for a lot of it. I’ve also been keeping up with Last Week Tonight and watching Law and Order reruns when I just want something nostalgic.
Listen … All the artists on Laneway lineup, plus the new Motion City Soundtrack album.
Read … I recently went on a trip with Kindle to celebrate its new colour device, so I’m on a reading tear at the moment. I finally finished Iron Flame and am halfway through Onyx Storm. I also downloaded a copy of Ruins, a book recommended to me by a creator also on the Kindle trip. Plus, I just bought a copy of Alchemised. So, I will be excited to start that.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … I’d never seen The Sweetest Thing – don’t know how or why – but after seeing a funny meme of Cameron Diaz dancing up a steep San Francisco street, I immediately purchased it for $4.99 on Prime. I watched it on Wednesday to fill the TSITP hole in my chest. I just love Y2K movies with every fibre of my being.
Listen … I got tickets to Laneway Festival on the Gold Coast so I saved the 2026 Laneway Spotify playlist and have been playing that. I also purchased a refurbished iPod Classic from Ebay and have had the best time putting all of my favourite music on it. Everything from Lana Del Rey to The Chicks, Djo and Sabrina Carpenter (and can’t forget my old faithful Taylor Swift).
Read … A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. I’m re-reading the ACOTAR series and am currently midway through A Court of Mist and Fury. I’ve also just purchased Alchemised by SenLinYu so I’m excited to get that in my mailbox.
Jaime Carmody
Digital Marketing Specialist
Watch... I’ve finally started watching Girls, and wow what a chaotic, hilarious mess (in the best way). It's awkward and way too real at times and I’m still trying to decide if I’m more of a Hannah or a Shoshanna.
Listen... I’ve been listening to a lot of Olivia Dean and Methyl Ethel. Two entirely different emotional universes.
Read... I’m halfway through Blue Sisters and so far it’s basically a dramatic family group chat in book form. The writing is very vivid and emotionally raw and captures the chaos of sibling relationships with honesty and heart. When I finish reading it, I’ll turn to Library Science curated by Kaia Gerber for fresh inspiration.
Sophia Serafin
Implementation Manager
Watch … Anything featuring Olivia Coleman is an instant five stars from me, and The Roses was no exception – irrational, unexpected, and packed with witty British humour. I’ve also been sinking my teeth into these recommendations to fill the gaping hole The Summer I Turned Pretty has left in my Wednesday evenings.
Listen … Blood Orange’s new album Essex Honey is getting me in the summer feels, especially Mind Loaded featuring girl-crush Caroline Polachek. I’ve also been revisiting local artist Maia Toakley – she’s got such a contemporary Missy Higgins-esque sound. On the podcast side, I’ve been obsessed with The C-Word by Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett, which dissects society’s most discussed (and often misunderstood) women.
Read … I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but something that still gets me excited is the weekly notification that British it-girl Tish Weinstock has dropped a new Substack article. Her dark tone, mirrored with a glamorous day-to-day, is completely addictive. If you’re a fan of Sofia Coppola’s take on female desire, you’ll love Daisy Buchanan’s Insatiable – full of lust, raw emotion, and glorious chaos.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch … I just watched the new Bridget Jones movie on the weekend. I laughed and (almost) cried. A good sign. On my to watch list: One Battle After Another and Black Rabbit (recommended by the entire RUSSH office).
Listen … The Spotify playlist, clubbing like it’s the 2000’s is incredible.
Read … I just started Amy Odell’s book on Gwyneth Paltrow. I’m also about to start The House of Beauty: Lessons From The Image Industry by Arabelle Sicardi. I can’t wait.
Gabriela Hidalgo-Lustenberger
Art Director
Watch … I am realising as I write this, that I must be having a Seth Rogan moment right now. I devoured season 1 of The Studio, which left me with the feeling that can only be summarised by the phrase: “that’s showbiz, kid”. It highlights the classic struggle (negotiation?) Between art vs. commerce. Now I’m onto Platonic… Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan as two middle aged long-time BFFs navigating ‘adult’ life, who are equally as committed to helping each other out of their own mess, as they are creating it. It’s actually funny, not cheesy funny. Also surprisingly beautiful. Add to cart.
Listen … I had a craving for some crash-out-level intense classical music a few weeks ago and I haven’t stopped listening since. There is a playlist on Spotify called Overly Dramatic Classical Music The Slaps … and well, it does. Dizzie Rascal’s Holiday has also made his way back in my ‘On Repeat’ section too.
Read … For the days when you can afford to take residence at a coffee shop for hours on end, Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being. For weekday evenings, I return to my archive of print issues stacked around my house. They deserve some love too. It’s interesting to see what we were talking about, photographing, reflecting on and joking about not too long ago and seeing how much has happened over these past years.
