Welcome to this year’s best-of lists!

With regard to books, I didn’t read as much this year as last and didn’t love as many books either. Nonetheless, I was completely awestruck by the Little Flower’s autobiography (Story of a Soul) – a true spiritual masterpiece in my opinion and one that elicited all sorts of consolation in me. I thoroughly enjoyed Joshua Cohen’s remarkable wit, erudition, and mastery of language in “The Netanyahus.” And although they didn’t make my “best of the year” in fiction, I appreciated Katherena Vermette’s two novels especially given the fact that they are Winnipeg stories through and through.

This was another good year for television and I am continually grateful for The Guardian’s excellent reviews and recommendations, many series of which featured in my list below. The Sixth Commandment was a beautiful if not gruelling piece of television – burrowing into you slowly like the turning of a screw. Although not released this year, Severance and Blackbird were two Apple TV+ offerings I hadn’t seen before and which were breathtaking. I also enjoyed the sci-fi world and thrill of Silo (also on Apple TV) and having never read the books, eagerly waited for disclosures and revelations in subsequent episodes. It will be a fun one (I hope) to return to in the second season.

I was also grateful for the five records in the music list below, two of which (Youth Lagoon and Braid) were lucky finds at a record store on the last day of summer holidays. I have loved Sufjan ever since university and although Javelin isn’t my favourite record of his, his musical dexterity and ear for melody are consistently marvellous and this album is no exception. That plus the ongoing medical challenges which prevented promotion of the album and grief over the loss of his partner earlier this year made Javelin all the more moving for me.

I always enjoy hearing what other people liked and receiving recommendations as well, so please feel free to share in the comments below! Happy New Year!

Previous Lists

2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2013 (Film) | 2012 | 2011

Books

Best in Contemplative/Autobiography: Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux: ~ St. Therese of Lisieux

Best in Ignatian Spirituality: Personal Writings ~ Ignatius of Loyola

Best in Literature: The Netanyahus ~ Joshua Cohen

Best in Non-Fiction: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation ~ Kristin Kobes Du Mez

The Complete List

A Autobiography
C Contemplative
E Emotional Dynamics
I  Ignatian Spirituality
L Literature
P Pastoral
P Poetry
T Theology

1 Classic
2 Liturgy
3 Spiritual Direction
4 Spiritual Formation

  1. The Break ~ Katherena Vermette (Jan. 17, 2023) *2016 Governor General’s Literary Award* L
  2. The Strangers ~ Katherena Vermette (Jan. 31, 2023) L
  3. The Netanyahus ~ Joshua Cohen (Feb. 11, 2023) *2022 Pulitzer Prize (Fiction)* L
  4. The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux ~ St. Therese of Lisieux (Feb. 17, 2023) C 1,4,3
  5. Seven Empty Houses ~ Samantha Schweblin (Mar. 6, 2023) *2022 National Book Award for Translated Literature* L
  6. With Those Who Weep: A Theology of Tears ~ S.A Morrison (Mar. 13, 2023) E 4
  7. The Lighter, the Darker ~ Westin Isaiah Koa Hess (Mar. 26, 2023) P
  8. Personal Writings ~ Ignatius of Loyola (Apr. 1, 2023) I A C P 1, 3, 4
  9. The Paschal Mystery: Reflections for Lent and Easter ~ Ed. Matthew Becklo (Apr. 12, 2023) 2, 4
  10. The Holy Hour: Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration ~ Ed. Matthew Becklo (May 8, 2023) 2, 4
  11. The Way of Letting Go: One Woman’s Walk toward Forgiveness ~ Wilma Derksen (May 8, 2023) A E
  12. Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation ~ Kristin Kobes Du Mez (May 30, 2023) 
  13. Animal Farm ~ George Orwell (June 2, 2023) L 1
  14. Spiritual Directory of St. Francis de Sales: Reflections for the Laity ~ Lewis S. Fiorelli (June 3, 2023) C P 1, 4
  15. Intimacy with God ~ Thomas Keating (June 13, 2023) C 4
  16. The Essential Wisdom of the Saints ~ Ed. Carol Kelly-Gangi (June 17, 2023) C 4
  17. Happiness through Prayer ~ Karl Rahner (June 26, 2023) I 4
  18. The Rabbit Hutch ~ Tess Gunty (August 5, 2023) *2022 National Book Award* L
  19. Wool ~ Hugh Howey (August 19, 2023) L
  20. Sixties Girl ~ MaryLou Driedger (August 31, 2023) L
  21. Interior Freedom ~ Jacques Philippe (September 11, 2023) C 4
  22. A Retreat with Patrick: Discovering God in All ~ Timothy Joyce (October 8, 2023)  
  23. Soul Making: The Way of Desert Spirituality ~ Alan Jones (December 1, 2023) C
  24. Advent: The Season of Hope ~ Tish Harrison Warren (Dec. 30, 2023) P T 4

Television

  1. The Sixth Commandment
  2. Severance
  3. Blackbird
  4. Happy Valley (s3)
  5. Silo (s1)
  6. Top Boy (s3 – s5)
  7. Beef
  8. The Bear (s2)
  9. Fleishman is in Trouble
  10. Blue Lights (s1)
  11. Colin from Accounts
  12. Beckham
  13. The Last of Us (s1)

Music

  1. Sufjan Stevens “Javelin”
  2. Youth Lagoon “Heaven is a Junkyard”
  3. Julie Byrne “The Greater Wings”
  4. Slowdive “Everything is Alive”
  5. Braid “Frame and Canvas 25th Anniversary Reissue”
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