Happy December, happy holidays, and happy last month of 2024! (As delightfully kooky youtuber Jenna Marbles once said, this year felt both short and terribly and insufferably long at the same time.)
My fellow HOTS writers and I thought we’d switch things up a little this month. In the spirit of gift giving and shelf picks—which is a personalized reading recommendation service where library staff introduce you to titles based on your preferences—we thought we’d do a sort of Secret Santa exchange of recommendations.
And thus, this post is dedicated to Claire and what I think (and hope!) she might like to read and watch, in the event she hasn’t yet. I gotta confess, this was a nerve-wracking test of how familiar I am with Claire’s taste and preferences.
Aiming to not give a gift that sucks, I revisited some of Claire’s posts and took literal and actual notes, by hand, in a notebook, to then do research with. I’m hoping that paid off! I’m also hoping you—dear reader—will find this list of recommendations to be a gift as well (pun fully intended).
Without further ado, onto the list!
Spanning several generations from newcomers to Oscar Award-winning veterans this volume features a discussion of the movies that shaped the careers of these filmmakers and, in turn, cinema history. Here, directors including Peter Bogdanovich, Kimberly Peirce, Arthur Hiller, and John Waters, explore the film they saw at an especially formative moment, how it influenced their own work or, in some cases, led them to tell stories through movies themselves, as well as the effects it had on their thoughts about cinema.
Why I recommend it: it’s a fascinating look at the impact of cinema on creative minds, and I always like getting glimpses into other people’s brains and what appeals to them. As a film lover, I thought Claire might like it too!
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul. What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece? Pressfield identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success. The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.
Why I recommend it: Claire is a writer and so am I, and it feels like I’m constantly grappling with writer’s block, which is really just a technical term for crippling self-doubt and self-criticism preventing me from getting the words on the blasted page. I hope this book will help both of us win the battle against that all-too-common internalized negativity!
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'” — Lamott
Why I recommend it: again, because we’re both writers. But this is a more of an inspirational guide—akin to a hug and a commiserating, understanding grin—than it is a technical one, which is sometimes all that anyone needs! Just for someone to say ‘I totally get it…here’s what I might do if I were you’.
In New Jersey, Finbar McBride is a four-foot-tall lonely man who chooses to live the life of a hermit in an abandoned train yard following the death of his friend. While he is there, he unexpectedly meets and befriends a couple of fellow loners.
Troubled Olivia is an artist devastated by the loss of her son and separation from her husband, while carefree and friendly Joe runs a hot dog stand. The three unlikely friends each deal with their urge to connect compared with their individual need for isolation.
Why I recommend it: this is a touching and beautifully acted film that explores themes of loneliness and connection, which I think most people are grappling with in this day and age. It’s considered a dramedy, but ymmv with regards to how laugh-out-loud funny you actually find it.
A bedridden patient in a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles befriends a fellow patient and shares a fantastic tale of heroes, myths, and villains on a desert island with the little girl.
Why I recommend it: first of all, it’s one of my favourite movies ever. It’s visually stunning, stars the always-fantastic Lee Pace, and made me absolute bawl my eyes out. Which…is perhaps not the most motivational way to get anyone to watch it, but what I mean is that it was a really moving and unexpectedly cathartic exploration of addiction and grief, the triumphs and vagaries of the human spirit, and the inherent magic and healing of connection and storytelling. And! We’re finally getting it on Blu-Ray, which it absolutely deserves!
A personal ad placed for a time-travel partner prompts an investigation involving three magazine reporters in this quirky comedy. Kenneth is a self-proclaimed time traveler who doesn’t want to take his next journey alone. Intrigued by Kenneth’s cryptic ad, a local newspaper editor dispatches cynical reporter Darius and a pair of other employees to get the scoop. Upon meeting Kenneth, Darius see past his peculiar front and recognizes the lonely soul inside. As genuine as Kenneth may be, however, his questionable sanity leaves Darius uncertain of how to proceed with her story.
Why I recommend it: I’ll be honest and admit I tend to enjoy anything Aubrey Plaza is in, but since this list isn’t about me, I will also point out it stars Mark Duplass of New Girl, where was heartwarmingly funny in and which doubles as a show that Claire likes. Beyond the star factor, this movie also perfectly blends humor with heartfelt moments.
This quirky, award-winning British miniseries is about two friends whose hobby is metal detecting. If that sounds absolutely mind-numbing as a concept for your average situation comedy, let’s say that it’s all in the execution. Treasure hunters Andy and Lance scour northern Essex for long-buried Saxon treasure. When the two aren’t searching the fields of fictional Danbury, they are plodding through un-demanding jobs and trying to maintain their relationships with their female friends—Andy’s long-suffering girlfriend and Lance’s manipulative but still loved ex-wife. Lance and Andy occasionally fall out, but their friendship sustains both of them as they lurch through life.
Why I recommend it: it’s a charming and understated show with a lot of heart, perfect for those who appreciate lived experiences and gentle humor, or who feel just a tad overwhelmed and want something light to put on and watch while relaxing without actually indulging in brainrot.
Crumbling country mansion Button House is home to restless spirits who’ve died there over the centuries. Each a product of their time, they’re thrown together for eternity, resigned to squabble over mundane daily gripes. But their lives or rather afterlives are thrown into turmoil when young urban couple Alison and Mike unexpectedly inherit the peaceful derelict house and plan to turn it into a bustling hotel. As the ghosts attempt to oust the newcomers, and Alison and Mike discover the true scale of the project they’ve taken on, fate conspires to trap both sides in an impossible houseshare.
Why I recommend it: it’s got a unique blend of humor and heart, with a focus on character-driven storytelling, which I always love and I’m hoping Claire will too. More generally, I’d also recommend it for fans of What We Do In the Shadows.
And that’s it for my list! Happy holidays, Claire and everyone!