novels 
The past year has been filled with incredible (and some not so incredible...) works of literature. Three of my all-time favourite authors released relatively new works into our world, and three of them I truly want to call the Best of 2008.
The first is
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. As the third and final book of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, this book summed up a lot of questions that were posed during the first and second novels. Though it was ridiculously long and quite heavy to drag back and forth to school, it was an impressive (and hilarious) finish that takes serious fantasy mixed with intelligent wit and history. A great way to travel back to the Young Adult section of the book store, and definetly has a treasured place.
Second is
Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje (author of the celebrated
The English Patient). This novel completely summed up all his other books and linked each character together,
piece by piece. Ondaatje's writing completely takes the world by force and introduces to us a new stylistic form of literature.
Finally,
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coehlo. This novel definetly was a bit of a switch from Coehlo's dreary style (if anyone has trudged through
The Alchemist, you probably get my drift) and really introduced a more spiritual side towards life. I really did enjoy this novel, and this novel - along with Ondaatje's
Divisadero - have both changed my writing immensely.
music 
This year was full of incredible artists. No, I'm not talking about crappy comebacks by Britney Spears - I'm talking about artists that have both emerged into the crowd as young, fresh artists and also those who've stayed on the top charts for awhile.
The first one is definetly ranked one of my most favourite bands of my life - Epik High. I could go on and on about how much I love this band and worship all three members, but that would be a
waste of space. So point is, they have really blended together Korean Pop (K-Pop) and American Hip-Hop. Their mini-album
Lovescream was fantastic and a great change from their typical moody singing by introducing rap in All-English with great, addictive tunes that come from a diverse range of instruments. Definetly a band to keep watching as time rolls on. Oh,
and of course, I own almost all six CDs - what an addiction!
Second of all is Sara Bareilles, who I've grown fond of. I really did have "Love Song" when it came out, but returning to it nearly a year or two later has really made me come to love this hit. Also, she has some great works out - "Gravity" (one of my all-time favourites), "Many the Miles" (a little upbeat, but definetly Bareilles' style), and "Bottle It Up" (the first line "all the girls across this nation will eat this up" got me hung onto it). Her voice is very unique and powerful, and I use her music when writing.
OneRepublic started off really small with Timbaland's remake of "Apologize", but then I did some research and found the original version of "Apologize" - a complete and different change from the remake. I really thought that OneRepublic was able to come out with some incredible songs that include not only pop-ish techno sounds, but also somewhat powerful singing and slow, orchestrated beats. Definetly a band to keep watching
in the future.
Anna Nalick hasn't really done much except her new hit, "Shine" - which is quite addictive. Her voice is a little moody and daydream-ish, which is why I listen to her whilst writing. Also, her lyrics are relevant and powerful as her voice. Kind of hanging down on it low, but still definetly a favourite.
Emmanuel Moire came to me through Caroline, who sent me his hit "Je Fais de Toi Mon Essentiel" off the French musical, Le Rei Soleil. His voice is really powerful and it's just that perfect sound that you want to hear. It's definetly a song I listen to whilst writing. But not only has he become famous in musical, lyrical singing but also through his pop-ish singing. I really do love his hits "La Ou Je Pars" and "Ca Me Fait du Bien" - and though I can't speak French (not understand much of it), it's really powerful singing and kind of brings that unified sense that music unites us all.
movies 
Besides rewatching
Harry Potter 5 about a trazillion times, not a lot of movies that interested me much came out this year. I avoided
The Dark Knight like the Black Plague and refused to watch
I Am Legend. Instead, I opted out to three movies:
Twilight,
My Blueberry Nights, and
Prince Caspian.
Twilight is still a shitty book - just to put that out there. It puts the name of love and humanity to shame, and Meyer's writing makes me recieve brain hemmorhages for every word I read. However, Kristen Stewart put some rights to this movie and played the "I don't need you, so back off, jerk." moments for the first 30 minutes of the movie pretty well. (After that, it went all downhill. "Oh Edward, save me!" Yeah, Edward, learn to stop being a sissy first and be a MAN for god's sake!) - anyhoo, and Ashley Greene emerged as a fantastic actress with her spunky character of Alice. The graphics and realistic sense of this movie was terrific, but it lacked some "umph!" which I sorely hope they put into
New Moon when it comes out (after I graduate, hah!) But until then, this may be sitting in my hard drive for a long time...
My Blueberry Nights is an adorable movie, I must admit! Norah Jones, Jude Law, and Natalie Portman all do a fantastic job portraying this small-town slash big-world, self-discovery tale. And of course, makes me crave pie like a madman. Very quirky, very indie - this absolutely made my winter break fantabulous.
Prince Caspian had just great effects - and Ben Barnes (yes, that little eye candy who I fainted after he said, "I am Prince Caspian.") Point is, they really did justice to the novels and kept it really similiar to the actual thing. However, that Susan/Caspian thing - might be cute and quirky and whatever else you want to call it, but it just didn't fit the book. Otherwise, great movie -a must-see if you are a fan of CS Lewis' works, and a great movie to watch any time of the day. The soundtrack is fantabulous as well - worth buying, I swear.
Okay, so I ran out of time to watch TV this year. But there were some extremely incredible TV shows that emerged through the surface - and no, that does not mean "Gossip Girls" - I watched two seconds of that crap and almost fainted from its blasphemy. But either way, here's the list.
"Prison Break" finally emerged as a great, action-packed tv show that I adore watching. It hangs off too much sometimes, but it's somewhat realistic yet somewhat just all there for the adrenaline rush. But no matter - great acting, great action, great action, and of course - great action. Sara Wayne Callies makes a great comeback as Dr. Sara Trancredi and plays a huge part in the story. Not to mention Lincoln and Michael show some change in heart - and on top of that, sprinkle a few temporary characters who know how to inflict pain but really bring some character change. Oh, and of course, Gretchen's little surprise.
"Bones" turned out to be something I watched whenever I had break over the weekdays - I know, pathetic. But the point is that it's really developing its own little spunk, and I do love Bones for her character. Booth is also good, but Bones always seems to trump him - perhaps that's just me. Angela - Amielle and Khy, I can now see why you call me her - and Josh (or was it Jack - I'm bad with names) all are great comebacks and have strong roles - definetly love that show now.
"Robin Hood" is just a bastard, and we all know it. Either that, or BBC is a bastard. But even though Marian got stabbed with a knife by Guy (what an asshole - and no, this is not a spoiler. You had nearly half a year to watch Season 2 - get with the program) and most likely died, this show was actually good for Season 2. Sheriff came out to be a really witty character, Guy was moody (and leather-ish as ever), Robin and Marian's chemistry was there, Djaq was kickass, Will is the shit, etc etc. Now, all we have to do is anticipate the release of Season 3...
people 
Now is not the best time to argue why I put women in front of men - yes, feminism power! (:
Anyhoo, three women have truly impacted all of us this year, from both showing us their developments in acting to showing their dedication to the world and to emerging as fresh actresses. Here's a little brief blurb:
Natalie Portman - as always - has shown to the world her dedication through FINCA and demonstrating the power of people through unity to fight against poverty in the poorest regions of the world. Not only that, but she has appeared in some amazing movies - though to a lesser extent - and was a judge at the Cannes Film Festival - mind you, the youngest one. Her brain power and her social/acting power both have the ability to move emotions as well as show the world that she is ready to face it head-on. What kind of woman wouldn't you want to idolize then - if it's not Natalie?
Kristen Stewart emerged this year as a talented actress - not that I didn't know that. She really matured over this course of time and is tackling roles that are beyond her years. I don't really adore her fashion - some of it, I do - but I admire her the most for her spunk and her willingness to be different from the crowd. She is not like the other actresses who wear beautiful, fashion-labeled dresses to awards - instead, she wears outstanding clothing and outstanding make up that puts her above others on a different scale of personality. This year, she may be emerging as a young woman, but she still has that teenage rebellion - and that's the thing I adore about her the most.
Lucy Griffith emerged as a star actress after "Robin Hood" - since she is now filming "U Be Dead" and some other show with some road accident, she may be gone for forever. NOT THE POINT. Her acting is original and she portrays the role of Marian quite well. I'm excited to see what she'll bring in the future - whether she apears has a ghost in "Robin Hood" or just plain be herself in another show.
Barack Obama is OUTSTANDING - and well, we all know that. He's shown us that it is time for CHANGE in the way we all live, and he's to become one of the most powerful man in the world as well as the first President who is not of the White race. He knows what he's talking about and has conviction, which is probably the drive behind his determination to change. But change takes awhile - but as long as Obama is sitting in that seat in the Oval Office, we can get a head start to change.
Jonas Armstrong - though an asshole for leaving "Robin Hood" after Season 3 is over - has emerged as a fantabulous actor. Not only has he done some great work with "Robin Hood", but also his other TV shows that he's starred in. His philantrophic work is valued by many, and he's definetly on a way to a great career.
Josh Groban - Joshy Poshy Grobashy - gah, I want to marry him for that hair. But no matter - he made a brief comeback with the release of his new CD - which I saw in the store the other day and squealed over while my friend asked me, "Who the fuck is Josh Groban?" - but point is, he has always given something to us and taken not much back. He's witty and extremely talented - and it's now up to the future to tell us how this man will tackle his musical career.
