The Crumbs #2
Starling, Legado and Margo's Got Money Troubles: what to read, watch and eat in September
Hello! If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Laura, a journalist, podcaster and author of Single Bald Female. I write about food, books, careers and living with stage four breast cancer. This newsletter is about living the life you want now, rather than waiting for some distant future that may never come.
I wrote a piece about living with stage four cancer for The Telegraph, which went a little bit viral. In case you missed it, here it is. (It’s behind the paywall but I have a couple of credits to ‘gift’ an article, so let me know if you’d like one).
I’ve received an insane amount of messages and support off the back of this piece, which is lovely because I’m always nervous putting myself out there.
The Crumbs is my monthly newsletter full of recommendations, so here goes…
The Crumbs
Everything I’m loving right now…
What I’ve been reading:
— The Unwilding by Marina Kemp. I love reading escapist, family-centric novels set in idyllic holiday homes: see Kate Sawyer’s brilliant This Family, Miranda Cowley Heller’s The Paper Palace and, of course, Call Me By Your Name. This one takes place between a holiday home in Sicily in the mid-nineties, when Nemony is a child and Zoe is a guest of Nemony’s father, then in London some 20 years later, when an adult Nemony bumps into Zoe and strikes up an unusual friendship. It’s a beautiful, sometimes shocking, story of female strength, differing approaches to motherhood, and siblinghood. It’s my favourite read of 2025 so far, and it’s out in paperback.
— All That Matters by Sir Chris Hoy. For any fellow cancer havers, this is a must-read. I listened on Audible and related so hard to so much of what the Team GB Olympic cyclist writes about diagnosis and beyond. I’m doing his inaugural Tour de 4 cycle event in Glasgow this weekend to raise both money and awareness for stage four cancers. Wish me luck!
— Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. College student gets knocked up by her professor and decides to go on OnlyFans to get by financially. I cannot stress how hilariously funny (but also heartwarming and lovely) this is. If you’re depressed about the weather, this is the one for you. (Also, it’s coming to Apple TV and will star Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning). Just out in paperback.
What I’ve been watching:
— Big Boys on 4. This is a few years old but my god is it brilliant! I heard about it through Kris Hallenga’s brilliant podcast, Glittering a Turd, which I’m planning to re-listen to as soon as I finish season 3. It’s an autobiographical sitcom about grief and the friendship between four uni students. Hard recommend.
— The Inheritance on 4. I watched the first episode and I will not be watching the rest. It’s like a bad version of The Traitors crossed with The Apprentice, plus a sprinkling of I’m a Celebrity. Too much bitching for my liking.
— I also started watching season 4 of The Bear and I found it incredibly slow… should I persist? I’ve loved some of the previous seasons and episodes, but you’ve really got to be in the mood for it…
What I’ve been listening to:
— Caroline O’Donoghue and Dolly Alderton’s excellent analysis of the Sex and the City spin-off, And Just Like That:
— Marian Keyes on Off Menu. Just an absolute JOY:
— Sophia Money-Coutts on Rachel Johnson’s Difficult Women, featuring some very entertaining chat about break-ups and the power of pets:
What I’ve been eating:
— Anchovy and ricotta brioche (below) and suckling pig at Legado, the brand new Spanish restaurant in Shoreditch from chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho. I loved everything about it and have written about it here.
— Tuna and avocado hash browns (below) and truffle cheese crumpets at Starling, a lovely, new-ish bistro in Esher from Great British Menu winner Nick Beardshaw. This was a birthday treat and it’s one of the best meals I’ve had all year. If you live in Southwest London or Surrey, go!
— Tonkotsu ramen, ordered online from cult restaurant Matsudai Ramen in Cardiff. I ordered the extra egg and added my own mushrooms. An excellent option for the dreary weather.
I also ate approx. 5,000 custard tarts in Portugal, not pictured as they went instantly down my gob.
I’m off to Glasgow this weekend for the first time ever, and I’m really looking forward to trying a couple of the restaurants there. The forecast is non-stop rain and I’ll be spending four hours cycling up and down hills on Sunday for the Tour de 4, but it’s all in the name of charity so hopefully it’ll be fun.
PS If you’re interested in the London restaurant scene, I’m now editing FOUND LDN, so do subscribe if you like:
