2020

Here we are, a New Year has begun. There is a lot that can be said about 2020, much of it negative but I don’t want to dwell on that as there is no need for the bad to cast a shadow on the year ahead. Of course the world is not going to be miraculously changed just because it’s January 1 but it is a touchstone to start focusing on what is ahead, what to look forward and a starting point for change. But first, my best of 2020.

One of the best parts of 2020 was working from home full-time. While others struggled with employment, I had the good fortune to be able to continue to work remotely with little to no disruptions and it has be so much more relaxing and particularity, in the last 3 months of the year, far less stressful.

Best Books – Monster, She Wrote – Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson
–Ninth House, Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom – Leigh Bardugo
–The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires – Grady Hendrix
–The Devil and the Dark Water – Stuart Turton
–Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Best Movies – These didn’t necessarily come out in 2020 but I watched them and liked them. And this is really just what I can remember as I don’t track movies watched.

–The Gentlemen – Guy Ritchie at his best with Charlie Charlie Hunnam and Matthew McConaughey.
–The Old Guard – Loved the concept and story and Charlize Theron is brilliant.
–The Hunt – Not quite what I expected but pleasantly surprised.
–Knives Out – A Clue for the 21st century? Not quite but I still liked it.

Best TV (streaming) – Same as above. My 2020 discoveries.

–Warrior – Season 1 & 2. I did like the first season better but can’t wait to see if there is a 3rd one coming.

–Raised by Wolves – With the caveat that I did not like the end of the final episode. Just NO!

–Perry Mason (2020 series on HBO) – Gritty, depressing, kick you in the crotch, gut punch, brutal show but so very, very good.

–The Great – I reluctantly gave this a try and I am so glad I did. Huzzah!

–The Boys – Season 2 – Nothing needs to be said, it’s The Boys and it’s awesome.

–The Mandalorian, Season 2 – Mando and the Child on more wacky adventues.

–What We Do in the Shadows, Season 2 – Love, love, love this show. Needed more Nandor though.

–Buzzfeed Unsolved (Paranormal/True Crime) – The dynamic between Ryan and Shane is what makes this work.

Podcasts

–Books in the Freezer – Focusing on horror books (and other stuff), this started in 2017, so I had a lot to catch on and I almost have.

–Guide to the Unknown – Another one that started a couple of years ago (2018 I think) and I just started listening to. Brother and sister share paranormal stories, urban legends with humour and wit. There sibling chemistry is hilarious and I love the stories blending folk tales, urban legends and other paranormal aspect.

I will be back shortly for a look at what I am looking forward to in 2021. Happy New Year.