My favorite part of writing recommendation lists is imagining someone finding something new that they love, and experiencing the same excitement I did when I first saw/watched/listened to it.
I also get excited thinking about all the new things I will discover in the new year.
Thank you to all the wonderful creative people out there doing and making things that we can all enjoy.
*Note: Not everything on this list came out this year, I just found it this year*
Books
My Lost Brothers by Brendan McDonough
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman
The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon
Podcasts
That’s the Point
Bad on Paper
Podcrushed
Playing Along with Norah Jones
Coffee with Kailey
Giggly Squad
It’s Going to Be Okay
Scamanda
The Broski Report
Wiser than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
TV Shows
Lessons in Chemistry
The Chosen
Everything I Know About Love
Special Forces
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Shrinking
Band of Brothers
A Small Light
The Last of Us
Yellowstone
Movies
A Good Person
Oppenheimer
Love at First Sight
Flora and Son
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
The Menu
No Hard Feelings
Barbie
Banshees of Inisherin
Sitting in Bars with Cake
Music
Jesus Changed My Life by Katy Nichole
Church Pew by Riley Clemmons
Boys of Faith by Zach Bryan
Silence Between Songs by Madison Beer
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat by Kelsea Ballerini
Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) by Noah Kahan
Broken By Desire to be Heavenly Sent by Lewis Capaldi
Snow Angel by Reneé Rapp
Unreal Unearth by Hozier
Higher by Chris Stapleton
YouTube
Fun, easy to follow cooking videos that teach me a lot about food and encourage me to try something new.
Inspiring workout videos that make me laugh and encourage me to pursue new fitness goals.
Refreshing and hilarious red carpet interviews and Chicken Shop Dates with celebrities.
Lots of free workout plans that are challenging but not impossible. I have been slowly going through the HR12Week 3.0 and I feel strong after every workout!
In a wonderful moment on the internet, a Tik Tok made this fisherman’s channel go viral and his videos are so pure and relaxing.
Newsletters & Devotionals
I mentioned this in my best things I bought this year, but thought I’d include it here too. It’s one of my favorite devotionals I’ve ever done, and I plan on doing it again next year.
This always teaches me something new, and/or leaves me refreshed and inspired.
This weekly companion to the Giggly Squad podcast highlights some of the recommendations given in each episode, including clothes, TV shows, home decor, and the occasional recipe.
A fun addition to your Friday inbox that comes chockful of recommendations for the week and a thoughtful essay.
A weekly substack that reads like a blog or a letter from a friend, detailing whatever she’s thinking about, struggling with, or hoping for that week.
A Friend Indeed by Christina Pérez
A weekly newsletter that focuses on ways to live well that always leaves me feeling inspired and contemplative.
Snacks & Recipes
KIND Soft Baked Granola
It’s like granola and chocolate chip cookies had a baby.
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This pita & egg recipe
Easily my favorite weekend breakfast meal. So yummy, so satisfying!
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This chickpea and broccoli salad
Super easy to throw together, and the lemon tahini dressing is delicious.
NYT Games
Wordle, the Mini, Connections, Spelling Bee, all in a day’s work.
Available in the app store
Kimberlee K. 
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