2020 recommendations

December 31, 2020

The silver lining of this awful year for has been that I have had a lot more time to read, watch movies, listen to music, catch up on video games, and all other sorts of cultural consumption. Here’s a brief list of my favorite releases of 2020.

If you wish to instead read a more narrative timeline of pieces I thought were particularly indicative of my 2020 experience, check it out here.

Books

Transcendent Kingdom - Yaa Gyasi

An introspective look at addiction, family, and the intertwining of science and religion. Gyasi demonstrates a massive range by creating a more individually focused narrative that is good as her debut epic Homegoing.

Vesper Flights - Helen Macdonald

A brilliant collection of essays highlighting mystical natural phenomena and how wildlife can be used as a lens into human nature.

Writers & Lovers - Lily King

A coming-of-age story for the precarious and untethered millennial that explores infidelity, love, and labor through the eyes of a young writer. An A24 film in novel form.

Minor Feelings - Cathy Park Hong

The most nuanced examination of the particulars of being Asian American I’ve read in a long time full of novel conceptual definitions and intriguing characters.

Video Games

Hades - Supergiant Games

An incredibly polished 2D action rogue-lite with crisp controls, huge run variety, and lots of small nudges that make each run feel fair yet unique.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo

A video game full of chores that somehow become fun when presented with a layer of cute animal avatars. The latest iteration is by far the most customizable and is perfect for socially distanced socialization.

Cyberpunk 2077 - CD Projekt Red

Contrary to a lot of press, Cyberpunk 2077 is full of immersive storytelling, well-designed RPG mechanics, and often hilarious bugs. There are smart little polished details around every corner if you actively seek them out. Played on Stadia.

The Last of Us: Part 2 - Naughty Dog

A genuine advancement in the realm of interactive storytelling through narrative structure. The morals and themes are a bit bluntly handled, but the emotional journey is well worth it if you’re willing to let plot holes slide. The gameplay is effectively a more polished version of the already brilliantly immersive mechanics of the original game.

Music

How I’m Feeling Now - Charli XCX

Charli continues a trend of excellence with yet another collection with clean production, relatable lyrics, and dance-worthy hooks.

I Disagree - Poppy

A profound transformation for former Youtube star Poppy which merges brilliant nu-metal lines with the catchy pop melodies we’ve already known Poppy capable of. The hyperpop version of a rock opera.

Sawayama - Rina Sawayama

Hyper-focused hyperpop which combines a vast array of genres and messages through tight production.

Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers

If Phoebe keeps putting out music of this quality, Pharbz will one day outnumber kpop stans. And shoutout to the Iris cover she did with Maggie Rogers.

Films

Birds of Prey - Cathy Yan

A superhero movie that is willing to just have fun and not get caught up in the details of creating ultra-dramatic plotlines with world-ending stakes.

Black Bear - Lawrence Michael Levine

A welcome entry to the club of media that, for structural reasons, cannot be spoiled at all without ruining the experience.

Never Rarely Sometime Always - Eliza Hittman

An emotionally charged narrative of a teenager who travels to New York to get an abortion. Some of the best young acting I’ve seen in a long time powered by a screenplay that provides just the right amount of framing around incredibly sensitive topics.