Most people do their year-end awards in January, but, if Taylor Swift can leave her Christmas lights up until January, then I can also do whatever I want. Also, no one cares about these, so time isn’t really of the essence.
In making this year’s list, I also acknowledge that I didn’t just do books. The reason being that a lot of books I read this year kind of sucked, so there you go; the category for what I liked had to expand. Most of these I have written or posted about already, so there aren’t really a lot of surprises. It’s also all my opinion, so if you like Sabrina, I’m sorry, but also, please don’t recommend anything to me ever.
Without further, ado, the 2019 Why Not? Awards.
Restored My Faith in Pop Culture Award
Fleabag
I was beginning to think that pop culture couldn’t do anything to excite me. Then came Phoebe. I think a lot of art from my generation turns inward, looks for blame instead of hope, complaints instead of solutions. Fleabag sucks you into the anger, hilarity, and darkness of the ordinary but then reflects outward on family, friendship, and belief. I will watch season 2, episode 1 whenever a jolt of inspiration.
I Hate Myself but I’m Giving a Business Book an Award Award
The Culture Code
I had to read a series of business books starting my new job and most of them were horrific, jargon-filled nightmares. The Culture Code is all about awesomeness – how people can come together and do incredible things despite their egos, academic pedigree, or personal histories. A must read for anyone who wonders how groups of people can come together and achieve the incredible.
The Trainwreck Award
Sabrina
This graphic novel is essentially a white guy wondering what if he turned a violent white guy listening to a podcast* into a comic strip. Blob images walk around a house, look for a cat, and, of course, listen to a podcast, in this riveting page-turner that won a lot of awards for some reason. I often meditate on it, not just to call it “The Book of Blobs” in jest with friends, but to also reflect on the fact that if it won awards then… I probably don’t need to pay attention to literary awards.
*In the graphic novel it’s actually a radio show, but using podcast just made this more humorous. You’re welcome!
Better the Second Time Award
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The first time I read LotR I could get through about ten pages before falling asleep, but the movies were popular, so I persisted. The second time, I was blown away by the vividness of Tolkien’s world – the depth and breadth of its lore and history. In a pre-CGI reality, I can totally understand how this dive into Tolkien’s imagination would inspire generations of fantasy fans.
I May Lose My Job on This Binge Award
Bodyguard
I had a late-night event at work the evening I started watching Bodyguard. What I thought was a show that would keep me awake until I had to go into the office turned into a professional crisis. I barely made it to the 11 pm meeting. And thought about watching the rest of the series when I got home at 1 am. It’s a super fun political thriller with some romance thrown in. Be careful once you start.
The Sorry, Taylor Award
Dedicated, Carly Rae Jepsen
I know Taylor put out an album this year, but CRJ got me dancing more. “Want You in My Room” and “Too Much” are firmly on my “Bops for Life” playlist. Plus, I love the weirdness of “He Needs Me” and the 90’s Mariah-inspired “Automatically in Love.” Tay’s my queen but CRJ is quickly rising at court.
Timeless Adventure Award
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
This fall Nintendo re-released this video game with new graphics. I had already played through it before, but it immediately sucked me back in. Alligator artists, needy ghosts, and a bizarre man catfishing an animal with love letters from Princess Peach fill this adventure. Playing this for an hour each night was a fantastic trip back in time to my middle school days, when my biggest priorities were writing 5-page research papers and feeding my dog in the morning.