Best of 2024 Media | Year in Review

Hey, as long as I get my yearly recap post published during the first quarter of the new year, it still counts, right?  (Even if I squeeze it in at the eleventh hour.  Ahem.)

Present tardiness aside, I do usually try to post at least one "top ten" list at the beginning of each calendar year, reflecting on the best of the new-to-me media I consumed the last year.  In 2024, however, it would appear that most of said new-to-me media was . . . unfortunately mid.  Thus, where I would usually select ten favorites in each category, I'm limiting myself to five this time around and just compiling everything into the one post.  But we're also expanding the categories to include music, so I think we'll have plenty of material to cover. 😉

"The hour is late and bed beckons," so without further ado, let's get into it.

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❧ Best Books

#5.  Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

"...details the story of a man who falls in love with his wife's cousin and the tragedies that result from the ensuing love triangle." (from Wikipedia)

*me every time I read a new Wharton novel*  Girl, you have done it again:  constantly raising the bar for us all, and doing it flawlessly.

I'd avoided this novel for years because I'd heard that it was hideously depressing — although I'm 99% certain that I'd confused it with Hardy's Jude the Obscure, which does in fact sound hideously depressing by all accounts — but once I bit the bullet and began to read it, I found it enormously entertaining and frankly funny.  Ethan strikes me as such an unreliable narrator, and his melodrama is so deeply unserious that I could cackle.  At the same time, however, the story is written with Wharton's trademark mastery, so my enjoyment is genuine. 

#4.  The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

"...continues the misadventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, and the crew of the starship Heart of Gold on their journey across the universe and uncovering its bizarre mysteries." (from Wikipedia)

The Hitchhiker's Guide series continues to delight me.  Every now and then the screwball comedy wears a bit, inducing a mental yawn or two, but in general it remains excessively diverting.

#3.  Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs

"...documents Jacobs' life as a slave and how she gained freedom for herself and for her children." (from Wikipedia)

Incredible account of the author's life.  Getting to read the story of a survivor of the American chattel slavery system in her own words is a remarkable privilege.  Highly recommended.

#2.  Green Shadows, White Whale by Ray Bradbury

"...gives a fictionalized account of [Bradbury's] journey to Ireland in 1953-1954 to write a screen adaptation of the novel Moby-Dick with director John Huston." (from Wikipedia)

Delicious, sprightly, tongue-in-cheek fun.  This is the kind of Bradbury I enjoy.  Fahrenheit 451 may exit, pursued by a bear.

#1.  The Touchstone by Edith Wharton

"[The novella's protagonist] is suddenly impoverished and unable to marry the woman he loves. He sells the private letters a former admirer had written to him, before she had become a famous author. He is later overcome by guilt for betraying one who had loved him." (from Wikipedia)

(Not the same author bookending my best-of list this year!  Icon behavior.)

The fact that this is Wharton's debut novel??  I am agog.  Granted, the story could perhaps have done with a little more cooking time; if the book was only slightly longer, the final product may have been a bit more well-rounded and polished.  Still, I would rather read a story that could have been longer than a story that should have been shorter any day of the week, and The Touchstone is quietly remarkable as-is.  We love to see a romance given narrative significance after the marriage has taken place.  Wonderful stuff.

❧ Best Films

#5.  You Hurt My Feelings (2023) ● R

"A novelist's longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband giving his honest reaction to her latest book." (from Letterboxd)

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I only watched this once and don't recollect many details, but I do remember that I loved the way that it explored the mundanity of marriage — the inevitable boredom, frustration, and hurt that will come with that type of long-term relationship — without devaluing it.  Relationships won't always be "fun," and that's OK, because they will be sometimes — and they should be, most of the time.

#4.  Glass Onion (2022) ● PG-13

"World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends." (from Letterboxd)

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I've successfully avoided watching Knives Out for the last several years because it doesn't seem like my thing, but the premise/setting of Glass Onion intrigued me more, and I finally got the chance to try it.  I found it perfectly entertaining (although the idea of the Mona Lisa catching strays like that??? horrifying).  I'm here for Daniel Craig in comedic roles and comedic roles only.  (Logan Lucky, anyone?)

#3.  What's Up, Doc? (1972) ● G

"The accidental mix-up of four identical plaid overnight bags leads to a series of increasingly wild and wacky situations." (from Letterboxd)

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Comedy gold.  I'm not always a fan of the screwball genre, but this is sublime.  Eunice + Frederick = a match made in heaven.  ("Don't you dare strike that brave, unbalanced woman!!")  And Eunice herself?  Legendary.  The courtroom scene at the end really cracks me up.  ("They're a foul and depraved-looking lot, bailiff."  "Those are the spectators, your honor.")  The little twist about the judge's character also tickles me.  And, of course, "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard" is iconic of Ryan O'Neal.

#2.  Te Ata (2016) ● PG

"The extraordinary life of Chickasaw Nation citizen Mary Thompson Fisher is given a heartfelt tribute in this moving look at a culture in transition, and the way one woman used her voice to keep Native traditions and stories alive." (from Letterboxd)

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This could easily, on paper, have been a Hallmark-esque Love Comes Softly type of deal (which certainly has its place — don't think that I'm above a LCS moment 😅).  What it actually turned out to be is a solid period drama that, while sweet and gentle, remains indomitable in its affirmation of the dignity and beauty of indigeneity.  Highly recommend.

(As a side note, Q'orianka Kilcher is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life.  Her smile could clear storm clouds from the sky.) 

#1.  The Fall Guy (2024) ● PG-13

"Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, stuntman Colt Seavers has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job." (from Letterboxd) 

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Far and away my favorite new-to-me film of 2024.  (And also, in a shocking twist, one which actually premiered the same year that I watched it!  Who am I?)  This delightful "spicy margarita" of a film blends comedy, romance, and action so adorably.  I was and am charmed, Jeeves.  Emily Blunt can do no wrong.  (Also, give it up for Jean-Claude.  Il est un bon garcon!)

❧ Best Songs from Female Artists

#5.  "Only Light" by Liv Romano

It's giving granola girl spring/summer and we love to hear it.

#4.  "No More Birthdays" by Sophie May

Just such a delightful melody paired with somewhat unconventional lyrics, and I really like May's voice.

#3.  "All the Best" by Isabella Kensington

The summer break-up jam vibes are STRONG with this one.

#2.  "Remember the Future" by Cozi Zuehlsdorff

The lyrics??  The melody?  So, so gorgeous.  I love a pared-back musical moment like this one.

#1.  "Occasionally" by Lydia Luce

Lilting, bittersweet, nostalgic — the opening lyrics frequently run through my mind.

❧ Best Songs from Male Artists

#5.  "Amsterdam" by Gregory Alan Isakov

The orchestral version hits particularly hard — the swelling strings are so gorgeous.

#4.  "Goes Without Saying" by Trent Dabbs

Between this and "Turn Our Eyes Away," I'm piecing together that Dabbs excels at this plaintive early 2000s/2010s sound, the kind tailor-made for fan videos.

#3.  "Too Sweet" by Hozier

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon for this song, but can you really blame me?

#2.  "The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds" by John Mark McMillan

The lyricssss.  I adore these lyrics.

#1.  "More to This" by Mark Scibilia

Again I say, THE LYRICS.  Paired with that cold, dusty, autumnal, troubadour sound?  I'm obsessed.

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There you have it.  Thank you for indulging my excessively late yearly recap shenanigans, mes amies. 😉  Now, tell me about your 2024!

What were some of your favorite media offerings last year?