This year, I’ve started doing journal entries of the books I read, TV shows I’ve finished, and movies I watch. I’ve always kept track of books and movies through Storygraph or Goodreads and Letterboxd. However, I’ve also always been jealous of those who make aesthetic little spreads in their journals of their books read or movies watched.

Granted, I’m not starting a new journal for this adventure because I already have too many journals. (Was that as painful for you to read as it was for me to type?) So, in my endeavor to keep a diary of what I’m reading and watching, I’m also going to start a series here of monthly media diaries. Let’s dive into January.

January was a rough month for my mental and physical state. I won’t sugar coat it, there’s been a lot of bed rotting and little productivity. I’m slowly pulling myself out of this rut. But, this means most of this month was spent comfort media consuming.

My initial TBR (to be read)

1. Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

2. The Wingman by Stephanie Archer

3. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

4. House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

& TBW (to be watched)

1. The Love Witch (2016)

2. When Calls the Heart (2014 -)

3. Anora (2024)

4. Roman Holiday (1953)

What I read

❤︎ Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings — ⭑⭑⭑⭑

I bought this solely to annotate for my girlfriend. Her birthday is coming up, so I got a cute sapphic book to write in with a pink glittery pen. I enjoyed this book! The setting of the flower farm was very lovely. I will always devour a “we despise each other until we don’t” kind of romance, in whatever form it’s given to me. The banter was top tier as well.

❤︎ Soft as It Began by rubber_soul02 — ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Yeah. I’m classifying a fan fiction as a book. It’s on Goodreads, so, y’know, deal with it.

The description goes as such, “The day after his infamous victory at the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter disappears without a trace. When the rest of the world gives up their search, Hermione Granger, an up-and-coming investigative journalist, is determined to do what they couldn’t: find him. After years of searching, she finally stumbles upon a clue that might just lead her to her best friend. She is determined to journey across Europe to solve the mystery and, naturally, write about it along the way. But when her intolerable co-worker Draco Malfoy is also assigned to the case, she must learn to set aside old grudges and accept their dysfunctional partnership in order to bring Harry home again.”

I adored the plot and the writing of this. Just to prove my point, I’m including some quotes that I highlighted.

“How is this not the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?” She chastises, spinning in place as her eyes trail over the spines of ancient-looking tomes placed high on the packed shelves. “I’ve seen prettier.” She turns to find his eyes already on her, his expression as serious as the tone of his voice.

A big part of their relationship is their morning ritual of hiding each other’s jam. His strawberry, hers marmalade.

• “All that exists is Headquarters and orange marmalade and Draco Malfoy, who is somehow the thing in her life that seems the most real.”

• Draco’s explaining his favorite day as a child: “I looked forward to those few days every year. Picking strawberries, making jam, and then getting to taste that first bite while she watched me. She always looked so happy on those days. And I think I was happy, too.” And a note he sends to his mother from the epilogue: “Dear Mother, Here, with her, every day is strawberry jam day. Love, Draco.”

“And there he is. A beautiful ghost. His black hair scruffy and unruly as it has always been, his eyes green and sparkling with that fighting heart he has; that lightning scar still there on his forehead, faded, proof that it is him.”

Anyway, enough of that.

What I started and will pick up again soon

❤︎ Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

My current read, I’m about 30% through it. It’s gay and magical, which is perfect for me.

❤︎ Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

For some reason, I really want a physical copy of this, but I can’t find one anytime I go to Barnes. I’ll probably resign myself to reading it on my Kindle.

❤︎ Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

What I watched

⟡ When Calls the Heart (Hallmark)

I started this historical fiction (possibly Christian fiction, didn’t know that at the time) on Christmas Eve. The show is very hopeful, which is what my dampened soul needed at the time. It was eleven seasons of found family, cheesy romance, and low stakes plot lines. The twelfth season is airing now on Sundays, so I’ve also formed a very grounding routine on Sunday nights.

⟡ Anora

This movie was very hyped on the Internet. I, unfortunately, didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I think I gave it three stars on Letterboxd. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I don’t really have much else to say about it! Mikey Madison is a great actress, though, and I look forward to watching more projects with her in them.

⟡ Wild Cards (Season 1)

The guy who played DeLuca on Grey’s and the girl who played Toni on Riverdale team up as a recently demoted cop trying to get back to his desk and a recently arrested con-woman trying to avoid prison. I thought it would be cheesy, which it was, but I was also hooked by episode two. The plot lines were interesting, the possibility of romance was enticing, and season two comes out soon. You can bet I will be tuning in.

⟡ The Night Agent (Season 2)

Season one of this show gave me so much anxiety, but I couldn’t stop watching. Season two was the same, but even better, somehow. I won’t say much because I don’t want to spoil. However, I am deeply attached to Peter and Rose separately and together. If you haven’t watched this show, and you like an action/romance/political show, please do.

⟡ How I Met Your Mother (Rewatch)

In my downtime, while I’m coloring or winding down for the night, I’ve been putting How I Met Your Mother on the TV. Returning to a show I’ve seen a few times is one of those cure alls for me. When I’ve had too much of the current state of the world, or the current state of my life, I’ve found that melting into the show helps ease my mind.

What I’m anticipating/wanting to get to in February

Books

1. Spiral by Bal Khabra: the second book to Collide. I adored the first book, and this one comes out tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this cutesy little world.

2. Spark of the Everflame: A YouTuber I love said this is one of her favorite series’. I want to read more fantasy this year, and I think this is a great place to start.

3. Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan (Poetry and Essays)

4. Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

5. Finishing some things I’ve started: What the River Knows, House of Bane and Blood, etc.

TV shows/Movies

1. Wild Cards season two (Feb. 5th)

2. Sweet Magnolias season four (Feb. 6th)

3. Captain America: Brave New World (Feb. 13th)

4. I want to watch some of the old movies I have on my watch list. I didn’t get to Roman Holiday this month, so I think I’ll start there.

I’m hoping February is gentler than January, and I’m excited for more good books, movies, and TV shows.