My Fav Reads + Watches in April 📚🍿
I’m starting a fun new series for the ungodly amount of culture I consume. I’ll be passing along my recs and unabashed hot takes.
Most of the books I consume as audiobooks from the library via the Libby app (Life changing discovery btw).
This month I listened to 6 books and watched 8 films, but I’ll just be recommending 1 of each here.
Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer ★★★★★
By Dylan Mulvaney, published March 11, 2025
If you’ve spent more than four minutes on the internet, you’ve probably come across a Dylan Mulvaney video. She’s a trans influencer and (former?) Broadway actor who became famous for documenting her transition on TikTok.
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sure what to expect from her memoir. Like a lot of influencer content, her videos can lean a little… much. But I was pleasantly surprised.
This audiobook was genuinely delightful. Dylan’s vocal intonations and character impressions had me dying. Her comedy chops are way sharper than her usual TikTok cringe suggests. Honestly, she slayed this book and narration.
Sinners ★★★★½
Directed by Ryan Coogler
The first four months of 2025 has been a trash heap for movies.
That is until Sinners came along.
I went in with zero expectations. The trailers gave me absolutely nothing But the movie is something else.
Sinners is a genre-bending, blood-drenched 2 hours and 18 minutes of historical fiction, Black mysticism, juke-joint soul, and Southern gothic horror — with a side of vampires and lots of tits. (yes, this movie is very horny, and I respect that). Imagine Get Out raw-dogged Let the Right One In behind a blues club while Ray watched and took notes. That’s this film, shot on 70mm.
This is not a film for prudes. I repeat: do not bring your church group unless your church group is freaky.
Set in 1932 Mississippi, two Black twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) return home from a lucrative life of crime in Chicago to open a juke joint and reclaim their roots—and then accidentally summon a bunch of literal and metaphorical bloodsuckers to the party.
The vampires here aren’t just about the undead; they’re allegorical. The whole film asks: what does it mean to choose life in a country trying to bleed you dry?
It’s marketed as a horror movie but it’s also tender and very effective as a satire — one that surprises you with actual ideas, not just stylish gore. I’m still processing what it all means, but it’s clear this movie is rich in theme.
The music is extraordinary. The visuals are stunning. The performances from the entire cast are unforgettable. This is going to get Oscar nominations, or at the very least be talked about for the next year.
I really admire how gutsy this film is—no pun intended.
Seeing Sinners in a packed IMAX theater was one of the best moviegoing experiences I’ve had in years.
Can’t wait to see what May has in store.