Looking for your next great book, television binge or film night? Welcome to Team Top Picks, a new series where Team Chronically Jenni shares the best books, tv shows and films we have been reading and watching recently.
These are not necessarily brand-new releases or flawless five-star favourites. They are simply the stories that entertained us, surprised us or stayed with us this month.
With five people and five very different tastes, there should be something here for almost everyone. All summaries are spoiler-free, so you can decide what deserves a place on your own reading or watching list.
Books
Jenni’s pick: Alchemised by SenLinYu
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Former alchemist Helena Marino is being held prisoner after the end of a devastating war. With many of her memories missing, she must uncover what happened to her, what secrets remain hidden inside her mind and why her captors are so determined to retrieve them. It is a substantial dark fantasy filled with magic, battles, conflict and complex world-building.
Why Jenni picked it
This was a most-of-July commitment rather than an instant favourite, but I really enjoyed the story and became invested in the characters so I’m glad I stuck with it. The lore became quite complicated in places, so it was occasionally difficult to keep track of everything happening within the world and although it could’ve been shorter there were lots of exciting moments that left me wanting more.
Best for: Readers who enjoy long, immersive dark fantasy novels, morally complicated characters and detailed magical worlds.
Poppy’s pick: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Natalie is a hugely successful “tradwife” influencer who has built her brand around traditional values and an idealised version of historical domestic life. When she suddenly appears to wake up in 1855, she must face the exhausting and dangerous reality of the lifestyle she has been selling to millions of followers.
Why Poppy picked it
I loved how it blends historical fiction with time travel. It really pulls you into the story and makes you think about how different life was, while still feeling relatable to modern conversations about identity, expectations and the way people present themselves online.
Best for: Readers who enjoy historical fiction, time-travel stories, social commentary and books that question the gap between an online image and reality.
Beth’s pick: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Millie desperately needs a fresh start, so a live-in job with the wealthy Winchester family initially appears to be the perfect opportunity. However, strange behaviour, troubling family dynamics and the secrets hidden inside the house soon suggest that this is not the safe new start she expected.
Why Beth picked it
Even though I had seen the film before reading the book, there were so many additional details that elevated the story. It is a gripping page-turner, incredibly easy to read and constantly keeps you wanting more.
Best for: Readers who enjoy fast-paced domestic thrillers, dysfunctional families, short chapters and plenty of twists.
Eboni’s pick: The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
After a string of terrible dates, Sydney finally meets a charming, handsome doctor who appears to be the perfect boyfriend. At the same time, police are investigating the murders of women targeted by a mysterious man who dates his victims before killing them, leaving Sydney to question how well she really knows the person beside her.
Why Eboni picked it
It took me a couple of tries to get into it, but once the story picked up, I could not put it down. It is a gripping, fast-paced thriller packed with twists that kept me second-guessing everything right until the end.
Best for: Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, unreliable characters, dating nightmares and stories designed to keep you guessing.
Ian’s pick: I Am David by Anne Holm
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Twelve-year-old David escapes from a concentration camp in an unnamed Eastern European country and begins a dangerous journey across Europe. Having known little beyond fear and imprisonment, he gradually encounters freedom, kindness and the beauty of the wider world.
Why Ian picked it
I had a vague memory of my Year 5 teacher reading this to our class. I remembered enjoying it, but I do not think we ever reached the end, so 30 years later I decided to revisit it.
It really is a wonderful story. Although David experiences a great deal of hardship, the overwhelming feeling I came away with was an appreciation for kindness and how beautiful the world can be. It is categorised as a children’s novel, but there are messages and lessons readers of any age can take from it.
Best for: Younger and adult readers who appreciate moving historical stories about hope, resilience, freedom and human kindness.
Television Shows
Jenni’s pick: Elle
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Set in Seattle in 1995, this Legally Blonde prequel follows 16-year-old Elle Woods as she adjusts to a new school and an unfamiliar grunge-influenced environment. It explores the experiences, friendships and challenges that helped shape her into the confident and optimistic Elle audiences know from the original film.
Why Jenni picked it
I love all things Legally Blonde, so I was worried this would not live up to the original. However, I binged it and was immediately left wanting more.
The characters and costumes were amazing, and Lexi Minetree is a fabulous young Elle. I would recommend watching and enjoying it as its own story rather than treating it as a direct prequel. There are a fair number of plot holes when you try to connect every detail to the films, but it is a joyful and entertaining series in its own right and has fab coming-of-age story lines.
Best for: Legally Blonde fans, lovers of colourful costumes and viewers looking for a joyful, nostalgic coming-of-age series.
Where to watch: You can watch season 1 on amazon prime video
Poppy’s pick: Rivals
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Based on Jilly Coopers best selling novel and set in the glamorous and excessive world of 1980s independent television, Rivals centres on the long-running feud between former Olympian and politician Rupert Campbell-Black and television controller Tony Baddingham. Ambition, romance, betrayal and scandal quickly pull their families, friends and colleagues into the conflict. It boasts and all star cast and is full of comedy, drama, sex and swagger.
Why Poppy picked it
It is such an entertaining watch, with loads of drama, brilliant characters and plenty of twists that keep you wanting to watch the next episode. It also has a fantastic cast.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy glamorous period dramas, complicated relationships, large ensemble casts and plenty of scandal.
Where to watch: You can find Seasons 1 & 2 on Disney + and Hulu
Beth’s pick: Off Campus
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Music student Hannah Wells and university hockey star Garrett Graham strike a deal that could help her attract the attention of her crush and help him improve his grades. Their unlikely arrangement soon develops into a college romance involving friendship, sport, identity and the challenges of growing into adulthood.
Why Beth picked it
It is a college coming-of-age and romantic story that feels progressive, current and relatable. I especially appreciated seeing healthier examples of relationships on screen.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy college romances, hockey stories, opposites-attract chemistry and modern relationships with plenty of emotional development.
Where to watch: Season 1 is available on Amazon Prime Video
Eboni’s pick: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
This long-running crime drama follows Captain Olivia Benson and the detectives of New York’s Special Victims Unit as they investigate complex and sensitive crimes. Episodes combine police investigations, legal proceedings and the personal impact cases have on survivors and the detectives supporting them.
Why Eboni picked it
I binged this last year and was so excited to see more seasons added to Netflix. The cases are twisted, emotional and incredibly compelling, with plenty of satisfying justice-filled moments.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy serious police procedurals, emotionally intense investigations and long-running shows with many seasons to binge. The subject matter can be upsetting, so it may not suit viewers looking for something light.
Where to watch: Seasons 12-16 are currently avaliable on Netflix
Ian’s pick: I Will Find You
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
David Burroughs is serving a life sentence for murdering his young son, despite maintaining that he is innocent. When he receives evidence suggesting that his son may still be alive, he sets out to escape prison, find him and uncover the truth about what really happened.
Why Ian picked it
I have been growing weary of Harlan Coben adaptations, but when I saw this was Netflix’s number-one show, I decided it must be worth trying.
The first episode wastes no time jumping into the thrills and drama. So much happened that I was surprised to realise there were still another seven episodes to go. It has all the twists and turns you would expect without becoming too predictable, so Jenni and I managed to binge it over a few nights. It is not especially original, but if you enjoy crime dramas, it is well worth watching.
Best for: Harlan Coben fans and viewers looking for a fast, twist-filled crime thriller that is easy to binge over a few evenings.
Where to watch: This standalone season is avaliable on Netflix
Films
Jenni, Poppy and Ian’s pick: Toy Story 5
Jenni’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Poppy’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Ian’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the toys return to face a very modern threat to playtime: technology. As screens begin competing for children’s attention, the toys must question their changing role while embarking on a new adventure involving friendship, imagination and what it means to grow up.
Why Jenni picked it
It was everything I never knew I needed. As a neurodivergent millennial who grew up with Toy Story, it felt incredibly nostalgic and surprisingly healing. Blaze is an incredible character, and I loved spending time with all our favourite characters again.
Why Poppy picked it
It was such a lovely mix of nostalgia and fun. It brings back all the characters we know and love while adding a fresh story that really hits home, especially for parents.
Why Ian picked it
I remember receiving the original Toy Story film on VHS for Christmas and proceeding to watch it every day for two weeks. The franchise has always been very close to my heart, and I still nearly cry every time I watch the ending of Toy Story 3. This film started a little slowly, but once it got going it was brilliantly funny, clever and heartfelt. I loved that Jessie was the main character and that they revisited her story. After the slightly disappointing Toy Story 4, this felt like a welcome return to form from Pixar.
Best for: Families, lifelong Pixar fans, nostalgic millennials and anyone interested in a heartfelt story about childhood imagination in a technology-filled world.
Where to watch: It’s currently in UK cinemas but I doubt it will be long before you can watch it at home via Disney +
Beth’s pick: Disclosure Day
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
A television meteorologist begins experiencing unexplained phenomena, while a cybersecurity expert uncovers information that could prove humanity is not alone. Their stories become connected as they attempt to reveal the truth about extraterrestrial life to the public.
Why Beth picked it
The underlying message is incredibly powerful and relevant, even though its premise initially appears to be straightforward science fiction. It is one of those films where you have no idea where it is going, and it leaves you with so many thoughts to discuss afterwards.
I also did not expect it to be as good as it was, and I chose it partly because it has received less attention than some of the other major films released recently.
Best for: Viewers who enjoy thoughtful science fiction, mysteries about extraterrestrial life and films that inspire a long conversation after the credits.
Where to watch: Out now in UK Cinemas
Eboni’s pick: My Fault: London
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
What is it about?
Eighteen-year-old Noah reluctantly moves from America to London after her mother marries a wealthy British businessman. There she meets her new stepbrother, Nick, and the pair struggle with an immediate attraction while navigating family tension, dangerous secrets and very different lifestyles.
Why Eboni picked it
I loved both the books and the original Spanish film series, so I was really excited for this adaptation. It is full of gripping drama, great chemistry between the leads and a fast-moving plot that makes it an easy, entertaining watch.
Best for: Fans of dramatic young-adult romance, forbidden relationships, attractive leads and fast-paced adaptations with plenty of emotional tension.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
What should we try next?
Have you read or watched any of our July recommendations? Let us know what you thought, what you would add to the list and which member of Team Chronically Jenni seems to share your taste.
We will be back next move with more books, television shows and films that have kept the team entertained.
