Monday, December 31, 2007

2007: the Year in Review

For today's post, I was inspired by a myspace bulletin that Barry Eisler sent out regarding his favorite books of 2007. Rather than recap the year in the Swanny household (click on links in the archive if you want old new about the family), I thought I'd do a best of post based on entertainment during the year.

Top 3:

Books read in 2007- "Fuzzy Navel" by J.A. Konrath (available June 2008); it's the best of the series so far, featuring snipers, psychopaths, and Harry McGlade. Oh yeah, I'm in it, too. "At the City's Edge" by Marcus Sakey (available January 22, 2008); a great follow-up to his debut, "The Blade Itself". Expertly written, character driven, and the sights and sounds of Chicago leap off the page. "Rain Fall" by Barry Eisler (out now); the first of the series featuring John Rain, an assassin who's speciality is making the hit look like natural causes.

Theatrical Releases in 2007- "The Bourne Ultimatum"; the best of the series and one of the best action movies in years. "The Simpsons Movie"; duh. "Live Free or Die Hard"; second best of the series. I would watch a new Die Hard every year if they made them.

New Albums of 2007- Jay-Z's "American Gangster"; more inspired followup to the mediocre "Kingdom Come". Mike Birbiglia's "Secret Public Journal: Live"; some of Birbigs' best material from the SPJ done on stage. Led Zepplin's "Mothership"; remastered, chronological hits from the best of Zepplin.

That's it. A few memorable notes of the entertainment that kept me in and out of focus during the last 365 days. What were some of your favorites from 2007 and why?

Happy New Year everybody!!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say the following:
Books I Read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (J.K. Rowling), Uncle Tom's Cabin (Harriet Beecher Stowe), Year of Wonders (Geraldine Brooks) and Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
Movies I Saw: The Bourne Ultimatum--what a great movie and what a hottie; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire--they're only going to get better....
I can't think of any others to list... And let's face it, I don't really listen to music but I'd have to say John Legend's new release this year Once Again was great!

The Mrs. said...

What? No mention of the ultimate highlight to end the year (that being finally beating me at your own trivia tournament)? =)

Happy New Year to the Swanny household!