My Favorite Things: November
My Favorite Things” is a monthly segment where I share my personal and current favorites in seasonal products, health & beauty, food, decor, movies, TV, and more. Hope you enjoy these personal picks!
TV
The Terror: Infamy
Synopsis: Set during World War II, the haunting and suspenseful second season of the horror-infused anthology The Terror: Infamy centers on a series of bizarre deaths that haunt a Japanese American community, and a young man’s journey to understand and combat the malevolent entity responsible. The season chronicles Chester Nakayama and his friends and family from Terminal Island, California, as they face persecution from the American government and battle the evil spirit that threatens their future. The Terror: Infamy tells the often overlooked story of Japanese American internment and asks what it truly means to be an American.
I talked about Season One of The Terror just last month and decided to dive into Season Two for the month of November. It absolutely blew me away from the plot, period costumes, authenticity, rich culture, and spook factor. I’m a big fan of J-horror and this show really tuned into those aspects. While there were some jump scare moments a lot of the horror was subtle and really built up at the last couple of episodes. It’s a carefully crafted show and the suspense really pulls the reader into the narrative.
My Hero Academia: Season One
Synopsis: The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers (called Quirks) in a world where they have become commonplace, but who still dreams of becoming a superhero himself. He is scouted by All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, who shares his Quirk with Midoriya after recognizing his potential, and later helps to enroll him in a prestigious high school for heroes in training.
I’m trying to catch up on new anime even though my to-watch list is miles long. I decided to watch MHA since it’s so popular and now I can see why! It reminds me a bit of the Disney channel original movie Sky High but it’s different in many ways. I love idea of a world full of super beings with so many different powers or in this show “quirks”. Deku, the main character, is a lovable person and you really feel for him wanting to help others and be a hero. It’s action-packed, I liked the theme of heroes vs villains, and the plot. I can’t wait to watch Season Two.
Movies
Noelle
Synopsis: Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun, but wishes she could do something “important” like her beloved brother Nick, who will take over for their father this Christmas. Nick is training to be Santa, but is failing miserably. When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away to clear his head…but then he doesn’t return.
I have Disney Plus now so I’m glad I could finally watch this movie. I liked how it had a modern day Christmas spin and it’s definitely a movie that I can watch over and over again. It reminds you what Christmas is all about; spending time with loved ones and cherishing what you have in life (even the simplest of things). Anna Kendrick was a joy in this movie and it left me with all the cozy Christmas feelings!
Holidate
Synopsis: Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.
I know this movie has a lot of mixed reviews, but I thought it was so much fun. Predictable? Yes. But I like how it has the anti-holiday romantic leads kind of plot. It’s a entertaining rom-com about how it can be difficult to navigate the holidays being single. I liked all of the slapstick comedy bits and it made me laugh so much!
Music
Christmas Time by Taeyeon
One of my favorite vocalists in K-pop released a Christmas EP about a year or so ago (I think) and I love this title track so much. It’s a beautiful holiday ballad that evokes the feeling of the holiday season.
Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione
I grew up listening to a lot of Jazz music and this was a song my parents used to play for me all of the time. I just recently re-discovered this song and I have it on repeat constantly. It’s a song that puts you in an instant good mood.
Like You by Rakiyah
Raki is a YouTube vlogger that I’ve followed for a couple of years and I enjoy her music. This is her first Korean track and I’m so happy for her. It’s a smooth R&B track with melodic vocals.
Fashion
This is shop I recently just mentioned in my Literary Gift Guide for 2020. It’s one of my favorite new bookish shirts. It’s cozy, comfortable, and I love the quote on it!
Youtube
Shay Taree
Shay is one of my favorite YouTubers that discussed anime and manga. I appreciate her honest opinion about different topics in the anime community and I can always find a new manga to read from her recommendations.
Cilvanis
A Youtuber I’ve gotten hooked on this year is Cilvanis and his anime/nerd inspired comedy sketches. They are short, but relatable and funny (especially if you’re an avid anime watcher like me). His videos always make me laugh!
The Stichess
Do you like alternative fashion? The Stitchess is a channel you might want to check out. She talks a lot about Kawaii Fashion and fashion/costume design in her videos and I’ve learned some new tips that I can apply to my own clothing wardrobe.
What are some of your favorite things from November? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
*This post is in no way sponsored
I enjoyed The Holidate too! It’s the only Christmas movie I’ve managed to watch so far this season (I refuse to count Happiest Season in that because it was such a goddamn bummer), so I really need to hop to it. The offerings are so numerous!
I’ve barely watched any of the new Christmas movies, I’ve just been watching all my old favorites. Hopefully I can watch more new ones soon.
I slip in and out of holiday-movie moods, but I did watch Happiest Season this week (and unlike Jenny, I thought it was good). My November reading was super crammed and so I hardly watched anything, but I did start The Mandalorian (and I think the parts are cute that everyone said were cute). For reading, I’ve read a few of Ali Smith’s novels to try to catch up (I love what she does with time and how she thinks about history and the stories we tell ourselves) and listened to the new Terry McMillan (maybe it wasn’t great writing but I loved the characters anyway). Hope you have a lovely December ahead of you.
I’ll have to add the new Terry McMillan book. I have still not watched the Mandalorian as of yet. I hear mixed reviews about Happiest Season, but I still might check it out. Happy December to you!