Podcasts & Books

As part of the Evenings module for Reason Season, these our fave reads to unwind before bed to reap all of those relaxing rewards.

Join us for Reason Season to craft healthy daily habits and routines.

Enter the SBS Emerging Writers' Competition and you could win $5,000.

We've tried to hit a range of genres to please every ear and offer a listen for every mood. 

Autobiographies are a window into the soul and sometimes they are so powerful they can change the reader, so and here are our top picks of the 10 you should read at least once in your life.

Brisbane's libraries may be closed, but Brisbane City Council's online library catalogue is packed full of ebooks, audio-books, magazines and movies to help you stave off boredom while you’re cooped up at home. 

Eyes starting to shrivel up? Might be time to ditch the screens and try something a bit more...analogue. We’ve got some crackerjack new release books in November.

The story of infamous backpacker murderer Ivan Milat.

Things are just getting worse in the Republic of Gilead.

Hate deep house music? Maybe you just never listened to it the right way.

If sleeping has become more chore than snore, it’s time you plugged in to switch off; these are the best slow lit podcast to help you hit the hay.

Like with anything entertainment-related, diving into the podcasting universe can take you on an information overload trip if you don't know where to start. Luckily we’re here to tell you what to plug into your ear holes and what to leave out of your binge-listening sessions as you hide from your extended family this holiday season.

As part of a national tour, reputed journalist Hedley Thomas is coming to Brisbane to discuss the podcast’s monumental success, and share what drives him in the ongoing mission to seek justice for Lyn Dawson.

Chris Dawson has been arrested, and it’s all getting very real. 

We've already popped it on our reading list.

Got an entertainment buff you need to please? From retro arcade games to stylish sound systems, we’ve got something that will have them cancelling all their plans for 2019.

"I've listened to too many podcasts" said no one ever.

​Want to skip the queues and snag a private dining room at Sydney’s Chin Chin? How about a year’s free yoga in Brisbane? Maybe a private session at Bass & Flinders mixing you own signature gin? Well, they’re all up for grabs.

All your Sunday inspo wrapped into one handly lil' package.

The team spent an entire year within the criminal courts in Cleveland so you'll get to hear everything that happened on the inside.

All your Sunday inspo wrapped into one handly lil' package.

​We’re kicking off a new Book Club series today, so settle down and get comfy. Maybe pop the kettle on. Every month we’ll be checking out a handful of hyped new releases in the literary world, and September is looking like a bumper month. We’ve got J.K. Rowling’s new thriller, a Homeric saga from Pat Barker, and Lisa Brennan-Jobs’ scathing biography of her late dad, Steve. (You know Steve, right?)

The Harry Potter hype is just about to get stronger as it has just been announced that three new books will be added to the ever-growing brand!

Crazy Rich Asians took the world by storm when it was released in 2013. And, this month the film hit theatres and you’d pretty much have to have been living under a bus not to have noticed the hype.

Fashion moves fast, and quite frankly, keeping up can be a challenge. A very expensive and entertaining challenge. If you’re looking to max your knowledge of the farshun industry, but all that scrolling and reading makes your brain hurt, then a podcast is for you.

The recent success of shows like Call the Midwife, The Crown and good ol’ Downton Abbey proves that we all love a cheeky bit of historical fiction. Nothing captures the imagination like the secret dramas of the English court or the glitz and the glamour of the 1920’s. While a TV show is all well and good, actually reading a piece of historical fiction just takes things to a whole new level, letting you completely immerse yourself in a whole new world.

Now that the mercury has plummeted through the floor and triggered a mass deficit of electric blankets at Harvey Norman, the only thing left to do is snuggle up with a good book and a hot Milo (that’s one part milk, 6 parts Milo, 9 parts marshmallow). 

It came out two days ago and we’re already hooked.

Ready for it.

While there’s no quick fix to turning your life into a Disney movie, there’s something to be said for a good self-help book. Whether you’re struggling with money, motivation, relationships or just keeping your room tidy, here are some of our favourite books to help instantly make your life better: 

Gone are the days of taking your shoes off in supermarkets, eating soil and asking your kindergarten teacher why she has a moustache, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still tap into those #mems. We’ve dug up no less than twenty children’s books that’ll each unearth a unique set of nostalgia-induced memories you’ll have no doubt buried deep under a few too many nights on vodka lemonades in your late teens.

Shape, change and challenge your everyday life.

Let's be honest, your commute to and from work is unlikely to be an exciting time. You're just getting from point A—B and trying to avoid that guy with the serious coffee breath in the process. Fortunately, our Commuters' Guide To Podcasts is here with your solution, offering you bountiful recommendations to escape the monotony of that dreaded train trip. And all tailored down to the length of your commute.

We have absolutely no doubt there are some crazy adrenaline junkies out there who seek adventure at dizzying heights. If harnessing up and strapping yourself in (literally) to scale buildings sounds like your kinda thing, we definitely think you’ll love to know where you can get one of the highest and best views in Australia. 

If you’re into a boring daily routine of eat, sleep, work, repeat, with no hope of a holiday any time soon, it might be time to change things up a bit! If you’re in need of a mighty pick me up, you’ve clicked onto the right article! Are you ready to have your life changed forever?

Autobiographies are a window into the soul and sometimes they are so powerful they can change the reader, so and here are our top picks of the 10 you should read at least once in your life.

Yep, a new Game of Thrones book is coming.

Fire up those downloads and let the LOLs run wild with the funniest podcasts out.

Let Snoop Dogg catch you up on all things pop culture.

John Green once wrote great books help you understand and they help you feel understood. Naturally, reading is a subjective process, but whether it’s learning how to live your best life, facing adversity to striving for success, here are ten books that will change the way you think.

Botched investigations, missing persons, cliffhangers—it's all here. 

​All right, you true crime pervs. We’re back for another month of watching shows about real things happening to real people in real time. And there’s plenty on the menu. We’ve got a couple of golden oldies (Man on Wire, Amy) and brand new docos on everything from Nora Ephron to guys collecting coral.

You could say soundtracks are the make or break of a film…or maybe we’re just being dramatic…like a good soundtrack would be. Seriously though, think of an iconic movie and right behind your favourite quote, an even more iconic theme is wiggling its way into your brain. 

Here’s our round-up of the latest wave of thrillers you won’t be about to put down.

This Valentine’s Day is definitely one day you’ll actually want to catch the train. As part of Penguin Random House’s philanthropic mission to get us all reading more, they’re footing the bill for your reading material and distributing bundles of narrative pleasure all along our rail routes this Valentine’s Day. Sure beats flowers and a box of Favourites.

​We’re currently knee deep in awards seasons, but while everyone’s going mental for the latest film to hit the big screen, there’s plenty to watch on the small screen from the comfort of your couch as well. And the best part is, nobody is judging your snack choices at home.

They say truth is stranger than fiction, but those people probably never watched Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. Nonetheless, there are a stack of excellent docos around right now. Maybe it’s the whole true crime trend, or the fact the world is slowly melting, but people seem to care more about real stuff now. That’ probably a good thing.   

As we wave goodbye to another year in television, we look ahead to 2018 and all the Sundays we’ll spend in bed on Netflix, eating packets of Clinkers with the curtains drawn. Some of the most notable revivals of 2017 were Will & Grace, Prison Break, Twin Peaks and That’s So Raven (look it up, that shit happened), and in 2018 we welcome some even juicier revivals on our screens.

Even though us reading enthusiasts will often agree how good the movie was whilst secretly agreeing with ourselves that the book was better, we could not be excited.

Put down that damn Jodi Picoult novel because we’ve dug up the best Aussie true crime books on the market just in time for Christmas, and Jodi’s latest heartbreaking courtroom drama is going to have to wait. Hours of bookshop research have told us that Australia is home to some pretty insane, real-life murder mysteries, and paired with a hot cup of tea and a few choccie bikkies, they make for a delicious night in this festive season.

If you’re anything like us you’ve no doubt worked your way through every true crime podcast there is by now, and you’re on an endless search to fill the void left by Serial, Shit Town, and Dirty John.

While we struggle through this complete lull in reality TV, we’ve been buoyed by the news today that there’s about to be a tell-all Bachelor book hit the market—and it’s been penned by the most recent Bachelor villain.

If you've not yet gotten into podcasts (seriously, what have you been doing?), this holiday season is the perfect opportunity to come over to the enlightened side. Way less effort than reading a book (read: trashy mag) or watching Netflix (because series binging requires a surprising amount of effort), podcasts also have the added benefit of being insanely entertaining and often educational at the same time—so it's wins all round.

Ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive TV series. After all, Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

We are ready. 

You’re welcome.

We think everyone can agree that there is something totally magical about markets (and no, we don’t just mean their magical ability to empty your wallet!). 

Ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive TV series. After all, Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

We left out Serial because well, you should have listened to that already.

Goodbye French teachers everywhere.

Ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive TV series. After all, Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

Ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive TV series. After all, Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

The Finders Keepers Markets are coming back to Brisbane and this year they are bigger and better than ever! Bring your suitcases because this one is bound to be chock-a-block full of awesome finds.

We’re well and truly in winter-mode, so it’s the perfect time to ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive TV series.

Podcasts are like videos, but for people who like to actually get shit done while learning new things or being entertained. 

Winter is here, so it’s the perfect time to ditch that pesky social life and curl up with a good book or unhealthily addictive television show. After all, Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

Just putting it out there—book clubs are officially cool. And no, we don’t mean discussing Wuthering Heights with a group of middle-aged mums over egg sandwiches. You’ll be pleased to know you won’t even have to put on pants or leave the comforting confines of your bed, for these clubs. 

Netflix isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifestyle choice.

Sometimes it can feel like your can't walk out the front door without breaking a fifty.

We’re heading into the cooler months, which means only two things: hot milos and frayed paperbacks. And accidentally dropping your housemate’s copy of Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things in the bath. So, to save you all time you could otherwise we spending heaping tablespoons of Milo into your mouth mug, we’ve put together a list of this season’s best page-turners.

Who didn’t have a crush on Heath Ledger when they were 15?

Serial’s new podcast, S-Town is here, and they’ve released all of the episodes in one drop because they know as well as we do that everything is better when binged. 

There are plenty of good reasons to shop vintage; it’s a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to buy clothes plus, let’s be real, things from the 40s and 50s were made to last.

There are few people that truly leave a mark, a legacy that endures the test of time, changing tastes and passing fads—especially in the fashion industry.

If anything’s going to tear us away from our UberEats addiction, it’s the allure of a well-known face performing behind the pans. We’re suckers for a good celeb cook book—who knew they could cut veggies like us mere mortals?

Ah summer! You are here and we never, ever, ever want to let you go!

​Summer, the perfect time to head outdoors stay indoors, with remote in hand, keeping cool in the air-conditioning from the comfort of your couch. Amiright?

For stationary geeks like us, shopping for a diary is one of the mightiest of pleasures that comes when the clock strikes the New Year, so we’ve done you a solid and rounded up some of the best out there. Time to show 2018 who’s boss, and organise the hell outta it!

You've probably left all your Christmas shopping to the last minute—seriously, Christmas Day is only 10 days away—and you've no idea what to buy anyone. To make life a smidge easier for you this Christmas, and to leave more time for all the festive drinks and nibbles, we've put together the gift guide of all gift guides to take the hassle out of gift giving. 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Not only does it entail time spent with loved ones, gifts, and all of the food, but, we get to listen to Mariah without judgement and we can watch Love Actually as many times as we damn well please! It’s the best.

It’s no wonder mojitos are the most popular cocktail of summer, they’re just so darn refreshing. Made with white rum, lime, mint and soda water, they’re crisp and zesty—perfect to see you and your mates through the hottest of summer days.

Christmas shopping instills a certain sense of fear in the general public. We’re here to put a stop to that because, you know what? Christmas shopping can actually be so much fun… and stress free! How? Just read our handy dandy guide to nailing Christmas shopping, one step at a time! 

​We owe a lot to podcasts—they make our morning commute bearable, educate us on how not to be murdered, provide loads of comic relief and generally make us better humans. What on earth did we do without them? Listen to the radio? Thank god those days are over (soz Kyle and Jackie O).

Surely there’s something wrong with your life if tidying up is going to make it better. Tidying is a life necessity, a chore, a grind.

As a sometimes victim of the debilitating social disease that is Resting Bitch Face, I empathise with all the (seemingly female) RBF sufferers out there that get tarnished with the ‘she looks like a bit of a bitch’ brush. 

We’ve partnered with Bose to bring you the summer playlists from some of Australia’s coolest kids: the sisters behind Sydney fashion label Macgraw, world beating electronica band mates Atlas Bound, and kick ass Judo Black Belt, Diego Barreto.

Success is a mindset; if you want it, you have to work for it.

Marketeers! Grab your hessian sacks and joie de vivre, because our fave Brisbane design markets, Finders Keepers, are back this weekend to brighten up your weekend!

 If you like your coffee with a side of charm, read on for the 16 most beautiful cafes in Brisbane

From some of Australia’s best restaurants and bars that don’t require a reservation, to booking a hotel on a whim (we love Booking.com’s new Booking Now app for this!), The Urban List editors in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have put together the ultimate itineraries in and around our fair cities to help you be spontaneous wherever you go.

Each month one member of The Urban List team will be sharing their current obsessions, and—shock—not all of it’s edible! This month, Urban List Content Director, Kim Barnard shares her new favourite everythings: from the best burger, to her new Apple watch, here’s what on her radar.

Each month one member of The Urban List team will be sharing their current obsessions, and—shock—not all of it’s edible! This month our Brisbane Editor, Sophia McMeekin shares her new favourite everythings: from hairy shoes, to boozy scents and nap-apps, here’s what on her radar.

You’ve all been so busy being hip and cool! Don’t worry, we’ve noticed. While the whole of Brisbane has been out living it up, we’ve been keeping tabs on the hottest spots and the most popular haunts among our readers. Odds are you’ve already been to every one of these joints, this very special round up is reader’s choice. These are the businesses in our Directory it seems you couldn't get enough of this month, read on to see how many of your favourites are equally beloved by our glorious city. Here are YOUR picks of what’s hot in Brisbane:

As much we love our digital day jobs, we’re big fans of occasionally ditching the desktop in favour of some old-school pen-and-paper action. But finding a stationery line that’s worth your chicken scratch is a challenge in itself—this is one occasion when Office Works just isn’t going to cut it. 

Golly gosh! Four days in to March madness and we are already in love. As we hail goodbye to summer (sad face), we look forward to welcoming the best of autumn with this season’s first Brisbane Market Calendar. Hurrah!

Can you believe it’s already February! This month’s Brisbane Market Calendar is loaded with the last of the seasonal summer fruits (fare thee well, beloved mangoes), cool pop-up bars and indulgent food stalls that will knock you clear off that health kick you’ve been on since January.

The year is ending, the holidays are approaching, that sun drenched deck chair is calling and distant Aunt Mildred has sweetly given you a book voucher for Christmas. So which page-turner will you choose?

Whether you’re globetrotting or road tripping, heading to the tropics, the slopes or simply up the coast, we’ve taken the stress and guess work out of packing and done it for you!

From super cool swimmers and lightweight towels, to beach umbrellas and more, we’ve hunted down the best of the best beach bag essentials for summer.

To our dear Brisbanites, it’s not often that we’ll recommend you put down what you’re eating (even if it is a Tim Tam-flavoured cronut—yep, that’s a thing now), and stop sipping that coffee you’re drinking, but for this we require your undivided attention.

Making the most of our cosy climate, and the whimsical freedom it gives us to prance hither and thither in pursuit of the perfect presents, here is our guide to the best local Brisbane areas to have a gander this Christmas shopping season…

With summer knocking at the door, our much-loved Brisbane market scene is stocking up on the season's most delicious local produce. This month's November Market Calendar is all about the food; we're talking food trucks, artisan stalls, and pop-up stands—the Brisbane markets are a pretty damn delicious place to be right now! And now's the time to run amok at Brisbane's best markets, what with all this fantastic weather we're having! Check out this month's Brisbane Market Calendar, take your pick of the list, and get shopping!

Fans of James Street's famed Up Late events know that this good-looking street can throw a party.

If you're a Brisbane market addict, then you'll be as excited as we are about the Fortitude Valley Market re-launch this weekend! A Brunswick Street fixture since 1992, the markets are an iconic part of Brisbane culture and are now under new management. The Fortitude Valley Markets have undergone an almighty overhaul as part of the Valley Malls redevelopment, and they are looking schmick!

The sun is shining, the weather is sweet! Now that we're on the cusp of summertime (ok, we're reaching a bit!), it's time to get out of bed, slop on some sunscreen and get out to one of Brisbane's best markets! This month's October Market Calendar is choccas with spring produce, fabulous pieces for a home makeover, food trucks, bunker bars and more! So come on Brisbane, so your city some local love, and get your shop on!

Looking for the perfect idea for a Father's Day gift is more often that not, a match made in shopping misery. You swear to yourself you'll find something he'll actually like this year, and winding up stressed out, with a gift that's a bit blah.

Want to splash some serious cash without the shopping guilt? Do you dream of the champagne lifestyle, but in reality, you're on a beer budget like the rest of us? Have the moths in your wallet taken up permanent residency?  Life can be cruel, can't it?

Food fanatics and design buffs are already well aware of Cook Republic's Sneh Roy. The winner of Best Australian Blog 2013, Best Lifestyle Blog 2013 and author of the beautiful cookbook Tasty Express, Sneh is a force to be reckoned with.

With the arrival of our August Market Calendar, and with winter finally here (not that you'd know, with all this spectacular sunshine we're having!) it's the perfect time to stock up on all the amazing produce a Queensland cold snap offers up at one of our fab Brisbane markets!

Fans of The Spring Blog are already familiar with Catherine's flair for the creative and the DIY, but her latest venture, Showroom — a fluid and innovative retail space and creative melting pot in Paddington  — has taken her from small scale to big time. A joint venture between Catherine and Wilde Flora's Caroline, Showroom was designed to house a rotating selection of eclectic online brands that consumers would never ususally get the chance to experience in the real world, including The Third Row, The Small Garden, and Auburn & Green — brands that needed a physical home but aren't large scale enough for traditional retail spaces. We caught up with Catherine one-month after opening to find out how this unique space works, praise Etsy, and play with all the pretty things.

Because imagining your Mum as she was —a teenage rebel, or a hippie, or the class nerd, or just someone who wore miniskirts and occasionally missed her curfew— is so much fun, we've put together a list of gifts for Mum that will appeal to her inner-cool kid. 

May's Brisbane market calendar is here! 

What's new in Brisbane this month, you ask? Loads, it seems, as Brisbane continues to celebrate the opening of new venues all over the shop.

Whether you prefer sightseeing or shopping, live music or museums, we’re here to guide you through the places where New Yorkers eat, drink and play—an insider’s guide to the city that never sleeps.  

As much as we love the digital medium, that's not to say we don't appreciate an old-school, quality print job, and that the opening of a new magazine and specialty bookstore doesn't get us a bit excited. 

The One-Month "Relationship"

The 2014 Big Day Out line-up is one for the nostalgic, with Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg, Deftones and The Hives headlining the festival. These will all be amazing performances in greatly varying styles, but today I'd like to tell you about some of the less obvious bands on the line-up that shouldn't be missed.

Fact – reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Fact – dipping into reading matter when there is water within strolling distance is life’s GREATEST pleasure. Here's what Team TUL will be chucking in the beach bag.

Here are the best Christmas movies of all time. Enjoy!

It is the season for welcoming visitors from afar into our homes and cheerily offering them a bed, food, drink and entertainment.