I have what I think is a great book-based podcast idea!

...I do not know how to make a podcast.

I cannot let myself join the ranks of people who do not know how to make a podcast and yet have, in fact, made what some would deem a podcast.

#BookSky

Finished two last books for March a couple days ago.

Come and Get It: 4.5/5
A juicy, engaging, and intricate campus novel all about talk.

I'm Glad My Mom Died: 3.75/5
An unflinching but maybe overrated memoir from a child star who experienced significant parental abuse.

#BookSky

Currently taking a mandatory work training on cybersecurity and information management awareness. The amount of times I've thought "This example of a scam/phishing email sounds a lot like emails from administration" is...well, the number is not zero.

#academicsky

It is all exhausting.

Just finished reading "The Man with Eight Pairs of Legs" and it's a really solid set of unexpected relationship stories. Definitely worth a read for short story fans. Full Review below!

3.75/5

#BookSky

fable.co/review/6ebb5...

Finished 3 books recently:

-"Clutch": Beautiful lit fic about women's relationships in their 40s.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
-"When the Museum is Closed": Surreal novella about a woman hired to talk to a statue.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
-"Mother Mary Comes to Me": Arundhati Roy's informative but unimaginative memoir.
🌟🌟🌟

#BookSky

Pro tip for shopping in a troubled economy:

No matter what the price is, round to the nearest dollar. That way your total at the register is lower than what was in your head.

It won't save you any actual money, but you will feel a thrill of joy for approximately 6 second. And that's something.

February Reading Wrap-up!
Overall a month of solid reads, but the surprise of the month was "Bear County, Michigan." If you like short stories and/or place-based fiction, highly recommend this John Counts collection.

#BookSky

Hi. My name is Chris. And I have to buy myself coffee at a coffee shop as a bribe just to get myself to grade.

#academicsky

About a week ago I went to a book tour event for the novel "Hemlock" and had a delightful time listening to Melissa Faliveno talk about her work.

If you like queer Midwest gothics, or just damn good reads, this is for you.

Full Review: fable.co/review/ed6d6...

#BookSky

Currently working on a project which involves me going back to look at a stand-up comedy set I did for charity in April 2019. And it is...something. I'm proud of how funny I was, but also horrified at some of the jokes I told...in front of my university's president.

Hindsight...

#writingsky

It's actually academic writing, for a journal in communication studies.

I don’t know that I’ll ever eat anything better than a bagel panini with hummus, green olives, and Swiss cheese. Genuinely. I think about this sandwich virtually every day of the past month.

#FoodSky

After hosting speech tournaments for 2 weekends, finding notes to myself feels like an archeology exercise.

-"Vary ORA room"- Which room? Why? High school or college?
-"Check photo for A.T."- Did I mean check or cheque?
-"Farrago: 1 section or 2"- What was that even about?

#academicsky

Completely forgot to post my January reading wrap. More re-reads than anything else but oh are they good. Monk ± Robot remains my spiritual anchor.

#BookSky

It was 9554 words, but the limited for the journal I am aiming for is capped at 9000. I was able to get it down to about 8800.

I simultaneously love and hate that my most productive writing day in weeks involved cutting 378 words out of a manuscript.

#writingsky

Today feels like a hard day. Many of them are right now. But I was able to write. And that's something.
#academicsky

For many, January is a time of renewal when we return to that which inspires us.

The Monk + Robot duology from Becky Chambers has become my spiritual text, a treatise on joy and purpose that I found in 2024 when I needed it most.

What are your "sacred" texts you return to?

#BookSky

I have!

Starting 2026, I'm trying out some new organizational techniques, starting with an "everything" notebook for tasks, non-actionable notes, and journaling. Who knows if it will work but I'm looking forward to finding out.

Here's to hopefully a better 2026!

#NewYear2026
#academicsky

My top read of 2025 is "Automatic Noodle" by Annalee Newitz (follow @annaleen.bsky.social )

It's beautiful, simple, multilayered, compelling, and enjoyable. It's a comfort read with a lot of heart and a lot to say, the kind of book I want to make part of my reading every single year.

#BookSky

Before my top book of 2025 here are a few honorable mentions I considered for my list.

Fiction
-"Barn 8" by @debolinunferth.bsky.social
-"My Name is Iris" by Brando Skyhorse

Nonfiction
-"No Straight Road Takes You There" by @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
-"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

#BookSky

Number 2: "Hurricane Girl" by Marcy Dermansky ( follow at @mdermansky.bsky.social )

Losing her house to a hurricane sets off a chain of events in a young woman's life that redefine the course of her identity. This novel is unique, riveting, and flawless to me. An immediate favorite.

#BookSky

Pausing my list to say "Barn 8" is a top 5 read for me in 2025. I just finished it and am absolutely stunned by its audacity, beautiful but raw prose, and haunting warning. Safe to say Deb Olin Unferth has a new devoted reader in me.

#BookSky

Full review here: fable.co/review/66b8b...

Number 3: "Headshot" by Rita Bullwinkel

Through the lens of a boxing championship, this book explores the rounds girls must fight in the ring and in daily life just to "be." A novel deep in emotion, prose that is a haymaker, I read this in under 24 hours loved ir from page 1.

#BookSky

If you see this post, share a smile.

Number 4: "Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One" by Kristen Arnett ( @kristenarnett.bsky.social )

This novel about a lesbian clown in life crisis could just be zany, but this has so much heart too. Arnett perfectly captures that quarter-life crisis feeling of being lost.

#BookSky

Number 5: "Sleep Donation" by Karen Russell

No surprise there are two Karen Russell books on my top 12 of the year. This novella is a haunting exploration of state exploitation of individuals in the wake of crisis. A perfect introduction to Karen Russell of you are looking to jump on.

#BookSky

*walked away. The Christmas spirit was strong when I typed this.