Just to note: these are the best pieces of media I consumed and wrote about in 2021 regardless of the year they were actually released/published/spawned.
Books:
Best Nonfiction
This one was kinda tough because I read some really interesting nonfiction books this year, but this is the one that stuck with me the most (probably due to the shrimp). Full review link:
The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr
Best Fiction That Made A Janice Throw It Against The Wall In A Fit Of Rage
No-brainer here. I loved this book for reasons I explain in the review, but it was highly controversial among other Janices. Full review link:
Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko
Best Airplane Read
Another tough category because I’ve read a fair amount of well-written trash this year, but I’d say this one was the page turniest of all. Full review link:
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine (and the equally page turny sequel here Killman Creek (Stillhouse Lake #2) by Rachel Caine)
Fav Book Of The Year
I explain in the review the specific reasons why I responded to this book the way I did but the tl;dr is that the minute I finished, I needed to discuss it and to me that’s peak book. Full review link:
TV/Streaming:
Best Overlooked Comedy Series
I feel like no one watched this show but me but I basically laughed my ass off the whole time which is not my normal reaction to this kind of cringe comedy (normal reaction being to DNF). Full review link:
Best Overlooked Nonfiction/I’m-Not-Sure-Of-The-Genre-Exactly Series
I’m calling this overlooked because while non-Janice reviewers also seem to love it, I haven’t actually met a single human being (or otherwise) who’s seen it. It was not initially clear how good it was and then it just became great. Full review link:
Best Overlooked Drama Series With Strippers
Again, I know no one who watched this show, but I thought it was a really involving drama and unexpectedly so based on the subject matter and what I thought it was going to be about. Full review link:
Fav Series Of The Year
In the theme of overlooked, my favorite of the year turned out to be one I overlooked initially due to thinking I would hate it but was saved from that by a fellow Janice (spoiler alert from the review: my mom) who said I might like it and was so right. Full review link:
Movies:
Best WTF Is Going On In This Thing
I didn’t know what was going on, but I know I watched the whole thing. And still don’t know. But I was never bored and surely all of that deserves a nod. Full review link:
Best Drama Where The Ending Totally Went For It Maybe In A Bad Way? Or Not?
As demonstrated by the nonstop stream of complaining in prior Media Reports, most of the dramas I saw this year sucked, but this one stayed in my mind and makes filmic choices that would engender… opinions, preferably shared over a nice shiraz. Full review link:
Best Kate Becksindale Punching People In The Face Action Trash
Well, what can I say, I like watching people getting beaten by Kate Beckinsdale - sue me. I was amused by this film from beginning to end and have no complaints. Full review link:
Fav Movie(s) Of The Year
Without question, writing about the Marvel Universe movies has been so super fun for me that, even though they’re singularly terrible (though not as bad as The Star Wars Hendecagon), the (I think) unintended subtext, implicit sexism and racism, and incomprehensible plots have made them a total joy to watch, though admittedly not for the reasons anyone involved with making them meant. I’m delighted that I’m nowhere near done and the pleasures 2022 will hold! Full review links: