Hi everyone,

I turned 44 last week and wrote about it on Instagram. I reflected on where I thought I’d be at 44, and the big changes that have happened in the past year.

Here’s what I wrote, in case you missed it:

I’m very happy to be 44. I don’t yearn for days gone by or wish I was younger. I’m grateful to be getting older, because, let’s face it, the alternative sounds way less fun.

And yet.

There’s no escaping the fact that birthdays tend serve as a point of reflection. Where am I in my life compared to where I expected to be? (Do you ask yourself that on your birthday or is it just me?)

Yesterday was the first birthday I’ve celebrated as a single woman since I was 26. Definitely not something i expected. Like a fool, I spent the day reflecting on it, pushing on that bruise to see how tender it still is.

Let’s be real. Going through a marriage breakdown felt like losing a layer of skin. A year on, the skin has not returned. I still feel EVERYTHING. The gentlest breath of wind. The tiniest kindness. The most benign cruelty. I’ve never felt more raw, more vulnerable … and more resilient. I’ve also never felt more real. More focused on what I love, more aware of what I want. More like ME.

And so, at 44, I’m … not restarting exactly, perhaps pivoting? I’ve got a new home. I’m working new novel. I’m creating new traditions with my kids, my friends and my family. There’s even another ‘new’ on the horizon that I’m quietly excited about

I’m definitely not where I expected to be at 44. But as it turns out, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Now, here are my recommendations!

Sally x

17 Years Later by J.P. Pomare

My friend JP just doesn’t miss when it comes to juicy, thrilling crime! His latest book 17 Years Later is out at the end of July and I have an early copy on my desk right now. A wealthy family are slaughtered in their sleep, which rocks the idyllic small town in NZ where they lived. Their chef, Bill, is in jail, but 17 years later, a prison psychologist is fighting for an appeal. The book asks Is the truth sometimes best left buried? Pre-order here.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

You all know I’m Liane’s biggest fan! I cannot wait for her new book Here One Moment, which is about how we might live life differently if we knew we were going to die. On a flight from Hobart to Sydney, a lady predicts how and when many of the passengers will die. It is truly incredible, a page-turner, and a spinning web of mystery! Pre-order here.

BLUNT Umbrella

It was my birthday last week, and when my mum asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said “a good umbrella.” (What? I’m 44 years old, okay?). Anyhoo Mum really delivered. My Blunt umbrella is not only gorgeous to look at it, it also has unique engineering (and honestly I stopped reading after this but it had so many 5 star reviews and I really liked the colours). See my photos. Shop here.

Bridgerton (Netflix)

Look. I know there are a bunch of you who are still whining about the shocking exit of the Duke. Respectfully, I’d like to say … pipe down. Do I miss the Duke? Naturally.  Was Season 2 a massive let down? Of course.  Am I enjoying Season 3? Very much. So there. If I’ve managed to recover sufficiently from my grief to find joy in the blossoming love of Penelope and Colin, you can too. OKAY?

(We’re currently in the hiatus between part 1 and part 2 of Season 3 so if you haven’t been watching it you can catch up before the second part of the season starts.) 

Ashley Madison documentary (Netflix)

I used to consider myself a consumer of middle-brow television. In case you’re wondering what this means - anything on the ABC or SBS is deemed high-brow; anything that airs during the day, or features reality tv stars is low brow; and the vast majority of what I consume - Line of Duty, Bridgerton, Judge Judy - is solidly middle brow. (If you disagree with my system, by all means GET YOUR OWN). Anyway, after consuming the Ashley Madison documentary, I realised that I was giving myself far too many airs and graces with all this middle-brow hullabaloo. Turns out it’s low-brow television that really floats my boat. This show is pervy, it’s scandalous, and I got to sit so high on my judgy horse that I could see Jesus. I recommend you check it out.

I’m funny on Instagram.