Hi everyone! So I know It’s been a year since I last posted on here, and to anyone still following me, I apologize for the hiatus. I got a teaching job and this past school year has been nuts, what with covid and adjusting to the job. But things have settled down and I’m able to get back to doing certain things like writing posts for this blog. One of the staples of this blog is my monthly favorites list and I figured since I’ve been away for a while, I’d start back here by catching you all up on what I’ve been watching, listening to, and reading lately. So instead of just this month’s faves, and since summer is upon us, I’ll be recapping this past spring as a whole.
Books
Beach Read (Emily Henry)– I have never read books from the contemporary romance genre, as I’m more into “serious” literature and non fiction. But I heard rave reviews about this book and I do like a good rom com film, so I decided to check it out. And I was actually blown away by how much I enjoyed it and how well it was written. No cheesy dialogue or badly written sex scenes, no shallowness to the plot or cardboard rom com characters. The romance was beautiful and meaningful, with some poignant insights into life and even writing. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a lighter read, but don’t want to sacrifice substance. (I also adored her most recent book, People we Meet on Vacation)
Exhalation (Ted Chiang) – this was an insanely beautiful and profound collection of short stories. Ted Chiang writes elevated speculative science fiction, grounded in philosophy. Each story in this collection poses so many different questions about what it means to be a human being, how we grapple with mistakes and free will vs. predestination and the constant changes of the universe. If there is one story from this collection I urge everyone to read, it is the title story. I was deeply moved by Exhalation and the message it conveyed, and I think the insights given and questions raised in the story are incredibly important to humanity right now in time. I loved his other collection of short stories as well (stories of your life and others).
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (Anthony Marra) – Fair warning, this book is quite depressing and emotionally devastating at times, but Marra’s writing is amazing and he deftly captures the horrendous impact of the Chechen civil war on the people caught up in the midst of the fighting around them. What do you do as a human being living in a nightmare you had no part in creating, now stuck trying to fight to remain human despite the inhumanity and brutality around you. This book stands as a testament to the bleakness of war, and the struggle to love and hope in the face of this bleakness.
Music
Olivia Rodrigo – I’m not one to listen to a lot of pop, especially from teens, but after listening to Driver’s License and Deja Vu (my favorite song of the two), I can officially say I am a huge Olivia Rodrigo fan. She has a stellar voice and her lyrics are well written, elevating her music to a more mature level than the average teen singer. Deja Vu has a cool beat, with a unique sound and biting lyrics. Her songs are both catchy and filled with actual substance.
Fruit Bats – I have been an avid listener of fruit bats for a while now and their latest album did not disappoint. My favorite off of it is Pet Parade. The lyrics to this song are beautiful, an anthem for people just trying to live in the world as they are, wanting to be loved and accepted. The band is in the folk rock genre of music, and some of my all time favorite songs are Cazadera, Ocean, and Pet Parade.
I love you. It’s a Fever Dream (The Tallest Man on Earth)– TTME is one of my all time favorite artists, especially in the folk genre, and this particular song is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. The lyrics capture a sense of longing and love for living, how we may not understand anything about life but we try and we hope and we love. The instrumentation is gorgeous in this song as well, and underscores the emotion and meaning carried in the lyrics.
Film/TV
Promising Young Woman – Holy shit was this an intense and striking film, one that was hard to watch at times and extremely emotional for me. PYW is a fierce look at men and rape culture, at how the system is stacked against women and forgiving of the men. The title itself is a play on the ever common phrase “he was such a promising young man” when discussing a guy accused of sexual assault. No one ever says that about the victims, young women who were also promising, who had dreams and hopes, who may not live to see them out because of the permanent damage done. Not only was the content handled well in the film, but the cinematography and the acting were also spectacular.
Nomadland – This is a beautiful, lyrical and moving film one that stayed with me long after it was over. I cried so much during it and felt so deeply for the characters, as they tried to find their own way in the world, a world set up to leave them behind. The acting was amazing, and I love that real life nomads were used in the cast. Another standout was the cinematography. Every shot was beautifully framed and lit, with the endless scenes of the natural landscape used in such a profound and moving way. At its core, this is a film about loss and loving again, about beauty in pain and starting over when you feel as if you have lost everything.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven – a fantastic film with classic Aaron Sorkin writing, and a wonderful cast ensemble (seriously, the cast as a whole was brilliant, definitely one of the best ensembles on screen). The topic and themes are incredibly important and reflect what is happening today. This is a film about an unjust justice system, about political corruption, and the struggle people in America face as we push for change and fight for progress.
Spring in a quote
“Because even if a universe’s life span is calculable, the variety of life that is generated within it is not. The buildings we have erected, the art and music… we have composed, the very lives we’ve led: none of them was inevitable….contemplate the marvel that is existence and rejoice that you are able to do so.” – Ted Chiang, Exhalation
If you have any recs or just want to comment on my faves, make sure to leave comment on the post! I’d love to hear what others think
A World Noticed 