The year is done, a day is past, so it is time for a little reflection. What really blew my socks off this year? What did I come into contact with this year that impressed me a whole bunch? Now, I agree a bunch of awesome stuff came out this year, I just didn't see it all. I got shit to do, ya know? So these lists are all the stuff I experienced. And I will admit right off, this is my personal experience and not everything in this article may have come out this year, this is just what I enjoyed. Disagree? Let me know in the comments or go out and write your own. We all love lists. Lists after the jump.
Top Stuff I Read
Ghost Story by Jim ButcherI love Jim Butcher and the newest Dresden Files book will always be on my best of stuff I read list. Deal with it and fair warning for next year.
Nerdist Way by Chris HardwickAny listener to the Nerdist Podcast has at least thumbed through this book. I found it informative and an enjoyable read that taps into what makes my mind tick and motivated me to change some things in my life.
Son of Neptune by Rick RiordanIn my view, I enjoyed the Percy Jackson books more than Harry Potter. Not to say they were better, just that they were more fun, slice and dice adventures that I could relate to in my little brain. Again, I love the Potter but for my money these books are great.
Top Movies I Watched
[Note: I didn't go to the movies much this year, but these are the ones I really liked enough to remember.]
Tucker and Dale Vs EvilI really get a kick out of a good horror film and when Netflix suggested this little beauty on disc I just had to try it. And IT ROCKED. The release for it was tiny and the promotion was next to nothing, but this movie is one of the more inventive comedy/horror films you will ever see. At worst you could call it an American "Shaun of the Dead" sans zombies.
Captain AmericaBest popcorn flick I saw with decent effects that made me really want to see The Avengers. Chris Evans really surprised me as the square-jawed, apple-pie eating Cap.
The MuppetsDid for the Muppets what Rocky Balboa did for the Rocky franchise. Songs so good I bought the soundtrack (except for one, cough, Cooper rap, cough) and a basic fun that brought me back to my childhood. Modern kids won't get it and I could care less. It almost isn't for them.
Top Shows I Found
Community
I was late to the party on this comedy and have been kicking myself all the way through the box sets. Well written, funny and engaging, I absolutely love this series.
LeverageAnother late to the party show for me, Leverage is two parts A-Team, one part Oceans 11, shaken and stirred in a way that just drips cool and fun. The plots can get a little predictable, especially if you watch all 4 seasons in a row like I did, but the characters and acting more than make up for it.
Once Upon a TimeWhen your girlfriend suggests the two of you watch a show about fairy tales, you smile and nod and inwardly groan. Then Snow White pulls a damn broadsword on the Evil Queen and you hope this series lasts forever! Cleverly told and plotted, I hold this up to one of the happiest surprises I have had since I smirked at Buffy all those years ago.
Top Digital Time Suckers
Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimWhat can I say that has not already been said about this game? This is one of the most engaging titles out there and I just... Go play it.
Batman: Arkham CityYou are Batman. Gotham is a prison. Shit's going down. You stop it. As the goddamn Batman. You had me at Batman.
Portal 2This is why I don't review video games. I pick the most awesome ones I can find and tell you they are awesome. Play Portal 2. You will thank me.
Top Long Form Aural Ear Candy
Thrilling Adventure HourThis podcast fills me with joy. After years of listening to interviews, comedians, and others talk about random shit that made me laugh, here is fiction. Serialized radio plays that are both funny and highly addictive.
NerdistThe interviews are both funny and deep and the guys dicking around make me wanna call my friends. Cannot say more without going back and re-listening, but then I would never finish writing this. Enjoy your burrito.
LiberryCastEver been the librarian at the party that just trumps everyone else's work horror stories with one tale of library craziness that happened just last week? That's the LiberryCast.
Top Short Form Aural Ear Candy
To be honest, I'm not much of a music nerd. It just does not fall in my wheelhouse. So I looked back on the digital stuff I bought over the last year and my most listened to tracks. Here you go, in no particular order:
Sara WatkinsThey Might Be GiantsShe & HimSocial DistortionMe First and the Gimmee GimmeesFlogging MollyColin HayeRancidWeezerCheap TrickTop Serialized Paper Picture Books
[Note: Comics are another area where I am lacking. Nothing has really grabbed me this year but the following and while I have a decent supplier for my crack, he can't always get the quality stuff. Plus, I have been lapsing and not reading as much as I used to. Kinda sad, I do love them so.]
Justice LeagueThe reboot of the DCU excited me. I picked up several titles such as Action Comics, Detective Comics Batman, and a few others, but this one is the only one that really grabbed me. I still read the others, but I guess I just like a team book. The art is not that bad either.
Ultimate Spider-man RebootAnother reboot that I really was dreading (Make Mine Marvel), but I really fell for this book. Ultimate Spidey is what got me back into comics years ago and killing Peter Parker sickened me a little. But Miles Morales is a good choice for the next angsty, teenage spider-kid. At least he's not a clone.
Top 140 Characters or Less
[Note: This isn't even scratching the surface of all the Twitter folks I love, especially the Awesome Librarians.
I made a list of those. If you aren't on that list, let me know. These are just three that I happen to adore.]
Steven Weber @TheStevenWeber Who has two thumbs, starred on Wings and sends out the craziest tweets imaginable? This guy.
Joe Hill @joe_hillOne of my favorite authors and a damn informative dude.
T J Miller @nottjmillerComedian and actor, Miller is one of the oddest cats with a handle.
So that's what I got for 2011. Not all, but most. I didn't include blogs because most of them are either included here, linked to from their twitters, or just too numerous to name. Thank you everyone who read my drivel over the last year, both on the blog and on twitter. You have no idea how much this writing helps me. I plan to post more often, continue the Banned Library fiction, maybe make some videos, and continue not going slowly insane with public service.
I also want to thank the site
That Guy With the Glasses for providing hours of entertainment, some of which lifted my spirits when I really needed it. They might not ever read this but every contributor to that site has made this year a happy one.
Finally, I want to thank one special person who I should thank more often for the love and support she gives me. Love ya, darlin, and I promise not to lay on the couch like a bitch. (She'll get that.)
Let me know in the comments if I missed something or if you have any thoughts on any of the above. If you have any story ideas or just want to contact me, tweet to
@bannedlibrary or email
evan@bannedlibrary.com. Thanks again.
The Library of Congress and partner Sony Music Entertainment are set to release the website "National Jukebox" to the public today. The website is a streaming service of licence free American music classics. Users will be able to do just about everything they can do with every other music service, download, playlists, blah, yadda, and sha-mon. 
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and other artists from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The Library plans to digitize the collection and make them available as soon as possible.
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