KJ's 2017 Media Roundup
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ladybusinessAnother January is upon us, which means it's time for all the best of 2017 posts. (I realize that these actually start in December or even November, but I prefer to wait until the beginning of the year, just in case I discover the best! thing! ever! on New Year's Eve. Hey, it could happen.)
I read 36 books this year (for more detailed stats, and my goals for 2018, see here) and watched A Lot of television (this was the year of catching up on many of the things I'd been meaning to watch on Netflix). Considering that I didn't rate a book below 3 stars this year, I feel pretty happy with my reading overall, except for the fact that I didn't do more of it. Some favorites:
Books Published in 2017
Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan -- The final book in the Lady Trent series more than sticks the landing. It wraps up the big mysteries seeded in the earlier books beautifully, and in a way I never saw coming, but I can't imagine it having been anything else. More detailed review here (beware spoilers).
Buried Heart by Kate Elliott -- Speaking of sticking the landing. What a beautiful and perfect end to my other favorite series of recent years. More detailed review here.
Jade City by Fonda Lee -- I love family stories and I love political intrigue, and this story has reams of both. It was also compulsively readable, which was perfect because I picked it up right after pushing through some other novels that I ultimately liked, but had found difficult going.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin -- I didn't connect with this book as an individual work quite as much as I did with the first two parts of the trilogy -- but what a trilogy. When considered as the capstone to this monumental work of fiction, I have to include it on any best-of list.
Girl Reporter by Tansy Raynor Roberts -- I could read a million more stories set in this universe, where superheroes are chosen by lot and given their powers by a mysterious machine. Right now, we have to content ourselves with just three, and this is the best so far. Reading the tale of Friday Valentina and her quest to get the scoop and save her mom was a super way to spend a day.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells -- My favorite novella of 2017. From my Favorite Media review: "Simply delightful, if you can call a story about a planetary survey team facing a mysterious and terrifying attacker delightful. The delight comes largely from the point-of-view character, a security android who calls itself Murderbot. I love this character possibly more than any other new character I've met in years."
Books Published in Other Years
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers -- I didn't think it would be possible to love this more than the first book in the series, but I was easily proven wrong.
Runtime by S.B. Divya -- From my March Favorite Media review: "I enjoyed both the story of Marmeg and her quest to win a race and make something of herself, and the world-building of a near-future society that is stratified by immigration status and access to body-modification technology. The world Divya creates is almost terrifyingly prescient, given recent political events. Sometimes novellas leave me wanting more, but while I would happily read more stories about Marmeg, and/or set in this universe, I felt like this one told its story in the perfect amount of space. "
Infomocracy by Malka Older -- I picked this up because I was told that it would give me a hopeful look at a realistic near-future world, and in early 2017 that was something I needed. Fortunately, it delivered.
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab -- Another sequel I loved even more than the first book, despite the terrible terrible cliffhanger. (I haven't read the third yet because I own this series in paperback; March come sooner!)
Movies, Television, and Other Media
The Adventure Zone: Balance Arc -- So many of my fellow Critical Role fans love this roleplaying podcast that I had to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Agents of SHIELD, Season 4 -- I haven't been as thrilled by the the current season so far, but I thought the Framework arc (the second half of Season 4) was brilliant. The pointed commentary on concurrent events, in both the real world and on the comics side of the Marvel house, made me so happy (and you are never convincing me that the show chose a Hydra story by accident).
The Big Sick -- Sweet and funny romantic comedy, starring Pakistani-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani, co-written with his wife Emily Gordon, and based on their real-life courtship.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend -- Don't be put off by the title: this show is fully self aware of all the pitfalls it might fall into, and in this third season has developed into the most sympathetic and thoughtful portrayals of mental illness I've ever seen. And some of the songs and choreography are amazing.
The Good Place -- My favorite show currently airing on television now. See my co-review of Season 1 withbookgazing for more (major major spoilers for S1 -- and I really recommend watching this show unspoiled, if you can).
Master of None -- Only the second season was new this year, but I hadn't yet gotten around to the first, so we watched the whole thing this summer, and both enjoyed it immensely. I particularly enjoy the episodes that play with the typical sitcom format, and that look at the immigrant experience through the lens of different generations.
Person of Interest -- Another show I finally caught up on this year. I've been meaning to write a full review of this, and eventually I hope I will, but for now I'll just say that it quickly transcends its police procedural format to tell a fascinating story about AI and surveillance.
Persona 5 -- This might be a little premature, since I haven't quite finished it yet, but given my experiences so far it's safe to say that this is my favorite game of 2017. Great characters, fun gameplay, a plot filled with twists and turns. I've never played any of the other games in the series, and I'm seriously considering going back to check them out.
Thor: Ragnarok -- Best MCU movie this year, and in my opinion the funniest yet, and one of the most charming. Bringing Taika Waititi on board may be the smartest choice that Marvel Studios has ever made. More detailed comments here
Wonder Woman -- Never have I been more simultaneously excited for and nervous about a movie. Rarely has my anticipation been better satisfied. More here.
On Deck for 2018
I'm looking forward to a number of things coming up: Head On by John Scalzi, which is the sequel to Lock In, more Becky Chambers, three more Murderbot novellas, so many movies (Black Panther, A Wrinkle in Time, and Ocean's 8 are at the top of my list). Another season of Jessica Jones is on the way, too. I'll also be seeing the musical Waitress this fall. For the first time in awhile, I'm not actually anticipating any new games this year, but I hope something will present itself as my next obsession.
So, that's me in 2017. Good riddance to an awful year, but I'm glad I discovered more wonderful things to share (and many more that didn't even make this list). What were your favorites, and what should I be sure not to miss in 2018?
I read 36 books this year (for more detailed stats, and my goals for 2018, see here) and watched A Lot of television (this was the year of catching up on many of the things I'd been meaning to watch on Netflix). Considering that I didn't rate a book below 3 stars this year, I feel pretty happy with my reading overall, except for the fact that I didn't do more of it. Some favorites:
Books Published in 2017
Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan -- The final book in the Lady Trent series more than sticks the landing. It wraps up the big mysteries seeded in the earlier books beautifully, and in a way I never saw coming, but I can't imagine it having been anything else. More detailed review here (beware spoilers).
Buried Heart by Kate Elliott -- Speaking of sticking the landing. What a beautiful and perfect end to my other favorite series of recent years. More detailed review here.
Jade City by Fonda Lee -- I love family stories and I love political intrigue, and this story has reams of both. It was also compulsively readable, which was perfect because I picked it up right after pushing through some other novels that I ultimately liked, but had found difficult going.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin -- I didn't connect with this book as an individual work quite as much as I did with the first two parts of the trilogy -- but what a trilogy. When considered as the capstone to this monumental work of fiction, I have to include it on any best-of list.
Girl Reporter by Tansy Raynor Roberts -- I could read a million more stories set in this universe, where superheroes are chosen by lot and given their powers by a mysterious machine. Right now, we have to content ourselves with just three, and this is the best so far. Reading the tale of Friday Valentina and her quest to get the scoop and save her mom was a super way to spend a day.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells -- My favorite novella of 2017. From my Favorite Media review: "Simply delightful, if you can call a story about a planetary survey team facing a mysterious and terrifying attacker delightful. The delight comes largely from the point-of-view character, a security android who calls itself Murderbot. I love this character possibly more than any other new character I've met in years."
Books Published in Other Years
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers -- I didn't think it would be possible to love this more than the first book in the series, but I was easily proven wrong.
Runtime by S.B. Divya -- From my March Favorite Media review: "I enjoyed both the story of Marmeg and her quest to win a race and make something of herself, and the world-building of a near-future society that is stratified by immigration status and access to body-modification technology. The world Divya creates is almost terrifyingly prescient, given recent political events. Sometimes novellas leave me wanting more, but while I would happily read more stories about Marmeg, and/or set in this universe, I felt like this one told its story in the perfect amount of space. "
Infomocracy by Malka Older -- I picked this up because I was told that it would give me a hopeful look at a realistic near-future world, and in early 2017 that was something I needed. Fortunately, it delivered.
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab -- Another sequel I loved even more than the first book, despite the terrible terrible cliffhanger. (I haven't read the third yet because I own this series in paperback; March come sooner!)
Movies, Television, and Other Media
The Adventure Zone: Balance Arc -- So many of my fellow Critical Role fans love this roleplaying podcast that I had to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Agents of SHIELD, Season 4 -- I haven't been as thrilled by the the current season so far, but I thought the Framework arc (the second half of Season 4) was brilliant. The pointed commentary on concurrent events, in both the real world and on the comics side of the Marvel house, made me so happy (and you are never convincing me that the show chose a Hydra story by accident).
The Big Sick -- Sweet and funny romantic comedy, starring Pakistani-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani, co-written with his wife Emily Gordon, and based on their real-life courtship.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend -- Don't be put off by the title: this show is fully self aware of all the pitfalls it might fall into, and in this third season has developed into the most sympathetic and thoughtful portrayals of mental illness I've ever seen. And some of the songs and choreography are amazing.
The Good Place -- My favorite show currently airing on television now. See my co-review of Season 1 with
bookgazing for more (major major spoilers for S1 -- and I really recommend watching this show unspoiled, if you can).Master of None -- Only the second season was new this year, but I hadn't yet gotten around to the first, so we watched the whole thing this summer, and both enjoyed it immensely. I particularly enjoy the episodes that play with the typical sitcom format, and that look at the immigrant experience through the lens of different generations.
Person of Interest -- Another show I finally caught up on this year. I've been meaning to write a full review of this, and eventually I hope I will, but for now I'll just say that it quickly transcends its police procedural format to tell a fascinating story about AI and surveillance.
Persona 5 -- This might be a little premature, since I haven't quite finished it yet, but given my experiences so far it's safe to say that this is my favorite game of 2017. Great characters, fun gameplay, a plot filled with twists and turns. I've never played any of the other games in the series, and I'm seriously considering going back to check them out.
Thor: Ragnarok -- Best MCU movie this year, and in my opinion the funniest yet, and one of the most charming. Bringing Taika Waititi on board may be the smartest choice that Marvel Studios has ever made. More detailed comments here
Wonder Woman -- Never have I been more simultaneously excited for and nervous about a movie. Rarely has my anticipation been better satisfied. More here.
On Deck for 2018
I'm looking forward to a number of things coming up: Head On by John Scalzi, which is the sequel to Lock In, more Becky Chambers, three more Murderbot novellas, so many movies (Black Panther, A Wrinkle in Time, and Ocean's 8 are at the top of my list). Another season of Jessica Jones is on the way, too. I'll also be seeing the musical Waitress this fall. For the first time in awhile, I'm not actually anticipating any new games this year, but I hope something will present itself as my next obsession.
So, that's me in 2017. Good riddance to an awful year, but I'm glad I discovered more wonderful things to share (and many more that didn't even make this list). What were your favorites, and what should I be sure not to miss in 2018?
no subject
Date: 2018-01-04 03:51 am (UTC)Also pretty excited for a bunch of the 2018 things you mention.
no subject
Date: 2018-01-04 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-05 06:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-07 10:33 pm (UTC)Also, yay, you liked Closed & Common Orbit. I just adored it :) And Master of None is easily one of my fav shows.