Instead of doing just a wrap-up post on books, I’ve decided to do a multimedia wrap-up for all other beloved forms of entertainment.
Books
Books I’m currently reading:
A Pound of Flesh by Sophie Jackson – This story popped up in my head the other day. I decided to try out the published version that so many Twilight fans had been raving about. In case it wasn’t obvious, A Pound of Flesh was originally a Twilight fanfiction story on Fanfiction.net back in 2008-2009. I’ve never read that version, nor could I find it, so I’ve been giving the published version a try. It’s actually pretty good! The characters are fleshed out well, the love story is believable, and the plot is interesting. I wish the plot was expanded a bit more. But I hope that’s coming when I read more of the story.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – Can you believe that I only have an hour left to listen to the audiobook? I just can’t seem to finish this one?! Is there something wrong with me? Why can’t I pick up the damn thing and finish this book already?! Maybe because it’s too good that I don’t want it to end?
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare – I’ve only been reading this one on and off every few weeks. Maybe that’s due to me outgrowing Cassie Clare’s material? I’ve loved her work since high school, but this prequel series to the Shadowhunters series is draining me a bit…
Music
Red: (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift – As a hardcore Swiftie since forever, it’s been so surreal hearing Taylor’s rerecorded versions of her past albums. Not only has she grown as an artist, but as a singer. Her vocals sound so much more clearer, her range has improved, even some of the musical arrangements sound more mature. And that’s because she’s matured as an artist too. When I’d first heard the original Red album, I didn’t like the odd blend of pop and country. It didn’t sound natural like her previous albums were. But it’s growing on me now with the rerecording. The unreleased tracks from the vault are a nice touch to what could have been on the original Red album.
Still Over It by Summer Walker – I don’t listen to a lot of R&B, aside from my favorite artists and old school, Motown music that my mom plays in the house lol. But I was really interested in Summer Walker’s latest album. I thought she incredibly described the heartache, embarrassment of being a new mother and dealing with baby daddy drama with her ex, London on da Track. I haven’t caught up on everything from her drama this year, but at least she made a great album out of it.
Thrive by Cassadee Pope – I’ve been waiting on Cassadee’s fourth album since her second album, Stages, dropped back in 2019. I’ve been following Cassadee’s career since 2008 when she was with her band Hey Monday, winning The Voice season 3, and her career has skyrocketed since then! I love her new album. The blend of her blossoming country fame and her pop punk/rock roots was the perfect way to fuse her two loves together. I hope she keeps that same blend for her future projects.
Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish: I was a little nervous for Billie’s second album, seeing as though I love her other songs from her first, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go. But HTE really set the bar for Ms. Eilish! I love how in depth she’s gone in her songwriting and vocal ability. When I first heard the title track,”Happier Than Ever”, I knew it was a hit, especially that hard rock second half!!!
Sour by Olivia Rodrigo: I didn’t catch on to the Olivia Rodrigo train until her song “Good 4 U” dropped, and I loved how much it sounded like “Misery Business” by Paramore. Paramore are my favorite band ever, and it was nice hearing pop, rock, pop-punk influences in Olivia’s music. I know she’s from Disney (technically, Disney+, not Disney Channel), but her debut album was really solid, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for her.
Movies
Love Hard (Netflix): I thought this movie was going to be so corny and cheesy, but it was actually pretty good! Nina Dobrev (Elena from The Vampire Diaries) was so funny and adorable, Jimmy O. Yang was too, Harry Shum Jr. (from Glee and Shadowhunters) was a surprise to see, and he was a nice add-on. The movie had a surprising ending, but looking back, it made sense. but overall, it was a good movie.
Red Notice (Netflix): Another movie that I thought would be corny as hell, but it was so hilarious!! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ryan Reynolds were perfect together. They had great comedic chemistry, and Gal Gadot was a nice touch to the trio. The action was great, the storyline was basic but the action and comedy made up for it.
Shows
Squid Game (Netflix): Squid Game blew my freaking mind the first time I saw it!!!! There were so many Korean cultural themes. Classism, good vs. evil, poor vs. rich, who gets to be rich vs. who gets to be poor, what poor people will do to think they’ll be rich, what rich people will do to weed out the poor and unfortunate, language barriers, islamophobia, sexism. Everything that you could think of, Squid Game has it!! I desperately need a Season 2 now.
Outer Banks (Netflix): Season 1 drew me in last year during lockdown. But I didn’t get into season 2 until earlier this year, and I just finished the season 2-3 weeks ago. Oops! But it’s still a good adventure-heist, island show about this group of kids. They’re best friends who are looking for buried treasure and John B’s missing father. Only to find a lot of family secrets, romance, and so much more. It keeps you on your toes, even though sometimes you want to yell at these kids to go home already.
Money Heist (Netflix) [season 4]: You guys, I think Money Heist broke me…I’ve only seen the first half of 5th season once, but after that last episode, it pretty much broke me. No spoilers, of course, but season 5B better bring it, because it was a lot!
Maid (Netflix): This show was a grower for me. I mainly watched it just to try something new, but it was actually really good. I knew there were poor white people [in the world], but that didn’t stop me from feeling bad about this young woman who can barely afford to pay her rent, car, gas, and take care of a 3 year old daughter while trying to escape her emotionally abusive boyfriend. And yes, emotional abuse is abuse! It’s time these courts and judges realize that any form of abuse is still fucking abuse.
Never Have I Ever (Netflix): My oldest niece told me about this show. Another one I’d thought would be corny and kinda lame. But it’s really quirky, and funny, and has a lot of depth. Especially in the storytelling. It’s about this Indian teen girl who is going through the stages of grief after losing her beloved father. It also has elements of high school drama with boys, drinking, sex, love triangles. It’s all over the place, and you root for no one, but it’s still a fun show to watch.
True Story (Netflix limited series): I must have watched this show at least four times already. I watched it by myself, with my niece, with my mom, and with my uncle. And each time, it gets better! I was a general fan of Kevin Hart, but this show sold me on what an incredible dramatic actor he is. And Wesley Snipes as his brother?! You can’t go no wrong. It’s so hard to explain without spoiling, but know that if you haven’t seen it, watch it!! It’s seven episodes, each 30 minutes long, once you start, you’ll never want to stop until it’s over.
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Thanks for reading,
Clockwork Angel! I remember loving that but it’s not really for everyone. I also remember a conversation I had with someone about how some people tend to hate Clary but absolutely love Tessa and vice versa, and surprisingly everyone we knew of fell into one of those patterns??? Maybe she was onto something, haha.
I’m glad you watched Squid Game! I agree there’s a lot to unpack and there’s so many twists and turns but also the foreshadowing. I’m excited for a season two if they make one – there’s so many questions I have.
Hi Soph!! Yeah I think Clary and Tessa are kind of the same person lol. But Tessa is a lot more self-aware and she knows who she is. Clary didn’t get that way until book 3, which frustrated the hell out of me. I like Clary though.
Squid Game!! I can talk about that show forever! It was so good. I really hope they keep at it with a season 2.