Current reads

If you enjoy both reading and travel, check out Europa Editions’ series. I was gifted the Japan version of the bookzine and, on a recent jaunt to Paris, picked up the one on the City of Light. Each ’zine in the series celebrates offbeat tips about each location through reportages, essays, clever infographics and unexpected photos. NG

Listen to this

German indie rock bank Leoniden is one of those bands that I always rediscover and enjoy. Their recent album Complex Happenings Reduced to a Simple Design with its relevant themes and energetic tempo is a great companion for long car rides in the summer.  TH 

Sharon van Etten’s new album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong is a masterful, sweeping, epic pop record. It is also deeply personal, a reflection of the impact that two years of pandemic has had on the singer-songwriter’s life. It is packed with gorgeous anthems  like Mistakes, and also beautifully poignant acoustic tracks like Darkish. Catch her on her upcoming (sadly not passing through Luxembourg). DR

Essential viewing

Season three of Atlanta has just ended but the show is still making noise online with theories sprouting left and right regarding the obscure ending of  the finale. The third instalment of the TV series by the multi-talented actor, producer, and singer-songwriter Donald Glover sees rapper Paper Boi land in Amsterdam as his career begins to take off. Make no mistake however, the show is much more of an exploration of black culture than the heights of fame or success. TG 

A trilogy of films-in-a-film awaits you in The House (2022), each segment built on the theme of, well, a house. The three stories are not formally connected except by this single building, yet they conjure up complementary feelings of horror. Don’t expect hardcoded plots or mad twists; expect speculative worlds laid over this one that are full of the surprising and the menacing, expect character-led narratives, expect weird stuff. Definitely recommend. JP

I recently watched the highly engaging 5-season action-telenovela on Netflix. The story follows Teresa Mendoza’s rise from street money changer fleeing her boyfriend’s killers to mob boss running one of the world’s biggest drug smuggling networks. Despite the characters’ many imperfections, you’ll be cheering for several of the ‘bad guys’. AG

For foodies

Managed by Daisuke Yoshida, the Japanese restaurant on the rue de Notre Dame in Luxembourg City offers sushi, but also other traditional Japanese dishes such as donburi, grilled and fried foods. The small and narrow space provides a “hidden treasure” feel to the place, while the price reflects the good quality of the ingredients and dishes. Yamayu Santastu is also great for those who like to eat on their own, as it features a counter for customers to look at the sushi chef preparing their food in a Tokyo-style. TH

Greek taverna near Place de Paris offers traditional cuisine at, for Luxembourg, reasonable prices. From stuffed vine leaves to Moussaka, gyros and other specialties, there is plenty on the menu. Portions are generous and I would warn of overordering. The selection of Greek wines is decent and with its terrace it’s also a great spot for lunch in a central location. CS 

Random observations

With the pirate ship playground closed, parents may be wondering if there’s a way of keeping themselves and their young ones entertained in this heatwave without tempers fraying. The good news is that certain campsites within a 30-minute drive from Luxembourg City offer day passes to their attractions for under €10--and they are pretty impressive. Take , situated just outside the Mullerthal village of Nommern. Little ones can swim in the outdoor pool or scoot down the 50m slide, parents can sip drinks in the nearby bar, and the entire family can hire bikes and explore the stunning and dramatic countryside. There’s even an outdoor soft play area and a kiddie’s climbing wall. Not bad when there’s no obligation to camp and you can return to the comforts of your own bed that night. JS

I’ve previously discouraged readers from watching Munich: The Edge of War on Netflix. And while this is a selection of staff picks, I have to say I wasn’t convinced by by Pip Williams. The idea sounds tempting–a girl/young woman watches her father as he helps work on the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. She picks up words that are excluded, because they are slang, about women or other disadvantaged groups. But the story doesn’t really go anywhere. The novel can never quite decide whether it’s plot-driven or character-driven and for most of it I wondered, ‘what’s the point?’. I’ve seen it pop up with enthusiastic reviews on many online book clubs, but was left thoroughly underwhelmed. CS