BEST OF LISTS FOR 2020

Greetings!!!

I love a best of list, I know some don't, but if that is you, you don't have to read them!

BOOKS and READING

My reading was hit and miss this year with big gaps of nothing at some points.  But I did have moments when I was on fire!

I read 106 books.

43 were male authors, 49 were female, and 14 had multiple authors.

I read 8 LGBTQIA, 15 POC, 11 Foreign (not UK or US), and 33 Australian authors.

I read 23 Fiction, 53 Non-Fiction, and 30 Biographies.

I have always preferred Non-Fiction to Fiction, and this year it really showed.

Here are the best of the 106!

Book of the year: Phosphoresence by Julia Baird

The book we all really needed this year, despite being published pre-COVID. The book comes from the stillness Julia had to learn while moving through 3 bouts of Cancer. Her descriptions of having cancer are the closest I have read to how I felt during my own Cancer experience. But this book is about appreciating what you have, and what you have around you that can make you feel better. Nature, stillness, meditation, friends, inner beauty, feminism, and so much more is covered in this book that simply made me feel calm and peaceful.

Fiction

1. All our Shimmering Skies - Trent Dalton  - Australian, Girl's journey in the outback whilst escaping the bombing of Darwin.

2. The Yield - Tara June Winch - Australian. Indigenous story of family, including history and language.

3. There was Still Love - Favel Parrett - Australian, love letter to grandparents, set in Prague and Melbourne in the 1980s. 

4. Rodham - Curtis Sittenfeld - American, what if Hillary never married Bill?

5. The Loudness of Things unsaid - Hilde Hinton -  Australian debut, female coming of age in Melbourne with a single father.

6. You think it, I'll say it - Curtis Sittenfeld - American, political and feminist short stories.

7. My year of rest and relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh  - American, a young woman decides to reset her messy life by sleeping for a year.

8. The Friend - Sigrid Nunez - American, a older woman inherits her ex-lover's dog.

9. On earth we're briefly gorgeous - Ocean Vuong - Asian American, love letter to his dying mother about his life.

10. A Constant Hum - Alice Bishop - Australian, short stories about the aftermath of fire.

10. The Shepherd's Hut - Tim Winton  - Australian, young boy on the run in the outback.

Honorable Mention: On the road - Jack Kerouac -  American beat poet, his life story hidden in fiction, brilliant.

Non-Fiction

1. More than a Woman - Caitlin Moran - feminist essays on women and life.

2. Face it - Debbie Harry -  autobiography of Debbie Harry from Blondie.

3. Bill Bailey's remarkable guide to happiness - Bill Bailey - Essays on the things that make Bill happy and laugh.

4. The Erratics - Vicki Laveau-Harvie - memoir of Vicki's reunion with her very odd family.

5. Triumph: Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics - Jeremy Schaap - retelling of the Jesse Owens story and that particular Olympics.

6. Blowing the bloody doors off - Michael Caine - Life lessons Caine learnt from being an actor.

7. To hell and back - Niki Lauda - Autobiography of the F1 racing driver, and  airline magnet.

8. The Witches are Coming - Lindy West - feminist essays and follow up to Shrill.

9. Growing up Gay - edited by Benjamin Law-  collection of stories of gay Australians.

10. Greek to me - Mary Norris - New Yorker copy writer on her love of Greece and the Greek language.

11. Writer's Paris - Erix Maisel - a book about Paris, Writing, and Writing in Paris.

12. The Love that remains - Susan Francis - memoir about  a crazy period in Susan's life

13. The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag -  memoir of the fabulous Durrell family

14. Fake - Stephanie Wood - memoir of a man Stephanie met online who was not what he said he was.

15. Close to home - Alice Pung - Memoir of Alice's Asian family.

16. We are never meeting in real life - Samantha Irby - feminist essays, hilarious.

17. The Beautiful Ones - Prince - writings from Prince over the years with fabulous photos and memorabilia.

18. Wham: George Michael and Me - Andrew Ridgeley - lovely love letter from one friend to another.

19. Growing up African - edited by Maxine Beneba Clarke - collection of stories about African Australians.

20. She wants it - Jill Soloway - memoir of Jill's family that the series Transparent was based on.

Honorable Mention: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S Thompson - always a great read, Hunter on his drug addled time in Vegas.

TELEVISION AND WATCHING

Television was my savoir this year and there was much to watch and much to catch up on. This was difficult with so much to choose from

Television of the year: Schitt's Creek

This was the little show that could. I had seen the dvds float in and out at work but not paid much attention to them. I know I tried to watch them but they kept getting reservations on them and I wasn't that fussed with what I saw. But later I gave them another go and they clicked and I binged the entire series back to back. The show was hilarious but also nice and kind. The characters - the Rose family, initially irritating, grew on me and I saw the character development and realised this was part of their intent. Who can forget Moira, her wigs, her clothes, her babees, and the crows!? David and his facial expressions, and his growing love that drove the entire show. Alexis, her fashion, her loves, her little bit Alexis, and her considerable growth as a human. And Johnny, so decent, so kind, so loving, holding the family together. Then there were the supporting cast, perfect, each and every one of them. The music, the town, and the inclusivity and non-judgement. It really was the perfect show for 2020

Fiction

1. I May Destroy You - outstanding drama about a year in the life of a woman who was raped.

2. Succession 1/2 - both seasons about an uber rich media family who may or may not be based on the Murdochs.

3. The New Pope - the follow up to The Young Pope with Jude Law and John Malkovich, funny and dramatic.

4. Staged -  hilarious comedy about David Tennant and Michael Sheen in lockdown.

5. Better Things S4 - Pamela Adlon's fictional take on her family. A mix of drama and comedy from a feminist point of view.

6. Insecure S4 - African American in LA, love, life, and work. Very funny and incredible clever.

7. Shrill 2 -   based on Lindy West's hilarious feminist essays.

8. Upright - Tim Minchin meets a young teen as he is hauling his upright piano across Australia. Comedy Drama.

9. Curb Your Enthusiasm S10 - Larry David's best series yet, comedy.

10. What We DO in the Shadows S2 -  vampires in a share house on Long Island, comedy.

11. Difficult People - 2 comedians trying to make it in NY, comedy.

12. High Fidelity - remake of the book and movie in TV format with some of the roles flipped.

13. Mrs Maisel S3 - Mrs Maisel on the road, glorious sets and costumes as usual.

14. The Crown S3 - Olivia Coleman takes over as The Queen.

15. Broad City S5 - final season for our gals, the usual crazy in NY.

16. Stateless - Australian drama about refugees kept in detention.

17. Akwafina is Nora from QUeens - comedy with Asian comedian Akwafina.

18. Outnumbered complete- english comedy about a fmaily with 3 outspoken kids.

19. Philharmonic - French drama about a possible murder in the Paris Philharmonic.

20. Everything's gonna be ok - Josh Thomas's follow up to Please Like Me, comedy.

Honorable Mentions: Devs, Run, Deadwater Fall, Perry Mason, The Undoing, Search Party 3 

Documentary

1. My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman - Letterman interviews big names.

2. Gogglebox -   Fabulous cross section of Australian society watching popular television.

3. Crikey It’s the Irwins -  behind the scenes at Australia Zoo with the Irwin family. Pure and utter joy.

4. Escape to the Chateau - following an English family who have brought an old Chateau in France.

5. I’ll be gone in the dark - series about Michelle McNamara's investigation into a serial killer/rapist.

6. Country Music- Ken Burns. History of Country Music in America.

7. PUNK - Iggy Pop's mini series on Punk Music.

8. Secrets of the Museum - looking at some of the items in the British Museum.

9. You Can’t Ask That - interview show with unusual subject matter.

10. Anh Do’s Brush with Fame - Anh Do interviews and paints heroic Australians.

Honorable Mention: Hillary, Zoo Quest

FILM AND WATCHING

I saw a few films at the movies this year and the rest were DVDs. Mostly Documentaries and a few older rewatches.

Film of the Year: Freeman - this was a stunning biographical documentary about Cathy Freeman's Olympics. 

Film

1. Marriage Story - American, Bambauch, the breakdown of a marriage.

2. The Gentlemen -  Action comedy with a bunch of crooks.

3. Jo Jo Rabbit -  war film about a young child finding his way during a difficult time.

4. The Truth - French drama about a doyene of film starring Catherine Deneuve.

5. Edmond - French comedy about the man who put Cyrano on the stage.

6. Trip to Greece -  Comedy with Steve Coogan and ROb Brydon playing themselves whilst travelling through Greece.

7. The Joker - Joker 'origin' story.

8. Ford Vs Ferrari -  based on a famous car race.

9. Emma - remake of Austen novel, period comedy.

10. 1917 - war film in real time.

Honorable mentions: Toni Erdman, Ride Like A Girl, Top End Wedding, Wonder Woman 1984

Also: Precious, Hairdresser's Husband, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Documentaries

1. Brillo Box - brilliant story of the history of a Warhol piece.

2. Vinyl Nationi -  vinyl collecting.

3. Bookseller - rare booksellers in NY.

4. Ali and Cavett: the tale of the tapes -  based on this famous part of ALi's life.

5. Suzi Q -  on the life of Suzie Quatro.

6. Leunig Fragments - memoir doco on Leunig.

7. Quilty: painting in the shadows - doco about the Austalian painter, Ben Quilty.

8. Brock: over the top - About racing car driver, Peter Brock.

9. 9/11: Inside Airforce one - fascinating insight into Airforce One and the president on 9/11.

10. Showbiz Kids - about kids in Showbusiness.

Honorable Mentions: I Am Patrick Swayze, Laurel Canyon, The Gospel according to Andre

MUSIC AND LISTENING

Album of the Year: Rough and Rowdy Ways - Bob Dylan - outstanding double album from the great Bob Dylan. Great tunes, great sounds, great stories.

Music

1. Child in reverse - Kate Miller-Heidke -  always fabulous, what a voice.

2. Icehouse plays Flowers live - Icehouse -  Live version of their seminal album

3. The Makarratta project - Midnight Oil -  first album in many years, brilliant.

4. Black Pumas - Black Pumas -  new discovery, blues and soul, great voice.

5. American Uptopia - David Byrne - live album from his stage show.

6. Respect all Lifeforms - Custard - first album in years, still great pop and irreverent humour.

7. Dangerous Age - Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey -  sublime collaboration.

8. Song Machine - Gorillaz -  fun album with guest soloists, including Robert Smith and Beck.

9. Valve bone Woe - Chrissie Hynde- Chrissie does Jazz and it works!

10. Don't waste your anger - Smith Street Band -  love these guys and their rock pop.

Honorable Mentions: Is Thomas Calloway - Cee Lo Green, Every night the same dream and the good mood - Ballpark Music, Alicia - Alicia Keys, Three Chords and the Truth - Van Morrison.

PODCASTS AND LISTENING

Podcast of the Year: Strong Songs -  this was quite the revelation this year. Host, Kirk Hamilton picks famous songs apart showing us how they are put together musically.

Podcasts

1. David Tennant Does a Podcast -  Tennant interviews really interesting people including Neil Gaiman, Dan Levy, Judi Dench and many more.

2. Televisionaries -  Australian tv reviewers on new and old tv.

3. Unspooled -  American reviewers count down the American Top 100 films.

4. Chats 10, Looks 3 - Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales talk about their favourite films, tv, books, music etc.

5. WTF with Marc Maron - the original podcast Marc has had a crazy year with death and COVID, but he also interviews amazing people.

6. Marlon and Jake Read it Forward - Marlon James and his editor attack the cannon!

7. A podcast of One's Own - Julia Gillard interviews impressive women.

8. Jon Ronson's Butterfly Effect  - Jon Ronson and the porn industry.

9. The PLot Thickens: Peter Bogdanovich - the history of Bogdanovich and film.

10. Dolly Parton's America - all about Dolly.

Honorable Mentions: Michael Moore's Rumble, Smartless, Rob Brydon &.