The Choirs Kept Singing: The Best of 2017
Here are some of the high points of the past year, in no particular order:
A book published; a scholarship won; two stories published in anthologies; a residency in Bath; a glorious day in Oxford; an idyllic house exchange in the Loire Valley; Patrick's inspiring stake conference addresses; Hope's acceptance to UC Berkeley; James's faithful mission completion; the kids singing along to Yves Montand; a critical thesis; a creative thesis; date nights galore; sous vide everything; discovering the finest tapestries ever woven; Hope's game-winning buzzer beater; Christian's heroic efforts on two campaign trails; the best book group ever; Tess's PHS all-time fourth place swim ranking; getting our Swiss passports; endless Great Dalmuti matches; Daniel's 3D element Christmas ornaments; Anne's voracious, omnivorous reading; a Hollywood movie opening with Patrick; the biggest and best Thanksgiving of all time; singing carols around the piano; Tess's two ethereal Christmas duets; having award-winning writers as mentors; and steak and symphony with my beloved.
Top Ten Books of the Year
10. Wylding Hall, by Elizabeth Hand
9. Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow, by Faïza Guène
8. The Girl with All the Gifts, by M.R. Carey
7. Story Genius, by Lisa Cron
6. Mother's Milk, by Rachel Hunt Steenblik
5. The Game of Love and Death, by Martha Brockenbrough
4. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman
3. Still Life with Tornado, by A.S. King
2. Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk
1. Uprooted, by Naomi Novik
Top Five Albums of the Year
1. Northern Redemption - The Abrams Brothers
2. Coming Home - Leon Bridges
3. Winter Songs - Ola Gjeilo
2. Ola Gjeilo - Voces8
1. Freedom Road - Rhiannon Giddens
Favorite 2017 Theatrical Releases
9. Logan Lucky
8. Wind River
6. Baby Driver
5. Lady Bird
4. Get Out
3. It
2. Dunkirk
1. Wonder Woman
Most Enjoyed TV Seen
10. The Young Pope
5. The Tunnel
4. Sherlock
2. The Crown
1. The Great British Baking Show
Best Restaurant Experiences
7. Agrodolce - Berkeley
6. Bistro de la Gare - South Pasadena
5. Lucky Noodle King - San Gabriel (Now tragically closed.)
4. Feuillette - Saint-Gervais-la-Forêt
3. Terra Gourma - Paris
2. La Boucherie on 71 - Los Angeles
1. Benoît - Paris
As far as I can tell, 2018 promises to be even better! Happy New Year!