Well Hello: Meanderings From the World of 'Chat 10 Looks 3'

 

Image credit: Penguin Books Australia 

You only need to look at the number that makes up the ‘non-fiction’ category this page’s little side-widget to know that I don’t read a lot of non-fiction. It’s kind of ironic because, like most people, my tastes are influenced by the people I surround myself with, and the media I consume. Considering that non-fiction is a veritable well of inspirations and recommendations for broadening one’s cultural horizons and tastes, you’d think I’d be all over it. 

Well, after literally just closing the cover of this week’s read, I can tell you that I’m inspired to be a lot more adventurous with myself: everything from books, to films, art, and cooking. This week I read Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb’s Well Hello: Meanderings From the World of ‘Chat 10 Looks 3’. 

This book is a delightful 300+ compilation of interviews, transcripts, lists, and anecdotes from Sales and Crabb’s podcast Chat 10 Looks 3, which features the two friends chummily chatting about what they’ve read, watched, or cooked during the week. I’d never heard of it before and have, since starting the book, taking to listening to it from the start on my morning runs. And it’s absolutely delightful!

It’s funny actually; because I’ve been listening to the podcast parallel to reading the book, it actually made the reading experience easier because the chummy and nonchalant tones of the two ladies is exactly the way you want to read this. On the surface the book is a collection of the podcast’s highlights loosely organised into chapters with a relevant theme (e.g. music, cooking, etc.), but on a deeper level it’s a warm and lovely depiction of an everyday friendship. I think the most lovely thing about it is that because it’s a friendship between two people within public awareness, and it’s been on display in audio form, book form, and live show form, it inspires other friendships, and positivity, and random acts of kindness (see the chapter about the Chat 10 Facebook Community). This is so lovely because it’s real and attainable and what the world needs, especially in these troubled times. 

Image credit: The Australian

I also love that this book has inspired me. To cook more, bake more, read a wider and diverse range of books and articles, listen to different music... maybe even get around checking out Hamilton...

For a warm, funny, inspiring, and just all around delightful afternoon read with your cup of tea or morning coffee in bed, I would highly recommend Well Hello!

Authors: Leigh Sales, Annabel Crabb & Miranda Murphy

Published: Penguin Books, 2021