Issue #70: May 2025 Favorites
Two Netflix shows, a book I cannot get out of my head, a blast from the past and more
I had planned to write a whole Substack about turning 40, but it just felt forced because nothing is really different. Birthdays always bring some time for reflection, but I just feel fortunate and grateful right now, and it feels good to sit in that.
I do believe the decades between turning 40 and turning 60 will be a perfect in-between time. You’re old enough to have fond memories to look back on and lessons that you’ve learned, but you’re young enough to have so much to look forward to and exciting life things to come. You’re in between. It’s like a life sandwich, and maybe this is the best part.
So much of life is about the small moments and appreciating the daily routines and tiny glimmers of magic while they are happening. However, taking a moment to look back and look forward is beneficial. Be comfortable, more confident, and enjoy the shit you’ve worked hard for. I've already written a letter to my younger self, so let’s just leave that as my big 40th birthday post.
Now, let’s get into the usual end-of-month favorites. If you only take two from this list, let it be the last two.
📺 The Four Seasons
This Netflix show follows six friends over the course of one year, exploring how their relationships and lives change when one couple gets divorced. Just because you see Tina Fey and Steve Carell, beware that it’s not a comedy. Some parts were tragic, and others were incredibly heartwarming. I love a show that can be relatable for people, and while this would have seemed far-fetched to 30-year-old me, I’m realizing now that life is crazier than you think. It makes me want to watch the movie that the show was based on, and makes me want to travel with our couple friends more.
🍪 Frosted Sugar Cookies
For my birthday party, I had the best frosted sugar cookies made by my friend’s mom. There were leftovers, and I ate one every morning with coffee for a week. It was glorious. You cannot go wrong with cookies for any special occasion - no plates or silverware required. And if you’re lucky to have leftovers, it will bring extra joy to your morning routines.
🍹 D R E A M S I C L E from Maren Morris
I’ve had plenty of Maren Morris songs on playlists over the last few years, but I would not have called myself a huge fan. This album was released, and I haven’t stopped listening to it this month. I’m a big fan of people still show up, cut! and carry me through, but it’s an album I can listen to from front to back.
📷 Disposable Cameras
When I think about leaving my phone tucked in a backpack or at home, the thing that’s hardest for me is having a camera. My camera is too big to carry around, so we’ve been buying packs of disposable cameras for the last few months, and it is an absolute delight. We used them for my 40th birthday party, and while you’ll get some pics with eyes closed, it’s a fun way to relive the day a week later.
👯♀️ Giggly Squad
I’m a huge Paige Desorbo fan from Summer House, but I never listened to her Giggly Squad podcast until recently. I didn’t stop at the podcast; I’ve also watched their new YouTube series where they “try new things.” I’m fully entertained by these two and their dynamic. It’s so much more than you get on a reality show that only films on weekends in the Hamptons.
📲 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
This is one of those books that points out things that we’ve all heard, but it does it in a way that makes you rethink your behaviors and tell everyone you know to read it. I don’t have children, but this book has shifted the way I want to act around the kids in my life and be more mindful of my phone habits. It also helps me understand an issue that will be (or already is) front and center in the lives of my friends who are parents and teachers. I wrote a piece on phones in schools last year and was fortunate enough to talk to some brilliant researchers and academics on this topic, but this book gave more depth and easy-to-understand trends.
Grab a copy here and support an independent bookseller (or download an audiobook or Kindle version here.)
⛪️ The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
This show is just fascinating to me. If you are a reality TV show person and have not jumped in on this one yet, you’re missing out. Considering that I know or care a minimal amount about the Mormon church or TikTok influencing, it’s crazy how much I get sucked into this show. Season two was better than season one, and I’m happy to discuss at length, but I will admit that I do not keep up with the drama outside of the show, and apparently, these women have been on every podcast in the last few weeks, getting really shady. Bring on season three.
🌊 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
I finished this book in three days and have not stopped thinking about it since. I regret not picking this for book club. A woman washes ashore on an island that is home to only a seed vault and a research station. The story jumps between the perspectives of the woman, a father who has lived on the island for years, and his three children. It’s a book about grief, climate change, and love.
Grab a copy here and support an independent bookseller (or grab a Kindle version here.)
🇨🇦 North of North
I love sitcoms set in unique locations, and this Netflix show is set in the very northern part of Canada. The main character is Siaja, a young Inuk woman, played by Anna Lambe, who is from this region. She is leaving her marriage and trying to reinvent herself in her tiny, tight-knit community. It’s a great cast and an easy show to watch when you need something happy and funny. Plus, Chloe from 24 is the quirky town manager, and she was also perfect. The show was filmed in Nunavut, and the Arctic backdrop is stunning. The music, costumes, it’s all perfect. They have already signed up for a second season, and I cannot wait.
There were a few things I consumed last month that weren’t my favorites, but I want to yap about them somewhere.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an American classic, right? I just read it for the first time as an adult because we are about to read James for book club. It was NOT easy to get through. I would love to be a fly on the wall, listening to a middle school class discuss this book today. Is it still taught regularly?
I love television shows featuring rich people doing bad things, but Sirens did not hit for me. I got sick last week and quarantined myself at home, so I watched the entire show in a day. It was good enough to keep me going, but the ending was just weird.
While Sirens wasn’t the best show, I still think Meghann Fahey should be in so many things. I loved this profile of her.
Planning an international trip, here are my 10 steps to planning without missing anything important.
Something I definitely didn’t have on my Gen Z bingo card was Buzzballs being a cool drink.
I love a property tour like this with multiple buildings featuring the most incredible view.
Currently listening to Reputation and feeling great about it because Taylor Swift got the rights to all of her masters back. I can only imagine how happy she must be after this long battle.
We just sent this game to our Godson, and I’m hoping he can beat it. It’s an easy-to-learn card game that is very challenging to actually win.
I love everything about this summer dress, but I just know that if I wear it, it will look comical. I’m still tempted to try it from Nuuly and see.
Hope your group chat is solving the world’s problems, or at the very least, sending multiple photos of Pedro Pascal just being himself. That works for me.
Cheers!
Steph
**Reminder: Some of the links included are affiliate links. Purchasing through them may give me a few pennies, but it won’t cost you any extra. The pennies help me justify the amount of time I spend watching bad TV to share with all of you. Another way to help is to share this, hit the like button, or even drop a comment with something you have loved this month. And if you’re really inspired, you can pledge your support.
Worth a try on the Nuuly rental for the Bettina — it looks so good on the model! But, for me was hilariously bad. It was huge everywhere except for the elastic arm hole bands which nearly cut my skin. 🤣