Review Of 2011
from Big Dumb Object
Introduction
Time to look back on the year and reflect on the Science Fiction I've consumed.Usually I look at the list and wonder how I didn't manage to read or watch more. This year seems even more pronounced. Some of that was deliberate due to the fact that I decided to read more non-fiction and try and consume fodder for my SF writing (because I read a quote by Bruce Sterling how he did the same...). Anyway here's the summary this year presented in new fangled zoomamation (if you're using a modern web browser just scroll down).
Considerations
This review contains media consumed in 2011, not necessarily released.
Full reviews can be found on Big Dumb Object
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Groovy web code copied from ZUI Site Riot by David DeSandro
Films
seen during 2011
Seen
Never Let Me Go
Source Code
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Super 8
Sherlock Holmes Game Of Shadows
Thoughts
I didn't manage to see many films at the cinema, as usual, but the few I did see were interesting, and mostly excellent Science Fiction. It's hard to pick a favourite as they're all different: Never Let Me Go intelligent, thoughtful, emotional SF; Source Code a cool short story in movie form; RotPotA a suprisingly intelligent and enjoyable tale on the old film series and Super 8 a wonderful fun filled (and lens flare filled) Spielbergesque SF extravaganza. All of which I thouroughly enjoyed.
TV
Watched
Doctor Who
Outcasts
The Walking Dead
Fringe
Thoughts
Doctor Who continued to be entertaining with Moffat's high-density, loose-end filled, KEEP UP! not yet loosing its sheen. Outcasts turned out to be a disappointment despite coming from the same stable as Spooks and Hustle, and wasn't treated well by the BBC. The Walking Dead was a proper TV version of the graphic novel, dealing with the aftermath of the apocalypse as much as the zombies. My favourite TV of the year however was Fringe, which I decided to watch after originally giving up after two episodes. Thank goodness, so far (season 3) it's wonderful.
Books
Non-Fiction
The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle
Where Good Ideas Come From - Steve Johnson
Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect - Bob Rotella
Fiction
Zero History - William Gibson
The Quantum Thief - Hannu Rajaniemi
Bricks - Leon Jenner
Lightborn - Tricia Sullivan
Against The Day - Thomas Pynchon
Outpost - Adam Baker
Reamde - Neal Stephenson
One Day - David Nicholls
The Fuller Memorandum - Charles Stross
Thoughts
I enjoyed reading some non-fiction this year, focussing on talent and ideas and how we become good at something. Not sure it will help me become a better wirter, but interesting. There were some disappointments in fiction, I didn't like Zero History, The Fuller Memorandum was more of the same and I didn't even finish Against The Day. I really enjoyed Reamde which wasn't SF but reminded me of a Ludlum style thriller. One Day provoked emotion in me like I wouldn't have thought a romance could. My favourite books of the year were Lightborn and The Quantum Thief, both full of great ideas, good stories and interesting characters.
Misc
Writing
It hasn't been a great year for my writing, despite a strong start. I sold my story Trails to Daily Science Fiction which was cool, but didn't make any other major sales. Production of new stories seemed to falter as well, perhaps you can call it writer's block, I could come up with other excuses but they all mean nothing. This coming year I need to write more, write more and write more. I may even revisit one of my novels, I've started writing short stories in its universe as preparation.
Music
This year I was mostly obsessed with My Chemical Romance's album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys which not only had cool rock tunes but was also set in a post apocalyptic future. I love the Better Living Industries brand that they created.
Future
In 2012 I'm looking forward to: watching more Fringe, reading The Islanders by Christopher Priest and hoping that Prometheus will live up to the genius of Alien(s).
