“Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand

I read this book three times and bawled my eyes out every single time. Hillenbrand tells the inspiring story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner turned soldier, from childhood to his capture and imprisonment by Japanese soldiers to his life upon liberation. It’s insane to read about the things that he endured and super cool to learn about all of the other people he met during his capture. Don’t write this book off if you’re not interested in non-fiction or World War II, because its powerful storytelling is enough to capture any reader. Even on my third read, this book was hard to put down and I’m sure I’ll find myself reading it once again.

“American Heartbreak” by Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan was launched into popularity this year when his song “Something in the Orange” went viral on Tiktok. The Oklahoma native’s 2022 album deserves the same love, with an all-American folk/country/rock feel and 2 hours of great tunes. The album features 34 songs, so there’s bound to be something for everybody. He taps into emotions with songs about growing up, loss, and love. “Heavy Eyes” and “Corinthians (Proctor’s)” have beautiful guitar, and I also recommend “The Outskirts,” “Late July,” and “Oklahoma City.” 

“Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons”

This wouldn’t be a true Isabel Costa Roundup if I didn’t recommend something stupid, so here is a mindless TV show to help you unwind. Netflix’s “Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons” is a six-season cross between reality TV and journalism (perhaps a bit heavier on reality TV). In season one, goofy Irish host Paul Connolly spends every episode in a different country’s prison, interviewing guards, befriending prisoners, and exposing the inner workings of each prison. Seasons two and beyond follow Raphael Rowe, who is a bit braver than Connolly but no less entertaining. The dramatic sound effects and intense action shots make the episodes a total hoot. This is a great show to binge if you’re looking for nothing serious and you have a lot of time to waste.