… or what I read and watched this year
So as 2017 draws to a close, its time to put pen to paper to record what I’ve read and watched this year – or more importantly, what I’ve enjoyed reading and watching this year.
TV
My viewing habits may have been evolving over recent years, but 2017 saw them change markedly. I now watch more on Netflix/Amazon Video/Catch Up (and even YouTube) than on the TV in the corner of the room. Whilst Becky watches something on the (terrestrial) telly, I’ll pop my headphones on, fire up my iPad and watch something completely different.
The quality available is astounding, and the joys of binge watching are unbounded – no longer need we wait a week for the next installment, instant gratification.
So from a crowded – an excellent – field what comes out on top?
Halt and Catch Fire – a four series show following the technological revolution from the early ’80s to (by the end of series 4) the late ’90s.
Other notable mentions:
Stranger Things – watched both series this year, accessible Sci Fi, geeky, but not too geeky. Stephen King lite perhaps?
GLOW – Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, never thought I watch a dramatisation of women’s wrestling, but glad I did. Off beat comedy at its finest.
Narcos III – as good as the first two. Brilliant.
Marco Polo, Klondike, The Get Down II – all worth a watch.
Red Oaks – onto its third series, and still going strong. Funny.
Detectorists – Brilliant. BBC comedy at its best. Gentle, funny, thought provoking (well, not really), warming, but most importantly, funny. The final series (3) aired this November. What a treat. Brilliant. Watch it.
The Vietnam War – A BBC documentary. Fascinating. 10 one hour episodes, I was engaged for every minute. Should be watched by all (sadly, even as I write, it is slipping of iPlayer, only the last 3 episodes are available)
Film
I’m not a big film fan – I just don’t feel I have the time to commit to a couple of hours on one unproven story. I prefer the package of an hour long episode of a mini-series, although will happily watch a couple of hours of back to back episodes.
However, I did watch one film that wins my prize for film of the year:
Hidden Figures – the true story of mathematics, racial segregation and the space race, what a combination!
The Last Jedi – Sam and I made our now customary December trip to the cinema for the latest Star Wars saga. This didn’t disappoint. Was good, not brilliant – was good as it fitted in with, and continued the narrative of Star wars. I suspect if you watched it as a stand alone film, you’d probably say “meh, was OK.”
Books
I continue to read a lot, but have made the decision not to bother with anything “worthy” – I read for entertainment and enjoyment, I passed my English Literature O level 32 years ago, no need now to read anything because someone tells me to.
Still, I surprise myself when I realise that the the best book I read this year was about the building of a 12th Century cathedral …
Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett. I’ve read a few Follet’s and enjoyed them all, although they have all been set in the 20th Century. Embolned by this, I felt strong enough to attempt this tome – in excess of 1,000 words! Glad I did, basically great story telling and no long words or tricky metaphors in sight.
Forget you had a daughter: Doing Time in the Bangkok Hilton – Sandra Gregory. I’ve seen Sandra Gregory speak to our sixth form on a couple of occasions, telling her tale of how she ended up on a life sentence in a Thai prison and her story was fascinating. So when I realised she had written the book of her life, I had to buy it and read it. I would recommend this to anyone. Well worth a read.
The Last Kingdom Series – Bernard Cornwall. Vikings, Saxons, slash ’em stories, intermixed with a little history from the dark ages. Slowly working my way through the series, a couple a year. A little (a lot?) formulaic, but easy – and enjoyable – reading.
When they come for you – James Hall, In Farliegh Field – Rhys Bowen, The Winter Over – Matthew Iden. One of the benefits of Amazon Prime is a free Kindle book each month, and these three were all from that stable. Enjoyed them all.
Conclave – Robert Harris. A novel about picking a Pope on my top reads list? Anything by Robert Harris is probably going to be good, after a slow start, this didn’t disappoint.
Born Fearless: From Kids’ Home to SAS to Pirate Hunter – My Life as a Shadow Warrior – Phil Campion. I haven’t read as many military memoirs this this year (one account of the Vietnam war was merging into another), but I did enjoy this. Could be worth a revisit.
A couple of turkeys
The Emporer’s Revenge – Clive Cusslar. A truely terrible book. I know I like cheap, easy thrillers but this was really rubbish. First 40 or so pages had me hooked, but then it went down hill with a “our hero” becoming increasingly less believable and the plot line even more farcical.
Purple Rain – The Film. I arrived at the conclusion this year that Purple Rain the album is the second best album ever made, so I thought I’d watch the film for the first time. Dreadful. Don’t bother, just listen to the album which is brilliant.
The above is not all I’ve watched or read, but a few highlights. As we enter into 2018 I’m working my way through Game of Thrones season 7 and awaiting the next episode of Vikings 5 (out Thursday!), have the Arsenal documentary “89” to look forward to watching and a few books pilled up ready to be read – will any of them feature this time next year?