It’s that time.
That time where I want you to dig deep, grit your teeth, and pick your absolute FAVORITE THINGS OF THE YEAR. In each, you will pick one favorite thing — not three, not two. I want you to imagine that someone is dangling you over a pit, and in the pit is this goose. This goose will hurt you if you do not play by the rules. He’ll hurt you, your family, your friends. This is not a nice goose.
So: play by the rules.
Here, then, are the questions. Answer ’em in the comments as you see fit.
1) Favorite novel of the year?
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?
3) Favorite short story of the year?
4) Favorite movie of the year?
5) Favorite TV show of the year?
6) Favorite song of the year?
7) Favorite album?
8) Favorite video game?
9) Favorite app?
10) Favorite [something else] of the year?
(Number ten is deliberately vague. Favorite toy? YouTube video? Movie trailer? Favorite meal? Friend? Sexual experience? Favorite planet, dog, tree, serial killer, time-traveling robot — ?! Your choice.)
sparky29252 says:
Admittedly a few of these are less “released in the past twelve months” and more “most important to me in the past year” but here goes
Novel: Words of Radiance (much to the glee of a friend of mine)
Non-fiction: nothing jumps out at me
Short Story: can’t chose, sorry
Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
TV Show: Constantine
Song: Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers
Album: The Best of Stan Rogers
Video Game: Farsight Studio’s Pinball Arcade
App: Audible
Things of the year:
New awesome things being done with interactive fiction: Choice of Games inc.
Experience: The Ingress Darsana Anomaly primary site battle in SLC (go smurfs)
December 15, 2014 — 12:10 AM
A Citizen of the World says:
Not everything I discovered and liked this year are from 2014, but what the heck:
1. Novel: Cassandra Clare’s “City of Heavenly Fire”
2. Non-fiction: Nothing I can think of.
3. Short Story: I don’t read short stories (even though I should)
4. Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
5. TV Show: Constantine
6. Song: “Breaking” by Christopher Jak
7. Album: “Folk” by Christopher Jak
8. Video Game: I don’t play video games
9. App: Instagram.
10. Other favourite things of the year: Getting to meet so many authors I love including – yes – Chuck Wendig!
December 15, 2014 — 12:19 AM
Mozette says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? ‘The Watcher’ by Jo Robertson. It was an audio book and I loved it… got icky through the autopsy bits, but after that, I was fine.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? ‘Nelson Mandela: The Authorised Book of Quotes’ by Himself.
3) Favorite short story of the year? ‘Her Christmas Earl’ by Anna Campbell… okay, it’s a romance novella, but I thought to read it while we had a horrible set of thunderstorms grumble through my hometown of Brisbane… I didn’t want to watch television anyway; nothing on but reruns of crap shows.
4) Favorite movie of the year?I don’t go to the movies. But the one film I did catch this year was ‘Frida’ about Frida Kahlo… brilliant!
5) Favorite TV show of the year? ‘Supernatural’… I love the car.
6) Favorite song of the year? I love a lot of songs… can’t name just one.
7) Favorite album? ‘Moonflower’ by Santana. I have it on vinyl.
8) Favorite video game? I don’t play them.
9) Favorite app? I’m not into apps.
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? My new car. I love my new car. I got it April and just adore my car … it’s a Holden Astra… and I love driving it. Best thing is that it’s a European model; so it handles so well! 😀
December 15, 2014 — 12:25 AM
lisaoliver79 says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? Cut and Run by Abigail Roux
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Ten things Dead People want you to know – Mike Tut
3) Favorite short story of the year? – Griff’s Toy
4) Favorite movie of the year? Haven’t watched any new ones but loved The Incredibles
5) Favorite TV show of the year? Masterchef Australia
6) Favorite song of the year? Muse – Uprising
7) Favorite album? Cher – Believe (not this year but all time)
8) Favorite video game? Minecraft – because it keeps my grandson quiet for hours
9) Favorite app? NaNoWriMo updater
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? My car – 1995 Jaguar XJ6 in gleaming black brought by me, this year with the royalties from The Reluctant Wolf, my first hit fiction book on Amazon.
It’s been a great year
December 15, 2014 — 12:43 AM
tedra says:
Aww! Congrats on the book!!
December 15, 2014 — 8:33 AM
Mozette says:
Yeah! Way to go! I’d love to get a book I’ve written published one of these days. 😀
December 17, 2014 — 10:57 PM
Scarlett says:
I believe you. Geese are scary critters. And that goose looks terrifying. So…
Novel: The Ocean at the End of The Lane, Neil Gaiman
Non-fiction: Writer Unboxed. I think this site should count as my fav, ashamedly because I haven’t read any other non-fiction this hear. Sorry Goose.
Short Story: Again. The Ocean at the End of The Lane. So short. But so ripe with story!
Movie: As of last night, Interstellar. Loved it!
TV Show: Lost. Seriously, we JUST watched the series for the first time and felt the bittersweet sting of loneliness as the credits rolled on the finale.
Song: I am All About That Bass.
Album: What’s that? Kidding.
Video Game: Remember Space Invaders? Yeah, it was the last game I was any good at. Remember Tomb Raider? It was the last game I was truly impressed with, and truly sucked at. My kids would be so disappointed I just admitted to that.
App: Star Walk 2
Favorite Anything: The elusive, and greatly appreciated, urge to laugh… as our oldest son just left home for his third year of college, our daughter just started her first year of college, and our youngest just turned 16, and is apparently planning a career in “wing suit diving in New Zealand”… Some day.
Good Night, Goose.
December 15, 2014 — 1:10 AM
bassplyr5150 says:
Favorite novel of the year? – Gotta go with “Mr. Mercedes.” I kept waiting for Steve to go horror, and it never made that turn. Hated to put it down.
Favorite non-fiction book of the year? The audio version of “Life Itself” by Roger Ebert, read by Edward Herrman. Second place was “Strange Beautiful Music” from Joe Satriani
Favorite movie of the year? Captain America: Winter Soldier
Favorite TV show of the year? “Fargo”. Almost as good as “Breaking Bad.”
Favorite video game? Only two games have been in my console (X-360) all year: “GTAV” and “LEGO Batman 3”
Favorite app? “Plume for Twitter” although they eliminated the “Jump to Top” feature that I always liked.
Favorite [something else] of the year? Binge watching “The West Wing” on my tablet.
December 15, 2014 — 1:27 AM
joy Cronje says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? Hmmm… Hard one. Prince of Fool by Mark Lawrence.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Non-Fiction? *shudders* Okay, okay, Doctrine by Mark Driscoll
3) Favorite short story of the year? Mine (hehehe)
4) Favorite movie of the year? Live.Die.Repeat.
5) Favorite TV show of the year? Game of Thrones
6) Favorite song of the year? meh.
7) Favorite album? meh again.
8) Favorite video game? triple meh. who has time for games? srsly.
9) Favorite app? Wattpad.
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? my child. she’s wonderful.
December 15, 2014 — 1:32 AM
Silent_Dan says:
Man, this year was boring. But…
1) Favorite novel of the year? Skin Game by Jim Butcher.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Either ‘Your Publishing Options’ or ‘Story Trumps Structure’.
3) Favorite short story of the year? http://bit.ly/18ebook for a shameless plug :p
4) Favorite movie of the year? Days of Future Past or Guardians of the Galaxy or 22 Jump Street.
5) Favorite TV show of the year? Falling Skies and Vikings.
6) Favorite song of the year? Shatter Me by Lindsey Stirling with Lzzy Hale.
7) Favorite album? Never buy full albums any more.
8) Favorite video game? THE LAST OF US!!!
9) Favorite app? Not really an app buyer, but I’ll go with Kindle.
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? BBQ Bonanza pizza by Pizza Capers. God, Pizza Capers rock.
December 15, 2014 — 1:32 AM
parismarx says:
1) Favourite novel of the year? Surprisingly haven’t read much fiction this year. It’s not from 2014, but Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan.
2) Favourite non-fiction book of the year? Tough. Read some good ones. The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer.
3) Favourite short story of the year? Sorry, can’t recall reading any unfortunately.
4) Favourite movie of the year? Short Term 12, though it was last year. I think The Hobbit may top it when I see it tomorrow though.
5) Favourite TV show of the year? Either Game of Thrones or House of Cards.
6) Favourite song of the year? “Open Season” – Josef Salvat
7) Favourite album? Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey
8) Favourite video game? The only game I play reliably is Civ 5. If we’re talking something new, I haven’t played many, but maybe Tropico 5.
9) Favourite app? Spotify?
10) Favourite destination of the year? Iceland!
fixed your spelling of favourite, silly american 😉
December 15, 2014 — 1:47 AM
Dan Dan The Art Man says:
1) Favorite novel of the year?
Sand Omnibus by Hugh Howey
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?
Love and Logic
3) Favorite short story of the year?
Second Suicide by Hugh Howey
4) Favorite movie of the year?
Big Hero Six
5) Favorite TV show of the year?
Parenthood
6) Favorite song of the year?
The Ship & the Storm by Allred
7) Favorite album?
Allred
8) Favorite video game?
Forza 8
9) Favorite app?
True Skate
10) Favorite [something else] of the year?
Watching my oldest son play on a baseball team for his first time.
December 15, 2014 — 2:04 AM
queenbee3645 says:
Most not released in 2014, but they’re still faves:
December 15, 2014 — 2:23 AM
CSTaylor24 says:
1) Favorite novel of the year?
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (2013)
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?
I Lick My Cheese: And Other Real Notes from the Roommate Frontlines (Oonagh O’Hagan) (2009)
4) Favorite movie of the year?
Interstellar
5) Favorite TV show of the year?
Sherlock (BBC)
6) Favorite song of the year?
Little Things – One Direction
9) Favorite app?
Tumblr
10) Favorite hang-out spot of the year?
Salt Lake Coffee Connection
December 15, 2014 — 3:08 AM
boydstun215 says:
Oooo . . . fun.
1. Favorite novel: Annihilation by Jeff VanDermeer.
2. Favorite non-fiction book: The Meat Racket:The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business by Christopher Leonard
3. Favorite short story: The Call of the Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft (yeah, I know, it took me forever to finally read it; Lovecraft does some crazy shit with your mind)
4. Favorite movie: 300: Rise of an Empire
5. Favorite TV Show: Southern Justice (this reality cop show is just too crazy not to love)
6. Favorite song: Tidal Wave by Interpol
7. Favorite album: This Is All Yours by Alt J
8. Unfortunately, no time for video games.
9. Favorite App: Zite (retrieves news articles to you based on preference)
10. Favorite whatever: my niece, who will be one year old in a few weeks. She’s pretty much the most adorable baby ever.
December 15, 2014 — 3:12 AM
specficchic says:
when you say ‘of the year’, does that mean produced this year, or watched/read etc this year?
December 15, 2014 — 3:16 AM
terribleminds says:
Yes, though the spirit of the thing is more, “It came out this year.” BUT I’LL ALLOW YOUR CRASS INTERPRETATIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE. 🙂
December 15, 2014 — 6:31 AM
Kaidan says:
Oh, Jeebus.
1. Novel: MINE! (I am totally projecting confidence this year. So much confidence. I haven’t even deleted an entire draft or anything.)
2. Non-fiction: Killing Patton. Sorry, I just laughed so hard I peed a little. Far From the Tree.
3. Short story: Pit Stop, R.K. Gold.
4. Movie: INTERSTELLAR. No question.
5. Song: BlankspacebyTSwift, no judgments welcome here.
6. Album: Skyworld, Two Steps From Hell. (Wait, was that this year? Eh.)
7. Game: TOO MANY. STOP. Okay, Assassin’s Creed IV. ……Was THAT this year?!
8. App: What is app
9. Whatever: Niccolo Machiavelli’s Clizia. The best. Just the best.
December 15, 2014 — 3:44 AM
Eric says:
1. Novel: Horns, Joe Hill.
2. Non-fiction: Stein on Writing, Sol Stein (I read it this year.)
3. Short story: The Jester, Michael J. Sullivan
4. Movie: Birdman
5. Song: All About That Bass (I know. I don’t like it, not really, but it was playing the first time my daughter smiled. That’s got to count for something, right?)
6. Album: Thinking in Textures, Chet Faker.
7. Game: ?
8. App: Audible (Every year.)
9. Whatever: The birth of my daughter. Easily my favorite thing ever!
December 15, 2014 — 6:43 AM
sebthepeters says:
Favourite novel: A draw between Mark Lawrence’s Prince Of Fools, and Brian McClellan’s Crimson Campaign.
Favourite non-fiction: Jeff Vandermeer’s Wonderbook
Short story: Brian McClellan’s Girl on Hrusch Avenue.
Favourite movie: Guardians of the Galaxy, duh.
Tv show: Game Of Thrones/Bojack Horseman/Parks and Rec
Song: Every Other Freckle – Alt-J
Album: Too many to pick one, so; We Like It Here – Snarky Puppy, v2.0 – GoGo Penguin, This is all yours – Alt-J, The Amanuensis – Monuments.
Game: Probably Endless Legend. Civ like strategy game in a really interesting fantasy setting.
Favourite something else: my part in the work a group of us have been doing this year. Next year, it starts to get released.
December 15, 2014 — 7:00 AM
Pat says:
#10 – Favoring author/hardest working man in show business of writerly advice: Chuck W. Your advice and general craziness has helped me start and finish my shit. working on book 2 using the 350/day advice. You’ve made it a sane experience.
#11 – Favorite person to say thank you to: Chuck W.
December 15, 2014 — 7:23 AM
terribleminds says:
AWW THANK YOU.
*stealthily writes you a check*
December 15, 2014 — 7:38 AM
Pat says:
No checks accepted. Just keep the good stuff coming!!!
December 15, 2014 — 10:14 AM
Sigrid Ellis says:
1) Favorite novel of the year?
Either City of Stairs, by Robert Jackson Bennett, or Symbiote by Mira Grant
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?
Either The New Jim Crow, a study of the continuation of institutionalized racism in America, or Trials of Intimacy, an in-depth look at the Beecher-Tilton Scandal of 1873.
3) Favorite short story of the year?
Jackalope Wives, by Ursula Vernon, published in Apex Magazine. I’m biased, I commissioned this from her while I was editor of Apex. But it’s a DAMN good story.
http://www.apex-magazine.com/jackalope-wives/
4) Favorite movie of the year?
5) Favorite TV show of the year?
Either Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Bletchley Circle, or Agents of SHIELD
6) Favorite song of the year?
Shake It Off, by Taylor Swift
7) Favorite album?
1989, by Taylor Swift
8) Favorite video game?
The Walk
9) Favorite app?
Snapchat
10) Favorite [something else] of the year?
Comic book! Bitch Planet, by Kelly Sue DeConnick
December 15, 2014 — 8:05 AM
mannixk says:
That story was fantastic.I am in love with the line “The desert chews its secrets right down to the bone.” Thank you for posting that link.
December 15, 2014 — 10:51 AM
Robert Sadler says:
1. Favorite Novel: I’ve been working on the classics lately, so I haven’t read any novels released this year. But as far as the classics go, “Middlemarch” by George Eliot was fantastic. And yes, I do realize I sound like a hipster.
2. Favorite Non-fiction: “The Lands of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin
3. Favorite Short Story: I got nothing (I need to step my short story game up).
4. Favorite Movie: That’s tough since there are two I really wanna choose. But I’ll go with “Gone Girl.”
5. Favorite TV Show: “Person of Interest.” There was a lot of excellent TV this year, but this show never fails to impress. Great story, great actors, and an awesome cast of characters.
6. Favorite Song: “Angel Duster” by Run the Jewels. If you’re a rap fan, listen to this immediately.
7. Favorite Album: “Run the Jewels 2” by Run the Jewels. Seriously, listen to this shit.
8. Favorite Video Game: Dark Souls 2 (just wish I had time to play it more).
9. Favorite App: 1Password – Everyone needs this app. No matter where I am or what device I’m using, I have all my login and password info available.
10. Favorite train wreck that I only discovered this year because I’m always late to the party: “The Room.” My God, what a terrible but endlessly wonderful piece of work.
December 15, 2014 — 8:59 AM
Robert Sadler says:
So, I realize that “The Lands of Ice and Fire” isn’t nonfiction, but since it reads like a history book, I thought it was the best category for it.
December 15, 2014 — 9:59 AM
tedra says:
1. Favorite novel?
I can’t think back that far (its been a rough first half of the year). The last book I read was Insanity by Cameron Jace. I love his creativity!
2. Favorite non-fiction book?
I didn’t read anything from this year. But fav re-read is Women and Money by Suze Orman and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
3. Favorite short story?
There were some really great submitted for this site’s Flash Fiction. In particular I remember one about a guy trying to climb a tree to get and egg from a bird to save his life then he ends up dying anyway. That was kinda awesome.
4. Favorite movie?
The Other Woman; The Desolation of Smaug
5. Favorite tv show?
I am a game of throner for life. I mean, dragons…
6. Favorite song?
VSOP-k. Michelle; Sam Smith( can I do that??) And yes I am still twerking to Miley Cyrus- We Can’t Stop…
December 15, 2014 — 9:13 AM
vernette says:
HA! So happy you answered that “of the year” question.
1) Favorite novel of the year: The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year: Dying To Be Me by Anita Moorjani
4) Favorite movie of the year: Can’t decide between John Wick & The Fault In Our Stars – two extremes but equally entertaining.
5) Favorite TV show of the year: Hands down: Game of Thrones, although the series finale season of Sons Of Anarchy came a very close second.
6) Favorite song of the year: Chandelier, Sia
7) Favorite album: Count On My Love, Tessanne Chin
9) Favorite app: Instagram
10) Favorite [whatever] of the year: Netflix. Binge watching OITNB {Another episode loading in 10…9…8…is the devil}
December 15, 2014 — 9:22 AM
ikmercurio says:
I’m going to go with “favorite things I experienced in 2014”, since I am late to pretty much every party. If it came out in 2014, I probably won’t get around to it until at least 2016. But a few of these are “released in 2014” things, because I really am trying.
1) Favorite Novel: We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart
2) Favorite Non-Fiction: Behind the beautiful Forevers, by Katherine Boo. (I got halfway through this before I realized that it was narrative non-fiction, and HOLY FLAMING COWBALLS, that realization blew my mind.)
3) Favorite Short Story: Pass. I bought collections by Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, but haven’t cracked them open yet. (I suck. I know.)
4) Favorite Movie: Oh, man. Tough one. Someone already said “Gone Girl” so I’ll go with “The Fault in Our Stars” for cry-worthiness. But there have been so many good ones!
5) Favorite TV Show: Cosmos. (The non-fiction of television. Should that count? I don’t know. I’ve been finding a lot of fault with all my favorite TV shows this year in the areas of storytelling and pacing. Either I am a more discerning viewer, or I’m watching the wrong TV shows. Or both. Let’s go with both.)
6) Favorite Song: The Elves’ Lament by The Barenaked Ladies. (I don’t know if that’s what it’s called, but it gets at the gist of what the song is about. And I love that all the radio stations in Canada play it at Christmas. Especially when they play it back-to-back with Santa Baby. Either the radio DJs don’t know what the song is about, or they have a delightfully twisted sense of humor.)
7) Favorite Album: Probably something by Pink. Did she release an album this year? I love her stuff.
8) Favorite Video Game: Pass. I haven’t had nearly enough time for video games this year.
9) Favorite App: the BBC news app. I use it every day. WAY better than CNN.
10) Favorite ‘Hood: The blocks of Bloor Street West on either side of Bathurst Station. They have all the wonderful things: Mom and Pop cafes, Snakes and Lattes board gaming cafe, Bloor Hot Docs cinema, Honest Ed’s ginormous bookstore… Best section of Toronto ever.
December 15, 2014 — 9:36 AM
mannixk says:
Honest Ed’s! I miss Toronto. Awesome that you have some CanCon on your list. I failed at that in mine.
December 15, 2014 — 10:32 AM
mlhe says:
FAVORITE BLOG: Gerbil News Network on WordPress by Con Chapman. (I think he is Mark Twain, reincarnated.)
December 15, 2014 — 9:44 AM
Islam says:
I really enjoy your posts.
December 15, 2014 — 9:58 AM
Keith A. Manuel says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? Kameron Hurley, The Mirror Empire, because I like having my mind screwed with.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Pass. I think it’s been fiction all year long.
3) Favorite short story of the year? Cat Rambo, Tortoiseshell Cats Are Not Refundable
4) Favorite movie of the year? The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (thanks, Netflix)
5) Favorite TV show of the year? Despite myself, The Wonder Years
6) Favorite song of the year? Hotel California
7) Favorite album? The Beatles, Let It Be
8) Favorite video game? Mass Effect 1 — it’s new to me
9) Favorite app? OverDrive, yay! library audiobooks/ebooks
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? My daughter asking to watch Firefly together then saying that Mal is dumb and Zoe is her favorite.
December 15, 2014 — 10:04 AM
Sarah Bewley says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? THE LAST TIME I DIED by Joe Nelms. (Close second, WE ARE NOT GOOD PEOPLE by Jeffrey Somer)
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? THE ART OF DISCOVERY
3) Favorite short story of the year? AT THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER OF BEES by Kij Johnson
4) Favorite movie of the year? CAPTAIN AMERICA; THE WINTER SOLDIER
5) Favorite TV show of the year? AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
6) Favorite song of the year? I’m still listening to Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown. I’m not qualified to answer that.
7) Favorite album? See #6
8) Favorite video game? I don’t play video games at all. Yes, I am an anomaly in the 21st Century.
9) Favorite app? Merlin Bird ID from Cornell University
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? Discovering a whole new group of writers and artists, rock climbing better than ever, and Rosie still being here at the grand old age of 14. (She’s a dog, 14 is old.)
December 15, 2014 — 10:07 AM
Kay Camden says:
IMPOSSIBLE.
*stabs goose in the neck*
December 15, 2014 — 10:09 AM
S. H. Mansouri says:
1) Novel: American Gods (better late than never)
2) Non-Fiction: On Writing by King
3) Short Story: Sundae by Matt Wallace
4) Movie: Hobbit part 2
5) TV Show: Naruto Shippuden
6) Song: None
7) Album: Spaces by Nils Frahm (butchered it)
8) Video Game: Shadow of Mordor
9) App: Buffalo Wings
10) Favorite anything: Costco Pizza
December 15, 2014 — 10:11 AM
Lindsey says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? Lexicon by Max Barry ITS SO GOOD
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Playing to the Gallery by Grayson Perry (it’s a British thing)
3) Favorite short story of the year? Iseul’s Lexicon, from The Conservation of Shadows by Yoon Ha Lee
4) Favorite movie of the year? I quite like The Hungerjay but I can’t remember any movies from before August so I feel biased.
5) Favorite TV show of the year? All of Hannibal in a tie with the stag party episode of BBC Sherlock where they get really drunk and Sherlock’s brain skills go all wonky.
6) Favorite song of the year? Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith
7) Favorite album? St Vincent by St Vincent
8) Favorite video game? I don’t game, but I’m going to say Goat Simulator because the videos were hilarious.
9) Favorite app? Nothin’ that came out this year…
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? This year was the first time I ever sold a story, giving me faith that I might have some potential as a writer after all 😉
December 15, 2014 — 10:20 AM
mannixk says:
Tough! But I will respect the keep it to one rule. And try to keep it current(ish). That goose is nightmare inducing.
1) Favourite Novel: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
2) Favourite Non-Fiction: Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
3) Favourite Short Story: Fake Plastic Trees by Caitlin R. Kiernan (this is totally cheating because I just read it in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2013 Edition, but I haven’t read the 2014 edition yet). It’s an awesome story, and can’t help but love the shout out to a Radiohead title too.
4) Favourite Movie: I was most entertained by Edge of Tomorrow, which I guess has had a title revision to Live. Die. Repeat.
5) Favourite TV Show: The Americans. It doesn’t get any Emmy or Golden Globe love, but it’s fantastic.
6) Favourite Song: Am I Safe, Ryan Adams
7) Favourite Album: Lazaretto, Jack White
8) Favourite Video Game: I don’t play video games, but I’m gonna say Minecraft because my daughter’s obsession with it is pretty adorable, and the imagination she uses to build stuff blows my mind.
9) Favourite App: I got nothin’.
10) Favourite Something Else: Kid’s book — Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. It’s a few years old, but I just discovered it, and love the silly aspect, and the undertones of labour uprising. Yes, it’s never too early to teach your kids about the struggles of the proletariat, people!
Are you gonna share your list too, Mr. Wendig?
December 15, 2014 — 10:30 AM
smkay70 says:
1.) Novel: Ocean At The End Of The Lane, Neil Gaiman
2.) The Kick Ass Writer, Mr. Chuck Wendig
3.) I can’t pick just one…
4.) Gonna go with Interstellar
5.) Game of Thrones
6.) Haven’t updated my ipod in like five years, so yeah…
7.) See above
8,) I suck at games, I like to watch my kids play Mass Effect occasionally.
9.) My obsession with shiny new apps has cooled over the last year, I will go with rediscovering Wattpad.
10.) My something else is a tie between going to my son’s gigs (he’s a rockstar) and my trip to Puerto Vallarta.
December 15, 2014 — 10:37 AM
Ed says:
1) Favorite novel of the year – I’m going to say A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray because it was the only book I’ve read this year that released this year. It was a great read. The alternate dimension hopping is well done and the characters are well defined and fun to hang out with. (I use “hang” loosely, of course) My only gripe is with the ending because I have issues with finality and closure and the like. It’s a decent ending since it’s part of a series but it just lacks the oomf I wanted.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?
3) Favorite short story of the year – The one I wrote. Ugh now I feel like a self-obsessed douchebag. *vomits*
4) Favorite movie of the year – Of the movies I saw this year, Captain America was the only one that left me wowed. Though the new TMNT flick was actually a lot better than I ever expected. Downside = Megan Fox as April O’Neil (obviously). What a travesty.
5) Favorite TV show of the year – Hannibal Season 2 was brilliant. ALMOST TIME FOR SEASON 3. If you’re not watching you need to fix that.
6) Favorite song of the year – Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. It’s a huge tune and the only “pop” song I am really familiar with of the year.
7) Favorite album – probably ‘Keep You’ by Pianos Become the Teeth. It’s quite different from their usually fare and it works here because it’s not abrasive. It is just right; halted, anxious, unsettling and yet breathtakingly beautiful and captivating.
8) Favorite video game – The Evil Within as it is the only new game I’ve played this year. Not much for gaming anymore but this one had to be played because Shinji Mikami can do no wrong.
9) Favorite app?
10) Favorite [something else] of the year – I spent 2 weeks in Macedonia (which is North of Greece) with my girlfriend. It was awesome, to say the least. She lives there and I live in Connecticut. Somehow we’ve made it over two years and only been in the same place for those two weeks.
This was fun (and my first comment here) It’s been a wild year. I quit smoking cigarettes this year. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.
December 15, 2014 — 10:49 AM
Katie Lynn Daniels (@AuthorKatieLynn) says:
Like everyone else I don’t always see/read/interact with things that are actually new so these are more things I experienced this year, not necessarily new to 2014.
1) Favorite novel of the year: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year: Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig
3) Favorite short story of the year: Dunno, although probably something out of “Tesseract Eighteen: Wrestling with Gods.” I have to finish the anthology to be sure though.
4) Favorite movie of the year: The Lego Movie
5) Favorite TV show of the year: Once Upon a Time
6) Favorite song of the year: Scarlet, by Delain
7) Favorite album: The End is Where We Begin by Thousand Foot Krutch. (And that might be cheating because I think it was my favorite album last year too but it’s kind of THE BEST ALBUM EVER RELEASED. EVER.)
8) Favorite video game: realMyst: Masterpiece Edition (which I still haven’t played…stupid system requirements.)
9) Favorite app: Probably Netflix, although their app is buggy it’s the one I wouldn’t want to be without.
10) Favorite trip of the year: I went to London. (*sings and dances* I went to London!) I got to meet all kinds of cool people like Patrick Rothfuss and Cory Doctorow. And see in person the setting of my series. And stand on the Tower Bridge. And discover the wonderful fun that is international airport security and border control.
December 15, 2014 — 10:55 AM
Andy B. says:
1) Fiction – S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst
2) Non-Fiction – On Writing by Stephen King
3) Short Story – Partly Petrified by Auston Habershaw in the Sword & Laser Anthology
4) Movie – Captain America – Winter Soldier
5) TV Show – The Librarians, so far.
6) Song – All About That Base (the Team Unicorn Star Wars parody)
7) Album – I don’t understand the question
8) Video Game – Kerbal Space Program, always
9) App – Lords of Waterdeep
10) Most Anticipated Thing Left in the Year – Playing Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective on Christmas Eve
December 15, 2014 — 10:55 AM
wildcatbrass79 says:
No favorite comic of the year 🙁
Fine–I’ll make my own stinking category!
1. Novel: ‘The Cormorant’ by Chuck Wendig. (Not ass kissing–it was a tough call between this and Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes)
2. Non-fiction: ‘Yes Please’ by Amy Poehler
3. Short Story: ‘Punchy the Clown Came to Visit’ by Allie Batts
4. Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
5. TV Show: True Detective
6. Song: Crunchy Joe: Goldfish
7. Album: Goldfish: Three Second Memory
8. Video Game: Don’t play
9. App: Fitibit–helped me lose 50 lbs!
10. Comic: The Rattler by Jason McNamara and Greg Hinkle
December 15, 2014 — 10:57 AM
mattblackattack says:
Favorite Novel: Mercury Falls by Robert Kroese
Favorite non-fic: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Favorite Short Story: Vengeance is Mine, Inc. by Roald Dahl
Favorite Movie: The Lego Movie
Favorite TV Show: The Walking Dead
Favorite Song: I don’t think I’ve heard anything new that I like.
Favorite Album: See above
Favorite Video Game: Still Super Smash Bros. 64
Favorite App: fucking Twitter
Favorite Viral Video: http://gawker.com/douchebag-dad-pretends-to-fling-toddler-son-off-balcony-1666085801
Favorite Graphic Novel: X-Men: Days of Future Past story arc.
December 15, 2014 — 11:25 AM
fadeaccompli says:
Gosh, some of these are hard. All part of the fiendish plan, I’m sure.
1) Novel: The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison
2) Non-Fiction Book: Debt: The First 5000 Years, by David Graeber*
3) “This Chance Planet”, by Elizabeth Bear
4) Movie: Only Lovers Left Alive
5) TV Show: Leverage*
6) Song: “Pompeii” by Bastille
7) Album: Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die, by Panic! At The Disco
8) Video Game: Fantasy Life
9) App: Twitter**
10) Comic: The Wicked & The Divine
(* If I only got to these things this year, that counts, right?)
(** My phone is there for Twitter, Email, checking bus schedules, and phone calls. In that order.)
December 15, 2014 — 11:27 AM
Hudds says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? I’m not sure that it came out this year, but I read it this year – The Philosophical Practitioner by Larry Abrams. Very interesting little read.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Ahead of The Flaming Front, A Life on Fire by Jerry D. Mathes II. A look at life fighting wildland fires in forests of the Pacific Northwest near where I grew up.
3) Favorite short story of the year? I can’t recall a single short story I’ve read this year. Most of my reading was clumped right at the beginning of the year. I know I read some, but I guess none of them were memorable enough to stick in my brain.
4) Favorite movie of the year? Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Marvel really nailed it with this one. I’m glad the directors will be returning for the Infinity War movies, I think they’ve got a solid grasp on how to ground a superhero flick.
5) Favorite TV show of the year? Sons of Anarchy – I finally caught up with a antics of Jax and the crew and, though I missed the majority of the final season, I managed to catch the finale and it was very strong. I feel like I missed a lot of loose ends getting tied up in the final season, but Kurt Sutter really sewed things up nicely in the finale. He’s a master of TV storytelling.
6) Favorite song of the year? English Town by Matchbox 20, I think it’s from last year, but I dig the hell out of it.
7) Favorite album? I don’t think I’ve listened to anything new this year. I’ve been on a 90s kick for the most part and the missus has been blasting 80s music.
8) Favorite video game? I replayed the Mass Effect Trilogy this year. It manages to sate my video game hunger for months when I finish it. Still holds my top spot.
9) Favorite app? Knights and Dragons.
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? The Strange RPG from Monte Cook Games. Cool setting, just enough rules to remind you you’re playing a game but not so crunchy that it gets in the way of the narrative. Plus, all of the monsters are crazy weird.
December 15, 2014 — 11:28 AM
Tia Kalla (@tiakall) says:
*prefaces list with mumbled disclaimer about being bad with names and dates, so vague details and date inaccuracies may apply*
1) Novel: Besides yours, Chuck? 😉 I really enjoyed The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani. Great YA fairy tale twist.
2) I read The Secret History of the Mongol Queens as research for an asian-flavored story, and it was a great read and gateway into Mongol culture and history during the empire’s times.
3) Heck if I can remember the title of the actual work, but the first story in Crossed Genre’s “Fat Girl in a Strange Land” about luchadores was fantastic. Worth buying it for that story alone!
4) I’ve only actually seen one movie this year (and not in theaters, on DVD) since my annual birthday Disney movie hasn’t come up yet. So here it is: Interstella 5555. For a movie that doesn’t use any words outside of song lyrics, it’s amazingly effective.
5) Am I going to get booed off if I give a competition show instead of a scripted show? >> Cutthroat Kitchen is my favorite thing on TV right now. It’s like all good books in that it features an evil person doing horrible things to other people for the amusement of the audience. 😀
6) “Word Crimes” speaks to me (doesn’t it to everyone here?) and it actually makes “Blurred Lines” tolerable if you sing over their crappy lyrics!
7) Although I’m not sure if it came out this year, Imogen Heap’s “Sparks” has some really good stuff.
8) I keep pimping Bravely Default out to everyone I know with a 3DS as the best game I’ve ever read. The gameplay is turn-based with a twist, but the narrative really sells it – there are no flat characters, which is amazing considering its rather large cast of supporting characters.
9) I can recommend 7 Little Words, although the Britishisms and some clues that are just plain incorrect sometimes trip me up. But it’s the one I’m on the most, so….
10) How about favorite manga? I believe Animal Country was released here in the states this year, and it’s a thoughtful, humane read.
December 15, 2014 — 11:29 AM
ryanjamesblack says:
1. Novel: ‘Dreams and Shadows’ by C. Robert Cargill
2. Non-fiction: ‘The Kick Ass Writer’ by Chuck Wendig
3. Short Story: ‘Candy Girl’ by Chikodili Emelumadu, Apex Magazine
4. Movie: Gaurdians of the Galaxy
5. TV Show: True Detective/Game of Thrones (oops, that’s two isn’t it?)
6. Song: Too many to choose from…maybe ‘Shake it Off’ by Taylor Swift cuz my little daughter loves it sooooo much!
7. Album: I dunno
8. Video Game: See number 7
9. App: MapMyRun…which I used semi-occasionally over our blistering three weeks of Canadian summer
10. Favorite Something Else: Watching my daughter (who is rapidly approaching two years old) walk,talk,laugh,dance, and outright master the usage of the word “NO!” She is a strange little person, who I’m told takes after her dad.
10.5 Starting a short story blog this year was pretty cool also: Ryanjamesblack.com
*tiny cheat/shameless plug*
December 15, 2014 — 11:33 AM
Nospheratt says:
I just want to say my favorite non-fiction book of the year was 30 Days In The Word Mines.
Awesome, useful and funny as hell, like everything you do. It really helped me a lot, and I’ll be using it again as a writing companion. Thank you! 🙂
December 15, 2014 — 11:42 AM
Mark McLemore says:
#6 just happened. Come Join the Murder, the swan song of the series finale of Sons of Anarchy (NOT my favorite television show), performed by the in-house band Forest Rangers and written by show creator Kurt Sutter.
Great song, dark and has a full story included in all 7 and a half minutes. Plus, bonus to anyone who watched the show while the song played, in our minds we get to relive the emotional final ride of the main character riding off into the sunset…
(yeah, that’s it.)
December 15, 2014 — 11:44 AM
lcasella2014 says:
1) Favorite novel of the year? Gone Girl
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Not a book…LA Times
3) Favorite short story of the year? Don’t read them…too many novels to read.
4) Favorite movie of the year?Rarely go see one…so last one seen Gone Girl
5) Favorite TV show of the year?How to Get Away with Murder;Elementary;Forever
6) Favorite song of the year?Happy was fun
7) Favorite album?Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
8) Favorite video game?Don’t play them
9) Favorite app?the one’s I use the most Yelp
10) Favorite [something else] of the year?Summer is my favorite season of the year
December 15, 2014 — 11:51 AM
Brenda (sleepingseeker) says:
Sticking to things that came out this year… Let’s see…
1) Favorite novel of the year? Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer – that book was so freakin’ intense in such a quiet way.
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2015 – I adore cookbooks and Cooking Light’s recipes are easy and tasty
3) Favorite short story of the year? I didn’t read any that were released this year, but I read a whole book of Carson McCullers’ and just fell in love with her.
4) Favorite movie of the year? TMNT – Don’t judge me XD I’m totally biased here, I’m a life-long, rabid fan.
5) Favorite TV show of the year? The Walking Dead
6) Favorite song of the year? Every Other Freckle by Alt-J – Wicked and Sexy and Weird – I love it
7) Favorite album? This is All Yours – Alt-J
8) Favorite video game? Don’t play much aside from Mass Effect and Skyrim…I’ll say Super Smash Bros on the Wii
9) Favorite app? Procreate
10) Favorite [family experience] of the year? Going to see Guardians of the Galaxy with hubby and all 3 kids, including my 15 yr. old son, who isn’t into doing ‘anything’ with us anymore as per stipulated in the natural binding contract between parents and their teenage children. We had a fantastic time.
December 15, 2014 — 11:54 AM
tedra says:
Reading the post again. I did not follow instructions. Sorry Chuck. Guess that goose is going to sneak up my balcony and watch me through the curtain….eeh!
December 15, 2014 — 12:10 PM
tiffthetraveler says:
I know a few of these things didn’t come out this year, but I know I enjoyed them regardless.
1) Favorite novel of the year: Johannes Cabal The Necromancer
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year?: Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton
3) Favorite short story of the year?: Can I use my own? I wrote a short story about an old man and a massacring fairy that made me cackle with bloodthirsty glee while writing it.
4) Favorite movie of the year?: Guardians of the Galaxy
5) Favorite TV show of the year?: The 100
6) Favorite song of the year?: Girls Just Want to Have Fun remix by the Maine
7) Favorite album?: All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
8) Favorite video game?: Any variation of Halo
9) Favorite app?: Books (it has almost anything written before 1925 and it’s all free)
10) Favorite [something else] of the year?: Bacon
December 15, 2014 — 12:24 PM
Terri says:
Hmmm, *cues musics* These are a few of my favorite things . . .
1) Favorite novel of the year? Wolverine Bros Freight & Storage, a mystery by Steve Ulfelder
2) Favorite non-fiction book of the year? The Chuck’s 500 Ways to Write Harder. Not just sucking up, these books always give me inspiration.
3) Favorite short story of the year? Fixer by Jeff Somers as a run-up to his new book We Are Not Good People.
4) Favorite movie of the year? Hands down it’s Guardian of the Galaxy
5) Favorite TV show of the year? The last season of Sons of Anarchy kept me off the streets on Tuesday nights.
6) Favorite song of the year? A throwaway track on Springsteen’s new album spoke to me, “Just Like Fire Would.”
7) Favorite album? It’s been slow to grow on me, but John Mellancamp’s newest “Plainspoken.”
8) Favorite video game? I’m a vid game wimp, so I will proudly say BUBBLE WITCH SAGA 2 through Facebook and heap scorn any who mocks me.
9) Favorite app? Kindle on my new phone that has a screen big enough to read on.
10) Favorite [something else] of the year? My new book, Devil’s Deal.
December 15, 2014 — 1:29 PM
Brandon O'Brien says:
Favorite novel of the year? (that I read in 2014) One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte. (that was published in 2014) Annihilation (SRT1) by Jeff VanderMeer
Favorite non-fiction book of the year? (that I read in 2014) Live Young Forever by Jack Lalanne. (that was published in 2014) Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse by Robin L. Hutton
Favorite short story of the year? The Miraculous Archive by Jonathan Bray
Favorite movie of the year? Captain America: the Winter Soldier
Favorite TV show of the year? Gotham
Favorite song of the year? Soldier of 3 Armies (Sabaton)
Favorite album of the year? Heroes (Sabaton)
Favorite video game of the year? Outlast or Five Nights at Freddy’s
Favorite app of the year? Fotor
Favorite event of the year? Super Bowl XLVIII
December 15, 2014 — 1:35 PM