Here’s your assignment:
In the comments, I want to know:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend.
A comic book you dug in 2013.
A TV show.
A movie.
A game.
One of each.
Just one.
Get shut of the idea of “best” — just, you know, if you had one of each of these that you could recommend to me or to everyone else reading here, what would it be?
Bonus question:
And why?
Your 2013 list:
GO.
elizabethamber says:
My favorite comics for 2013 happen to also be new introductions. DEATH SENTENCE, GOLGOTHA, and WILD BLUE YONDER. The first two appeal to a “rockstar” market of characters who are unhinged, wild, carefree, and have their own personal issues. Wild Blue Yonder features brilliant art by Zach Howard of a sci-fi/steampunk air squadron in a typical nihilistic world of survivors vs people in power.
December 9, 2013 — 9:48 AM
Ldrwriter says:
Book: The Monster At The End Of This Book. Why? A simple but brilliant tutorial on how to build tension in a story. Plus, it’s just fun to read!
TV Show: Game of Thrones. Why? Though a toned down, simplified version of George RR Martins gritty novels, watching Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister is as wickedly satisfying as it gets.
Movie: Frozen. Thank goodness Disney seems to have found their sweet spot again. Delightful film with the heart that’s been missing since Toy Story.
Comic Book: ooh, I should probably start reading them.
Game: Madame Fate. Creepy carnival theme. Who doesn’t love that?
December 9, 2013 — 9:51 AM
Matt Murdock says:
Toy Story is a Pixar movie. I agree Frozen was a fantastic film with quintessential Disney heart though. So happy they’re making these kinds of movies for coming generations. IMO Disney movies have always had heart. They’ve been trying to figure out how to transition into 3D (while keeping all the life and spirit) since Princess & The Frog and finally did it with Tangled.
December 9, 2013 — 12:46 PM
Danzier says:
Huh.
A book I’d recommend: The Adventure of Creation. It’s an anthology. My story is the worst of the bunch. Thirty-four awesome authors’ stories!
No comic books this year. Unless you count reading “Kitty’s Fairy Tale” (Something something marvel mutants acting in a swashbuckling adventure!) to my daughter at bedtime about 250 times. I did that because I want my kid to know the value of the exciting, imaginary, and grand. Also the local library sold their “swashbuckling adventures” section to make room for six computer tables. Jerks.
TV show is “Castle”. I paid $120 a month to only ever watch this show for six months. I confess: aside from being in NYC, that’s the kind of writer’s life I’d love to have.(Oh come on, it’s a goal!)
Movie? A short film can count, right? “Cycle” by Trent Hillborn & Mike Mazur. http://Www.cyclethefilm.com, if you like.
Game: “Shooting Family With Nerf Guns In The House For Fun And Lolz”. AKA, “Guess what?”
WHY???
Because. Because fun, and growing understanding, and living, and scary makes you think, and props to your friends. Because I live near the bald spot of nowhere, where we do what we can with what we’ve got and laugh it up like a bunch of fuzzballs. 😀 And because sleep is over-rated.
December 9, 2013 — 10:01 AM
Puck says:
Book: The Rook by Daniel O’Malley — already mentioned above; it’s got all the elements I like: mystery, urban fantasy, LOTS of badass ladies and POC, lots & lots of snark, and a plot that gripped me so hard I had to read the book twice in a row.
Comic: Maus by Art Spiegelman — this is a super heart-wrenching comic detailing Art’s father’s experiences during the Holocaust. It jumps back & forth between Art having conversations with his father & the story his father tells.
TV Show: Fringe — I know it’s over, but I’ve been slowly making my way through it all year and it is SO GOOD.
Movie: Iron Man 3 — I loved this film; loved the way it dealt with issues of PTSD; loved the way it dealt with the racist caricature that is the Mandarin; and both Rhodey & Pepper kicked ass in it.
Game: Dragon Age Origins — also an old game, I’ve been slowly playing my way through it whenever I’ve had time & I’m still enjoying it.
December 9, 2013 — 10:09 AM
daniellemaser says:
Book- Omens by Kelley Armstrong, Interesting introduction/real departure from the traditional premise for a female led urban fantasy. Strange town with tons of secrets, traditional folk lore, and serial killers. Awesome.
Comic Book- DC comics The New 52 run of Wonder Woman. I know I am behind the times on this but I am just getting hooked. Compelling story and a new spin on her origin story give us a tough, compassionate Wonder Woman that women can be proud of.
Tv Show- American Horror Story (Coven or all of them)- Tough female leads, gore, and mayhem. Pushing boundaries and leaving the audience on the edge of their seat each week. What more can you ask for?
Movie- Catching Fire- it met my every expectation. It was honestly enjoyable to watch and as a reader of the series it didn’t leave me frustrated or feeling cheated.
Game- Tomb Raider. It was smart, tough and again built a solid origin story for a beloved female character. Besides it was also tons of fun to play.
December 9, 2013 — 10:09 AM
adelinekay says:
American Horror Story is killing it this season.
December 9, 2013 — 1:53 PM
Gnash Chick (@Gnashchick) says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend: The Best Horror of the Year Volume 5. Because who wouldn’t like a collection of the creepiest stories and poems that Ellen Datlow liked best? Why yes, I’m a raving fangirl for an editor. Why? Because her anthologies are brilliant.
A comic book you dug in 2013: Hands down, the new Sandman book by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams. I’m old enough to have read and collected the series from the beginning. “Thrilled” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
A TV show: I’m not qualified to answer this question. My television viewing is limited to Doctor Who and Walking Dead and Justified. I think they are all delightful schlock, but damn I like looking at the actors.
A movie:Pacific Rim. Because sometimes this 40-mumble old lady just wants to be a 15-year-old boy who likes to see shit blow up.
A game: RIFT. An MMORPG by Trion worlds. I beta-played it when it began over two years ago then played it for a year. I unwisely left to go play Star Wars: The Old Republic with the rest of my guild. When I finally got enough of THAT bullshit, I went back to Rift, lured by the Storm Legion expansion. Don’t know why I ever left. I love this game. There are so many holes in the Lore that it gives us creative-brained Roleplayers plenty of time to write our own. Faeblightunited.com. C’mon y’all.
December 9, 2013 — 10:10 AM
James F. Brown says:
Movie: Don Jon – Raunchy, but very funny. Kinda like Chuck…
December 9, 2013 — 10:12 AM
MB Partlow says:
Book: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I know I’m late to the game on this one, but it just floated to the top of the to-be-read pile. Loved it. Twisted and dark, two of my favorite things.
Comic: I am just starting my venture into graphic novels, clutching a list supplied by my niece and nephews.
TV show: Mom. A sitcom totally wrong and very funny.
Movie: Catching Fire. Much better than the first movie in the series.
Game: Cards Against Humanity. A simple box of cards, but perfect for those considered slightly askew.
December 9, 2013 — 10:13 AM
Josee De Angelis says:
Book: Another Rock Star, by Paula Coots. It’s not your typical rock star touring book, much deeper and interesting.The author is a rock guitar player who toured a lot, so the story seems real and the characters are great, well defined.
A comic book: Paul à la pêche, by Michel Rabagliati (very popular Quebec graphic artist)
TV show: Walking Dead with my son, Vampire Diaries with my daughter
Movie: Hit & Run, a funny indie flick with a kick-ass car
Game: Fruit Ninja (I love the sound)
December 9, 2013 — 10:16 AM
darksheep says:
Book: American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This book just got everything: humour, mystery, modern day fantasy, surreality, adventure and more.
Comic book: Saga by Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples. It’s an epic war love story and it’s just so creative and feels very fresh.
TV: Orphan Black. This show is amazing and not enough people know of / watch it. Basically, Tatiana Maslany is incredible, playing 9 different characters perfectly.
Movie: Gravity. It’s beautiful. it just is. (amazing 3D too)
December 9, 2013 — 10:19 AM
adelinekay says:
Saga is so good.
December 9, 2013 — 1:38 PM
Passing Stranger says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend:
Claws of the Cat by Susan Spann. Mystery/Detective fiction set in feudal japan with the detectives being a Shinobi and a Jesuit priest. It’s just an all around great read and kept me intrigued right up and through the “who done it” reveal. Susan also did a great job of capturing the alien feel of feudal Japan which was awesome to see.
A comic book you dug in 2013:
Not sure if it came out in 2013 but the Court of Owls storyline for Batman. It does a bunch of interesting things with Batman – at least until the end – and it’s always good when you see Batman reveal his inner crazy.
A TV show:
Arrow from the CW. Probably one of the best ‘geek friendly’ shows out there right now. While not a true comic adaptation of Green Arrow it handles the material well and I really have enjoyed what they’ve done with the League of Shadows this season.
A movie:
Gravity. I don’t care about the accuracy of the science or the performances, the use of silence in this movie is amazing and really helps sink you into the world.
A game:
Saints Row IV. One of the best open world games out on the market right now, Saints Row IV is just pure unadulterated fun. A bit of a potty mouth, but it delivers on its promises, pokes fun at itself, and knows how to have a good time. It really is a love letter from the developers to the fans.
December 9, 2013 — 10:20 AM
melissa dominic says:
Book: RAGE IS BACK by Adam Mansbach – it’s a strange little book about family, graffiti and time travel jungle magic. It follows Dondi, who’s dad has been missing for most of his life, as he reunites with his dad to take down the mayoral candidate who made life hell for graffiti writers in the late 80s. TRUST ME, it is great. Also, it’s written by the guy who wrote that Go The Fuck To Sleep, which is a bonus. You know you all loved that book.
Comic Book: After recently catching up on Superior Spider-Man, I have to say, I’ve greatly enjoyed it. It puts you in a weird place with how you feel towards the main character, not a place many people want to be, and for me, that is worth the price of it.
TV Show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine really gets me vote here. First of all, HILARIOUS. Second of all, the casting is so spot-on. TWO FEMALE HISPANIC GIRLS? NEITHER ONE LIKE THE OTHER OR ANY OTHER LATINA STEREOTYPES? Just that alone makes me happy. It is a really diverse cast that doesn’t feel diverse for the sake of making people happy with it. I feels real, I like that.
Movie: The Place Beyond the Pines was one of my fave movies this year. It is quiet, sort of heartbreaking and much more about the legacy people leave behind than Ryan Gosling driving a motorcycle and robbing banks. Settle in for a long movie and it is a bit slow, but, watching life play out in the strange patterns it chooses to take is amazing.
Game: Pokemon X (or Y if it pleases you), because it is SO FULL of stuff, much meatier and exciting than any other Pokemon game ever was. Including the customizable characters and the Wonder Trade. Really, staying up late and Wonder Trading pokemon with people all over the world is amazing. It is easily the most fun part of the entire thing.
December 9, 2013 — 10:34 AM
Orlando Sanchez says:
Book: The Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson Excellent read.
Comic: Havent read a comic in ages but I recently reread the Dark Knight by Frank Miller old but classic.
TV: Dont really watch tv
Movie:Pacific Rim because big robots big monsters big explosions Hell Yes.
Game: The Secret World- hanging out in HP Lovecrafts backyard.. fun.. excellent writing great and difficult gameplay.
December 9, 2013 — 10:36 AM
mattyweaves says:
Book: Joyland, Stephen King. It was the perfect end of summer read, quick and fun.
TV: Boardwalk Empire. Game of Thrones is always number one for me, and Sons of Anarchy is number two, but this year I was enthralled by Boardwalk Empire. There is almost no one to cheer for, and everything just gets darker and darker. I love every second.
TV Part Two: I can’t help but say this, in the last five months I’ve become a Whovian. I watched every episode leading up to The Day of the Doctor. I have no problem saying this is now my all time favorite TV show, edging out LOST.
Movie: The Great Gatsby. I seem to be in the minority with my wife, but we could watch this forever.
Game: Animal Crossing New Leaf. I have sunk in a few hundred hours since it came out.
December 9, 2013 — 10:49 AM
Robert Sadler says:
You cheated big time with the TV selections. That said, I absolutely love Boardwalk Empire (season 4 finale killed me), Game of Thrones, Dr. Who and LOST.
December 9, 2013 — 11:59 AM
mattyweaves says:
Haha, I couldn’t help it! I’ve been more in love with TV the last few years than I can ever remember.
December 9, 2013 — 12:32 PM
caszbrewster says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend: Since your post about reading more non-fiction, I have been doing that. I would suggest to every parent and every parent-to-be to read: THE WHOLE BRAIN CHILD: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. I wished I’d had this book 20 years ago. I can’t wait for them to release their book on this focused on teens.
A comic book you dug in 2013: ALABASTER: WOLVES. It’s a little unusual, as the series came out in a hardcover. But, it’s a must have/read in my collection and I return to not only the fearless protagonist’s story often, but also the beautiful art. http://multiversitycomics.com/columns/off-the-cape-alabaster-wolves/
A TV show: I’m all about ALMOST HUMAN this year. I’m a huge Philip K. Dick fan and that feeds a vein in my story vein that hasn’t been tapped in years.
A movie: THE BUTLER. Well done, all the way around. Excellent cinematography, acting, story. Additionally, we still need to understand the history of the black community in our country. We still need to have discussions on race. Watching this might open some doors to discussion for some folks. Might be good on the heels of Nelson Mandela’s death, too, for folks to try to view again, since his story line is mixed with the protagonist’s (albeit small and brief) and the history of our own country.
A game: We are constantly looking for a game that the whole family can play. This past year The Forbidden Island (a board game) fit that bill. A combination of strategy based on ever-changing chance and luck, where players have to cooperate in order to survive. A little like life.
December 9, 2013 — 11:03 AM
Justine says:
Book: The Emperor of All Maladies. Amazing in its depth and detail. It can be hard to find a non-fiction book you can’t put down — I couldn’t put it down.
Comic Book: Don’t read ’em.
TV Show: Sherlock. Okay, so no new episodes in 2013…I was playing catch-up. Great plot twists, use of imagery and metaphor, and just some kick-ass storytelling. Not to mention fantastic characters. “A Scandal in Belgravia” is by far my favorite episode. I watched it at least 3 times and found something new every time. Season 3 coming up!
Movie: Gravity. It was simply mesmerizing.
Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. I actually have to stay away from this game if I don’t want four hours (or more) to mysteriously disappear from my life. Love sailing the ships, love kicking ass with swords. Love that my love for history actually pays off here (“He has to reload his gun! You’ve got at least one minute to kill him!”)
December 9, 2013 — 11:06 AM
daniellemaser says:
Sherlock! I too spent a good amount of time (more than 6 episodes really warranted) watching series 1 &2 this year. I am so glad we will finally get series 3. Clever, quick paced, and intelligently filmed. A great show.
December 10, 2013 — 9:06 AM
Dave Turner says:
Book – “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius
I read “Mediations” in college, but it didn’t have much impact. I picked it up again this year to profound effect. It’s arguably the culmination of the Stoic philosophical tradition that started with Epictetus and continued with Seneca. It surprises me how many parallels to Buddhist thought are found in “Meditations”. This book is a diary; he wrote it for himself. It’s hard to read straight through, but you can spread your first read over the course of a week and subsequent reads over the rest of your life.
Comic book – “Rat Queens”
A foul-mouthed, bloody, profane group of four female D&D-style heroes kicking ass and taking shit from no one. The group consists of an atheist human cleric, a hipster dwarven warrior, a hippy-dippy “halfling” thief, and a reckless elven mage with great bangs. After three issues, the characters feel alive and we’re starting to see glimpses of their backstory. Art and writing are top-notch.
TV show – “Orange Is The New Black”
Rich characterization combined with excellent pacing and development. Prison is a small world, but the drama in this series swells over the walls and through the fences. Just long enough to develop a deep roster of characters, but short enough to keep them from spinning their wheels.
Movie – “Stoker”
Park Chan-wook is one of Korea’s most celebrated directors and this is his first English-language effort. Park brings his prodigious technical talents and taste for melodrama to a Southern gothic tale about a young girl trapped in a lonely mansion with a distant mother and creepy uncle. It’s been rightly described as Park’s tribute to Hitchcock. The love of film shines from every frame as Park builds an elaborate style that teeters on the edge of excess without falling in.
Game – “Terra Mystica”
An award-winning boardgame from Europe about fantasy races seeking to terraform the land and build settlements. *Every* action in this game has advantages and drawbacks. I’ve never seen such a set of straightforward game actions that lead to a finely-balanced, interlocking set of rules. Decision-paralysis hovers over you, but you never feel like you’re going to make a terrible move, only a less-then-perfect one. Terra Mystica succeeds by making you feel like you’re making interesting moves, even if they’re not the best ones. It takes a while to set-up and it’s not cheap, but it will provide years of play.
December 9, 2013 — 11:19 AM
Jeff Boucher-Zamzo says:
Funny enough I put my answers down before reading any of the comments and recommended Terra Mystica as well. If I thought someone else would have suggested “TM”, I probably would have put Yedo down instead, as they are my two favorite games of the year.
December 9, 2013 — 7:32 PM
Dave Turner says:
Nice to see another “TM” convert! There is a secret order that meets to discuss and play the game. Watch the bubbles in your beer for the address of the next meeting.
December 10, 2013 — 9:19 AM
Samantha Warren says:
I’m going to do my list before I read the comments so my opinion isn’t skewed. 🙂
Book: Can I do books I beta read even if they’re not published yet? If so, Hanna Hanna One-and-Two. It was a beta read for a friend (Myndi Shafer) and it was awesome. So creative. If not… well, that’s one, and Chuck said only one!
Comic Book: I quite enjoyed the Pacific Rim: Year Zero graphic novel.
TV show: Spy. Absolutely hilarious.
Movie: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Game: I didn’t play many. Too busy writing. Let’s go with… Guild Wars 2?
December 9, 2013 — 11:26 AM
Bonnie Johnston says:
Book: I just finished reading Ann Aguirre’s “Grimspace,” and loved the universe, as well as her damaged but determined heroine, Sirantha Jax.
Comic: Haven’t read it yet, but am dying to get my hands on the just-released Harry Dresden short story in graphic novel form, “Ghoul, Goblin.”
TV show: It’s tempting to say “Almost Human,” because it’s a promising scifi show, and the recent events on “The Mentalist” have been awesome, but I think I’m going to have to go with “The Wrong Mans,” which is one of the funniest and most suspenseful shows I’ve seen in a long time.
Movie: It’s a tie between “Ender’s Game” (long-time favorite finally translated to the big screen) and “Thor: The Dark World” (they got the sibling rivalry between Loki and Thor JUST RIGHT–their relationship as brothers totally eclipsed the romantic relationship between Thor and Jane).
Game: “Kingdom Rush: Frontiers.” I swear, they better not come out with a third edition in 2014, because I won’t be able to get anything done for the first month it’s out.
-Bonnie
December 9, 2013 — 11:37 AM
gina says:
Books I enjoyed reading the mortal instruments series
TV show so far I like The Originals
A movie I liked Ender’s Game
Game WOW
Comic Spider-man
Why? I really don’t know, I guess because they are detracting and make me happy.
December 9, 2013 — 11:41 AM
Kait Nolan says:
Book, I’d highly recommend Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection because we writer types are all kinds of hung up on perfection in some guise or others and it’s a really illuminating read.
TV: “The Goldbergs” for anybody who grew up in the 80s, it’s a nice, light-hearted blast from the past.
Movie: Movie, I gotta go with Bonnie Johnston on this, and second “Thor: The Dark World”.
December 9, 2013 — 11:42 AM
Andrea Stanet says:
Book: The Nadia Stafford trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, but especially the last of the series, Wild Justice.
Comic: Flashpoint 1-5 (DC Comics) because I love the Flash
TV Show: My hands down favorite is Arrow this year. The casting is perfect, the writing is really strong (mostly), and they’ve done some really interesting things with another favorite character of mine (Green Arrow) and his universe.
Movie: Iron Man 3 was lots of fun.
Game: Thunderstone Advanced is a deck-building board game that is our latest obsession. I like that it is a) easy to set up/break down, b) has loads of replay value, and c) is challenging without being impossible. Occasionally, I actually beat my husband, but we can also play co-op versions.
December 9, 2013 — 11:43 AM
Nick Nafpliotis (@NickNafster79) says:
Reading Blackbirds right now and it’s phenomenal, but I think the author has severe mental health issues.
Otherwise, here are some others:
Book: The Feed/Newsflesh series by Mira Grant. I can’t take credit for this description (read it in a review somewhere), but it’s like The West Wing combined with 28 Weeks Later. Great stuff.
Comic: Scarlett by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Girl in Portland accidentally starts a new American Revolution. I am really late to the party on this one, but it’s incredible.
TV Show: The Walking Dead (cliche choice, I know), but the last season of Star Wars; The Clone Wars animated series was surprisingly dark and well done. Even old school SW fans will like it.
Movie: This Is The End: Maybe the first good big budget comedy we’ve had since Ghost Busters
December 9, 2013 — 11:50 AM
Markus says:
Book: discovered the works of Patrick Rothfuss this year, loved the first two installments (thus far) of the Kingkiller Chronicle.
TV Show: Although I’m fond of several of the new ones, including The Blacklist, there is one show that far supercedes the others, that being Game of Thrones.
Comic Book: Finally got around to reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman.
Movie: Pacific Rim
Game: My friend has just concluded developing MovieMashups, a clever game with a description of two unrelated movies that share a word in the title. Should be available for purchase soon.
December 9, 2013 — 11:51 AM
Michael Hicks says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill. I’m a big Stephen King fan, and was interested in checking out the work of his son (Hill) after hearing lots of good things about his previous novels. It was a great read, and I liked the little Easter eggs that popped up referencing King’s work (and vice versa in King’s Dr. Sleep).
A comic book you dug in 2013.
After liking the Arrow TV show, I was interested in trying out the comic it’s based off, Green Arrow. I started reading once I found out Jeff Lemire took over, and he turned the book into an awesome adventure story in the vein of Dardevil: Born Again.
A TV show.
Sleepy Hollow! This show really defied my expectations (i.e. I thought it would suck based on advanced word of Ichabod time-traveling to present day) and I quickly fell in love with it. It’s quirky-cool.
A movie.
Pacific Rim. Giant robots vs giant monster. What’s not to like?
A game.
The Last of Us. Just plain fun and intense. Naughty Dog turned out a great franchise with their Uncharted games, and it was cool to see them branch out with a post-apocalyptic horror.
December 9, 2013 — 11:58 AM
adelinekay says:
Book: Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver – Beautiful, painful, lovely. “Coincidences; mix-ups; harmless mistakes and switches. And so a story is born.”
Comic: King City by Brandon S Graham – “Joe is a catmaster, trained to use his cat as any tool or weapon.” A freakin’ catmaster.
TV Show: Supernatural – Fully aware of itself and its audience.
Movie: Oldboy. – Total gnar gnar, gro gro. Recommend watching it w/subtitles. The dub-over is the worst.
Game: We hold a semi-annual RPG campout/party on our rural acreage (in Texas) with a group of awesome friends we don’t get to see very often. It’s sort of like a twice-a-year reunion; lot’s of jokes and alcohol and singing and acting stupid with each other. This past year, our DM took an existing zombie RPG and altered it so the story took place in the nearby town of Luling, TX. It was hilarious and so much fun. The DM did tons of research. Best game ever.
Our DM is this guy – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1583261138/the-greatest-unreality-story-play-and-imagination – so, ya know, he’s kind of into that stuff.
December 9, 2013 — 12:18 PM
Dave Turner says:
Adeline,
My movie recommendation above was “Stoker”, which is directed by the same man (Park Chan-wook) who directed the (Korean) version of “Oldboy” you liked. I promise you’ll like “Stoker”. 🙂
December 9, 2013 — 12:36 PM
adelinekay says:
Dave,
Adding it to Netflix, thanks. Also going to hunt down “Rat Girls”. Sounds like something I’d dig.
December 9, 2013 — 1:23 PM
Ty Wilson says:
Book: Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. It may not be for everyone, but I thought it was fantastic.
Comic: I went back and reread That Yellow Bastard by Frank Miller. One of my all-time faves.
TV Show: Game of Thrones is still my drug of choice. I can’t wait for the new season.
Movie: Gravity. The most intense hour and a half I’ve spent in a theater in a long time.
Game: I finally got around to playing Borderlands. A very enjoyable trip through a dystopian wasteland.
December 9, 2013 — 12:28 PM
thetitularauthor says:
Book: Junkie Love by Joe Clifford. It really, really touched me. I wrote a whole big thing about why, but the important thing to know is that it is a novel/memoir hybrid that pulls absolutely no punches and gets down to the reality of a heroin addiction, homelessness, and the journey back away from that. Joe does an amazing job with it and I really feel like I walked away from that book changed.
Comic: Ah, I haven’t been reading much comics this year. I’ve gone through the old Sandman series, and I guess, if you haven’t read them, you definitely should.
TV Show: Don’t watch a ton of TV, the show that got me excited and pumped this year was Breaking Bad. Which I guess is on a lot of lists this year. You know why.
Movie: Iron Man 3! I didn’t see a lot of new movies this year, but I think I’d still list this one if I did. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it focuses on what I love most about Marvel heroes, which is who they are when they are NOT in the suit. Who they are as humans that allows them to be heroic. A lot of people didn’t like it for the same reason. A lot of people are lame 😉
Game: I don’t play games…
December 9, 2013 — 1:17 PM
Miriam Joy says:
Book: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. Stunning YA that deserves an award. (But it’s a sequel, so you have to read the first one first — not that it isn’t worth it! The Raven Boys is incredible too!)
Comic: Alas, I haven’t read any.
A TV Show: I know you said only one but I am SO TORN! I watched so much good TV this year. Hannibal was such a psychologically interesting show, but Vikings was also soooo good….
A movie: Thor 2. I just… visually stunning, fascinating costumes, brilliant worldbuilding. So good, I don’t know why I’ve only seen it once. (Although my brain is going, “But Catching Fire was such a good book/film adaptation!” And my brain is right.)
A game: Also not really my area.
December 9, 2013 — 1:22 PM
Sirith says:
A BOOK. Well. Ehm… I have to admit I don’t really read that much fiction. I did read The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron, which fundamentally changed the way I view myself, and some other non-fiction sorta psychology books.
A COMIC BOOK. I don’t really read comic books.
A TV SHOW. Hannibal, hands down. That show is everything from horrible and violating the senses to beautiful, touching and then everything gets worse and worse in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible. Season 2 starts somewhere in January, but I do not recommend binging the first season within a few days. I know /I/ couldn’t handle that.
A MOVIE. Pacific Rim, because giant monsters vs giant robots.
A GAME. Closure. Indie puzzle platformer based around the idea that where light shines it’s real, where it doesn’t, only emptiness lies, beautiful black and white art.
December 9, 2013 — 1:41 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Hmmmm…. not sure how relevant a lot of this will be, hailing from Britland, but…
Book: Well, if it has to be a book I’d RECOMMEND… darn. I read a lot I WOULDN’T recommend this year (as part of my quest to ‘read more stuff in genres I don’t normally read and become a better writer’) so the only one(s) I WOULD recommend are: ‘250 Ways To Become A Better Writer’ and the three follow-up ‘500 Ways…’ books by – you, Chuck. Sorry to sound like a suck-up, but it’s the truth – I bought all three of them this year and my brain slurped them up like the best spag bol I’d ever eaten. :^)
Comic book: ummm… does my seven-year-old’s ‘Horrible Histories’ magazine count?
TV show: I don’t watch much tv, so for me it has to be BBC’s ‘Horrible Histories.’ Yes, I KNOW it’s a kid’s TV show – but trust me, it’s the BEST DAMN TV SHOW EVER, gaining a massive following as much among adults as the kids; comedy AND education at its best. Outside of the US it’s possible to find bits of it on YouTube – full episodes if you’re lucky, but you should at least check out the songs – THE SONGS! Oh – and ‘the News At When’ with Bob Hale – oh yeah, and ‘Stupid Deaths’ – where the Grim Reaper channels his inner Simon Cowell…
Movie: only watched one this year, and that was ‘Jack The Giant Slayer’ with my kid. Do DVD-type movies count? If so, I can can recommend LEGO STAR WARS ‘The Empire Strikes Out.’ Supposed to be for kids? Don’t you believe it!
Game: Minecraft! But only in Creative Mode, ’cause that’s just like playing with the craziest bottomless box of LEGO ever, and that appeals to my artistic leanings.
I suspect that all of the above makes me sound like a giant overgrown kid. That subtle movement you see me making is a shrug of nonchalance. ;^P
Seriously though – you gotta check out Horrible Histories…
December 9, 2013 — 1:45 PM
Cooper James says:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Battlegods from Dark Horse
Vikings and Game of Thrones
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug even thought it isn’t out yet
Bioshock: Infinite
December 9, 2013 — 1:46 PM
mckkenzie says:
Book – Zero Point by Neal Asher – one of the best yet from a fabulous author. Cool science, riveting plot, great characters. Action, adventure, suspense!! Might want to read The Departure first though since that’s the first in the series.
Comic Book – sorry, not my thing. Though my interest has been peaked by Death Note, which I looked at a bit on the recommendation of one of my kids.
TV show – DaVinci’s Demons – inventions, history, magic, art, violence, mystery, sex…fabulous, simply fabulous! Seriously, watch it!
Movie – Really liked World War Z. Kept me on the edge of my seat and…you know…Brad Pitt. Sorry to follow the crowd but c’mon! Have you seen that guy??
Game – also not my thing.
December 9, 2013 — 1:47 PM
mckkenzie says:
LOL, being forcefully corrected by my kid…Death Note is NOT a comic book, it’s a manga! God! 😉
December 9, 2013 — 4:51 PM
Maure says:
Book: Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett. I don’t read comic books. For TV shows, Hannibal. Movie – I’m torn between Catching Fire or Hugo, which I only just saw recently. Game… um, Pillage the Village? Free online and dropping villagers from great heights has potential for stress relief.
And why – Small Gods because Terry Pratchett, and it’s one of his books that didn’t grab me immediately with how awesome it was, but grew on me slowly. Hannibal combines surreal, almost supernatural vibes and events with psychology and focuses a great deal on interpersonal connections, which I adore. Catching Fire is rawly emotional and Hugo is magical and harshly emotional in its own way, and both of them are beautifully filmed. And Pillage the Village is a great boredom killer.
December 9, 2013 — 2:20 PM
Andrew P says:
Book — The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. Amazing.
Comic — Only one I’ve read this year is The Walking Dead (vol. 1 & 2), which was pretty great.
TV Show — Person of Interest is probably my favorite currently-running American show.
BBC TV Show — Doctor Who
Movie — Man of Steel
December 9, 2013 — 2:54 PM
M Keller says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I probably read 200 books this year in prep for my YA writing and this is the one that has stuck with me. I am still thinking of the characters months later.
A TV show. Breaking Bad. Just the finest example of acting and writing I have ever seen anywhere. I think people will teach classes on this series the way they teach Welles in film class.
A movie. The Life of Pi in 3-D. I don’t like 3-d movies normally but, I was completely engrossed and walked away thinking that this theme boiled down to the importance of story telling in our lives. I’ve seen it on DVD since and did not feel the same, one of those must-see-on-the-big-screen movies.
A game. An app called Naught. I caught it as the Free App of the Day from Amazon and found it engrossing and gorgeous.
December 9, 2013 — 3:03 PM
catemorgan says:
Book: The Replacement by Brenna Yavanoff: creepy, seriously disturbing, HAUNTING. I would give anything, including my soul to Alice Cooper, to be able to write like this. I quickly devoured the rest of her works.
Comic: Just finished Gail Carriger’s Soulless #3 manga, and clutched it to my heart like Gollum with the One Ring. It’s funny and smart and full of steampunky, paranormal awesome.
TV show: Hemlock Grove, produced by Netflix. Because smart, mysterious, and chock full of meta classic horror–AND it’s roots. Also, Stellan Skarsgaard’s son. Beautifully written, devastating, and wonderfully shot. Very Twin Peaks in a lotta ways.
A movie: Much Ado About Nothing. There are NO words. Because Joss Whedon skived off with them all and shot a gorgeous house party in black and white and iambic pentameter and it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Also one of the funniest.
A game: Nothing new caught my gaming eye this year, so I’ve been revisiting old favorites. Sorry.
December 9, 2013 — 3:29 PM
Peter Sturdee says:
Book: Cory Doctorow, Little Brother. Why? Because it made me angry in a good way. Near the end of the book, when I wanted to finish it in one last read, I had to put the book down at 2 AM, not because I didn’t want to read it any more, but because I was too tired to keep being angry.
Comic: Christopher Hastings. The Dr. McNinja Omnibus, volume 1. Because of the high concentration of ridiculous, awesome and funny. And because of Dan, Mitzi and Sean.
TV: Not much to pick from, since I gave up TV some years ago. Gonna have to go with season 3 of The Wire. I know. A retiring cop’s attempt to bring humanity back to police work, and that downright Shakespearian ending.
Movie: The Guard. Because of the racist, sexist, anti-social, irreverent, belligerent protagonist that still somehow gets Don Cheadle to like him.
Game: Spec Ops: The Line. Because this is the strongest story I’ve ever witnessed in a game. And after the 6 hours it took to finish it, I was ill and never ever wanted to play the game again. There are scant few books or films that have affected me that much.
December 9, 2013 — 3:39 PM
Gabe K (@Auguris) says:
Book: I finally got around to reading Passage by Connie Willis. Good characterization, good story, a plausible look at near-death experiences. Also it will make you cry. If you’re like me you will spend the entire last third of the book making sad faces at it.
TV Show: Sleepy Hollow! Plot-wise it’s not the. . . smartest show on right now, but character-wise it gets everything right. One half of the buddy-cops is a black woman, and there are plenty of POC characters who get to act like people instead of caricatures.
A movie: Pacific Rim. Do I even need to explain? Giant robots. Kick-ass lady character. Giant. Effing. Robots.
A game: JUST ONE? Just one. Deep breath. Fine: The Last of Us. It does stealth right, it does story mostly right, the characters are great. The AI isn’t as smart as it could be. The first twenty minutes will make you weepy — especially if you’re a parent. (I’m not, but reports suggest it will hit you hard.)
Comic: Can we do webcomics? I’m going to ’cause I haven’t read any paper comics. I’ve been reading Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. It’s a lot of fun, character-driven, and the title character is a teenage girl.
December 9, 2013 — 4:22 PM
Jon R. says:
Book – Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Comic Book – Dial H by China Mieville
TV – 35 year old high school student (Japan)
Movie – Les Miserable
December 9, 2013 — 4:23 PM
Emmie Mears (@emmiemears) says:
Book: In the Body of the World, by Eve Ensler. I read a lot of novels I liked, but no book touched me to the extent this memoir did. Eve talks frankly and devastatingly about her battle with cancer as it relates to her life’s work.
Comic book: Captain Marvel, because KELLY SUE DECONNICK.
Show: You already know how much I love Supernatural, so I’m going to say Sleepy Hollow. Short why answer? Diversity done right. Longer why? Here: http://emmiemears.tumblr.com/post/69354126029/huh-fist-bump-i-was-trying-to-think-of-what-to
Movie: The Heat. This was one of those “FINALLY” sort of movies for me. And I was giggling or laughing out loud throughout the whole thing.
Game: We’re using the Fate Core System for our Magetech RPG, and I’m loving its adaptable structure that allows the focus to be on storytelling.
December 9, 2013 — 4:47 PM
Rio says:
Book: The Dark Tower by Stephen King. I finally got around to finishing the damn series this year, and I have to say that it’s hands down King’s best work. After spending about a year and a half of my life with these characters, I feel like they’re actual people that I’ve come to know. Not to mention that it’s the most creative, disturbing, and visceral series that I’ve ever read, and this book is like the cherry on top of the awesome sundae that is the Dark Tower series. Really, anyone who’s a fan of horror or fantasy MUST read this series.
Comic: I don’t really read American comics that much, but I’ve been reading quite a bit of manga this year, I’d probably recommend the Angel Beats manga, if any of you have already seen the series. It’s sort of like a prequel of sorts, and it fills in for a lot of the characterization that the show lacks.
TV: Again, I don’t really watch a lot of American television, but if I had to pick one, I would say my favorite show is definitely Psych. Honestly, I’ve never seen a show that’s funny in the same way that Psych is. The humor is so fucking clever, and the characters are the most lovable, goofy people in the world. They even manage to fit in a little drama between the ridiculous antics.
Movie: Insidious Chapter Two. There were probably better movies that came out this year, but there’s just something about Insidious that I really love. I don’t know why, but I really love the premise that’s used in this movie, and I really love how they tie it into the events of the first movie. That’s what made me really love it, I think. The people making it obviously put a ton of thought into it and tried their hardest to make a creative, engaging horror story, which is exactly what it is.
Game: ASSASSIN’S CREED IV!!! Jesus fucking Christ I love this game! I really thought I wouldn’t because the third one was just kind of meh, and I’m not really that into pirates, but hot damn did this game deliver! They finally decided to change things up a bit and replaced the dull, monotonous forests and farms of New England with the lush, tropical islands of the Caribbean and the gorgeous open ocean. They also did the right thing and pulled the stick that has been slowly lodging itself up the collective ass of the protagonists. Edward is tons of fun to play as, which makes me wonder how his son and grandson ended up how they did. Anyways, this game is definitely worth every penny it costs. It brings a fresh feeling of adventure and excitement back to the franchise, and I found myself playing it for hours on end.
December 9, 2013 — 4:55 PM
theycallmetater says:
TV Show – Justified – great characters, great writing, makes me homesick for KY
Movie – We’re the Millers – funny and sometimes you just need to stop thinking and laugh.
Book – This is a tough one. I will go with Someone Could Get Hurt by Drew Magary mainly because he is funny and one of my favorite “writer no one else knows about”
Comic – Don’t think I read one this year.
Game – not a gamer.
December 9, 2013 — 5:22 PM
Caitlin (@arrawyn) says:
A book you read: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan Why? Because zombies.
A comic book you dug in 2013: Revival. Why? Again… zombies
A TV show: Hello Ladies. Quirky British-American comedy by and starring whats-his-name, the skeletal looking guy who’s always hanging around with Ricky Gervais. I would say The Walking Dead, but I’ve only ever seen the first 2 episodes, so really need to do a lot of catching up with it at some point!
A movie: Warm Bodies. No explanation, really (see 1 and 2).
A game: I’m not a big video gamer so…I’ll leave this one blank, but I’d probably say something zombie related anyway…
December 9, 2013 — 5:34 PM
Jeff Boucher-Zamzo says:
A book: Cold Days (Dresden Files) Jim Butcher
A comic book: The Boys (finished up the series this year, but I think it ended in 2012)
A TV show: Almost Human
A movie: Stand Up Guys.
A game: Terra Mystica
December 9, 2013 — 6:57 PM
Maree Anderson says:
Recommended book: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray = hilariously warped (no wonder it appealed to me – well, that and you can’t go wrong with teen beauty pageant contestants stranded on an island with a sinister organization and GIANT MAN-EATING SNAKES!)
Comic book/graphic novel: Saga Vols 1& 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples – LOVE!
TV show: Red Widow (I’m hoping the rest of the season lives up to the promise of the first few episodes, plus I didn’t want to be totally predictable and say “Supernatural”)
A movie: Warm Bodies (zombies with feelings = epic win! Book is great, too, with a better ending IMO)
A game: Dumb Ways To Die — do iPad apps count? (blame my daughter for this one)
December 9, 2013 — 7:45 PM
Heather Milne Johnson says:
A book: What Do Women Want? Adventures in the Science of Female Desire. Because it made me say, “Yeah, that’s right.”
A comic book you dug in 2013. Bonnie N. Collide, Nine to Five. Because roller derby and werewolves.
A TV show. Trailer Park Boys. Just discovered this Canadian wonder this year and can’t get enough. Smokes, now.
A movie. Argo. Because everything. The spot on killer 1970s styling is enough but the rest is awesome too.
A game. Nothing here, not a gamer.
December 9, 2013 — 7:55 PM
Chris Lites says:
A book you read in 2013 you’d recommend.
Lexicon by Max Barry and, not yet released, Bad teeth by Dustin Long. Seek these out. Go. Now.
A comic book you dug in 2013.
The Wake
A TV show.
Breaking Bad
A movie.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower
A game.
Bioshock Infinite
December 9, 2013 — 7:58 PM
Kimmie G says:
Books – Open Minds by Susan Kay Quinn. Book 1 of a YA series, this book grabbed me and dragged me into her world. Very well done.
Comic — I didn’t read any.
TV show – The Good Wife – because the lead character is a lot of things, but good may not be one of them. I want to be her when I grow up… lol
Movie — Silver Linings Playbook. The whole cast of characters is so screwed up I have to believe it is based on a true story.
Games – not a gamer, but have become obsessed with Sudoku and have at least 1 or 2 games going on my phone at any time.
Yes I realize I may be weird in different ways than the rest of you are weird, but that’s ok too.
December 9, 2013 — 8:15 PM
james versace says:
A book. NOS4R2 – very much an old school horror novel for me back to what I loved about early King without all the characters’ idiosyncrasies. Glad to have discovered Joe Hill’s work.
Comic – there were a few great ones and I’m torn. .. But I think Saga had an edge on Manhattan Projects. Great Si Fi epic with realistic characters and great dialogue. Gorgeous art and bukkake to boot.
TV – Orphan Black. Fantastic work by Tatiana as half the cast. Great supporting cast too. Check it out.
Movie – Pacific Rim and not just for the giant robots vs kaiju. The fact it has a mature relationship between that doesn’t become romantic shows a dynamic that belies this action movie genre.
Game – The Last Of Us. Just amazing. Great action, characters, dialigue, visuals. Naughty Dog have made what I think might be the best game I have ever played and I have played a LOT of games.
December 9, 2013 — 8:24 PM