A Dog on Barkham Street — by Mary Stolz | By the author of THE BULLY OF BARKHAM STREET | A Dell Yearling Book | $1.25 [illustration by Leonard Shortall | paperback front cover]

Mittens | "3-7" [by Barbara W. Makar | saddle-stitched primary phonics storybook front cover]

Irma and Jerry — by George Selden, Author of TUCKER'S COUNTRYSIDE And THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE | illustrated by Leslie H. Morrill | A story for anyone who's ever had a friend. | AVON C CAMELOT | AVON-0-380-80978-8 | $2.50 U.S. / $2.95 CAN. [book design by Sheldon Winicour | paperback front cover]

20% Jelly Fish | Iguanas | Tarantulas | 1 Boa Constrictor now $157.50 | All Puppies 50% off | 1 FREE Piranha with Any purchase of $10.00 plus [illustration by Leslie H. Morrill | interior illustration detail from Irma and Jerry — by George Selden]

Good morn. It’s Friday!
Perfect for a rainy day.
One FREE Piranha.

Keep trying. Be loud.
Cats and dogs are raining, for
today’s Haiku Day.

I got one of this to scratch an arranged-and-organized itch but quickly got frustrated when I could barely fit half of the AAs and AAAs in our house, yet most of the other slots remained empty. I resisted the urge to go out and buy a bunch of batteries in formats I’ll never need just to fill it up.

A Sort of Traitors — by Nigel Balchin | Tauchnitz Edition | Collection of British and American Authors | Tauchnitz | Stuttgart [paperback front cover]

If It Die / Si Le Grain Ne Meurt — by André Gide | An uninhibited autobiography recording experiences of and reflections on French life from Gide's childhood to the eve of his marriage | Penguin Books | 3/6 [paperback front cover]

Contribución al estudio de la Influencia Guaraní en la Sociedad Uruguaya — by Prof. Rodolfo González Rissotto & Prof. Susana Rodrigues Varese de González [paperback front cover]

Not to be Introduced into the U. S. A. or the British Commonwealth | Not for Sale in the U.S.A. or Canada [back cover detail from "A Sort of Traitors" (top right) and "If It Die" (bottom left)]

Good morning. It is indeed Friday!

Small text. Lines. Little color. Borders and borders.

Be loud. Keep trying. Sometimes focusing on the smallest details will help you get through the day.

Changing Perspectives in Canadian History [1971] — edited by [Kenneth Alexander] MacKirdy, [John Sargent] Moir, [and Yves F.] Zoltvany | Revised Edition [paperback front cover]

A History of New Zealand [1980] — by Keith Sinclair [jacket art "Port Lyttelton: Immigrants' luggage disembarking, 1851" by William Fox | hardcover front cover]

A Pocket History of the United States — by Allan Nevins and Henry Steele Commager | Fifth edition, revised and enlarged | WSP: Washington Square Press | W 1094 | 90¢ | "LINDEN" [mass market paperback front cover]

[back cover detail from A History of New Zealand — by Keith Sinclair | detail from "Port Lyttelton: Immigrants' luggage disembarking, 1851" by William Fox]

Good morning. It's Friday!

Know your history, kids. And while you're at it, know everyone else's history, too.

Be loud.
Keep trying.
Know your history.

Games People Play — by Eric Berne, M.D. | The Great Bestseller | B-186 | $1.25 [mass market paperback front cover]

Brian Piccolo: A Short Season — by Jeannie Morris [hardcover front cover]

The Amazing Laws of Cosmic Mind Power — by Joseph Murphy, D.D., D.R.S., Ph.D., LL.D., Fellow of the Andhra Research University of India | Here, revealed at last, are Dr. Murphy's extraordinary techniques for releasing the mysterious power of the Cosmic Mind WITHIN YOURSELF. Step-by-step, in clear, down-to-earth language, he shows you exactly how to direct these mighty energies to generate new health, new hap-piness, new prosperity and a wonderful new life of inner fulfillment for yourself and your family! | A Reward Book | R | $2.45 [paperback front cover]

AMAZING LAWS OF COSMIC MIND POWER [front cover detail from The Amazing Laws of Cosmic Mind Power — by Joseph Murphy]

Good morning. It's Friday!

Circles and lines. Finding patterns in the world and in work. I'm working on music this week and trying to get more sleep. What are you trying to accomplish and/or discover?

Keep trying.
Be loud.
Pay attention, at least when it helps you to.

Matt Helm: The Interlopers — by Donald Hamilton [1969] | HF | Coronet | Helm in Alaska — with girls andd trouble and dogs double . . . [mass market paperback front cover]

Matt Helm: The Terminators — by Donald Hamilton [1975] | Fawcett Gold Medal | 1-4035-0 • $1.75 [illustration by Gordon Johnson | mass market paperback front cover]

Matt Helm: The Retaliators — by Donald Hamilton [1976] | Fawcett Gold Medal | 1-3984-0 • $1.75 [illustration by Gordon Johnson | mass market paperback front cover]

[illustration by Gordon Johnson | mass market paperback front cover detail | from Matt Helm: The Retaliators — by Donald Hamilton, 1976]

Good morning. It's Friday!

Last week I was on vacation.
This week I'm at work.

Keep trying.
Be loud.
Read paperbacks.

@strandbooks.com

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Vol.2 [album cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Vol.1 [album cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Volumes 1 & 2 | 1998 / 1999 | *Download *Streaming | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

BANDCAMP FRIDAY | March 6

My first two demos from 1998/1999 available on Bandcamp and almost everywhere online.

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

[portrait of Eddy Dyer by Summer Pierre, from Eddy's album Explosion Alone]

With hints of Syd Barrett and Iggy Pop, Eddy Dyer's debut album is a masterpiece of psychedelic folk. Now remastered and available on orange vinyl. Go give it a listen!

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Art by @summerpierre.bsky.social
Photo by Kevin Mertens

Boys face College, Job, or Army. Girls look forward to College dates. – The Pine Tree, 1963 | Miss Smithey | Pam in High School [art by Summer Pierre, from her album Far From Here]

Summer Pierre — Far From Here [album cover | art by Summer Pierre]

Summer Pierre — Far From Here | 2004 | *CD *Download *Streaming | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

BANDCAMP FRIDAY — March 6

If you haven't heard Summer Pierre's 2004 debut album, go give it a listen. Personal and thoughtful songwriting. Rich Americana folk-rock music. A lot of great people worked on this album. It is really good.

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com and everywhere online.

Art by @summerpierre.bsky.social

Nathan Pyritz — Twenty Twenty Six | TPS005 | 2026 | Track One: January — by Headlights [single cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Twenty Twenty Six | Twelve Months of Cover Songs | TPS005 | 2026 [album cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Twenty Twenty Six | 2026 | *Download Free *Streaming | Track One Now Available: January (by Headlights) | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

BANDCAMP FRIDAY: March 6 [2026]

The first track from my new album — a cover of a song by the fantastic band Headlights — is now available for free, exclusively on @bandcamp.com (the complete album will be released everywhere online at the end of this year).

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com (link in bio!)

Thank you!

1984 — by George Orwell | Signet Classics | 451-CE2123 • $3.95 [illustrator unknown | mass market paperback front cover]

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi(TM) — by James Kahn | Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas | Story by George Lucas | Fabulous 8-Page Color Insert | Del Rey | Ballantine / 30767 / $2.95 [illustration by Tim Reamer | mass market paperback front cover]

The Moviegoer — by Walker Percy, Author of The Thanatos Syndrome | Winner of the National Book Award | "Believable and moving . . . Mr. Percy is a breathtakingly brilliant writer." The New York Times Book Review | ADMIT ONE \ 040002 \ National Ticket Co., Shamokin, PA. | Ivy Books | 0290-2/$3.95 [mass market paperback front cover]

ADMIT ONE \ 040002 \ National Ticket Co., Shamokin, PA.[front cover detail from The Moviegoer — by Walker Percy | mass market paperback]

Good morning. It's Friday!

What else is there to say?

The teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui way of knowledge — by Carlos Castaneda | "An extraordinary spiritual and psychological document . . . destined for fame." —New York Times | $1.25 | Ballantine Books 02656•X•125 [illustration by Wilson McLean | mass market paperback front cover]

A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan — by Carlos Castaneda | 78170 | $1.25 [illustration by Roger Hane | mass market paperback front cover]

Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan — by Carlos Castaneda | By the author of A Separate Reality | $2.95 [illustration by Roger Hane | paperback front cover]

[illustration by Wilson McLean | front cover detail from The teachings of Don Juan — by Carlos Castaneda mass market paperback]

Good morning. It's Friday!

I read at least a couple of these when I was in high school. I think they may have been part of a stack of books my dad gave me in an attempt to expand my reading repertoire beyond sci-fi.

Keep trying.
Be loud.
Always keep an open mind. Always beware the bullshit.

I've never been more happy that I don't drink coffee.

Black Star — by Morton Cooper | The author of The King does it again! | "If sex sells books, Black Star will be a bestseller!" | A Signet Novel • Y4333 • $1.25 [mass market paperback front cover]

The Samuel Goldwyn Motion Picture Production of Porgy and Bess | A Random House Book [unjacketed hardcover book front cover]

The Black Panthers — by Gene Marine | A Ramparts Book | Eldridge Cleaver, Huey Newton, Bobby Seale | A Compelling Study of the Angry Young Revolutionaries Who Have Shaken a Black Fist at White America | Signet Non-Fiction • Q3834 • 95¢ [illustrator unknown | mass market paperback front cover]

AMERI... TALK BACK... ELDRIDGE... AUTH... CANDID... THE ... HUEY N... ORGANIZER, COL... PRISON C... WHITE POLICE... BOBBY... RADI... ORGAN... BO... [back cover detail from The Black Panthers — by Gene Marine | illustrator unknown]

Good morning. It's Friday!

I have not read these three books, but if you want to learn more about the Black Panthers, I highly recommend Revolution in Our Time, by @keklamagoon.bsky.social, one of the books I'm most proud of designing.

Be loud. Keep trying. Read books.

I wore my this morning.

Summer Pierre — Far From Here [album cover]

Summer Pierre — Far From Here | TPS004 [CD and case]

Summer Pierre — Far From Here | 2004 | *CD *Download *Streaming | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Fantastic 2004 acoustic/rock debut album by artist/cartoonist Summer Pierre.

Give it a listen for free, download it, or order it on CD, illustrated by Summer herself.

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Eddy Dyer — Explosion Alone | Remastered 25th Anniversary Edition of a Quiet Masterpiece [album cover]

Eddy Dyer — Explosion Alone | Side A: I've Been Here for You / Found Myself by the River / Eddy's Letter to God / 1, 2, 3, 4 / Dysfunctional Crowd / Now That I Know / She | Side B: Ballad of Busta Clustaphuck / Here Must I Go? (28 Bridge St.) / Birth of Color / Leaving White Trashed City [12" orange vinyl record]

Eddy Dyer — Explosion Alone | Remastered 25th Anniversary Edition | 2024 | *12" Vinyl *Download *Streaming | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Bandcamp Friday | February 6

Lowell, Mass. native Eddy Dyer's brilliant acoustic debut from 1999, remastered and available on limited edition vinyl.

Give it a listen for free, download it, or pick up one of these gorgeous 12" records with photos by Kevin Mertens and art by Summer Pierre.

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Vol. 1 [album cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Vol. 2 [album cover]

Nathan Pyritz — Rough Cuts on the Way to Poetry, Volumes 1 & 2 | 1998 / 1999 | *Download *Streaming | www.thatpromising.com | thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Bandcamp Friday | February 6 [2026]

Good morning. It's Friday!

Vol. 1 and 2 of my demos from 1998/9. The first recorded live, and the second recorded in studio. Give them a listen for free or download them to keep for cheap.

Soon I will start to release the first new music I've recorded in 25 years.

thatpromisingseadog.bandcamp.com

Stardreamer | Eight stories of time, space, and the human — and inhuman — heart . . . the unique visions of Cordwainer Smith | bb | A Beagle BOXER Science Fiction Story Collection 95¢ | 95127 | Kinigstein [cover illustration by Jonah Kinigstein | mass market paperback front cover]

A Heritage of Stars — An Adventure of the Far Future by Clifford D. Simak, Grand Master of Science Fiction | While Earth sleeps her thousand years, the City looks starward . . . | SFiction | 0-425-03773-8 • $1.75 • A Berkley Book [cover illustration by Paul Lehr | mass market paperback front cover]

Nine by Laumer — by Keith Laumer | SF by the author of Assignment in Nowhere and Galactic Odyssey | BERKLEY | X1659 * 60¢ * A Berkley Medallion Book [cover illustration by Richard Powers | mass market paperback front cover]

[front cover detail from Stardreamer — by Cordwainer Smith | illustration by Jonah Kinigstein]

Good morning. It's Friday!

I've been working on some new music. What have you been doing to keep yourselves semi-sane?

Keep trying.
Be loud.
Stay as safe as you can.

@berkleypub.bsky.social

2025 Reads | 9 of 9 [hardcover book front cover]

Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson | Grove Atlantic | 2016 | jeanettewinterson.com | groveatlantic.com [hardcover book front cover]

Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days | Jeanette Winterson [hardcover book front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

Wonderful December read. A collection of fiction, personal stories, and recipes. My favorite was the story about the talking dog that accidentally got bundled up into a Christmas cracker.

What did you read last year? What are you reading now?

@groveatlantic.bsky.social

Le Morte d'Arthur — by [Thomas] Malory | in Two Volumes | Volume One | Everyman's Library | 45 [cover illustration by ef | hardcover book front cover]

Lord Jim — by Joseph Conrad | A Signet Classic•451-CJ 1195•$1.95 | Lambert [cover illustration by Saul Lambert | mass market paperback front cover]

Looking Backward — by Edward Bellamy | A Signet Classic•451-CW870•$1.50 [cover illustrator(s) unknown | mass market paperback front cover]

[front cover detail from Le Morte d'Arthur — by (Thomas) Malory | illustration by ef | hardcover book front cover]

Good morning. It's Friday! Another ice-cold day, I'm afraid.

Looking backward is important, but going backward will only lead to misery. Those insisting on driving in reverse are also trying to stop everyone from looking in their rearview mirror.

Have a good morning.
Keep trying.
Be loud.

Oh, they have an explanation, I’m sure. Probably several unrelated and/or contradictory explanations. And the same flat-earthers that used one explanation last month will use a different one next month.

2025 Reads | 8 of 9 [paperback book front cover]

I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson | Backbeat Books | 2021 | davethompsonbooks.wordpress.com | bloomsbury.com

I Feel Love: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, and How They Reinvented Music | Dave Thompson [paperback book front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

A fascinating history of the careers of Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk, and the rise of electronic instruments in dance music.

What did you read last year? What are you reading now?

2025 Reads | 7 of 9 [hardcover front cover design]

The Plaza — by Julie Satow | Twelve | 2019 | juliesatow.com | twelvebooks.com | The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel | Julie Satow | The Plaza

The Plaza — by Julie Satow | The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel | Julie Satow [hardcover book front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

I have a fascination w/ stories set in hotels and motels. Like a lot of fiction in the "genre", The Plaza tells a lot of stories — about NY, money and power, writers, artists, architecture, famous classless bigots, and those at the top & bottom of social hierarchy.

What have you been reading?

2025 Reads | 6 of 9 [hardcover book front cover]

The God of the Woods — by Liz Moore | Riverhead Books | 2025 | lizmoore.net | penguin.com/riverhead-overview/

The God of the Woods | A Novel — by Liz Moore | New York Times bestselling author of Long Bright River [hardcover book front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

A fun thriller set in multiple decades, told from the perspective of multiple characters.

@lizmoorebooks.bsky.social
@riverheadbooks.bsky.social

2025 Reads | 5 of 9 [mass market paperback front cover]

Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell | Archway Pocket Books | 1997 [mass market paperback front cover]

Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell | A prank phone call leads to terror | ARCH | 29708 • 95¢ | 19813 86 9/27/91 [handwritten in pencil] [illustrator unknown | mass market paperback front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

A wild YA read about a time when the "Couple of the Year" award at the high school is the most important event of the year, and the fact that a 14-year-old is dating a grown man is met with mild disapproval from her guardian, but mostly just because he is a hippie.

What did you read last year?

Do you recommend either?

2025 Reads | 4 of 9 [hardcover front cover]

Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt, illustrated by David Rubín | self-published 2022 | Image Comics 2023 | jefflemire.substack.com | mattkindtshop.com | imagecomics.com

Cosmic Detective | Jeff Lemire | Matt Kindt | David Rubín [hardcover front cover]Cosmic Detective | Jeff Lemire | Matt Kindt | David Rubín [hardcover front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

Wonderful and weird metaphysical sci-fi noir graphic novel. I read their self-published @kickstarter.com HC. It's now also available from @imagecomics.com.

What did you read last year? What are you reading now?

@jefflemire171.bsky.social
@mattkindt.bsky.social
@davidrubin.bsky.social

Amy's Dinosaur — Story and pictures by Syd Hoff [hardcover front cover]

And I Mean It, Stanley — by Crosby Bonsall | An EARLY I CAN READ Book [hardcover front cover]

Apes Find Shapes | A Book about Shapes | Magic Castle Readers [by Jane Belk Moncure | illustrated by Joy Friedman [hardcover front cover]

F HOF | Hoff, Sydney | Amy's dinosaur | DATE DUE [library pocket detail]

Good morning. It's cold. And this week we're seeing a lot of cold cold hearts. Stick by the warm ones.

Keep trying.
Be loud.
Keep your heart warm.

@duttonbooks.bsky.social
@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social
@harpercollins.bsky.social

2025 Reads | 3 of 9 [paperback front cover]

Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller | Princeton Architectural Press | 2024 | wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheryl_D._Miller | papress.com

Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller | A Life in Advocacy [paperback front cover]

What have you been reading? [Giant Days — by John Allison hardcover front cover | Devil House — by John Darnielle hardcover front cover | Here: Where the Black Designers Are — by Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller paperback front cover | Cosmic Detective — by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt hardcover front cover | Just Dial a Number — by Edith Maxwell mass market paperback front cover | God of the Woods — by Liz Moore hardcover front cover | The Plaza — by Julie Satow hardcover front cover | I Feel Love — by Dave Thompson paperback front cover | Christmas Days — by Jeanette Winterson hardcover front cover]

Part memoir, part design history, part social commentary. A must-read for all designers!