My 2025 Books and Movies

In 2025, I read 21 books (LibraryThing) and watched 83 movies (Letterboxd) (15 were rewatches).

My favorite book: The Human Stain (Philip Roth). I loved the sinister ending of this book, and the constant deception of the main character hiding his dreaded secret. The book's imagery was potent to me, its characters alluringly abhorrent. I have read Roth's "American Pastoral", so I only need to read "I Marred a Communist" to complete his so-called American Trilogy. I sense a reading goal forming! Other remarkable books I read last year: "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands" (Kate Beaton), "The Stranger in the Woods" (Michael Finkel).

My favorite movie: "Chinatown". This is a no-nonsense noir with a chilling finale. Jack Nicholson was savvy as the hard-boiled detective. This movie was released in 1974 and I wonder how this might work today. I hope some screenwriter is trying hard to adapt it for our modern times. I want to see a modern audience truly sickened! Other incredible movies I watched last year: "Past Lives", and "Phantom Thread".

Books from 2025