Best of 2011

Here is a compilation of our favorites from 2011:

Sharon's Novels (in no particular order; all incredibly great)

(1) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
(2) Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
(3) To the Lighthouse by Virginia Wolf
(4) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
(5) Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Best Nonfiction (Sharon and David):

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aaron Rolston

Our Favorite Movie Rentals

(1) Lillies of the Field
(2) 127 Hours
(3) Quest for Fire
(4) As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me
(5) Last Train Home
(6) The Fountain
(7) Inside Job
(8) Hillary and Jackie
(9) The Bank Job
(10) The Battle of Algiers
(11) Restrepo
(12) Cinderella Man

Best Spontaneous Subway Jam AND Best Concert of the Year:

Moon Hooch on the L platform at Union Square

Best Art Exhibits/Gallery Shows/Performance Art/Public Art

(1) Roof Piece on the High Line
(2) The Luminous Interval at Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
(3) Olek Crochet Room @ Christopher Henry Gallery
(4) Abstract Expressionist New York @ MOMA
(5) Kara E. Walker @ Sikkema Jenkins and Company
(6) Miru Kim @ DOOSAN (The Pig That Therefore I Am)
(7) The Mexican Suitcase and Elliott Erwitt: Personal Best @ International Center of Photography
(8) Jim Campbell @ Hosfelt Gallery
(9) Willem de Kooning @ MOMA
(10) Diana Shpungin @ Stephan Stoyanov
(11) Women in the Heights: Perspectives @ NoMAA
(12) Do Ho Suh @ Lehmann Maupin
(13) Carsten Holler: Experience @ New Museum
(14) NurtureArt Benefit (Monica's photograph from On Cloud Nine included)
(15) Tight Spot by David Byrne (under the High Line)
(16) Echo by Jaume Plensa in Madison Square Park

Best Opera: Carmen @ the Met

Best Broadway Show: Billy Elliott

Best Ballet: NYCBallet's "The Nutcracker"

Best TV Series: The Sopranos (currently watching the final season on DVD)

Best Sports Event: Yankee Game at the NEW Yankee Stadium (victory in extra innings)

Best Travel Destinations

(1) San Feliu
(2) Bilbao
(3) Martha's Vineyard

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

(1) Peacefood Cafe
(2) Wild Ginger
(3) Tai Thai
(4) V Spot
(5) Counter (RIP)

Best Vegan Bakery: Body and Soul (@ the Union Square Greenmarket)

Best Ice Cream: ChikaLicious

Best Vegan Ice Cream: Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Best Shakespeare: King Lear and Romeo and Juliet Performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in an exact replica Globe Theater in the Park Avenue Armory

Best View of NYC: Car Free Park Avenue during Summer Streets Cycling Event in August


Top 5 Reasons to Love New York City

(1) Annual Fun Events: NYD Polar Bear Swim @ Coney Island, Coogan's Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks Run, Scotland 10K Run, Inflation Eve, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
(2) Washington Heights Community: Little Seed CSA, Harvest Festival, Easter Egg Scramble, Muffin Madness, Shearing of the Heather
(3) Art Galleries/Museums/Public Art
(4) Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants, Cafes, Ice Cream Parlors, Greenmarket Vendors, etc.
(5) Cycling - biking Alexi to school, bike commuting and fun rides along the Palisades, 9W, Central Park and Hudson River Greenway