PS--more top 10 ( or so ) Lists of 2006

"Dude," you might say to me, "why no music or books on the 2006 lists?"

Well, I saved the best for last--and it's still January, so it's not all that late to be digesting the fruits of 2006 (but pretty soon we need to eat 2007, so we can digest it in turn).

Margrit's Top Nine Books of 2006 (keep in mind these are on MY 2006 list--they may have been published other years)
9)"Shakespeare Wars" by Ron Rosenbaum
Oh how dry literary criticism can be--oh how juicy Rosenbaum makes it with his passion for the bard. It actually rocks!
8) "The Ha Ha" by Dave King
I believe he's a first time author. (First time? Nervous? No, I've been nervous before)...But back to "The Ha Ha" . It's a compelling novel about a disabled Vietnam veteran, and his struggle to start over. But it's much more than the sum of its parts.
7) " Virgin Earth" by Philippa Gregory
Pageturner about the Royal Gardener's travails during the reign (and fall) of Charles I of England
6)"The Queen's Fool" by Philippa Gregory
Another pageturner by Ms Gregory. This yarn is about a Jewish girl surviving during the reaign of "Bloody" Mary Tudor. Scary.
5) "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory
Yes! I am on a jag. This is the best of the lot--very suspenseful tale told from the perspective of Anne Boleyn's younger sister--the one who survived Henry VIII.
4) "A Spot of Bother" Mark Haddon
Excellent followup novel to "Curious Incident of the Dog at Night", with a masterful array of interconnecting plots, characters, and themes--but nonetheless easy as hell to read.
3) "I, Elizabeth" Rosalind Miles (fiction)
I enjoyed the hell out of this novel about the first Queen Elizabeth of Britain. A source for the films on Elizabeth Rex.
2)"The Life of Elizabeth I" By Alison Weir (non-fiction)
While Weir doesn't hesitate to debunk favorite myths of the 'virgin queen', she presents a large as life, richly researched, and insightful look at one of the most monumental personalities in history.
1) "The Pursuit of Happyness" By Chris Gardener, Quincy Troupe, and MIM EICHLER RIVAS
Yes, thats my sister's name on the end there... and it's #1 ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!


Margrit's top 5 music recordings of 2006 (disclaimer: some of these didn't even come out last year, and some show I am frighteningly self-involved--but hey, I am a songwriter, so what are you gonna do?)
5)"D**K in a Box" by Justin Timberlake, SNL
Proving heart throbs can have a sense of humor.
4) "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance
So, I can't help it. I like Queen. And this.
3) "Ears Back" by Teresa Esguerra & Kimberly Stupke
It may have actually come out in 2005, but I became obsessed with this EP in 2006. It's a hilarious and catchy concept album/song cycle about Esguerra & Stupke's cats, featuring the instant classics: "Circling the Spot" and "I Don't want to Feed You ('Cause You Puke When I Do)", and other great tunes. But then, everything by Teresa Esguerra is great. Keep on the look out for her upcoming CD later on in 2007!
2)"Titus Andronicus" by...me. This is a score I composed for a San Francisco production (by The Spear Ensemble) of the grimmest and bloodiest Shakespeare play. I am proud of it! ( And you may notice all this Tudor/ Shakespeare stuff--my current obsession. And mountain-climbing books. And evolution. Hmmm--is there concept album brewing? You betcha.)
1) "SEAWORTHY" by True Margrit. We still care. But there's that new one on the way...just be patient. I am trying to be patient.

And finally:
My Top 1 Worst Song of 2006
1) L word Theme Song
I realize it's not from 2006--strictly-- but that's when I first heard it. & I know I'm not alone in my revulsion. It could possibly be the worst song ever written. When I hear it I hold my hands over my ears and go "la la la" (or just fast-forward the DVD). Sorry, women of Betty. I know the proceeds could send your scions to college for generations to come. Love ya, my sisters. Kiss kiss.