Newsroom Editors’ Latest Media Favorites From Summer

Books

“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas; rated 9.2/10

I highly recommend “The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.” I think a lot of people are intimidated by the enormous size of the novel — I know I was, and I admit that it did, in fact, take me about five months to finally finish — but it’s a surprisingly easy and wildly entertaining read. I have recently fallen in love with nineteenth-century literature, so I was already sold from the beginning, but I understand the aversion to this era due to associations of slower, more “boring” plots. “The Count of Monte Cristo,” however, is anything but boring. The prison escape story reads like a modern-day novel, filled with so many characters to root for and against. The dialogue is incredible, and to my surprise, it was such a page turner. I now understand why so many people are always recommending it. This is your sign to finally read “The Count of Monte Cristo.” You won’t regret it. 

— Olivia Tennant ’27, Managing Opinion Editor 

“Public Policy and the Dead Hand” by Lewis Simes

How much control should we cede to the dead? Have our legal measures been effective in handing control back to the living? Why is it that in the United States we have so much testamentary freedom, which often comes at the cost of future generations’ ability to alienate and efficiently use property? Although published in 1955, legal scholar Lewis Simes’ collected lectures on the law of future interests — most notably on the Rule Against Perpetuities — will reframe the way you think about inheritance law. Notably, we can approach inheritance not only as something limited to individual families, but also as a tug-of-war between the living and the dead, requiring the macroscopic scope of public policy. As supplemental readings to this monograph, I recommend John Langbein’s 1984 Harvard Law Review article, “The Nonprobate Revolution and the Future of the Law of Succession,” as well as Ray D. Madoff’s 2011 book, “Immortality and the Law: The Rising Power of the American Dead.” 

— Edwyn Choi ’27, Editor-in-Chief 

“Rachel’s Holiday” by Marian Keyes; rated 9.5/10

The story follows Rachel, an Irish woman living in New York, who was mistakenly accused of being addicted to drugs by her roommate. She is subsequently sent back to Ireland by her family for rehab. You get glimpses into her love life, complicated familial relationships, and some of her socially concerning commentary. Rachel’s internal dialogue throughout the novel is incredible, and I find myself laughing while reading it all the time. If you’re willing to humiliate yourself by laughing to yourself in public, give it a read! 

— Belaine Mamo ’27, Managing Features Editor

“Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim 

A girl’s dad goes missing, last seen by her neurodivergent brother, who is unable to speak. The book follows the mystery of what happened to their father. 

— Gabby Miller ’29, Assistant Features Editor   

“Red Rising” trilogy by Pierce Brown; rated 9/10, “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury; rated 7/10 

— Ira Buch ’29, Managing News Editor 

“Heart the Lover” by Lily King, The Nantucket series by Elin Hilderbrand 

— Evelyn Soto ’28, Managing News Editor 

Movies

“Voicemails for Isabelle;” rated 10/10 

A beautiful romantic comedy about a woman who accidentally sends voice messages meant for her deceased sister to a stranger who falls hopelessly in love with her. Anyone with siblings would cry at this. 

— Jayda Ma ’28, Managing Arts & Living Editor

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “Obsession”

— Evelyn Soto ’28, Managing News Editor

“2001: A Space Odyssey” 

I don’t think I understood the plot at all, but the film’s aesthetics and music trump many contemporary space movies. It’s rare to see attention to detail like this anymore. 

— Edwyn Choi ’27, Editor-in-Chief 

“The People We Meet on Vacation” 

So corny and cheesy, but such a good summer movie chick-flick situation. 

— Zaynah Shariff ’27, Managing News Editor 

TV Shows

“Love Island USA”

After several summers of trying to ignore the inundation of conversation about Love Island, I finally gave in this summer and decided I would watch Season 8 of the reality dating show. With new one hour-plus episodes five nights a week, keeping up with the goings-on of the villa is a full-time job. Even at my real full-time job, my coworkers debriefed the show throughout our ten-hour shifts, so if I hadn’t watched the prior night’s episode, I would know all about it not long after. This show proved to me two things: first, reality dating shows are just as stupid as I imagined, and second, if you spend enough time watching them, you will come to be invested regardless of their stupidity. 

— Islay Shilland ’29, Assistant Arts & Living Editor

“The Other Bennet Sister”

This heartwarming miniseries, based on a 2020 novel of the same name, tells the previously untold story of Mary Bennet, the overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Full of romance, adventure, self-discovery, and gorgeous Regency-era costumes, this show will inspire you to always be yourself and embrace authenticity, regardless of society’s expectations. 

— Lauren Siegel ’27, Managing Features Editor

“Jane the Virgin;” rated 8/10

I know I’m late to this, but it was the only show I could watch on Prime while I was in France, so I finally got around to watching it. It was so fun and I loved how they integrated the Telenovela style into it. I also really enjoy how much drama and plot twists they manage to pack into each episode — It’s quite a good folding-the-laundry watch. 

— Belaine Mamo ’27, Managing Features Editor

“Arrested Development,” “Superstore,” “Euphoria”

— Evelyn Soto ’28, Managing News Editor

“The Good Place”

— Ira Buch ’29, Managing News Editor

“Sterling Point”

— Alejandra Chavez-Flores ’27, Managing News Editor

Songs & Albums

“Who’s the Clown?” by Audrey Hobert; rated 9/10 

I listened to this album when it first came out last August and loved it then, but when I say it was my unofficial soundtrack of the summer this year, I mean it. Nothing screams good-humored fun like Audrey Hobert’s pop debut, from its catchy tunes to its sometimes self-deprecating lyrics that blend into what is truly an enjoyable record to listen to. This album is dancing alone in your room with the windows open. It is driving (allegedly) 20 miles over the speed limit down a local road. It is raw and honest at times, but it makes for a great time. 

— Madeline Gold ’28, Managing Puzzles Editor 

“B, S, & T; 4” by Blood, Sweat & Tears

It’s easy to let BS&T’s tragic downfall overshadow the band’s music. Granted, some of the songs on “B, S, & T; 4” feel a little trite. But the two amazing standout hits, “Go Down Gamblin’” and “Lisa, Listen to Me,” make you wonder whether all those Baby Boomers out there who reminisce about the “good old days” of music had a point. 

— Edwyn Choi ’27, Editor-in-Chief

“The Great Divide: The Last of The Bugs” by Noah Kahan; rated 8/10 

Vulnerable lyrics that are easily relatable. The sense of nostalgia and some reflective peace was appreciated. As a long-term fan, it was also fun to see Noah’s musical expression progress in this album. 

— Odessa Ikels ’28, Assistant Opinion Editor 

“All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison; rated 10/10 

This has been on repeat for nostalgia’s sake, but it’s also a wonderful album to ring in the fall season. 

— Belaine Mamo ’27, Managing Features Editor

“Do It Again” by Steely Dan, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” by Al Green, “Everybody Wants to Love You” by Japanese Breakfast, “Bad Girls” by Blood Orange”

— Evelyn Soto ’28, Managing News Editor

“B’Day” (20th Anniversary Album) by Beyoncé

— Helena Henson ’28, Managing Sports Editor

“You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” by Olivia Rodrigo; rated 9.5/10 

— Ira Buch ’29, Managing News Editor

“Daughter from Hell” by Gracie Abrams

— Alejandra Chavez-Flores ’27, Managing News Editor