Annotation:Simply put, this is one of the best rock albums ever released. It’s one of those rare albums that’s nearly perfect from the first song (the iconic “Teenage Riot”) to the last. Though it came out more than 20 years ago, it still sounds amazingly fresh. Sonic Youth’s raw, guitar-driven sound has influenced bands from Nirvana to Yo La Tengo, and Daydream Nation is the finest example of their originality and incredible talent.

Annotation:Young Molly Gibson is content with her life in a small village in 1830s England, living with her widower father, who serves as the local doctor. Dr. Gibson, however, sees that his daughter is blossoming into a woman, and decides she needs a mother in her life. Thus sweet Molly’s quiet existence is invaded by a ridiculous new stepmother and an enchanting but flighty stepsister, changing her life irrevocably. Based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell, this delightful BBC miniseries features fantastic performances from the likes of Michael Gambon, Francesca Annis, and Rosamund Pike.

Annotation:Without a doubt one of the best shows on TV now, or possibly ever. The antics of Charlie, Mac, Dennis, Dee, and Frank (“the gang”) make for some of the most hilarious TV moments in recent memory. So here’s the story: Charlie, Mac, and Dennis own a seedy Irish pub in South Philly. Dennis’ twin sister Dee works as the bartender. In season 2, Danny Devito is introduced as Dennis and Dee’s morally-challenged father, Frank. The gang’s bizarre adventures and flexible morality are reminiscent of Seinfeld, but ever so much funnier. Warning: this one’s not for the kiddies!

Annotation:This fantastic and original British coming-of-age novel revolves around Ruby Lennox, who begins narrating her life upon her conception in 1951(“I exist!”). The events of her family’s life in a small English town are filtered through Ruby’s hilariously snarky cynicism and childish naïveté. As she grows up, both she and the reader begin to understand the larger, darker issues behind her family’s irritating and often mysterious behavior. Charming, funny, and intriguing, this debut by one of my favorite authors is a must-read!

Annotation:You think 1967 was all hippies, peace, and love? This debut album by one of the most iconic bands in rock & roll proves otherwise. Great pop melodies tempered by Nico’s uniquely mournful voice (along with the slowing effects of heroin) give the album a lovely, dream-like quality that is melancholy and moody but somehow still catchy. Though not a commercial success when it was released, it has since been recognized as one of the most influential albums of all time, having planted the seed that would grow into the later movements of punk rock, art rock, and indie rock.

Annotation:Fascinating, irritating, passionate, and always scandalous, Georgiana Spencer was worshipped by some and vilified by others. This biography by Amanda Foreman, on which the film The Duchess was based, delves deeply into Georgiana’s world to present a full picture of a woman whose life was filled with both incredible luxury and heartbreaking pain. On one hand, she was the leader of the most fashionable set in London, much admired and copied, with a giddy lifestyle full of parties, flirting, and gambling. On the other, she was passionate about politics, supporting the Whig party with speeches and actions that scandalized England. And this was just her outward persona. Inwardly, she was bereaved by miscarriages and her husband’s infidelities (most famously with her best friend), as well as a crippling gambling addiction that nearly ruined her. Don’t just watch the movie – it barely scratches the surface of a most eventful and intriguing life.

Annotation:One of the best books I’ve read this year, The Elegance of the Hedgehog takes place in a luxury apartment building in Paris. It is narrated in turns by Renee, the concierge, and Paloma, a 12-year-old resident. On the surface, Renee is your stereotypical ignorant peasant, buying cheap meat from the butcher and watching TV in the evenings. In truth, she is a remarkably intelligent autodidact with a penchant for gourmet food and an intense appreciation for books and beauty. Paloma is another hidden genius, alienated from her family and with no real friends, who has decided that adulthood is worse than death, and so plans to kill herself before she turns 13. They are both so sure that they have the world and everyone in it pegged, until a Japanese gentleman moves into the building and broadens their horizons. A bit unrealistic, and sappy toward the end, as suits a modern fairy tale such as this, but it is beautifully written and often very funny.

Annotation:Wes Anderson is my favorite director, and this is his best work. I love the story, the characters, the aesthetic, the soundtrack, pretty much everything about it. The children of Royal and Etheline Tenenbaum (portrayed by Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston) were once prodigies – Chas (Ben Stiller) has “an almost preternatural understanding of international finance,” Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), the adopted daughter, is a playwright, and Richie (Luke Wilson) is a top-seeded tennis player. In the 20 years since the separation of their parents, the “geniuses” have failed to live up to expectations. Royal, who hasn’t spoken to anyone in his family for three years, finds himself broke and kicked out of his hotel. A need for a place to stay, and the desire to prevent his not-quite-ex-wife from marrying her accountant, inspires him to tell his family that he is dying. Richie invites him home, and the estranged family is under the same roof for the first time in two decades. This Salinger-esque tale, heavily influenced by French cinema of the 1960s, features amazing performances by the main cast as well as the supporting cast, which includes Bill Murray, Danny Glover, Owen Wilson, Seymour Cassel, and Kumar Pallana. The soundtrack, with songs from Nico, the Rolling Stones, Nick Drake, and the Ramones, among others, illustrates Anderson’s gift for choosing the perfect song to complement a scene. Altogether a nearly perfect film.

Annotation:If you love the book (or are too busy/lazy to read it), I highly recommend this 1996 miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. This five-hour adaptation is much more faithful to the book than the more recent Keira Knightley version. The sexual tension only hinted at in the book is played up to marvelous effect, especially the hot Mr. Darcy fresh-from-the-water scene!