Midyear in Media

my picks (and disappointments) for the first half of 2025

Hey, it’s been a while.

This post is going to be super quick; I have some essays in my drafts waiting to see the light of day (I’m looking at you, new apartment and 10 year anniversary) and I definitely want to write those down before the energy runs out.

proof of life, summer edition

Gah! Isn’t creative energy so fickle? Or it’s just the writer in me still trapped in drafts doom? I film and edit videos so fast but I can’t even sit down for a solid hour typing my thoughts out for a post. I’ve made a compromise this morning before my work meeting; I’m sitting out on the balcony right now and locking in so I could finally get this out of my head (and Notes app!).

It’s midyear, while I used to keep a media journal for years, this year I only had a handful of tools to note down what I liked watching/listening/reading. So mainly, this is for future me to read, and maybe for you, if you’re looking for some recommendations as well.

On that note, let’s get to my midyear in media!

📺 TV

Early in the year I tried getting into Succession and it’s really not my thing. I crawled my way through season 1 and haven’t resumed since then. Everyone was also talking about Severance but I unfortunately couldn’t get past the first episode—I think anything that looks corporate or in a business / suit and tie setting doesn’t excite me as a viewer.

I subscribed to Max while I was in Manila last March to catch up on Hacks season 3, and eventually season 4 (admittedly enjoyed season 3 than 4). No one talks about this show enough! It’s so good, smart, and funny. I love these two. Oh, and also, The White Lotus, which was crazy but personally found it forgettable. Not really a fan of eat the rich stories.

Randomly discovered Not Dead Yet… on a long haul flight back to Berlin. Very sad they cancelled the show; it was light and something I put on in the background while unpacking my suitcase.

Of course I have to mention Black Mirror’s latest season before Netflix kicked me out of our family account (cry). I watched Rivermind (very close to our current reality) and Hotel Reverie (*this* is for the cinephiles).

Abbott Elementary season 4 kept me sane on busy work days—nothing like a good comfort show with my favorite cast so far (put on the Karaoke episode and thank me later).

The Bear season 4 is out today (!!!) you best believe I’m watching over the weekend.

🎬 Films

La Maison en Petits Cubes (prepare tissues before you press play) made me bawl my eyes out and had a 180 about how I viewed my life and what it could (or couldn’t?) look like.

Perfect Days was perfect in many ways. Komorebi moments make my day.

A Real Pain was such a good watch on a cold evening in Bruges with a bunch of strangers in a small theater (because there was nothing else to do).

Sunshine was memorable and a beautiful (and important) endeavour from the Philippine film industry.

Pleasantly surprised at how cute Summer of 69 is on Hulu. That goes on my to rewatch list for sure. We love a Filipino female lead, who’s also named Abby!

I expected more from A Complete Unknown (Timmy was great though) and Mickey 17. No, I did not watch the new Wes Anderson movie, The Phoenician Scheme. I will forever live in my Moonrise Kingdom bubble and that’s ok.

📚 Books

On average I read one book a month. That’s to say I consume way more media in other forms (Substack included).

In January I read The Wedding People (Alison Espach) and it was a nice introduction to reading books that didn’t focus on romance (I’m over that, remember?). I was so glued to my Kindle during my week-long trip to Belgium while spiraling out on other life things—looking back, this was a good escape.

In February, I finished Margot’s Got Money Problems (Rufi Thorpe)—a solid pick, thanks to Jenny, who turns out to be uncannily good at recommending books I’d actually enjoy. You know it’s that good when you’ve opened your reading light and devoured pages of a book past midnight instead of doomscrolling!

In March I was reading I Hope This Finds You Well (Natalie Sue) in the midst of a busy period in Manila (literally was reading on my sister’s wedding day in the hotel room full of photographers and videographers; I needed to zone out). I also finished Sunrise on the Reaping (Suzanne Collins) which was heartbreaking but beautiful.

April was a weird month for me in general, but I enjoyed reading Homesick (Silvia Saunders) and feeling like I could retreat to a book at the end of every day. No book for May.

best book / graphic novel I’ve read this year so far

This month I made my way back to reading when Jenny (“Abbey you’d enjoy this”, she told me) lent me a copy of a graphic novel, Alison (Lizzy Stewart). Damn, my tears were non-stop. Reading this was what I needed as I celebrate a decade of my creative career this year.

I also dove back into romance a bit for Great Big Beautiful Life (Emily Henry) and I would like to be excused from all the spicy scenes, thank you very much. I’m glad Jack Edwards, the internet’s resident librarian, shares the same sentiment with me.

🎵 Music

On a snowy day in February, my friend Dee was playing Warm on a Cold Night (Honne) and I asked myself, “Have I been living under a rock?”. Afterwards I went into The 1975 rabbit hole and A Change of Heart definitely changed my heart (the melody is just chef’s kiss).

ROLE MODEL’s new album Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye) was hands down, no notes, one of the best albums I’ve listened to this year. Sally!

I was in a Valley phase for the entire April—probably the Spring energy kicking in. Highly recommend Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, Oh shit…are we in love? and Like 1999.

Say You Love Me is an underrated Fleetwood Mac song.

One Direction and The Beatles made a comeback into my rotation because of my trip to London. I mean, they’re always on my radar for obvious reasons.

Recently I’ve been revisiting the usual summer favorites: Jonas Brothers (their 2023 album is a banger), HAIM (and going through their new album i quit), everything from this playlist and now I’ve made a second version.

As you can tell, I listen to a lot of genres—lately my favorites while strength training has been my emo playlist and a lot of Fall Out Boy songs. Who doesn’t love a good screamo moment while doing deadlifts?

▶️ Creators

YouTube (thank you Premium lol) has been my TV replacement for the past few months, admittedly. I’m mostly there for research as a content creator myself, but you’d be surprised (or not!) that I rarely consume journaling / stationery adjacent content (exception for Yoseka and Jobby).

I love Kristin’s art and videos. Makes me want to step out into nature and make art.

Been getting a lot of inspo from Katie’s recent videos especially as I’m moving soon and setting up my first ever home office!

Cari’s videos on a Sunday morning? Bless. I aspire to approach storytelling the way she does (I took her Skillshare class last year!)

Jenn Im’s videos are always comforting to watch. She feels like a big sister.

Living vicariously through KC’s life! I love her energy.

Recent discovery: Magda of The Wild Pencil. I love her illustration style down to the colors she chooses! I ordered some of her zines and I can’t wait to receive them.

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What are your favorites so far this year? Let’s chat in the comments!

PS Here’s my midyear favorites video in case you want more recs…(non-media)