You might not have heard, but 2008 is nearly over, and one of the real pleasures of this time of year is reading the "Top 10" lists from critics of books, film, television, music and David Letterman. It's enough of a joy almost to create a "Top 10 Top 10 Lists," but I'm too lazy, and besides, my book didn't show up on any of them, so the heck with these people, I say.
The two things that are interesting about Top 10 lists is that: 1. They're completely arbitrary, since they rely strictly on the taste of the reviewer and 2. They're remarkably similar. Everybody who gets into the critic business has the same taste, or they're afraid of being off the mark set by everyone else, so they play it safe.
You may exhale: I'm not about to offer a Top 10 list in anything today, or anytime soon. I wrote one when I was working for my college newspaper, and was roundly ridiculed (justifiably, in hindsight--I had included a Bad Company album on my music list). I've learned my lesson. Besides, the sad truth is, I don't see enough films, listen to enough new music or--yes--read enough books in the course of year to reliably offer anything approaching a view.
What I can do is offer a few highlights in all areas:
TV: 30 Rock, The Office, Chuck, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
TV I've decided to do without: Lost, 24. Enough, already.
Films: In theatres? I didn't go much. Saw Slumdog Millionaire on Christmas Day. It was good. I liked the new Indiana Jones, and everybody seemed to hate that, so you can't go by me. I have no interest in seeing Brad Pitt get younger to die, watching Leo and Kate reunite for a view of how horrible suburban life is, getting a rehash of interviews by David Frost or the Catholic Church via Meryl Streep.
Movies on DVD: I saw a LOT of movies that critics loved and I hated. Persepolis, Once, Smart People, The Darjeeling Limited, There Will Be Blood. Couldn't stand a-one of them. The Namesake was pretty good. Maybe this was my year to see movies about people from India.
Music: I'm not qualified. I'm still holding to my theory that rap is a passing fad.
Books: Get serious. If you think I'll list books by people I like only to omit other people I like, you're on some serious weed. Suffice it to say I find the trends in literary fiction toward pretense and navel-gazing disturbing. For that matter, I find the term "literary fiction" disturbing. In mystery novels, I like all the same people I have liked for years, and think I did a pretty decent job myself, although I certainly understand why my book won't appear on Top 10 lists. Even I wouldn't put my book on the Top 10 list, unless the list had something to do with how funny a mystery book might be.
For 2009: I believe my favorite pastime (that I can discuss in a family blog) will still be watching the New York Yankees play. In fact, I believe I will enjoy that more in 2009 than I did in 2008, but there are no guarantees. I will probably agree more with the administration in charge of our government, but then, that was pretty much a given, too.
And I hope that everyone who stumbles across or reads this blog regularly has a lovely, healthy, safe, enjoyable year. At the very least.
Here at DEAD GUY, we are sorry to see two of our own move on. The lovely and talented Janet Reid and Abby Zidle will post (or have posted) their last DEAD GUY blogs this week, and we'll miss them. It's always been a pleasure to read their honest, funny, insightful views of publishing. We wish them extremely well, and hope they'll still hang around to point us in the right direction when we stray off the path every now and again. Thanks, Janet and Abby.
Taking Abby's place starting this Sunday, Jan. 4, will be Alison Janssen of Bleak House Books. Alison's taste and enthusiasm are legendary, and we're thrilled to have her with us. On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Agency will be our resident agent, and she is not only a keen observer and participant in publishing, but an ex-stand-up comic, so her posts should be especially enjoyable. We welcome both, and look forward to seeing what they'll bring to our merry band.
It should be a fun year.
