Top Picks of 2023: Books, Movies, and Articles You Shouldn't Miss

Some of my favourite things in 2023 – books, movies, podcasts, and more.

Seasons greetings, friends. When Substack first announced its social media app, Notes, I marked my joining it with this post:

“The unbearable weight of choosing profundity or irony in your first post on a new platform…”

I find the inclination towards profundity is similarly strong when writing an end-of-year review. Here is a chance to capture something of the tenor of the last twelve months with (if one has the talent) style and maybe even wit. Lacking those qualities, a person can always compile a list of things worth directing their reader’s attention at, signposting some favourite films, books, podcasts, and articles from the year in question. Here is a list of such things.

I do hope you can find here some quality signal that got lost in the noise of 2023. I’ve included some of my own reviews of books and films that had a huge impact on me, as well as some articles and video-essays that demonstrate how well cultural criticism is thriving in the digital era.

See you all in the new year.