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