I’m keeping it simple this year. Especially on the music front. I kept delaying this post, because it would literally take me hours to craft a full list of all the music I loved. Instead I am going simple. Top threes (or fours in one case). Enjoy.

Novels:

Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock

Curse the Names by Robert Arellano

You Can Make Him Like You by Ben Tanzer (yes, I published it, but still, it’s one of my favorite books of all time).

Story Collections:

Volt by Alan Heathcock

Normally Special by xTx

Ayiti by Roxane Gay (seriously, same deal as YCMHLY)

Poetry Collections:

The Book of Men by Dorianne Laux

Things I Say to Pirates on Nights When I Miss You by Keely Hyslop

Birding (chapbook) by Kat Dixon

Albums:

The Black Keys: El Camino

Wilco: The Whole Love

The Decemberists: The King Is Dead

Songs:

“I Might” by Wilco

“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys

“Holding On To Black Metal” by My Morning Jacket