Songs of the Day: "Fur Stop Caring" & "I Wait For You" by Right Away, Great Captain!

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Today is the type of day where the air feels heavy and thick with with things unsaid and undone. The aggressively gray skies feel oppressive with unrained rain, yearning to deliver an unneeded baptism.
Today feels paused and unfinished. And these songs, hell, this whole album makes it ok.

"Fur Stop Caring" by Right Away, Great Captain!


"I Wait For You" by Right Away, Great Captain!

12 in 2012: TV

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The 12 in 2012 Series Continues!

12 in 2012: Best & Worst of What I'm Watching & What Everyone Else is Watching...

In January I took a trip back to my beloved Brooklyn {Shout-out to Becky for letting me crash at her place!} and all everyone was talking about was Downton Abbey. What the hell is Downton Abbey? Only the greatest show ever (according to all my much hipper friends) since, oh wait, the other show(s) I'm not watching that everyone loves. In the back of my mind I was thinking did I DVR Whitney?? Could it be that I have the worst taste in TV or are my friends secretly watching all my favorite shows too? Furthermore I have the same reaction when I hear people aren't watching Portlandia- c'mon! So this blog is a look at what I'm watching from the awesome to the awesomely shameful and what everyone else is watching that I find equally awesome and shameful.

Everyone should be watching...

1. (Tie)

1. (Tie)

Could I have picked more different shows for my number 1 spot? If you need an excuse to watch either of these... Fred Armisen even better than on SNL and, ladies, Jax. Nuff Said.

2. Top Chef

I watch my fair amount of contestant shows but TC is arguable one of the best ones- real talent, the judges aren't annoying, and the challenges are actually exciting to watch.

3. Modern Family

Who doesn't watch Modern Family?

4. How I Met Your Mother

HIMYM to us loyal followers- even though Lilly and Marshall moved to LI I'm still watching.

You May Want to Check Out...

5. Up All Night

I ADORE this show. For those of us heading towards our 30's or already there- this is our show.

6. The New Girl

I wanted to hate this show. I like Zooey okay but it's really the guys on this cast that have me checking in on this show.

7. 90210

Yes I know it's not everyones cup of tea but my BFF and I enjoy the fashion and sometimes the plot lines.

8. Once Upon A Time

I love the premise for this show- fairy tale characters sent to modern times- I keep it on my DVR list but its not my go-to show.

What I'm ashamed of watching (but still do!)...

9. The Bachelor

Yea... there's not much I can say about this except for I love to Watch!

11. Project Runway AllStars

So I'm usually a fan of PR but the All Stars seasons of shows just kind of suck.

12. Whitney

Yes. I know. Judge me. It's my guilty pleasure.

What Everyone Else Is Watching (or so they say)...

1. Downton Abbey

2. The Walking Dead

3.Boardwalk Empire

4. Game of Thrones

5. Breaking Bad

6. Mad Men

7. True Blood

8. Parks and Recreation

9. Glee

10. Smash

11. Homeland

12. The Voice

12 in 2012 Series: Most Anticipated Albums Part 2

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And now we continue our series we're calling the 12 in 2012. Our top 12 books/music/movies/[insert other awesome thing] to look forward to in 2012.

Today: Most Anticipated Albums! Part 2

Addi posted his here yesterday and by request, here's my version. As always we agree on about 2. -Stevie

12. The XX - Title TBD

Listologies has long been a fan of The XX, even when we feared that they had broken up for good. I'm hoping that this next album will A) be awesome B) not have one song played repeatedly over and over on the radio as if the rest of the album doesn't exist- yes I'm talking about "Crystalized" and yes I'm talking to you The End.

"Islands" {acoustic 2010}

11. The Fray - Scars & Stories

Yes I know, everyone and their kid sister listens to The Fray now but I still love them. They're like my guilty pop pleasure. I still love Cable Car and probably always will (and thank god its finally off the radio). By now you've probably heard their first single "Heartbeat" which is just okay for me but I'm digging this track so maybe it'll be promising afterall?

"The Fighter"

10. Ben Kweller - Go Fly a Kite

He rocks. Nuff said. Go listen here to an awesome musical collage of the heads/tails of his new album and enjoy a little cover of Today by the Smashing Pumpkins by BK in BK!

"Today" {Cover: Smashing Pumpkins 2007}

9. Andrew Bird - Break it Yourself

I would be remiss not to include Andrew Birds latest (sure-to-be) masterpiece on my albums to look forward to in 2012. 14 new tracks and the only preview I've seen is 30 seconds and I'm already psyched. This will be one to buy on vinyl and listen to on surround sound.

Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself from Mom+Pop on Vimeo.

8. Damien Jurado - Maraqopa

The first time I saw Damien Jurado was 2001 with Rosie Thomas (what a pair!) then Addi and I saw him again in 2010 with The Head and the Heart. I'm sure you're thinking, wait, Listologies is excited about a Singer/Songwriter?? And yes, I'm still a card carrying Jurado fan, not only is he a Seattlite but the first song I heard from Maraqopa is haunting in that Jim Morrison kind of way that always sweeps me off my feet.

"Nothing is the News"

7. Nelly Furtado - Lifestyle

I've been a fan of Nelly Furtado FOREVER. Seriously, this is one artist that I can honestly say I knew about before all my friends. In fact she kind of said it herself! In late 2000 I fell in love with "I'm Like a Bird" (c'mon, I was a college freshman) and won concert tickets to an acoustic show at Benaroya Hall Symphony Hall- about 100 people max, Nelly Furtado, Sister Hazel and Shawn Mullins (Addi will never let me live it down that I didn't bring him). I get in line WITH Shawn Mullins to have Ms. Furtado sign my CD and after talking she says "you're like my first real big fan!" to which yes, you could dismiss as something you say to everyone, except fast forward to her 2006 release party in NYC and she remembers me! So there you have it, my geek out moment.

"No Hay Igual" {2006}

6. Santigold - Master of My Make Believe

I heard that Santigold was finally making a follow up to her 2008 Santogold album that made LES Artistes the track I played most that summer. Getting info on the new album however was work until literally 24 minutes ago when she released her first single off of Master of My Make Believe "Big Mouth" - going to give it a few more listens before I make up my mind...

"Big Mouth"

5. Fiona Apple - Title TBD

Those of you that are long time Fiona Apple fans know that this is quite possibly just a part of the rumor mill although Metacritic has it listed as a 2012 release (Billboard, MTV, even the New York Times had a release date of 2011 so...) There are at least a half dozen Free Fiona forums, sites, and even the #freefiona #ReleaseFiona on Twitter and yet her website seems untouched by the likes of Fiona herself or her captor, I mean music label, Sony Music. In the mean time, another conspiracy, is this "Elle J" really Fiona? Listen for yourself...

"The Runaway" by Unkle {2010}

4. Temper Trap -Title TBD

As Addi stated on his Most Anticipated Albums list here Temper Trap is very hush hush about their new album set to come out in June. If you've been to some of their live shows it sounds like they may have played you some of the new stuff but haven't gotten down to naming anything yet. I'm hoping that TT 's latest album can stand up to Conditions, as I too am afraid of the sophomore slump. The band working with Tony Hoffer (Beck, Phoenix, Goldfrapp) bodes good things.

"Sweet Disposition" Live from SXSW

3. Regina Spektor - What We Saw From the Cheap Seats

I have come to expect only amazing things from Regina Spektor. Perhaps most famous for that intro to (500) Days of Summer, she's popped up on our site before, here on my Best of the Decade list at #17 and here on the Best Songs of 2009 at #8 & #1(!!!) I can only hope that What We Saw From the Cheap Seats is as good as Far was in 2009.

"Us" {2009}

2. Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

SNL performance aside I die over Lana Del Rey. Her pouty lips, the awkward calamity that is her music videos, her haunting vocals (thanks sound engineers for the awesome reverb work!) I think she's going to have two camps: the ones that love her and the ones that hate her. I'm standing firmly on the love her side. Can't wait to get this on vinyl.

"Videogames"

1. The Shins - Port of Morrow

Admittedly I'm a huge Shins fan. Always have been. One of my biggest regrets in life is leaving for NYC the same weekend The Shins played a free show at my University. Like Addi often says with his favorite bands (see every band that Addi thinks he invented) I'm a little sad about The Shins mainstream blowup particularly after Garden State (Zach Braff is kind of a genius). This is a long anticipated album for me and I'm hoping it will be a grown up return to Oh, Inverted World.

"Simple Song"

Other albums to look forward to...

First Aid Kit

Mumford and Sons

The Decemberists

Neon Trees

Magnetic Fields

Best Coast

Dirty Projectors

12 In 2012 Series: Most Anticipated Albums

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And now we continue our series we're calling the 12 in 2012. Our top 12 books/music/movies/[insert other awesome thing] to look forward to in 2012. 

Today: Most Anticipated Albums!

Side note, this list was very hard to narrow down. I could do a list of 50 albums I'm excited for, so if you notice something missing, understand that I mean no disrespect to your favorite band or anything, it was just hard to choose and I had to go with my gut.


12. Jason Mraz - Title TBD
I know it's not cool to like The Mraz, but I have yet to pick up an album of his that I didn't like. And I don't care if that makes me slightly uncool. I don't share music on here to be cool. I share music because I can't not share music. It is my nature. And, liking Jason Mraz is apparently in my nature. And, damn, he can write a song.
"I Won't Give Up"


11. Clock Opera - "Ways To Forget"
Clock Opera stormed the castle that was my 2011. Their song Belongings blew me away and landed near or on top of all my 2011 lists. And this new song, from their upcoming album has my hopes very high.
"Once and For All"


10. Choir Of Young Believers - "Rhine Gold"
This Danish's 2009 release is one of the strongest records I have heard in years. Although I enjoyed this record that year, it did not climb any of my lists. It has taken years to see how valuable this album is to my collection. Out of all the albums from 2009, aside from Slow Club, The Temper Trap, and The Swell Season, this is the album I listen to the most. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
"|Claustrophobia"


9. Nico Stai -Title TBD
OK, so this is just a rumored release, but it needs to happen. Nico released his full length in 2006, a coulple EP's in 2008 and then silence since. And it's killing me. He has the most unique voice and lyrics out there right now, and he needs to make new noise in 2012.
"Borrowing Cars" (from 2006)


8. The xx - Title TBD
I am torn here. I am very excited for this record, but the sophomore slump has been well documented.  With a band this talented, and given the fact they have taken appropriate time and not rushed things, I have faith this should be a success.
"Open Eyes" (Demo version


7. First Aid Kit -  The Lion's Roar
These Swedish sisters took to Omaha Nebraska to record their follow up album. And from what I heard of it, I could not be more excited. The ladies have really matured, but not lost their voice. I think this is a shoe in for the year end lists.
"The Lion's Roar"


6. The Temper Trap - Title TBD
This album is only mentioned in hushed tones around the internet. This is a band that scares me, this is a band that I fear will suffer the sophomore slump. However, they have recruited Beck's producer Tony Hoffer, so that is a step in the right direction. I am hopeful.
"Fools"


5. fun. - "Some Nights"
I'm gonna be honest, I am having a little trouble not holding the sudden popularity of fun. against them. They were always one of my little secrets. And my second favorite band of 2009. Their album Aim and Ignite still rocks my world. But, I am going to swallow my pride and accept that very soon, if not already, fun. is going to be a name on everyones lips.
"We Are Young" 


4. John Mayer - Born And Raised
Another uncool album to look forward too, and I should really put this lower, especially with how disappointing I found Battle Studies. but considering how much I have LOVED all of this guys other releases, I can't help but be super excited.
"Born And Raised"


3. Lemolo - Title TBD
This Seattle duo has stolen my heart for well over a year now. But, with very little studio stuff released, it has been a long year. Finally that wait is nearing its end. The lovely ladies have announced they have finished all but the mastering/mixing of the album, and it should be released shortly. I expect super big things from these ladies. And you should too.
"Letters"


2. Noah Gundersen - Title TBD
This is fresh news. While at the show on 1/13/12 (which you can read about here) he mentioned that he and Abby are heading to the studio next month to start work on their new record.  (And I am making an assumption that it will be released in 2012 to include it on this list.)I could have shit my pants right there. He played 2 or 3 new songs, and he is just getting better and better. It's kinda hard to believe.
"Fear Thou Not" (I'm guessing on the title)


1. Right Away, Great Captain! - The Church of the Good Thief
Andy Hull can do no wrong in my eyes. No matter if its with Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books, Solo or with RAGC, he can do no wrong. This album is going to be something special, as it is the final chapter of a trilogy of records about a sailors long journey home. Every song off the previous two records stills my soul, and I expect nothing less of this one.
"Blame"



Other Albums to look forward too, listed randomly. 
Lana Del Rey
Mumford and Sons
Outkast
Phoenix
Allo Darlin'

12 in 2012 Series: Movies (Comedies, Musicals, Dance Flicks and Stuff)

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And now we continue our series we're calling the 12 in 2012. Our top 12 books/music/movies/[insert other awesome thing] to look forward to in 2012. 

Today: Movies (Comedies, Musicals, Dance Flicks and Stuff)!

12. Chronicle (2/3/12) 

Cast: Michael B. Jordan (not the basketball player, the actor from Friday Night Lights and Parenthood TV Shows), Dane Dehaan, Alex Russell, Michael Kelly
What's it all about, yo?: Three Seattle highschool students discover something that gives them superpowers. And they don't heed that whole, "great responsibility" adage, and their lives start to go out of control. It's like a comedy/action/drama/thriller all rolled into one.

11. Men In Black 3 (5/25/12) 

Cast: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Emma Thompson, Josh Brolin, Alice Eve, Bill Hader, Rip Torn,
What's it all about, yo?: Agent J (Will Smith) travels back in time to MIB's early days to try and stop the assassination of Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones).

10. Project X (2/3/12)

Cast: Thomas Mann is the only actor I have heard or or seen, the rest is a bunch of up and comers and unknowns.
What's it all about, yo?: 3 senior nobodies in highschool decide to throw a party to get remembered. THe party spins out of control. Preview looks fun. It's from the director that did Old School and The Hangover, so that gives it a bit of cred.

9. 21 Jump Street (3/16/12) 

Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Johnny Depp
What's it all about, yo?: It's a reboot of that show from the 80's that is now a running punchline. Basically, some misfit cops are sent back to highshool to blend in and find out where the new drugs are coming from.

8. Moonrise Kingdom (5/16/12) 
Cast: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand
What's it all about, yo?: There is not a lot out there about this movie. Hell, I can't even find a decent set picture or ad for it. But it's a Wes Anderson flick, and the cast is more than top notch, so it's bound to be another classic.

7. ParaNorman (8/17/12)

Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, John Goodman, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Casey Affleck
What's it all about, yo?: Animated flick about a strange little kid that can see and communicate with ghosts. Yeah, kinda like The 6th Sense, but only kinda. Soon, the whole town starts to see things as the town comes under siege by attacking zombies and ghouls,

6. Step Up 4Ever (7/27/12) 
Cast: A bunch of dances turned actors again, this time pulling in one of my favorite all time dancers from So You Think You Can Dance, Kathryn McCormick. I am sure, yet again, that other SYTYCD dancers will be gracing the screen as well.
What's it all about, yo?: Here is the IMDB lowdown: "Emily arrives in Miami with aspirations to become a professional dancer. She sparks with Sean, the leader of a dance crew whose neighborhood is threatened by Emily's father's development plans." Sounds like a cross between Breakin' 2: The Electric Boogaloo and Center Stage, but in Miami.

5. Brave (6/22/12) 

Cast: Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald, Craig Ferguson
What's it all about, yo?: Hunger Games meets Braveheart meet Robin Hood, but with an Irish girl. It's Pixar, and it looks really, really good.

4. Rock Of Ages (6/1/12)

Cast: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Bryan Cranston, Malin Akerman, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Will Forte
What's it all about, yo?: Based on the smash Broadway hit, this movie adaptation looks very promising. It's set in 1987 LA and its about two youngins chasing their dreams to become rock stars. Oh, and it's a musical.

3. The Five-Year Engagement (4/27/12) 

Cast: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Alison Brie, Rhys Ifans, Chris Pratt, Chris Parnell
What's it all about, yo?: The happy couple gets engaged, the happy couple moves to the Midwest, it gets cold, they delay the wedding, several times. Hi-jinks ensue.

2. Wanderlust (2/24/12) 

Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Malin Akerman, Ray Liotta
What's it all about, yo?: Moving from NYC to a hippy commune due to a case of sudden loss of job syndrome, makes for spectacular on screen entertainment.

1. This is Forty (12/21/12)
Cast: Megan Fox, Jason Segel, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Melissa McCarthy, John Lithgow, Albert Brooks, Charlyne Yi
What's it all about, yo?: Judd Apatow is back at it, checking in again with Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as the happy-ish couple, Pete and Debbie from Knocked Up. With Jason Segel and Megan Fox in the mix, this could be a really, really funny moive.

12 in 2012 Series: Movies (Drama/Action)

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And now we continue our series we're calling the 12 in 2012. Our top 12 books/music/movies/[insert other awesome thing] to look forward to in 2012. 

Today: Movies (Drama/Action)!

12. Dark Shadows (5/11/12)

Cast: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green.
What's it all about, yo?: So, Johnny Depp is like a vampire that gets buried alive in 1772, only be be released in 1972 to find that the world has changes without him and that his family estate is filled with his dysfunctional family members. Oh, and it's Tim Burton directed. That makes 8 movies collabos with Depp and Burton. Oh, and it is a remake of a 70's tv show.

11. Looper (9/28/12)

Cast: Joseph Gordon- Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
What's it all about, yo?: This one is a bit tricky to explain, and it's mostly the cast that gets me excited to see it. OK, key points. Time Travel. JGL is a mob hitman. JGL and Willis play the same guy in different time lines. At some point JGL is hired to kill Willis, thus killing his futureself, and, in turn, himself, that's how the time loop works. Sounds confusing right, well apparently, its the first time travel movie in years that makes sense when you watch it.

10: The Bourne Legacy (8/3/12)

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz
What's it all about, yo?: I know its sacrilegious to support this movie with Matt Damon off the project, but I am a big fan of Jeremy Renner and I have complete faith that he can pull this off. This is not a recast, a reboot, a prequel or a sequel. It is about a different CIA agent named Aaron Cross and I expect it to be pretty damn good.  

9. The Gangster Squad (10/19/12)

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, Giovanna Rivisi
What's it all about, yo?: Based on a series of articles in the LA Times that chronicled a special unit in the L.A.P.D. in the 1940's that was created to stop east coast mobsters from moving into LA.

8. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (1/20/12)

Cast: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn
What's it all about, yo?: So, Tom Hanks dies in one of The Towers, and his wife and son are very sad. His son, in a way of handling his grief searches NYC to find a lock that matches a key his father left behind. It is the final puzzle his father is needing him to solve. Looks like it's gonna make you cry.

7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (12/14/12)

Cast: Evangeline Lilly, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Eligah Wood, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen
What's it all about, yo?: So, Bilbo Baggins, young this time around, sets out on one of his legendary journeys to face off with a dragon, this time accompanied by a camp of Elves, Dwarfs, Humans, Wizards, and whatnot. It sounds an awful lot like The Lord Of The Rings, and I guess it is. But since when is that a bad thing.

6. World War Z (12/21/12)

Cast: Brad Pitt, Matthew Fox, Mireille Enos
What's it all about, yo?: Brad Pitt is a UN employee that is traveling the world interviewing people and trying to stay ahead of a zombie pandemic that is quickly sweeping the world. Loosely based on the book, this is a highly anticipated adaptation that will divide its fanbase.

5. The Great Gatsby (12/25/12)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Tobey Maguire
What's it all about, yo?: You're joking right? Read the book.

4. Django Unchained (12/25/12)

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Jamie Foxx.
What's it all about, yo?: Quentin Taratino and that cast? Are you kidding me?! I don't even need to know the plot. But if you care, it about a slave rising up against his former master to free his wife.

3. The Avengers (5/4/12)

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr. Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlet Johansson, Samuel Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders
What's it all about, yo?: If you don't know, I feel a little sorry for you. It the comicbook of all comicbook movies. Bringing together, Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Thor and The Incredible Hulk to form S.H.I.E.L.D. and save the world. Directed by Joss Whedon.

2. The Dark Knight Rises (7/20/12) 

Cast: Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman
What's it all about, yo?: It's eight years later after Batman took the fall for Dent's crimes, and there is a new big bad in Gotham, taking over the city and overrunning the police. So, the Dark Knight rises and stuff.

1. The Hunger Games (3/23/12)

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravits
What's it all about, yo?: I am so stupidly excited about this that I am not even sure I could start to explain it. Luckily the preview above does a very good job of the basic story. I urge all of you to read the book, and get excited.

Honorable Mention:
Snow White and The Huntsman
Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2
Hanzel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

12 in 2012 Series: Books

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And now for a new series we'd like to call 12 in 2012. Our top 12 books/music/movies/[insert other awesome thing] to look forward to in 2012.

First up: Books!

12. Arcadia by Lauren Groff (March 2012) {Fiction}
Groff's second book, this one about a 1960's Utopian commune struggle to survive.

11. Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love and Loss by RoseMarie Terenzio (Jan 2012) {Non-Fiction}
Written by John F. Kennedy Jr's personal assistant, they're publicizing this book as an unlikely friendship by a girl from the Bronx and a "vertitable prince." I'm more intrigued by what it must have been like to work for the Kennedy family and the last year in JFK Jr's life.

10. The Gaggle: How the Guys You Know Will Help You Find the Love You Want by Jessica Massa (June 2012) {Non-Fiction}
A real girls guide to the post-dating world, Massa explores your gaggle; the guys in your life you may or may not be romantically linked to and how they can lead you to love. This is not so much self-help as it is the book-form of the all the talks you and your girls have over drinks every weekend.

9. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (April 2012) {Non-Fiction}
Self-proclaimed Bloggess Jenny Lawson recounts revealing and sometimes embarrassing moments from her life. I'm hoping this will be equal parts Chelsea Handler and David Sedaris.

8. The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan by Michael Hastings (Jan 2012- out now) {Non-Fiction}
I'm not usually a war genre reader in fiction or in non-fiction but this novel by the same author that wrote The Runaway General (published in Rolling Stone) was generating fan fare far before its release this week.

7. The Recognitions by William Gaddis (rerelease Feb 2012) {Fiction} Technically I cheated with this one. Previously published in the 50's Gaddis prophetically writes about our current reality in a startlingly correct way.

6. The Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus (Jan 2012) {Fiction}
Language as a weapon becomes both metaphoric and literal in this Twilight Zone-esque novel about a family in upstate New York.

5. The Book of Drugs: A Memoir by Mike Doughty (Jan 2012) {Non-Fiction}
As a lover of both Soul Coughing and Doughty's solo works I'm psyched he wrote a novel that will let me in to what makes this guy tick.

4. Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult (Feb 2012) {Fiction}
Those of you that keep up with me know that I've read nearly every Jodi Picoult book so it's only natural that I plod along on to the next one. Early reviews aren't stellar but I'm holding out that this will be a return to her early work.

3. No One Is Here Except All of Us by Ramona Ausubel (Feb 2012) {Fiction}
A small Romanian village attempts to imagine away the war... intriguing! Let's see how that works out for 'em.

2. Farther Away: Essays by Jonathan Franzen (April 2012) {Non-Fiction}
If you've read Franzen's "Freedom" then you'll understand why I'm anticipating his collection of essays and speeches on both personal and environmental concerns.

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth (May 2012) {Fiction}
I never thought I'd be enraptured with dystopian YA novels and yet here I am pining after the follow up to last years Divergent. Liked Hunger Games? This is next series to read.