Abel Brainz Digest, Vol. 84 - December 2025
Hey all!
It's the last month, and maybe the last newsletter of 2025. If I get my act together, there'll be a "year in review" volume this month. I guess we'll see. Either way, let's get to it.
cool movie stuff
Past Lives and The Materialists were excellent. Slow burns, beautiful cinematography, and excellent acting.
cool tv show stuff
Task, y'all. This show.... just let me know if/when you've seen it. We'll talk.
cool reading stuff
I loved A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers.
Definitely enjoyed Nikki Giovanni's Bicycles
Just started I Love Hearing Your Dreams by Matthew Zapruder
Excited to start Jose Andres' book, Change the Recipe
And, sticking to the culinary/restaurant tip, I'm re-reading Unreasonable Hospitality and it's hitting a lot different this time around.
And since I'm always posting links to bookshop.org, click HERE for a discount :)
cool music stuff
I enjoy my Christmas playlist. 8 hours of classic and not-so classic seasonal tunes. Let me know which one of your favorites I missed!
cool random stuff
Stumbled upon this through my random newsletter subscriptions. This T-Rex optical illusion is closer than it appears.
Oooo boy, this Mary Oliver poem. I think you can guess why I love it so much. I need to note which newsletters hipped me to these random delights.
cool improv stuff
Looks like I'll be in the last Road Trip of the year on December 27th at Red Light Cafe! It's such a fun show and I'm honored to be a part of it.
more cool improv stuff
Your Favorite Improv Gym will return in 2026. December filled up pretty fast (amazing!) and I'm looking forward to providing a space for the improv community to get their reps in. Stay tuned for official dates!
Thoughts? Questions? Recommendations? Hit me up!
Click here for all the past volumez.
And remember, this labor of love is handcrafted and distilled every month. Click here if you want to show some love and "subscribe." And even if you don't, I'll still send you the newsletter :)
Much love,
Abel