MOVE Staffer Amory Moore shares her suggestions for January and how to stay busy
January has been a period of sitting around, sleeping and not-so-patiently waiting to go back to school. However, between a whole lot of nothing, I’ve been binge-watching shows and repeatedly listening to the same playlist on Spotify. Here are my January recommendations I’ve collected this month, as I’ve been stuck inside due to the cold.
Watch
It’s about time I came around to the highly binge-watched TV series, “Game of Thrones.” Available to be streamed on Max, the show follows the fantasy book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin. Because I’ve had copious amounts of time on my hands, I’ve watched three of the eight seasons.
While the series has its fair share of violence and gore, it’s met with humor — primarily provided by Tyrion Lannister, played by Peter Dinklage — and romance for a healthy balance.
In addition to binge-watching “Game of Thrones,” I’ve been keeping up with season 3 of Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” Because new episodes are only released once a week every Thursday, it’s typically the first thing I do on Friday mornings. I’ve been an avid watcher of this romantic and comedic drama since it came out in 2021. Now, watching as a freshman in college, it’s especially fun to compare how the show is — and isn’t — like an actual university experience.
Whether you’ve already watched these two shows or are looking for a new series to start, I recommend these, as they’ve recently been hot topics on my mind.
Listen
Ever since Spotify Wrapped came out in December, I’ve slowly been trying to manipulate my music taste for my 2025 Wrapped. Yes, I understand it doesn’t come out for another 11 months, but I’m dedicated to the art. Mark my words, Del Water Gap will be one of my top five artists this year.
If you’ve never heard of Del Water Gap, it’s okay — I hadn’t either until he opened for Niall Horan back in August. But, recently, I’ve been listening to his music on repeat. There’s something about his indie pop tracks that speak to me on a different level. I especially recommend the songs “All We Ever Do Is Talk” and “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat.”
Additionally, Gracie Abrams’ “The Secret of Us” still has a chokehold on me. I desperately wish I was able to see her in concert for this tour, but I’ll have to stick to watching TikToks and Instagram Reels for the out-of-body concert experience.
However, in October, Abrams released “The Secret of Us (Deluxe)” which introduced four brand new songs and three previous tracks recorded Live From Vevo. The TikTok viral song, “That’s So True,” — which you’ve most likely heard at least once — has one of the best-written bridges my ears have ever had the privilege of hearing. The song “Free Now” has also been heavily on repeat and I can’t seem to get sick of it. Keep it up, Gracie; please proceed to break my heart.
Read
I’ve been in a reading slump, particularly since last summer. However, I will recommend to you the best book I’ve ever read: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” Coincidentally, this book is an amazing read for the beginning of the year, to prepare yourself for the fame and glamour of The Oscars— The 97th Academy Awards that will be announced in early March.
Masterfully written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the novel follows Evelyn Hugo and her search for stardom in 1950s Hollywood. Surrounded by fame and love, Hugo longs for a connection but unluckily finds herself in multiple dead-end relationships — hence the title of the book. I won’t spoil this masterpiece of a novel for you; you’ll have to cry over it on your own terms.
This book will always be the number one book I recommend to any reader.
Do
I’ve had lots of free time on my hands this month before going back to school, so I’ve had a lot of time to sleep and lay in bed. One thing preventing me from being completely bored is The Sims 4. I may have hopped onto the bandwagon pretty late, as I only installed it this past April. But I’ve spent some late nights just building random apartments and houses to my heart’s content.
The Sims 4 is free to install on any computer, but there are also packs and kits available to purchase to make the game more interesting and — in my opinion — more enjoyable. This platform has definitely consumed a significant portion of my bank account. However, it’s been the perfect thing to do in my free time, typically while watching “Game of Thrones.”
Whatever you decide to do with my January recommendations, I hope your January was filled with love and warmth, despite the weather. Take care this January!
Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com