2024 Favorites

My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2024

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3.  Dungeons and Drama, Kristy Boyce
Kristy Boyce name-dropped the original Broadway cast recording of "Waitress" on page one of "Dungeons and Drama,"and at that moment I knew this book was For Me. Add in a tall, bespectacled brunette male main character, and I was double hooked! Featuring a fake-dating trope (swoon!), the sweetest romantic gesture involving a set of jewel-toned die you've ever seen, and more musical reference than could be counted, this joyful and creative YA romance had me zooming through the pages to see what would happen next. It's a nerdy, charming little gem of a book, and it would delight me to no end to lend it to you so you can see for yourself!

“I decided having something fake with you was better than having nothing at all. I would have faked it forever rather than give you up.”

2. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, Ally Carter
Two rival authors (Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt) arrive at an English estate to spend Christmas with a world-famous Agatha Christie-esque mystery writer. Also present: the mystery writer's nephew, lawyer, assistant, and several other guests who all make for an eclectic and not-so-congenial house party. That crew is even less congenial when said mystery writer turns up missing, and Maggie is convinced it's all part of an elaborate game she must win. She reluctantly accepts Ethan's help, and we're off and running through a drafty old manor, dodging piles of clues, red herrings, and more than one heart eye-inducing moment. I love a mystery, and y'all KNOW I love a romance novel, so the combination of the two here? Spectacular, give me 14 of 'em right now.

“Of course, I’m not offended that you’d accuse me of murder. I’m offended you’d think I’d be bad at it.” 

1.  Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir
I read a lot of books that hinge on meaningful relationships, powerful connections, and tangible chemistry. This book? Is not the book I'd expect to feature all of the above in spades—and not in the way you'd expect. I was on the edge of my seat for essentially the entire duration of "Project Hail Mary," constantly glued to every twist, turn, problem, and calculation (yes really) offered along the way. The ending was fantastic, and even now I want to tear up when I think about some of the interactions that occur at the novel's climax. Read it. Read it. Read it. Then get ready for Ryan Gosling to star in the film adaptation coming out in 2026!

“No, that's not creepy at all. Being in a spaceship twelve light-years from home and having someone knock on the door is totally normal.”

Honorable Mention

Play Along by Liz Tomforde (Y'all know I love the Windy City series. Tomforde's leads are the dreamiest of the dreamiest!*)
Welcome to the O.C. by Alan Sepinwall (Devoured this one in a matter of days!)
In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak (The chemistry!!!)
Finally Forever by Nadia Lee (Possibly the kindest, dreamiest billionaire I've ever read about? (And yes... there are multiple.))
Magnolia Falls series by Laura Pavlov (Laura, you QUEEN!)
On the Line by Naomi Loud (Who knew a line cook could be so dang dreamy?)
Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata (Will always be a fool for a Mariana Zapata MMC.)
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell (This graphic novel will make you want to go to a fall festival and fall in love.)
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey (Tessa Bailey can be hit or miss with me. She HIT with this one!)
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia (More autumn romance novels should aspire to be like this.)
Sweetheart by Cookie O'Gorman (Would this even be a Val list without a sweetie pie Cookie O'Gorman book on it?)

*“Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” is blaring from all angles around me.  Kai barks a laugh from the bench, but other than him, no one questions his brother’s song choice. Instead, the entire stadium is bursting, singing along with the lyrics while Isaiah’s teammates are joining right in with their own karaoke renditions. Our wedding song is on full blast as Isaiah makes his way to the plate, but before he gets there, he turns back in my direction. With the entire stadium singing the song I walked down the aisle to, Isaiah extends his bat, points at me, and winks.”

My official book goal this year was to read 70 books. My unofficial goal was 100. Final number? 90. Points for landing somewhere in between?

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2024

Runner-Up: Hit Man
What a well-crafted, entertaining BLAST of a film. Richard Linklater and Glen Powell teamed up to tell the insane story of Gary Johnson, a fake hit man working with the police to take down any bad eggs that might be looking to casually murder someone in their life. Gary (played by Powell) morphs into different types of hit men with ease, donning wigs, vests, and fake mustaches to be exactly the murderer-for-hire someone would want to employ. When Gary meets the gorgeous and vulnerable Madison, however, sparks fly and his original plans go out the window. What unfolds is an insanely entertaining thrill ride featuring too many high points to count—although "the notes app scene" certainly deserves special mention. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you even doing here? You unplug and you run—RUN—to Netflix.

3. Thelma
There is so much to love about Thelma—both the film and the title character. June Squib plays a tough, hilarious, and big-hearted grandmother who unfortunately falls for a phone scam and finds herself out several thousand dollars. Not one to take this lying down, Thelma sets off to reclaim her money—and her pride—even if it means traversing Los Angeles on a scooter in search of the scammers who swindled her. Aside from the fact that this movie was hysterical to me personally because of the many characters who reminded me of family members (Thelma was, at times, all of my grandparents, and Parker Posey and Clark Gregg were my parents), "Thelma" was also gripping and sweet, and I loved every single minute of it.

2. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
With a cast of men that literally includes Superman, Jack Reacher, and the Dread Pirate Roberts, there was almost no way I was not going to love "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." I've been a big fan of Guy Ritchie's last several projects, so I was pumped to see him direct his talents toward a rogue crew of misfits set during the early days of World War II. While light on character development and heavy on bloody mayhem, the overall product is a fresh and thrilling story that will you keep engaged from start to finish. Ritchie's stylish direction, that impressive cast, and some gorgeous locations make for a fun and original outing—one I'd happily revisit again and again.

1. Snack Shack
Two teenage friends invest in the snack stand at their local pool, thinking it's their ticket to financial freedom. What follows is a hilarious and often heartfelt romp through the crazy summer days of life in suburban Nebraska in the early 90s. The friendship between Moose and A.J. feels established and lived in from minute one, and watching them wheel and deal and fight their way through the summer gives audiences a fully-formed relationship backdrop to pin this coming-of-age story on. From the buzzing cicadas to the sweaty, sunny pool days, "Snack Shop" will give you a zip of nostalgia, a healthy dose of humor, and some quiet heartbreak to round it all out.

Honorable Mention: Challengers, The Bikeriders, Wicked, Twisters

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2024

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

3. School Spirits
I honestly didn't really know what I was getting into when I pressed play on "School Spirits." I just saw Tori from "Cobra Kai," read that it was some sort of ghostly high school-set story, and decided to give it a try. But one episode in and I was HOOKED. In the opening minutes, we discover that Maddie Nears is a recently deceased teenager—one who doesn't really know how that whole "deceased" thing happened. What follows are seven additional episodes of twists and turns that include Maddie discovering how to talk to a few of her still-alive friends, investigating the circumstances of her death, and even a super cute school dance—attended by the living and the ghosts alike. The season finale had me on the very edge of my seat, and left me shocked and eagerly anticipating season two.
Stream it on Netflix

2. Pop Culture Jeopardy
"I'll take 'Shows Made Just For Val' for a thousand, Colin." Indeed, with categories like 'Pop! Go the Gilmore Girls,' 'Not Me, Not Hermione, You,' and Heartthrobs,' it sometimes does feel like "Pop Culture Jeopardy" is geared specifically for me—or at least me and all my fellow movie/TV/celebrity-loving pals! Colin Jost is a funny and charming host, and I love the new twists on the game, like the 'Triple Play' feature—three answers for three times the money. Come to flex your pop culture knowledge, stay even though you WILL end up yelling at the screen because OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS, THAT ONE WAS SO EASY! WHERE ARE YOUR HEADS?
Stream it on Prime

1. Nobody Wants This
I will watch almost anything Kristen Bell shows up in. I will watch almost anything that features Adam Brody. But now you're telling me that they are in the SAME SHOW? TOGETHER? AT THE SAME TIME? Give me a pen—I'm signing, you're signing, you're all signing. I mean—we've got Veronica Mars. We've got Seth Coen. We've got adorable and believable romcom charm. We've got relatable conflicts, hilarious shenanigans, and a truckload of talented supporting players. From Joanne and Noah's meet cute ("Say something rabbinical." "There's a fiddler on the roof.") to sharply written jokes (like the fact that Brody's rabbi character plays on a basketball team called the Matzah Ballers), "Nobody Wants This" is absolutely something that everybody wants.
Stream it on Netflix

Honorable Mention: High Potential, Traitors, America's Sweethearts, Below Deck

My Three Favorite Things That Don't Fall Into Another Category of 2024

3. Jenny Nicholson's Galactic Star Cruiser Review
YouTuber Jenny Nicholson's video review of Disney World's now-defunct Galactic Star Cruiser should not have been this fascinating or immersive. But her funny, well-researched, and super smart take-down of the ride/experience/hotel hybrid lit the internet on fire and sent thousands of us running to watch all four hours of it. Yes, you read that right—it's four. Hours. Long. BUT, it's also worth it. If this sounds up your alley at all, I can't encourage you enough to check it out.



2. Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
I. Love. This. Song. When I'm driving somewhere or cleaning my kitchen or whatever, I'm always more likely to be listening to a book or a podcast than music. But "Please Please Please?" I had that on REPEAT when it first came out, and it's still a song I go back to over and over. I don't relate to the lyrics or anything (except for maybe "If you wanna go and be stupid, don't do it in front of me..."), but I am obsessed with the melody, the beat, and the overall JAM that this song is. Now if you'll excuse me—I think it's about time I go play it again!

1. The Lonely Island & Seth Meyers Podcast
I have not looked forward to new episodes of a podcast this much since... I don't know when. But joining Seth Meyers and the Lonely Island boys (Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer) each week to revisit their old SNL Digital Shorts has been a complete ray of sunshine each and every time. Listening to these pals rib each other, laugh at old memories, and recount their biggest (and not so biggest) hits is a total blast, and I hope it somehow keeps going on forever.

Honorable Mention: This TikTok

My Three Favorite Events of 2024

3. Beach + Christmas Family Time
The thing I look forward to most every year? BEACH WEEK. That chunk of days spent with my parents, siblings, and nieces in Galveston are always memorable, and Summer 2024 was no exception! If I could dive back in time to re-experience our fancy dinner at Shearn's, the 4th of July parade, boat rides, sand castles, hermit crab-collecting, sparklers on the lawn, amazing food, family games, and sunny walks spent picking up shells on the beach, you know I would! It's a track I'd never take off of repeat.

The whole crew reassembled in Houston for Christmas, and that time was again filled with piles and piles of games, parades, food, and laughter. And you can take a peek at all that good, good holiday fun in my Christmas recap video!

2. New House, Who Dis?
Y'all. I bought an actual house this year. Like, a house house house. I signed papers and watched it get built. I got a broker who helped me get a loan. I packed TWELVE YEARS of stuff and moved it across town. I signed my life away and got a set of keys in return. And it was incredible. I'm so happy, so proud, and so grateful to look back and know that I did this. It wasn't without help (shoutout to the best companies I used: "Dad's Financial Advice Co." and "Mom's Furniture Shopping Buddy Service," to name a few) or without heartache (it's actually really hard to leave a roommate you've lived with for over a decade?), but at the end of the day I can pull my single self into my two-car garage, walk in the back door, and know that everything the light touches is my kingdom. How did we get here, Skitch? 

1. Birthday - AKA: I'm Feelin' Twenty-Times-Two!
I know it might be strange to buy a house and then NOT put that monumental moment at the top of a list of favorite events. But when you look at the birthday I had this year? It's a no brainer! Let me explain: ...actually, no. There is too much. Let me sum up. 1) My parents threw me an incredible birthday party at my favorite restaurant with so many of my favorite people! Complete with balloons and cake and posters and all the best food and drinks in all the land. 2) My sister SURPRISED me by showing up for said birthday party! Like, from ARIZONA! I'll never be over it. 3) My brother came too! And my whole family stayed with me in my house—I could literally cry right now just thinking about it. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE. Because... (continued below)

The very next day, my mom and sister whisked me off on a trip to PARTS UNKNOWN (to me)! We arrived at the airport, and only then did I find out we were going to NEW MEXICO! Call me Jack Kelly, because I was singing "Santa Feeeee" in my heart—and IRL! We stayed in a gorgeous house, ate insanely good food, did so many incredible touristy things (Meow Wolf! Georgia O'Keefe Museum! La Traviata! Shopping!), and just got a ton of awesome time together. It was so. Much. Fun. And I will remember it always. 

Honorable Mention: Seeing my nieces perform in "Matilda," Clay coaching me in fantasy football, Spring family campout, hitting 30,000 followers on Instagram at work, Galveston weekend with Ellie, SMG Movie Club, Ciminellos at Pine Cove, Harry Potter series on the big screen, Thanksgiving in Galveston, mini reunion with BFF Juliette, family time at my aunt and uncle's lake house, visits from Mom and Dad to help with the Val Palace, fun game/team time at the office, and reading 90 books!

Bonus Paragraph I Feel Compelled to Add: If you are looking at all my effusiveness and wonder and find yourself thinking, "Wow, she's so blessed!"... man. You're right. I am. And I just want to stop and acknowledge that all good things come from above. From sparklers to parades to operas to seashells to house keys. I know the ultimate Giver and He has given me all the things I have, all the experiences I've... experienced, and all the people I love. He's a good, good Father, and I'm so insanely unworthy to have good things happen to me. But they do, because I know He loves me, cares for me, sees me, and has not left me on my own. He's chasing after you too. He knows you, and He loves you. He's never left you on your own—and He's not going to. Glory be!

The last defining moment of 2024 was the passing of my dear Grandma Ann. She was the sweetest, most selfless person, and the world has been getting dimmer and dimmer ever since dementia encroached upon her life several years ago. I've always admired so much about her—her hospitality, her creativity, her love for family—and I already miss her so much. I can't believe I won't be visiting her the next time I'm in Houston—it's absolutely surreal! I'll always remember her hobbies (sewing, dancing, entertaining, painting), her charity work, her dedication to her church, and her impeccable fashion sense, and will be forever grateful for the 40 years I was blessed to have her in my life. Love you always and always, Grandma.
<Benny Hill salute>

17th Annual Oscar Picks

You might have thought I was gone, never to post Oscar predictions again. But much like Josh Hartnett in "Oppenheimer," I am BACK! Predicting the correct winners in all 23 categories. And—also like Josh Hartnett—I am always 100% right.* 

(Previously: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,  2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

Best Picture: It's an upside down world, where up is down and boy bands play instruments: a Christopher Nolan film is going to win the top honor at the Academy Awards! As a longtime Chris Nolan girlie, I couldn't be more pleased for him—"Oppenheimer" is gonna win Best Picture! 

Best Director: And the gold won't stop there... Christopher Nolan will hear his named called in this category as well! Oppenhomies, we ride at dawn.

Best Actor: I am fairly confident, though not certain, that Cillian Murphy will take this one home. His portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer was masterful and haunting and cerebral, and he deserves to get the gold. If it's not him, look for Paul Giamatti to be the one to swoop in and take it.

Best Actress: Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone are in a virtual dead heat here. There's a part of me that thinks it really might be Emma, but I'm going with Lily Gladstone.

Best Supporting Actor: I'm just going to get this out of the way real, real quick: Charles Melton's name should be here in this category. (Side note: I'm a firm believer that if you think someone's been snubbed, you've gotta say who you think should come out of the list instead. So, sorry Sterling K. Brown—I think they should have given this spot to Charles over you.) But anyway, the winner will be Robert Downey Jr.

Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph was absolutely BRILLIANT in "The Holdovers." If it can't be Rachel McAdams for "Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret," I'm happy it'll be Da'Vine.

Animated Feature: I think there's a world where "The Boy and the Heron" wins because of the film community's love for Hayao Miyazaki. However, when I close my eyes and picture this category's envelope being opened on Sunday, I can only imagine hearing Anya Taylor-Joy or Dwayne Johnson or whoever saying "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse."

Production Design: The production design for "Barbie" is truly incredible—if you haven't seen the behind-the-scenes walk-throughs of the sets, you've gotta seek those out. However, I think the team behind "Poor Things" will nab this one.

Cinematography: I think "Oppenheimer" will win this one, and I'm not mad about that, but man if "Killers of the Flower Moon" doesn't feel equally deserving. Tough category. 

Costume Design: History tells me to pick the quirky historical costumes from "Poor Things." My heart tells me to go for "Barbie."

Film Editing: I'm between "Oppenheimer" and "Killers of the Flower Moon" on this one, but when in doubt, the tie goes to the runner—aka the Best Picture winner. "Oppenheimer" it is!

Makeup and Hairstyling: First of all, JAIL to the Academy members who failed to nominate "Barbie" in this category. They toned my girl Margot's hair on the DAILY to make sure her locks were the perfect shade of blonde for her costume. Every! Day! Sigh. Anyway. I guess it could be "Maestro," but there doesn't seem to be a lot of passion for that film as a whole, so I'm picking "Poor Things" here.

Original Score: My jaw will be on the FLOOR if anything other than "Oppenheimer" wins this category. 

Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell have this one in the bag for "What Was I Made For?"—the duo's second win in this category in two years after 2022's "No Time to Die!"

Original Screenplay: This category could be where the Academy shows "Past Lives" some love. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Alexander Payne pick up his third Oscar for best screenplay, this time for "The Holdovers." But if I have to pick just one (and clearly I do), I'm going with "Anatomy of a Fall."

Adapted Screenplay: There's a lot of love for "American Fiction" in this category, but don't count out Christopher Nolan and his adaptation of a 700-page tome. I've gotta pick "Oppenheimer" here.

Sound: Another one for "Oppenheimer!" You go, "Oppenheimer."

Visual Effects: Without an "Avatar" or a "Dune" in this category, it kind of feels like anyone's game. There's a ton of stacked talent here, without a real heavyweight to pull all the votes. That being said, I can't shake the feeling that it's going to be "The Creator."

Documentary Feature: "20 Days in Mariupol" is about Russia's attack on Ukraine, and I can't see voters picking something else over that one.

Documentary Short: The choice here seems to be coming down to a film about book banning, and a film about a repair shop for kids' instruments. So tough! But I think the latter will have a bigger impact on voters, so I'll go with "The Last Repair Shop." 

International Feature Film: I'm feelin' REAL confident with this one, so please don't embarrass me, Academy! It's "The Zone of Interest."

Animated Short: Did I pick "Letter to a Pig" based solely on the title? I didn't NOT do that...

Live Action Short: Netflix has been pushing "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" hard, and the industry loves them some Wes Anderson, so I'm inclined to think they'll give him the gold here.

*Okay, so I'm not ALWAYS right. But I'm ALWAYS in love with Josh Hartnett, and that's the truth.

2023 Favorites

My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2023

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3.  Love, Theoretically, Ali Hazelwood
This wouldn't be a complete "Val's list of top reads" without an Ali Hazelwood STEM-centric rom-com on the list, now would it? Exactly. As per usual, we have a male main character who is an absolute fool for the female lead. Plus he's so caring, so soft, so gentle, so capable. And Elsie, said female lead, was such a fun character to follow—teaching college courses, loving Twilight, striving after her dreams... we love to see it! Overall, I don't know what it was about this one—the chemistry between our leads? The fun and cheesy humor? The smarty pants science talk? I'm not sure, but I bet a second (or a third) read-through will help me decide!

“He studies my face for several moments, like he cannot stop on the cover or the first page, like he needs to read the whole book every time.” 

 2. The Right Move, Liz Tomforde
Listen, if you have ALSO read this book, I only need to say two words for you to understand this book's high position in my ranking: Ryan. Shay. RYAN SHAY! Sigh. But to expand a little bit more... In the romance book-readers world, "tropes" are everything, and this one delivered SO MANY of my favorite tropes: grumpy sunshine. Best friend's brother. Opposites attract. Fake dating. Pro athlete. Like, hi, I am SOLD. Plus, the number of 😍 emojis Ellie and I sent back and forth while reading this? THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST. Give me a caring and protective male main character and I am absolutely here for it, always and forever. Tears were streaming down my face by the end of this book, and I just thought to myself, 'Thank you, Lord, for Ryan Shay.'

“You can’t stop being who you are because someone else thinks it’s too much, Ind. He can go find less."

1. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Elizabeth O'Roark 
When international pop star Drew Wilson needs a break from her grueling tour schedule, she ends up in Hawaii with the family of her ex-boyfriend. Along for the ride? His dashing but grumpy older brother Joshua, a tall, 'Doctors Without Borders' type who soon develops a soft spot for Drew. I gobbled up the entire "Devil" series in a flash, and seriously considered just making three of them my top picks of the year, but this second entry was the one to capture my heart along with the top spot. (It must be said, though, that the first book in the series, "A Deal with the Devil" is also great and I loved it SO MUCH.) But anyway—the Hawaiian mountains, globe-trotting story, deep feelings, and sprinkling of heart-sparkling moments (the pastry! at her door! I. DIE.) were just exactly the perfect formula to make this a favorite all-time read for me.

“It takes so little to make her happy and I wonder if anyone in her life even tries.”

Honorable Mention

Flawless by Elsie Silver (Never thought I needed a professional bull rider in my life, but then I read about Rhett Eaton.)
Caught Up, Liz Tomforde (The third book in the Mile High/Right Move series. I'm thoroughly obsessed with these books, and this is another series that easily could have just taken up the top three spots on my list.)
Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television, Thea Glassman (If you're a pop culture/television fan, or if you loved any of these shows, this book is for you!)
Kiss My Cupcake, Helena Hunting (He owns the axe-throwing pub next door to her bakery. What more do you need to know?)
Murder for the Modern Girl, Kendall Kulper (A fun and interesting read, with a smart and inventive plot. Loved the main characters!)
Say You Swear, Meagan Brandy (I read a lot of romance books this year—obviously—but Noah Riley was one of my FAVORITE 'book boyfriends.')
I'm Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy (This girl has been THROUGH IT, but she wrote a beautiful, smart, and heartbreaking memoir about it all.)
Always Mine / Ever Mine, Laura Pavlov (The first two books in the Honey Mountain series were my favorite, but they're all worth reading!)
Done and Dusted, Lyla Sage (I need the sequel to this book to come out YESTERDAY. But I'll settle for March!)
Bookworm, Cookie O'Gorman (Cookie O'Gorman is my GIRL, and I will read her sweet, soft YA romances as long as she keeps putting them out.)

I read 98 books this year, and the only people who would have been interested in that information are my grandparents. They aren't here anymore, so I'm telling you. Is 100 in my future? Come back next year...

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2023

Runner-Up: Oppenheimer
"Oppenheimer" is an outstanding film. The cast, score, direction, structure... it just all works for me. It's absolutely top tier. Nevermind that it's a "who's who" of fiercely talented Hollywood actors (including my first true movie love Josh Hartnett), it's also a fascinating story that sweeps its way through time and across the world, and I just really loved the whole experience. 

3.  Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1
"Dead Reckoning" is a smart, twisty, clever blast. These movies always strike the right balance between humor and tension, and "Dead Reckoning" is no different. It has a unique and inventive plot, some great character development, and, of course, more than a few jaw-dropping stunts and set pieces—plus a ton of laugh-out-loud moments! I love that they brought Hayley Atwell (forever my Agent Carter!) and Pom Klementieff (who was awesome formidable and... kinda scary!) into the fold—those two combined with the return of Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby created a formidable line-up of strong female characters, and we really love to see it. It's a shame that "Dead Reckoning's" release got eclipsed by Barbenheimer, because it deserved more time in the theatrical spotlight, so to speak. Please see it if you missed it—if not for me, do it for Shea Whigham. That guy's awesome.

2. Barbie
It makes little to no sense, but part of me wanted to NOT rank "Barbie" super high? Just because it got SO popular, you know? But that's not really fair to Greta Gerwig, and it's really not fair to one Barbara Millicent Roberts. And it's also just not the truth, because "Barbie" was insanely fun, creative, smart, heartfelt, and hilarious, and man was it a great time at the theater! I mean I was literally pointing at the screen when I saw Barbie clothes I used to own. I had a blast spotting so many people in the audience dressed up in pink (I honestly had to stop myself from yelling "Hi Barbie!" to my fellow Barbies). Also I laughed probably a little too much (it had my favorite joke of the entire year!*). I truly think it's the funniest movie I've seen in the last few years. The whole experience was so nostalgic and refreshing and positive and FUN (I know, I keep using that word), and... I don't know. I just wish more movies could be like that.

*“It’s like I’ve been in a dream where I was really invested in the Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League!”

1. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
This. Movie. Is. Wonderful. My gosh. I already love coming-of-age films, but this one was so smartly, delightfully, and reverently crafted, I found it impossible not to immediately deem it a favorite. The cast is pitch perfect, the script is both funny and touching, and the direction is flawless. Abby Ryder Fortson did a fantastic job anchoring the film, but Rachel McAdams (playing Margaret's mom) nearly stole the whole movie. I love Rachel in everything, but she was so magnetic and sensitive and relatable and dynamic in this, I found myself in awe of her talents all over again. The whole viewing experience was outstanding—I laughed, hid my face in embarrassed amusement, and teared up throughout. I didn't want it to end! It's as close to perfect as a movie came for me this year, and I can't encourage you enough to check out this sweet, poignant, funny, relatable gem of a movie.

Honorable Mention: The Holdovers, The Color Purple, Missing, Joy Ride, A Haunting in Venice, No Hard Feelings, Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2023

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

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Here's the (very strange) deal: I only started—and finished—two new (to me) shows this year. I started several other good ones, but for whatever reason just haven't managed to make it to the end yet. That being said, at this point finishing all available episodes of a series is a big compliment from me, so with that in mind... Here are my top two new shows I stuck with this year!

2. Reacher
I didn't initially jump at the chance to check out "Reacher." Mostly because, to be honest? It seemed like the epitome of a "dad show." (Not my dad, but you know... DADS.) However, I saw a couple clips online, didn't have anything else to watch (clearly), and decided to give it a whirl. Okay so, to get it out of the way, yes: a lot of it is just a very (very) big guy punching and shooting people. And giving people the stink eye, and spouting off some pretttttty cheesy dialogue. BUT. But. "Reacher" also has a compelling season-long mystery, some fun twists and turns, and a few actors I loved in other shows (Hi, Clive from "iZombie!"). It's a little gory and sometimes pretty brutal, but overall I had a great time traversing rural Georgia with a 6'5" dude who can snap his way out of zip-tie handcuffs and kick a car hard enough to deploy an airbag.

1. Poker Face 
File this one under "S" for "Shows That Feel Like They Were Made Just For Me." I mean—a witty, sprawling mystery that unfurls over the course of ten tight and highly entertaining episodes? This has VALERIE written all over it! Natasha Lyonne is perfect in the lead role of Charlie Cale, a smart and compassionate gal-on-the-run who can always tell when someone is lying (it's a feeling, you see). As she makes her way across the country trying to stay one step ahead of bodyguard/bad guy Benjamin Bratt, she finds herself solving mysteries in a myriad of different venues—a barbecue joint, a race track, a retirement home, and more. Along the way, we are treated to a series of iconic guest actors like Judith Light, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Stephanie Hsu, Charles Melton, Tim Meadows, and Cherry Jones. It's absolutely outstanding, and I cannot wait for season 2.

My Three Favorite Events of 2023

3. Summer + Christmas Family Time
Our family's annual Galveston vacation is always one of my favorite weeks of the year! Going out on the boat, eating ice cream on the Strand, building sand castles, playing games, driving the golf cart, throwing water balloons, celebrating birthdays, fishing in the ocean... what's not to love? Wish I could play this week on repeat a few more times!

 
We got together again at Christmas, but why tell you about it when I can just SHOW you? Press play to see our December fun:

2. Morby Family Reunion
The reason we got together—my grandfather's memorial service—was less than fun. But everything that came with my entire extended family gathering together for it was pure magic. We took all the little kids to a trampoline park, spent time out at "Morbyland" (my nieces' first time ever!), laughed a ton, played board games, and just enjoyed all being in the same place. It was more fun than it should have been, and I am so, so incredibly thankful for this group of people. 

1. Ciminellos and Morbys in New York
All my favorite people in one of my favorite places? IF I'M DREAMING PLEASE DON'T WAKE ME UP 'CAUSE BABY I CAN'T GET ENOUGH. My parents took me, my brother, and my sister and her family to New York City this October, and it was amazing! I loved getting to see the Big Apple through my nieces eyes—it was their first time up there, and it was SO fun getting to show them around! We ate fantastic food (family-style dining is my new favorite and I firmly believe more restaurants should be like this), got to experience so many iconic NYC landmarks/attractions together (Broadway Museum where have you been all my life??), and saw incredible shows ("Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" was a mind-meltingly incredible experience and I will never be over how astounding it was). It felt like the trip of a lifetime and I am so, so grateful that we got to do that together. Thanks, Mom and Dad! 

Honorable Mention: Girls trip to Kentucky, SMG movie club, Galveston weekend with Ellie, celebrating 15 years at my job (!), Ciminellos at family camp, old media team reunion at Melissa's anniversary party, celebrating Dad's 70th birthday, sweet surprise gifts from co-workers, celebrating Kristen's time at Pine Cove, and Thanksgiving in Galveston.

Lastly, I can't end this entry without talking about the other big thing that happened this year. After nearly 93 years living, laughing, and working (Lord, how he worked) on this earth, Grandpa Glenn finally went to his rest. If we're honest I'm still wrestling and reconciling with this one, but I'm left with the sweetest memories of him and the legacy he left behind. Nothing is the same without him here, but oh—how grateful am I that I got to have Glenn Morby as my grandfather. Rest well, Grandpa, and enjoy eating some nachos, watching the Nicholas brothers dance, and making malts with Grandma. Love you.

16th Annual Oscar Picks

Grab your googly eyes and throw some confetti in the air—it's Oscar prediction time! If you're looking for totally and completely correct predictions in all 23 Oscar categories, you've come to the right place. Because I never get it wrong.*

(Previously: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015,  2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.)

Best Picture: "All Quiet on the Western Front" is pushing hard, and "The Fabelmans," "Tar," and even "Top Gun: Maverick" all have a fighting shot at the top prize. But with big wins at all major guild ceremonies (Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild, Producers Guild, etc.), I just don't see anybody but "Everything Everywhere All At Once" going home with this award. (Rightfully so! I'd hand the Daniels the gold for the scene with those two rocks alone.)

Best Director: You may think he already has too many awards in this category already, but believe it or not, Steven Spielberg hasn't won the Best Director prize since 1998's "Saving Private Ryan"—TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. So while there's more than a solid chance the Daniels will grab this one, I think the Academy will find a way to honor "The Fabelmans" with a win in this category.

Best Actor: The only surprise here will be if someone besides Brendan Fraser or Austin Butler wins. And as cool as it would be to see Fraser's "comeback" continue with a win on Sunday, I'm giving the edge to Austin Butler.

Best Actress: The only surprise here will be if someone besides Cate Blanchett or Michelle Yeoh wins. And just like above, although I would love to call this one for Yeoh, I think Cate Blanchett is an unstoppable force.

Best Supporting Actor: I suppose there's a parallel universe out there where someone other than Ke Huy Quan wins this one. But it's not ours! Grab your fanny pack and get your speech ready, Ke—you're up!

Best Supporting Actress: Man, talk about a toss-up. Sometimes this category is all sewn up (like last year with our queen, Ariana DeBose), but this time around it's truly anyone's guess! I want to say Stephanie Hsu because she's phenomenal (and also because I like bragging that I saw her on Broadway in "Be More Chill" back in 2019), but Jamie Lee Curtis, Angela Bassett, and Kerry Condon seem to have the best chances here. It's truly anyone's guess, and mine is Angela Bassett.

Animated Feature: As fantastic as all of these nominees are, I think this one belongs to "Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio."

Production Design: Man—talk about a stacked category! It's definitely possible "Babylon" or "All Quiet on the Western Front" could sneak in here, but I don't think it's wise to count a Baz Luhrmann movie out in this category. So I'm going with "Elvis!"

Cinematography: I think this one will either go to "All Quiet on the Western Front" or "Elvis," and it's difficult to predict which direction the Academy will lean. "AQotWF" has picked up several precursor awards for this category, though, so while I wouldn't be at all surprised to see "Elvis" grab this one, I'm still going with "All Quiet on the Western Front."

Costume Design: Right this way, Mr. Presley—"Elvis" has this one in the bag.

Film Editing: It's possible that "Top Gun: Maverick" scoops this one up, but I tend to like to go with my Best Picture pick, so my money's on "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

Makeup and Hairstyling: I could pretend to be waffling between a couple of these, but come on. It's gonna be "The Whale."

Original Score: Okay NOW I'm waffling. (And I want waffles.) It's down to "The Fabelmans," "Babylon," and "All Quiet on the Western Front" for me—although I suppose "Everything Everywhere" could grab this as well. (Or even "Banshees," wow! I didn't realize Carter Burwell composed that one!) Man this is tough. With minimal confidence and pretty much only a gut feeling to go on, I'm picking "All Quiet on the Western Front." (Although I would be delighted to hear John Williams' name being called for "The Fabelmans" come Sunday!)

Original Song: I know it's not wise to bet against Rihanna or Lady Gaga. But I'm going to—I'm picking Naatu Naatu from "RRR." 

Original Screenplay: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is so creative and inventive and well crafted, I have to believe it's going to win this award.

Adapted Screenplay: A lot of people seem to think this one will go to "Women Talking," but I just can't envision it happening. Plan on seeing "All Quiet on the Western Front" pick this one up too.

Sound: While this could be another category clinched by "All Quiet on the Western Front," I think the Academy will be looking for ways to give a nod to "Top Gun: Maverick." So in a tight race, I'm giving the edge to "Top Gun: Maverick."

Visual Effects: I can't imagine "Avatar: The Way of Water" not winning this one. This is probably THE lock of the night.

Documentary Feature: Truly, truly I say to you: I have never heard of ANY of these movies. (Some film fan I am!) But most prognosticators seem to think it's gonna be "Navalny," and I'm a very agreeable person (obviously), so I'm checking that box as well!

Documentary Short: This could very well go to "Stranger at the Gate," but if I learned anything from "My Octopus Teacher," it's to never count an animal film out. I'm going with "The Elephant Whisperers."

International Feature Film: Just going to pause here and acknowledge once again how insane it is that "RRR" was not nominated in this category. So without that competition, the way is clear for "All Quiet on the Western Front," a very deserving film.

Animated Short: My very informed and uh... confident... prediction is that the winner will be... "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse."

Live Action Short: It looks to me to be down to "An Irish Goodbye," "The Red Suitcase," and "Le Pupill." "An Irish Goodbye" won the BAFTA, so I'm going with that one!

*Hey so... I don't know how to tell you this, but... I actually do get it wrong pretty frequently. Like, a lot a lot. I'm sorry I lied. I'll work on it.

2022 Favorites

  My Three Favorite Books I Read in 2022

Favorite "new to me" books I read this year.

3. Love on the Brain
Look, we're all familiar with the fact that my final rating of a book will, in many ways, correlate directly to the number of Heart Sparkles (TM) it gave me. And much like its STEM/rom-com predecessor, "The Love Hypothesis," "Love on the Brain" delivered on Heart Sparkles. Dr. Bee Königswasser finds herself transferred to NASA to work on a dream project... with her nemesis. Luckily for us (the readers), her nemesis just happens to be tall, dark, and handsome. And secretly soft, caring, and filled to the brim with heart eyes for Bee. "Love on the Brain" was sweet, clever, and even a little mysterious, and I can't wait to jump back in for a re-read.

“She’s everything I ever wanted and I want to inject her into my veins and also to never see her again.”

2. The Do-Over
From Lynn Painter, author of my #1 read from last year, "Better Than the Movies," comes "The Do-Over," another clean dive into a high school rom-com pool filled with heart-shaped sprinkles and a dash of impossible magic. Emilie Hornby is fully prepared to have the best Valentine's Day ever, but instead it turns out to be... the worst. She sets out to fix everything the next day, but finds herself somehow reliving Valentine's Day again. It's Groundhog Day by way of enemies-to-lovers, but better, because "The Do-Over" has broody Nick Stark, sarcasm-laced banter, and a dark ribbon of melancholy running throughout. It's a quick, easy read, one that will leave you eager to find a way to step back into the same day over and over again—if only a Nick Stark is waiting on the other side.

"And as we ran over the snow-packed pavement, I felt magically, wonderfully, not like myself. I was the manic pixie dream girl in a movie, a character created solely to be uncomplicated, unexpected, and utterly unpredictable."

1. The Replacement Crush
After her summer fling turns out to be a not-so-great guy, Vivian Galdi decides she needs someone else to swing her heart-eyed gaze onto. Enter her idea for a "replacement crush"—a new guy she can fixate on without risking heartache. It's a concept easier said than done, especially with new "McNerd" Dallas Lang on the scene, a Clark Kent-lookalike who ends up working side-by-side with Vivian at her mother's bookstore. There's a ton to love about "The Replacement Crush," including the delightful small coastal town setting, tons of book talk, and some excellent character growth. What tips this one into the #1 slot, though, is the Grand Gesture at the end of the book. I was sitting on my couch listening to the audiobook, and I was so delighted by the unexpected surprise awaiting me that I literally stood up in excitement and pumped my fists in the air. Who could literally ask for anything more?

"It's like a bad movie, watching you pretend you don't like him."

Honorable Mention

Cupcake, Cookie O'Gorman (This one NARROWLY missed being in my top three—it made me grin and sigh and swoon.)
The Bookworm Crush, Lisa Brown Roberts (A worthy follow-up to "The Replacement Crush!")
The Body in the Garden, Katharine Schellman (A solid mystery.)
When You Get the Chance, Emma Lord (Entertaining and fun—and packed with tons of Broadway references!)
Moment of Truth, Kasie West (Another heart-swooping story from my girl Kasie.)
Just Haven't Met You Yet, Sophie Cousens (Well-written and super sweet.)
The Wrong Prom Date, Alexandra Moody (Adorable! It had shades of "A Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad," another fave of mine.)
Reluctantly Yours, Erin Hawkins (Fun, sweet, cute. The ending made me cry—in a good way!)
Blind Side, Kandi Steiner (Sweet (and spicy) and made me tear up!)
Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Talia Hibbert (Hibbert's use of similes and metaphors—stars streaming across the sky and camera pops behind eyelids—is incredible.)

 I was going to try to read 80 books this year but I only read 67. Oh well! Who cares! Full list here.

 My Three Favorite Movies of 2022

3. (tie) Bullet Train
What an absolute blast. Every actor riding the "Bullet Train" seems to be having the time of their life—including those popping up in the handful of surprise cameos I had no idea were coming. It was a highly entertaining mix of hilarious jokes, sly references, fun characters, and tons of bloody mayhem—almost like a Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino joint. I mean, any movie that introduces each new character with a splashy, stylized title graphic automatically wins extra points in my book. The whole thing is crazy, twisty, and surprising—just so much fun. Come for Brad Pitt, stay for Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s over-the-top “Fanks but it's a Bullet Train, innit?” accent.

3. (tie) Vengeance
Continuing our run of excellent late-summer movies: "Vengeance." Smart storytelling, unique characters, and a solid (and satisfying!) mystery all added up to make up a brilliant and incredibly entertaining film. BJ Novak turned his sharp and observant eye on Texas, and the result is a hilarious, familiar, and spot-on portrait of the Lone Star State. From the characters' use of phrases like "fixin' to" to their fierce love of Whataburger, everything that ribbed them about their "Texan-ness" felt like it came from a place of love. And even though Novak's character clearly came to the state to make fun of the "local yokels," they often make him the butt of the joke and roll their eyes at what he THINKS he knows about them ("I know what South By is!"). Can't recommend this one highly enough.

2. Matilda the Musical
"Matilda the Musical" is one of my favorite Broadway shows. Seeing it felt like experiencing lightning in a bottle, so I was delighted to discover it was being adapted for the screen. And while the stage version still reigns supreme, Netflix certainly created a worthy film adaptation. The story remains inventive and heartbreaking, the casting was top notch, and elements like the production design and costuming dazzled. The breakout, though, is the music and choreography. From our sweet lead actress Alisha Weir doing handstands on her roof as she sang her heart out about being naughty to a group of children dreaming and singing about what it will be like to be grown up to the iconic red beret girl dancing fiercely down the school hallways, it's all magic. If you're a musical fan at all, this one is not to be missed!

1. Top Gun: Maverick
Part of me is convinced that I'll never have a movie theater experience like "Top Gun: Maverick" again. How could anything surpass it? It had so many things working in its favor: nostalgia, adrenaline, humor, pathos... it's movie magic at its finest! Everything in this movie works: the tight, straight-forward plot, the mix of old and new characters (all perfectly cast, although the standouts are Glen Powell and Miles Teller), the music, the cinematography, and, of course, those adrenaline-inducing stunts. Seeing it in a packed theater of people who were all genuinely pumped to be there—everyone laughing, clapping, and cheering (yes, CHEERING!)—felt absolutely electric. By the end I felt like I was levitating in my seat, and I couldn't wait to go see it again. (And again.) (And again.) I just hope we don't have to wait another 30+ years for the next one.

Honorable Mention: Apollo 10 1/2, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Gray Man, Nope, Ticket to Paradise, She Said, The Menu, The Fabelmans

My Three Favorite TV Shows of 2022

Favorite shows I started watching this year:

3. Bridgerton
Okay, right off the bat let me just come clean and admit that I never watched season 1 of "Bridgerton." I just wasn't interested, for whatever reason. But when I saw a few clips and pictures from season 2, I was intrigued and decided to check it out. (Apparently I wasn't the only one to do this—bff Julie admitted she did the exact same thing!) I love an enemies-to-lovers romance, and "Bridgerton" delivered that in spades. The show is far from perfect, and at times it's downright silly, but Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, and the chemistry between my favorite pair, Eloise and Theo, went a long way in endearing the 'ton to me. Bring on that Colin + Penelope pairing, season 3!
Stream it on Netflix 

2. Players
I absolutely adore mockumentary series with high production values that balance humor with real drama. Off the top of my head, this list includes "American Vandal" one of my top shows of 2017, and now "Players," a new series from the creators of... "American Vandal." Taking you behind the scenes of the cutthroat world of professional e-sports, "Players" rides the line between the ridiculous (the main character's gamer name is "Creamcheese") and the believable extremely well, whipping the audience between poignancy and hilarity at breakneck speeds. It kept me on my toes, made me laugh out loud, and left me wondering what Cream, Organizm, and the rest of the Fugitive gamers would be up to now.
Stream it on Paramount+ 

1. The Bear
"The Bear" is one giant ball of tense, anxiety-inducing excellence. And I loved it. From the opening scene to that final surprising, promising shot, "The Bear" was an absolute ride. The story of a world-class chef who finds himself back at his family's local Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop unfolded in exhilarating sequences of beautiful food preparation, stressful business-ownership, and sharply realistic characters—mostly fighting with and yelling at each other. At the center of it all is Jeremy Allen White's Carmy, an expert chef setting out to prove himself, lead his kitchen, and process some heavy grief. It all culminates in a series of smart revelations and one of the best television monologues I've ever seen, delivered deftly and emotionally by Jeremy Allen White. 
Stream it on Hulu

Honorable Mention: Murderville, Starstruck, The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window

I just want to add a note that many of the shows I watched and ranked as favorites in previous years are still releasing new episodes—namely Cobra Kai (Netflix), Girls 5Eva (Netflix), Never Have I Ever (Netflix), and Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). These shows are still killing the game, and if you didn't take me up on it before, go check them out now! 

My Three Favorite Events of 2022

3. August Galveston Trip
At the beginning of August, I escaped the confines of my house (I'd recently gotten over Covid) and enjoyed the best, most leisurely long weekend at the beach house. For a few days it was just me, my stack of books, coffee and cinnamon rolls, and easygoing trips to the beach. Then I was joined by my parents and brother, and Dad treated the four of us to a delicious, fancy dinner at a restaurant overlooking Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn. It was fun and special and delightful and I am more than ready to go back. (How 'bout it, Dad?)

2. Oregon College Friends Trip
Last spring, Julie and I flew up to Oregon to see Dani and get away for a girls trip in Bend! It was so fun not only to get some face time with two of the best, but to do it in such a cool, tourist-y setting! We shopped at cute stores, ate amazing food, hiked the gorgeous Deschutes river trail, saw Dani's home/family/horses, watched "West Side Story" (😏), and talked non-stop. It was good for my soul, and I can't wait to Girls Trip again with them soon!

1. Family Time in Galveston + Christmas
There's truly nothing better in the world to me than being with all of my people, relaxing and enjoying time together at the beach house. This year we rode the ferry, sang karaoke, went go carting, swam in the canal, took the boat out, threw all the water balloons, ate ice cream on the Strand, went to see the peacocks, and took many, many trips to the beach. It was heaven on earth.
 

Then in December, the whole family got together again to celebrate Christmas in Houston! I could write a whole paragraph about it, or you could just press play on this video:

Honorable Mention: Dallas Fan Expo/Hobbit reunion with Lara, Clay singing "Red and Black" from Les Miserables AT KARAOKE, March trip to Phoenix, Dani's book "Buzz the Not-So-Brave" finally releasing, Austin pool day with Ellie, double feature movie day with Stacy, and Taco Club!