Empire contributors share their arts picks for 2009

Top five reads, from Empire bookreviewer Jonas Lamb

"My Abandonment" by Peter Rock (fiction)

"An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England" by Brock Clarke (fiction)

"Rock Candy" by Jen Vernon (poetry)

"Leaving Resurrection" by Eva Saulitis (nonfiction)

"Shop Class as Soul Craft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work" by Matthew B. Crawford (nonfiction)

Top five books by Alaskan authors, from Captial City Weekly editor Katie Spielberger

"Leaving Resurrection: Chronicles of a Whale Scientist," by Eva Saulitis

"Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People," by William L. Iggiagruk Hensley

"Double Moon: Constructions & Conversations," by Margo Klass & Frank Soos.

"Legend of a Suicide," by David Vann

"Tide, Feather, Snow: A Life in Alaska," by Miranda Weiss

Top five albums, from KRNN's Andy Kline

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!"

Miike Snow, (self titled)

Mos Def, "The Ecstatic"

Phoenix, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"

Neon Indian, "Chasms"

Top five country music biographies, autobiographies, from Empire music columnist Sean Tracey

"True Adventures With the King of Bluegrass," Jimmy Martin by Tom Piazza

"Johnny Cash, the Autobiography" with Patrick Carr

"Hank Williams, Snapshots From the Lost Highway" by Colin Escot and Kira Florita

"Can't You Hear Me Callin': The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass" by Richard D. Smith

"Bound For Glory" by Woody Guthrie

Top five 'Big Screen' reviews fromEmpire reviewer Chester Duke Carson

"Avatar"

"The Blind Side "

"Inglorious Basterds"

"Away We Go"

"The Hangover"

Top five TV shows, from Courtney Nelson

"The Office"

"Weeds"

"30 Rock"

"Sexy Cam"

"Curb Your Enthusiasm"