A Few of My Favorite Things from 2007

CDs That Made the Cut

• Regina Specktor's "Begin to Hope"- I technically bought this in 2006, but I had to repurchase it after my last roommate acquired it in the divorce. I recommened the re-relase with extra songs if only for "Dusseldorf" very Tori Amos-ish...
• Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" and "Frank"- I bought "Back to Black" the week it was released which coincidentally was the week of SXSW, so that's what it reminds me of now. "Frank", however, has gotten major spins in my car these past couple of months. Amy is a great lyricists and a true artist. 
• Lily Allen's "Alright, Still"- I had to search for this CD. I finally found it in the Denton Barnes and Noble, buried in the back. Well worth the search. "Not Big" reminds me of an ex...yeah, that one.
• Feist's "The Reminder"- Yes, the iPod girl...but so much more. Wearer of fantastic bejeweled cobalt body suits, ridiculous dance moves and fabulous bangs, Feist is every indie girl's pin up. "Brandy Alexander" is one of my Owen songs.
• The Feds "A Touch of Panic"- The soundtrack to many good times I don't remember having.
• Necko Case and Her Boyfriends "Furnace Lullaby- Released in 2000, I found this CD a few months ago at our library and was blown away by both her lyrics and her voice (very Janis mixed w/Loretta). Standouts include "Twist the Knife" and "Thrice All American" 
• Rilo Kiley's "Under the Blacklight"- Sure the brighten even my darkest day, I can dance to this CD for hours, preferably in my underwear. It's smart without being self-righteous, fun without losing it's edge...and Jenny Lewis is fucking hot.
• Sirens Sister "Echoes from the Ocean Floor" -Possibly the hottest and gayest band I've ever met...it hurt. But their music gets me through the workday. Zach's deep, yummy vocals over 80's-tinged rock...very satisfying
• Mandy Moore's "Wild Hope"- From the artist that brought you "Candy", this album is suprisingly good. Mandy seems to have some baggage this time around. Hopefully, she'll continue to get screwed over by boys, so we won't have to be tortured w/A Walk to Remember in music form.... 
• Straylight Run's "The Needles The Space"- I loves the harmonies and the alternating male and female leads. "Who WIll Save Us Now" puts my thoughts on Christianity into song form. Genuis!
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Is Is"- Another library find, I love this EP. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer. 
• Death Proof's Soundtrack- This CD is full of odd, country-tinged R&B/oldies rock songs perfect for a summer drive in Smalltown, Texas. 
• Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape"- Shhh...don't tell anyone.
• Upside's "Jim Beam & the American Dream"- If only because it took my boyfriend away from me for a whole month....
• Albert Hammond, Jr. “Yours To Keep”- A solo project from the lead singer of The Strokes, you’re guaranteed a great day when you jam this during your commute. Standouts include: “Postal Blowfish”, “Holiday” “Hard To Live In The City” and “Bright Young Thing.”

Movies That I Sat Still Long Enough to Watch

• Factory Girl- If you’ve read my previous blog on Myspace, you are aware of my obsessive nature towards Edie Sedgewick. Honestly, I could watch this movie every day.
• Grindhouse Features- I love how these campy movies remained awesome despite their cheesy plots (zombies, a girl w/a machine gun leg, a stuntman who kills young girls with his car). Also, the bonus DVDs are a must, because they show you all the behind-the-scene secrets you might miss otherwise.
• No Country for Old Men- Possibly the scariest, most realistic movie I’ve ever seen. Not for the faint of heart, there is no soundtrack, camera tricks or CGI to distract you from the horror on the screen. The stark backdrop of small town, desolate Texas doesn’t help. Reminds me of home…Freer, how I miss you.
• Lars & the Real Girl- Sweet, cute, a little off…kind of like me
• Superbad- That boy from Chemistry class who thought farting was funny grew up, wrote a screen play and now summers in the Hamptons. Be prepared to laugh your ass off despite your better judgment.

The Best Books I Read During My Lunch Hour and In Bed On Football Sundays

• Nora Ephron’s I’m Sorry About My Neck- A collection of short musings from the legend. A girly read that knows no age.
• Stephanie Klien’s Straight Up and Dirty- Her humor, honesty and self deprecation flavor this memoir about the demise of her young marriage. Check out her blog at www.stephanieklien.com
• Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex- A hermaphrodite’s journey in self discovery and definition. The perfect read for those that think sexuality is a black and white issue.
  
• Robert Kurson's Crashing Through- A blind man regains his site after a lifetime of darkness. A terrible movie, but an amazing nonfiction read (nonfiction as in this guy really exists).
  
• Emma McLauglin's Dedication- From the writers of the Nanny Diaries and Citizen Girl, this is the closest thing to chick-lit I can tolerate. The book is about a twentsomething girl’s first love who becomes a pop star with songs written about her. A bit indulgent but entertaining nevertheless.
  
• J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows- A perfect ending to one of my favorite collections. I’m a nerd, a hot one, but a SUPER HUGE nerd….
  
• Elyn R. Saks' The Center Cannot Hold- My final read of the year, this memoir is written by an extremely smart lady who battles schizophrenia while attending Vanderbilt, Oxford and Yale Law School. She vividly describes bouts of psychosis, her stays in various mental health facilities and her daily struggle to stay alive.
• Rob Sheffield's Love Is A Mix Tape- A great tribute of love through music and memories.
• Doug Crandell's The Flawless Skin of Ugly People- After this one, I wanted to start a book club just so to have someone to discuss it with. Powerful...