- Becoming an uncle
- Watching my middle sister get married
- 5 Days for the Homeless
- Going to Peru and climbing the Inca Trail
- Getting to share my spoken word
- Having an amazing PS1 experience
This is less about bragging and more about reminding myself how blessed I am. There was a lot that went wrong this year as well, but a lot of things also went really right.
Books
Alright, enough with the personal stuff, let's get on with my media lists.
In 2011 I started making a note of every book that I read in the year. I so wish that I had started doing this sooner. It's cool how looking back over a list of books can give you a reflection of the year. Each book brings with it a memory of where I was when I was reading it. Why I chose to read it, who I was reading it with, why I took so long to finish it--these all point to the parts in my year that aren't necessarily special enough to make it onto a grand list, but are still a huge portion of my life. When I first started making the list my goal was to read more books each year. I failed completely. Meh, it was worth a shot. Here are some great books that I read this year:
- Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom. When I finished this book I literally just sat on the couch and cried for a solid amount of time. It's short, simple, and powerful. Maybe it was the connection I've had in my life with people who had Lou Gehrig's disease, maybe it was because the failing health of my grandpa, maybe it was because it just reflected on humanity so well, but either way it was definitely a book that I will be going back to. I recommend it completely (K, I'm not going to say that at the end of each one seeing as I probably will recommend them all).
- In the Skin of a Lion - Michael Ondaatje. This book really turned me on to Ondaatje's writings and I recommend his stuff to any customer who comes in. Refreshing and Canadian. It's books like this that make me really lament the fact that my English class days are pretty much over. I would never have read this book if I hadn't been forced to, and I would never have appreciated it as much as I did if I had not had someone showing me how awesome it truly is.
- Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne. This is my go-to book when people are wandering in the religious section at Chapters with a wide-eyed, lost look. "Seriously, it changed my life," I tell every customer. It's hard to explain why I found it so impacting. "What's it about?" they always ask. "Welp, it's about love." Ooo, I really sell it with that line. Most of the people just stare blankly at me at that point and I don't usually end up selling it, but to the few who picked it up, I can pretty much guarantee that they loved it. If you haven't already read this book (and most have) go out and buy it right now. If I could pick one book off this list to recommend, it would be this one. (And then, if you have already read this one already, check out "7" by Jennifer Hatmaker. It's in a similar vein and, while not quite as inspiring, still one that I intend to read again and again. And if you've read that one, check out "The Man Who Quit Money" by Mark Sundeen. How I made it out of this year with out becoming a full blown hippie I will never know.)
- The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills - Chuck Bukowski. With a title like that, it's gotta be poetry. Despite my love of poetry I really don't actively seek it out because I often find myself drowning in its pretentiousness. I really liked Bukowski because his poems aren't overly cryptic or full of flamboyant narratives of rolling hills and deep oceans. His work is simple and shocking and entertaining. Kinda like Shel Silverstein for grown ups. But really not really at all.
- To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee. Yes, I am an English major who managed to get through his whole life without reading To Kill a Mockingbird. People who don't read a lot have read To Kill a Mockingbird. People who hate reading have read To Kill a Mockingbird. So I'm sorry, I remedied it, and I quite enjoyed it. Would I teach it in my classroom? Probably not. Would I give it to my kids to read one day? Definitely. It's got some great lessons and a good story.
- Stitches - David Small. I took a seminar in university about graphic novels and their increasing prominence in schools nowadays. I had honestly never given them much thought--I have always wanted to read Maus by Art Spiegelman but have never really gotten around to it. Stitches was one of the first 'literary graphic novels' that I have read and I loved it. It's an autobiography of a boy who had brutal parents and cancer growing up. It's certainly not the 'BANG' 'KAPOW' that you typically think of when you think comic books, but it certainly packs a punch in its own way. I bought it immediately after I was finished it and it has encouraged me to check out a slew of other literary graphic novels. Any other ones anyone would recommend? (Also, if you like Stitches, check out Blankets by Craig Thompson).
Movies
Along with books, I always make a list of movies that impacted me throughout the year. Obviously not all these movies were released in 2012, so you're not going to be seeing a lot of them at the Oscars, but I watched them this year so they deserve to be mentioned. My top eleven are:
11. Freedom Writers - I had to make the list 11 to include this because it's so cheesy and predictable but given my desired occupation I couldn't resist.
10. American History X - After watching this I decided that Edward Norton is genuinely messed up in the head, but still it's a profound movie that anyone (with a bit of a tough stomach) should watch.
9. Sherlock Holmes 2 - My 'superhero' pick. Avengers was fantastic, Dark Knight was strong, but for some reason Sherlock stuck with me. (This might be swayed by the fact that I just watched every episode of BBC's Sherlock and am currently riding that high.)
8. Like Crazy - I didn't really like this movie, but I came away from it shaken and not okay. If a movie can cause that strong of a reaction, it must mean there's something there.
7. Blue Like Jazz - For what it was, it was amazing. It was probably the best Christian movie I've seen, which isn't saying a WHOLE lot, but it is saying something. Again, it affected me strongly, not necessarily in a this-is-the-best-movie-ever kinda way, but in the I-actually-want-to-spend-time-contemplating-my-life kinda way.
6. The Departed - Got me started on a whole mafia/gangsters kick. I love movies that make me pause halfway through and go, "Okay so he's... but then that guy... but they think... but who was... OHHHH!"
5. There Will Be Blood - I still think about this movie on a weekly basis. I love love love it and it made me want to watch every Paul Thomas Anderson film. (Punch Drunk Love should also get an honourable mention on this list too).
4. Safety Not Guaranteed - Really fun, simple, and slightly quirky. More than just your average rom com.
3. Silver Linings Playbook - I think Bradley Cooper deserves an Oscar nom for Best Actor. He probably shouldn't win it, but he still deserves to be recognized.
2. Never Let Me Go - So unique! I have never seen a movie that I've been more thrown-off by its complete disregard for its premise. It's technically sci-fi, but it's so character driven that you kind of forget about the sci-fi -part. And it made me hate Keira Knightley less, so that's always a bonus. I wrote out a whole review immediately after watching this movie for no other reason then I wanted to sort out why I loved it so much. (Watch the movie, don't read the book). Also, it features my love Carey Mulligan, of whom I will one day convince to amicably split up from her now-husband Marcus Mumford so he can play at mine and Carey's wedding.
1. Life of Pi - This is what a movie should be. It didn't need sex, violence, or any other cheap trick to keep it flowing. It was brilliant to witness, entertaining to watch, and inspiring to analyze. I didn't even like the book all that much but the movie made me a believer. I definitely want to see it nominated for Best Picture. As I described it on Facebook: "So Life of Pi is like Castaway meets the Discovery Channel meets Avatar. Except Tom Hanks is an Indian boy, Wilson is a tiger, and the director is on acid. I recommend it 100%"
I feel like The Master and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel should also probably find their way on to this list but I just don't know where.
This year I learnt to stop following actors and start following directors. Some actors consistently pick good roles (e.g. Philip Seymour Hoffman), but I found out that most the time, if you want consistency, you follow the director. Some that I actively sought out this year were: Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Christopher Nolan, the Coen Brothers, Roman Polanski. They've all got some really, really great stuff. I'm still learning to delve past the Golden Globes and Oscars. Does anyone have any recommendations of less popular titles/ones I didn't mention? (And don't say Les Mis, Argo, or Lincoln--I'm working on it!)
Music
And finally music! My New Years Resolution for the year 2012 was to not download a single song and, with some serious dedication, I can proudly say I reached it. Life list entry checked off! I went from getting multiple albums in a week to multiple albums in a year. And honestly, I like the change. It was a lot of pressure to keep up with all of the music I was downloading and this past year I've been able to just appreciate the music that I already have. But still I can't go completely without new music, so thank God for gifts from friends, Noisetrade, 8tracks, and good ol' youtube. From the few that I purchased, ones that I would recommend:
- Dave Siverns - Songs for Singing (If you live in Lethbridge you should already own this one)
- Alt J - An Awesome Wave (K maybe just buy 'Breezeblocks')
- Fun. - Some Nights (Don't actually buy this album. Listen to the good ones--'All Alright', 'Some Nights', 'Carry On'--on youtube over and over and that'll be enough.)
- Shane Koyczan - Shut Up and Say Something (Have I mentioned Shane Koyczan before? Well if not, get this album. Spoken word gets hazed for using music to manipulate emotions--this album does it even without the music)
- Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts (Free on Noisetrade. Worth checking out.)
- The Fray - Scars and Stories (If you're not a huge fan, at least check out 'Be Still', the final track)
- Keane - Strangeland (Worth buying. I had this album on repeat for a month)
- Mumford and Sons - Babel (Still not as revolutionary as ''Sigh No More'', but that's not to say it's not ridiculously awesome. I love it more and more with each listen.)
- Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal (Icelandic and fantastic. Sold.)
- John Mayer - Born and Raised (I feel compelled to buy every John Mayer album because I know that with enough hits on shuffle over the years I will probably discover that I love it.)
- David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest (Their final album. A few amazing tracks, but mostly just goodness.)
- Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (Not quite ''Eyes Open'' but it still has a couple synth-ballads that I love oh so much)
- James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning (100% recommend.)
- The Lumineers - The Lumineers (102% recommend. It's a short album but I listened to it over and over and over.)
TL;DR: Buy James Vincent McMorrow, Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men. Love everything else. Get mad at Sigur Ros for putting out ''Valtari'' (I love you guys, I really do, but this album was really just sounds.)
Now it's your turn! During my music "fast" I made a list of albums I want to buy/download when I have the money. Most I was interested in, but nothing quite pushed me over the edge to buy them. Would you recommend any of these guys' latest albums? Any other ones that aren't listed that you would recommend?
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Soundtrack
- Starfield
- Gotye
- O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack
- Train
- Hunger Games soundtrack
- Polyphonic Spree
- Ingrid Michaelson
- Like Crazy Soundtrack
- Sons & Daughters
- Hugo Soundtrack
- Rend Collective Experiment
- A Creation Liturgy - Gungor
- Regina Spektor
- Temper Trap
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