Here we are again: college students in the midst of finals, high-school and middle school people at mid-year, working adults anxiously awaiting their christmas break…I’d say it’s a good time to be alive…so much to do, so much already completed, and so much to look forward to.

So, because it’s nearly the year’s end, (and I just can’t wait any longer) it’s time for this year’s installment of Jon’s End of the Year Wrap-Up

Below you will find all things good about the year 2004, including my favorite books, movies, t.v. shows, art, school, music, and of course, much more. And, as always, the final installment (yep, it’s in two parts) will conclude with my own personal top 100 things about this year. so, click on for the lists!

My favorite books of 2004

Disclaimer: Note that many of these books were not released in 2004, but were read by me in 2004. Also, all listings are in no particular order even though they are listed numerically. No lists are comprehensive.

Fiction

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Reader Comment : Although I have always been a fan of Latin-American literature, this novel absolutely blew me away. Admittedly, many parts of the book were slow going (as anyone who saw me reading this can attest), but that’s to be expected when the author is creating a whole universe unto itself. This novel is as epic as the genesis story following the birth and death of a magical Latin-American village. Spanning generations and providing some of the most inspired and wonderfully detailed writing I have ever read, this novel is nothing short of incredible. If you are a fan of good books, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better canidate or a more satisfying read.

2. God Bless You Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
RC: Fairly classic I’m guessing, about middle-period Kurt Vonnegut. Although I would not put this novel up next to Slaughterhouse-Five or some of his later work, still a very good novel. If you’re a Vonnegut fan, I high ly reccomend it; if you’re new to the author, i’d start with one of his more recognized works.

3. The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad
RC: Excellent short story by Conrad. Reading his work is such a strange experience; I feel like I could read it a thousand times and get something new every time.

4. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
RC: A powerful exercise in logic, I found this “story” quite compelling even if though it predates me by about 1000 years. Recommended for anyone looking to explore the foundations of western morality and philosophical thought. (f.y.i. this was an assigned class novel)

Non-Fiction

1. Improvisation: It’s nature and practice by Derek Bailey
RC: The work to read on improvisation in music by famous “free” improviser Derek Bailey.

2. The Confessions by St. Augustine
RC: Augustine’s famous confessions were a paradoxical read for me. On the one hand, some of the book was staggeringly good, logical genius. On the other hand, I found a good deal of it bitter and full of self-congratulating piety. It’s a testament to his life that Augustine remains controversial even today. This is a must read for all Christians, especially those interested in how Roman mores influenced the development of Christian thought, and the course of western history. Plus the final chapters will really make your head hurt. In the end, a book about one man’s search for happiness that remains relevant even today.

3. Most of Thomas Merton’s published work.
RC: Yep, I was kinda fanatical about reading Merton this year. His writing is so good. For starters I recommend his autobiography The Seven Story Mountain and then it’s your choice from there. I especially enjoyed his work on Eastern Religion. I also highly recommend his Asian Journal and his collected essays, most notably, Day of a Stranger , Rain and the Rhinoceros , and his final speech delivered in Asia (the name of which escapes me). Seriously. These essays changed my life.

4. Anything by Frederick Frank especially The Zen of Seeing and To Be Human Against All Odds .
RC: A tremendous human being, his books on drawing will change the way you see the world around you. A huge influence on my contour drawing.

5. TapeOp Magazine
RC: Recording mag for guys with much less than pro setups. Plus really cool recording studio photos, gear reviews, funny stories, and other general geeky audiophile stuff. Two speakers way up.

6. The Billion Internet articles
RC: Seriously, it’s an addiction. After all, it’s just information, right?

7. All the fascinating texts I read for school. Yeah. Right.

That wraps up books (chances are I left something important out but hey…) Sorry no Dan Brown made the list…

Movies

1. Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
Viewer Comment: Engaging, entertaining, straddling the line between hilarity and heartbreak often in the same scene, this movie is just awesome. Directing/Screenwriting duo Gondry/Kaufman really pull out all the stops here blending their quirks into a tragically near-perfect film. I loved every minute of it.

2. The Incredibles
VC: Super fun about super heros. Great animation, and even better writing made this movie a great theater experience. plus none of the easy target pop-culture references used for comic crutches so frequently used by it’s contemporaries (Do I hear Shrek 2?)

3. Honorable Mention goes to Garden State a movie that tries really hard to be good, and then makes up for it with a nice folksy sound track.

Disclaimer: Only three on this list because they are the only three movies I remember seeing this year…ugh.

T.V. Shows (a no-cable version)

1. Lost – Not a bad program, waiting for a Lord of the Flies style ending or a dinosaur.
2. Law & Order SUV: can’t say I love the subject matter, but the episodes are compelling.
3. The “original” CSI – can’t stand N.Y. or any of the others
4. Most anything on PBS – especially Austin City Limits and Nova.
5. Dr. Phil – for when I am bored
6. SNL – Not quite the same without Jimmy Fallon, but Tina Fey is still hot and this year has had some good episodes. My favorite cast member: Fred Armisen.

Art

1. This year was all about Henri Matisse and Frederick Frank. Also, James Whistler (incredible), Walton Ford, seeing Wyeth’s “Helga pictures” and the LSU school of art, design, and sculpture. You guys rock.

Don’t Forget to check back for the second installment; my adventures in modern (and not-so-modern) music and more than a few of my favorite things.

This entry was posted by jon on Wednesday, December 8th, 2004 at 9:00 pm and is filed under journal, literature & art, movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.