2026 Media Log

I'm keeping up with all of the media I consume in 2026 here!

Key:
one out of five stars - Didn't like, little to no redeeming qualities
two out of five stars - Just okay, nothing special
three out of five stars - Pretty good!
four out of five stars - Great! I really enjoyed it.
- A masterpiece
five hearts - A masterpiece and also one of my new favorites

🎬 Movies

poster for the Lilith Fair documentary showing a woman standing on a stage in front of a large crowd Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery 2025 five hearts I grew up listening to a lot of Lilith Fair artists. This documentary shows that it was more than just a festival; it was a warm, welcoming community centered around art and awareness, a place where women and LGBTQIA+ people could feel safe, seen, and loved.

poster for Final Destination Bloodlines showing a fiery skull atop a tower Final Destination Bloodlines 2025 three out of five stars Not one of the best horror movies ever made or anything, but I really enjoyed it. I'm glad they fully embraced humor, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The send-off for the legendary Tony Todd was beautiful and heartwarming as well. So glad the directors gave him that.

Heart Eyes movie poster Heart Eyes 2025 three out of five stars This was fun! The chemistry between the two main characters is great, and I love the concept of a romcom-slasher. It was mostly executed (ha) well, but the writing is a little too cringe at times. I think it was meant to be cheesy and silly, but it got in its own way sometimes. Bonus points for using "This Year's Love"! Great song.

Your Monster movie poster Your Monster 2024 five hearts I need women to keep making movies about monster boyfriends who bring the fire out of women who've been treated badly. We were really living in 2024 with this and Lisa Frankenstein. This is a comedic Halloween monster movie, a New York fairy tale, a deep psychological horror story, and a weird musical all in one. I'm here for everything Caroline Lindy does from now on, and I was already here for Melissa Barrera.

📺 TV Shows

poster for Pluribus featuring a blonde woman screaming Pluribus 2025 In progress. Review coming soon.

📚 Books

book cover for Krampus featuring an illustration of a monstrous man Krampus by Brom 2012 three out of five stars Not as good as Slewfoot, but I enjoyed it. A fun combination of European folklore, Scandinavian and Christian mythology, and modern West Virginia. The Indigenous characters should have been more fleshed out, though, which is a glaring flaw.

book cover for The Night Guest showing an empty glass of wine being refilled The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir 2024 five hearts This novella was creepy throughout and a deeply moving commentary on societal expectations, especially for women, as well as living in a sibling's shadow.

book cover for Ring Shout showing a white hooded figure with mouths for eyes Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark 2020 five hearts This had so much good body horror and imagery, great characters, and was just a fantastic read overall. An alternate history about the American south wherein a sword-wielding resistance fighter named Maryse Boudreaux enacts revenge on the Ku Klux Klan.

book cover for I Remember You showing a man standing in front of an old house I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 2010 four out of five stars Half ghost story, half detective story that follows two characters' perspectives. A slow burn and one of the most chilling books I've ever read. The horror creeps up on you and stays with you long after you've turned the page.

🎮 Games

I've moved all of the interactive fiction I play this year over to its own page because it was getting a bit unwieldy.

pixel art of a blonde woman with a flashlight exploring a room full of clocks Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken 2025 five stars A unique marriage of point-and-click adventure and survival horror that I absolutely adored. The atmosphere was top notch, and it struck the perfect balance between heightened eerie tension and more grounded, relaxed moments.

💿 Albums

Albums I listen to all the way through for the first time go here.

album cover of a naked Paula Cole suspended over a fire in a green field with a blue sky Paula Cole: This Fire 1996 four out of five stars After watching the Lilith Fair documentary, I wanted to check out more of Paula Cole's music since I only knew of her two biggest singles. This album is raw and beautiful. Reminds me of Tori Amos. I would've loved it as a teen.

album cover featuring a brunette woman in a black shirt looking down and smiling Paula Cole: Ithaca 2010 four out of five stars Quieter and softer than This Fire, but I loved it just the same.

album cover featuring Sheryl Crow sitting backwards on a wooden chair Sheryl Crow: Be Myself 2017 four out of five stars Still on a Lilith Fair kick. This sounds a lot like her self-titled debut album, which I love.

album cover featuring Melissa Bonny holding a branch with a red flower Melissa Bonny: Cherry Red Apocalypse 2026 five hearts As a huge fan of Ad Infinitum and Melissa Bonny's other music projects, I'd been looking forward to her first solo album for a while, and it exceeded my expectations. I love the different styles and influences.

black and white text-based album cover Health: Conflict DLC 2025 four out of five stars I finally got around to listening to Health, and this was a banger of an album. If you're into industrial music in any way, shape, or form, this is a must-listen.