We’re talking books, albums, and concerts since that’s what makes up the most of the rest of my time!
BOOKS
Cut & Run – The start of this nine part series was just what I was looking for earlier this year. Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are FBI agents begrudgingly paired up on a case in New York where they both almost end up dead. Through all of their initial hatred they find desire and the most perfect relationship ensues. They’ve both got some messy pasts, but it’s clear they are better together than apart. I kind of wish I would have spread this series out over another year, but still, I can’t deny loving these.
The Killing Code – Ellie Marney has proved herself again to be an extremely unique writer. This time instead of tackling Hannibal-like teen murderers, she’s instead going back to World War II where women were being utilized as code breakers. Kit gets herself into this cushy job by assuming the identity of her late friend and patient. Her true identity is at risk when some of the women turn up gruesomely dead. It’s up to Kit and her boss/new girlfriend Moya to try and figure out who the killer is before another code breaker ends up dead.
I Was a Teenage Slasher – This was a wholly unique take on the horror genre that I’ve never come across before. The book is told from a serial killer’s perspective. He goes back to tell us how he became how he currently is, which involves some fun supernatural elements, but he also tells us again and again to not be sympathetic to him. He just wants to explain himself and keep a record before he hopefully gets taken out by his final girl. I loved the twist at the end of this novel, which was enough for me to forgive this goofy writing style that took me at least a hundred pages to get used to.
ALBUMS
There were so many K-Pop albums a part of my life this year, so that’s going to make up a pretty big chunk of this list.
ATEEZ
Treasure Ep.3: One to All – This mini album snuck in as the favorite for me because so many of the tracks are so damn infectious. This is perhaps some of ATEEZ’s most light and pop-sounding work, but I love what it accomplishes. “Aurora” is a track that cannot be missed.
Stray Kids
IN Life – There are plenty of strong tracks throughout Stray Kids’ extensive discography, but I probably listed to “Back Door” close to a hundred times in February. It still slaps.
MONSTA X
Fatal Love – MONSTA X were the first group to get me into K-Pop and that crown goes to the insanely good “Love Killa.” Not only is the song incredible, but the music video is a high quality homage to some of the greatest films out there.
OMEGA X
Iykyk – Coming in extremely late to the game doesn’t mean anything. This mini album is perfect from top to bottom, but nothing is as cool as their lead single, “Junk Food.” I dare you not to sing it after listening to it!
Phantogram
(Memory of a Day) – Finally Phantogram came back with a new album this year and it was so, so good! To me, this is a bit of a return to form and nothing made that more obvious to me than banger tracks, “It Wasn’t Meant to Be” and “Feedback Invisible.”
twenty one pilots
Clancy – Finally ending their saga of albums featuring the titular Clancy, this album goes down as one of the strongest of the bunch. Though almost every track on here is incredible, “Lavish” lends just enough silliness and catchiness to be stuck in your head for days.
Declan McKenna
What Happened to the Beach? – Almost a decade after he started making music, McKenna is back in peak form with this pleasing alt-rock masterpiece. Every song here is worthy of your time, but “Elevator Hum” gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.
CONCERTS
There were so many concerts this year, and plenty of festivals, so it’s hard to pick the cream of the crop, but I’ve tried.
All-American Rejects – seeing them for the first time at Four Chord Music Festival was a treat. They still kill it!
30 Seconds to Mars/AFI – 30STM put on a really fun set and sounded pretty dang good, but nothing beats having AFI open.
ATEEZ – I did my first solo travel to Chicago and met up with a fellow ATINY who has been showing me the ropes – unforgettable!
The Linda Lindas – what talent! These girls can rip, even in a junky venue in Cleveland.
twenty one pilots – it might have helped that I was sitting so dang close to that B-stage 🙂
Phantogram – front row for one of my favorite bands after so, so long? Can’t be beat!