Some of my favorite books and films from 2019.
Another year in the books, as it were. And so, speaking of books, what did I read this year, and of that what did I most enjoy? And what does this have to do with photography? Well, it’s all about inspiration, and finding inspiration from many different sources, such as books and movies. This post is a look back at the books and videos I most enjoyed. These aren’t necessarily things that were released in 2019, but ones that I read or watched during the year, things that impacted me in one way or another.
Sadly, I didn’t finish much in the way of photography books this year, so that category will be missing. But I did enjoy works in several other categories, listed below.
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Favorite Non-fiction Books
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson tells the story of his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, all the while providing a history of the people, places, and events associated with the Trail. I loved his sense of humor, reading the book was like having a conversation with the author. Entertaining and educational, well worth a read.
How to Know the Birds: The Art and Adventure of Birding by Ted Floyd
I won a copy of this book through a goodreads giveaway. Packed full of short one-page lessons on a huge range of bird species, each lesson largely focusing on a single topic and typically using a single species as an example. I really enjoyed this book, and I suspect it would be enjoyed by most any birder.
Cosmos by Carl Sagan
I first read Cosmos when I was much younger. It remains one of my favorite science books, and one I think provides a great introduction to any new reader. This time around I listened to the audiobook version expertly narrated by LeVar Burton. It may be an old book, but I think I enjoyed it just as much this time as I first did all those years ago. If you’ve never read (or listened to) Cosmos, give it a try. I do miss Carl Sagan.
One Wild Bird at a Time: Portraits of Individual Lives by Bernd Heinrich
Bernd Heinrich shares his experiences watching and studying individual bird species, often from his cabin up north. Each chapter is a different story of a different species, each with something new to learn. I have a number of Heinrich’s books and very much look forward to reading them.
Favorite Fiction Books
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This was likely my favorite book of the year. It is a magical story, one of youth and old age, of memories from long ago, of making new friends and all that can happen as a result. I find it difficult to describe without giving away any of the wonder. Just read it. See what you think. If you’re lucky it might affect you as it did me. I strongly suspect I will reread this book one day. Then I will be the older man remembering stories from younger days.
Swords Against Wizardry by Fritz Leiber
When I was younger I very much enjoyed reading some of Fritz Leiber’s stories of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. These days I’m slowly making my way through the series of anthologies collecting their tales. This is the 4th in the series, and may be my favorite so far. Fafhrd is a great northern warrior, and the Gray Mouser is a small, sleek thief. They seem to have very little in common, except for the friendship they’ve developed over the years, which as with most long term friendships does fray at times, only to be rekindled later.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
I’ve heard great things about this series of novellas about a unique security android that calls itself Murderbot. Now that I’ve begun the series (I also finished Artificial Condition, the 2nd in the series), I understand why so many people enjoy it. Murderbot is such a fantastic creation, so flawed and human (for an android). This is a short novella, but the author has packed in an amazing amount of character building and definitely leaves you longing to read the next book in the series.
Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather
A small group of nuns making their way through space onboard a living ship, trying to do what good they can in a universe that’s far more cruel and complicated than any of them would like. This is another novella, so it’s a quick read, but as with the Murderbot books, it packs so much into so few pages. A great set of characters and an interesting story.
Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics
Above the Timberline by Gregory Manchess
Above the Timberline is a beautifully illustrated book telling a far future story about a son who mounts an expedition to find his lost adventuring father, who’d been searching for a mysterious city beneath the ice. It’s a fascinating story, but the real draw for me was the artwork. It’s just stunning. And being a landscape format book we get these incredible sweeping scenes. Beautiful work.
Ocean/Orbiter by Warren Ellis
This book contains two science fiction stories by Warren Ellis. I’d previously read Orbiter, so it was fun to reread this story of a space shuttle that had gone missing but now returns to Earth, somehow changed. Ocean was new to me, and tells the story of finding something beneath the ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa, something that could have far reaching consequences.
Favorite Movies
Gladiator
This may be the first time I’ve watched Gladiator all the way through. I know I’ve seen scenes from it, but I don’t recall actually sitting down to watch it, until now. And I’m glad I did. The movie has a great cast, with Russell Crowe playing the Roman General who, after the death of his Emperor, ends up sold into slavery as a gladiator, fighting to survive and seeking vengeance against the new Emperor. Very powerfully told tale, directed by Ridley Scott.
Tunnel
Tunnel is a Korean film about a father on his way home with a birthday cake for his daughter. Unfortunately, as he passes through a mountain tunnel it collapses atop him. He’s trapped with two bottles of water and a birthday cake, while rescuers, slow to react, encounter multiple setbacks trying to rescue him. This movie was more somber than I’d anticipated, but I really enjoyed it. It showed the struggles of survival, and those of rescuers and loved ones outside trying to find a way into the collapsed tunnel in time.
Memories of the Sword
Another Korean film, this time a period piece about a group of master swords people fighting against a bad ruler. But things fall apart after the treacherous actions of one of their own, leaving the next generation to fight for vengeance. A very tragic film, but one I enjoyed.
The Tribe
Finally, we have a comedy, this time of Spanish origin. An HR executive, who is ruthless and notorious for firing 300 people on a whim gets into trouble and is fired. He disappears from the public spotlight and eventually goes on a search for his biological mother who gave him away. After some misfortune he ends up losing his memory and becomes part of a dance group composed of several mothers. A funny, touching movie about second chances.
NOTE: The DVD version linked to on amazon is in PAL format for playback region 2 (Spain), so it will not play in most US DVD players. Check out Netflix, or other streaming services, see if it might still be available there.
Favorite Anime & Animated Movies
Erased
This was the best anime series I’ve seen in quite some time. It follows the life of a young manga artist trying to make a name for himself. But he suffers from some condition that causes him to jump back in time a short ways, usually to right some wrong. He calls these jumps revivals. But when something terrible happens in his life he’s sent back to his childhood to apparently prevent several murders from the past and present. I felt there were some amazing relationships built in this well written series.
Paprika
This was a rewatch because I loved Paprika, a film by Satoshi Kon, a favorite anime director of mine. Paprika is the alias of a doctor using new technology to enter peoples dreams to help them with their psychiatric problems. As the movie progresses we sometimes have a hard time knowing whether we’re in the real world or a dream, and some of the dream scenes are completely bizarre and fantastic. I also love the soundtrack (I purchased both the movie and the soundtrack).
A Silent Voice
This film was very different than I’d expected. Parts of it were somewhat depressing, showing how hateful kids can be to those who are different, in this case to a young deaf girl. But years later one of the bullies runs into the girl, and feeling guilt over his youthful actions tries to strike up a friendship. This is a film about the guilt we carry, about second chances, and about how we mature as we age. Very depressing at times, but it does pick up and I really enjoyed the ending. Be warned, it does explore the topic of suicide.
Fireworks
This was an interesting and strange film about a young boy and girl and their friends. The girl has to move away, but she really wants to spend a day with the boy before that happens. He’s not sure initially how he feels about her. Then she finds a small device in the water that changes all their lives. I can’t say I fully understood the ending, but I enjoyed the film.
Those were my favorites of 2019. Did you read or watch any of these? What were some of your favorites from the year?
