2026 mid year wrap up

books, movies, games etc.

woah hello there! how are we already half way through the year i have no idea but i thought it would be fun to take some time to reflect on some things i have consumed this year so far and my thoughts etc.✨

Books 🎧☕️🕯️📖

my reading year has been… not great.

I have found myself feeling guilty on how little full 300 page+ books i have read so far this year. The reality is that many of the hours i have found free have instead gone to writing or reading essays on substack and while i LOVE reading those, i do need to make space for novels in my life as well. it lowkey stresses me out looking at my bookshelf and realising how many books i have collected and need to read but ANYWAYS-

some of my favourites this year include:

Heart The Lover

I’m sure most of you have heard of this book by now as it was pretty popular particularly earlier this year. I won’t go on about it too much as most of my thoughts on the book can be found in my collab post with the amazing laura !!

is this the most overhyped literary fiction of 2026?

but overall i deeply enjoyed this book and the questions it invited me to sit with after I finished reading. Its themes resonated with where i am with my life right now and because of that it felt like a meaningful read.

I am, I am, I am.

I literally finished this last night but i loved it. Alongside Jennette McCurdys I’m Glad My Mum Died, which I read in 2023, this is one of the most beautifully written and emotional autobiographies i have read. Maggie O’Farrell, best known for being the author of Hamnet, takes you through what she calls her “seventeen brushes with death”, a series of moments across her life where illnesses and accidents nearly bring her to death and yet somehow she makes it through each time.

There is something so captivating about the way she writes these series of events. Her words are so immersive and I can absolutely see how some of these moments influenced her other novels. I found myself completely absorbed during this book and at moments I forgot that I was reading someone elses life. If this book was 1000 pages, i would have loved it all.

I genuinely think Maggie has the potential to become on my all time favourite writers. This book in particular deserves far more attention and recognition then it gets.

and last but not least…. Anne of Green Gables (Graphic Novel)

I spotted this graphic novel for sale at the bookstore i volunteer at so during a quiet moment, i ended up finishing it during my shift. It was one of the most beautiful graphic novels i have ever read.

The artwork was absolutely stunning, filled with warm autumn colours and cosy illustrations. I have always loved these characters and this world but seeing it be brought to life visually added a whole other layer of charm! such a super nostalgic and comforting read.

some books i plan to read moving into the second half of the year

also The Burning Side keeps appearing on my feed and everyone seems to love it so that might be my next read.

Movies ˙✧˖°🎬 ༘ ⋆｡˚

I have been REALLY into my movies this year and I have been loving every second of watching them.

my top three releases of 2026 so far have been

The Drama

I actually can’t get over with much I enjoyed this movie. When I first saw the promotional material, my reaction was basically “oh cool, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, I know them.” But the film ended up completely exceeding my expectations.

What stood out to me the most about the film was the dialogue, the atmosphere of the locations (like their apartment…. GIVE ME.) and that the story isn’t afraid of challenging its audience and letting multiple characters make so many immoral decisions. It asks you to sit in the uncomfortableness of it all and engage with ideas which is something i really appreciate in 2026,

In a era where so many films just over explain everything, I found this experience really refreshing and I need to rewatch asap.

It is the kind movie that is best experienced knowing as little as possible so take that as you will.

Jeff Buckley Documentary

I saw this in the most beautiful cinema in my city and it lived up to every expectation i had.

This documentary is absolutely devastating and gorgeous. Every frame felt carefully crafted and the visual style perfectly captured the atmosphere, emotion and intensity of Jeff Buckley’s music. It never felt like it was simply telling his story, it felt like it was immersed in the same artistry that made his work so unforgettable.

I walked out of the cinema completely in awe and found myself repeating Grace on repeat for a week straight afterwards.

Stunning. Stunning. Stunning.

Project Hail Mary

again, this was one of those films where the hype felt justified.

I don’t think Project Hail Mary will end up being one of my all time favourite movies ever but it was undeniably a fantastic cinema experience. What I loved most about this film was the relationship between Ryland Grace and Rocky. Their friendship brought so much heart and humour and warmth to this story that I found myself completely invested in what will happen to them both. I cried in the cinema during one of the scenes because i was that attached.

Also I have to shoutout to Obsession and Backrooms that I just watched last weekend. Go watch them. They are incredible films by amazing young artists!!

What Have I Been Doing for the past 6 Months? 🎨✂️📓✨

the usual. writing, reading, university which has been MAD busy.

my favourite activity this year especially though has been junk journaling while watching movies.

There is something so satisfying about a pile of stickers, scraps of old paper and washi tape and then making something physical out of it that I can look back on in the future.

here are a few spreads i have done:

I’ve also spent a lot of time in the last 6 months editing videos for two volunteer organisations where I help create social media content. It has been such a fun and rewarding experience and I love feeling like i have a purpose which is great and awesome !

More than anything though, I’ve been trying to spend as much time as possible with my friends. We are all approaching the end of living together potentially and I know that this time next year our lives will probably look very different so I have been making a conscious effort to soak all of it in and appreciate the people around me much more.

Games 🎮࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

if you know me, you know that i love cosy games.

here are some of my favourites from this year:

Small Spaces

My newest game. You learn about the person moving into their new space and then… you get to design it!! it is such a creative game and gives you an impressive amount of freedom when it comes to designing. I love unlocking all the new furniture and decorations, although sometimes that are so many choices that I find myself spending like 10 minutes trying to decide what colour the floor should be…

if you love decorating or organising spaces. I would absolutely recommend this game.

Tiny Bookshop

My favourite game ever that I really need to continue because I heard there is a new DLC coming?? i can’t wait!!

The concept of this game is basically my dream. You run a tiny travelling bookshop, selling books and slowly growing your business as you unlock new locations and new quests to complete. As a book lover, it feels this game was actually made for me.

Everything about it is beautiful. The characters are charming, the soundtrack makes me feel so warm and fuzzy and the art style is absolutely perfect.

If you love books, get this game!!

Cat Café Manager

Your classic restaurant management (which happens to be one of my biggest guilty pleasures. Like you guys remember Diner Dash? Papas Freeziera? I am instantly hooked) This one includes cats!! You run your own cat café, serve customers, upgrade the café and collect a bunch of cute kittens.

It is one of those game that is incredibly easy to pick up when you just want something comforting and loss stress to play. Every time I open it though I always end up playing it for much longer than I planned because of it easy it is to just go forward to the next day.

I heard there is a sequel coming and I wish be getting it when it comes out.

little outro ☆

i can’t wait for the second half of this year even if im gonna be stressed so much from university… but we persist and hopefully consume heaps more amazing things 🧚i love to hear what you guys have been up to in the last 6 months!

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all my love, Poppy 💌☕