Hey everyone!
I have decided to do a weekly wrap-up that reviews all the things I consumed in the past week. I feel like these posts will be a good opportunity to reflect on all the things I consume. Also, it will be fun to see what I’ve watched and read, and potentially, this can be a way for us to connect and get to know each other better!
Types of content consumed: YouTube, Television, Books, Music
YouTube
This week was a big YouTube week for me. Cooking dinner is my time to unwind, so I always enjoy watching something, and this week I gravitated towards YouTube.
Overwhelmingly, I watched a lot of videos from Heather McLarry (channel linked here). I haven’t watched her videos in a while, but I love her vlog content so much. If you are a reader looking for recommendations and raw reactions, look no further than Heather’s channel. I went back and started watching her vlogs from March, but I might have to go farther back in her catalogue if I keep watching at this pace.
As well, I watched a couple of videos from Peruse Project (channel linked here). Regan has been a comfort creator of mine for years now. Whenever I am looking to watch a cozy vlog, I know I can rely on her videos. I love the length of her vlogs because it feels like watching an episode of your favourite show.
If you are looking for reading motivation, both Heather and Regan’s videos provide exactly that. I feel like I leave their videos with at least one suggestion. Plus, their videos always reignite my love for reading.
Television
*spoilers ahead for Heartland (season 19), Dancing with the Stars (season 34), and Survivor (season 49)*
With it being fall, it is the start of many TV shows, including some of my favourites. There are currently three shows that I am watching live: Heartland, Dancing with the Stars, and Survivor.
Heartland
As I live in Canada, season 19 of Heartland airs every Sunday on CBC and CBC Gem. The first episode started last Sunday and I am already so excited for this season. The relationship being developed between Nathan and Amy makes me so excited for them. While Amy and Ty will always be the best couple in this show, Amy deserves happiness in a relationship—if that’s what she wants. I really think Nathan is someone who can bring some happiness into her life, relationship-wise. I love the family dynamic in this show, and it has remained at the core for 19 seasons. One thing I don’t love about the newer seasons is the reduced number of episodes per season. I know this is becoming the norm, but we miss out on the filler information that made Heartland so real.
Dancing with the Stars
I mentioned in my introduction that this is the first season of DWTS that I am watching, and so far I am having a lot of fun with it. My favourites are Whitney and Mark, Robert and Whitney, and Elaine and Alan. I think they are all having a lot of fun with it, but also are genuinely talented and working hard to improve each week. I know there is controversy due to Whitney’s dance experience, but I still love her. What are your thoughts about celebrities with dance experience on the show? While I recognize the point is improvement and entertainment, I wonder where the line should be drawn regarding prior dance experience. Overall, I don’t take this show super seriously, but it’s really fun to watch each week and see all the TikToks from the cast.
Survivor
I have been a fan of Survivor since I was a kid and I watched it with my mom. During my second year of university, one of my roommates and I watched season 46 of the show, and it reignited my love for it. I was super excited for this season as they are constantly amping up the challenges and idols. As well, Jake and Jeremiah were Canadians, which was exciting to see. *Spoiler* Unfortunately, they both went home this week, so that really sucked in terms of cheering for my fellow Canadians. I feel like it’s hard to pick a favourite before the merge, especially since KELA is the only tribe that has gone to tribal council. I predict that Jason will be someone to look out for since he has dominated in puzzles so far. Based on almost nothing, I think I’m going to like Shannon. I don’t think I’ll truly know until I get to see her individual gameplay come the merge. Are you watching Survivor? If so, let me know who your favourite is!
Reading
The Last Man by Mary Shelley
I’m sure you can guess that this is not the type of book I would pick up on my own, as it isn’t my usual contemporary romance. I am reading this book for an English class this semester, and while I wouldn’t pick this up on my own, I am enjoying it enough. This book is super cool because it is the first true apocalyptic fiction, which is super interesting to read. So far, I have read 11 chapters of it, and the one thing I can’t get over is the lack of technological advancement in a book that takes place in and beyond the year 2073. It is so jarring to read something that is set almost 50 years from now that is so similar to the 1820’s which is when Shelley wrote it.
Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Lyla Sage is one of my absolute favourite authors, so the second she announced this book, I was excited. Paranormal media is not normally something I gravitate towards, but I knew I would give anything a try if Sage wrote it. Currently, I am 8 chapters in and am enjoying its small-town haunted vibes so far. I am so curious to learn more about Sweetwater Peak, as this town sounds so incredibly fascinating. Small-town romance is one of my favourite sub-genres, and since I am trying to get back into reading, this book felt perfect.
Music
This week was mostly country, but I also sprinkled in some pop through Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl. Do I think this album is her best? No. Will I continue listening to it because it’s fun? Yes. As for country, I listened to Ella Langley’s album hungover, Warren Zeiders’ Relapse tour setlist, and Dylan Marlowe’s album Mid-Twenties Crisis. While I love country music all year long, it is especially my favourite in the summer and fall, so it will remain on repeat for the foreseeable future. Overall, it was a good music week with a mix of songs I was familiar with and unfamiliar with.
Thanks for reading everyone! Let me know what you consumed this week, and if you watched or read any of the same things I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Hailey
you are the most amazing girl in the world