C:\collections personalcanon.txt

C:\collections\personalcanon.txt

personal canon

inspired by this piece on substack, a collection of works that have influenced my art and perspective. last updated february 2, 2026.

writing

  • Speak (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • In the Dream House (2019) by Carmen Maria Machado
  • Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World (2023) by Naomi Klein
  • "The Death of the Author" (1968) by Roland Barthes, translated by Stephen Heath for Image, Music, Text (1977)
  • "What Is an Author?" (1969) by Michel Foucault, translated by Donald F. Bouchard & Sherry Simon for Language, Counter-memory, Practice (1977)
  • Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds (2017) by adrienne maree brown
  • Parable of the Sower (1993) by Octavia E. Butler
  • Mrs. Dalloway (1925) by Virginia Woolf
  • The Great Gatsby (1925) by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Macbeth (1623) by William Shakespeare
  • Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries (2022) by Rick Emmerson
  • Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls (2022) by Kathleen Hale
  • The Chaos Walking trilogy (2008-2010) by Patrick Ness
  • The Chasing Vermeer series (2004-2008) by Blue Balliett
  • The Secret Series (2007-2011) by Psuedonymous Bosch
  • From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) by E. L. Konigsburg
  • The Amelia's Notebook series (1995-2015) by Marissa Moss

movies

  • NOPE (2022), directed by Jordan Peele
  • Sinners (2025), directed by Ryan Coogler
  • The Saw series (2004-2023)
  • The Thing (1982), directed by John Carpenter
  • Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott
  • The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowski Sisters
  • Quest for Camelot (1998), directed by Frederik Du Chau

tv shows

  • Twin Peaks, including the original series (1990-1991), Fire Walk With Me (1992), and The Return (2017)
  • Breaking Bad (2008-2013) and Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
  • Riverdale (2017-2023)
  • Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) and Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion (2013)
  • New Girl (2011-2018)

music

  • The complete works of Taylor Swift (2006-current)
  • Badlands (2015) and If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (2021) by Halsey
  • Pure Heroine (2013) and Melodrama (2017) by Lorde
  • Dance Fever (2022) by Florence & the Machine
  • Guts (2024) by Olivia Rodrigo
  • The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023) by Chappell Roan
  • Dirty Computer (2018) by Janelle Monáe
  • Electra Heart (2012) by Marina & the Diamonds
  • Hot Fuss (2004), Sam's Town (2006), Day & Age (2008), and Battle Born (2012) by The Killers
  • Everything in Transit (2005), The Glass Passenger (2008), and People and Things (2011) by Jack's Mannequin
  • Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (2014), Zombies on Broadway (2017), and Upside Down Flowers (2018) by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
  • That's Showbiz, Baby! (2025) by JADE
  • Who's the Clown? (2025) by Audrey Hobert

video games

  • Undertale (2015)
  • Deltarune (2018-current)
  • Disco Elysium (2019)
  • Stardew Valley (2016)