Happy 2025, my lovelies! As we settle into a new month and a new year, I’m still basking in the warm afterglow of a delightful winter break filled with good books, Christmas classics, and new music!
I Read…
AN INHERITANCE OF SCARS by Crystal Seitz, a gorgeous dark fantasy debut that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.
I picked up this book because—like me—both the author and the female MC have Crohn’s Disease, and I must admit that it is well-written into the story. I also really liked the vibes of this book! The mood was dark and twisty—though those well-acquainted with YA fantasy books may not be surprised by the turns and revelations built into the plot. Still, this doesn’t take away from an enjoyable reading experience.
AN INHERITANCE OF SCARS is a solid dark fantasy debut inspired by Norse mythology and folklore!
I Watched…
The best Christmas movie of all time: HOME ALONE!
As we all know, HOME ALONE is the story of 8-year-old Kevin McAllister forced to defend his house from a pair of burglars after he’s accidentally left behind during a holiday vacation. The movie starts with Kevin being bullied and ridiculed, banished to the attic, and forgotten. Seriously, Kevin’s family are some cruel assholes!
Luckily, Kevin gets his moment of joy when he finds himself at home alone. He gets to live every kid’s fantasy: jumping on the big bed, sledding down the stairs, eating epic amounts of ice cream while having the ultimate power over the TV remote. Oh, and he also gets to prove that he can do extraordinary things when there’s no one around to tell him he can’t—a message that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt unseen, dismissed, or taken for granted (so, basically, everyone).
The final “battle” between Kevin and the “Wet Bandits” (played gloriously by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) only takes up twenty minutes of the movie. As a kid, those twenty minutes felt like the entire point of the movie, but re-watching the movie as an adult (and a writer), the battle is a mere afterthought to the movie’s loftier messaging about the importance of family and the true meaning of Christmas.
Still, I laughed out loud at the sadistic scheming Kevin unleashes on the Wet Bandits. No matter how old I get: watching HOME ALONE makes me a happy camper! Keep the change, ya filthy animal!
I Listened to…
Shawn Mendes’ fifth album: SHAWN!
This album is a shift away from Shawn’s image as the boy wonder of upbeat pop music, and I AM HERE FOR IT!
The album has an indulging acoustic, folksy, laidback sound. The storytelling in the lyrics, on the other hand, is raw and real and emotional and at times painful (in a good way). In mean, can we get a deep bow for: “Everything’s hard to explain out loud … ‘Cause I don’t really know who I am right now.”
Overall, the album is full of maturity and vulnerability and truthful humanity. It’s relatable and nostalgic.
Also: the rootsy, Americana-infused sound just works!
Also, also: please look at the album cover! It’s simple and messy and imperfectly perfect!