So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
The Fiction Scribe's 2005 Year in Review
Well, another year has come and gone. Lots of things have stayed the same: I am still as homely as ever; I am still employed, married, and happy; I have a roof over my head, a car to drive, and great family and friends.
Even more have changed: For some weird, unknown reason, the waistlines in all my pants shrunk this year; I became a blogger, and, by doing so have met several new and interesting people - many of whom are more interesing than me; I became an uncle (one blood related, two more by proxy), I started the footwork on my own website, which will be available to the public in a month; and, I became a published author. Actually, as you all might or might not know, my book should be out sometime in February 2006, close to Mardi Gras time. This is not a coincidence, considering my book is mainly set in
Sadly, with the horrific devastation of Hurricane Katrina,
I am seriously considering a volunteer trip to the gulf coast region within the next few months to help with clean-up; I will keep you posted if and when that comes to pass. Also, I want to point out that a portion of all book sales will go to charity - particularly Hurricane Katrina relief.
Now, for the fun stuff! I give you, drum roll, please:
The Fiction Scribe's 2005 Year in Review for Books, Movies, and Music!
*Crickets chirping*
Disclaimer: These are strictly my opinions, and I am sure you are all fully aware that I don't know what the hell I am talking about most of the time, so if you go by my picks, purchase anything on these lists and then hate it, don't blame me. Or, go ahead and blame me, but don't expect refunds. Or, expect refunds, but don't expect me to hand deliver it to your houses. Or, expect me to hand deliver it to your houses, but, under no circumstances, will I will give out free foot rubs. You bunch of babies.
If you do like the picks/purchases, give The Fiction Scribe a pat on the back!
Now, with that extremely long-winded disclaimer out of the way, onto the lists!
Books
Since I did not manage to read a lot of new books this year, I will give you the Top 5 list of the books I did manage to read:
- The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Colors of the Mountain, by Da Chen
- The French Lieutenant's Woman, by John Fowles
- The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway
- Not Too Far From Eminence, by James Clark Hall*
- Queens and Crescents, by Barry Southers, due in February 2006**
*Another
** Poor attempt at shameless, self-promotion.
Movies
Again, did not see an assload of new movies in 2005, but I think the ones I saw were pretty good. Here's the list:
- Walk the Line
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- Good Night, and Good Luck
- The Squid and the Whale
- Fun with Dick and Jane
Music
If you get any cd this year, it should be Sufjan Stevens. He is good. Mellow, but good. After the release of "
If he keeps producing albums like this one, though, I cannot wait to hear the 50th one.
- Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
- My Morning Jacket, Z
- White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
- The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
- Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
- Flogging Molly, Within a Mile of Home***
*** #6 is actually a cd from 2004, but I just found out about them in 2005. Celtic punk band who really rocks. This cd is unusually good, especially if you enjoy both Celtic and punk/rock.
So, I want to say thanks to all who read all/any of my drivel the past couple of months. Hopefully there were at least a couple amusing lines and interesting stories. If not, I vow to redeem myself in the new year, by making The Fiction Scribe a bilge-free blog.
I promise to raise a glass this weekend in adulation of all my new blogging friends and readers.
Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!
(Here's some Finnish for ya, janestarr....)
posted by Barry S. at 10:23 AM
