The 2025 (Not Oprah’s) Favorite Things
Compilation of images representative of items, movies and books referred to in the essay.
I think you know I am not Oprah Winfrey.
I admire her, I learn from her, and I think she’s brilliant, and…I am not her.
Now that that’s out of the way, every year my dear friend Oprah put’s out a list of her “favorite things.” It’s fun, whimsical and very useful.
This year I thought I’d follow suit, with my own quirky compilation.
Below is a list of items that have made my 2025 a little bit better, easier, interesting, and more entertaining.
Things:
Wood Zen Kitty. Purchased from an artisan on Etsy, I keep this friend close to me on my desk and her serene pose never fails to remind me to breathe and keep breathing.
Ocean Wave Sand Art. Uncommon Goods has some of the most interesting, uncommon items. This piece of art is also a stress reducer and particularly helpful on long Zoom calls.
Tubing Mascara. From Thrive Cosmetics - I’ll try others and keep coming back to this one. For someone with blonde lashes, and who looks like an embryo when not wearing mascara, I can attest to the hype.
NodPod. I stumbled on these little gems and what luck! These “weighted blanket for your eyes” are a boon to those of us who get weather-induced headaches or need just a little bit more to drift off to sleep sometimes.
Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce. A little zip with a lot of flavor. I don’t know how it happened, but my husband and I are obsessive about adding a little spritz of this zesty sauce on our pizza. I add it to chili as well. Delightfully kicky.
Full Focus Planner. A friend turned me onto these gorgeous little planners from Michael Hyatt a few years ago, and while I’ve used others, I keep coming back to this one. It’s simple, comprehensive, and compact. Exactly what you need to keep your year on track.
Muscle Booster App. Sure, I have a gym membership and go regularly, and I thought this might be the time to supplement my workouts with some at-home stuff. This app isn’t expensive, it’s very customizable to what your goals are, your fitness level, and what equipment you have available. I’ve been using it for about six weeks and am already seeing the benefits. Go me!
Books:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. One of the best books I’ve ever read. Period. James McBride’s book is beautifully written, with characters that live off the page, and a plot that is storytelling. I highly recommend listening to the audio version - the voice actor (Dominic Hoffman) does a masterful job with tone and accents.
King Sorrow. A terrific, rich read that is part fairy tale, part science fiction and part romantasy. Written by Joe Hill, this book is almost impossible to put down, and is thankfully, not a quick read at almost 900 pages. Settle in, grab the wine, and be prepared to stay.
Man’s Search for Meaning. Originally published in 1946 and updated throughout the decades, Viktor Frankl’s book is as powerful and relevant today as it was then. Psychologist and concentration camp survivor, Frankl’s memoir/educational text is an absolute must read for anyone seeking.
Movies:
Black Bag. This character driven, twisty and nasty spy thriller is smart and well produced from start to finish. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender are a “dream” couple. Or nightmare.
My Dead Friend Zoe. This movie was a little outside my genre box, but honestly, I’d watch Sonequa Martin-Green open an envelope. She plays a U.S. Army veteran home from Afghanistan and having a really difficult time of it due to the visits from her dead best friend, Zoe. This isn’t a ghost story in the truest sense, but the ghosts we carry with us may be the scariest of all.
Sinners. I mean, what more needs to be said? This movie and everyone involved deserves every single accolade heaped on them. Beautiful, heart wrenching, and a glory to listen to, Ryan Coogler’s masterpiece is, and should be, studied for years to come. And there are vampires.
One Battle After Another. I’ll admit, the trailer for this one hooked me. The cast is huge and a veritable Hollywood who’s who, the soundtrack is ridiculous in the best possible way, and the whole thing is alternatingly hysterical and horrifying. At almost three hours long, this movie packs punch after punch. One of the best of the year.
Good Boy. I’m a dog person, so if you tell me that there’s a scary movie told from the dog’s perspective, about the things that humans can’t see, I. Am. In!! If only there were Oscars for animals, this pup would win best actor. From the opening scenes, we feel Indy’s (the dog) concern for his sick human, and as the movie goes on, that concern grows into stark terror. Deftly filmed and creepy as heck, watch it for the dog.
Wicked For Good. C’mon…it’s amazing, and beautiful, and only a little political. With stellar performances, costumes, sets, and music, what more could you ask for from a movie musical based on a stage musical, adapted from a book, inspired by a movie, adapted from a book, inspired by the socio-economics of the 1890’s?
TV:
The Diplomat. Netflix’s taught, tense and expertly performed show centers around the American Ambassador to Britain, her husband, and American politics in general. This is a top notch take on the personalities and situations of the people on the stages and behind the scenes of government.
The Patient. This limited series hit screens in 2022 but I didn’t find it until early this year. Steve Carell is brilliant as a therapist imprisoned by a serial killer, who wants him to “fix” him. It’s a drama that has you on the edge of your seat and yelling at the tv screen. Carell, and Domhnall Gleason as said killer, are a remarkable on-screen paring.
And that concludes the list.
Join me here next year for an equally disparate list of things Oprah would surely approve of, but technically didn’t.
LB Adams is the CEO of Practical Dramatics, LLC and is a contributor to Forbes and Entrepreneur. A keynote speaker known for her theatre-based teaching style, she helps organizations communicate better, one conversation at a time.