'a library is a hospital for the mind'
that's all she wrote
DECEMBER 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Arcane S2 (2024)
It actually took me a little while to start watching season 2 after it first came out, I think partly because I knew it was the last season and I didn't want it to end (still don't). I am forever in awe at this show. I genuinely think it may be one of the best if not THE best show I've ever watched. Each character is rich in backstory and development, the lore of the world feels like a deep-dive into a bottomless pool and every plot-line kept me interested. Another thing that I appreciated the most was the use of female characters and how it wasn't jammed down your throat that this world wasn't a patriarchy. It felt like genuine equality without having to belittle anyone else. I will forever recommend this show to EVERYONE.
Music of the Month
I Only Smoke When I drink by Nimino
This feels like the perfect summer-clubbing song. The beat gets you moving and the chorus is catchy - it got stuck in my head for days. I may be slightly biased though, as we listened to this song a lot on netball trip so I probably just associate it with good memories. But either way, I love this song!
NOVEMBER 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Cruel Intentions (2024)
I watched the movie for the first time only a couple of years ago and although it is extremely problematic, I couldn't help but enjoy it. When I watched this show I was so pleasantly surprised - even though it is still a little weird - I really, really liked it. It gave me big Gossip Girl vibes with the over-the-top drama and rich society tropes.
Music of the Month
Unknown / Nth by Hozier
My maid of honour, her younger sister and I got to see Hozier in concert this month, so naturally a Hozier song was going to be my fav for the month. In all honesty, at first Unknown/Nth didn't grasp me like a lot of Hozier songs do, but after seeing it live I fell in love with it. That has to be my favourite thing about concerts, it opens you up to songs that you may not have been that interested in before because there is just something so magical about seeing an artist performing their art in person.
OCTOBER 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Dinner in America (2020)
Sooo, this movie is kinda weird. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore this movie and it has quickly become a comfort watch for me, but I can't lie, most people would probably find it a bit bizarre. Or at least, they'd find the main character weird, but there's something so charming about it and the love story has me kicking my feet like I did when I was 14.
Music of the Month
Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton
I have loved this song for so many years, but this month it has a whole new meaning. It has always been my partner and I's "Song", but this month it was the backing track to his proposal to me. Not only have I always adored the rasp and the lyrics in this song, but now I will forever be reminded of one of the happiest days of my life!
SEPTEMBER 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Another movie that I've seen around forever and have always seen references to. I don't know what I expected from it to be totally honest, but I really enjoyed it. I will always love a 'who-dunnit' type of movie, especially with such an iconic character as Hannibal Lector.
Music of the Month
Big City Life by Luude & Mattafix
This was the anthem of netball trip. We played it on the bus, when we got to the airbnb and in the background while we played stupid drinking games. It feels like the perfect tune to summarise the feeling of netball trip.
AUGUST 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Transformers (2007)
This month my partner and I had a bit of a transformers marathon which was great considering I hadn't watched these movies for years. I forgot just how funny Shia LaBeouf is in these movies, his presence makes them what they are. Not to mention Megan Fox in her prime.
Music of the Month
Chalk Outlines by Ren & CHINCHILLA
This year has been a bit rough on me and when I found this song it really spoke to me. I've been on a Ren deep-dive recently because the music he makes is just fantastic. This one is a huge favourite at the moment and has introduced me to a little bit Chinchilla.
JULY 2024
Book of the Month
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
I absolutely devoured this book. I can understand that some people would find it a bit slow as, to be honest, it doesn't feel like a whole lot happens in it, but I couldn't put it down. While I haven't experienced anything close to what the main character has, it felt comforting to read about a character who struggles with similar mental health issues as yourself. It gives you some perspective and makes you feel not so alone. This book made me laugh, made me cry and made me wanna punch a hole in the wall.
TV/Movie of the Month
The Walking Dead (2010)
I watched a lot of the Walking Dead in my final year of school but never finished it. Around season 7 or maybe 8 I fell out of it and recently felt like watching it all over again. I forgot how addicting it can be! I've stopped watching it though because I really want to get my partner into it so fingers crossed I'll be able to get back into it soon.
Music of the Month
Oats in the Water by Ben Howard
When I heard this in an episode of the Walking Dead I got mad goosebumps. It has such a murky vibe, but in the best way possible. Something about the singer's voice and the lyrics that has it on repeat for me.
JUNE 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Dune Part Two (2024)
I have been anticipating this movie for so long and have been itching to watch it since it came out a couple of months ago. Although I've heard this movie has received some criticism, I really enjoyed it. It picked up the pace compared to the last one and has made me add the book to my TBR.
Music of the Month
Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish
I feel like I want to cry tears of joy every time Billie releases anything ever. I have been a fan for a good while now (maybe since 2018?) and was absolutely dying waiting for this album to come out. And of course, she's smashed it once again. The lyrics, the music THE VOICE?! Sometimes it physically hurts that there are people in the world that I know I'll never be able to meet.
MAY 2024
Book of the Month
READING SLUMP :(
TV/Movie of the Month
Spinning Out (2020)
Another one of those shows that I've seen on Netflix during those hours we've all spent scrolling, trying to find the right thing to watch. Initially it really didn't look like something I'd be interested in but then I saw a clip on TikTok and I've loved Kaya Scodelario since the Skins days so I thought I might as well give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised. I actually really enjoyed it; a good 'enemies-to-lovers' plot with elements of mental health and honestly ice skating is pretty sick. The only thing that made this show suck, was when I discovered it was a part of that pool of Netflix shows that never got renewed for a second season because of Covid. Disappointed to say the least.
Music of the Month
What's My Age Again? by Blink-182
NOBODY LIKES YOU WHEN YOU'RE 23!!! I simply had to use this as my song for the month since it was the anthem to my 23rd birthday. An absolute banger from the 90s and the theme song to some pretty embarrassing memory-loss as a product of drinking one too many cocktails.
APRIL 2024
Book of the Month
The Truths We Burn by Monty Jay
These kind of books have been my ultimate guilty pleasure lately. The characters, the spice, the enemies-to-lovers / bullies-to-lovers tropes. I've been gobbling it up. And this one did not disappoint. Is it cringey? Yes. Is it kinda looney? Yes. Is the spice a bit hectic. Sure is. Am I still going to read it. You betcha.
TV/Movie of the Month
The Craft (1994)
This movie kind of felt like a bit of a fever dream. It was one of those ones that I've seen around for ages and I know its a cult classic so I was really keen to see what all the fuss was about. At first I was like oh okay, yep its a witchy-woo high school drama type of vibe and then things just kinda got out of hand and I was glued. Definitely a strange one, but definitely worth watching!
Music of the Month
Are You Really Okay? by Sleep Token
Still on my Sleep Token high, this song has to be my favourite of the month. The ol' mental health has taken a toll lately and I unfortunately can kind of relate to this one at the moment so it's been on repeat this month.
MARCH 2024
Book of the Month
Credence by Penelope Douglas
I wouldn't necessarily call this a 'favourite' of the month so much as its the only book I've read this month. It's one I've seen all over BookTok and I read a Penelope Douglas book a little while ago that I actually really liked so I thought I'd give it a go. It really isn't for everyone. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but the almost-incestual stuff is a bit much. I really liked the 'end-game' romance but all the other stuff in between felt a bit too weird for comfort.
TV/Movie of the Month
Arcane S1 (Netflix)
I've never been the type of person to get super into cartoon/anime shows/movies but holy shit, when I say this show needs to be seen by every c*** and their dog. I wouldn't class myself as a gamer by any means but I've played a couple and of course have heard of League of Legends so I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this but from what I've heard it's nothing like the game. So now my mission begins of trying to convince my partner to watch this despite his absolute loathing of the video game. This show truly is phenomenal and I strongly urge anyone who hasn't yet, to hurry up and watch it.
Music of the Month
The Summoning by Sleep Token
As random as it sounds, Brittany Broski got me into Sleep Token. I absolutely LOVE her podcast and when she talked about this band I was adamant on checking them out. I quickly became obsessed. As someone who has a soft spot for a bit of emo, loves rock music and will forever be in awe of good lyricism, Sleep Token have changed my life. People aren't kidding when they say that they're the Hozier of heavy metal. It feels like they are revolutionising music.
FEBRUARY 2024
Book of the Month
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
If you're on BookTok or Bookstagram and you haven't heard of this book, is your phone broken? Have you had a social media cleanse lately? EVERYone has heard of Fourth Wing. I finally picked it up and Oh My God I understand the hype. College, dragons, enemies-to-lovers. Literally what is not to love? I was nervous this book would let me down given all the crazy hype around it but it is truly deserved.
TV/Movie of the Month
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)
I feel so conflicted about this show. Like pretty much every other person who's ever watched the original, I absolutely adore Avatar and so when I heard this show was coming out I was equal parts excited and terrified. On face-value it looks great, they follow the plot decently well but lets be real, some of the acting and writing is a little rough. It's still a good watch, but I can't help but feel like the fans of this story keep getting let down.
Music of the Month
Perfect (Exceeder) by Mason & Princess Superstar
I've been putting off watching Saltburn for so long but after I finally did, this song has been in my head ever since. It's such a summer song and a classic from the early naughties. If this came on in a club I would go absolutely mental.
JANUARY 2024
Book of the Month
Verity by Colleen Hoover
I've been so wary of reading any Colleen Hoover books. I've heard so much discussion on how problematic her romances are and how low-key toxic a lot of the relationships are that she writes about, but when I read the synopsis for Verity, I thought what the heck? Might as well give it a go, if the romance is bad, at least the mystery would back it up. I was so pleasantly surprised it's not even funny. I was on the edge of my seat for just about the whole book and was left dumbfounded by the end. It really is one of those books that leaves you thinking about it for days, weeks maybe even months after.
TV/Movie of the Month
Last Night in Soho (2021)
I don't really know what I expected from this movie or what I thought it was going to be about but a semi-supernatural, thriller/horror was definitely not what I thought was on the cards. This movie really is a treat, not to mention you just can't look away when Anya Taylor Joy is on the screen.
Music of the Month
Brazil by Declan McKenna
This song has been around for a while but I feel like I've only just really discovered it. It's not often that you find a song that just perfectly sums up the feeling of summer, but this song is it. It makes me crave beach trips with my friends, cocktails by the pool and just good times. Crazy that he wrote this song when he was like 14?!
