Five Faves: October edition

Lucy Shirrell, Health and Wellness Editor

October 6, 2025

Midway Staff

The Midway is regularly featuring five recommendations from a staff member, highlighting their interests. Lucy Shirrell is a junior and the health and wellness editor.

Five Faves: October Edition

(Peacock)

Movie: “Twilight”

Based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, “Twilight” follows Bella Swan, a high-school girl, who moves from Phoenix to Forks, Washington. Bella becomes enamored with a vampire, Edward Cullen, and finds herself in a world of danger. Although no character in Twilight is especially likeable, I find myself pressing play over and over again for the comforting 2000s plot and charmingly cringe-worthy dialogue. The humor and silly CGI make it a great watch with friends or for any fall day. This movie is available to stream on Peacock.

(Spotify)

Song: “Evermore” by Taylor Swift (ft. Bon Iver)

“Evermore”, the title track to Swift’s album, has a tender melody and elegant lyricism. Lyrics like “this pain wouldn’t be for evermore,” work with the instrumental to create a reflective tone. As the song builds to the bridge, the voice of Justin Vernon, frontman of the band Bon Iver, comes in with a resounding falsetto that converses back and forth with Swift’s voice in a haunting duet. The song is a beautiful close to a quintessentially fall album. It is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

(Alfred A. Knopf)

Book: “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

In this chilling novel, a group of five classics students at an elite New England college step outside the boundaries of morality and face dark consequences. It’s a fascinating story filled with eerie themes of beauty and ethical limitations, making it a perfectly unsettling read for the crisp fall or halloween. The characters’ moral struggles make it a story that lingered in my mind long after I’d turned the final page. The book is available in the U-High library and for purchase on Amazon.

(HBO Max)

Show: “Pretty Little Liars”

This spooky series follows four high school girls who attempt to track down the mysterious figure “A” who has begun to torment them a year after their friend Allison’s disappearance. The suspenseful, fast-moving plot makes “Pretty Little Liars” a perfect binge for a fall long weekend, especially in preparation for Halloween. Despite some plot lines feeling overly far-fetched and even morally iffy, the characters' dynamics and the plot are entertaining enough to keep the binge going. The show is available to stream on Hulu and HBO Max.

(Spotify)

Album: “Five Seconds Flat” by Lizzy McAlpine

Beyond the social media viral song “ceilings,” McAlpine’s 2022 indie-pop album is an introspective collection of songs full of clever lyricism. The unique production, often incorporating layered vocals and surprising electronic elements, makes the album such a cozy listen. Along with McAlpine, the album features other artists, such as FINNEAS, Jacob Collier and Ben Kessler, that add more depth to some of the album’s stunning melodies. The album is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

U-High Midway

U-High Midway

U-High Midway

Five Faves: October edition

U-High Midway

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