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| Are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods? |
2024 was *ahem* ... a year, but it did provide a lot of little joys in the form of books, films, music, and my own fun obsessions and discoveries.
Without further ado, here are some of the small delights that caught my fancy this year (whether they were released in 2024 or not):
Favorite graphic novels: For me, 2024 was the year of the graphic novel. This was the first year in recent memory that I really started to get into these types of books. I have no idea what I was waiting for, as I have always loved comics and cartoonish art. My favorite graphic novel reads this year were two series I had never picked up before: the “Heartstopper” books at the start of the year, and the “Lore Olympus” series at the end of it. Both are about ✨luv.✨
More favorite reads: My favorite full-length fiction read this year was “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas (the second book in Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series). That was a big surprise because I wasn’t a massive fan of the first book. Well, lo and behold, book two was a massive game changer. It held my attention and would not let go. Honorable mentions this year go to “Come & Get It” by Kiley Reid; “Woman, Eating” by Claire Kohda; and “My Body” by Emily Ratajkowski. I also bought several horror/thriller-type books, which is a genre I don’t often explore but am excited to get into. You can see all of the books I read this year here. Find my upcoming 2025 TBR list here.
Favorite records: If my Spotify Wrapped is to be believed, Twenty One Pilots was my favorite artist this year. I spent a good portion of 2024 listening to my favorite artists’ new releases, obsessively playing my favorite tracks again and again. I will give myself kudos for branching out and adding new-to-me artists Chappell Roan and Tory Lanez to my listening roster this year. I did, however, find myself in the habit of listening to the same tunes over and over and over. In 2025, I want to branch out and listen more to full albums and push more outside of my comfort zone to find new artists and sounds I might like.
Favorite songs: Most of my fave songs this year were on my favorite records:
Favorite movies: There’s nothing I love more than seeing a good movie in theatres. I can’t remember all the ones I saw this year, but I ADORED “Wicked” and would recommend the Netflix movie “It’s What’s Inside” for a trippy thriller that has an indie/small budget-type feel. The Bob Dylan film “A Complete Unknown” with Timothee Chalamet as the lead was also amazing.
Favorite shows: Somehow, I didn’t discover the magic of “The Umbrella Academy” until this year. That show got me through some tough times. I’m obsessed with all of the characters and with Gerard Way, of course. “Black Doves” was a fun new one. I also watched several Netflix documentaries, which is a new genre for me. “Pop Star Academy” and the DCC doc were both really gripping.
Other favorites: Girrlscout clothes; the color green.
What were your favorites this year? I’d love some recommendations!
Till next year,
