It’s been a while since I put together a Faves of the Year list so I thought this was a good time to bring it back. If I’m tracking everything I’m consuming, might as well put that data to good use! To kick things off, I’m starting with TV. I made a Top 10 with some Honourable Mentions underneath that didn’t quite make the cut. Everything on this list is a show that aired in 2022. Aside from being on the list itself, they’re just in alphabetical order.
Read on…
Fave TV:
- The Afterparty (Apple TV+) – I think it’s safe to say that I am a Christopher Miller stan. I don’t think there’s anything that him or Phil Lord have created that I haven’t absolutely adored…and that definitely applies here. The Afterparty was something I went into fairly blind and wound up loving from start to finish. A well-crafted whodunnit with a stellar cast and comedy chops to round out the dark murder-ey component to the show. Sam Richardson is fantastic as is everyone else who each brings something unique and exciting to their respective characters.
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+) – Another murder-ey show! Bad Sisters is the story of four sister who are desperate to save their fifth sister from an awful marriage. We go back and forth between the present and past as we navigate various POVs to unravel the mystery. Everyone is excellent in the series with standout performances from Sharon Horgan, Anne-Marie Duff, and Sarah Greene. While I think I’d prefer the show to stay a limited series, I’m intrigued to know where they’ll potentially go with it from here (and will definitely watch!)- Euphoria (HBO/Crave) – What can I say about Euphoria that hasn’t already been said? It feels like a show that was created for young fans of Skins that grew up and wanted something even edgier. Which describes me…minus the edgier part. I could watch seasons of Skins for always and it’s not a light and fluffy watch as is, but Euphoria is somehow moreso. Anyways, the second season is great and as many others have pointed out, Sydney Sweeney is such a bright shining star, as is obviously Zendaya.
- Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Prime) – This was maybe my favourite feel-good reality show this year. And I watched a lot of reality TV. But it’s the way that Lizzo broke the rules of a competition show that did it for me. Not wanting to eliminate dancers unless it was necessary and willing to have multiple winners in this season felt like such a strong, positive message. You know, along with the strong, positive messages conveyed throughout the entirety of the show. Lizzo is an icon and a legend.
- Minx (HBO/Crave) – It’s been a hot minute since I’ve watched this and I truly forgot that it came out in 2022 (what a year!) but what a great show. You can’t go wrong with Jake Johnson and then Ophelia Lovibond does such a great job at bringing exactly the right energy to her role. She bounces off of Johnson so well and the two have great chemistry together. I loved seeing a show focused on the female gaze and the efforts of the characters as they try to navigate their magazine and audiences.
- Ms. Marvel (Disney+) – Ms. Marvel was one of the comics that seismically shifted the current industry landscape. Sana Amanet, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, and the entire team created a series so compelling that it became an international sensation. It’s no surprise that they brought that magic to the silver screen! Similar to some thoughts I had RE: She-Hulk (along the lines of pacing, episode count, etc.) it had a few problems overall. But the greater enjoyment of the show and the impact that it has had outweighs any qualms I have. Iman Vellani is endlessly charming and charismatic in the role, even when she’s being a very typical young teen. A brilliant show that (also like She-Hulk) has something to say.
Our Flag Means Death (HBO/Crave) – I’m on a rewatch of this show currently and continuing to love every moment of it. The first episode didn’t initially pull me in and capture me, but my friend told me to push on and I’m so glad I did. Pirates! Shenanigans! Kissing! It’s everything I could possibly want and more. It’s funny and endearing, all while having a great story to round out everything going on.- Peacemaker (HBO/Crave) – After Suicide Squad, I was not at all interested in a series about Peacemaker. It just didn’t seem necessary or something that I would wind up really meshing with. But similarly to OFMD, people kept talking about it and my curiosity was piqued. The first episode didn’t grab me but then all of a sudden, I was invested. The music, the vibes, the characters, and the acting…it’s all such a joy! I definitely didn’t anticipate it being one of my faves of the year either, but here we are. What a well-crafted series with a cast that is ridiculously likable, even when they’re not.
- Sandman (Netflix) – I’ve never read the comics but decided to dive into the series and hoped that it would still be enjoyable…and it was! The cast is phenomenal and while I have nothing to compare it to in terms of source to adaptation, I think that it does a really fantastic job of pairing down the ideas in the original and bringing them to our TV screens. I’m sure lots of other people have thoughts specifically on how it translates but my opinion based solely on the show is that it was incredible, compelling, and very enjoyable overall.
- Severance (Apple TV+) – Last but not least on the list is Severance. Like many others, I was absolutely captivated by this series and horrified by it at the same time. While it doesn’t necessarily present as a horror show—I’d say more sci-fi/thriller vibes—it still has this deeply embedded horror component to it in showing us one of the worst versions of what an even worse capitalist society could look like. Not to say that our current world isn’t already that…but the ideas presented in Severance show us something that feels eerily plausible and terrifying as we try to figure out what’s going on and get to the bottom of things.
Honourable Mentions:
- The Bear (Disney+) – I recognize that this show is incredible. Great story, brilliant acting, and just an all-around stellar season. However, it gave me so much anxiety to watch that I don’t know that I’d necessarily call it a fave. So I’ve put it in honourable mentions here because it still deserves all the acclaim.
- Heartstopper (Netflix) – While I did love this show and it (like Euphoria) felt like Skins in all the right ways, it just didn’t quite break into the Top 10. It’s so heartwarming though, and the cast is truly special here as they tell a story that is sure to resonate with many a young person going through similar things.
- What We Do in the Shadows (Disney+) – I love WWDITS. Like, a lot. But this season—while still great—has to be my least fave of the series so far. It’s hard because the others are so strong and it’s nearly impossible to keep up that level of quality, especially in a comedy. The characters and situations they get in continue to be brilliant, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. At least not enough to make it into the Top 10.
And that’s it for my TV Top 10. The streaming services in brackets are for Canada, so if that’s not the place it streams for you…well, take that up with Canada.
What shows are in your Top TV lists? Let me know in the comments or say hello over on social media!
This is my first or maybe second time writing a big update like this as a part of blogletter. You know, in lieu of me doing the thing everyone else is doing and making a newsletter. It’s one or the other and I’d rather have a home base here…where I already have a home base. As everyone flees Twitter and tries to find a new home for their thoughts and ramblings.
I’m in that mix too and for the last month, I’ve been filled with dread as I try to wait things out. The downfall of Twitter seems imminent with it only being a matter of time until it shutters its doors. And after spending over a decade finding my friends, peers, and audiences there, I’m truly sad that it’s potentially ending like this. I don’t want to lament it more but it’s a monumental blow to a lot of creators and creatives out there, so I’ll continue to post here, if anyone wants to follow along.
Like everyone else, sometimes I have a lot of updates…and sometimes I don’t. I have a few fun things to share though, so I’ll dive in and elaborate on what’s what. Let’s go!
Support HCP Union – If you haven’t heard already, the employees of Harper Collins are on strike. As an author, I wholeheartedly support the union and employees fighting for what they deserve. They’re burnt out and underpaid and they need to be fairly compensated for the work they do. My own books as well as the books of every other author out there wouldn’t exist without these hardworking employees. Learn more about their strike by visiting their Twitter page. If you have the means, donate to help them pay the employees who are currently not receiving a paycheque.- WWAC – I’ve joined the Women Write About Comics team as a part-time contributor. I probably won’t have the capacity for a ton of content there but I really missed sharing my thoughts and recs. You’ll be able to find out more about what I’m doing there soon so stay tuned.
- Editing – Aside from a few projects that I’ll stay on for indefinitely, I’m taking a step back from editing to prioritize and focus on my writing. I love editing and I’ll likely come back to it at some point, but for now, I need to balance the scales a bit better. The latter half of this year really burned me out with my editorial work so understanding that and figuring out my needs is really important to me as I go into 2023. I hope I get to work with many more creators and on a ton of different projects…but after a much-needed break. I worked on 14-15 stories this year as an editor and I’m so proud (you’ll hear more about all of those soon).
- Animal Rescue Friends Tales – Speaking of things you’ll be hearing more about, another one of my ARF Tales is out in the world now! If you missed it, I’ve been working with Epic Originals to curate and edit a line of short stories in their Animal Rescue Friends series. Two that I worked on are out—Rats Are Good Pets, Too and Tripod Trouble—and they’ve been such a joy to be a part of. More to come soon!
And if you missed it, I’ve put together my roundups for the previous month(s). Check out what I watched here and what I read here. You can also check out my roundups of Fave Things of 2022 as they’re released throughout the month. Stay tuned!
With the holidays upon us, as I wind down this update, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. I hope it’s everything you want it to be and more! As we wrap up this year and move into the next, I’m sending you all the best vibes for happiness, joy, and success.
Last but not least, as the beginning of this blogletter indicated, I’ve migrated to a few places while I try to figure out which one sticks. In every case (Hive, Mastodon, Cohost, Pillowfort, and Tumblr), my username is simply “hellocookie” which is my go-to in most places. Find me there and let’s be pals!
And that’s a wrap! Next time you hear from me on here, it’ll (probably) be 2023…you know, pending any major updates to share. Take care of yourselves and be kind to others.
Another month has flown by and we’re nearly at the end of the year. Will I manage to put together some Best Of lists? WHO KNOWS! But for now, we can talk about the things I read (comics and prose) and discuss those. Let’s dive right in:
- A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee – A sort of gothic dark academia story revolving around the mysterious death of our protagonists girlfriend during the prior semester at a prestigious boarding school. A month later and I’m still on the fence about this book and how I ultimately feel about it. So take that as you will.
- House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson – This is a sapphic romance thriller that feels like Dowry of Blood x The Favourite. Dark, delicious, and deeply captivating. An intriguing story that draws you in from start to finish.
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson – I don’t often read older books (I’m so hyperfocused on newer things usually) but I really wanted to read this and finally made time for it. All I can say is I get the hype now.
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – Okay, speaking of hype, this book had a lot of that…and in my honest opinion, it suffered from it. It’s not a bad book by any means but the fact that it was so talked about and well-reviewed raised my bar a bit too high. It’s a great look at sexism and feminism as well as motherhood, as a woman tries to define her own life rather than have it be centered around a man. I’m absolutely down with the themes, message, etc. but it didn’t envelop me like it did other people.
- The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V., Filipe Andrade, Inês Amaro, and AndWorld Design – “A guide to an extraordinary life after godhood”. A beautiful story about life and how death factors into our appreciation of it. Filipe Andrade is an artist that I first took notice of on his Captain Marvel run, like many others. He was one of the first artists I really remember breaking out of the modern “house style” for superheroes and changing things up. His work then was incredible and with time, has only gotten better. For Laila Starr, the character design and use of colour is nothing short of brilliant, with intricacies interwoven into every page. The way the pages are laid out and the use of panel space? Stunning. But the writing shines here too and Ram V. really delivers on a poignant tale that brings purpose and meaning to the page. Truly excellent storytelling on all fronts here. I think this would be a great “double feature” (if one can even really do that with books) paired with Daytripper.
- Saga Vol. 10 by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples – It genuinely floors me how good this book continues to be. After ten years, it still gets me right in the feels, makes me laugh, and I’m always along for the ride. Saga is, without a doubt, one of the best series of all-time.
- Stillwater, Vol. 1: Rage, Rage by Chip Zdarsky, Ramon K. Perez, Mike Spicer – I’m still mulling this one over a bit in my mind. It feels a bit like Chip’s take on the Image series Revival but what would happen if someone infiltrated the town and was trying to get to the root of what’s going on. I guess this won’t make much sense if you haven’t read Revival but anywhoo, like I said, still mulling over my thoughts.
And that’s it! I’ve spent most of the latter half of this month trying to work through a beast of a novel (not really…I’m just distracted and not making as much time for reading). So hopefully I’ll be able to hunker down this month and finish up a few things on the top of my TBR pile.
What have you been reading and enjoying?
I’ve once again slipped on my watch list and so I’ve decided to combine two months into one post. Prepare yourselves for a pile of thoughts!
- She-Hulk S1 – I never thought I’d live in an era where some of my fave weird She-Hulk stories would get adapted for the silver screen. But here we are! And with Tatiana Maslany, one of my fave actresses, no less. She-Hulk wasn’t without its flaws (I think largely with some pacing) but overall, it’s such a fun series that has something to say. And it breaks the Marvel mold and does something new and exciting! I ultimately really enjoyed it.
- Lord of the Rings S1 – On one hand, I loved this show and would’ve loved it no matter what cause Lord of the Rings. That being said, I did get pulled out of it from the parts that they directly took from the films—in trying to go too hard with the fan service. However, the performances were great, especially Morfydd Clark, who played Galadriel in the show.
- Bad Sisters S1 – My partner watched the pilot of this and told me that I would love this show. So we dove into it and sure enough, it’s incredible. Basically, it’s a family drama murder mystery revolving around the Most Hateable Man on TV. Truly. The writers made the worst man to ever exist, which I know is a bold claim. But watch and you’ll see. One of my faves of 2022.
- The Midnight Club – Basically a YA version of the spooky shows we’ve come to know Mike Flanagan for but this time paired up with Leah Fong. It feels a bit like Haunting of Hill House meets Are You Scared of the Dark? I’ll say that I liked it but didn’t love it. It had a lot of spooky things I was looking for during October though! So it scratched that itch for me.
- Tokyo Vice S1 – I was looking for a crime drama to watch so I checked this out and wasn’t disappointed. Well acted and a compelling story that revolves around a couple of expats who wind up in each other’s bubbles while also navigating the dangerous crime world in Japan.
- Severance S1 – I watched a couple of episodes of this a while back and fell off of it. Not because I wasn’t into it though. I’m not really sure why I didn’t finish it. BUT I restarted it recently with my partner and absolutely devoured it. Such an intense, dark, and intriguing premise for a truly sinister way that capitalism could further create a dystopian world.
- Shining Girls S1 – I’m a big fan of this book so I knew I needed to check out the series. I think it’s a really great adaptation although I think the book is ultimately better. The idea of a time-traveling serial killer is so intriguing and I think the one thing that the show struggles to do is make what’s happening a little more transparent to the viewer. I don’t recall if the book did that but it’s my one criticism overall but still super solid.
- Derry Girls S3 – What a perfect ending to this show. While the third and final season isn’t quite as funny as previous ones, it’s filled with heart. The endearing characters kept me pressing play and the finale brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.
- Bee and Puppycat S1 – God, what a great and absolutely bananas show. It’s something that’s right up my alley and I loved the original YouTube series so I was beyond happy to see it get a full season and release on Netflix. A DELIGHT.
Annnnnd I watched a ton of reality TV. There’s truly not much to say about it all, it’s something that I absolutely love to watch when my brain is mush (which is often). So here’s a list of some of the reality shows I checked out in the last two months…with Nailed It being my fave of the bunch.
- Nailed It S7
- Easy Bake Battle S1
- Love is Blind S3
- Great Canadian Baking Show S6
- The Mole S1
- RuPaul’s Drag Race UK S4
I watched a lot more reality TV (from the 90DF universe) but decided not to include it here cause the summary for it all is just “I love mess.”
What have you been watching and enjoying?
