Favorite Things - Summer 2025

Summer came and went. It was hot, humid, busy and mundane, so mostly like any other time of year except with higher expectations and less layers. As I look forward to my favorite seasons (fall and winter), here are some things that got me through the dog days.

Books

1. "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville

I don't even know where to begin describing this reading experience. Coming off the tailwind of reading Don Quixote this year (which jumped to #1 on my all-time favorite books list), this comes in at a close 2nd, maybe even like, 1-b. Why? Sure for its obsession, religiosity, history and whaling facts, beautiful prose, epic adventure story, and psychedelic nature, for its relentless poking through the mask of reality in attempt to see a face of truth. But I think I enjoyed it mostly for its weirdness and its humor; its language, and sense of freedom and play on the page. Melville shows us writers that we can do anything we want, as long as it's done artfully. You want to dedicate an entire chapter to a Chowder joke? Go for it. To innuendo on sperm or pun on paganism, to poetically aside from a side character's consciousness in the form of a play? Yes, in fact, please do. Before taking time to read and understand the literary canon, I would cower in the shadow of their towering ambition, but I now feel something akin to empowerment.

2. "Fresh, Green Life" by Sebastian Castillo

   
   

   

Latest novel from one of my favorite contemporary writers. In a review of his 2020 book Not I, I wrote how his work is unlike anything I have read before, and his latest novels Salmon and Fresh, Green Life continue to prove my statement true. Not only does he keep finding new and refreshing frameworks and modes for his ideas, he has grown as a storyteller. Fresh, Green Life is Castillo at the height of his powers–deploying his usual brand of dry, sardonic humor one expects, but with attention to character and feeling. He is no longer an Oulipo filling in the box of a conceit–he is creating consciousness on the page. The story of Sebastian Castillo (the narrator of Fresh, Green Life) is the story of one's own reckoning with philosophy and influence, with self-improvement and how to be a person in the modern world. It's tender and inspiring and joyful (it features a silly walk!) without taking itself too seriously. A beautiful work of art.

TV

1. "Bored to Death" (HBO Max)

   
   

   

What does it say about me that a cancelled show from 2009 would resonate with me so much in the lord's year of 2025? Created by writer Johnathan Ames, it's about a writer (Jason Schwartzman) struggling to write his second book. Oh, now it makes perfect sense. Anyway, after a break-up, he becomes consumed by his love for mystery novels. And since he's lacking serious funds and inspiration, he decides to put an ad out on Craigslist to be a private detective for hire with absolutely no experience (but fair rates!). Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis create a dynamic trio of banter and hilarity, of bro-ship, of folly and foolishness mixed with a sincere earnestness, of striving to be a better person and make something of yourself in this ridiculous world that is indifferent to your wants and needs and bent on breaking you down. At its heart, it inspires wonderment and curiosity, and being open to the odd connections and strange places you may end up when you push out against the walls of self, against comfort and complacency.

Food & Drink

1. The Peach and Burrata Salad

Rated 10/10 for flavors and 100/10 for summerness. I don't know, man. Nothing felt more like summer this summer than some fresh, ripe peaches, juicy Jersey tomatoes and some creamy burrata. Salt, pepper, and olive oil, of course. Sweet savoriness paired with a bitter, sweet Negroni. I'll be missing this come November.

2. Soft Serve Ice Cream

   
   

   

Maybe it was the sweltering heat waves, general cultural malaise and maelstrom of political awfulness or the mundanity of full-time work weeks causing me to retreat into some nostalgic longing for adolescent summers, but man, did I crave (and eat) a lot of ice cream this summer. And had zero regrets. I recommend weekly treats. You deserve it.

3. Americano Cocktail

See above re: heat, malaise, this country, work, etc. but apply it to this delicious adult beverage and it's a great weekly treat. Equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda, it's the foundation for a Negroni, minus the gin, which means it's just as refreshing, but having a second (or third) won't knock you on your ass. It's bitter, sweet, and just the perfect summer cocktail that you can probably (and should) drink all year long.

Okay, those were some of my favorite things from Summer. I might do this again for Fall, we'll see. Sitting down to give attention to good things feels good. Now I leave you with a bit of random white board advice, written not by me: