~ Books ~

The Westing Game ~ Ellen Raskin

Part mystery novel, part character study, incredibly satisfying. Turtle is a fun protaganist.

East Of Eden ~ John Steinbeck

I like Steinbecks portrayal of ordinary, working-class people and the stories he tells with them. I think what I like most of all is his ability to take the ordinary and make it poetic.

The Man Who Was Thursday ~ G. K. Chesterton

A totally bonkers story about governments and anarchies told in ridicoulous ways. One of the funniest books I've read. You owe it to yourself to read this one.

~ Movies ~

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Ennio Morricone's score alone makes this worth watching.

Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind

I like how Nausicaa is portrayed as a saviour figure and a genuinely good person, and that it works really well. Most fiction that attempts that kind of thing ends up with boring main characters.

Jaws

Cinematography is unmatched, and the escalation in tension is very well paced.

~ Music ~

Music Has The Rights To Children ~ Boards Of Canada

I wish I could listen to this for the first time again. I've never found anything that captures the uneasiness and nostalgia of childhood so well. Masterful work.

Those Who Throw Objects At The Crocodiles Will Be Asked To Retrieve Them ~ Bruno Pernadas

Great jazzy soul music. Also has the best album name ever.

The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds ~ Funki Porcini

Trip hop from this era can sound a little repititive to my ears, but this is a notable exception. Good stuff.

Porcupine ~ Echo And The Bunnymen

I don't ever hear a lot of people talk about this band, which is a shame since they have some killer albums. Sounds like if the Doors made a punk album. Sort of.

Psychopomp ~ Japanese Breakfast

Harsh and heartfelt dream pop. Back half of the album isn't quite as good, but those first few songs are bliss.

~ Games ~

Sable ~ Shedworks

BOTW with no combat and chill vibes. For an open-world game primarily made by two people it's punching well above its weight, and the art style is eye candy. Great story too.

Dr Langeskov, The Tiger, And The Terribly Cursed Emerald ~ Crows Crows Crows

A very short game (about twenty minutes) with razor sharp humor and a lot of wit, created by one of the Stanley Parable devs. Also happens to be free, so now you have no excuse to not play it.

Outer Wilds ~ Mobius Digital

Outer Wilds is my favorite game ever made just because of how clever it is. It's truly absurd that they were able to combine so many unique gameplay and aesthetic elements into one perfectly polished package, and then managed to follow that up with an engrossing story. I cannot reccomend this game enough (but go into it blind or you'll ruin it.)