Year’s end lists generate a great deal of ambivalence, at least for me. “Best of” lists are useful, but, for novels or television, frustrating. Catching up is impossible, and the pleasure of reading someone else’s list of the best to offer from the last twelve months is generally vicarious. It’s nice that someone gets to read/watch these wonderful things! “Best music of the year” lists are much more enjoyable (here’s Erik Loomis’s eclectic, very knowledgeable list at Lawyers, Guns, and Money). I can catch up much more quickly, and the joy of discovery outweighs any lingering shame that I am Read more