Books
Nanor: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Why: I called this the "Book of the Summer." This book is a solidly written mystery set at a camp in the Adirondacks. It is about a missing child from a wealthy family with lots of dark secrets, and it kept me guessing the whole time. 5 stars.
Vi: My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 by Emily Ferris
Why: Ferris's illustrations are a masterpiece, perfectly accompanying the twisted and complex ongoing story of MFTIM. And Challengers is so dynamic and enthralling, with great performances and easily my favorite movie score of 2024.
Jada: Apothecary Diaries light novel series by Natsu Hyuuga
Why: Apothecary Diaries; fun little mystery of the week format book with a underlying continuous plot. Plays in an imagined world rooted in Qing dynasty-esque China and has fun worldbuilding. It is considered YA but there are repeated mentions of sex work (non-explicit) due to the characters' origins and residencies.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Why: I’m not usually a horror reader, but every year when the nights get longer, I crave that feeling of reading something that makes me curl up tighter under the covers. For years, I’ve been chasing the thrill of reading the Fear Street series as a kid—when I was too scared to turn off the lights. This is the first book in a long time that’s delivered that same feeling! Best read on a long, cold night and with the closet doors firmly shut.
Rachel: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Why: This book explores the challenges of growing up and transitioning into adulthood while also highlighting the strength of true friendship and the ability to create something meaningful for countless people through the medium of a video game.
Other Picks:
Mady: Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov, A Personal Matter by Kenzaburō Ōe , Collected Poems of Philip Larkin, No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July
Sharon: Trust by Hernan Diaz & Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes
Eric: There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib
Carlos: Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
Georgia: James by Percival Everett
Tracy: YellowFace: a Novel by R. F. Kuang (also recommended by another staff member)
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
Narcissus and Goldmund by Herman Hesse
Why: I called this the "Book of the Summer." This book is a solidly written mystery set at a camp in the Adirondacks. It is about a missing child from a wealthy family with lots of dark secrets, and it kept me guessing the whole time. 5 stars.
Vi: My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 by Emily Ferris
Why: Ferris's illustrations are a masterpiece, perfectly accompanying the twisted and complex ongoing story of MFTIM. And Challengers is so dynamic and enthralling, with great performances and easily my favorite movie score of 2024.
Jada: Apothecary Diaries light novel series by Natsu Hyuuga
Why: Apothecary Diaries; fun little mystery of the week format book with a underlying continuous plot. Plays in an imagined world rooted in Qing dynasty-esque China and has fun worldbuilding. It is considered YA but there are repeated mentions of sex work (non-explicit) due to the characters' origins and residencies.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Why: I’m not usually a horror reader, but every year when the nights get longer, I crave that feeling of reading something that makes me curl up tighter under the covers. For years, I’ve been chasing the thrill of reading the Fear Street series as a kid—when I was too scared to turn off the lights. This is the first book in a long time that’s delivered that same feeling! Best read on a long, cold night and with the closet doors firmly shut.
Rachel: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Why: This book explores the challenges of growing up and transitioning into adulthood while also highlighting the strength of true friendship and the ability to create something meaningful for countless people through the medium of a video game.
Other Picks:
Mady: Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov, A Personal Matter by Kenzaburō Ōe , Collected Poems of Philip Larkin, No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July
Sharon: Trust by Hernan Diaz & Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes
Eric: There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib
Carlos: Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
Georgia: James by Percival Everett
Tracy: YellowFace: a Novel by R. F. Kuang (also recommended by another staff member)
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
Narcissus and Goldmund by Herman Hesse
Films
Vi: Challengers (2004)
Why: Ferris's illustrations are a masterpiece, perfectly accompanying the twisted and complex ongoing story of MFTIM. And Challengers is so dynamic and enthralling, with great performances and easily my favorite movie score of 2024.
Georgia: I don't think I watched very many movies this year. So, instead, I will say my favorite "film" was honestly the The Great Courses: Rediscovering the Age of Dinosaurs (2022). It was a really good one that had a great combination of lecture and documentary-style filming.
Jada: Beau is Afraid (2023)
Why: Big fan of Ari Aster's works. I just saw it earlier this year and I have not shut up about it since; it is such a fascinating movie to have conversations about and analyze! Massive warning that it is explicit with genital imagery.
My Old Ass (2024) (recommended by 2 staff members)
Why? This movie really surprised me! I went in with very little knowledge of the plot, and I recommend you do the same.
Other Picks:
Mady: Fallen Leaves (Dir. Aki Kaurismäki), Challengers (Dir. Luca Guadagnino), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Dir. Jacques Demy)
Arrival (2016)
Carlos: The Wild Robot (2024) (also recommended by another staff member)
Nanor: No comment. Everything I watched was riddled with mediocrity.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
Wicked (2024) - in theaters (recommended by 2 staff members)
We Live in Time (2024)
Nowhere Special (2024)
Why: Ferris's illustrations are a masterpiece, perfectly accompanying the twisted and complex ongoing story of MFTIM. And Challengers is so dynamic and enthralling, with great performances and easily my favorite movie score of 2024.
Georgia: I don't think I watched very many movies this year. So, instead, I will say my favorite "film" was honestly the The Great Courses: Rediscovering the Age of Dinosaurs (2022). It was a really good one that had a great combination of lecture and documentary-style filming.
Jada: Beau is Afraid (2023)
Why: Big fan of Ari Aster's works. I just saw it earlier this year and I have not shut up about it since; it is such a fascinating movie to have conversations about and analyze! Massive warning that it is explicit with genital imagery.
My Old Ass (2024) (recommended by 2 staff members)
Why? This movie really surprised me! I went in with very little knowledge of the plot, and I recommend you do the same.
Other Picks:
Mady: Fallen Leaves (Dir. Aki Kaurismäki), Challengers (Dir. Luca Guadagnino), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Dir. Jacques Demy)
Arrival (2016)
Carlos: The Wild Robot (2024) (also recommended by another staff member)
Nanor: No comment. Everything I watched was riddled with mediocrity.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
Wicked (2024) - in theaters (recommended by 2 staff members)
We Live in Time (2024)
Nowhere Special (2024)