Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
Somehow I completely slept on B+S until just a couple months ago, when my friend David told me that this was one of his all time favorite albums. So I listened to it, but somehow I decided it was kinda boring and over-intellectual. But then luckily I listened to it a couple more times and it began to dawn on me that this was one of the greatest albums I had ever heard. It seems obvious and quaint and straightforward upon first listen. But it is incredibly intricate and subtle and so so so catchy. Some of the melodies will just break your heart. Listen for the melody. The lyrics are so tender and clever. It is a full album in every way. It takes a bit of time to sink in but when it does you won't be able to stop singing it in your head.
Solvej Balle - On The Calculation of Volume
I devoured all three of the currently translated books from this 7 book series in like, a month. I think these books are one of those love it or hate it things. I couldn't put them down. I can't wait for book 4. I don't know what to do with myself. I have read very few books that made me appreciate the simple things of my life so much. Like the fact that I wake up each day and it is a new day. What a blessing. These books are built on a cliched premise but they are written so incredibly and with so much depth that you truly believe in the character's dilemma. People on Goodreads absolutely hate this book. I think they're dumb but maybe I am just weird.
Liz Pelly - Mood Machine
Chronicles the history and impact of music streaming from the end of the CD era up until the present. Cannot recommend this enough if you care about music and how we listen to it.
