My 25 favorite books, TV, & more of 2024!
The media that kept me alive this year.
2024 Cult Faves
You know when you hit a major reading/TV/music slump where nothing is hitting and you’re like, wait, does everything suck all the sudden or am I just stupid? Yeah, these were the books, films, series, songs, and other consumables that made me feel the OPPOSITE of that. Throughout the personal and global Tilt-A-Whirl ride that was 2024, these favorites filled me with delight, inspiration, and dare I say, hope.
From Miranda July’s new novel (which I devoured while huddled in the snowy mountains of Idyllwild, CA in February), to the stunning instrumental piece “Petrichor” (which I mainlined while novel-drafting in Bologna, Italy earlier this fall) to the dress I wore the day I found out The Age of Magical Overthinking made the New York Times Bestseller list, these were the pieces that took me outside of myself and sent me somewhere better. Whatever ridiculosity 2025 brings, I recommend these books, films, and more to help you through.
Books
All Fours by Miranda July
Don’t make me summarize why I love this book, it’d be like asking me to describe my favorite smell or why love is important. Barf. I can’t. Just read it. Miranda July can step on my neck.
Everything Nothing Someone by Alice Carrière
A flawless, timeless memoir. After I read it, I slid into the author’s DMs to tell her how much I loved it and less than a year later we were spending a week in Ireland together workshopping our new novels and acting positively, synchronously feral. I guess the internet can be okay sometimes.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The best comp I’ve read so far for the genre of fiction I’m trying to write in. (S/o to the newsletter subscriber who recommended it!) Kailene’s voice is so delicious and witty I could just fall over. A gorgeous escapist plot and more importantly, a pitch-perfect tone.
Perfume & Pain by Anna Dorn
Fucking yum. The other week, I fully abandoned a day’s worth of responsibilities to slurp down this lolllll-worthy novel about an unhinged edgelordy lesbian author in LA who has substance abuse issues, an impulse control problem, and a penchant for toxic crushes.
Tampa by Alissa Nutting
I’m like 10 years late to the party, but after finally read Alissa Nutting’s shamefully addictive novel based on the Debra Lafave criminal case (iykyk) I find myself only wanting to read fiction about certifiably disgusting, depraved women. Sorry about it!
Films
The way I held my heart and CRIEDDDD at this based-on-a-true story depiction of a theatre troupe for incarcerated men. Also I can’t stop listening to the score.
A documentary about the life of Michael J. Fox that absolutely did NOT have to be this exquisitely produced and edited, wow.
Another ridiculously moving doc, this one about Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter stunt double who became paralyzed in a tragic accident on the job. Watched it on a tiny airplane screen and still, it cut right through to my soul.
Uhhhh yeah me and everyone else are foaming at the goddamn mouth over Mikey Madison’s performance in this. Where did she learn to move her FACE LIKE THAT.
I’m one of those theater kids who saw Wicked on Broadway right after it came out blah blah blah so I was excited, and I knew I’d like it, but sweet Oz (sorry), I had no idea it would be that gorgeous????? Trying to see it maybe thrice in theaters.
*Honorable Mention*
Extremely underrated Irish horror film!! Divinely witchy and truly terrifying.
Television
I don’t really choose which media to consume based on plot or genre, all I care about is tone/voice and theme. So on that note, I guess my favorite tone/theme of the year was feminine Irish revenge??? I waited ages for the return of this macabre comedy on Apple+ and am so fucked delighted it’s back.
I was equally if not more obsessed with the offscreen drama that paralleled this show after it premiered on Netflix, and you can read my hot takes on that here.
I am a cringe millennial who loves everything Bryan Jordan Alvarez touches, and that is all I have to say about that. A truly giggle-inducing half-hour snack on Hulu!
Not a series, but a comedy special that went from Broadway to HBO. Generally, I struggle with standup, but Alex Edelman’s can’t-look-away storytelling and one-of-a-kind disposition make this feel like an utterly different form. There’s a reason it won a freakin Tony AND a freakin Emmy!
Six Feet Under (16th rewatch)
I almost don’t even care if any new TV show ever comes out again, because watching SFU with someone who’s never seen it before (this time, my fiancé Casey) makes my heart explode like no other small screen experience ever could.
Music
Marije by Setak
I caught this Italian artist Setak, who sings in the Abruzzese dialect, at an enchanting little apartment show in Bologna, and this song in particular put an absolute spell on me.
It’s Okay I’m Here by Afternoon Bike Ride
This “Botanica”-adjacent track was the soundtrack of my book tour.
Petrichor by Keaton Henson feat. Ren Ford
The opening piece on my new instrumental novel-writing playlist!!! Romantic and moody!!!
If I Didn’t Love You by Ben Abraham
I was on a maaaaajor Ben Abraham kick all year. What a fucking talent. This song makes me weep!
Girl, So Confusing by Charli XCX feat. Lorde
I cannot get over the story of how this remix came to be. It is the literal embodiment of Shine Theory in 2024. Peak girlhood!
Clothing/Accessories/Decor
Sezane Othello Cardigan in Ice Blue
Never felt cozier or gotten more compliments on a sweater in my lyfe.
I splurged on this dress last Black Friday and have since worn it to propose to my fiancé, to the book event on the day I found out TAOMO hit the NYT bestseller list, and a bunch more important comments of the last year, so I’d say I got my money’s worth!!!
Warby Parker Gladys Glasses in Aventurine Tortoise
I recently read in a NYT op-ed that statement glasses help women of a certain age use bold aesthetics to distract from the fact that they’re becoming decrepit and visually impaired. Okay, it wasn’t put exactly like that. But these definitely help do that for me!!!
I know this is from my own merch line, but I swear to god it is the cutest hat I’ve ever owned and looks good on everyone, and I’ve even MADE FRIENDS because of it, that’s how attractive this fucking hat is.
I bought this top-tier wool creation from an art gallery in County Cork, Ireland, and it has since become my 30-something emotional support blanky. Necessary in these times.
Atelier Terra Rosa vase
I moved to a new house this year, which catalyzed a borderline problematic ceramics obsession. Schlepped this stunning one-of-a-kind creation 7,000 miles from Bologna to California, and the journey makes it look all the chicer on my coffee table!!! Sadly they do not ship worldwide, but this larger Portuguese ceramics brand Motel A Miio, which I also love, does!
I don't dress for women
I don't dress for men
Lately I've been dressing for feminine Irish revenge