Eliza Clark, 31, was born and grew up in Newcastle. Her debut novel Boy Parts (2020), a comic thriller, was Blackwell’s fiction book of the year and later adapted for the stage. She was one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2023, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize Futures award and listed on Forbes’s 30 Under 30 Europe. Her second novel, Penance, came out in 2023 and a short story collection, She’s Always Hungry, the following year. Eliza is the co-host (with Okechukwu Nzelu) of Indie Night at the Purcell Room on London’s South Bank, a new quarterly series “celebrating independent publishers and writers that defy the ordinary”. It starts on 25 February with guests including Vigdis Hjorth and Deepa Anappara.

Crippling Alcoholism  

When I’m not listening to pop music, generally I’m more of a singer/songwriter girly (I listen to a lot of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Father John Misty, Nicole Dollanganger, Lana Del Rey). I think I like a little more character and narrative in music that I don’t tend to find as much outside of that singer-songwritery place. ENTER CRIPPLING ALCOHOLISM – a much heavier band than I’d usually go for with some of the coolest narrative writing in music I’ve heard in ages. Their last album slapped, their new album slaps – both packed with pitch-black themes and catchy bangers.

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula (on Shudder)

If you love a reality drag competition, love the scrappy aggro energy of early Drag Race and you’re also A Goth – can I recommend you watch the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula as soon as possible. Satan’s gift to reality television, Dragula showcases the singular artistic talents of the freakiest ghouls in alternative drag – while also showcasing some of the wildest drama that has ever graced the small screen. Start with seasons 2, 3 and 4 (season 1 slaps but looks and sounds like it was recorded on an iPhone 7 and may not be the best entry point to the series.)

Euskadi, Kraków 

I visited Kraków (both for pleasure and for some promo around the Polish launch of Penance) this year and was really knocked back by how incredible a dining city it is! On our first night there, we visited Basque restaurant Euskadi and had some of the best tapas I’ve ever had outside of Spain. But the standout was the dessert – the torrija, a Spanish-style French toast made with brioche and served with homemade ice cream. One of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth. I’m not joking: I think about it all the time.

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré

A classic! But it was new for me. Easily one of the best books I read last year, had a huge impact on the novel I was in the middle of writing. Great characters, compelling themes, pacy plot and it’s done so efficiently across less than 250 pages. A true masterclass.

Marty Supreme

I’m very easily taken along by narratives about people pursuing their passion at all costs. The added layer of having been following the Safdies early in their career – watching (just Josh, this time) being allowed to continue to execute his vision on screen, and make something only one of the Safdie brothers could make, made my viewing experience so moving. I love unique, fresh art, I love when people get the chance to make their art and I LOVED the screaming ping-pong movie.