Starting with the end of the school year, most students will find themselves with much more free time on their hands. Beach days, camping trips and bike rides can only happen so often–we’ll all end up dealing with boredom at some point. For those slow afternoons at home, the Pigeon Press staff has assembled a list of suggestions covering our favorite summer media. The next time you’re facing a few sweltering hours with nothing to do, pick one of our recommended films, albums or books and dive in!
My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade
The Black Parade is an album that many people disregard as being “emo” or “edgy,” which it undeniably is, but they do so without considering the reason behind the turmoil. This album explores death, what it means to live and how to find peace with your mortality. These are inherently emotional, dark and “edgy” topics—yet every human being must contemplate them at some point. The narrative of The Black Parade follows a cancer patient finding out that he has two weeks to live and explores the path he goes on leading up to his death. The band displays the desolation, despair, anger and hopelessness that goes along with his journey. – Conor McGeady
Paul McCartney: McCartney III
Even after the breakup of the Beatles in 1970, Sir Paul McCartney has consistently put out albums that range from mediocre to revolutionary. McCartney III is perhaps not as inventive as some of McCartney’s previous works, such as Ram, but it still has range within the traditional McCartney sound. He balances more somber tunes such as “Find My Way,” with more upbeat songs, such as “Lavatory Lil.” This balance creates a back-and-forth tone to the album. It manages to keep your attention, and differentiates the album from other McCartney albums such as Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, where many of the songs sound the same. McCartney III is a masterpiece considering that he managed to make a nod back to some of his previous albums while also moving into the modern music scene. – Elliot Strom
Vince Staples: Ramona Park Broke My Heart
Ramona Park Broke My Heart is Long Beach rapper Vince Staples’ fifth studio LP, a welcome addition to his discography. The record mainly consists of warm and melodic songs, perfect soundtracks for summer lounging. Staples focuses his lyrical lens inwards and gives some of his most vulnerable and introspective bars to date. Despite emotional lyrics, the album is smooth and easily approachable. Ramona is subtle, and it works as well in the background as it does in the foreground. If you only listen to one track from this album, pick “Magic” produced by DJ Mustard. – Jasper Selwood
Taylor Swift: Speak Now
Taylor Swift’s Speak Now is the perfect example of summer music. Swift gets a lot of hate for her music because it’s mainstream and pop, but her songs are nostalgic and she’s a talented artist. The songs on this album aren’t necessarily musical masterpieces, they’re catchy, upbeat and a little cheesy, which makes this album fun to listen to. When writing this album, Swift took the people from her life and turned them into cliché characters; she writes songs in the form of letters so she could always get the last word. She reminisces about her childhood fantasies and dreams, and mixes them into her reality to show the contrast. In the song “Never Grow Up,” Swift talks about how she constantly felt the need to grow up and become an adult, but wasted so much of her childhood in doing so. – Kamea Morita
Lamp: Soyokaze Apartment Room 201
Though I leave for Japan in just a few months, my Japanese is very limited. When I listen to Soyokaze Apartment Room 201, I realize the power of music to transcend language barriers. The first EP ever released by band Lamp in 2003, all the songs on this EP have a subdued beauty that simply takes you to another world. Though technically falling under J-pop, Lamp takes inspiration from Brazilian music and mid-20th century American pop to create a truly unique and ethereal album. For me, it displays the beauty of the everyday, making the world seem just a little less bleak. – Asher Wolfsmith
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is an emotionally complex show with deep and realistic characters hidden behind a mask of anthropomorphic animals and sex jokes. For the first season or so, the viewer is under the assumption that this is simply another “dark adult comedy” for young adults to relate to the cynical humor in the show. However, it begins to evolve the established characters into more believable people than most live-action shows. The main character, BoJack Horseman, goes on a long, painful journey of substance abuse, familial tragedies and abusive relationships as both victim and perpetrator. The show doesn’t try to make him the “good guy main character,” and is very open with the flaws that BoJack has. – Conor McGeady
Atlanta
Atlanta, directed by and starring Donald Glover, is one of the most innovative shows on television right now and a must-watch heading into the summer. The series follows a rapper, Al (Brian Tyree Henry), and his cousin and manager, Earn (Glover), as they build notoriety in the show’s namesake city. One thing that makes Atlanta so intriguing is its use of otherworldly elements as part of the philosophy of Afrosurrealism. The Afrosurrealism movement arose from the extreme prejudice that Black Americans faced and continue to face. When much of what a person experiences is based on an absurd fiction (that black people are inferior), it’s natural to come up with fantastical stories. – Jasper Selwood
Shanspeare
Shanspeare is a YouTube creator who specializes in vibrant and politically-conscious video essays. She’s easy to listen to while doing homework, podcast-style, but you’d miss her colorful costumes (usually correlating to the day’s topic of discussion.) She’s covered the connection between today’s beauty standards and pedophilia, how financial privilege creates cultural division among minorities and how popular TV shows enforce outdated stereotypes. Usually her videos are around half an hour long, but occasionally she’ll do a deep dive that lasts up to two hours. She keeps each topic interesting and fresh by offering a diverse array of opinions, while staying reasonably unbiased. She’s a burst of watchable fun in a typically boring field of educational videos. – Daisy Cody
Succession
The Adam McKay-produced HBO series Succession has run for three seasons, all with equal critical acclaim. A sharp and fast-talking examination of the unethically rich Roy family (the Murdochs’ television counterpart), it’s both entertaining and emotionally riveting in its dive into the troubles that come with their media conglomerate, ATN. With particularly noteworthy performances from Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong, one of the most essential subplots of the series is their father-son duo and constant power struggle. Succession presents a cast of wealthy villains all equally neglected by their father, Logan, but it manages to find the sympathy and humor in most of them— making for an intense but ultimately enjoyable experience. – Keaton Marcus
Friday Night Lights
Considered one of the best US shows in recent memory, television classic Friday Night Lights didn’t soar with viewership at the time of its release, but 12 years after its final season, it’s still a cult classic. It tells the story of the football-obsessed town of Dillon, Texas and their team’s coach, Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler). The football scenes themselves are particularly gritty and well-filmed, but what stands out is the depiction of the town’s sheer pressure against these teens. Big and tough on the field but only 16 and 17 years old, the teenagers in the show deal with manifold topics such as race, drug addiction, self-respect and the difficulties in balancing education and an infatuation with football. – Keaton Marcus
The Queen’s Gambit
On the surface, Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit is a show simply about playing chess, but underneath, it’s so much more. The story pulls you along with such a strong grip that even someone who doesn’t enjoy watching chess could get invested. Moments of humor and tension feel real. Nothing is forced, especially the swearing that’s intertwined in conversation. It makes a great pick for a binge over the summer break. You really feel like you’re in the main character’s shoes, orphaned and at rock bottom. There’s a wholesome but bloodthirsty feeling to her upbringing, like the world did her wrong and she’s coming for revenge. – Jack LaBar
A Silent Voice
It’s tough to recommend anime to a general audience, because for the most part, it’s simply just not for everyone. A Silent Voice, however, is the exception to that rule. This is one of the most heartfelt, emotional and introspective films that exists in modern media, and it’s a shame that it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Without spoiling too much (because a blind viewing of the movie is recommended), this film explores topics including trauma, regret, forgiveness and human communication. With some of the greatest music and animation to top it off, this film is a masterpiece of drama media. – Conor McGeady
Love and Mercy
Brian Wilson, the unofficial leading man of the Beach Boys, is captured flawlessly in Love and Mercy, a film that tells the story of his life. One segment is set in the 1960s, while The Beach Boys were working on their masterpiece Pet Sounds, and the other in the late 1980s while Wilson was trapped in a conservatory by his therapist Eugene Landy. Wilson from the 1960s is played by Paul Dano, while the 1980s Wilson is played by John Cusack. Both of these portrayals are perfectly on point, with Dano especially digging deep into the character of Wilson. The film opens a window into both Wilson’s drug abuse and his musical genius, beautifully contrasting a well-known period of Wilson’s life with a more private time. – Elliot Strom
Boyhood
Boyhood, released in 2014, charts the childhood of main character Mason, played by Ellar Coltrane. It was filmed in segments over 11 years, documenting the actors as they aged. Boyhood doesn’t have a traditional story arc, or even much of a plot, but that’s the point. The film values every part of Mason’s life, not just the traditionally important milestones or the most action-packed moments. This is an important idea for many of us as the school year ends, especially for graduating seniors; director Richard Linklater asks viewers to remember or realize that life is constant, and it’s about so much more than just the “big” moments. – Aaron Drummond
Interstellar
Interstellar, a 2014 film directed by Christopher Nolan, is a science fiction story is set on a dying Earth. The human population is starving, and crops have failed to grow for the last decade. Dust storms are routine, and humans are on the verge of mass extinction. A former pilot, Cooper, elects to leave his children on Earth and go on a multi-year journey through a wormhole to save humanity. Interstellar’s core themes of sacrifice, loss and betrayal connect instantly with the viewer. The musical score adds immeasurable depth to the experience, a testament to the brilliant composing and directing of the film. – Shambhava Srikanth
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke, directed by Hiyao Miyazaki, is an absolutely beautiful movie. It takes place in the Muromachi period of Japan and mainly comments on the relationship between man and nature. The animation is intricate and magical, creating a fully subversive experience. Most of Miyazaki’s movies are political commentary; Princess Mononoke in particular focuses on industrialism’s effect on the environment and the battle between the two. This movie is perfectly crafted and thoughtful, the characters are unique and well developed and the soundtrack is amazing. Miyazaki takes elements from Japanese mythology and folklore to create an even more personal story. – Kamea Morita
Dazed and Confused
It has become a ritual for my friends and me to watch Dazed and Confused at the beginning of summer each year. The film’s plot revolves around something seemingly uninteresting: regular 1970s high school students on the last day of school. Still, Dazed and Confused is deeply engaging and bursting with life. Many of the performances, such as those by Matthew McConaughey, Wiley Wiggins and Ben Affleck, are absolutely unforgettable. The heavily nostalgic and romanticized film, written and directed by Richard Linklater, reminds the viewer how frustrating it is to be a teenager, but also how fun it can be. One of the film’s major themes is freedom, which all the teens in the movie are desperately reaching towards in one way or another: freedom from school, parents, coaches and bullies. – Jasper Selwood
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino’s nostalgic blast from the past, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is a love letter to the late ‘60s and early ‘70s of Los Angeles, set largely against the steaming backdrop of the city. The film captures the low-stakes feeling of summertime in terms of both storytelling and aesthetic. It’s almost always daylight, and Tarantino’s “plot” isn’t even a plot, it’s an entertaining collection of hangout moments with people just being people. Both a character study of a fading actor’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) existential crisis and a dive into his stuntman’s (Brad Pitt) chaotic past and present, the film’s 160 minutes are well spent. True to its title, the movie is a fairy tale through and through, putting its own subversive and darkly comedic spin on true events such as the Manson family’s murder of Sharon Tate (portrayed by Margot Robbie). – Keaton Marcus
Desert Solitaire: by Edward Abbey
In his 1968 memoir Desert Solitaire, author and environmentalist Edward Abbey writes a surprisingly emotional love letter to the natural world. The book recounts a summer in the late ‘50s that Abbey spent as a park ranger in Utah’s Arches National Park. Desert Solitaire is composed of vignettes, a mixture of storytelling and commentary. Abbey writes about a weeks-long float down the Colorado River, detailing all the natural beauty and splendor around him with compelling prose; he ends the section with a condemnation of the Glen Canyon Dam, the construction of which flooded and destroyed the canyon that Abbey loved. As a summer read, Desert Solitaire inspires a desire to experience and appreciate the natural world, even if the woods of the Pacific Northwest bear little resemblance to Abbey’s barren red desert. – Aaron Drummond
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You: by Peter Cameron
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You follows James Sveck, a wealthy Manhattan teenager who just graduated high school. James is aimless, disaffected and uninspired by the world around him–he’s supposed to attend Brown University in the fall, but his dream is to buy a house in the Midwest and work at a nearby McDonald’s. At first glance, his situation might not inspire much empathy, but Cameron tells his story with sensitivity, humor and humanity, finding the common ground that James holds with everyone else. At just over 200 pages, the novel is a quick, accessible read with a lot to offer, especially to anyone who might feel disenchanted by the future. – Aaron Drummond
Anathem: by Neal Stephenson
Anathem by Neal Stephenson is a science fiction novel describing a world thousands of years in the future, where religious and spiritual practitioners have split from the secular government, forming an independent hierarchical society. The world is shocked when aliens are discovered orbiting the planet. For the first time in a thousand years, the world, which has separated itself, must come together to conquer the threat posed by the malicious aliens. The book follows the story of Fraa Erasmas as he leaves his secluded spiritual community and journeys across the country to try and save Fraa Orolo, his mentor, from condemnation and certain death. – Shambhava Srikanth
Any Human Heart: by William Boyd
Any Human Heart by William Boyd is a novel about a man named Logan Mountstuart and his many adventures. Told through a journal-style format, Logan struggles with his religion, love and family. Any Human Heart was written in 2002, but the story spans from 1923 to 1991. From his childhood in Uruguay to an expansive and humorous life across the globe, Logan matures and suffers in a series of snippets of life. Logan goes to Paris and covers the Spanish Civil War. He’s an art dealer when he’s in New York, a writer in Oxford. He becomes embroiled in a scandalous murder involving the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The book is written with a fast pace and healthy doses of both crude reality and the hopeful scribblings of an undeniable dreamer. – Daisy Cody
Vampires in the Lemon Grove: by Karen Russell
“Vampires in the Lemon Grove” is a short story by Pulitzer Prize finalist Karen Russell. It’s the title story of a collection published in 2013. Russell expertly balances the cliché troupe of angsty vampires with frightening twists and vibrant side characters. The story bounces between two time periods: when the vampire Clyde met his wife, and their decaying relationship. Russell subverts the reader’s expectations at every turn and instead builds a world of dreamy bat caves and mystery in southwest Italy. The premise is easily understandable, but the writing is dense and descriptive. It’s a short read that you’ll think about for a long time. – Daisy Cody
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: by Phillip Hoose
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler is a true story about how the Danish resisted their Nazi occupiers during WWII. The story is about a group of young men finding themselves in the middle of a war, deciding that they wanted to rebel and starting something larger than themselves. The story is harrowing at times but still keeps a matter-a-fact tone, even introducing humor. This is largely due to the fact that this is co-written by Knud Pedersen, one of the main characters. The story also follows Pedersen’s personal life, showing that Pedersen is not only a freedom fighter but also just a normal teenager. The Boys Who Challenged Hitler is a great coming-of-age story illustrating how teens can change the world around them. – Elliot Strom
Solanin: by Inio Asano
Solanin is a kind of anti-coming-of-age story. It follows Meiko and her significant other, Taneda, who are two years out of college and completely clueless about how to be adults. Meiko works a dead-end corporate job pushing papers – until she suddenly quits in an unplanned display of post-college angst. However, the pair soon become drawn into their old college band, which simultaneously invigorates and alienates their five-year relationship. Solanin is a manga (Japanese comic) for those who feel aimless in life, and author/illustrator Inio Asano makes one thing clear: profound insight does not come from stars and celebrities, but the everyday people around us. – Asher Wolfsmith
A Black Fox Running: by Brian Carter
A Black Fox Running by Brian Carter is a little-known classic of nature writing. Based in Devon, England, it tells the story of a black fox named Wulfgar and his struggle with a determined trapper who has a vendetta against foxes. Through a beautifully descriptive and vivid narrative, Carter paints a vibrant image of the Dartmoor countryside, intertwining a primal instinct for survival with a romantic fight for justice. Published in 1981, this book encompasses everything from alcoholism to environmental activism and reminds the reader of the battles being fought today. I fell in love with the characters the first time I read this book and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. – Shambhava Srikanth
Challenger Deep: by Neal Shusterman
Challenger Deep is a sentimental book that tells the story of Caden Bosch, a teen who is suffering from schizophrenia. What separates it from your run-of-the-mill drama book is the rich subplot. The other side of the story takes part in Bosch’s mind; he is on a pirate ship, which is both a symptom of his mental illness and a metaphor for it. The story switches between the reality of the medical room and Bosch’s perspective on the situation. The book definitely warrants a trigger warning, as it touches on some uncomfortable topics like suicide and existentialism. – Jack LaBar
Animal Crossing (Nintendo)
Animal Crossing, a Nintendo video game created by Katsuya Eguchi, Takashi Tezuka, Shigeru Miyamoto and Hisashi Nogami, is an adorable and calming social simulation game. In this game, players create an avatar and travel to a deserted island to build and design their own home with other residents. They can play multiplayer and visit friends’ islands, or they can play solo. This game is not high pressure, and it doesn’t come with any anxiety or competition. Players basically just wander around and talk to cute little animals, complete tasks and decorate the island. Animal Crossing is super easy, chill and cute, which is what makes it so popular. – Kamea Morita
Nier: Automata (Multiple Platforms)
Nier: Automata is a bit of a hard sell for the average gamer. Some are put off by its anime-lite art style and long play time, at 30 hours to finish a single campaign. However, I can confidently say that Nier: Automata is one of the most well-made, engaging and existential pieces of media I have ever interacted with, even beyond video games. The themes of this open-world hack-and-slash game surround humanity, the soul and AI. It’s darkly funny and provides a moving sense of hope, all within one story. Though imperfect, it is one of the most clear displays of passion I have seen by any games studio, and I truly cannot recommend it enough to anyone that cares about video games as a storytelling medium. – Asher Wolfsmith
Risk of Rain 2 (Multiple platforms)
Risk of Rain 2 is a rogue-like game that has collectable items to increase your character’s strength as you traverse levels, usually ended by a boss. In a two-dimensional dominated genre, Risk of Rain 2 breaks the mold by being three-dimensional. The gameplay is very open-ended, and you will never encounter the same circumstances or use the same playstyle. Playing solo is fun, but the game is at its best when played with a group. There’s a steep learning curve, and you’ll probably die a few times before you really learn the ropes. The achievements are worthwhile, however, as they lead to more characters and obtainable items, and it all comes together into a great game that feels satisfying to play. – Jack LaBar
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