Notables: I'll let you do with this what you will - search old roundups to see what we've pointed out about these films, or do your own Google research. I'll only add this commentary: this was clearly the year to be a superhero, something that talks that shouldn't be talking (a robot, an elephant, or some random animal from Africa), or an oldie-but-a-goodie (Indy and the Sex and the City gang).

The list above lists the top ten moneymakers of the year (i.e. what the American people loved). Several notable magazines and movie critics have listed their favorites of the year (i.e. what they wish the American people would have loved). Click here (America Film Institute), here (AP critics), here (MSN's "Critics Top Ten"), here (TIME magazine), here (New York Magazine), here (TopTenReviews.com), here (National Board of Review), here (Roger Ebert), and here (Richard Roeper).

Top Ten Books (according to Barnes & Noble research)
1. Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer
2. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J. K. Rowling
3. The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch
4. A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle
5. Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini
6. Eclipse, by Stephenie Meyer
7. Appeal, John Grisham
8. Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer
9. Fearless Fourteen, by Janet Evanovich
10. 7th Heaven, by James Patterson

Notables: I'll let you do with this what you will - search old roundups to see what we've pointed out about these books, or do your own Google research. I'll only add this commentary: our culture is obsessed with vampires and it's not going to go away any time soon.

The list above lists the top ten moneymakers of the year (i.e. what the American people loved). Several notable magazines and movie critics have listed their favorites of the year (i.e. what they wish the American people would have loved). Click here (Books & Culture), here (TIME, fiction), here (TIME, noncfiction), here (New Statesman), here (Amazon), and here (ContemporaryLit.com).

Top Ten Albums (according to Billboard research)
1. As I Am, Alicia Keys
2. Noel, Josh Groban
3. Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
4. Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles
5. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift
6. Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock
7. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
8. NOW 26, Various Artists
9. Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood
10. The Ultimate Hits, Garth Brooks

Notables: I'll let you do with this what you will - search old roundups to see what we've pointed out about these albums, or do your own Google research. I'll only add this commentary for those keeping score at home:

Rock: three spots
R&B and Rap: two spots
Country: three spots
A collection of various genres: one spot
Music to snore to: one spot

The list above lists the top ten moneymakers of the year (i.e. what the American people loved). Several notable magazines and movie critics have listed their favorites of the year (i.e. what they wish the American people would have loved). Click here (RollingStone), here (Pitchfork), here (MTV), here (Q Music), here (Spin magazine), here (Paste magazine), here (TIME magazine), and here (Metacritic.com).

Top Ten Singles (according to Billboard research)
1. "Low," Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain)
2. "Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis
3. "No One," Alicia Keys
4. "Lollipop," Lil Wayne(featuring Static Major)
5. "Apologize," Timbaland (featuring OneRepublic)
6. "No Air," Jordin Sparks (duet with Chris Brown)
7. "Love Song," Sara Bareilles
8. "Love in this Club," Usher (featuring Young Jeezy)
9. "With You," Chris Brown
10. "Forever," Chris Brown

Notables: I'll let you do with this what you will - search old roundups to see what we've pointed out about these songs, or do your own Google research. I'll only add this commentary: R&B and Rap owned the singles chart this year. The one exception on the list is Sara Bareilles. Oh - and I was a little surprised to see that Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" didn't make the cut.

The list above lists the top ten moneymakers of the year (i.e. what the American people loved). Several notable magazines and movie critics have listed their favorites of the year (i.e. what they wish the American people would have loved). Click here (RollingStone magazine), here (TIME magazine), here (AOL), here (MTV), here (Spinner), and here (Spin magazine).

Top Ten Web Search Items (according to Google Zeitgeist)
*Exercise caution when searching; some topics may be inappropriate.

1. Sarah Palin
2. Beijing 2008
3. Facebook Login
4. Tuenti
5. Heath Ledger
6. Obama
7. Nasza Klasa
8. Wer Kennt Wen
9. Euro 2008
10. Jonas Brothers

Notables: Wow. This is quite a list. Items 1 and 6 have to do with the elections - with Palin being more popular than the guy who actually won. Items 2 and 9 have to do with the global sports world. Items 3, 4, 7, and 8 have to do with social networking programs (this is the year of Facebook-type sites, across the globe). Item 5 has to do with a young move star (now deceased, sadly) who might very well win an Oscar for his portrayal of The Joker in this year's top film. Item 10 has to do with the guys the girls in your youth group are in love with - but probably won't be in another year or so.

One final note: this is the last roundup of 2008.

Please stop crying.

No seriously - please stop crying. This is getting awkward.

I'm going to be out of the office for the Christmas/New Year's stretch. The next roundup will be January 9, 2009. Mark your calendars! Wait - am I the only one who has a literal calendar anymore? In that case mark your iPhones or Blackberrys or whatever else keeps your life in order.