My Favourite Books, Movies, TV Show and Quote from 2024
Posted by Bijal Shah on
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Favourite Books of 2024
1. Until August by Gabriel García Márquez
This posthumous release was a masterclass in García Márquez’s signature blend of magical realism and profound human insight. The book delves into themes of love, longing, and the passage of time, leaving me with a sense of both melancholy and hope. It reminded me of why literature is such a powerful tool for processing complex emotions.
Until August is a short novel that explores the complex inner life of Ana Magdalena Bach, a woman who, despite being happily married with children, visits an island each August where her mother is buried. There, for one night each year, she takes a new lover, seeking a brief escape from her carefully constructed life.
Set against the backdrop of sultry tropical weather and the transient nature of hotel guests, Ana’s annual ritual becomes a journey deeper into her own desires and the underlying fears she harbours. As she interacts with a cast of lotharios and conmen, she grapples with the emotions of freedom, regret, and love. Márquez's story is a sensual exploration of the tensions between personal freedom and the attachments that shape one's life, offering a profound meditation on the mysteries of the human heart.
2. Patria by Laurence Blair
Patria offers a captivating reimagining of South American history, spanning thousands of miles and five centuries to the present day. Eschewing modern borders, Laurence Blair explores nine "countries" that exist only in memory or imagination—vanished kingdoms, utopian visions, and fragmented homelands.
Blair’s journey traverses ancient Amazonian city-states, a hidden Inca dynasty deep in the jungle, and a Brazilian Wakanda that resisted slavery. He delves into Bolivia’s landlocked navy, the Patagonian force that overcame Spanish colonizers, the African freedom fighters who crossed the Andes, and the New World’s "Napoleon," whose ambitions led Paraguay to devastation.
Blending groundbreaking scholarship, recent archaeological findings, and vivid, on-the-ground reporting, Blair’s narrative introduces readers to a diverse cast, including drug lords, Indigenous leaders, refugees, and ex-guerrillas. The result is a story of survival, resistance, and revolution, placing South America at the heart of global history.
3. Creative Resilience by Erica Ginsberg
Creative Resilience offers practical guidance for artists facing challenges like motivation, self-doubt, creative blocks, and rejection. Author Erica Ginsberg shares real-world examples from creatives across various disciplines and stages of their careers. Drawing on her own experiences, Ginsberg combines humour, reflection, and exercises to help readers manage key aspects of the creative process, including time management, overcoming procrastination, and building self-confidence.
As someone who often uses stories to help clients find strength and clarity, this book felt like a companion piece to my practice. Books like these remind me why bibliotherapy is so powerful. They meet us where we are, offering comfort, clarity, and inspiration when we need it most.
Favourite Movies of 2024
1. All We Imagine as Light
All We Imagine As Light is a film directed by Payal Kapadia that tells the interconnected stories of three nurses in Mumbai at different stages of life: Prabha, Anu, and Parvaty. Each woman faces personal challenges — Prabha, a married woman, deals with abandonment by her husband, Anu, a young adult navigating young love and societal criticism of her interfaith relationship, and Parvaty, a widow, fights to save her home from demolition. The film explores themes of belonging and resilience, capturing the essence of Mumbai through its inhabitants and intimate storytelling.
Critics have praised the film for its humanity and dreamlike quality. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian describes it as "an absorbing story of three nurses that is full of humanity.”
A stunningly poetic film that explores the interplay between dreams and reality. It’s a story about finding light in the shadows of life, and it stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
2. The Apprentice
The Apprentice is a 2024 drama directed by Ali Abbasi, featuring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn. The film explores Trump's early career in the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on his mentorship under lawyer Roy Cohn. Cohn's principles—always attack, never admit wrongdoing, and always claim victory—profoundly influence Trump's approach to business and personal relationships. The narrative delves into Trump's real estate ventures, his complex relationship with his father, Fred Trump, and his tumultuous marriage to Ivana Zelníčková. The film portrays Trump's rise to prominence, highlighting the moral compromises and aggressive tactics that define his ascent.
A gripping tale of mentorship, ambition, and self-discovery. This film beautifully captures the transformative power of guidance and the courage it takes to follow your own path.
3. The Seed of the Sacred Fig
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a 2024 Iranian thriller directed by Mohammad Rasoulof. The film centres on Iman, a government employee in Tehran who is promoted to an investigating judge, a position that provides his family with a better lifestyle but also entangles him in the oppressive mechanisms of the state. As anti-regime protests erupt, Iman becomes increasingly paranoid, especially after his service-issued gun goes missing, leading to escalating tensions within his family.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig was filmed covertly due to its revolutionary narrative, which the Iranian government deemed a severe threat. Director Mohammad Rasoulof was sentenced to eight years in prison and whipping but escaped to Europe, where he now lives in exile. The film, selected as Germany’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, highlights the sacrifices of its cast and crew, many of whom remain in Iran and face persecution for their involvement.
This film is a meditation on spirituality, connection, and the cycles of life. Its rich imagery and soulful storytelling reminded me of the beauty in everyday moments and the wisdom we can draw from nature.
Favourite TV Series of 2024
No Good Deeds is an American dark comedy television series created by Liz Feldman, known for her work on "Dead to Me." The series premiered on Netflix on December 12, 2024, and features a notable ensemble cast including Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, and Luke Wilson.
The narrative centres on three families competing to purchase the same house, each believing that acquiring it will resolve their personal issues. As the story unfolds, it delves into themes of morality, unintended consequences, and the complexities of human relationships, all delivered with a blend of humour and suspense. Each episode left me reflecting on the ripple effects of seemingly small decisions. It’s rare for a show to be both thought-provoking and emotionally raw, but No Good Deeds struck that balance beautifully.
Favourite Quote of 2024
Finally, my favourite quote this year is from Alfred Nobel, Swedish chemist and founder of the Nobel Prizes.
He says, “Contentment is your greatest wealth.”
This quote struck a chord with me this year and I have been reflecting on it a lot in the last few months. In a world that often equates success with material gains or constant achievement, Nobel’s words remind us to value inner peace and the focus on contentment rather than constantly pursuing this desire for more, asserting ourselves as enough, whatever our station in life and knowing that the pursuit of more is a game we will never win. It’s also about embracing our own journeys and being less focused on the journeys of others and how they compare to ours. A process that gets easier as we get older. Remember comparison is the thief of joy.
That’s a wrap on today’s episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah! I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my personal favourites from 2024. If you’ve had a favourite book, film, or quote that resonated with you this year, I’d love to hear about it! You can connect with me on social media or drop me an email.
Thank you for joining me today. Remember, the stories we immerse ourselves in have the power to heal and transform. Until next time, happy reading and happy watching!
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You might enjoy my book Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading, available at all book stores, which also includes an A-Z of book recommendations at the back arranged by different mental health themes!
And as always, I love hearing from listeners so if you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can do so at bijal@booktherapy.io
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