Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films and TV shows we’re watching, and the music we’re listening to.

Paul Barr is listening to Ancora by Flook

This dynamic Anglo Irish band have not had a release since Haven in 2005. It’s now 2019 and they are back with a vengeance. All the original members are here. The flute/whistle playing is as wild as ever and the powerful acoustic grooves of guitar and bodhran keep the whole thing moving along. This is a very exciting collection of mostly self-composed jigs, reels and airs. In addition to the original band they are joined by numerous friends who play everything from cello to theremin. Ancora is one very exciting listen.

Dani Solomon is reading Goblins! by Philip Reeve

This delightful, hilarious and irreverent book celebrates the ultimate underdog…GOBLINS! They may be bloodthirsty, thieving, stupid ratbags who refer to libraries as Bumwipe Heaps, but they’re not all bad. Skarper was born a little different to the rest of the goblins. He likes to read books instead of wipe his bum on them, for example, and in doing so, he learns the meaning of words which no goblin before him has ever known: words such as kindness, and gazebo. You can’t read without changing, and after finding himself literally flung out of his home tower for correcting the Goblin King, Skarper stumbles upon a whole new world filled with comedically inept wizards and a helpless boy who insists on saving a princess who does not want or need to be saved – thank you very much. Oh, and there is an evil Lych Lord who needs to be stopped. Goblins! is the first in a super fun, gross, exciting and surprisingly poetic trilogy. Great for all kids with a heart and a good sense of humour aged 9+.

Declan Murphy is listening to Everything Hits At Once (Best Of) by Spoon

Without question one of the most consistently brilliant bands of the past two decades. From the musical hotbed of Austin, Texas – Spoon is one of those bands who just never, ever puts out a bad record. Their first Greatest Hits album is everything you’d expect – wall to wall bangers.