#54
the browsing history review of books
like gift guides, there is also a dearth this year of critical reviews of our popular culture. it’s the sixth of december as of press time, which means the year has already been over for like six months, and not one single media outlet has published a best of list. should i literally risk my life to ask a ouija board what book missed the booker longlist but should have won the prize altogether? do i need to send curious subscribers to the blog of an australian linens company?? must i both throw and catch the freaking metaphorical ball of public opinion??? i guess so :(
thus: the BHROB (browsing history review of books) presents its prestigious review of culture, with thoughtful and deeply considered reflections. although narrow-minded skeptics will say that most of the list is not actually from “this year,” everything comes from my year, which in many cultures is considered way more valuable, and will probably have impacts well into 2025. my past is simply your future, friends.
books
drive your plow over the bones of the dead - 100% less natalie portman and 100% more william blake than eating animals, but reaches basically the same conclusion.
treasure island!!! - fun!!! but not quite muppet treasure island levels of fun!!!
the maniac - proof that anyone who thinks STEM is cool is, sorry, literally insane.
prophet song & selected stories - poor choices for optimists, but on the other hand, optimal choices for pessimists.
the spider network - like i always say when i talk to the fellas: don’t do the systematic crime at the expense of millions of people around the globe if you can’t find a single patsy to do the time on behalf of your industry.
movies and television
say nothing - not the milkman adaptation i deserve, but i’ll take it.
godzilla minus one - cowardice has its benefits too, you know.
humanist vampire seeking consenting suicidal person - follows the proven formula of only lovers left alive (vampires + 60s pop = heart on letterboxd), but shirks the proven formula of twilight (vampires + baseball = a vastly-improved major leagues).
love island australia - the best thing to come out of australia since the vitamin c-rich kakadu plum first put this forgotten continent on the map.
the empty man - great little documentary about the dangers of meditation.
cheers - put me in (stitches, because i’m laughing so hard) coach! (rip coach btw)
riddle of fire - young men will literally pull off a heist, go on an odyssey-like quest for a single egg, and make a blueberry pie for their mom instead of going to therapy 🙄.
misc
nerds gummy clusters - the breakout hit of the year (decade?).