As we wrap up 2025, we asked our colleagues at Mass Humanities to share the experiences that moved them this year, including films, books, concerts, journeys, and their work with humanities organizations across Massachusetts. We hope you enjoy the list and wish you a Happy New Year.
Favorite book
Katherine Stevens, Director of Grants and Programs: The Melancholy of Untold History by Minsoo Kang. I picked this up on a whim in a little bookstore in St. Louis while visiting family and I was completely taken with it. A braid of myth, story, and invented history, revealing the soft edges between the three where we make sense of our lives.
Marie Pellissier, Program Officer: The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff. An unexpectedly funny exploration of what it means to belong and why friendship is so important, set in a small village in India.
Diane Feltner, Development Manager: The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Wes DeShano, Communications Manager: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. Part murder mystery, part speculation about the future of AI, this book unsettled me, but in a good way. I didn’t see the twist coming.
Latoya Bosworth, Program Officer: Nikki Giovanni’s final book, The New Book has been such a gift. It is a reminder to continue to write. It doesn’t have to be a structured essay or blog post geared towards a specific audience. My absolute favorite poet of all time, I have autographed books and the pleasure of meeting her years ago. I was saddened by her transition in 2024 but inspired by the idea that our work lives on and that is why we must continue to create.
Alex Creighton, Director of Operations and Financial Administration: The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed.
Brian Boyles, Executive Director: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. I know this novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020, but that was a year when other news captured my attention. How lucky I felt to pick it up at the Leverett Library and fall into the wonder of Erdrich’s storytelling. A great read for your well-deserved downtime.
Favorite album, show, or live performance
Katherine Stevens: I finally got to see Samantha Crain live! Her music got me through some rough times in the past so I was grateful when she put out an album this year. Massive voice, small person, and she wore the coolest suit.
Marie Pellissier: 40 Days, The Wailin’ Jennys.
Diane Feltner: Wicked at the Bushnell. (Comedians Nate Bargatzke and Leanne Morgan are a close second.)
Wes DeShano: The Wrong Station podcast. I like this audio drama because it’s like a kindred spirit to The Twilight Zone. Eerie atmosphere, tension-filled storytelling, and stellar voice acting. Episodes are also the perfect length to listen to while on the way to the office.
Latoya Bosworth: A poetry concert called Bone Structure by of my one my closest friends, Lynnette Johnson. As one of her good friends, I have memorized many of her spoken word pieces, performed with her, and have read her books. I experienced her poetry in a new way, with backgrounds singer, violinists, bass player, keyboardist, and drums. It brought me to tears.
Alex Creighton: I got to see the Hamilton tour with my family and it was the best! SO GOOD live.
Brian Boyles: Zafer Tawil and Zachi Asher at Race Brook Lodge.
General highlight
Katherine Stevens: On an early weekend in January 2025, I went with my MH colleagues Brian and Raeshma to visit with David Weeden and Jim Peters in Mashpee. We met at the Old Indian Meeting House where they shared tribal history—a chain of continuity and self-government stretching back generations—saw carvings in the pews, read from William Apess’s “The Mashpee Revolt,” ate a great lunch at local diner, listened a lot. It was a very cold day and a very warm feeling. Hard to put into words.
Diane Feltner: Going to the Grand Ole Opry and Graceland.
Wes DeShano: Attending MASSCreative’s Creative Sector Summit in Northampton sticks out in my mind. It was very cool to meet so many people in the arts & culture world. I’d highly recommend attending a future summit if you can!
Latoya Bosworth: In November I took my first solo trip that didn’t involve work, education, or celebrating someone else. It was me, myself and I on a resort in San Juan Puerto Rico without the mental or emotional labor of calendar events, parenting, or even decision making. I read fiction, something I haven’t done much of as someone who is a forever learner and researcher. I spent hours and hours on the beach reading with no care of time in the world, no intruding thoughts of family meal planning, emails, chores, drops off and pick-ups, no place to be but present and that was just what I needed after such a challenging year personally and professionally
Alex Creighton: Annawon Weeden’s performance at the Climate Story Summit in New Bedford.
Favorite Mass Humanities event
Katherine Stevens: I could be cute and try to pick something obscure but let’s be honest “In the Archives with Ken Casey” was the best. WBUR’s José C. Massó once said that spaces where diverse people are creating and experiencing joy gives him hope for democracy. “In the Archives” was one of those spaces.
Marie Pellissier: Museum on Main Street openings. These have been so full of energy, enthusiasm, and civic spirit—and each one reflects what makes the host community unique! From the sing-a-long at Mohawk Trail Regional School, to the elected officials from the state and local level who have come to every opening, it’s been an amazing way to see the impact of our work.
Diane Feltner: In the Archives with Ken Casey.
Wes DeShano: This year I had the privilege of making a short film about organizations using the humanities to address climate change issues. One of these organizations was the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst. What I loved about HCE’s project was that it centered youth perspectives on climate change. Listening to these young adults describe their experiences with such eloquence was inspiring–I feel uplifted knowing that younger generations are paying attention to these complex issues and thinking creatively about how to navigate them.
Latoya Bosworth: “In the Footsteps of Douglass” brought together RFDT grantees, fellows, artists and scholars with the organizer of #DouglassWeek and the NewBedford Historical Society for a day of exploration and connection. I loved connecting with people and arranging connections between people. Every time I visit New Bedford, Lee Blake teaches me something new.
Alex Creighton: I mean, the Ken Casey event 🙂
