2012′s Top Books and Movies

The start of the new year means another annual Small Pond feature: a look at my favorite books and movies from the previous year.

As always, we start with numbers. 2012 saw new highs for both books read (96) and movies seen (43). June and December tied for most books read, with each at 13. December was my movie-watching month at 11 movies.

In no particular order, here’s what I liked last year. Check out the links and think about adding these books and movies to your 2013 to-read and to-watch lists.

2011′s Top Books and Movies

It’s that time again. What did I read or see this year that made an impression?

First, the stats: 73 books read and 31 movies watched. It’s a record-setting year for books, not so much for movies. July saw the highest number of books read at 17.

Books and Movies of 2010

As in years past, I recorded all the books I read and movies I watched over the year. Some of these were new releases, some were new to me, and some were old friends.

This year, I set a new record for books read (61!), thanks I suspect to the amount of time I spent on planes, in hotel rooms or plopped in front of an ocean or pool. The movie count was 33.

I was pleased to see not many movies or books made it into the “what was I thinking” category. Most of the year’s entertainment turned out to be okay. And I had a few standouts, which turned into the top nine list below. Nine chosen only because that’s what I’ve done in the past and because nine is an easy number to turn into an overall graphic.

The year-end lists haven’t included television yet, but I’m currently addicted to The Walking Dead on AMC and Law and Order U.K. on BBC America. The Walking Dead compendium, which collects the first 40-odd issues of the comic book, was narrowly edged out of the favorite books. Consider this its honorable mention.

On to the list…

What 2010 Taught Me

2010 is almost over. Time for everyone to reflect over the last 365 days and look ahead to the next.

Among the lessons I learned this year is not to let the blog drift into neglect. I want to better about keeping the site updated next year and get back to reviewing books. I kept track of things I learned that I thought would stick with me, and I’m pleased to report I know what everything on the list means. I’m still not sure what was up with weekends and Nazis.

This year’s lessons made me laugh and made me cry. A couple just made me shake my head at the bizarre nature of the universe. I’m sure I learned more than these 10 things. I certainly hope so, at least. If not, I feel I’ve let the bizarre universe down somehow. But here is what I know I learned. Presented in reverse chronological order because the first thing I learned in 2010 was sad.

Closing Out ’09

Last year I mentioned my notebook of Things I Have Read and Seen. It occurs to me now a more grammatical way to write the title of my little notebook would be Things I Read and Saw, but apparently I was taken over by the passive voice when I named the book. Oh well.

For those of you who missed that post or didn’t click the link just now (lazy!), the notebook is where I jot comments on every movie I see and book I read during the year.

Stats for 2009 are up: 56 books and 40 movies in 2009. July and August were big months for books: nine and eight, respectively. January and December were my big movie months: six and seven, respectively. Unlike last year, a month didn’t go by in which I didn’t finish a book or see a movie. And, yes, I’m enough of a loser/geek/nerd/shut-in that I feel a sense of accomplishment.

So what did I like and wish I had never encountered? Ta da. Again, no ranking based on quality or enjoyment. Just a chronological list with some comments from the passively named notebook.