First-rate in '08.
Favorite Book: The Book Thief by Mark Zusak. The Book Thief takes place in Nazi Germany, and is narrated by Death, who tells the story of a little girl who steals books at every opportunity before they are burned by Hitler's soldiers. The way the war spins around her, the suffering she sees and tries to prevent, and the earnestness of her mission to save written words, makes for an incredibly inventive story. The writing is unlike anything I've ever read, and I found myself re-reading sentences over and over. There is something on every page that leaves you breathless. The tenderness with which the story is told, and the overarching understanding of the human condition will sear this book into your memory. We've all read a lot of books about World War II, but I promise you have never read anything like this. As I was reading, I was thinking about how many producers would probably love to make the book into a film, but once I finished, I knew I didn't want them to. This book is perfect, and to see it on film would diminish its power and hold over readers. Not only my favorite book of the year, but certainly on my top 5 favorite books of all time.
Best Personal Triumph: Turning 21. For the preceding 20 years and 11 months of my life, I'd had an inkling that things would be better when I was 21. Weekends would offer more opportunity, doors would open, freedom would ring. And boy did it ever. Simply: being 21 is great. Mostly I appreciate the fact that there's always somewhere to go. I don't need to sit on a barstool every night, drinking rum and diet cokes and chatting off the ears of the bartender. But if I want to get a drink with dinner, or barhop on New Year's I can. Huzzah. Teqila Sunrise, please.
Favorite TV Show: 30 Rock. I started streaming this show on Netflix one day and I hardly got up until I had watched every episode of the first two seasons. It makes me love Alec Baldwin more than I thought possible. He stars alongside the show's writer and producer, Tina Fey, who was named Entertainer of the Year by the AP. She deserves it, and I hope her new fan following follows her to straight 30 Rock. It is really one of the only good shows on TV.
Favorite Rental: The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005). A riveting documentary about Johnston's music and his interminable struggle with mental illness. He was once haled as a musical genius, but as his illness grew worse, and his life more chaotic, his ability to write and perform was severely compromised. This arresting biography shows how mental illness can gnaw away and swallow up a person, and also poignantly delves into the havoc wrought on a family that struggles to make sense of a senseless situation. His story will leave you unsettled, but you'll probably remember it forever.
Favorite Album: I have been listening non-stop all year to The Arcade Fire's 2004 release, Funeral. It's probably the only album I am always in the mood to listen to. Listen to "Wake Up" and "Neighborhood #1" and get back to me if you still question my taste.
Best Blog Moments: Two words: Hottie McLatte. Probably some of the most (0nly) interesting material I posted all year, and with overwhelming fan response! Missed out? Here are selections from the beginning, middle, and pseudo-end, and real end of our latte love saga.
Best Real-World Moment: I've grown a little tired of seeing President-Elect Obama on every magazine cover, but I'll never get tired of calling him my President. The euphoria in the air on election day was unforgettable, and will probably be my clearest memory of 2008 for years to come.
Best Game: We know I'm a devout lover of board games, and this year Bananagrams took over. It is the ideal intersection of my competitive gaming nature and intense love of words. Best of all: it provided an excuse to spend hours having fun with some of my favorite people. ('Cuse shoutout: I'm moving back Jan. 8th- How soon can we all meet at Funk for some 'nana? :) ) I've introduced this game to a lot of people, and anyone who likes word games loves it. If I could work for the Bananagrams company, I would. That is how deeply I believe in and love this game.
Best Movie Theater Experience: Mamma Mia! This might be a surprising choice, but this movie is 108 minutes of pure, unadulterated joy. I saw it at the drive-in with my mother this summer, and from the opening scene until the final credits, we were smiling. Embrace the campyness, questionable acting, and abominable singing voice of Pierce Brosnan. Let go, and let the movie sweep you away to a Greek island filled with tan people, crystal-blue waters, and a lot of coordinated dancing. When was the last time you smiled for two hours straight?
Best Overall Life Moment: Feel free to laugh at me, but seeing Celine Dion in concert in August tops my list for 2008. I thought my years of Celine obsession were behind me, but when I saw her step out on stage, I absolutely, without question, lost complete control of myself. I cried. I laughed. I sang much louder and longer than I intended (my apologies to those sitting next to me. I probably ruined your $200 seats.) The only word to describe my state is deliriousness. I love Celine. And that night, Celine loved us back. Two-hundred dollars is a lot to shell out for a concert, but that one was more than worth it. That's saying something, coming from me, because I don't think anything is worth $200. I am really, really cheap (and perpetually broke). But I'd go again in a heartbeat. One of the best parts of being there was experiencing it with Calyn, who has loved Celine as much and as long as I have. The whole concert gave me chills. CALL ME SILLY BUT I LOVED IT.
