Every now and then, Women’s Hour likes to make you prick up your ears a little. I get tired of having to listen to Jenni Murray or Jane Garvey explain for the millionth time to a politician why women might not be voting for them, ‘have you tried… female friendly policies?’

Because I am not middle aged or a mother I often find myself glazing over a little when I listen, that’s when they get you; pow! ‘Today we’re talking female masturbation’ and (actually) today: kerblammo! ‘What has punk done for women?’

After Jane Garvey’s opening line of being far too young to have been a punk (it took a while, but Jane Garvey’s now one of my favourite Radio 4 presenters, I think she could handle the Today programme Ceri Thomas. Maybe I am middle aged?) she introduced Toyah Willcox, Gina Birch and Caroline Coon to discuss what punk had done for them. 

If you read the Sweet Valley High books as a youngster, you will want to know what happens in the recent follow-up.

I know I am a van of sweeping generalisations, but I have come to this conclusion through the rigorous research method of asking everyone I know if they read the SVH books, and if they are interested in the follow-up. It’s no secret that I loved the Sweet Valley High books as a teenager. And ever since I found out there was an update available, catching up with Jessica and Elizabeth ten years after their adventures were last recorded, I’ve wanted to get my hands on a copy.

Not that it would have been difficult, you understand. But I am too much of a book snob, and too easily embarrassed into a fetching shade of pillarbox, to just buy a copy and read it on the train. So when a kindly benefactor bought me a copy for my birthday, I wolfed it down. And here’s the thing. It is terrible. Terrible. But fun. The book equivalent, if you like, of a giant bag of fizzy sweets. So to save you from having to experience the literary equivalent of tooth decay and indigestion I have read it for you and am willing to share the secrets contained within.  

Did you watch it last week? Yes people, there’s a new girl in town and a new comedy on TV. But did I laugh as Jess cried? Well, let me tell you about my 8.30 Channel 4 date with New Girl and you can make up your own minds if you want to spend your Friday evening with the second episode.

Everybody’s favourite indie boy crush has been given her own sitcom! It’s been a meandering career for Zooey Deschanel since she turned up as the cool older sister in 2000’s Almost Famous. 

The journey has taken her through bleach-blonde leading roles; M. Night-Shyamalan boo boos    and She & Him sing-songs. She may not be in all the magazines like some of her contemporaries but Zooey is as cool as her name and has been working hard for the last 12 years.  I was as pleased as punch when Deschanel popped up as my new Friday night 30mins of fun….actually I think I’m the one with the indie boy crush. 

This is the week it becomes clear any notion of a New Year resolution is probably not happening. Or because by Friday you aren’t fluent in another language/a stone lighter/a CEO it feels that way. If it already feels like 2012 is a bit of a write off I urge you to concentrate on readying yourself for 2013.

2011 was the year Scrabble decided to settle various pub based arguments and accept the following words (not in alphabetical order for dramatic effect):