I might be a little biased about this one, but it really is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the morphology and phonology of a very complex Australian language. I don't agree with all of the analyses, and the theoretical framework in which it is written is outdated, but the argumentation is exemplary and the phenomena it tackles are of enduring intrigue.

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A Korean masterpiece; a profound and breathtaking exposition of Buddhism and the Cycle. It is rich with dense but subtle symbology, reminding us that we are not exempt (however much we may wish) from the justifying forces of nature.

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This is by far the best Joni Mitchell album, I think because of the sophisticated and eclectic set list but also the journey it constructs. Like lots of her music, but perhaps the most so, this is an album that firmly resists genre labels; it's a very (musically and thematically) adventurous album, and that's perhaps why I'm drawn to it.

Favourite songs: Cotton Avenue, and The Tenth World.

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It's poetry about typography, really. Excellent historical overview and coverage of type and page design, and just fantastic prose throughout. 'Typographer's Bible' seems accurate. Many of the principles in there seem implicitly generalisable to designing space and shape in general, though, and I always take something new away from the book whenever I dive in.

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Oh boy. I like the way it's put on the back of my copy: "She writes with a razor". And indeed it is true. This is a bloody yet careful vivisection of 20th century American culture, spoken through the fractured lives of its stars.

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Well, what is there to say that has not elsewhere been said? A film of truly exceptional (motivic and visual) beauty, it captures so perfectly the tension, confusion, suppression, and painful longing of mis-fortunate love. Performances by Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung must rank amongst the best ever. Probably my desert island pick, if I had to choose.

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Sweet and touching and pure. A straightforward movie about choosing family and being seen. I will always recommend this movie. All the dialogue is in Gaeilge (Irish), so it's lovely to listen to. The acting is really superb.

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One of the most heartbreaking movies I've seen. An honest film about two (or three, I suppose) people whose lives line up at the wrong times; an anti-fairy tale story, perhaps.

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Strange and very introspective, this is (I believe) the only novel written by Rilke. It reads somewhat like a series of journal entries, and follows a young man around Paris while he makes sense of death and dying in the mysterious people around him. The prose is just fantastic, even if a little obscure at times. I have the translation by Michael Hulse, though I've heard good things about the one by Edward Snow, who is my favourite translator of Rilke's poetry.

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A very charming movie about fate, love, and identity, and emblematic of late Kieślowski's style. Like the Three Colours trilogy that followed it (which is also a must-watch), Double Life is about people making sense of the strange and mystical world around them. It also focuses on the rather enchanting nature of coincidence, which I really like.

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Some of the best yet most torturous cinema you will ever watch. This is a Polish series of ten hour-long films that are loosely based on the ten commandments. Human relationships, morality, consequence, love, despite, ego, fate, uncertainty; Dekalog has everything. Exceptionally written and directed. If I had to recommend only one work from KK, this would be it. Dekalog 6 (about Love) is horrifyingly beautiful.

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This is my favourite movie of all time. A truly beautiful film about an angel that desires to be human, which for some reason I just find so touching. The colour/greyscale motif is the best I've ever witnessed; it is perfect.

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Breathtaking. A symphony with everything. I think Berg said it best when he remarked:

My favourite recording is Claudio Abbado on DG with the Berlin Philharmonic, recorded live in 1999.

Come for the partita(s), stay for the sonata. One of the classic Bach CDs and a must-have for any Bach fan. I grew up listening to these pieces but played by Josef Suk, whose recordings are great but not as deep as Hahn's. This set of performances strikes the perfect balance between precise and sensitive, highlighting the sheer beauty of the original compositions. I have listened to a lot of Bach, but this is the recording I keep coming back to. (The companion to this album, released in 2018, is also excellent.)

Favourite piece: Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major.

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FlyLo's best album. Very psychedelic, very electronic, and very influential on me during my time as a musician. Simply fantastic production, with lots of textural and timbral diversity. The album is like an exploration into space and the after-life. Minimalists, be warned!

Favourite song: German Haircut.

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It doesn't really get much better than this! Contrary to what some people think, I reckon every song on this album is perfect. Nancy Wilson offers what should be considered the definitive vocal recordings of these tunes. An incredible voice. Credit also goes to whoever arranged the tunes for the album (I believe it was Nat Adderley).

Favourite song: Save Your Love for Me.

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Picking one Stevie Wonder album to showcase here is like torture to me, so I cheated and put everything from Talking Book through Songs in the Key of Life here. Still, Innervisions might be my favourite of the four. I think Stevie is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and definitely one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Endless harmonic genius on display in these albums, plus some of the best grooves you will ever hear.

• Talking Book, 1972.
• Innervisions, 1973.
• Fulfillingness' First Finale, 1974.
• Songs in the Key of Life, 1976.

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Rufusized is one of my favourite funk albums of all time. I'd like to say I equally love all the Rufus and Chaka Khan albums from the 70s, but this is the one I find myself coming back to most often. Impeccable groove throughout, and Chaka Khan makes a compelling case for best voice of the decade.

Favourite song: Somebody's Watching You.

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This album really stands in as a filler for all late Coltrane recordings (it's too hard to choose one!). Still, this work is pretty meaningful to me, and is always a reminder to be grateful and free in my thinking and being.

Favourite movement: Acknowledgement.

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To me this album is an absolutely timeless classic. A beautiful and haunting exhibition of human feelings, there aren't many (or any?) other albums out there that sound quite like this one. Mum used to play it a lot when I was a kid, and I still love it. Björk is my all time favourite singer and this is my favourite work of hers, by far.

Favourite songs: Big Time Sensuality, and Like Someone in Love.

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Welcome to my (book)shelf! Here you'll find some of my favourite music, books, and movies. Maybe you'll enjoy some of them too. I've included a short reflection on each item, and a link to where you can find it.