An early happy and healthy New Year!
As I have done for quite a few years, here are some of the experiences I enjoyed this past year: what I listened to, what I read, what I watched, and more.
Reading
The best books I read this year, all of which are non-fiction, which I didn’t realize till I made this list:
- Ali, a Life, by Jonathan Eig
- The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones by Stanley Booth
- Profiles in Ignorance, by comedian, Andy Borowitz (a comedian/write whose career I’ve been following for more than 20 years)
- Misbelief by Dan Ariely
- The Courage to Finish What You Started by Alex Cooper
- Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli by Mark Seal
- Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi
- True Gretch by Gretchen Whitmer
- No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
- Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
To keep up with current events, I scan three news apps and two sports apps every morning, and regularly read a few newsletters, my favorite of which are “Axios AM,” “Axios PM,” and Dave Pell’s Next Draft.
Viewing
I will stop watching a show if I don’t like it, so rather than listing my favorites, these were the ones I watched, all of which I enjoyed:
- These limited series: Manhunt, Griselda, Shogun, Ripley, Beckham, and Senna
- Season 1 of NASCAR Full Speed
- Season 1 of One Hundred Years of Solitude
- The final seasons of Break Point and Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Season 6 of Formula 1 Drive to Survive
- Movies: The Iron Claw, The Holdovers, The Boys in the Boat, Dune Part Two, Room, and A Real Pain
- Documentaries: In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces (but I found the 2nd “piece” boring), STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A., Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos, Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple, The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox, and Senna (I watched this, not knowing there would soon be a mini-series about him, which I listed above. I enjoyed both.)
- The final 2 seasons of Ted Lasso. (I had stopped after season 1 originally aired; many people pushed me to resume, which I finally did this year. It was worth it.)
- Season 2 of Receiver (part of the NFL series on Netflix)
- Seasons 1 and 2 of Pachinko
- Standup special: Alex Edelman: Just for Us (and also had the good fortune to see him in-person at a small venue as he worked on new material).
I also loved the wacky Broadway show, “Oh, Mary!” and the very cool “Luna Luna” at the Shed in New York City.
Listening (to Music)
My favorite new music (albums and other releases with multiple songs I like) came from these artists (not in any particular order): Bonnie Light Horseman, Joy Oladokun, Tyler the Creator, Clover County, Soccer Mommy, Tess Parks, Master Peace, Orville Peck, Remi Wolf, Jess Locke, Tierra Whack, Faye Webster, and Kendrick Lamar.
I listen to new music more than anything else. As always, there was so much great new music this year. This Spotify playlist contains my favorite 2024 songs, including some from the albums listed above. This much longer Spotify list contains more 2024 favorites of mine, many of which almost made it to the first list.
Listening (to Podcasts)
This has been the third year I listened to A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs. I’ve listened to every episode since I began last year with episode 99. (I also went back and listened to many episodes before #99.) It’s incredibly well researched and extremely interesting.
This was my second year listening to what a year ago was a brand new podcast called The Puzzler, with fun, short, word games that comes out five days each week.
Newsworthy is a 10-minute daily podcast about the news of the day. I listen weekly to This American Life. Fresh Air has a wide range of interviews, many of which I listen to. Mike Pesca’s almost-daily, The Gist is excellent. I also listen to most of the episodes of the music podcasts: Broken Record, Hit Parade, and All Songs Considered.
Most recently, starting around the time of the presidential election, I began listening to Tangle, a nonpartisan podcast (I also get the newsletter) mostly covering one topic each day with several views from both the left and the right, and then what I and most listeners and readers consider a fair view from founder Isaac Saul.
Travel
Trips with family and friends, and to visit family and friends, are my single favorite thing to do. This year, we visited family and friends in Florida, California, Montreal, Detroit, Italy, Maine, and London, and a wonderful vacation to Crete and Santorini.
List-Making
I’ve always enjoyed making lists. Going back as long as I can remember, I have made lists of my favorite movies, books, and music (and within music, my favorite artists, albums, songs, and concerts).
I’ve often recommended making lists to help you to “Be Happy” – lists of what you are grateful for, what makes you smile, and your accomplishments. When I started posting these annual reviews, I realized they fit with the weekly happiness lists: Looking back at all I’ve learned, experienced, and enjoyed gives me a sense of accomplishment, a sense of gratitude, and makes me smile.
What did you read, watch, learn, enjoy? What are you grateful about?
My best regards for happiness, peace, and health for you and your loved ones in 2025,
David