My Favorites 2018
In my job at the library this past year,
we created a new source for patrons to find material: a staff recommendations
area. Each item in the recommendations area gets a bookmark with a written
passage on it, to explain why we picked it to recommend to others.
When the project was begun, I was put in
charge of the project. It was a baptism of fire, as I do not keep up on new
book releases. However, I soon learned that any library material could be put
out to recommend to patrons-music CDs, movies, audio books on CD, etc.
With that in mind, I began to research
new book titles to display in the area, as well as books I’d read and would recommend.
Here’s a picture of the recommendation area when we started the project:
Books pictured are: “Killers of the
Flower Moon” by David Grann, “Believe Me” by Eddie Izzard, and “The New Jim
Crow” by Michelle Alexander.
Over the past year, I found many new books,
movies and CDs to recommend; I thought I would make a list of my favorites and
share them with you. Here then are my favorite books, movies, TV shows, and
music for 2018:
***
Books:
A Unicorn
in a World of Donkeys: A Guide to Life for All the Exceptional, Excellent
Misfits Out There-Mia Michaels
An absolute must read for
any creative person. A unicorn can be defined as anyone who has ever felt
different than others, like the odd duck, the odd girl out, the misfit in the
group, the wallflower, not like the other boys on the team, not like the other
girls in the class, someone who longs to blend in with the crowd yet
perpetually stands out, anyone that has felt alone, ostracized, marginalized,
isolated, an anomaly, invisible, one of a kind. If you have ever felt this way,
this book is for you. Five stars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580057721/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Let’s Talk About Love-Clare Kann
What's love got to do with it? Everything
if you're asexual. Alice, the main character in this novel, identifies as bi-romantic asexual. She works in a
library and is addicted to television; her favorite activity is watching Netflix
on the weekends. One day a stranger enters her life and changes her world
forever. A love story like none other, it's definitely worth a read. In many places in the book, it felt like I was reading the story of my life. If you are
asexual, or in the ace umbrella, this is a must read. If you have friends or family who are asexual or "ace", and if you want to learn
about asexuality, it is a must read. Ten stars.
Obama: an Intimate Portrait-Pete Souza
This book is a series of
photographs from Pete Souza, who was the official photographer for President
Barack Obama. Souza also served as official photographer for President Ronald
Reagan in the 1980s. The book is filled with breathtaking photographs
throughout two terms of the Obama presidency. The book is filled with many
photographs that made the news, as well as many candid portraits that the
public would never ordinarily see. The photographs in the book run the gamut, from
silly and funny to candid, honest and poignant, to awe inspiring and hopeful.
Gmorning, Gnight!-Lin-Manuel Miranda
A brilliant book of tweets by Miranda,
writer and star of the mammoth Broadway hit, "Hamilton." A few years ago, Miranda
began writing good morning messages on his Twitter account, and
finished the day with a corresponding good night message. One of the best parts
of the book is the introduction, written in 4 line rhyming stanzas. This would
be a wonderful devotional, to set your intentions for the day, or source
material for meditation. Full of wisdom, humor and insight, it is a rich source
of inspiration, help, and even support for trying times. If you ever need an
ego boost, if you ever feel a little blue, give this book a read.
Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can
Change The World-Neil Gaiman
Full of wonderful
illustrations by Chris Riddell, this book is an ode to ideas, inspiration, imagination and creativity. The book contains wisdom, inspiration,
motivation, as well as a love of books, libraries and librarians. This book is a must have for every
creative person. It's true, your imagination can change the world. The perfect gift for any creative person, artist, writer, or librarian.
***
Movies:
Black Klansman (BlacKkKlansman)
Directed by Spike Lee, this film tells
the incredible true story of Ron Stallworth, a black policeman who infiltrated
one of the most ruthless white supremacy groups in the United States in the
1970s. While set in the 70s, the movie speaks to issues facing America today:
racial tension, oppression, murders of people of color by police, the Black
Lives Matter movement, and more. In the last five minutes of the film, the
piece becomes a documentary, showing news footage from the last two years in
the United States. It is my belief that every American should watch this film,
and before our next Presidential election. Available to own on DVD and Blu Ray.
Loving Vincent
Directed by Dorota Kobiela, the film begins
after the passing of Vincent Van Gogh. His brother is on a quest to find people
who knew Vincent, as well as the hidden meaning in a letter. The film is
animated in a way that has not been done in the history of movies-through the use
of oil paintings. The film was painstakingly created by painting on 65,000 oil
canvases by 125 painters. It is unlike any film I have ever seen. Fans of the
paintings of Van Gogh will find many images in the film familiar. While overlooked at the Academy Awards and Baftas, this film is
enchanting, mesmerizing, and unlike any other movie ever made. Available on DVD and Blu Ray.
Upstairs Inferno-2015
Years before the massacre at the Pulse
Night Club in Orlando in 2016, there was another mass murder at a gay bar in the United
States-at the Up Stairs Lounge, in New Orleans, Louisiana. On June 24, 1973, after
worshiping at a nearby church, many walked to the Up Stairs Lounge to have a
time of fellowship. Shortly thereafter, an arsonist set fire to the building. Thirty-two
people perished in the fire, including two clergymen. No one ever was arrested
for the crime.
The film features interviews with survivors,
footage of the incident, and stories of the many victims. There are moments in the film that are grizzly in nature and are quite difficult to watch. The homophobia
from the general public after the fire, towards both victims and survivors, was
difficult to watch as well. Still, it is a story lost to history, and demands
to be told. Available on DVD and Blu Ray, and to rent on Amazon Prime.
The Greatest Showman
Directed by Michael Gracey, this movie
tells a fictional story about a famous showman in history, Phineas Taylor
Barnum (also known as P.T. Barnum.) Starring Hugh Jackman as Barnum, the movie
tells the story of equality; every one of his acts was presented on stage as an
equal, no matter their size, shape, color, or physical anomaly. Songs in the
film were written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriters of the movie
“La La Land”, the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen”, and the musical version
of “A Christmas Story.” The soundtrack of “Greatest Showman” is addicting, the
songs stay with you. Some songs in the piece are a call to action, as in “Come
Alive”, “Rewrite the Stars”, and “From Now On.” There is also an anthem in the
film: “This is Me.” This song is an anthem of empowerment, and validation. The movie captures your soul and won’t let go. Ten stars. Available on DVD and Blu Ray.
Bohemian Rhapsody
This film tells
the story of the rock group Queen. The film chronicles the founding of
the group, the writing and recording process of several of their hit songs, including "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You", and
culminates in the band’s Live Aid performance in 1985. The movie's stand out performance comes from Rami Malek, who portrays the late Freddie Mercury. Malek's performance will give you goosebumps, especially if you are old enough to remember and experience Freddie Mercury's performances. The performances in the film are stellar, the music is incredible. The film just made history, earning the title of highest grossing biography movie of all time. Available on DVD and Blu Ray on December 31, 2018.
***
Television/Streaming:
Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story-BET
Network
Produced by singer Jay-Z, this 6 part
documentary focused on the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Every episode in
the series focused on a different topic:
· Trayvon:
who he was as a person, his murder
· Protests
following his murder
· The
person that committed the murder
· The
trial
· The
wait for a verdict
· The
aftermath of the verdict and its effect on America
The documentary gives an unflinching,
unrelenting look at racism in this country. Several moments of the documentary
made me ill, angry and disgusted at the hatred in this nation.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel-Amazon Prime-Seasons 1 and 2
Much like the show "Mad Men", this show is an immersion in time, with advertisements, fashion, music, societal norms. This show is unique in that it is a female led show. The main character, Miriam
Maisel, is a housewife and mother in the late 1950s in New York City.
At that time in the United States, the majority of women were housewives, and young women went to college and earned degrees solely to obtain a husband. Female performers were either singers or burlesque performers. Miriam however is an anomaly in that she is a stand-up comedienne.
The other woman featured in the show is Miriam's manager, Susie. While the two women are polar opposites, they are alike in that they work in a field that is opposite the gender norm of the time. They are each their own woman, in their fashion, style, mannerisms, and life experiences.
At that time in the United States, the majority of women were housewives, and young women went to college and earned degrees solely to obtain a husband. Female performers were either singers or burlesque performers. Miriam however is an anomaly in that she is a stand-up comedienne.
The other woman featured in the show is Miriam's manager, Susie. While the two women are polar opposites, they are alike in that they work in a field that is opposite the gender norm of the time. They are each their own woman, in their fashion, style, mannerisms, and life experiences.
Queer Eye-Netflix-Seasons 1 and 2
This show is a reboot of “Queer Eye for
the Straight Guy” which aired on U.S. television in the 1990s. The show
features 5 lifestyle experts, each one an expert in:
· home
design
· culture
· fashion
· self-care
· cuisine
People write in to the show, to nominate
someone who needs the help of the experts; the episodes feature people chosen from these submissions. One episode featured a young
man who was about to host an app launch for his business. Another episode
featured a woman who asked that the lifestyle experts come and help her
renovate a community meeting space at her church.
Everyone can learn something, from every episode. I learned the valuable
lesson of self-care, meaning doing little things for myself, for my body and soul. For
example: remembering to put my gloves on when I go out in the cold winter months. Another example: not drinking caffeinated soda after 7pm, to get a better night's sleep.
George Michael: Freedom
This movie was written and narrated by
the late George Michael. The film covers his years in the pop group Wham! and his
transition to a solo artist. His albums “Faith”, “Listen without Prejudice”,
and “Older” are featured. Many musicians are in the film, including Stevie Wonder, Mark Ronson, James
Corden, Mary J. Blige, Tony Bennett, and Elton John.
George passed on Christmas
day in 2016, before the film was finished. Friends and loved ones were
determined to see the project completed and released for his fans to see and
enjoy. As such, the final moments in the film are a tribute to George. The movie made its debut on
Showtime, and was accompanied by a 25th anniversary commemorative edition of
“Listen without Prejudice.” Available to stream via Showtime.
***
Music
Timeless-The Piano Guys
This album is long awaited by the Piano
Guys, a group which consists of pianist Jon Schmidt, cellist Steven Sharp
Nelson, Paul Anderson and Al Van Der Beek, producers. The Piano Guys are noted
for taking classical music pieces and evolving them into classical crossover
pieces, as shown in this piece, mashing up “Lacrimosa” by Mozart with Adele’s
song, “Hello.”
This latest album features two covers songs from
“The Greatest Showman”, as well as an instrumental rendition of “Perfect” by Ed
Sheeran. One notable piece on the album, a mash up of “Hungarian Rhapsody
Number 2” by Franz Liszt with “Something Just Like This”, by the Chainsmokers
and Coldplay.
Dancing Queen-Cher
Earlier this year, Cher appeared in the
film “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again”, a sequel to "Mamma Mia", a movie musical with
songs from the group ABBA as its soundtrack. Unfortunately, as happens with
many sequels, "Here We Go Again" did not match the original film, in any
regard. In my opinion, the best thing about "Here We Go Again" was, in one word, Cher. Her work on the film inspired her to make her own cover album of ABBA hits. One of the highlights of the
album, her rendition of “SOS”:
My favorite track on the album is,
coincidentally, my favorite ABBA song, “Waterloo”:
Christmas is Here!-Pentatonix
Pentatonix is an acapella vocal group who
bring a distinctive sound to whatever they sing. This is their third Christmas
album, and it does not disappoint.
For fans of the Tim Burton animated film
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”, Pentatonix performs “Making Christmas”,
highlighted in the film:
Every
year I seem to have a favorite Christmas song that finds me, a song that I love, no matter who
sings it. It's not conscious, it's not planned, it just happens. This year’s song for me is “What Christmas Means to Me”:
My other favorite on this album is a
little known Christmas song, “My Grown Up Christmas List.”
The Prom-Broadway Show-
Set in the fictional town of Heaven, Indiana,
the show is about a teenage girl, Emma, who wants to take her girlfriend,
Alyssa, to their high school prom. Many in the school and town have a problem
with this, as they are a same-sex couple. Meanwhile, a touring company of
actors learn of the controversy, and intervene on Emma’s behalf. Highlights of
the show include the musical numbers “Just Breathe” , “Tonight Belongs to You”,
and “Unruly Heart.”
My favorites from the show are “Love Thy Neighbor”, as well as the show’s finale, “It’s Time to Dance,” shown here in a performance from this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This performance made history, as it was the first time a same-sex kiss was shown on the broadcast in its 92 year history.
My favorites from the show are “Love Thy Neighbor”, as well as the show’s finale, “It’s Time to Dance,” shown here in a performance from this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This performance made history, as it was the first time a same-sex kiss was shown on the broadcast in its 92 year history.
Those are but a few of my favorite books,
TV shows, movies and music I read, watched, streamed and heard this year. For more
of my book reviews, check out my Goodreads profile:
The desire to read more books, to hear
more music, to see more movies is already burgeoning within me. I cannot wait
to build a new favorites list in 2019.
© Esperanza Habla All Rights Reserved
Comments
Post a Comment