Mid-Year Media Wrap-Up

[owlmoose]

I haven't done much in the way of best-of lists in the past, but it seems like a good idea, especially if I decide I want to make a more thorough list at the end of the year. It would be a lot easier to write these kinds of posts if I remembered to update Goodreads in a timely fashion. Maybe making regular list posts will get me into the habit. All releases are 2016 unless otherwise noted.

Books:

• Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan (Lady Trent #4): I love this series, and I feel like it gets better with every book. Next year will see the release of the final volume, which makes me both excited and sad.


• My Real Children by Jo Walton (2014) Fascinating story about a woman living two parallel lives. It won the Tiptree, and I can see why.


• Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire: I found this a delightful gem of a story. Exactly the right length as a novella, and yet I could live inside this universe forever.


• Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (2015): I read this novel right before the Hugo nomination deadline and had to rearrange my whole ballot to make room for it. Reminded me in all the best ways of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.


• League of Dragons by Naomi Novik (Temeraire #9): A perfectly satisfying end to one of my favorite series of all time.
  
• Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold: Cordelia returns! One of the best romances I've read in awhile.



Comics:

• The Wicked + the Divine by Kieran Gillan and Jamie McKelvey, v.3: I can't remember whether I read Vol. 2 this year or in 2015, so I'll content myself with just the latest volume. Meditations on gods and fame wrapped up with an intriguing murder mystery, and I can't wait to see what comes next.


• Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman (2015): Excellent coda/prequel to the series as a whole. Answers a lot of questions about Morpheus that I didn't even realize I had.


• Gunnerkrigg Court by Tom Siddell: I got behind on this comic last year, so I reread it all from the beginning, then caught up and have stayed mostly current since. Recent arcs have been delightful (and also heartbreaking at times). The only webcomic I really keep up with.


• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North and Erica Henderson, v.1 (2015): Every bit as fun as everyone said it would be.

Movies:

• Spotlight (2015): A testament to the power of research and investigative journalism. Great acting, too.


• Captain America: Civil War: What more for me to say? Not a perfect movie, by a long shot, but so much better than I was afraid it might be. And it gave me hope for the future of the Avengers franchise (hope that was in short supply after AoU).


• Zootopia: A fun film, fantastically creative visuals. Worth watching for the urban design alone.


• Selma (2014): Important, powerful, a chapter of history I need to know better.

Television:

• Agent Carter (S2): Still so bummed that this won't be getting another season.


• Supergirl (S1): The back half of the season was uneven, but the end was great, and I'm excited for the show's future. The CW will be a better home for this show, as long as they don't overdo it with the DC crossovers.


• Orphan Black (S4): I haven't finished the whole season yet, but given how strong it's been overall, I expect it will hold up.


• Top Chef (S13): Still my favorite reality show, and I found this year's batch of cheftestents to be generally talented and likable (except for smug hipster Philip).


• Star Trek: Voyager: I had thought this was a rewatch, but once I got past the first season, almost none of the episodes were familiar. Overall, it's a stronger show than I remember, and I've enjoyed it, although I do still find myself wishing I were rewatching DS9 instead. Currently a few episodes into Season 6.

Other:

• Solstice (videogame): The new game from the makers of Cinders is a wonderful followup. Similar to Cinders in some ways, and yet very different. I need to replay it a few more times to absorb more of the possibilities.