my favorite stuff from 2011:
books
-the book thief my markus zusak: crushed my heart. i'm reading it again right now and it's actually crushing my heart even more than it did the first time.
-wildwood by colin meloy: really imaginative and fun. this will definitely be a classic someday.
-magic bites by ilona andrews: this was such a refreshing fantasy 'verse! i haven't read the rest because i'm making myself get to them slowly so i don't blast through them in a week. it's possible i am maturing.
-white cat by holly black: holly's books are so detailed and gritty that i often have trouble remembering that they are fiction.
-tender morsels by margo lanagan: i was not planning on putting this book on my list, but bits of it have stuck with me. it's quiet and lovely and sad.
-the lover's dictionary by david levithan: david's writing is sparse and melodic and heart-breaking. i've loved everything i've read by him, but i think this one showcases his writing the best.
-girls to the front by sara marcus: best music book i read in 2011, and there were some other really good ones in there. marcus strikes the perfect balance between objectively describing the scene and making you feel like you were a part of it.
(as usual, you can see all of the books i read here and all of my reviews here. this is the list i am most qualified to talk about, so if you have questions let me know!)
movies
-blue valentine: williams and gosling knocked it out of the park. (i loved nearly all of ryan gosling's movies this year though, so my crush may be biasing me.)
-norman: really liked the movie and the soundtrack to this. i love dan byrd (easy a, a cinderella story) and thought he did a pretty good job with a more serious role.
-hesher: probably my favorite of the year. if you haven't seen it yet, you really really need to.
-harry potter: despite the hype and the obnoxious fangirls and my emotions being out of control and the fact that i haven't seen this since opening night: yes. i thought it did a great job.
-tangled: oh god yes.
concerts
-holy ghost tent revival @ mcraney's: THESE BOYS. we went on a whim, and they (and mcraney's) did not disappoint at all.
-dstmp @ brick & mortar: the whole night, with the art and the "film" and the show, was perfect.
-cure for caska @ backbooth: SO MUCH FUN. i am so sorry for everyone who doesn't live here because they are really awesome live.
-dstmp @ the social: yeah, they're on here twice. suck it. their record release show had so much energy and dancing and awesomeness though!
-night two @ leakycon: show of the year. the energy and love in that room were the most intense i have probably ever seen at a show.
albums
damion suomi & the minor prophets - go, and sell all of your things
bess rogers - out of the ocean
matt nathanson - modern love
los campesinos! - hello sadness
mike doughty - yes and also yes
(i probably forgot something here. i don't keep lists of albums i listen to though, you guys!)
-the book thief my markus zusak: crushed my heart. i'm reading it again right now and it's actually crushing my heart even more than it did the first time.
-wildwood by colin meloy: really imaginative and fun. this will definitely be a classic someday.
-magic bites by ilona andrews: this was such a refreshing fantasy 'verse! i haven't read the rest because i'm making myself get to them slowly so i don't blast through them in a week. it's possible i am maturing.
-white cat by holly black: holly's books are so detailed and gritty that i often have trouble remembering that they are fiction.
-tender morsels by margo lanagan: i was not planning on putting this book on my list, but bits of it have stuck with me. it's quiet and lovely and sad.
-the lover's dictionary by david levithan: david's writing is sparse and melodic and heart-breaking. i've loved everything i've read by him, but i think this one showcases his writing the best.
-girls to the front by sara marcus: best music book i read in 2011, and there were some other really good ones in there. marcus strikes the perfect balance between objectively describing the scene and making you feel like you were a part of it.
(as usual, you can see all of the books i read here and all of my reviews here. this is the list i am most qualified to talk about, so if you have questions let me know!)
movies
-blue valentine: williams and gosling knocked it out of the park. (i loved nearly all of ryan gosling's movies this year though, so my crush may be biasing me.)
-norman: really liked the movie and the soundtrack to this. i love dan byrd (easy a, a cinderella story) and thought he did a pretty good job with a more serious role.
-hesher: probably my favorite of the year. if you haven't seen it yet, you really really need to.
-harry potter: despite the hype and the obnoxious fangirls and my emotions being out of control and the fact that i haven't seen this since opening night: yes. i thought it did a great job.
-tangled: oh god yes.
concerts
-holy ghost tent revival @ mcraney's: THESE BOYS. we went on a whim, and they (and mcraney's) did not disappoint at all.
-dstmp @ brick & mortar: the whole night, with the art and the "film" and the show, was perfect.
-cure for caska @ backbooth: SO MUCH FUN. i am so sorry for everyone who doesn't live here because they are really awesome live.
-dstmp @ the social: yeah, they're on here twice. suck it. their record release show had so much energy and dancing and awesomeness though!
-night two @ leakycon: show of the year. the energy and love in that room were the most intense i have probably ever seen at a show.
albums
damion suomi & the minor prophets - go, and sell all of your things
bess rogers - out of the ocean
matt nathanson - modern love
los campesinos! - hello sadness
mike doughty - yes and also yes
(i probably forgot something here. i don't keep lists of albums i listen to though, you guys!)