The things that made me happy in 2023… maybe something here will make you happy too!
Best Books and Movies and TV of 2023
Music
Kelsea Ballerini - I’m obsessed with the above song and her Rolling Up the Welcome Mat EP.
Old Dominion - the new album is great, but their whole discography makes me happy.
Taylor Swift’s Midnights isn’t my favorite album from her but some of the songs on it are my favorites, if that makes sense. Love Anti-Hero, High Infidelity and Mastermind because I feel like a lot of my heroines could relate to the lyrics.
Books
These are the books that I kept thinking about all year long, as a human, a reader and an author. Click a title to get the Amazon link.
The Blonde Identity - Ally Carter [fast paced rom-com-spy-adventure]
Finlay Donovan is Killing It - Elle Cosimano [first in a series about a harried single mom and people thinking she’s a killer for hire]
The Second Ending - Michelle Hoffman [quirky story about ambition and mistakes and second chances]
A Little Ray of Sunshine - Kristan Higgins [a tear jerker about motherhood, family and community]
The Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros [international fantasy bestseller. I call it Top Gun with Dragons]
A Traitor in Whitehall - Julia Kelly [debut historical mystery set in Churchill’s war rooms]
The Last Daughter of York - Nicola Cornick [English cozy paranormal time slip murder mystery]
PodcastS
Say More with Dr? Sheila - an improvised podcast featuring a faux therapist played by Amy Poehler
Strike Force Five - a limited series hosted by five late night show hosts during the writers’ strike (Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Seth Meyer, Jimmy Kimmel and the other Jimmy.)
I listen to Conan Needs a Friend off and on, but this episode featuring Steve Martin and Martin Short is comedy GOLD. I think I wiped away tears of joy.
Wilder - I’ve recommended this to everyone this year. It’s about the true story behind Little House on the Prairie and the Ingalls family and a reexamination of their stories in the 21st century.
Television/ MovieS
Daisy Jones & the Six - I’m such a huge fan of the book (here) and I loved that the movie captured the spirit and was also its own thing.
Shrinking - on Apple TV. I’ve watched this series twice now and laughed and cried and felt more human. The cast is perfection. Each actor holds their space and feels vital. I may even rewatch again.
Barbie - she changed the world this year. And Ken was fine.
#Kenough
Taylor Swift Eras (tour and movie) - I have so many deep thoughts about her and Beyonce’s tours but for now, let’s just include Taylor in all of my lists.
Succession - The last season was awe inspiring. Still amazing writing and acting that makes you simultaneously hate and feel sorry for each one of these awful characters. That last scene of Shiv and Tom in the car is my Roman Empire.
Oh Cousin Greg.
Flaming Hot - I have recommended this to everyone. Great, fun movie about the invention of Flaming Hot Cheetos - watch it during the holidays with your extended family.
And… one more suggestion… you could pre-order your favorite book of 2024 now… The Mystery in Moonshine is coming out in February… read more about it here!
