I don’t really know what to say about 2021. Despite all the tragedy, chaos, and confusion, wonderful things definitely happened: a published book, a college tour, a wedding, two sealings! We’re safe, healthy, and very comfortable, and all that counts for a lot. Keeping all the positives in mind, here are my 2021 superlatives.
I read 87 books this year—only two more than my minimum goal. I wish I’d read more, and one of my resolutions is to do a lot less doomscrolling, because that more than anything else ate into my reading time. Here are my favorites (bear in mind that I don’t ever rank the very many excellent books written by friends).
Top Ten Books:
10) A Year at the Château, by Dick and Angel Strawbridge
9) The Sun Down Motel, by Simone St. James
8) Survivor Song, by Paul Tremblay
7) The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw
6) The Book of Accidents, by Chuck Wendig
5) Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All, by Laura Ruby
4) Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk
3) A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, by George Saunders
2) Matrix, by Lauren Groff
1) Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke
We didn’t see a ton of movies this year for obvious reasons; lots were released this year that I look forward to seeing eventually.
Top Five Movies (Released in 2021):
5) Dune
4) No Time to Die
3) Lamb
2) The Green Knight
1) The French Dispatch
We did watch a bunch of television, and I have a nagging fear that I’ve nearly exhausted the entire canon of British police procedurals. Please, BBC, give me more! Note that I’m only including shows we watched for the first time. Subsequent seasons of past favorites watched this year include The Great, Sex Education, and of course, Ted Lasso.
Top Ten TV Shows Watched:
10) This Way Up
9) Luther
8) All Creatures Great and Small
7) Bridgerton
6) Lupin
5) Only Murders in the Building
4) Shadow and Bone
3) Hacks
2) Escape to the Château
1) Scott & Bailey
Favorite Music Downloaded or Purchased:
5) “I Need You,” by Jon Batiste
4) “Leave the Door Open,” by Silk Sonic
3) “Levitating,” by Dua Lipa
2) “Abrigo,” by Àvuà
1) “October Sky,” by Yebba
This will be my last newsletter for a while; I have two books to buckle down and finish writing. Here’s hoping I can get through those projects quickly and happily. Until then, thanks, as always, for subscribing to Curiouser, and I hope to see you soon!
Escape to the Château is especially delightful.