Fewer finished books this month since I've taken to reading things that are at least 500 pages.
Just Read:
The Corrections- Jonathan Franzen
Had a hard time getting into this one because the characters weren't all that likeable at first, but by the end I understood them more. If you liked Six Feet Under, you'd probably like this.
The Snowman- Jo Nesbo
This is the first of the Harry Hole series I've read. I decided not to read them in order because this one sounded interesting and I didn't want to read 4 books before I got to it. I think it was worth it.
1Q84- Haruki Murakami
Enjoyed this one, reminded me of those movies that you don't fully understand the depth and complexity of until you watch them a second time.
Right now I'm reading I Want My MTV, which is an oral history of MTV from 1981-1992. This book is so relevant to my interests it's insane. In some of the chapters they talk about specific videos, and despite my ridiculous memory for videos, I find myself wanting to watch them anyway. So here's a few that are mentioned in the book, from the parts I've read so far (I'm only to 1985):
Eurythmics- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Eurthymics- Love is a Stranger (I'd never seen this one before but it's one of my favorite Eurhymics songs)
Tears For Fears- Pale Shelter
Duran Duran- Hungry Like the Wolf
Billy Squier- Rock Me Tonight (I hate Billy Squier, but there's a whole chapter on this one because it's so special)
Typically at the beginning of the year I'm so burnt out on albums from the previous year from all my list making activities, I take a break from all those albums and listen to older stuff. Last year, I made a list of albums I wanted to spend more time with, which ended up being pretty nice (I never did get around to listening to the Bright Eyes ones though). So here's what I'm planning to listen to more in 2012.
R.E.M.: once the Bowie journey is over, the plan is to listen to all the R.E.M. albums from the beginning.
Destroyer- Trouble in Dreams: never got into this album when it first came out
I don't usually make resolutions of any kind, but I like the idea of having some crafty goals for the year. These are definitely subject to change depending on my employment status this year.
1. Make those Christmas cards I flaked out on last year.
2. Try knitting again. It was a frustrating, borderline disaster that really made me question wanting to knit in the first place. I'll try again in the fall.
3. Open an Etsy store. this is going to be my big project of the year (like my site redesign was last year). I've gone back and forth on the whole Etsy thing for a few years, but I think I'm ready to do it and see what happens.
4. Finish (and stitch) at least one pattern that I've put on hold.
5. Stitch something I'm really proud of. It's been awhile since I've done that. Still taking my stitchy break though.
This year, I listened to more new-to-me music than I probably have in a decade. Between new releases, going through David Bowie’s discography and discovering the awesomeness that is The Church, my ears have been busy. Not to mention starting the year by listening to every song on my mp3 player.
For new releases, this was the year of the grower for me. Out of all the albums I heard, only two I actually liked the first time I listened to them (21 and Kaputt). There were a number of albums I was ready to write off before giving them one final listen and having the songs click for me. I think overall this was a good but not great (or particularly deep) year for music. My top album is hands down the best album of the year for me, although I really love all the albums in my top 5
10. Bright Eyes: The People's Key Favorite songs: Haile Salassie, Shell Games
9. Okkervil River- I Am Very Far Favorite songs: The Valley, Show Yourself
8. Emm Gryner- Northern Gospel Favorite songs: Heartsleeves, Fast Exit
6. Adele- 21 Favorite songs: Rumour Has It, I'll Be Waiting
5. Destroyer- Kaputt Favorite songs: A Savage Night at the Opera, Kaputt 4. St. Vincent- Strange Mercy Favorite songs: Dilettante, Chloe in the Afternoon 3. Beirut- The Rip Tide Favorite songs: Port of Call, The Rip Tide 2. EMA- Past Life Martyred Saints Favorite songs: Red Star, Butterfly Knife
1. PJ Harvey- Let England Shake Favorite songs: The Colour of the Earth, In the Dark Places
Dishonorable mention:
Tune-yards: First, the alternating capitalization is just stupid, second, they're just a worse version of Vampire Weekend with a female singer.
It’s been awhile since I’ve done an end of year book list, but with getting a Kindle and a library card this year, I’ve been doing a lot of reading. I've split the list in 2 parts, one for books released this year and the other for other books I read for the first time this year.
2011 Favorites:
The Art of Fielding- Chad Harbach
Poke the Box- Seth Godin
1Q84- Haruki Murakami
The Marriage Plot- Jeffery Eugenides
Headhunters- Jo Nesbo
Other Favorites:
The Likeness- Tana French
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest- Stieg Larsson
Time to wrap the year up with a neat little bow. What better way to do that than with lots of lists? Today's list is all the random things I enjoyed this year.
I'll be posting my favorite
albums list next week. PJ Harvey released an album that may or may not be
my favorite of the year. In honor of that uncertainty, here's 5 of my favorite PJ Harvey songs.
Been spending a lot of my time reading in the last month, partially because I can't get motivated to do much else at the moment. Luckily there are always books to read.
Just Read:
Faithful Place- Tana French
I enjoyed this one, although not as much as her first 2 books. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
The Art of Fielding- Chad Harbach
I've seen this book everywhere for the last few months. Finally decided to read it and it was definitely worth it, one of the best books I've read this year.
After Dark- Haruki Murakami
I really enjoyed this one. Liked it more than Norweigan Wood.
