This is the 20th time that I have written this summary of my favorite books, movies, shows, and albums for the year. I didn’t foresee reaching this milestone, for a number of reasons. But here I am, celebrating this achievement of sorts, taking joy that at least a few people actually look forward to reading this each year. Thank you to that special loyal handful, as well as to everyone else, for indulging my own take on this year-end countdown.
Books
1. The Way Home by Ben Katt – Katt uses the concept of the “hero’s journey” to show the spiritual possibilities that a midlife crisis can produce. He never minimizes the seriousness of such a season, but instead reflects on how transformative it can be if one moves through it with intention.
2. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson – The system of hierarchical castes may be primarily associated with India, but Wilkerson shows how it nevertheless has been established in the United States throughout its history. It’s a well-structured and rich treatment of racial dynamics through the lens of unequal systems baked into our society.
3. Hell is a World Without You by Jason Kirk – This story about a group of teenagers immersed in turn-of-the-century evangelical culture was funny, heartfelt, and scarily accurate. The ways the characters deal with doubt, guilt, questions, and self-discovery is so well done and genuine.
4. Yellowface by R. F. Kuang – A struggling author passes off the manuscript of her newly-deceased friend as her own, and her fortunes begin to change. Unfortunately for her, cracks start to form as people question how she as a white woman could come up with such a well-told story about Chinese culture (her friend’s background). It’s a well-told story that sends up the publishing industry and social media use, among other things.
5. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone – Two rivals on opposite sides of a conflict pursue each other up and down the timeline. They develop a correspondence, and begin questioning their allegiances. This story is so unique and beautiful and not at all what I expected.
Honorable Mention: Lo Fi by Liz Riggs
Movies
1. American Fiction – A struggling novelist writes an over-the-top satirical pitch for a story filled with black stereotypes that everyone ends up taking seriously and praising. It’s a hilarious takedown of both the book industry and of well-meaning white liberal guilt. Jeffrey Wright is brilliant as usual.
2. Poor Things – A Frankenstein-like story about a scientist who brings a young woman to life, and she ends up exploring the world while breaking down social conventions. The movie offers a lot of commentary about the ways men use women, and what can happen when a woman flouts their desires.
3. The Iron Claw – This biopic portraying the various tragedies of the Von Erich wrestling family was a lot to take at times, but that’s really how awful things went for them. Zac Efron does well as the surviving brother Kevin, and the rest of the cast is equally strong. A dedicated wrestling fan will probably spot the differences from what really happened, but such is the nature of movies like these.
4. Deadpool and Wolverine – This long-awaited onscreen team-up is as self-referential and fourth-wall-breaking as its predecessors. Not only does it officially welcome these characters into the MCU, but it provides a farewell to the Fox Marvel movies including many cameos both expected and delightfully surprising.
5. Monkey Man – A young man makes a living by fighting in underground combat clubs, but his childhood trauma finally leads him to avenge his lost family. I expected a John Wick-like start-to-finish revenge tour, but there was a depth here that I appreciated. Dev Patel is marvelous as the title character.
Honorable Mention: Abigail
TV Shows
1. Shogun – This historical fiction series set in feudal Japan follows the political machinations of a council of five clans seeking to keep one of its members in check. This is complicated by the appearance of an English ship that wrecks on their shore, as well as the influences of the Portuguese Church. Not only was I riveted by the performances and story, but I also learned about the real life people that inspired it.
2. Ripley – I’ve been a fan of Andrew Scott for a very long time now, and so I wasn’t going to pass up him starring in this TV adaptation of the novel about a con man who takes on the life of someone else. The series has a noir feel to it, and every time you think he’s about to be found out, he finds a way to avoid getting caught. Not only is Scott excellent in the title roll, but the rest of the cast is very good as well.
3. Doctor Who – Ncuti Gatwa’s first full season as The Doctor wasn’t perfect, but it offered plenty of excellent stories and performances. Millie Gibson as the new companion, Ruby Sunday, often provided the depth and heart of the series, including several times when she carried episodes on her own. So far, the 15th Doctor is one who loves to play and explore, but carries a lot of emotion for the people he wants to help as well.
4. Kevin Can F**k Himself – This series is a brilliant send-up of the “dumb self-centered husband, long-suffering wife” sitcom formula, daring to ask how the man’s shenanigans really affect the people around him. Annie Murphy is the wife who works to slowly untangle herself from her husband’s antics, gradually pulling others away as well.
5. Agatha All Along – The antagonist from WandaVision returns, first needing to break the curse from the previous series and then gathering a coven to get her powers back. Many twists and big reveals show that the journey will not be so simple. Katherine Hahn shines as the title character, and the show delves into growth, loss, and self-discovery. This was a top tier Marvel show.
Honorable Mention: Jujutsu Kaisen
Albums
1. Charlotte Sands, can we start over? – I discovered this young singer’s pop-rock sound through a few singles on Spotify, and then she released this full debut this year. Her sound is high energy, spunky, and incredibly reflective. Favorites include “spite,” “on the outside,” and the title track.
2. Hello Emerson, To Keep Him Here – I discovered this Columbus band via the lead singer’s journaling videos on Instagram. It led me to this album full of meditative Americana/folk songs about family, working through tragedy, and love. I especially like “In the Corner,” “Church,” and the title track.
3. The Decemberists, As It Ever Was, So It Shall Be Again – One of my favorite bands came back with a new album this year. Their sound and stories vacillate between tragedy and humor, between upbeat and haunting. I especially enjoy “Burial Ground,” “Long White Veil,” and the 19-minute “Joan in the Garden.”
4. beabadoobie, This Is How Tomorrow Moves – On her third album, this singer-songwriter muses about relationships and personal growth overtop alt-pop melodies. Favorites include “Take a Bite,” “Coming Home,” and “Post.”
5. Sleep Token, Take Me Back to Eden – I was taken aback by this band’s unique metal sound which at times can be heavy and at other times soulful and ethereal. Favorites include “Rain,” the title track, and “Euclid.”
Honorable Mention: Linkin Park, From Zero
My 2024 Playlist (listen here)
RAYE, “Escapism.”
Jonny T, Foreign Figures, “Silver Screen”
Royal & the Serpent, “Underneath the Mask”
Emei, “Better People to Leave on Read”
Motionless in White, “Wasp”
Hybrid Minds, Catching Cairo, “Touch”
Ashnikko, “You Make Me Sick!”
Whissel, “Get Free”
Ashnikko, “Dying Star”
TIMMS, “Tiptoe”
Whissel, “Old Bones, Young Bodies”
Peter Gabriel, “Road to Joy – Dark Side Mix”
Ely Eira, “This Is the Beginning”
Hatchie, “Crush”
Blues Saraceno, Nine One One, “Wicked Gonna Come”
Arlo Parks, “Weightless”
Arlo Parks, Phoebe Bridgers, “Pegasus”
Paris Jackson, “scorpio rising”
Spence Hood, Justin Ray Stringer, “Father Finlee”
TIMMS, “Serotonin Killer”
Unions, “I Am Who I Am”
Lokki, “All I Really Need Is You”
AJR, “Yes I’m a Mess”
Arrested Youth, “The Kid I Used to Know”
Neoni, “VILLAIN”
Bad Omens, “Like a Villain”
AURORA, “Blood in the Wine”
Candi Carpenter, “Novels About Vampires”
Fleurie, “Love and War”
Ruelle, UNSECRET, “Another World”
Halsey, “Bells in Santa Fe”
Paramore, “Burning Down the House”
King Gnu, “SPECIALZ”
Bad Omens, Poppy, “V.A.N.”
Dave Matthews, “Pretty Bird”
BABYMETAL, “GJ!”
ratz, “the jester”
Delilah Bon, ALT BLK ERA, “WITCH”
Hailey Orion, “When Will I Be Mine?”
BURNS, Daughters of the Deep, “Nothing to Fear”
Beth Gibbons, “Floating on a Moment”
Poppy, “What It Becomes”
EllaHarp, “Restless Lullaby
Maisy Kay, “Almost Touch Me”
Eon, “Path to Redemption”
Hoenix, Ann-Charlotte Montville, “Collapse”
Hunter as a Horse, “The Breaking of the Shell”
Tatiana Hazel, “Out of Reach”
bludnymyph, “Lights Out”
Livingston, “Shadow”
Feather & Bone, Roniit, “When I’m Gone”
Roxane, “Gone with the wind”
Dove Cameron, “Breakfast”
ON THE HUNT, Chandler, “NOTHIN’ TO IT”
bailey lanes., “Underground”
anne october, “Bones”
KNEECAP, “Sick in the Head”
Destroy Boys, “I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m on Probation”
Spiritbox, “Jaded”
Snotty Nose Rez Kids, “Boujee Natives”
boa, “Duvet”
Cafune, “Tek It”
Elizabeth Lentz, “Paranoia”
South Arcade, “Sound of an Empty Room”
HAVEN, “Anxiety Is My Boyfriend”
Cloudfodder, “Side Character”
Ava Morse, “girl and the machine”
Cloudeater, “Lethal”
Meg Smith, “Cross My Heart I Hope U Die”
Sophie Powers, “Nosebleed”
Dreadlight, Maiah Wynne, “Hex Girl”
Flower Face, “Spiracle”
Paris Paloma, “LABOUR – the cacophony”
tiLLie, “bLeSs uR hEaRt”
BABYMETAL, Electric Callboy, “RATATATA”
Lady Parts, “Oops! I Did It Again”
Morgan Clae, THE SILENCE
Artio, FLASCH, “Head In the Sand, Finger on the Trigger”
Jamie Duffy, Sarah Cothran, “Solas”
breakk.away, “Outside”
Victoria Monet, “Power of Two”
Haven Madison, “Kiss the Ground”
ILUKA, “Haunted One”
“Weird Al” Yankovic, “Polkamania!”
Rosey Reign, “CRUCIFY ME”
TRO Essex Music Group, Casii Stephan, “War Pigs”
BEGINNERS, Night Panda, “Start a Riot”
Sevdaliza, “Alibi”
Falling in Reverse, “Prequel”
Ren, “Hi Ren”
Unlike Pluto, Joanna Jones, Palaye Royale, “Dead to Me – Reimagined”
Tamer, “Take the Money and Run”
Chloe Ament, “The Water Is Fine”
Delilah Bon, “Maverick”
MVSSIE, “wonderland”
SOFIA ISELLA, “Cacao and Cocaine”
Klergy, Mindy Jones, “Hide and Seek Reimagined”
Gabriella Raelyn, “I love masked men.”>br>Holy Wars, “GET MINE”
Lindsey Stirling, Royal and the Serpent, “Inner Gold”
Nightcall, “Rain”
The Rock Orchestra, “Zombie”
The Native Howl, Lzzy Hale, “Mercy”
Dax, “JOKER”
Pete & Bas, “T Pain”
Omiki, Phaxe, “Na Le – Phaxe Remix”
Sleep Token, “Rain”
Pim Stones, “We Have It All”
Matthew Mayfield, “The Wolf In Your Darkest Room”
Bambie Thug, “Doomsday Room”
Rok Nardin, Madalen Duke, “This Is How Villains Are Made – Rok Nardin Remix”
Catch Your Breath, “Dial Tone”
Dorothy, “MUD”
Starlexia, “In the Air Tonight”
Isabel Rosa, “Muse”
Big Crick, “Holy Shrine”
Sabrina Jordan, “Vermilion”
Halsey, “Lonely Is the Muse”
Llynks, “Fantasies”
Nico & Chelsea, “Weapons in My Pocket”
The Bridge City Sinners, “Doubt”
I’ll Take You There Choir, “Like a Prayer – Choir Version”
Mike Shinoda, Emily Armstrong, Arcane, “Heavy Is the Crown (Original Score)”
Ruby Ibarra, Ouida, Han Han, June Millington, “Bakunawa”
Ashnikko, “Paint the Town Blue”
Jeffrey A. Nelson 