What was your favorite book, film or album of 2009?

Today we’re driving home after a few superb days with family in Iowa. Typically we’d stay through the weekend but I’m preaching on Sunday (about the lives of two of my favorite New Testament people, Priscilla and Aquila) so it’s time to make the 6 hour drive back to Chicago.

We’ve got about a month left in 2009 which means “top-10” and “best-of” lists will soon be unavoidable. I actually look forward to some of these lists and generally offer some of my own year-end music, book and film favorites. But before we’re told by the experts which books and films we should have prioritized this year, I’m curious about your 2009 favorites.

What book, album, and/or film from 2009 is at the top of your list?

Feel free to fudge a bit on the year; I often pull from recent years in order to include new-ish discoveries. I’ll pull together your suggestions in a future post, sort of an open-source list of our 2009 favorites.

David Swanson

November 28, 2009

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8 responses to “What was your favorite book, film or album of 2009?”

Randy Redmond

November 28, 2009 at 9:17 am

I was stunned by the beauty of “UP” – especially the first 15 minutes or so. It’s amazing how much more beautiful and meaningful animated movies are becoming in comparison to “vehicles” for the personalities in Hollywood.

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Leslie

November 28, 2009 at 1:56 pm

disclaimer: my reading/watching/listening is all but nonexistent post 2 small children, so the “best” may mean the “only.” that being said, i loved “half the sky” this year if nonfiction may be included. and i agree that “up” was excellent!

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David

November 28, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Thanks Randy and Leslie; haven’t read/seen either of these.

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stanford

November 28, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Album:
It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright
by mewithoutyou

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Leigh Kramer

November 29, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Books:
Welcoming the Stranger by Soerens and Hwang looks at the Biblical response to immigration issues. Very balanced approach with practical application.
Forgotten God by Francis Chan
My Jesus Year by Benyamin Cohen (A rabbi’s son examines his Jewish faith through the lens of Christianity. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll ponder.)

CDs:
The Opposite Side of the Sea- Oren Lavie
Goodnight (Go Home)- Craig Cardiff
Everything is Different- Shane and Shane
Storyboards- Sleeping At Last

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Scott T

December 2, 2009 at 7:39 am

I just saw The Blind Side. I was quite moved and challenged. Not your typically ‘feel good’ movie.

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anthonygiron

December 2, 2009 at 11:26 am

Album – Ursa Major by Third Eye Blind. I’ve been a fan of them s since they debuted, and this is probably their second best album. Their singles have not been the best measure of their music in the past, as they are best known for Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, and Can I Graduate. This album captures the feel of their other songs, a sound that’s made them my favorite band. I’d especially recommend Why Can’t You Be, Sharp Knife, and Water Landing.

Books – Too many to count, plus I don’t think any of them were from this year.

Movie – Where the Wild Things Are. Visually stunning, heartfelt, and entertaining.

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OtakuDad

December 2, 2009 at 9:17 pm

I’ll add my support for UP. Not that the entire film was worthy, but the first 15 minutes of that film are some of the best 15 minutes of any film of all time, in terms of emotional grip and storytelling.

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