Curated by Mâché: Our 2025 Community Favourites Roundup
As the doors close on 2025, we took a moment to pause the clacking of keyboards and the steaming of the espresso machine to ask our members one question: What did you love consuming this year?
One of the best things about coworking at Mâché is the sheer variety of perspectives under our roof. Our "Members' Favourites" list proves it—ranging from 5-hour Japanese dramas to podcasts about the history of chemotherapy.
If you’re looking for your next summer read or a binge-worthy series to kick off 2026, look no further than these recommendations from the Mâché community.
📚 The Bookshelf
If there was a "Mâché Book of the Year," it would undoubtedly be the Red Rising series. This sci-fi epic was a massive hit in the space this year, with members praising it as an "all-time" favourite.
Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown: A high-stakes sci-fi epic. Golden Son (Book 2) was noted as a particular standout.
Invitation to a Banquet by Fuchsia Dunlop: An "unreal" exploration of how certain Chinese dishes and food cultures evolved over time.
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: Fascinating strategies on how upbringing affects your career and how to manage multinational teams.
Slade House by David Mitchell: A "very good and quite short" spooky story—perfect for a quick weekend read.
Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari: A thought-provoking deep dive into the history of information networks.
🎬 The Big Screen
Our cinema picks this year ranged from modern sci-fi to "slow cinema" and the occasional nostalgic laugh.
Moon (Dir. Duncan Jones): A quiet, brilliant sci-fi film for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling.
There Will Be Blood (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson): Described by our members as Daniel Day-Lewis at his absolute finest.
Happy Hour (Dir. Ryusuke Hamaguchi): A five-hour Japanese drama about four women in their 30s. "Sounds weird, but it’s very lovely and honest."
Arrival (Dir. Denis Villeneuve): A modern classic about language and time that members find themselves falling in love with every year.
Anatomy of a Fall (Dir. Justine Triet): A gripping, award-winning legal thriller.
Her (Dir. Spike Jonze): A beautiful, melancholy look at love in the digital age.
Superman 2 (Dir. Richard Lester): A nostalgic re-watch that provided plenty of laughs, even if it hasn't aged perfectly!
🎙️ Top of the Pods
We are a community of curious minds, and our podcast tastes reflect a hunger for both science and storytelling.
StarTalk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson: A community staple for those who love to "nerd out" on space.
Will AI Save Humanity? (Trevor Noah: What Now?): A mind-bending conversation featuring Mustafa Suleyman (DeepMind) that mixes humor with high-concept tech.
Beyond the Screenplay: An interesting look at the "why" behind popular movies by breaking down their scripts.
Full Story (The Guardian): A go-to for daily news you can trust.
No One Saw It Coming: Obscure historical topics and how they affect us today—the episode on chemotherapy comes highly recommended.
Super Massive (Royal Astronomical Society): Another fantastic option for the space-obsessed among us.
🎧 The Soundtrack of 2025
From electronic "brain-melters" to soulful folk, here is what has been playing in our headphones this year:
I Love My Computer by Ninajirachi: A high-energy track that "will break your brain" in the best way possible.
Malasana by Hania Rani: Beautiful, atmospheric piano music.
Mark William Lewis / Oneohtrix Point Never: Both were highlighted as incredible albums for those who enjoy experimental sounds.
Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace by Shabaka: A soulful, graceful jazz-inspired journey.
Sleep Circle by Max Richter: The ultimate focus music.
Sons (Album) by Sons of the East: Great folk-rock for fans of The War on Drugs.
📺 The Watchlist
Finally, the shows that kept us glued to the sofa after a day of work.
Andor (Disney+): A unanimous favourite. Season 2 was called "a work of art" for its plot and incredible costume design.
Blue Eyed Samurai (Netflix): An immensely enjoyable and visually stunning animated series.
The Studio: Described as "very funny and chaotic."
The Patient (SBS Demand): A tense, gripping psychological thriller.
Slow Horses (Apple TV+): The witty, grimy spy drama that everyone seems to be talking about.
One Day: A beautiful, heart-wrenching exploration of love and life.
Arrested Development: A classic comedy re-watch that still holds up.
A big thank you to everyone who shared their picks! The blend of collaboration and casual connection is what makes our community so uniquely Mâché, thanks to all of you guys!
What was your #1 pick for 2025? Come find us in the kitchen and let us know!
