Non-game media I enjoyed in 2023

I did more than play games in my free time last year. I also spent a lot of time reading books and watching movies.

In fact, I think I devoted more time to reading in 2023 than I did to playing games. The books -- and movies -- highlighted below were my favorites.

A Wrinkle in Time

I devoured books growing up, but Madeleine L'Engle's YA sci-fi classic somehow never made it onto my radar. Oh, well, better a few decades late than never, right? And, really, I still found it pretty special to experience as an adult. At its heart, A Wrinkle in Time is a good-versus-evil tale, but it feels anything but ordinary thanks to how masterfully L'Engle introduces and develops the story's setting and characters. To put in perspective how much I enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, I quickly bought the rest of the books in the related "Time Quintet" series after finishing it, and I've already read three of them.

Chocky

I fell in love with British author John Wyndham while reading another of his novels, The Day of the Triffids from 1951. Chocky isn't as dramatic as that apocalyptic classic, but it's just as compelling. I especially appreciated the subtlety of its story -- which is quite the accomplishment when you consider Chocky is about a 12-year-old boy who's imaginary friend is actually an extraterrestrial scout looking for planets to assist -- or colonize.

Delicious in Dungeon (Volume 1)

The manga every nerd is talking about now thanks to its just-released and much-heralded anime adaptation. I picked up this first volume partway through last year after numerous friends and acquaintances recommended it. It didn't disappoint. I especially appreciated its quirky cast and the strange creatures they discovered -- and ultimately devoured -- in the dungeon of this manga's title. My only complaint is that it left me desperately wanting to learn more about the ragtag group's underground exploits.

From Beyond

I've been drawn to horror movies since I was a kid. I didn't watch too many of them until I was quite a bit older, though. As such, I missed seeing most of the classics -- and not-so-classics -- that came out during my youth. A few years ago, I decided to play catch-up. This 1986 flick was one of the few I watched in 2023, but I think it would've stood out even if I'd managed more. The story is unique -- a pair of scientists build a device that lets them see and interact with deadly creatures from another dimension -- and the cast is surprisingly adept. Long story short, I'd watch From Beyond again, which is something I can't say of all the horror flicks I've watched recently. 

Hyperion

This 1989 effort from Dan Simmons has been a real highlight of my multi-year endeavor to read some of the classic sci-fi novels that have heretofore avoided my radar. It reads like a futuristic reimagining of The Canterbury Tales, though Hyperion follows six pilgrims rather than 24. I likely would've found the cliffhanger ending disappointing had I not bought the follow-up as soon as the story clicked with me (spoiler: it didn't take long), but I did, so no complaints from me. On the contrary, Hyperion is now firmly ensconced on my list of books to reread ASAP.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Don't laugh (or jeer), but I didn't even know this 1988 film, now considered a cult classic, existed until I stumbled across it last fall. It didn't scare me or gross me out like I expected it to, but I got a kick out of it all the same. The titular "klowns" are equal parts creepy and goofy and elevate the rather ho-hum story to something surprisingly compelling. Honestly, I'll probably revisit Killer Klowns from Outer Space several times in the future thanks to the impressive practical effects alone.

Laid-Back Camp (Volumes 8-13)

I read six volumes of Laid-Back Camp last year and loved each one. Truth be told, I often have a hard time telling these camping- and cooking-obsessed girls apart, aside from spirited Nadeshiko and serious Rin, but it doesn't cause me to enjoy their far-flung adventures any less. The way artist and writer Afro weaves together the girls' stories, their seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of both camping and cooking, and Japan's plethora of sheltering spots is as impressive as it is pleasing.

The Wind from Nowhere

I gained access to this J.G. Ballard novel when I bought a book that included it as well as one of the author's best-known works, The Drowned World. Of the two, I far preferred The Wind from Nowhere, which follows a trio of men who try their best to survive an unexplained global increase (five miles per hour per day) in wind speeds. It's not perfect, partially explaining why Ballard eventually disowned it, but it tells a unique apocalyptic story that keeps you solidly in its grasp until the very last page.

See also: non-game media I enjoyed in 2022

Non-game media I enjoyed in 2022

I know this site is called The Gay Gamer, but I regularly enjoy media other than video games.

As such, I thought I'd share some of my favorite books and films from 2022 here. None were actually released in 2022, mind you; I just read or watched and enjoyed them last year.

Still, hopefully my musings will either spur folks who happen upon this post to check them out, too, or at least get them to start a conversation about them in the comments section that follows.

An American Werewolf in London

I long ignored this 1981 film because I erroneously thought it was a goofy 1980s popcorn flick. I had no idea until I started through it just before Halloween that it was a horror movie with some (dark) comedic trimmings. That immediately made it more appealing to me — although I'll admit the opening salvo was a brutal and gory shock. Once I knew what I was in for with An American Werewolf in London, though, I had a blast with it. My only complaint is that it ends rather abruptly. I was hoping writer and director John Landis would draw things out more than he did. Oh, well, it was fun all the same.

The Day of the Triffids

I added this post-apocalyptic novel from 1951 to my Amazon wish list years ago when I was still acutely interested in the genre. The COVID pandemic put the kibosh on such interests, though — or at least I thought it had. An impromptu conversation about the 1962 film adaptation earlier this year reminded me of the novel's existence, and that led to me buying a copy and finally giving it a read. I struggled with it early on due to the depressing nature of the apocalypse that's at the center of The Day of the Triffids, not to mention the sadly realistic response to it. I eventually got over it, though, and from then on I was fully engaged. I'll definitely re-read this one in the coming years, and I may even watch the aforementioned theatrical reimagining of it. 

I Think Our Son is Gay Volumes 1 and 2

I decided early on in 2022 that I'd finally start reading some manga. By the end of the year, I'd read 13 volumes (or 15, depending on how you count them up) of four different series. Two of those 13 or 15 were the opening pair of I Think Our Son is Gay volumes, both of which surprised me by being far more touching and astute than I assumed they'd be. This slice-of-life manga series of four volumes is told from the perspective of a mother who suspects her teenage son is gay. Watching her grapple with her own internal issues, while at the time always being outwardly supportive of her precious offspring, struck a chord with me in a way that I didn't expect. Honestly, as much as I enjoyed these two volumes, I think they (and likely the rest of the series) would be even better for those who are struggling to embrace a gay loved one.

Laid-Back Camp Volumes 1 through 7

Laid-Back Camp may be the most joyous piece of media I've ever experienced. Everything is so peppy and positive that it never fails to bring a smile to my face. Which isn't to suggest it's annoyingly saccharine and lacking in depth. It sure is nice to read something so pure of heart once in a while, though. Laid-Back Camp follows a group of young girls who love to camp. They also love cooking and eating. The series, currently at 12 volumes, offers up surprisingly detailed descriptions of camping equipment, how to set up said gear, and how to prepare delicious-looking and -sounding camping-appropriate meals. That may seem goofy to some, but I loved it — especially when paired with a cast of endearingly dorky characters.

The Lathe of Heaven

Another novel that I had trouble with up to a point. With The Lathe of Heaven, though, the difficulty came from the protagonist being an annoying loser for at least half of the story, which centers on a man whose dreams can alter reality — and another man who takes advantage of that fact. Even when it challenged, though, The Lathe of Heaven remained a enthralling read thanks to the brilliant prose of Ursula K. Le Guin. She takes the story in some shocking and exhilarating directions while also keeping it grounded in the here and now. 

Link

This 1986 release, which stars a young Elisabeth Shue, is billed as a horror flick. It sure didn't seem like one to me. There's some tension to it, but it's rarely scary and I only recall a single scene that could be called gross or gory. I still got a kick out of it, though, as the interplay between Shue and her simian costars rarely fails to captivate. I doubt I'll put Link into regular rotation or anything even resembling it, but I can see myself watching it again. On a related note, those of you who would like to see a real horror movie featuring scary-ass primates should check out Shakma from 1990. Ignore the critics; it's a terrifying treat.

My Brother's Husband Volumes 1 and 2

Similar to I Think Our Son is Gay in many ways, My Brother's Husband focuses on a straight Japanese man who welcomes into his home the Canadian husband of his deceased twin brother. The protagonist here, Yaichi, struggles more mightily with homophobia than does his counterpart in I Think Our Son is Gay, but his growth in this area makes My Brother's Husband an even more rewarding and tear-inducing read. This one is wrapped up in just two volumes, so it's a perfect gift for anyone in your life who is gay or who loves someone who is gay and hasn't entirely accepted that fact.

Uzumaki

What a wild ride this manga is. The story begins in the small Japanese town of Kurouzu-cho, where the father of one of the protagonists becomes obsessed with spirals. That obsession doesn't end well for him or anyone else in this omnibus release. It would probably be a tantalizing-enough read in written form, but Junji Ito's macabre black-and-white drawings ensure it reaches that stature and beyond. Even at nearly 650 pages, Uzumaki is easy to race through, as the disturbing drama ratchets up with every new panel.

See also: my favorite games of 2022 and my favorite games of 2022 that weren't released in 2022