Surprises in 2025
For my 2025 wrap up I wanted to share the greatest surprises of the year. Some of the media I mentioned did not come out in 2025, but I experienced them joyously in 2025. What was one of the greatest surprises for you in 2025?
Reading
Reading
Since having an iPad mini, my reading platform has widened. I get to enjoy reading from Substack, The New Yorker, Libby, and Books. While on Libby, I started “The Big Sleep” by Raymond Chandler. Book one of the Philip Marlowe series, this crime noir novel was so charming with witty banter, mystery unfolding, and unexpected turns. A favorite book of the year as “A Perfect Day to be Alone” by Nanae Aoyama. I picked up this book at Yu & Me Books in Chinatown this past spring and quickly read through it. I enjoyed how simple it was; a relatable story of a woman in her 20’s trying to figure out what makes up a life. We see into her secret world and embarrassing feelings we would be mortified for others to see. I plan to reread it this spring.
Another definite reread is “Chilean Poet” by Alejandro Zambra (translated by Meghan McDowell). Zambra was the best surprise of 2025. I came across his book of essays at the library in the summer and connected to his sensitive poetic heart. I next listened to the audiobook of “Chilean Poet” narrated by Gisela Chípe. I still think of the characters! I cannot wait to reread it, but I need my own copy. I’ve been searching for his novels in secondhand book stores and others but no luck. I did find a copy of “Multiple Choice,” so happy for this gem! I can’t talk about Zambra without talking about his incredible translator, Meghan McDowell. I love how much Zambra admires McDowell in a podcast interview, he respects her work so much. Because of her, I read another translated work of hers: "Seven Empty Houses" by Samanta Schweblin, a stunning, eerie, and moving collection of short stories.
I am a Marlowe Granados stan and her Substack was like a book of instructions on how to be more and more fabulous every day. While reading her Substack I remembered “A Tiny APT” by Christene Barberich. She gives us practical thrifting tips and doable fashion advice. I love her love for New York and pop culture history, I always learn so much from her posts. I also recommend reading this feature from House Beautiful on her and family’s DIY cabin.
Watching
“The Bear,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and “The Last Showgirl.” What do these all have in common? The incomparable Jamie Lee Curtis. I love this era of Jamie, her characters give zero f’s and they aren’t even concerned if they show it or not. Her slow dancing scene in “The Last Showgirl” brought me to tears. It felt like watching a little girl trying to hold onto her childhood. It was a lucid moment, where she was not dissipating into her cocktail; here she was free. I wonder what the directional notes were. Donna in “The Bear.” Her deep, dark eyes are a tunnel to her sadness, her rage, her secrets. I always enjoy movies or shows with high-anxiety energy, and her episode of Seven Fishes made me feel like I was at that holiday dinner. I could not look away from her. Her presence alone on screen makes you apprehensive — she doesn’t need to say a word. Jamie gives it her all, she is lost in character no matter what she does, I am so proud of her.
I finally braved a viewing of “The Substance.” Granted, it took me an entire week to watch the movie in small doses. I also had to watch interviews of the cast members to remind myself that their characters aren’t real. This movie made a huge impact on me when it comes to self acceptance and beauty standard that you can choose to follow or not. It made me reflect on how I view my own aging process and question if what I do is from following the world’s standards or because I actually want to. I still believe in wearing sunscreen everyday!
Experiences
I surprised myself by visiting the MoMA this year. I can’t recall the last time I went, but I’m grateful I decided to spend an afternoon going from gallery to gallery. I followed along the “Highlights Tour: If You Only Have An Hour” on the Bloomberg Connects app. The app also allows you to search some numbered paintings for more detail. I was most moved by “The Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh, “The Moon” by Tarsila do Amaral, “The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí, and “Painting to be Stepped On” by Yoko Ono.
2025 was also the beautiful year I got to see Japanese Breakfast live for the first time! I also saw Johnnyswim and Sarah Kay! These live performances just grew my love for them all.
I am a Marlowe Granados stan and her Substack was like a book of instructions on how to be more and more fabulous every day. While reading her Substack I remembered “A Tiny APT” by Christene Barberich. She gives us practical thrifting tips and doable fashion advice. I love her love for New York and pop culture history, I always learn so much from her posts. I also recommend reading this feature from House Beautiful on her and family’s DIY cabin.
Watching
“The Bear,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and “The Last Showgirl.” What do these all have in common? The incomparable Jamie Lee Curtis. I love this era of Jamie, her characters give zero f’s and they aren’t even concerned if they show it or not. Her slow dancing scene in “The Last Showgirl” brought me to tears. It felt like watching a little girl trying to hold onto her childhood. It was a lucid moment, where she was not dissipating into her cocktail; here she was free. I wonder what the directional notes were. Donna in “The Bear.” Her deep, dark eyes are a tunnel to her sadness, her rage, her secrets. I always enjoy movies or shows with high-anxiety energy, and her episode of Seven Fishes made me feel like I was at that holiday dinner. I could not look away from her. Her presence alone on screen makes you apprehensive — she doesn’t need to say a word. Jamie gives it her all, she is lost in character no matter what she does, I am so proud of her.
Experiences
I also came across works by Frida Kahlo! I didn’t know we had some of her work in New York. Her self portrait with companion spider monkey Fulang-Chang next to a mirror was so fun to view! Bloomberg Connects’s tour said, “This mirror was added after Kahlo decided to gift the painting to her close friend, telling her that the mirror was so that they could always be together. The mirror lets the viewer see themselves in relation to Kahlo, turning the painting from something static into something interactive.” MoMA has now become a hit up spot for me. I recently went to their Free Friday’s and delighted in their Winter Garden with their hot coco; I want to go back just for the hot coco, haha.
2025 was also the beautiful year I got to see Japanese Breakfast live for the first time! I also saw Johnnyswim and Sarah Kay! These live performances just grew my love for them all.
Music
Lily Allen. I mean, do we call this a comeback? I never felt that she left. I admire the women who, once out of horrible relationships, they need to share about it with the world. They need to let it all out, get that validation that what’s happened to them was wrong, and that they deserve better. I cheer these women on. “West End Girl” is a heavy part of my listening rotation, as well as Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving,” "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" by Japanese Breakfast, “Forever is a Feeling: The Archives” by Lucy Dacus, and “A Matter of Time: Standard Edition” by Laufey.
Currently Anticipating
I have been checking and checking on the status of the re-opening of the New Museum, and 2026 is the year! I can’t wait to walk up those beautiful steps. Novels by Larissa Pham, Mary H.K. Choi and Marlowe Granados are set to come out in 2026 as well! I cannot wait to read Choi’s FIRST adult novel; I love her young adult novels, “Yolk” is a favorite book of mine that I reread every autumn. Michelle Zauner’s next non-fiction book (and hopefully book tour!) is a much anticipated read for me. I also still need to read Chloe Caldwell’s “Trying” and “Notes to John by Joan Didion.
Lily Allen. I mean, do we call this a comeback? I never felt that she left. I admire the women who, once out of horrible relationships, they need to share about it with the world. They need to let it all out, get that validation that what’s happened to them was wrong, and that they deserve better. I cheer these women on. “West End Girl” is a heavy part of my listening rotation, as well as Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving,” "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" by Japanese Breakfast, “Forever is a Feeling: The Archives” by Lucy Dacus, and “A Matter of Time: Standard Edition” by Laufey.
Currently Anticipating
I have been checking and checking on the status of the re-opening of the New Museum, and 2026 is the year! I can’t wait to walk up those beautiful steps. Novels by Larissa Pham, Mary H.K. Choi and Marlowe Granados are set to come out in 2026 as well! I cannot wait to read Choi’s FIRST adult novel; I love her young adult novels, “Yolk” is a favorite book of mine that I reread every autumn. Michelle Zauner’s next non-fiction book (and hopefully book tour!) is a much anticipated read for me. I also still need to read Chloe Caldwell’s “Trying” and “Notes to John by Joan Didion.
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