Best book: Gorbachev: On My Country and the World by Mikhail Gorbachev. Runner up: The Victorians by AN Wilson

Best music: Seeing Things by Jakob Dylan (A definite contender for album of the year; posted on here). Runner up: Simple Plan [2008] by Simple Plan

Best film: Out of the Blue [2006]

Best drink: Serafino Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale, South Australia)

Best blog: kai euthus (Mike Higton)