FIVE YEARS LATER

Sadly 2020 PJ who wrote one of the last blog posts, we never got back to it bud. But I will tell you now more than ever you are more inspired to want to write again and man is it an awesome feeling. This time too I promise you will want to write about more than just Thomas Edward Patrick Brady JR when you get a spark. The countless nights where I just let the mind wander when I can’t sleep or the hours spent at work day dreaming, the idea of coming back and just sitting down to do what I love always seemed so far-fetched… but why?

The real answer is now simple but for so long seemed hard to find: 

I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY.
(And no to my fellow Millennials out there, I do not mean the punk rock song we all know and love.)

I truly am my own worst critic and even my own kryptonite. It’s hard to escape my head sometimes, but why escape? Why not use an outlet that I always have had a passion for and found comfort in? Why not make use of ideas and not let ME stop ME. 

We can get more into ME VS. ME at a later date. 

So if you’re still here, you’re probably wondering “Well PJ, what’s the idea that got you off your ass?”

And well, of course it’s to give you my opinion, even if you didn’t ask for it. Especially since it’s 12:30 in the morning and I probably should be sleeping seeing as I work at the bank tomorrow, sorry today, and I also bartend NYE. Due to the heaviness of my eyes some will be described more than others. Without further ado here it is:

TOP 5. TOP 5. TOP 5

I don’t know about you, but 2025 was a rollercoaster of a year but somewhere in the chaos I still did find time to enjoy myself… to a ton of cool new stuff. 

You nasty. 

TOP 5 BOOKS

Back in 2024, I had made it a goal to cut down on my screen time. While bingeing the new Percy Jackson and the Olympians show on Disney+ I was reminded of how much I loved that series when I was younger and thought to myself “maybe I should reread it and compare the book to the tv show.” What I was unaware of was that not only would I fall back in love with the book series, but along the way rekindled my love for reading. Getting lost in a book has been my favorite way to escape reality, even if just a chapter at a time. With that being said it has now been two constant years of me reading again so why not rank the top books of the 21 I have completed this year. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Verity by Colleen Hoover

This was my 8th book of the year and my first book by Colleen Hoover and I absolutely loved it. The reason it didn’t crack the Top 5 is because I only read BANGER book selections, so yes there are 5 books better than this. 

As a struggling writer myself, I always love when a story is about someone who also is in the same shoes. Looking for a spark, a break, that one big shot. This book was so entertaining and suspenseful that I could not put it down, which is the case with the other 5 selections. I cruised through this in a week and found that I still wanted more. So when googling and looking into this, I was thrilled to find out there will be a movie coming out with my girl Anne Hathaway in it. I’m looking forward to that!

I had no idea what to expect from this book I just took out of Nicolle’s bookshelf after finishing *Book #3 on the list* but man am I happy I picked it up. 

#5: Intercepts by T.J. Payne

This book was my first of the year and man was it an amazing spooky book. It was gripping, terrifying, and even had me a little on edge during the week I was reading it. If you like thrillers, or just being a little scared this is for you. Anytime something is about a government funded project, I think the real fear comes from thinking(get your tinfoil hats ready) “what is the government really doing in secret?” 

There had even been a moment when I was reading it that Nicolle was taking a nap next to me and I got a full blown detailed text from her phone, which made me jump out of the bed… only to find out she sent a scheduled text. Who knew you could even do that? I didn’t. 

#4: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

I laughed, I cried(not in H Mart), I cheered for her, I craved food, I grieved, laughed some more, and yep you guessed it: cried some more. 

This book was filled with so much love and raw emotion it was hard to look away. For an author to peel apart these layers and really let the reader dive this deep into her life. It was a beautiful story about growing up multiracial in a world that wants to categorize and fit us into “boxes”. 

I also developed a new found love for Japanese Breakfast and have been bumping ever since. Yet another book selected from Nicolle’s library (seeing a theme?) that I absolutely loved. 

#3 The Shining by Stephen King

 I have watched and dissected countless times, so I was eager to finally read the book. Last Christmas Nicolle had gifted me a trilogy of Stephen King Book’s knowing that I wanted to finally dive into his writing. The trilogy included Carrie, Salem’s Lot, and The Shining which I saved for last since it was the largest of the three. Reading this book back in the late winter-early spring it felt I had just finished as the season was and I knew it was time to read something other than Mr. King after he consumed my winter. 

This book did not disappoint, I loved every second of it and since I have seen the movie so many times it felt as if the film was rolling on a projector in my head as I read along page after page. Sadly I have not been back to Stephen King since but I have plans for next year with him. Don’t really need to describe this one, everyone and their mama have watched or know about it. 

#2 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

This may be one of my favorite books I have ever read, and after reading over 50 books the past two years that says a lot. So now you’re probably thinking “how the hell is this #2 then and not #1?” Patience, young one, it will all make sense. 

This was one of my first real SCI-FI books since returning to reading and sad to say, it is going to be REALLY hard to top as a stand alone book. It was heartwarming, funny, and an emotional roller coaster from the first page. Following along Ryland Grace, a sole survivor on a mission in space to save the Earth, with a small problem. He doesn’t remember his name, the reason for the mission, nor the severity of it. We meet Rocky who is an awesome supporting character in the race to save two planets. 

I cannot recommend this book enough, I even got a friend who doesn’t read often to pick it up and start obsessing over it too. If that doesn’t spark you to want to read it, there is a movie coming out in 2026 with Ryan Reynolds so get to reading!

#1 The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

Now hear me out, if I was to pick Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star for my Top 5, what kind of list would that be? Pierce Brown, I do not know what you sprinkled into your writing but I am addicted my Goodman. This series has taken over as the best series I have read not just recently but IN MY LIFE, sorry Harry Potter. I’m not kidding, I have not stopped ranting and raving about this series since I picked up Red Rising from the library. I even attempted to start a book club with some fellow bartenders I work with or have worked with, which never fell through but everyone ended up not only reading Red Rising but continuing on the series as well. 

To the readers who have no idea what this series is about, imagine a Star Wars and Hunger Games mash up, now make it even better. I will suggest this book to anyone who lends me an ear and will always praise Pierce Brown for the work he has done. 

I laugh, I cry, I get read to run through a brick wall, I dream about dropping in an Iron Rain alongside Sevro and Darrow, I cry some more (if you can’t tell by now I love letting them flow), and I root for the good guy(is he good?). 

From June to October, the first four books in the series had consumed my life. The fourth book Iron Gold didn’t make this list only because I had mixed feelings about the different character POV switching between chapters, so it got a 4.5 instead of a 5… only complaint. 


TOP 5 MOVIES:

#5 One of Them Days

 This movie felt like a breath of fresh air, I love this style of comedy, can you tell Friday is one of my favorite movies ever? So for this film with Keke Palmer and SZA to basically be a female version of my favorite 90’s film, I was hooked.

#4 A Long Walk

Not only did I read Stephen King this year, I watched some too! This movie was awesome, and normally I am not a fan of movies that are just one constant location or activity(the walk) but this was done exceptionally well. I was drawn in the whole time during the eventful walk. 

One line that really stuck out to me was “you’ve been walking for 5 days, I’ve been walking my whole life.” Just a real powerful exchange between the two main characters. 

#3 A Real Pain

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin are a dream blunt rotation. This movie hits a little harder when you can relate to both in the film. There were a lot of compelling moments quotes from this one: 

“I love him, and I hate him… and I want to be him”

“my pain is unexceptional, so I don’t feel the need to burden everyone with it”

#2 Sinners

I feel like there’s not much I can say about this film that already hasn’t been said. So I will save you the time, if you saw this movie then you know it was one of the best films this year. 

#1 Whiplash

Before you yell at me that this movie is 11 years old, trust me I’m mad at myself that it took me this long to finally watch it. The story Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons tell together is truly remarkable. The movie goes to a rapid beat, and causes your heart to do the same. It takes your breath away at the start and makes you struggle to grasp it by the end. I loved it all, now “turn my pages(keep scrolling) bitch.”

TOP 5 MEALS I COOKED:

Something 2025 brought me is a newfound love for cooking, something about getting lost in a new recipe and throwing down in the kitchen has helped me escape my mind and the world. Nothing matters but the final product from the second I step in the kitchen until I plate it and sit to eat. I have tried countless numbers of new recipes this year and these were my Top 5 I cooked, no order because everything I cook is #1. 

Korean Street Tacos
Beef bulgogi, corn tortilla, cole slaw with my own little Bang-Bang mix (soy sauce, gochuchang, chili oil, sesame oil, sriracha and mayo). 



Chicken Cutlets

I finally got past my fear of frying in oil and it was the best thing I have ever done because now not only have I perfected my chicken cutlets like my moms, but I’m always looking for new meals to fry. 

Short Rib Empanadas

Again, once I cooked with oil it was over. I started with ground beef empanadas then advanced throughout the year to the point I braised my own short rib to use as the filling for an empanada. 

Chicken Bacon Cajun Pasta

This was a meal I made a few times before perfecting it. The first time there was no bacon or peppers, then the second time I diced bell peppers, by the third time I added bacon and I had finalized my recipe. 

Might gatekeep this one in case there’s a cook book down the line. 

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
I literally made this tonight and as I’m in bed writing this I’m thinking about eating some more right now. So easy, so full of flavor, and I love making at least 1 soup a week now that it is cold. Just a boy and his Dutch oven against the world. 


TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2025

If you know me you know DJ PJ’s musical taste is all over the place, which is the same with this list. But just like me, my taste is diverse. 

#5 The Sound a Body Makes When It’s Still by Hot Mulligan

So leading up to this year I had felt I really liked Hot Mulligan, this album proved I was wrong: I loved them. This album came out in August and has not left my On Repeat since. I was super bummed I did not get to see them when they just came to Boston on this tour. Maybe someone reading this will also be like “hey I missed out on them too and I love them also” and it can spark a beautiful friendship (I promise I’m a super cool dude if you can’t tell by this point of the blog). 

#4 The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean

Yet another thanks to my gorgeous girlfriend for playing Olivia Dean in the car around me, it was life changing. A beautiful voice for even more stunning lyrics. She perfectly describes the beauty and pain of love. 

#3 SWAG by Justin Bieber

Not much needs to be said, the KING IS BACK.

 ‘Nuff said. 

#2 Ballonerism by Mac Miller

If I’m being honest, if it wasn’t for a Mac Miller bias SWAG would be #2. But my love for Mac goes way back to when I was a young dumb 8th grader doing things he shouldn’t have been doing bumping the Best Day Ever mixtape on my iPod. This was his second posthumous album release and it was magnificent. No notes, no skips, just some tears and wishing he was still here making music. 

#1 Never Enough by Turnstile

This is a similar situation to Whiplash, I am so mad at myself that it took me this long to finally listen to Turnstile. All my coworkers always go to their concert together when the band is in town and I’d be one of the poor souls stuck bartending the taproom, but little did I know how much I was missing out on. They became one of my favorite bands this year and I am so glad I finally did a deep dive into their discography. If you haven’t listened yet, take this as a sign to give them a chance!

TOP 5 2025 LESSONS/EXPERIENCES 

#5 Wearing my first Scally Cap

I know, this probably sounds very silly. But it might be my favorite decision I’ve made after my grandfather gifted me one a few weeks ago as an early Christmas present after seeing how good I looked with his on my head when I was over for Thanksgiving. I don’t feel really comfortable wearing it since I always wear fitted baseball hats. So until I feel comfortable, I have been forcing myself to wear it everyday until it becomes like second nature and just an extension of me. Watching Peaky Blinders for the first time ever has added to my desire to wear one… and smoke a cigarette. 

#4 Started Cooking More 

Once I started taking cooking more seriously, who knew my belly would benefit? I won’t dive too much into this since I did above but nothing beats getting lost in a new recipe. Life has been really hard this year so being able to shut everything off for a little while I’m in the kitchen has been an amazing escape. I cannot wait to see what recipes 2026 holds for me. 

#3 READING

Another item I already went over but again this would be a lesson/experience if it was not for my love for reading. Which also has sparked my desire to write again. It’s the same feeling I get when cooking, being able to escape my mind or what’s going on in my life even just for little, has been my saving grace. When I got rid of my XBOX in August of 2024 I wondered how I would survive without video games, and if you’re in those same shoes I promise you can! There’s tons of other outlets or ways to utilize your time then more screen time. 

#2 Doing Things Little Me Loved To Do

Falling back in love with things I loved as a child has healed a part of me I didn’t know needed it. I have been getting lost in books again, I fell in love with wrestling again, and now with adult money I’m seeing bands I loved as a kid. I don’t know if it’s life coming full circle or if feeling nostalgic because 30 is creeping up on me and right around the corner. How are my fellow 90’s baby's feeling? 

But seriously, maybe little PJ was onto something because the 29 year old me thinks he was pretty damn cool. 


#1 GET MY FIRST CAR

FUCK YEAH! 

F I N A L L Y

This truly was my biggest accomplishment this year other than surviving. I would not have been able to do it without the help of Nicolle, her aunt, and uncle.



THAT’S ALL FOLKS

If you made it here this far, thank you. It means a lot that someone out there actually cares about what I have to say. Hopefully there will be more to say and more to read. 

Onto 2026!