2014: Year in Review

At the end of last year when I was just starting to get into blogging full-swing, I found it useful to read through these types of recap posts. They give blog authors an opportunity to highlight and summarize the content on their sites, and I thought I would do the same.

But first, this photo, probably the best one I’ve ever taken, which has languished in iPhoto for months waiting for an opportunity to be utilized. Perhaps it could be a metaphor for how we’re teetering on the edge between 2014 and 2015? Nah, too corny.

My most-viewed post in 2014 was, by far, 10 Things people say when they learn you were born in Alabama. It’s quite amusing, if I do say so myself, though most of those pageviews have been generated by random folks googling things like “Alabama stereotypes,” “are people from alabama nice,” and “shit people from birmingham say.” My second most-viewed post, Roger Mello: Brazilian Illustrator and Winner of the 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Award, is probably more worth reading, especially since it had the distinction of being cited in an academic publication — a completely unexpected and very exciting development! My third most popular post was the brief analysis I did of Emma Watson’s speech, which was surprising since my review was far from the most thorough, or most unique, out there. On the opposite side of the spectrum, seemingly very few people people cared about the facewash I was using back in March, which is good, since I concluded it was terrible after just a few more days of use.

My favorite post to write was probably my cathartic takedown of Paulo Coehlo’s absolute rubbish novel The Alchemist. Turns out a lot of people hate it just as much as I do! I’m also quite proud of my feature on the independent bookstore Bookends & Beginnings.

My 10 favorite search terms that brought people to Literary Vittles in 2014:
10. depraved humanity, despair, violence and gore = walking dead
9. i refuse to straighten my hair
8. why do we need wisdom from on high
7. yara greyjoy naked
6. the alchemist open book quiz pages 11-47
5. why i like them movies
4. college feels like prison
3. boobs, butts, and thighs in GOT
2. pressure your sister is valedictorian and you’re not
1. did chick corea ever play the piano with his feet?

At the end of 2013, I resolved to read 30 books in the coming year — and to spend proportionally less time watching films and television. Well, I ended up watching roughly the same number of movies, but I did read more books. So, partial success?

The best book I read in 2014 was, by far, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (full review). Unfortunately, I finished it in January! Persepolis, which was also granted a rare 5-star rating, was wonderful, unique, and came in second place. You can see a full list of the books I read in 2014, and links to my reviews, on my Book Review Index page.

The best and worst movies I saw in the theater were Edge of Tomorrow and The Wolf of Wall Street, respectively. If Edge of Tomorrow seems like a surprising or lame choice, well, it kind of is — but I found most of the promising new releases to be disappointing, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, A Most Wanted Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, Boyhood, Under the Skin, and, yes, even Interstellar. It’s true that Ida was very good, but I thought it lacked something, and I’m hard-pressed to find any major faults with Edge of Tomorrow. An action movie, my favorite theatrical release of the year?! What’s happening! I should mention that I didn’t see as many new releases this year due to my trans-Pacific move and the significantly higher cost of movie tickets in New Zealand.

But the best “new” movie I watched in 2014 was, hands down, Taxi Driver. Really says something, doesn’t it, when Scorsese flicks are both my best & worst picks from the year?  The French-German miniseries Carlos, which falls somewhere between a movie and a TV show, was also extremely good. Some of the other very good movies that I watched in 2014 included Let the Right One In (Swedish version), Apocalypse Now, Tsotsi, Robot and Frank, Snowpiercer, Boy, and The Babadook. The worst movie I watched (yes, even worse than Wolf of Wall Street!) was Divergent, the result of a sad trip to Redbox in rural Missouri.

But what did I miss? Were there any good movies that I didn’t manage to see, but should have? I’d still like to watch The Immigrant when I have a chance, along with Only Lovers Left Alive even though it’s been divisive, and I also think that Pride would put me in a good mood.

Last year I only had four resolutions, but one of them was major. It’s also the only one I managed to accomplish in full, ha! A review:

1. Stop being late to work every day
Well, I quit my job in September, so does that count? I never went to bed on time, meaning I never got to work at 8:30 like I was supposed to. I did, however, manage to fairly consistently arrive by 8:45. Which isn’t bad, if you know me!

2. Eat healthy & exercise 3x a week
I know I didn’t exercise 3x a week throughout the entire year, though I have been more active since arriving in New Zealand. As for the vague “eat healthy” mantra, I don’t think I’ve been eating any more unhealthfully, so, success?

3. Read 30 books
Nope! Only managed to read 22, of which only 18 were of considerable length. Ah well. Better luck next year.

4. Move to New Zealand
Well, of all the things! How did I manage to pull THIS one off?!

My resolutions for 2015 are a bit more specific:

1. Try again to read 30 books within the year (two shorter YA books only count as 1 “full” book)

2. Cook more often: try out 1 new recipe per month while traveling, and 1 per week when stationary. Bookmark any good vegetarian recipes I discover for my sister.

3. Eat more fruit — specifically, eat one piece every morning with breakfast

4. Eat less sugar — specifically, have one dessert-type thing every other day, instead of… every day

5. Do yoga 3x a week

6. Start running again so as to eliminate the huffing and puffing when hiking up hills

7. Stop getting so behind on others’ blogs — read new posts the same day they are published

8. Apply to grad school

And there you have it! Saved the big one for last, as per usual. If I ignore #1-7 and only accomplish #8, then I’ll still be pretty pleased with myself. I tried to make my goals a bit more specific so as to better define what “success” means — though “start running again” is really vague, I’ll admit.

May these beautiful lens flare photos also inspire YOU to undertake ambitious and possibly impossible self-improvement goals in the coming year.

Photo credits: Fence, me. Shelves (a takeout from the Bookends & Beginnings post) and spheres of light taken by G. 

30 books in 2014

I will be posting a full review of each book I read in 2014! (a.k.a., everything on this list). Click the permanent link to “Book Reviews” on the right side panel. 

In 2013, I read 16 books. That doesn’t sound so bad, until you consider the fact that 3 were YA books, 3 were picture books, 3 were assigned readings for a Sociology class, 1 was a David Sedaris re-read, and 2 were so bad that I think they decreased my intelligence (Fergie Confidential and They Eat Puppies, Don’t They? in case you were curious). So, really, I only read 4 “books”: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, The Sense of an Ending (which I didn’t like at all – I’m not sure what the fuss over Barnes is about), The Casual Vacancy (incredibly underrated), and Norwegian Wood (at last, a truly good one).

THEN I realized I watched episodes from 24 different TV shows and 54(!!) movies in 2013. Don’t get me wrong–I think that tv/cinema have a lot to offer. But analyzing a two-hour film vs. a 200-page novel requires a different set of skills.

I settled on the number 30 because it felt feasible for me; it’s just over a book every 2 weeks. Of course, some folks like Carrie over on The Mad Reviewer read close to 200 books a year! That’s too much for me, but I do fit pretty well into her “Slightly Sane Reviewer” category. (You can read more about her yearly book reviewing challenge here). 

Without further ado, the 30 books I plan to read in 2013:

1). The Ugly American and Slash

To be honest, I’ve been working on both of these for a while. I wanted to start fresh, but almost nothing bothers me more than not finishing a book. I’m roughly halfway through each, so finishing both of these will count as my “#1.” Slash is terrible, I’ve been avoiding it for months, and I’m determined to finish it once and for all.

• Full review of The Ugly American here.
• Made an executive decision not to finish Slash because it was terrible.

2-14: Books I already own

 2). For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. [Sorry, the books in the photo are slightly out of order]. Amazingly enough, I’ve reached the age of 22 without having read a Hemingway. I read about 20 pages of this book last year and loved it. So that will be my reward after finishing the terrible Slash. 

✓ 3). Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Given the focus on South Africa recently, I figured I ought to read something besides Long Walk to Freedom.

• Full review of Cry, the Beloved Country (plus the 1995 movie adaptation!) here.

4). The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. All I know is that it’s set in Chicago during the 1893 World Fair. Might as well read one book set in the miserably cold city where I live.

5). Of Wild Dogs by Jane Taylor. [In order from this point forward]. Taylor is fascinating and her book The Transplant Men was unlike anything I’d ever read. Plus, you know, I met and even interviewed her.

6). Death in a Cold Climate by Barry Forshaw. I bought this book after watching the Norwegian crime thriller Headhunters a year and a half ago. Naturally, I thought I should read an academic analysis of the entire Scandinavian crime fiction genre!

✓  7). The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz. I’ve been meaning to read this since my freshman-year roommate called it excellent in 2009. Whoops!

• Full review of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao here.

8). Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins. This one’s even worse: A friend gave me this as a high school graduation present. For some reason, even though I apparently love Scandinavian crime fiction/film, I was dissuaded by “hit man” in the title. But it’s supposed to be good.

9). The Gus Van Sant Touch by Justin Vicari. I won this book a year ago as part of the Early Reviewers program on LibraryThing. I was excited at first because Gus Van Sant has directed films like Good Will Hunting and Milk. Then I read the introduction and it was terrible and pompous.  Nonetheless, I should fulfill my obligation!

10). Crazy Like Us by Ethan Watters. As you can see from the sticker on the spine, I was supposed to read this book for a class and never did. Nonetheless, I think it will prove interesting.

11). Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I adore the great Russian writers. It wouldn’t be a complete reading list without a beautifully written and creatively introspective contribution from one of the masters.

12). Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. I was skeptical because I inherited this from someone cleaning out her office. But it’s highly regarded, so onto the book list it goes.

13). Inclusion: The Politics of Difference in Medical Research by Steven Epstein. For those of you who don’t know, I majored in Anthropology in undergrad. I bought this book for a class, forgot I bought it 9 weeks later, and re-discovered it on my bookshelf after I had already turned in my final paper. Sigh. But since I’d potentially like to  pursue a PhD in medical anthropology, onto the list it must go.

14). The Sum of Our Days by Isabel Allende. After studying abroad in Buenos Aires last summer, I ambitiously attempted to read an Allende book in Spanish. Mistake. Good thing I found this English translation.

15-22: Books I’ve been meaning to read

15). Swamplandia! by Karen Russell.  Fun fact: Karen Russell went to the same school as I did. (No, sadly I never met her – she graduated several years ahead of me).

16). Death of a Nightingale by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis. Wouldn’t you know: another Nordic crime thriller. I know Kaaberbøl because she was nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to children’s literature. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she is also an acclaimed author of adult crime fiction.

17). The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton. Even though The Sense of an Ending was a disappointment, I generally try to read the Man Booker prizewinning novel each year. Plus, Catton is from New Zealand!! And I want to move to New Zealand before the year is over.

18). John the Posthumous by Jason Schwartz. For some reason, I thought this book was written by Jason Schwartzman, the actor. Not so. Regardless, it’s supposed to be highly unusual which sometimes means good.

✓  19). The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith. I was a pretty big fan of J.K. Rowling’s first foray into adult literature, The Casual Vacancy. Most people disagreed with me about that. But everyone raves about The Cuckoo’s Calling so I guess I have to see what the fuss is about.

• Full review of The Cuckoo’s Calling here.

20). Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This one I know because there was a blurb about it in Vogue a couple of months ago. (Yes, I read Vogue. Mostly for the food articles). A celebrated Nigerian author? Yes, please.

21). Skull Wars by David Hurst Thomas. I had to read the introduction for my Archaeology class. It was fascinating. Compelled to read the rest.

22). Notes from No Man’s Land by Eula Biss. Another case where I was required to read an excerpt for a class and fell in love. I have been meaning to read this for quite some time (over 2 years, to be exact).

23-28: On Recommendation

✓ 23). And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. Both my sister AND my mom told me to read this. I’ve read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, so I might as well.

• Full review of And the Mountains Echoed here.

24). The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I’ve seen this on top booklists everywhere. So into my queue it goes.

25). The Border is Burning by Ito Romo. I graduated from high school in San Antonio, Texas and sometimes like to call it my hometown. Romo’s also from San Antonio and this book is supposed to be amazing.

26). Anything that Moves: Renegade Chefs, Fearless Eaters, and the Making of a New American Food Culture by Dana Goodyear. I’ve already mentioned my affinity for the food essays in Vogue. So this was a natural addition to my list.

27). Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. I’m not sure why, but for some reason I recognize Atkinson’s name. I don’t think I’ve read anything by her before, and this should be remedied.

28). Revenge by Yoko Ogawa. He’s been compared to Murakami, and I usually wouldn’t pick a book containing “Eleven Dark Tales,” so yay for variety.

29-30: Your picks

29). Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. A recommendation from The English Professor. I haven’t read a Vonnegut yet, and this should be fixed!

30). American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This one was recommended by Matt of The Little Engine that Couldn’t. Gaiman is hugely popular right now so I’ve kind of avoided his books, but that’s silly considering how much I enjoyed his novella Coraline.

Additional books NOT on this list that I read in 2014:

• The Walking Dead: Compendium 2 – full review here
• The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – full review here
• The Preservationist by Justin Kramon – full review here
• The Googlization of Everything by Siva Vaidhayanathan – full review here
• Unexpected Stories by Octavia Butler – full review here
• Dreaming of Light by Jayne Bauling – full review here
• Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris (review forthcoming)
• Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroch – full review here

Good luck to all those who have resolved to read more in 2014!

Photo credits:  GvL took the pretty bookstack photos. I made the collages in Photoshop & Powerpoint. 

Resolutions: The Short List

My goals for 2014 are few.

1. Stop being late to work every day

2. Eat healthy & exercise 3x a week

3. Read 30 books

4. Move to New Zealand

Now… let’s see which of those actually happen!