The Best of 2009

Here you go. The best movie I saw this year. Best music I listened to. Best book I read. Ready, set, go.

• Movie: The critic in me wanted to choose The Hurt Locker, but I can't help but select Up, the great Pixar film that is certainly one of the most amazing film experiences of the year. Don't let animation get in the way of enjoying an uplifting and emotional work of art.
• Music: The album I enjoyed the most this year was released in 1967: Aretha Franklin's astonishing I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. Even though it's more than 40 years old, I rediscovered this dusty CD and never stopped listening to it this year. Beautiful and rocking.
• Book: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman was released in 2008, but it didn't make its way to the top of my reading stack until this year. This book has everything: warm characters we can't help but care about, a crackling plot that won't let you go, and a terrifically satisfying ending. I hope Henry Selick or Tim Burton get their hands on this one.