Kimberlee K.

The first favorites post of 2024, cute!

I’m really trying to focus in on who I am at this very moment because every December I forget who January/February Kim was and feel like she surely existed years earlier. But alas, here I am, here we are, the January/February versions of ourselves, guiding us through the beginning of the year, doing our very best.

Let’s get into it.

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Books

I heard so much hype around Remarkably Bright Creatures that I was nervous it wouldn’t live up to it. And while I’ll admit that it starts off a *little* slow and there are moments when I wondered, “what do these pieces have to do with each other?” it all comes together in the end, and it was a truly beautiful story. It’s kind of hard to explain the plot, but one of the main characters is an octopus so…just read it.

I heard about The Christmas Orphans Club on the Bad on Paper podcast because it was written by co-host Becca Freeman. Knowing her love of reading and writing, I was excited to read her first book and it did not disappoint. It follows a group of friends who don’t have anywhere to go on Christmas, so they team up and treat the day as an invitation for adventure. It’s a very sweet book all about the ups and downs of friendship. Loved it.

Speaking of friendship, BFF: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found is one of the most honest books I’ve ever read. Author Christie Tate deep dives into her life and her history of friendships, both good and bad. I thought she did such a great job highlighting some of the hardest parts of friendship, and the wounds it can leave when it ends, or just don’t flourish the way you hoped. I think it highlights our humanness very well and the ways in which we’re all imperfect, but trying our best to learn and improve.

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Podcasts

Impossible to Say is hosted by friends Emily Proctor and Kat Wellington and is essentially one big catch up and gossip session. Near the end of each episode they read questions from listeners who are looking for advice, and it’s like the perfect little night cap to an hour spent listening to my (parasocial) friends chat. I also love their sense of humor and the sarcastic way they say, “yay,” to things that are actually terrible. It is becoming part of my personality and I won’t apologize for it.

You Had to be There challenges journalists to interview someone who was present at a historic event. The kicker is they only have 48 hours to find that person after they are assigned the event. So each episode is a fun combination of interviews and scavenger hunting.

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TV Shows

As I continue to wait for the return of the final season of Yellowstone, I watched one of the prequels, 1923. It definitely has the same gritty vibe as Yellowstone, and a new cast of characters to root for. Admittedly, there were some plotlines that were hard to watch, but I blew through the season and I am excited for the next one. (find it on Paramount+)

Oh yes! I also spent a few February evenings sobbing over One Day. Having never seen the original movie, I knew it was going to be sad but I didn’t know *why.* Now I know and it broke my little heart. But it was so so good. Such a beautiful story of love and friendship and the many different directions life will take us. (find it on Netflix)

And finally, in case you were worried, I am fully back in my World War II era. Masters of the Air, which serves as a companion series to both Band of Brothers and The Pacific, follows the 100^th Bomb Group, a unit of the Airforce stationed in England during World War II. Once again, I am immediately in awe of the sacrifices made to protect the freedoms we enjoy today, and the bravery of so many that we should never forget. New episodes are released every Friday. (find it on AppleTV+)

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Movies

The Boys in the Boat follows the University of Washington rowing team in their quest for the 1936 Summer Olympics, and as a HUGE Olympics fan this was such an exciting watch. Who doesn’t love an underdog story? And who doesn’t want to see sports bring people together? Also, rowing looks SO hard.

I have been trying to check off all of the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars next month and I recently watched Past Lives on a plane. It tells the story of childhood best friends who reconnect after years apart, and the complexities of accepting where life has taken you. This one hits you right in the heart.

Next on the Best Picture list: The Holdovers. It is set at a boarding school in New England, and follows a teacher, a cafeteria worker, and a student who remain at the school over winter break. It is a wonderful collision of lives and a reminder that we are all going through something. This is already one of my favorites of the Oscar nominees.

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Music

I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) by Teddy Swims

New Hymns by Forrest Frank

Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson

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YouTube

I have been recommending Emkfit to all my friends! Her HIIT dance workouts are so fun and go by so fast. They are the perfect pick me up and a great way to get in a quick workout during your week. She hooked me with this Eras Tour workout, and I’ve been slowly making my way through her catalogue ever since.

I’ve also been loving Natacha Océane’s channel. I came across her 100 mile Ultramarathon video and loved how upbeat and honest she was about the whole process. She is so smart and driven and truly loves exercise and health as a science and it is inspiring! 🙂

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Inbox

I have rampant commitment issues when it comes to newsletters, but there are some that keep me hooked and always make me excited to see the latest edition hit my inbox. Handpicked by Alex Steele is one that I’ve been loving lately. It is a cozy, quick read with great recommendations, and a bunch of beautiful pictures. I loved this issue as well as her deep dive into the Superbowl, which she got to attend with her husband.

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Have anything you’ve been loving over these last couple months? Let me know!

See my previous favorites post here.