Hello, Again
Did you need another Substack to follow? Good news...
In a never-ending and ever-changing effort to add structure into my writing life, I’m starting a Substack. You’re reading it right now! Maybe we recently met through a friend, or this came across your feed at random. Maybe you’ve known me forever, and have read some version of my words on the internet, from Xanga to MySpace to Blogspot to TinyLetter to Medium and more. Ever since I started podcasting in 2014, I’ve been less inclined to post more regular writing online, outside of the occasional essay filled with deep thoughts that couldn’t be contained by an Instagram caption.
But now I’m a writer, you see, and I have a rich and thriving literary social life sustained almost entirely through the internet, filled with writers I meet in Zoom rooms whose Substacks I eagerly read. So, it felt like time to start my own newsletter, more musings and media recommendations than Deep Thoughts (by Jack Handey).
In the new year, there will be more regular segments, like bookstore and library highlights, recaps of cultural happenings, and hopefully author interviews and more. But since I’m posting the first issue in mid-December, it seemed like a recap of what I loved reading, watching, and listening to would be a good way to start this journey.
So, if you’re just meeting me now—hi, I’m Kat! I’m currently seeking representation for my first novel, Painted Flowers Never Die, a book-club-ready work of speculative fiction. I also host the podcast Feminist Frequency Radio, the show that asks you to be critical of the media you love. I’m happy to have you here!
And if you’re thinking of becoming a paid subscriber, I’ll be including audio versions of my newsletters as a bonus, along with certain segments. I’ll think of them like the meandering voice notes I exchange with friends, and they might include a little more off-the-cuff commentary than what’s in the written posts.
Now, on to the stuff I loved in 2025…
There was so much misery in my city, and in general, this year. But here’s what I read, watched, and listened to that helped get me through:
📚 Words
Count My Lies, Sophie Stava — I reconnected with my old friend Sophie a few months before her debut thriller was published, and it’s been incredible to follow along on her journey from Good Morning America to a miniseries coming to Hulu. Starring Lindsay Lohan, Shailene Woodley, and Kit Harrington, no less! I was completely shocked by the twists and turns of this story, and can’t wait to see it adapted.
Hangman, Maya Binyam — When Maya and I met through an academic mutual, I was initially intimidated to meet the writer of one of the more challenging and inventive literary novels I’ve read in recent years. Wonderfully, she was open and easy to talk to about crafting a first-person narrative, and pursuing a writing career.
Hot Wax, M. L. Rio — When I was in the midst of researching the historical fiction I’ll write one day, M suggested I read James Michener’s 751-page saga The Drifters from 1971, and it was such a great tour through writing about (and of) a different time. At one of her Hot Wax events, she described the structure of her dual-timeline second novel as mimicking that of playing a record. Side A, then side B, spin through their songs from the outside in. It’s a memorable, sensory read, and a must if you love books about music.
The Library Book, Susan Orlean — Come for the sensational story behind the massive 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central Library, stay for the engaging history of a city and the machinations of the library system serving the largest metropolitan population of any in the U.S.
Lucky Seed, Justinian Huang — Cheating here to promote a friend’s book that I haven’t read yet, but it’s on hold in my library queue! He describes it as “Succession meets Crazy Rich Asians” …what more do you need to know?
Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Rufi Thorpe — The narrative voice of this novel was so refreshing, and one of the most fun books I read this year. I can’t wait for the upcoming TV adaptation from David E. Kelley, starring Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman. And Evan Ross Katz’s recap carousels on Instagram that are sure to follow.
The Names, Florence Knapp — I love a “Sliding Doors” concept, like Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library or Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Maybe in Another Life. This one follows three versions of a family, and what would happen if their son is named Gordon, Julian, or Bear. The legacy of trauma, and love, is beautifully written throughout.
People Collide, Isle McElroy — I jumped at the chance to take a “novel openings” workshop from Isle through Blue Stoop, which did not disappoint. But let me just say that their body-swap novel includes a sex scene set at Paris’ Centre Pompidou that is one of the hottest things I’ve ever read.
Romantic Comedy, Curtis Sittenfeld — I’ve only just started reading this one, but the story absolutely jumps off the page.1 The peek behind the curtain of a long-running late-night live sketch show is chock full of keen observations about men and women in comedy, and I’m having a blast reading it.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin — I was told to read this because its exploration of NPCs in video games would be helpful as I was dealing with a similar conundrum in my speculative fiction. I wasn’t told that it would be one of the great stories I’d ever read about grief.
🎬 Sights
Adolescence (2025) — This should be required viewing for everyone currently parenting a young person, or considering becoming a parent.2 Stephen Graham achieves something incredible as an actor, and each episode is a triumph of craft rarely matched.
All That Jazz (1979, dir. Bob Fosse) — It’s unforgivable that it took me until 2025 to watch what may be the most perfect film ever made. (Well, second-most. If you know me, you know how I feel about Magic Mike XXL.) I’ve already said a lot on the record about All That Jazz; listen here.
Big Boys (2022–2025) — The comedy in this show zips by so fast that I’m still laughing at one joke while absorbing the next line being said. Then, an episode will speak so truthfully about mental health or loss that I’ll be a sobbing wreck. This show is so good that I hate to watch more than one episode in a sitting, spreading out my viewing to savor the experience of watching it for the first time.
ER (1994–2009) — My current binge-watch. I’ve just started season four and I’m in the mode where anytime I’m not watching ER, I’m wishing I were watching ER. This started as a holdover before season two of The Pitt, which is coming back so soon I can’t stand it!
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (2025, dir. Shoshannah Stern) — Along with Deaf President Now!, this year saw two excellent documentaries that not only showcase fascinating subjects, but highlight the different techniques Deaf filmmakers can use for powerful storytelling that doesn’t prioritize a hearing audience. Sara Nović’s wonderful novel True Biz touches on the mythological concept of Eyeth, a Deaf utopia where everything from architecture to urban planning celebrates the Deaf experience. Stern’s film is a portrait of Marlee Matlin, a woman that has been an icon in Hollywood since she became the youngest person to win the Best Actress Oscar at 21. It doesn’t cater to voiceovers or audio cues, letting ASL and burnt-in onscreen captions do the work for viewers who don’t sign.
Mississippi Masala (1991, dir. Mira Nair)
Outlander: Blood of My Blood (2025) — At some point, I’ll have to write a newsletter about the intense relationship I’ve had with the world Diana Gabaldon created in her Outlander universe. It’s serious. I didn’t expect too much from the spinoff prequel series that debuted on Starz this year, but I found myself absolutely swooning for the characters almost as much as I’m devoted to Claire and Jamie from the original.
Sinners (2025, dir. Ryan Coogler) — It seems likely that Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another will win the Best Picture Oscar, and it won’t be undeserved. But Sinners gave me everything promised by the cinematic viewing experience and I hope I get another chance to watch it on the big screen someday.
Sorry, Baby (2025, dir. Eva Victor) — I’m never sure whether to disclaim the difficult subject matter at the center of this movie when recommending it. For all the dread the story makes you feel, there’s also plenty of love and humor. Victor accomplishes so much as the star, writer, and first-time director, and I hope they have a long and prolific career to come.
🎧 Sounds
60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s — I’ve long had a rule that I don’t listen to podcasts that are hosted exclusively by straight cis white guys. This is the crucial exception. Rob Harvilla threads such wonderful winding personal stories through his excellently-researched close readings of the hits of my youth. I love to pick an episode from the back catalog to listen to at random during a long car ride. When he’s discussing music from a culture he’s not a part of, he has an expert guest speak to the nuances he can’t. Even if I’m not super familiar with the song at the center of an episode, I find the discussions so fascinating I’m glad I didn’t skip past them.
All There Is — I love listening to Anderson Cooper cry with people.
“Berghain,” Rosalía ft. Björk & Yves Tumor — I am not knowledgeable enough about music to write eloquently about this song (or its amazing video), but it knocked me flat out when I first heard it. Watch, listen, repeat.
Beth’s Dead — If you’ve ever had a parasocial relationship with a podcaster or influencer or someone like that, you need to listen to this show. I had such a dependent relationship with the actual podcasters at the center of this series’ mystery that, before the episodes dropped, I was worried I was part of the scary listener base they’d be investigating. (I’m not.)
CMAT, Euro-Country — The third album from the Irish singer, I got so hooked on its lead singles that I’ve now listened to all of her songs over and over and over again. I love when I first feel a spark for a musical artist and then immediately find out their tour will be in my city. The last time that happened was when I woke up one day obsessed with Tove Lo, and snagged tickets to her concert the very next night (where I fainted, it was a whole thing). This time I got to dance the “woke macarena” as CMAT belted her hits to a full house at The Fonda.
Good Hang with Amy Poehler — Duh.
Handsome — Tig Notaro’s podcasts have been on my feed since 2011, but her chemistry with co-hosts Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin may be the best yet. The format sets them up for such genuine and hilarious conversations, and I always feel like I’m catching up with friends when I listen.
Viva Betty — This is the rewatch podcast I’d been waiting for. As cast members Ana Ortiz and Mark Indelicato revisit Ugly Betty, there’s the added perspective that Mark—now an adult—has never watched the show before. His experiences as a child actor on a show that meant so much to so many people, give more depth to the modern-day telling of making the show.
I’m sure as soon as I hit send, I’ll think of five more things I wish I’d listed here. Oh well—thanks for reading my first Substack!
Figuratively speaking. I almost only read via audiobook these days.
No, I’m not a parent. I guess I just think everyone needs to watch this, but especially anyone responsible for the upbringing of a young person with access to the internet.
Oh, thank you so much for reading and shouting out HOT WAX! Glad to have you here on Substack.
Kat, welcome to Substack-ing!
Love a good end-of-year round-up and yours is a refreshing mix of titles I have and haven't heard of. LOVE that you are watching ER in between seasons of The Pitt. Brilliant...I may try that!