media consumption journal (vol 4): media that's mending me
from burnout to balance: things bringing me back
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Opening Note
This month’s wrap-up is a little lighter on media reporting, simply because last month was unusually demanding.
In the spirit of being honest with you—as I always try to be—I’ll admit that April brought a wave of burnout. There were several days where I found myself working overtime, often until 7 pm. If you’re considering a career in marketing or social media, it’s important to know that irregular hours are quite common, especially when covering event activations or campaigns. While it may look glamorous from the outside, it’s not always just a “fun experience”—you’re working, and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that often goes unseen.
Recently, someone messaged me on Instagram asking how I landed a job in marketing. To be completely transparent, I was lucky in many ways. I don’t have a marketing degree, but I was able to leverage the experience I gained from managing my own social channels and paid collaborations. That, combined with a background in law and human geography, helped me break into the industry.
If there’s one takeaway I hope you gain from my journey—and I know I’m not alone in this—it’s that you shouldn’t be afraid to explore new paths or pivot in unexpected directions. Many of my friends, like countless others in their twenties, have found themselves in roles that have little to do with their university degrees. It’s more common than you might think, and that’s okay.
In case you missed it, you can find all my past newsletters on navigating your twenties here. I share honest reflections, hard truths about corporate life, and the advice I wish someone had given me.
Monthly Report
In case you missed out you can view my media consumption journals from previous months here.
What I’ve Read
Reading took a bit of a backseat last month—I found myself feeling too tired and drained to fully unwind with a book. That said, I still managed to get through a few titles, including some comfort reads from my go-to authors and a couple of buddy reads I enjoyed with friends.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re getting used to a new reality. You don’t know how to live right now. It’ll all come back. You’ll take care of yourself again someday.”
⭐️ rating: 2.5/5 stars
📖 book tropes: slow-burn romance, friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine
After falling in love with Ready or Not, I was eager to dive into Cara Bastone’s latest novel, Promise Me Sunshine. With its beautiful cover and premise promising a journey through grief, healing, and unexpected connection, I had high hopes. While the book delivered a thoughtful exploration of loss, I found myself a bit disappointed by the execution, particularly in the plot progression and character development.
The story centers on Lenny, who is adrift after the recent death of her best friend, Lou, from cancer. Struggling to navigate her grief, she avoids her family, her old apartment, and the "live again" list Lou left her — a set of challenges meant to push Lenny back into life. Instead, she takes on temporary babysitting jobs and ends up caring for a precocious little girl named Ainsley. It’s through this job that she meets Miles, Ainsley’s grumpy yet well-meaning uncle, who seems to see right through Lenny’s attempts to keep it all together.
What follows is a slow-burn romance shaped by shared vulnerability, quiet moments, and mutual growth. Miles proposes they tackle Lou’s list together — a gesture that slowly bridges the emotional distance between them. As they work through grief and confront their fears, a tender relationship begins to blossom.
“Grief is a relationship...It's the way we figure out how to keep loving them even though they're gone. And in order to do that we have to keep on going. And going and going.' His hold is tighter and tighter and mine is tighter and tighter and I've slid off the desk and into his lap. 'You are not betraying her by healing,' he whispers directly into my ear. 'You are honoring her. You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn't here anymore...That's who she is now. And this journey through grief...It's what we do for the great loves of our lives.”
While Promise Me Sunshine is heartfelt and layered, its pacing at times felt sluggish, and some emotional beats didn't land as powerfully as I’d hoped. Lenny and Miles’ connection is sweet but occasionally lacked the spark or depth that would have made their evolution more compelling.
That said, readers who enjoyed films like The Life List or books centered around healing through lists or post-loss journeys may still find something meaningful here. Bastone treats grief with care, and there are moments that shine with raw honesty.
Verdict: A bittersweet, quiet romance with themes of healing and self-discovery. While it didn’t fully resonate with me, Promise Me Sunshine may speak to those in the midst of their own emotional rebuilds, offering a reminder that love — and life — can still surprise you after loss.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
“we often mistake love for fireworks - for drama and dysfunction. But real love is very quiet, very still. It's boring, if seen from the perspective of high drama. Love is deep and calm - and constant.”
⭐️ rating: 3.5/5 stars
📖 genres: suspense, mystery, thriller
The Silent Patient had been sitting on my TBR list for ages, and I finally picked it up last month — and wow, I couldn’t put it down. I flew through it in just a couple of days. If you're looking to reignite your reading habit, get out of a slump, or dip your toes into thrillers or psychological mysteries, this is absolutely a must-read.
The story begins with Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who seemingly has it all — a loving husband, a successful career, and a beautiful home in London. But one evening, without warning or explanation, she shoots her husband Gabriel five times in the face and then falls completely silent. She doesn’t speak a single word afterward, and the mystery of her silence turns her into a public obsession. Locked away in a secure psychiatric facility known as The Grove, Alicia becomes known as "the silent patient," while her artwork — particularly one haunting self-portrait — gains notoriety.
Enter Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist who becomes obsessed with Alicia’s case. Determined to uncover the truth and get her to speak again, Theo takes a job at The Grove and begins peeling back the layers of Alicia’s life, her trauma, and the events leading up to the murder. The novel alternates between Theo’s present-day investigation and excerpts from Alicia’s journal, building a dual narrative that’s as gripping as it is unsettling.
What makes this book such a standout is the writing — every chapter is a page-turner, filled with tension, atmosphere, and carefully planted clues. The psychological twists are clever and genuinely surprising, and the ending was one I did not see coming. The dual perspectives between Theo’s analytical probing and Alicia’s haunting inner world add depth and keep the suspense high throughout.
Verdict: A dark, compelling psychological thriller that lives up to the hype. With sharp writing, an unforgettable twist, and a protagonist whose silence speaks volumes, The Silent Patient is the kind of book you finish and immediately want to talk about — perfect for both longtime thriller fans and curious newcomers alike.
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!
Fearless by Lauren Roberts
“I’ve been nothing but willing when it comes to drowning in those ocean eyes. But now, I can’t fathom drowning if she is not the anchor I’m sinking with.”
⭐️ rating: 1.75/5 stars
📖 book tropes: enemies to lovers
After being pleasantly surprised by the second book in Lauren Roberts’ Powerless trilogy, I went into Fearless—the final installment—with cautious optimism. Sadly, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. While there were a few well-executed twists, the pacing dragged, and the emotional tension between characters that had once felt gripping now fell a bit flat.
Fearless picks up with Paedyn and Kai returning to the Kingdom of Ilya, where war is imminent and difficult choices lie ahead. Paedyn must make a life-altering decision that could determine not only her future with Kai but the fate of the entire realm. The setup promises big emotional stakes and dramatic reveals, but the execution didn’t fully land for me.
I did enjoy the revelations surrounding Paedyn’s parents and how that backstory affected her relationship with Kai’s brother — it added an interesting layer to the narrative. However, other moments, including the fate of a key character, felt predictable and lacked the emotional weight they were meant to carry.
Lauren Roberts continues to build a richly imagined world, and there are moments long-time readers will appreciate. But overall, Fearless lacked the depth and impact I was hoping for in a series finale.
Verdict: 1.75 stars — a few twists worth noting, but ultimately a lukewarm conclusion to a series that had potential.
April articles and essays
Here are a few of my favourite long-form pieces I’ve enjoyed reading in April.
What I’ve Watched
Lately, I haven’t come across many new films or TV shows that I’ve truly enjoyed. So, this month’s list features a few comfort rewatches I’ve returned to. The only new title I checked out was Netflix’s The Life List—it wasn’t a standout for me, but it’s a decent pick if you're in the mood for a romance or going through a bit of a rut.
Films
From Prada to Nada
“A Latina spin on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility": two spoiled sisters who have been left penniless after their father's sudden death are forced to move in with their estranged aunt in East Los Angeles.”
Mission Impossible
“Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.”
Mirror Mirror
“An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.”
When In Rome
“Beth is an ambitious young New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. On a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.”
Prince Of Persia
“A young fugitive prince and princess must stop a villain who unknowingly threatens to destroy the world with a special dagger that enables the magic sand inside to reverse time.”
The Life List
“A woman revisits her childhood aspirations, endeavoring to achieve her old goals, only to discover that pursuing these lifelong dreams takes her on an unforeseen and surprising journey.”
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
“Coriolanus Snow mentors and develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute during the 10th Hunger Games.”
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon
“In the Far East, Alex O'Connell, the son of famed mummy fighters Rick and Evy O'Connell, unearths the mummy of the first Emperor of Qin -- a shape-shifting entity cursed by a witch centuries ago.”
Tv Shows
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life
A big-city dentist moves to a quaint seaside village and clashes—then bonds—with the town’s charming jack-of-all-trades. Full of warmth, quirky characters, and slow-burn romance, it’s a feel-good K-drama about healing and community.
Yumi's Cells
Genre: Romantic Comedy
This unique K-drama brings to life the inner workings of a young woman’s mind through animated “cells” that represent her emotions and thoughts. It's a clever blend of romance and introspection, showing how Yumi navigates love, heartbreak, and personal growth.
Fate: The Winx Saga (2021)
Genre: Fantasy, Teen Drama
A darker, live-action reimagining of the beloved Winx Club, this series follows a group of fairies training at a magical boarding school as they uncover secrets, battle ancient creatures, and come into their powers. It mixes fantasy elements with high school drama and coming-of-age themes.
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 April, loved by you:
Things I’ve been loving this past month (monthly favourites)
Part 3 of the little things that have improved my life in my twenties
Newsletter
Part 6 of media to consume instead of doom-scrolling
We need to abandon the internet
We spend 88 days a year on our phones
what men don’t understand about women
The Curse of ChatGPT - Success demands more success.
Don’t forget, if you’d like to ask me a question, you can submit your questions anonymously below. It can be about anything (career, living abroad, travelling, navigating your twenties, etc).
Here’s also my mood of the month:
That's it for now, but you'll be hearing from me soon!
Until next time,
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