Entertained and Educated: Books and movies to get you ready for your year of study
Attending university is such a thrilling experience. For many of you, it’s where you’ll deepen and expand your knowledge regarding passions and potential careers, encountering clubs, courses, and people that will have an impact. During this time, keep an eye out for the enrichening media that’s available to you: the films and literature that encompass your interests and hopes. As we look forward to a jam-packed new year of exciting opportunities, keep an open mind and an open heart for what can be learned through entertainment.
I’ve compiled a list of some books and movies to prepare you for a great year – or simply to act as a reminder of what you’ve already consumed. I hope you discover some new favourites!
* = by a New Zealand artist
Books on: Diverse Experiences
Know My Name (written by Chanel Miller)
Let Me Be Frank (written by Sarah Lang)*
When Breath Becomes Air (written by Paul Kalanithi)
Educated (written by Tara Westover)
Movies on: Everlasting Connections
St. Vincent (2014, directed by Theodore Melfi) – Prime Video and TVNZ+
Stand By Me (1986, directed by Rob Reiner) – TVNZ+
Waiting To Exhale (1995, directed by Forest Whitaker) – Disney+
Booksmart (2019, directed by Olivia Wilde) – Neon Rentals
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (2005, directed by Ken Kwapis)
Books on: Wisdom
Galatea (written by Madeline Miller)
Aroha (written by Dr Hinemora Elder)*
Letters To A Young Poet (written by Rainer Maria Rilke)
Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind (written by Yuval Noah Harari)
Why We Do The Things We Do: Psychology In A Nutshell (written by Joel Levy)
Moves on: Growing Up
Boy (2010, directed by Taika Waititi)* – Netflix and TVNZ+
Lady Bird (2017, directed by Greta Gerwig) – Neon Rentals
Labyrinth (1986, directed by Jim Henson) – Netflix
Good Will Hunting (1997, directed by Gus Van Sant) – Netflix
The Holdovers (2023, directed by Alexander Payne)
Movies On: Pursuing Your Dreams
Whale Rider (directed by Niki Caro)* – TVNZ+
Dead Poets Society (1989, directed by Peter Weir) – Disney+
Legally Blonde (2001, directed by Robert Luketic) – Apple TV+ Rentals
Cool Runnings (1993, directed by Jon Turteltaub) – Disney+
A League Of Their Own (1992, directed by Penny Marshall) – Neon and Prime Video
Books on: Life and Self-Love
Convenience Store Woman (written by Sayaka Murata)
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love (written by Sonya Renee Taylor)
Everything I Know About Love (written by Dolly Alderton)
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (written by Gail Honeyman)
What a Time to Be Alone (written by Chidera Eggerue)
Movies on: Pushing The Envelope
Dear White People (2014, directed by Justin Simien) – Apple TV+ Rentals
Mona Lisa Smile (2003, directed by Mike Newell) – Apple TV+ Rentals
Hidden Figures (2016, directed by Theodore Melfi) – Disney+
Do Revenge (2022, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson) – Netflix
Uproar (2023, directed by Paul Middleditch, Hamish Bennett)*