Book

The Prophet is one of those books given to you by a friend, which you then pass on to another or buy them as a present. It is uncomplicated and yet profound, a collection of 26 poetic essays written in English by the Lebanese artist and philosopher Kahlil Gibran. It is divided into chapters dealing with things such as love, marriage, children, religion and death (to name but a few). As a dyslexic, I struggle to read for long periods of time and this book allows me to dip in and enjoy a few pages. Despite its philosophical context, it is very easy on the brain.

TV

Green Wing is an absurd hospital comedy not unlike Scrubs, but definitively British in an almost Monty Pythonesque way. The nine or so principal characters span the ridiculous to the insane, with absolutely no medical storyline. Interwoven family history and eccentric personal traits create a continually jaw-aching experience. I have never, ever laughed so much. So that I could watch the whole thing again it’s the only box set I have ever purchased.

Film

Recently I have been more inclined to venture into “world cinema” and was blown away by Let the Right One In, adapted from Swedish writer John Ajvide Lindqvist’s book. An English-language version was released last October, called Let Me In, but like many adaptations of foreign films (such as The Ring) it was a poor substitute. The film focuses on Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy who finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire. Sounds strange, I know, but it is in fact more of a love story. The film is inherently dark but beautifully acted and has real depth. Far more stimulating than the usual fluff that passes for mass entertainment.