Due to the fact that this blog was (supposed to be) published on my 21st birthday, I thought I’d take it upon myself to create a more personal dedication to our website, peeking into the preferences of a staff member. Following a ‘21’ theme, I came up with the idea of providing a list of recommendations for our readers, personalized by yours truly.

Throughout my life, entertainment has been a crucial part of my passions. I’ve participated in theatre, choir, film, book clubs, etc., and I believe all of my favorite pieces have spoken to me and become a part of my identity. The act of consuming– whether that’s consuming art, poetry, movies, or books– is a natural instinct and a human desire that we all possess

I take art and creativity very seriously, which prompts my intrigue in exploring different styles, genres, and tastes. Therefore, I thought I’d share a list of entertaining recommendations you could add to your list of things to consume before the end of the year. This list consists of books, movies, shows, plays, and songs that I’ve enjoyed throughout my life.

21. We Are The Ants by Shawn David Hutchinson

Falling under my list of 2023 reads, We Are the Ants is a book I plucked off the ‘Banned Books’ shelf in Booksamillion this past June. As soon as I read the first page, I was hooked on the premise. The book is a distorted coming-of-age story about a mentally ill teenager who claims he’s been abducted by aliens and given the power to save the world from destruction. Overall, the theme was beautiful and chock-full of meaning about life. Filled with scientific imagery and prose woven into very relatable circumstances, I’d say it’s an engrossing read.

20. “Miss Atomic Bomb” by The Killers

Although The Killers are a well-known band, I rarely run into anybody who knows their song, “Miss Atomic Bomb.” Playing in a Vegas setting with a showgirl love interest, some claim this song is the sequel to the famous party song, “Mr. Brightside.” My opinion may be biased but I believe the gorgeous lyrics and otherworldly music included in “Miss Atomic Bomb” set it above “Mr. Brightside.”

19. “Into the Woods”

As one of the last musicals I performed as a young teenager, Stephen Sondheim’s, “Into the Woods” holds a special place in my heart. The musical incorporates classic fairytales, all meshed together in a chaotic, phenomenally written show. The musical may be three hours long but the interwoven plot lines speed it up considerably. “Into the Woods” is a classic musical that’s often performed at schools and local theaters. There is also an entire movie-musical version on Disney Plus.

18. The Witcher

Although there are many mixed opinions and controversies regarding The Witcher as a show, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Given I had not read any of the books prior to watching the show, I went into the story with fresh eyes and a hunger for fantasy. The Witcher– standing now at three seasons– fed me with magic, action, drama, and a hilarious, talkative bard. The ongoing show can be streamed on Netflix.

17. Rosaline

I watched Rosaline with my roommate earlier this year and I remember how excited I’d been to see Kaitlyn Dever in another comedy, given my dad had always called me his ‘Eve’ (referring to Last Man Standing). Rosaline is a comedic retelling of Romeo and Juliet through the eyes of Rosaline, Juliet’s cousin, and Romeo’s first lover. The movie had a lot of satirical, period-based humor in it and Dever made sure to deliver her role brilliantly. The movie can be streamed on Hulu.

16. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I read this book in high school a few years ago and yet I still think about it to this day. The book is told through the perspectives of two Afghan women under the rule of the Taliban in the late 20th century. It is a very powerful tear-jerker. The story isn’t afraid to touch on the harsh realities of being a woman in an Islamic country of this time period. It truly expresses the strength that women have possessed to survive and make a life for themselves over the past few decades.

15. “Oblivion” by Grimes

I am listening to this song as I write this and the only way I can describe it is that it’s exceptionally mystical and almost supernatural. The song incorporates vocal indie styles into an electronic background of music and rhythm. It’s truly one of those songs that can’t be replicated because it is so distinctive. I like to listen to this song when I’m in a spooky, Halloween mood or in a dark academic vibe.

14. “Chicago”

“Chicago” is one of my favorite musicals of all time. The show is about the murdering wives of the 1920s in America and how these women were made famous because of their crimes. The show is a jazzy, dance-heavy rendition of an actual historical event during this time. The upbeat, swing-style music is the best part of the show, as well as the burlesque costumes and dancing. Chicago has been on Broadway since 1996 and can be seen at the Ambassador Theater in New York City.

13. Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six is based on a popular book and consists of 10 episodes. The series stars Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, and Hunger Games star, Sam Claflin. The show was very well received by Daisy Jones fans, as the series is loosely based on the band, Fleetwood Mac. Overall, it is a great story that reveals the true dangers of rock and roll. The show has a really amazing album and it can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

12. No Hard Feelings

I’ve been saying that Jennifer Lawrence needs to star in more comedies for years and as soon as I saw the trailer for this movie, I knew I had to watch it. Hilarious and awkward, No Hard Feelings is about a woman who’s dating a rich family’s son in exchange for a car so she can keep up her job as an Uber driver to make ends meet. The movie came out in 2023 and I watched it in theaters with a couple of friends. The four of us were laughing constantly at the ridiculously hilarious events that occurred in this movie. The movie has now hit streaming and can be rented on Amazon Prime.

11. Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

This book is stunning in its writing and its portrayal of a real, raw love story. Following two adults who live in Chicago– Aldo and Regan– a love story is told through the character’s complicated, mathematical gazes and a messy, passionate love erupts. This book is realistic and beautiful; it’s unlike any sort of love story I’ve read. Olivie Blake has a way with words that can easily enrapture you. 

10. “Lady by the Sea” by Stephen Sanchez

“Lady by the Sea” is one of my favorite Stephen Sanchez songs because it is unique compared to his other songs. His music follows a 1950s love song style with a slow, jazzy music track and mystical vocals. However, Lady by the Sea is more indie than his other music, with acoustic music and sing-song lyrics but it’s still a beautiful love song.

9. “Rent”

Written by the playwright of Netflix’s TikTik Boom, “Rent” is a musical that takes place during the end of the 90s in New York City. The story surrounds seven best friends surviving the AIDS epidemic. The show touches on topics that may have been considered controversial or uncomfortable during the time period it was written. Although Jonathan Larson died just before he was able to see his musical hit Broadway, it’s one of the best musicals of all time. It still tours all over the US but there is also a movie-musical version (including most of the original cast) that can be rented on Amazon Prime.

8. Sex Education

Sex Education is a British TV show on Netflix about a kid who starts a business giving out sex advice to his fellow classmates with the help of the girl he likes, all because his mother is a sex therapist. The show is incredibly funny and mildly uncomfortable with controversial topics sewn into every episode, all having to do with sexuality, teen drama, self-esteem, and identity. The show is diverse with multiple examples of LGBTQ representation. The third season just came out and can be watched on Netflix.

7. Bottoms

Bottoms is a movie that just came out on Amazon Prime. The movie is a comedic, sapphic story about a girl’s fight club in which the founders of the club are trying to hook up with their female members. I watched this movie with my roommate and I do not exaggerate when I say our mouths were hanging open for about 70 percent of the movie, due to the shocking amount of dark humor fused into the writing. It was awkward, dramatic, funny, and incredibly in-your-face the entire time. It followed many basic tropes that you may find in an ’80s romcom but I appreciated it, given you don’t often see LGBTQ movies that follow that same format. 

6. The Secret History by Donna Tart

I believe that this book is a masterpiece. Donna Tart is a phenomenal writer who manages to manipulate every one of your senses with the power of her detailed, mystical words. The Secret History is an 80s murder story about a group of Greek students at a university in Vermont. The book includes many dark elements and customs from Ancient Greece that influence these elite students throughout their studies. Although it is a meticulous read and it often pushes you to feel uncomfortable with a few of its themes, it is a stunning piece of literature that I believe everyone should read.

5. “August” by Flipturn (Acoustic Version)

Flipturn is one of those bands that manage to manipulate your emotions by playing their songs. “August” is my favorite song because it reminds me of the freedom of summer and the vibrancy of love. Specifically, the acoustic version evokes a free feeling from deep within me, and no matter where I am, it feels as if I am driving with the windows down in my car, blasting this song in the height of summer. 

4. “Hadestown”

I was so fortunate to see “Hadestown” on Broadway earlier this year at the Walter Kerr Theater. It was an experience that I will never forget, especially since I was able to see the original leads perform their respective roles. “Hadestown” is a post-apocalyptic, musical retelling of the Greek story, Orpheus and Eurydice. A jazzy style is incorporated into this modernized tragedy and it is absolutely stunning to witness on stage. The musical is still being performed at the Walter Kerr Theater in New York and there is only a month left to see Reeve Carney as Orpheus. The musical is also currently touring across the United States.

3. Fruits Basket

As the only anime on this list, Fruits Basket definitely sets the bar, being one of the best stories I’ve ever experienced. The story is about a young girl who just recently lost her mother. Over a series of coincidental events, she becomes involved with an exclusive clan called the Somas, who represent the Chinese zodiac animals. Due to her circumstances, she ends up living and bonding with the zodiac members and eventually strives to break their curse and set them free. It’s a gorgeous story about love and the freedom of letting people live their lives the way they wish to. Both versions of this anime can be watched on Hulu. 

2. Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is a movie about the famous rock band, Queen. The story specifically follows Freddy Mercury and when he found the band. Then, it follows the band through their career and struggles, leading up to one of the last moments they played together. This has been my favorite movie for quite some time, not only because I love Queen, but because I think it was incredibly well done. The actors resemble the band members nearly perfectly and their dynamics were expressed naturally. The movie can be streamed on Hulu and I highly recommend its viewing.

1. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

This book holds the title of my favorite book. It also has provided me with a lot of inspiration for my own writing. The plot reflects Shakespeare’s Caesar, as a group of thespians begin to encounter the conflict of a violent classmate turning against them. The story, told through the eyes of the convicted “killer” reveals how their classmate was inevitably murdered, unraveling the group into hysteria. This book is a must-read if you’re into the genres of dark-academia and mystery.