Welcome to the June edition of Sally recommends! Here are some books, TV shows, movies, and podcasts I’m loving at the moment! Head to my Instagram to join the conversation and tell me what you’re loving too.

Okay I’ll admit, June hasn’t been as *big* of a month of reading, because life has been busy, what with announcing my new book coming out in November (pre-order here!) and writing another one etc etc. But here are some books and podcasts and shows and movies I’ve really enjoyed lately. x

Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor

Look, if Jane Harper recommends a book, I’m obviously going to read it immediately! This debut crime novel is seriously amazing. On a hot Friday afternoon in a small town, two 12-year-old best friends leave school together, but only one of them makes it home. Told from multiple perspectives, secrets are kept and revealed, and it’ll keep you hooked until the last page. Buy here.

The Shadow House by Anna Downes

This haunting psychological thriller is impressively creepy! A single mother of a teenager and new baby escapes a troubled relationships to find an idyllic lifestyle in an eco village on the NSW Central Coast. Or so she thinks… we’ve got old folk tales and a witch in the woods and it’s fantastic through to the end. Buy here.

Exiles by Jane Harper

Yes, that’s right, it’s Jane Harper’s long awaited new book, and it’s coming out in September! I am so excited to have read a (very) early copy and I can confirm it’s just as amazing as the others. Exiles follows the story of a mother who disappears in a festival crowd, leaving behind a baby in a pram. That’s all I will say for now! Pre-order here.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Netflix — movie)

This amazingly entertaining movie follows the true story of Tammy Faye Bakker, from humble beginnings in Minnesota to her televangelism (yes, it’s a thing) career and marriage to Jim Bakker. Starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield, you’ll love them, loathe them, and be unable to look away.

Heartstopper (Netflix — series)

Based on the bestselling graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, this is a super cute story about a nerdy openly gay teenager who falls for the captain of the footy team. It is so lovely and clever and uplifting, big recommend!

Conversations with Friends (Amazon Prime — series)

Yep, I’m one of the million people trying to decide right now if Taylor Swift’s boyfriend is hot or not. I have to admit, didn’t love this series as much as Normal People from 2020 (also based on a Sally Rooney novel) but I still enjoyed it, great dialogue, stunning acting.

No Filter with Mia Freedman — Tom Tilley

Once you finish watching The Eyes of Tammy Faye, you’ll love listening to the Tom Tilley episode of No Filter, in which he talks about his new memoir and his life being brought up in the pentecostal church. So interesting! Listen here.

Cancelled — the Twilight saga

I always get a good giggle out of this podcast by Jessie and Clare Stephens, and this episode was no different. They unpack the extreme weirdness of the Twilight saga, and honestly it’s just so entertaining, even if (or maybe especially if) you’re not a fan of the books/movies! Listen here.

Queen of the Con

If you’re looking for something to fill the void after watching Inventing Anna (which was on my May newsletter recommendations list!), Queen of the Con is for you. A Hollywood producer gets conned by his neighbour in the first series, and it’s crazy interesting what people can get away with. Listen here.

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