16059 top_5_lists

2008 top 5 lists. enjoy...

Songs

1) A Milli Lil' Wayne
disclaimer: this song is totally inappropriate and vulgar. lil' wayne seems determined to do whatever it takes to ruffle feathers. but i feel compelled to make this song my number 1 for '08 (even if my wife thinks less of me) for the following reasons...a lot has been said recently about america entering a "post-racial" society (see the election of barak obama). progress has been made, sure, but we have a long way to go (witness several of my stories from conversations with my junior counselors at camp this summer). after hearing some of those stories the appeal of a lil' wayne makes a lot more sense...wayne is more punk rock than any rock band of the last ten years...finally, lil' wayne (and this song in particular) has been an ubiquitous presence during my six months in boston. i in no way endorse this song a something good and worth purchasing, but he is much easier for me to understand now than six months ago and that sort of learning is a major theme of the second half of my year.
2) The '59 Sound The Gaslight Anthem
asks the timeless question: what song will you hear when you die? more importantly it's just a great rock n' roll song.
3) Skinny Love Bon Iver
from a very quiet and very beautiful album (for emma, forever ago). a wonderful song on it's own and a great example of this band's sound.
4) Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love Coldplay
Coldplay did an interesting thing on their newest album (Viva La Vida). they smashed 15 songs into eleven tracks. this is the best example of that...a huge sound melded with an intimate moment...Coldplay is the best band at making you feel like you are in a movie.
5) Cath... Death Cab for Cutie
i love this song for one reason: the electric guitar sound (especially in the intro) is about the most perfect guitar sound i can imagine. it just sounds so pure and awesome...
Honorable Mention: Singalong by Phil Wickham
i always thought Dashboard Confessional's Unplugged album was what secular "worship" would sound like. Phil Wickham's Singalong is what Dashboard in a church would sound like...i loved it, thank you Phil.

Books (required reading)

1) A Community Called Atonement Scot McKnight
essentially this is a book that examines various atonement theories throughout theology and then proposes one that is "relevant" for today's emerging theologians and church practitioners. however, it really could be called "how to be a Christian." i could go on and on about how excellent this book is, but i think you should just read it. and then maybe read it again.
2) Tell It Slant Eugene Peterson
peterson continues to hit home runs with his "spiritual conversations" books. fresh perspectives on language, the book of Luke, and prayer. you can't go wrong with this if you are looking for something to provoke your thinking and breathe life into your praying.
3) Jesus for President Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw and Jesus Wants to Save Christians Rob Bell and Don Colden
essentially these are the same book but they go about the theme in very different ways...the theme being that christians, not government or politicians or policies, need to be the change we want to see (wait, didn't Gandhi say that?). anyway, they make strong cases against the church aligning too closely with the power offered by empire and urge us to find a "third way" solution to the injustices we see in the world. very good stuff.
5) Wide Awake Erwin McManus
really this should be a top 4 list because i read a lot of marriage/get your sex life off to a good start books, and not too many church/leadership/theology books. so, erwin gets on the list, even though i feel like i've read this book three or four times, because he is an old favorite.

Books (non-required)

1) The Fortress of Solitude Jonathan Lethem
i've already written about this book here, but just to remind you it is now my second favorite novel of all time.
2) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie
funny and heart breaking...simply a great piece of writing.
3) The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. Carson Clayborne Ed.
i think i wore out several red pens marking this book up...should be essential reading for all.
4) Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich Mark Kreigel
one of the better biographies i've ever read. i had heard a little bit about "pistol" pete but i could not put this book down...a tragic tale, expertly told.
5) The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed our Culture John Battelle
i've talked about this before too, but again, as a reminder, this books tells a great story and also lays out a vision of the future that is both fascinating and scary. if you use a computer you should read this book!

Movies

I did not watch many movies this year...if you want to see a good top ten list see Willie's Blog. However, here a few movies that I did see and enjoyed:

1a) Juno
1b) Slumdog Millionare
i loved both of these movies...however juno i saw on the 4th day of 2008 and slumdog on 340th...so it's hard to say which i'd put first...both though will make you laugh and cry and celebrate the process of falling in love.
3) The Dark Knight
a good, but not great, movie (in my opinion). i saw it after it had been out for a while and lot of hype was already surrounding heath ledger's role in the film. he did not disappoint...one of, if not the most, creepy movie role of all time. i was disturbingly fascinated.
4) Gone Baby Gone
set in dorchester and raises many interesting questions about society. also, well directed, cast, and acted...what's not to love.
5) Cloverfield
one of the best theater watching movie experiences ever. i saw it twice and the second time did not disappoint. i hear they are making another one...i'll be there if they do!

Happy 2009 everyone! Peace