My Favourites of 2025
Jan. 3rd, 2026 09:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wyrmloreSo it's been a hot minute since I last posted. 2025 has been a rather ... rough year for me with some ongoing issues. I've set some things in motion to address some of these, but it will take time so they'll largely continue in 2026 and I'll have to find a way to deal with whatever comes of it. For 2026, I'm doing my best, but I'm trying to be nicer to myself and to give myself more grace. As frustrating and overwhelming these things are, I did dust myself off and kept trying. I also learned to appreciate the small things more.
On that note, I decided to at least share my favourite books, anime, manga, video games, and movies of 2026.
Books
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
Though I've read some other works by Kawakami before, I was pleasantly surprised when I got to this one. It's a bit longer, even a bit meandering, but I appreciated how reflective this book was, both on a personal level for the main character, as well as how complicated it can be to navigate womanhood. It's a rather slow book, especially in the second half, and there was a transphobic moment in chapter 3.
Spear by Nicola Griffith
I've read my fair share of Arthurian adaptation by now, but Spear still managed to do something new. It's a novella, and I was initially a bit worried because the writing style, though beautiful, made it a bit difficult to connect to the main character. It did pick up, and I loved the atmosphere and the way this book handled the Grail Quest.
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
I love the books by Becky Chambers and this was no exception. Another novella, this one deals with four people who travel to four different planets. I found it really interesting how the characters reflected on life, on not seeing their loved again, the point of their journeys, and the toll it all eventually takes on the characters. Good stuff.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
I'm all here for The Hunger Games revival! I was a bit wary that Sunrise on the Reaping was a bit of a cash grab, but I enjoyed The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes so I was also hopeful. It did not disappoint! Haymitch's backstory was engaging and more tragic than the original trilogy lets on. Some parts get quite gruesome. Loved the nods towards the trilogy and Ballad. I also appreciated what Collins managed to say with this story about propaganda and the different ways something can be framed, a very relevant topic these days.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A nonfiction about indingenous wisdom, appreciating and connecting with nature, and reciprocity. This book had many valuable insights that made me pause and consider, such as how we take what nature gives us for granted without wondering where it came from, how we often don't know. From a sustainablity/environmentalist lens, as well as conscious consumerism, this is an essential read.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
A sapphic retelling of Carmilla with female rage? Sign me up. Though I wanted more of Carmilla in this story, I appreciated what this story had to say about the role of women in society during that time, and how it portrayed both hunger and female rage bubbling beneath the surface.
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
I've been enjoying the Murderbot books (Murderbot is both funny and too relatable) and this was no exception. I love how this tied the threads of the previous books together and rounded off all loose ends. The interaction of the other characters with Murderbot was also very heartwarming.
Grave Empire by Richard Swan
I really loved the Empire of the Wolf series by this author, but I was a bit wary about this one. It takes place several hundreds or so years after the previous trilogy, but it can be read as a stand alone. Authors expanding their worlds like this has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me, but Swan delivered in this first book. The mystery and horror elements were set up really well, and the reveal of what is going on is really scary to think about. I appreciated the different perspectives, even if one of them is a very despicable character (though very necessary for the plot, it's interesting to have a villain character included in the POV's). I'm curious how Swan will continue the rest of the series.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
I loved Sword of Kaigen so I had expectations for this one. I was a bit wary of the magic school setting, I've definitely outgrown those, but I still decided to try it. I enjoyed what Wang did with the setting and worldbuilding. Though the main character is arrogant and even dismissive of the struggles of her marginalized assistant, I appreciated that she was at least willing to learn. The twist didn't come as a total surprise, considering I read Sword of Kaigen I suspected something to come up, but I love how Wang handled it and how the main character decided to address things. Blood Over Bright Haven is not subtle, but it does have something to say about oppression and living in excess at the cost of others. Sound familiar.
Manga
Delicous in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui
This manga is proof that, sometimes, you have to give the series a second chance. I read the first volume once years before but it didn't click. I tried again after giving the anime adaptation a go (which managed to catch my interest especially in the second half), and it quickly became on of my favourite fantasy manga series. I love how it pulls you in with the gag of adventurers having to cook monsters, but delivers a well-thought out plot with layers and excellent worldbuilding by the time you're attached to these wonderful dorks. Love all the thought Kui put into the character designs and the world, as well.
Anime
The Summer Hikaru Died
This series is both an intriguing mystery and a very tender story between 'Hikaru' and Yoshiki. The horror is very atmosphere (looks like I have a thing for small Japanese towns in my horror) and the animation is also beautiful. Also, points for it being queer!
Delicious in Dungeon
Am I cheating? Likely, but this is my list. In addition to what I said about the manga, the animation and voice acting really brings the story and characters to life. The 1st opening by Bump of Chicken is super catchy, too!
Natsume's Book of Friends S3
I'm going through this series rather slowly, but I really enjoyed how this season showcased Natsume's character development and learning to rely on others for a bit. Sensei/Madara is such a tsundere, though! Also, loved seeing more yokai appearing. I'll definitely watch S4 some time!
Video games
Octopath Traveler
Finishing a game as long and grindy as this is certainly an accomplishment! At least, I finished all 8 character stories, I didn't bother with the secret boss. That said, loved the vibes and the soundtrack. The battle system was satisfying, I enjoyed most of the character stories, and I basically had a good time despite the grindiness and the difficulty spikes.
Endling: Extinction is Forever
This game hits like a truck. You're a mother fox trying to find her missing fox kit while feeding her three remaining ones while the environment becomes increasingly polluted. The environmental message isn't subtle at all and this game was stressful to play at times, but it was still doable to keep all the kits alive. I bawled at the ending.
Shout out to Cat Quest 3 for also being really enjoyable and punny.
Films
Sinners
I think a lot has already been said about this movie by smarter people than me, but this was a very good vampire movie. It didn't just do something new, but also managed to put a layer of colonialism, racism, and one's ancestral roots through culture and music at its core. Really appreciated it.
The Princess Bride
Yes I never watched this before, but I found a new comfort movie. This movie is SO much fun while still maintaining an emotional layer
Maurice
An older movie, but I appreciated how tender the relationship between the two main characters was (despite them being two white rich boys), despite how their relationship ended. I also enjoyed that the main character still found happiness in the end.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Yep, I've been watching some queer movies. Another very tender period piece taking place in France. Loved seeing the relationship between the two female main characters blossom. It's also a very beautiful movie.
Shout out to Cabaret for being very, very chilling. Especially with how recent times seem to be playing out.
.
On that note, I decided to at least share my favourite books, anime, manga, video games, and movies of 2026.
Books
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
Though I've read some other works by Kawakami before, I was pleasantly surprised when I got to this one. It's a bit longer, even a bit meandering, but I appreciated how reflective this book was, both on a personal level for the main character, as well as how complicated it can be to navigate womanhood. It's a rather slow book, especially in the second half, and there was a transphobic moment in chapter 3.
Spear by Nicola Griffith
I've read my fair share of Arthurian adaptation by now, but Spear still managed to do something new. It's a novella, and I was initially a bit worried because the writing style, though beautiful, made it a bit difficult to connect to the main character. It did pick up, and I loved the atmosphere and the way this book handled the Grail Quest.
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
I love the books by Becky Chambers and this was no exception. Another novella, this one deals with four people who travel to four different planets. I found it really interesting how the characters reflected on life, on not seeing their loved again, the point of their journeys, and the toll it all eventually takes on the characters. Good stuff.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
I'm all here for The Hunger Games revival! I was a bit wary that Sunrise on the Reaping was a bit of a cash grab, but I enjoyed The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes so I was also hopeful. It did not disappoint! Haymitch's backstory was engaging and more tragic than the original trilogy lets on. Some parts get quite gruesome. Loved the nods towards the trilogy and Ballad. I also appreciated what Collins managed to say with this story about propaganda and the different ways something can be framed, a very relevant topic these days.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A nonfiction about indingenous wisdom, appreciating and connecting with nature, and reciprocity. This book had many valuable insights that made me pause and consider, such as how we take what nature gives us for granted without wondering where it came from, how we often don't know. From a sustainablity/environmentalist lens, as well as conscious consumerism, this is an essential read.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
A sapphic retelling of Carmilla with female rage? Sign me up. Though I wanted more of Carmilla in this story, I appreciated what this story had to say about the role of women in society during that time, and how it portrayed both hunger and female rage bubbling beneath the surface.
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
I've been enjoying the Murderbot books (Murderbot is both funny and too relatable) and this was no exception. I love how this tied the threads of the previous books together and rounded off all loose ends. The interaction of the other characters with Murderbot was also very heartwarming.
Grave Empire by Richard Swan
I really loved the Empire of the Wolf series by this author, but I was a bit wary about this one. It takes place several hundreds or so years after the previous trilogy, but it can be read as a stand alone. Authors expanding their worlds like this has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me, but Swan delivered in this first book. The mystery and horror elements were set up really well, and the reveal of what is going on is really scary to think about. I appreciated the different perspectives, even if one of them is a very despicable character (though very necessary for the plot, it's interesting to have a villain character included in the POV's). I'm curious how Swan will continue the rest of the series.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
I loved Sword of Kaigen so I had expectations for this one. I was a bit wary of the magic school setting, I've definitely outgrown those, but I still decided to try it. I enjoyed what Wang did with the setting and worldbuilding. Though the main character is arrogant and even dismissive of the struggles of her marginalized assistant, I appreciated that she was at least willing to learn. The twist didn't come as a total surprise, considering I read Sword of Kaigen I suspected something to come up, but I love how Wang handled it and how the main character decided to address things. Blood Over Bright Haven is not subtle, but it does have something to say about oppression and living in excess at the cost of others. Sound familiar.
Manga
Delicous in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui
This manga is proof that, sometimes, you have to give the series a second chance. I read the first volume once years before but it didn't click. I tried again after giving the anime adaptation a go (which managed to catch my interest especially in the second half), and it quickly became on of my favourite fantasy manga series. I love how it pulls you in with the gag of adventurers having to cook monsters, but delivers a well-thought out plot with layers and excellent worldbuilding by the time you're attached to these wonderful dorks. Love all the thought Kui put into the character designs and the world, as well.
Anime
The Summer Hikaru Died
This series is both an intriguing mystery and a very tender story between 'Hikaru' and Yoshiki. The horror is very atmosphere (looks like I have a thing for small Japanese towns in my horror) and the animation is also beautiful. Also, points for it being queer!
Delicious in Dungeon
Am I cheating? Likely, but this is my list. In addition to what I said about the manga, the animation and voice acting really brings the story and characters to life. The 1st opening by Bump of Chicken is super catchy, too!
Natsume's Book of Friends S3
I'm going through this series rather slowly, but I really enjoyed how this season showcased Natsume's character development and learning to rely on others for a bit. Sensei/Madara is such a tsundere, though! Also, loved seeing more yokai appearing. I'll definitely watch S4 some time!
Video games
Octopath Traveler
Finishing a game as long and grindy as this is certainly an accomplishment! At least, I finished all 8 character stories, I didn't bother with the secret boss. That said, loved the vibes and the soundtrack. The battle system was satisfying, I enjoyed most of the character stories, and I basically had a good time despite the grindiness and the difficulty spikes.
Endling: Extinction is Forever
This game hits like a truck. You're a mother fox trying to find her missing fox kit while feeding her three remaining ones while the environment becomes increasingly polluted. The environmental message isn't subtle at all and this game was stressful to play at times, but it was still doable to keep all the kits alive. I bawled at the ending.
Shout out to Cat Quest 3 for also being really enjoyable and punny.
Films
Sinners
I think a lot has already been said about this movie by smarter people than me, but this was a very good vampire movie. It didn't just do something new, but also managed to put a layer of colonialism, racism, and one's ancestral roots through culture and music at its core. Really appreciated it.
The Princess Bride
Yes I never watched this before, but I found a new comfort movie. This movie is SO much fun while still maintaining an emotional layer
Maurice
An older movie, but I appreciated how tender the relationship between the two main characters was (despite them being two white rich boys), despite how their relationship ended. I also enjoyed that the main character still found happiness in the end.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Yep, I've been watching some queer movies. Another very tender period piece taking place in France. Loved seeing the relationship between the two female main characters blossom. It's also a very beautiful movie.
Shout out to Cabaret for being very, very chilling. Especially with how recent times seem to be playing out.
.
