As the year winds down, many of us start looking for different kinds of nourishment. Stories that transport us. Ideas that stretch our thinking. Voices that keep us company when the pace finally slows.
Each year, the Dattner Group team shares what has stayed with us – the books, podcasts, and shows that have challenged, comforted, entertained or quietly shifted how we see the world.
Here’s a curated cross-section of what we’ve loved this year.
What we’ve been watching
The Narrow Road to the Deep North – (Amazon Prime Video)
This Australian miniseries is both harrowing and beautiful. Told through the eyes of an Australian Army doctor who becomes a POW on the Burma railway during WWII, it explores memory, love and survival with restraint and depth. A demanding watch, but a deeply human one.
Belén – (Amazon Prime Video)
Based on a true story from Argentina, Belén follows a woman falsely accused and imprisoned after a miscarriage, and the long fight for justice that follows. Confronting and political, it shines a light on women’s reproductive rights and the devastating consequences of injustice.
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox – (Disney Plus)
A compelling drama revisiting the wrongful conviction of Amanda Knox. With outstanding performances, it examines media sensationalism, misogyny and the hunger for certainty in complex, real-world cases.
Mussolini: Son of the Century – (SBS on Demand)
A striking historical drama that feels almost theatrical in its execution. Stylised, unsettling and powerful, it offers a chilling study of power, propaganda and the rise of authoritarianism.
Death of a Unicorn – (Apple TV)
Absurd, unexpected and oddly satisfying. A genre-bending unicorn thriller that leans into its own ridiculousness and delivers something entirely different — perfect for when you want to switch off from realism altogether.
What we’ve been reading
Wild Dark Shore – Charlotte McConaghy
A haunting and beautifully written novel that lingers long after you finish it. The audiobook is particularly special, with sublime voice performances. Easily a standout read of the year.
Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Historical fiction meets queer romance meets space exploration. Atmosphere is expansive, intimate and quietly thrilling — an unexpected combination that works remarkably well.
Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
A powerful, intergenerational story tracing 300 years from Ghana to the United States. It takes patience to settle into, but once it does, it’s impossible to put down.
Juice – Tim Winton
Set in a dystopian future Australia shaped by climate collapse, Juice follows a man and a child navigating a harsh, unforgiving world. Stark, unsettling and unmistakably Winton.
The Ministry of Time – Kaliane Bradley
Speculative fiction that plays with time, memory and longing while quietly interrogating how the past shapes our present and future. Smart, strange and surprisingly tender.
Perfection – Vincenzo Latronico
A short, sharp novel that captures modern life with uncomfortable precision. It may leave you wanting to spend less time scrolling and more time noticing.
Mother Mary Comes to Me – Arundhati Roy
Rich, lyrical and deeply affecting. A book that stays with you, demanding attention and reflection long after the final page.
What we’ve been listening to
We Used To Be Journos
Hosted by Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf, this podcast takes a sharp look at media, power and accountability. The opening episode, where Lattouf discusses her legal win against the ABC, sets a strong and compelling tone.
Liz Stringer
Always on rotation. An extraordinary Australian songwriter whose work is intimate, political and emotionally precise. Thoughtful lyricism paired with quiet power — and a strong reminder of music’s ability to say what words alone sometimes can’t.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein – Coco Mellors (audiobook)
A richly performed audiobook that brings Mellors’ sharp, emotionally observant writing to life. Ideal for long walks or slow afternoons, it’s immersive without being heavy.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation – Ottessa Moshfegh (audiobook)
Darkly funny, unsettling and strangely compulsive. A listening experience that leans into discomfort while offering sharp commentary on identity, numbness and modern life.
Pump Up the Jams
A joyful and nostalgic deep dive into the songs that once dominated the airwaves. Hosted by Josh Pyke and Cameron James, it’s equal parts cultural commentary and fun.
Rage Against the Vagine
A six-part podcast series hosted by Em Rusciano exploring perimenopause through lived experience and expert voices. Honest, informative and long overdue.
(And, for comfort listening on repeat: Stephen Fry’s Harry Potter audiobooks — a perennial favourite.)
We hope this list offers a few places to land over the break – whether you’re craving escape, reflection, laughter or a fresh perspective.
Here’s to slower days, fuller minds and stories that stay with us.
