Sooo, we’re deep in February, my lovelies! 2025 is well underway and has already been filled with exciting and memorable moments! I’ve also had the chance to enjoy some fantastic books, TV shows, and music:
I Read…
Terry Pratchett’s THE COLOR OF MAGIC! As you may know, I’m planning to read twelve Discworld novels this year—one for each month. I’ve opted to read them in chronological order, starting with book one: THE COLOR OF MAGIC.
This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves clever and satirical storytelling, wacky British humor, and a world that refuses to take itself too seriously. The book follows Rincewind, an incompetent wizard who knows only one spell (and is too afraid to use it). He teams up with Twoflower, an oblivious and overly optimistic tourist, and The Luggage—a sentient, homicidal travel chest with hundreds of little legs and an unwavering sense of loyalty. They embark on a high-stakes (mis)adventure across the Discworld and encounter dragons, barbarians, trolls, and even Death (IN CAPITAL LETTERS).
Pratchett pokes fun at some major fantasy tropes and satirizes everything from tourism to academia. If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that’s equal parts adventure, comedy, and social commentary: go forth and read this book!
I Watched…
THE NEWSROOM by Aron Sorkin! This TV series ran from 2012 to 2014 on HBO. It revolves around the behind-the-scenes chaos of a cable news broadcast. Each episode takes real-life news events and turns them into a high-stakes drama. Each episode is also a masterclass in well-paced, big-conflict storytelling; snappy and intelligent dialogue (OMG, the way characters debate, interrupt, and challenge is *chef’s kiss*); and deeply human characters that must continuously balance their strengths and weaknesses.
Also: Sorkin loves a good monologue, and THE NEWSROOM def delivers! Check out Will’s famous “America is not the greatest country in the world” speech!
I Listened to…
The annual concert of the Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso (KMKJWF). The KMKJWF is the leading professional wind orchestra attached to the Royal Netherlands Army and carries the traditions of the oldest military orchestras in the Netherlands. The KMKJWF is known for its exceptional musicians and their annual concerts are an immersive musical experience with classical compositions, military marches, contemporary arrangements, and unexpected (solo) surprises. If you’re a fan of traditional military music or modern symphonic works for wind orchestra: I highly recommend checking them out.