media consumption journal (vol 1): books, articles, films & tv shows
what I've read, watched, and loved from last month as someone in their twenties
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Opening note
This year, I’ve been leaning into a slower, more intentional way of living—embracing simplicity, reducing excess, and finding joy in the quiet moments at home. Part of this shift stems from a desire to save money, but it’s also about being more mindful of how I spend my time outside of work. After several burnouts last year from juggling a full-time marketing job and content creation as a side passion, I knew something had to change.
With that in mind, I’m starting a new series as part of this newsletter: a monthly media wrap-up of everything I’ve consumed and loved. Think of it as a love letter to the books, films, shows, articles, and other discoveries that have brought me joy or sparked reflection. I’ll also share some personal updates and stories along the way—little glimpses into life as I embrace this slower season.
Media Monthly Report
What I’ve read
Kicking off the year on a high note, I finished 8 books in January, putting me well on track to reach my 2025 goal of 60 books. This month’s reading journey was a delightful blend of literary fiction, fantasy, and romance. Below, you’ll find my favourite quotes, ratings, and the standout tropes from each book.
January Books
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
⭐️ rating: 3.5/5
📖 book tropes: realism
“Be alone, Jen. You know how to be alone without being lonely. Do you know how rare that is? Do you know how much I wish I could do that? It’s a wonderful thing you’ve got going on there.”
Good Material by Dolly Alderton is a tender, witty exploration of heartbreak, love, and the complexities of modern relationships. The story follows protagonist Andy, a stand-up comedian grappling with the end of a significant relationship. Through humour and raw honesty, the book delves into themes of vulnerability, masculinity, and the difficulty of moving on, offering a deeply relatable and poignant look at the messy, bittersweet nature of love and loss.
⭐️ rating: 3.25/5
📖 book tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity,
“To the ones who don’t run with the popular crowd, the ones who get caught reading under their desks, the ones who feel like they never get invited, included, or represented. Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride.”
Onyx Storm is the third instalment in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series. The narrative continues to follow Violet Sorrengail, now eighteen months into her training at Basgiath War College, as she faces escalating conflicts both within the college and in the broader world. With time running out, Violet embarks on a perilous journey beyond the protective wards of Aretia to seek alliances in unfamiliar territories, aiming to safeguard her dragons, family, and homeland. This adventure tests her resilience, wit, and strength, delving into themes of loyalty, love, and the complexities of war.
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
⭐️ rating: 3.75/5
📖 book tropes: friends to lovers, slow-burn romance
“If our food doesn’t arrive soon, I’m going to eat my other hand,” I say, unfolding my napkin. “Don’t be ridiculous,” Bo says exaggeratedly. “You can eat mine. It’s far bigger.”
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young is a tender and emotional story about two imperfect people, Bo and Win, finding love in an unexpected situation. It’s a beautifully crafted tale of healing, growth, and connection, full of authenticity and heartfelt moments. This romance will leave you smiling, lingering on its message of hope and the transformative power of love.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
⭐️ rating: 2.75/5
📖 book tropes: friends to lovers, slow-burn romance
“This was the best date I’d ever been on. And it wasn’t even a date.”
Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone is a heartfelt romantic comedy that explores love, loss, and the challenges of intimacy. Kristen Petersen is fiercely independent and determined to keep her distance from Josh Copeland, the charming and kind firefighter who seems too good to be true. Complications arise as Kristen struggles with a health condition that could affect her ability to have children—a truth she fears will drive Josh away. Equal parts funny and emotional, the story navigates the messy realities of relationships and the courage it takes to let love in.
Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis
“You choose. You can let what the others think about you be right, you can let your guilt and shame hold you down, or you can decide your fate, assert the strength you do have, become stronger than ever before.”
⭐️ rating: 2.25/5
📖 book tropes: slow-burn romance, forced proximity
In Daughter of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis, 19-year-old Lady Lyriana Batavia, third in line to Bamaria's Seat of Power, lives under the strict rule of the Lumerian Empire, where certain magics are forbidden upon pain of death. Having witnessed her cousin's execution for illicit magic and striving to protect her sisters' secrets, Lyr faces her own Revelation Ceremony, only to discover a power that could lead to her exile. To avoid banishment and protect her family, she accepts a perilous contract to train as a warrior without magic, under the tutelage of Lord Rhyan Hart—a feared warrior and her secret love. As political tensions rise and personal bonds are tested, Lyr must navigate a treacherous path to safeguard her loved ones and her homeland.
The Happy Ever Playlist by Abby Jimenez
⭐️ rating: 4/5
📖 book tropes: slow-burn romance, friends to lovers
“You can’t control the bad things that happen to you. All you can do is decide how much of you you’re going to let them take.”
Abby Jimenez’s The Happy Ever Playlist is a charming and emotional romance about second chances and unexpected connections. Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe finds herself caring for a stray dog, which leads her to Jason, the dog’s owner and a rising music star. As sparks fly between them, Sloan must navigate her grief, Jason’s chaotic career, and her fears of opening her heart again in this heartfelt story of love, healing, and self-discovery.
⭐️ rating: 3.75/5
📖 book tropes: slow-burn romance, friends to lovers
“Most people are self-centered. And I’m not talking about selfishness. I mean it literally. Their center is their own self. Like yours was in your first trimester. They understand the world only through their own experiences. Whatever happens around them, they ask, What does that mean for me? But then there are a select few who are other-centered. And when things happen around them, they ask themselves, What does this mean for everybody? And that sounds like Shep. It doesn’t surprise me that you’ve come to have a crush on someone who considers you.”
Ready or Not is a beautifully crafted romance that blends humour, heartfelt moments, and authentic character growth. Eve’s journey to embrace motherhood and love is deeply moving, and Shep’s unwavering support is the kind of romance that makes your heart swell. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burn contemporary romances with a touch of realism and charm.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
⭐️ rating: 2.5/5
📖 book tropes: forced proximity, friends to lovers, small-town romance
“A comfortable silence falls between us. I don’t understand how she manages to instill equal parts chaos and peace inside me. When we’re argunig, sometimes I want to throller her. She drives me mad. She does crazy shit like climbing metal ladders during lightning storms. And then suddenly we have moments like this, where we’re sitting side by side, quiet, lost in our own thoguhts yet completely in tune. Connected. I don’t know what it means. Why we can yell at each other one second, and be totally at peace the next. Maybe it just means we’re both nuts. Or maybe it means I’m falling for her.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy follows Mackenzie "Mack" Cabot, a wealthy college student who has always played by the rules. When she meets Cooper Hartley, a rebellious local bad boy, sparks fly, and they begin a passionate, complicated relationship. As they challenge each other’s worlds and desires, Mack must confront her own boundaries and question the life she’s always known.
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
⭐️ rating: 2.5/5
📖 book tropes: small-town romance, friends to lovers
“When are you going to accept that I’d be happy watching paint dry with you?” His voice is low, earnest.
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy is a sizzling romance that follows the fiery connection between two former exes. As they navigate their intense attraction and complicated history, both must face their own demons and decide if they’re ready to embrace the love they never expected.
If you enjoyed my book recommendations feel free to follow me on Fable for daily reading updates and book reviews. I’ve also got a referral for Fable where you can get a $5 credit to use on an ebook!
January articles & essays
A few of my favourite long-form content I’ve enjoyed reading in January.
The ‘masculinity crisis’ is actually a crisis of self-esteem
The Case for Brain Rot - The New language of the internet is both mind-numbing and irresistible
9 unexpected things we learned about mental health and our brains in 2024
Part 3 of Articles to Read This Week
What happened when an extremely offline person tried TikTok?
It’s Where I Spend All My Time: The Joy of the Women’s Toilets in The Club
What Would a Woman Do To An Unconscious Man If She Thought No One Would Find Out?
What I’ve watched
Films
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) - “A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.”
Inception (2010) - “A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO.”
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) - “The heartwarming tale of Nitta Sayuri, a young Japanese woman who transcended from her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.”
Your Name (2016) - “Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. Things manage to become even more complicated when the boy and girl decide to meet in person.”
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) - “Five sisters in 19th century England must cope with the pressures to marry while protecting themselves from a growing population of zombies.”
TV shows
Shogun Season 1 (2024) - “When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby Japanese fishing village, Lord Yoshii Toranaga discovers secrets that could tip the scales of power and devastate his enemies.”
Avatar the Last Airbender (2024) - “A young boy known as the Avatar must master the four elemental powers to save the world, and fight against an enemy bent on stopping him.”
Squid Games Season 2 (2025) - “Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes: a survival game that has a whopping 45.6 billion-won prize at stake.”
XO Kitty Season 2 (2025) - “A new love story unfolds when teen matchmaker Kitty reunites with her long-distance boyfriend at the same boarding school attended by her late mother.”
Feel free to share what you’ve read, watched or listened to this past month in the comments! I always love media recommendations.
In case you missed out…
Here are a few of my most popular posts from January loved by you:
The rest of this post is for paid subscribers, and here’s what you can expect:
5 articles YOU should read this week
28 Journal prompts for February
Highlights and lows from this month
List of TV shows or movies I’m excited for next month
Question of the week submitted by this community - What is passive income and examples?
It’s $7 for the month (the price of a cup of coffee) but the knowledge you might learn might change your career, productivity and life in between for the better - just like it did for me!