It’s End of the Year Recap Week! Join me as we review over 2016 and share the good, the bad and the funny. Each post will be a link-up for you to share your own thoughts, memories and faves. Choose one or join them all! Here is the line up…
Monday – 2016 Recap (Part 1): 2016 in 12 Photos (hashtag #2016in12photos)
Today – 2016 Recap (Part 2): Entertainment & Social Media Faves of the Year
Wednesday – 2016 Recap (Part 3): Top Posts of 2016
Thursday – 2016 Recap (Part 4): Lessons God Taught Me in 2016
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I love End of the Year recap posts that review the things we loved over the past twelve months. Today’s post is a just-for-fun post with all my entertainment faves of 2016.
PLEASE NOTE – The movies, shows or music listed here are simply things I enjoy but I am not necessarily recommending to you. Everyone has their own level of what they feel comfortable watching/listening to/reading, especially my Catholic readers. If it doesn’t seem like something you would enjoy, please skip it!!
My 5 Fave Books I Read in 2016
I logged in 30 books this year (in comparison to last year’s 12) and of my top 5 favorites, only one was published in 2016 so that gives it the #1 spot automatically.
#1
Life memoir by Dr. Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. His words were moving and thoughtful and by the time I reached the final epilogue by his wife, I was sobbing. Read my full review here.
#2
Gripping, edge of my seat, reading-way-too-late-in-the-night novel set in France 1939. Read my full review here.
#3
This was my first Moriarty book and what a page turner it was! I lost many hours of sleep trying to finish this book. Read my full review here.
#4
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This book was also set in WWII and was riveting and heartbreaking. Read my full review here.
#5
The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman
There is a lot of heartache and no Hallmark ending but the story pulled me in and had me questioning what I wanted to happen vs what should happen. Read my full review here.
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Honorable Mention
I’ve read 3 of Katherine’s books so far and this one is my favorite. (Read my full review here.)
My 5 Fave Movies of 2016
I have to admit that I love going to the movies but I spent years never walking into a theater when the kids were little. I just couldn’t get away or was too tired to try. But now that they are older, twice a month Brian lets me slip out of the house while he puts them to bed so I can unwind and get lost into another world for two hours.
Out of the 24 movies I watched this year, there were only a small handful that really moved me (#1-3 below.) For the 4th and 5th position I debated between a number of movies that I enjoyed (Light Between Oceans, Suicide Squad, Legend of Tarzan, Conjuring 2, Love & Friendship, Captain America, The Choice) but they weren’t “omgsh, I have to buy that when it is available so I can watch it again and again.” Since I had to choose for this post, these are my picks.
#1
Hacksaw Ridge
This war movie was surprisingly my favorite movie of the year. Although the graphic nature isn’t for everyone, Andrew Garfield did an excellent job portraying conscientious objector Desmond Doss who saved 75 men in Okinawa without firing a single shot. Doss’ conviction, strong faith and incredible heroism was truly amazing. (Rated R for graphic war violence.)
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#2
Rogue One
I am a sucker for Star Wars movies (as long as you don’t mention Jar Jar) but I had my doubts whether or not I’d like this stand alone installment. However, I was thoroughly satisfied with the story, action and heart of Rogue One. Star Wars has stolen my heart again. (Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action.)
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#3
The Jungle Book
I took Andrew to see this and I think I landed out enjoying it as much (if not more) as he did. The story was captivating and the special effects were enthralling. I was completely swept into the movie and it held my attention the entire time. It went beyond what I expected from a “kids” film. (Rated PG for some sequences of scary action and peril.)
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#4
Sully
I am fascinated by true stories that show characters dealing with over the top situations that would crush the average person. Are these people really above average or are they average people pushed to be great? Either way, Sully falls into that category of a seemingly regular guy accomplishing something incredible. (Rated PG-13 for some peril and brief strong language.)
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#5
?
I’m saving the #5 spot because there are still a couple more movies I’d like to see from 2016 including The Lion, Manchester by the Sea, Arrival, Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts. (For the record, I have never read or seen any of the Harry Potter books or movies. However, Bella and I decided we will be reading/seeing them over 2017. I’m looking forward to it.)
My 5 Fave New TV Shows of 2016
#1
Masterpiece
Masterpiece takes the top spot because 90% of the time, I absolutely love their programing. Favorites include the final season of Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Poldark (despite my anger at that storyline), Endeavor, Home Fires, Inspector Lewis, Wallander and more. These programs could have easily taken my top 5 spots had they all been shown in 2016.
#2
The Crown
Rivaling Masterpiece programming is The Crown. This biopic costume drama is amazing – the acting, costumes and cinematography are excellent. Definite fave.
#3
This Is Us
After the first episode of This Is Us, I was hooked. The show is well written, has great acting and is a constant emotional roller coaster. If you were a fan of Parenthood and don’t mind a touch of sap and moral lessons, you’d probably like this. I love it.
#4
Speechless
I find this quirky family show hilarious. The characters are well wounded with good qualities and faults and they deal with life’s difficulties in a humorous, honest and sometimes in an over the top irreverent way.
#5
(Tied)
Brian and I love a good thriller/mystery type show and while Designated Survivor is not perfect, it has kept our attention as we try to figure out who you can trust. Plus, it has Kiefer Sutherland. Enough said.
American Housewife won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I can’t help but laugh at the main characters sass and sometimes flawed persona. I think I can relate to her feeling like an odd man out since I’m a plus sized chips and salsa gal living in a skinny champagne and oyster town.
Last minute update: Brian and I just started watching the The Man from the High Castle and after two episodes I am enthralled. Plus I still have to watch Stranger Things. Those two make take a Top 5 Spot. 😉
My 10 Fave Songs of 2016
The Head and the Heart – All We Ever Knew
twenty one pilots – Heathens
Catfish and the Bottlemen – Soundcheck
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – Fire Escape
Green Day – Still Breathing
The Moth & The Flame – Red Flag
blink-182 – Bored To Death
The Joy Formidable – The Last Thing On My Mind
The Lumineers – Ophelia
Kaleo – Way Down We Go
Social Media
Anyone that knows me knows I also love social media! I love to post, tweet and gram all over the place. Here are your faves of my contributions.
My Top 9 Instagram Posts
My Most Liked Facebook Post
“Working on an upcoming Blessed Is She devotion. I love this ministry and feel honored to be a part of it. ❤️ #bissisterhood #biscontributer #projectblessed” (May 2016)
Most Popular Pinterest Pin
Well, I hoped you enjoyed that walk down memory lane. What were your faves of 2016? If you are a blogger, add your link below. (You can keep it much shorter than I did!) The link-up will be open until January 31. If you don’t blog, add your faves or recommendations I should check out in the comments. Thanks and see you back here tomorrow!
PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd, or Spotify, 😉
Are you ready to link up?? Here are the rules.
1. Create a post with your favorites.
2. Add a link back here so others can play along.
3. If you want to use the graphic, right click and save the image to your computer or copy the html into your blog’s html/text page.
<img class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-9337″ src=”http://revolutionoflove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo_year_end_enter.jpg” alt=”RevolutionofLove.com – logo_year_end_enter” width=”500″ height=”333″ />
4. Link up below. Make sure you’re sending us to your actual post, and not to your general blog address.
The link up will be active until January 31, 2017. Have fun! 🙂
Photo credit: My bro Rob
This month I completed a book you should have read in school. – 
…and a book published before you were born. – 
We don’t have snow here but I can handle a chilly day by the sea. 😉