As each year draws to a close, I like to go back over the past 12 months and share the things that I’ve most enjoyed. You’ll find my favourite records, books, films, TV shows and podcasts from 2021 below.

In case you missed it, I also attempted to record a song a week in 2021… but only lasted 12 weeks. You can take a listen below.

I’m not sure how full this list will be next year (we’re having a baby!) but I hope there’ll still be time to read a few books.

What are your favourite things from the year? Drop them in the comments – I’d love to know.

Love,
Luke

💿 10 records

Bear Garden – Sunshine Fruit
This ambient, sax-drenched, Swedish jazz is the perfect soundtrack to lazy mornings.

Bleachers – Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night
The new record from one of my favourite bands sounds more like Springsteen than ever.

Coldplay – Music of the Spheres
There are some absolute bangers on Coldplay’s latest. No idea why everyone hates them so much.

Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
Everything jazz-pop maestro Collier does is incredible. The man’s a genius.

Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses
The second record from Bon Iver’s bandmate, and Wye Oak member, is just delicious.

Noah Gundersen – A Pillar of Salt
Indie-folk songwriter’s new record features tasty tunes and a collab. with Phoebe Bridgers.

Bruce Hornsby and the Range – The Way It Is
This record isn’t remotely new (hello, 1986) but I listened to it constantly this year.

Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
The tastiest indie-pop record of the year. There’s a reason people are raving about it.

Lake Street Dive – Obviously
This record ticked all my soul-pop boxes. What a voice! What tunes!

Laura Mvula – Pink Noise
Mvula’s new record gets electronic and experimental. Utterly gorgeous.

📚 10 books

My favourite books from the year (minus a couple that I read on Kindle)

Fiction

Brit Bennett — The Mothers
Bennett’s first novel is about two teenagers who fall in love, and how their lives intersect over the years that follow. A cracking page-turner that had me gripped.

Jeanine Cummins – American Dirt
A fast-paced thriller about a woman trying to escape a Mexican cartel with her child, facing myriad setbacks along the way. Couldn’t put it down.

Dave Eggers – The Every
Eggers’ follow-up to The Circle picks up where he left off, with a tech giant continuing its quest for world domination. Made me laugh, think, and despair.

Ann Patchett – The Dutch House
Wonderful story about a family’s relationship with their impressive house, what it means to be a parent, and a magical sibling bond.

Colson Whitehead — The Underground Railroad
A thrilling historical fictiontale about an escape from slavery in the American deep south. Couldn’t make it through the harrowing TV adaptation, though.

Non-fiction

Oliver Burkeman – Four Thousand Weeks
If you’re sick of productivity books, but want to figure out how to spend your limited time on earth, this book’s a must-read.

James Clear – Atomic Habits
I haven’t read a better book on forming habits that last.

Patrick Radden Keefe – Empire of Pain
An infuriating, unbelievable read about the Sackler dynasty and American oxycontin crisis. I’ll read anything Radden Keefe writes.

Tamara Shopsin – Arbitrary Stupid Goal
This bonkers memoir about living an unconventional life is the best book I've read in ages. It's hilarious. It's devastating. It defies categorisation. Read it!

Michelle Zauner – Crying in H Mart
On top of making one of my favourite records of the year as Japanese Breakfast, Zauner published her memoir about her relationship with her mum, growing up Korean American, and her music career. It’s beautiful.