Did I ever mention that the Song of Achilles audiobook is terrific?

This one never gets old

[image or embed]

— Nina Willburger (@drnwillburger.bsky.social) July 18, 2026 at 12:20 PM

One of my favorite books, and I'm pleased to say the audiobook, performed by Frazer Douglas, is wonderful. Here's the Amazon link, although I listened to it on Libby. 

(The audiobook for Miller's short story Galatea is good too, albeit pretty grim; I haven't listened to the Circe audiobook, but the novel is $2.99 at Amazon (also fairly grim as I recall)).

detail i love in every iteration of The Odyssey is shooting the arrow through the axes, bc it’s such a nebulously described task no one imagines it the same way pic.twitter.com/pC0lI2mEnA

— Paul Muad’Dib (@trygraptor) July 18, 2026

For reference: Sweden Gate. https://t.co/9USk730HWU pic.twitter.com/V8GOTDkBKp

— Minnie (@saintdutchess) July 17, 2026

Seinfeld 2026: George rents a wheelchair to attend an otherwise sold-out screening of The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm.

— Nick Tierce (@nicktierce.com) July 18, 2026 at 3:46 PM

The audiobook for Jeff VanderMeer's "Authority" is great

I loved Annihilation (book and movie), but, until now, never got around to reading Authority, I think because I read a later sequel out of order and found it very boring. 

But the Authority audiobook is great--the story's great, and the performance by Bronson Pinchot is great. It picks up right after the events of Annihilation and is about a failson FBI agent sent to the Southern Reach to figure out why their excursions keep ending in disaster, and immediately finding himself in way over his head. It reads like gothic horror, with the bureaucracy of the Southern Reach's headquarters serving as the decaying haunted mansion.

Available at Amazon, but I used the Libby app.

It's 51% off John Picacio's award winning illustrated book "The Invisible Parade" (where a child meets the four horsemen, but in an uplifiting manner) for Prime day

The hardcover's cheaper than the Kindle right now, terrific art.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Picacio (@johnpicacio)

Hiya's latest Kusanagi figure features her battle-damaged, anti-tank rifle-wielding look from Stand Alone Complex episode 21

Up for preorder. (Stand Alone Complex is on Tubi, and the hotel fight in episode 21 is terrific (this figure really should come with two pistols)).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HiyaToys (@hiya_toys)

Behind the scenes photos from Apple's excellent comedic horror series "Widow's Bay"

Tbt to Halloween when I dressed as the babadook but my friend's house had more of a grown ups drinking wine vibe pic.twitter.com/PoGKUFeLLw

— Katie Dippold (@katiedippold) June 30, 2016

Really fun series about a milquetoast mayor realizing his quaint island (it could be the next Martha's Vineyard!) is absolutely overflowing with ghosts and monsters and serial killer ghost monsters (Hiro Murai has directed so many of my favorite shows). From an interview with creator:

There's a scene [in Weapons] where - yeah. When - the scene when she's sleeping in the car, and the audience sees the woman coming out of the house, walking strangely to the car, and then you just hear the back seat open. I think that's the - it's terrifying, but I think that's the funniest thing in the entire world. 

... 

MARTÍNEZ: What's the writing room like? 'Cause I'm wondering with a series like this that has horror, it has suspense, it has mystery and, obviously, lots of laughs, too, are there some writers that are better at one part of that?

DIPPOLD: You know, I'm so glad you asked that because that was one of the more challenging things that ended up being the most rewarding. I had this great writers' room. There's seven other writers. Some of them came from more mythology-heavy shows like "WandaVision." And then I had, you know, a couple of old-time friends in comedies that - some of the best comedy writers I know from, like, you know, "SNL." One was from "Key & Peele." And so at first, that was a challenge, to sort of navigate the room and try to tell one cohesive story. What was very rewarding was by the end, the mythology writers were pitching jokes that were hilarious, and they all knew the show. And the comedy writers were passionately, heatedly debating and arguing for things on the mythology. And it was very fun to see that come together.

From an interview with Kate O'Flynn:

AVC: Was there something you were able to improv in or have any favorite scenes from the episode? 

KO: It was a late addition, but I loved this bit in episode one where she’s talking to Shep in the hospital room, and Tom walks in and says something about them being able to listen to you when they’re in a coma, so Patricia responds by saying, “I apologize for wasting his time.” That was a last minute throw-in line. There’s also a scene at the start of episode seven that we have to play it straight, but it was impossible to get through for me.

In episode four, I loved the physical stuff, like the final scene on the beach where they’re all walking into the water. It looked spectacular in person. I felt like a kid in the playground pretending to save everybody. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Dippold (@katiedippold)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hiro Murai (@muraihiro)

I enjoyed the 1952 novella "Travel Light" about an orphaned girl who loathes heroes and is beloved by Odin

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andreea Jurj (@andreeajurj_)

I read it after reading this article by Duncan Fyfe about its rediscovery:

Travel Light gets better with distance. The more time that passes since the publication of the 1952 novel, the more likely a reader will apprehend it with wonder. The book is astonishing, but you’ve probably never heard of it. Its author, Naomi Mitchison, is even more astonishing, but you’ve probably never heard of her either. Most of all, the reader will wonder, how has this novel been out there for 70 years without having become a canonical text for every bookish child in the world?

37% off right now at Amazon, although I used the Libby app.

I enjoyed these two reviews of Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun series, as well as this short story set in the universe

I finally finished the four books, and sought out commentary. I think this one is basically right--the books are great fun, and basically answer all important questions and there's no need to overthink them. But this one is also at least somewhat true, if you want everything answered, you'll probably be frustrated. (My guess as to why the narrator was telling the story was wrong, which wasn't surprising, since unpredictability was what I liked most about the books.)

Also while looking for discussion about the series, I found and enjoyed "The She-Wolf’s Hidden Grin" a short story by Michael Swanwick, apparently inspired by later books written by Wolfe. (Good story, but it's much darker in tone than The Book of the New Sun.)

Stalactite and Stalagmite scuptures

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Drew Beckmeyer (@drewbeckmeyer)

Based on Drew Beckmeyer's charming illustrated book "Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave," available at Amazon, and I found in the Libby app.

Wonderful fanfiction about an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" set in Narnia

Old to the internet, but new to me.

I continue to love Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun

I've now read the first three books of the series. The narrator seems to be a prisoner trapped in a 1,001 Nights situation, relating tale after tale about his swashbuckling adventures across Urth (Earth rebuilt after a long-forgotten disaster? a Snowpiercer-like climate miscalculation? alien manipulation?) (throughout, it's unclear if he's dishonest, dumb, time-addled, or all of the above). When I finished the first book, I said I'd never read a novel where each chapter was so satisfying as a distinct adventure and deserving of its own lurid cover image. And after about 900 pages, he's still going strong. The stories feel like the Calvin and Hobbes strips where Calvin imagines himself the star of pulpy adventures. Available at Amazon, although I've been reading them in the Libby app.

The latest episode of Pablo Torre's podcast is fantastic

An incredibly-well-told life-affirming story about the two men who helped Magic Johnson when he was at his lowest. Also, a terrific story about how great journalists do their job. (They have some fun at the end about Magic's apparent unwillingness to participate in the podcast, but the man they interview at the very end was just announced as taking over business operations for the Lakers.)

Preorder Ann Leckie's excellent new novel "Radiant Star" and get it signed and personalized

Signed and personalized copies are available here. 

For those not familiar, Ann Leckie has written a series of science fiction novels focusing on an intergalactic empire crumbling under its own weight as it's forced to confront its history of atrocities. The first three novels (Ancillary Justice, Ancillary Sword, Ancillary Mercy) form a trilogy of utopian science fiction (think Star Trek the Next Generation with a dash of Master and Commander). Lots of philosophical discussions about racism, individuality, and free will, punctuated by super-slick violence between warriors with personal force fields, and spaceships enhanced by AIs. The protagonist and their allies are highly-competent and committed to justice.

Radiant Star is the latest novel taking place in the same universe. The events of the other books trigger a cascading series of failures in the remote city of Ooioiaa, exposing the local religious, mercantile, and political elites as pathetically venal and incompetent.

There is no super skilled hero operating here to save the city from collapse. Instead Radiant Star is a page-turner about human frailty, and the small acts of desperate heroism and generosity that seem pointless in the moment, but just might add up to salvation. (And if what you really want is an AI that is quite possibly insane, there is indeed one operating in the margins of the story. It collects things.) 

Radiant Star is available for preorder now. The audiobooks in the series are performed by Adjoa Andoh, and are also excellent. Enjoy them for free in the Libby app.

Madeline Miller's new book is up for preorder

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ecco (@eccobooks)

From the Amazon listing:

Mestra, daughter of the King of Thessaly, is granted a unique gift by Poseidon: the ability to transform into any being she can imagine.

Her father, on the other hand, is cursed: As punishment for disrespecting the goddess Demeter, he is in possession of an unnatural, insatiable hunger.

Devoted Mestra suggests using her new gift to help her father. But if his hunger is bottomless, how much will he take from her? Soon she must decide: Will she keep helping her father survive, or finally break free?

Speaking of Miller, I recently listened to the audiobooks of Song of Achilles (performed by Frazer Douglas) and Galatea (performed by Ruth Wilson). Both readings are great, and I found them in the Libby app.

My favorite toys 2025

I meant to post this sooner, but have ended up on a long-trial jury and have a schedule even more chaotic than usual. I got a few fancier toys this year that were disappointing because of fragility or limited articulation, but these were all a lot of fun (mostly nostalgia characters, but that's because my favorite newer characters haven't received figures at all):

G.I. Joe ReAction+ Pythona (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

G.I. Joe ReAction+Cobra-La Royal Guard (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

G.I. Joe ReAction+ Fatal Fluffy (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

G.I. Joe Classified Snake Eyes and Polar Bear (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

Star Wars: The Black Series Sebulba (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Crosshair (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Sabine Wren and Howler (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

What We Do in the Shadows Toony Terrors Guillermo (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

Transformers Action Edition Megatron (BBTS, EE, Amazon)

Scooby-Doo The Creeper (BBTS, EE, Amazon)


(Honorable mention for some figures I didn't pick up: Hasbro Pulse Sentinel and Super Skull, 6inchplus Gladiator Hulk, Tubular Tortoise Mutant Karate Warriors, Finegures LPZZ Arkham Knight Deathstroke)

I loved Gene Wolfe's novel "The Shadow of the Torturer," and can't believe I've never read any of his books before

The first book in a long series, it starts simply enough--a young teen sees a legendary outlaw and in a moment of unplanned bravery saves him from overwhelming odds in a swordfight. That little act of rebellion is the first of many swashbuckling adventures in a strange new world of savagery, sorcery and super science (alleged acts? The narrator seems to be dishonest? unreliable? dumb? time-addled?). I don't know that I've ever read  a novel where each chapter was so satisfying as the distinct adventure in a serial and deserving of a lurid cover image. The novel is available at Amazon in various collections, but I read it in the Libby app.

His obituary in the NY Times quotes an interview in which he described his writing style (and summarizes the feel of The Shadow of the Torturer): 

“There’s a wonderful ‘Peanuts’ cartoon that pretty much describes what I’m talking about,” he said. “Snoopy is on the top of his doghouse and he writes something like: ‘A frigate appeared on the edge of the horizon. The king’s extravagances were bankrupting the people. A shot rang out. The dulcet voice of a guitar sounded at the window.’ Then he turns and looks at the reader and says, ‘In the last chapter I’m going to pull all this together!’"

(Best I could tell, he was describing Peanuts in general and a page from "Snoopy and 'It was a Dark and Stormy Night'")

My favorite songs 2025

Wolf Alice - Bloom Baby Bloom

Raye - Where is My Husband

james K - Doom Bikini

Doja Cat - Aaahh! Men!

Gunship - Tech Noir

Gunship - Tech Noir 2





This was a quite a blast from the past:

The video for “Justified and Ancient” is my favorite fantasy film.

[image or embed]

— Oscar Goff (@theoscargoff.bsky.social) December 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM

Finally:

The way he sings the "oooh"s cracks me up everytime. 😭

🎵: Got To Get You Into My Life
🎤: Joe Pesci (aka Little Joe) pic.twitter.com/SfhDEhfJzb

— sloan (@Sloanstweets) December 23, 2025

Some best comics of the year lists, including mine

Best Comics of 205 chosen by The Comics Journal's contributors.

The Best Graphic Novels of 2025 according to the NYTimes.

Best Comics of 2025 according to the Beat.

The only comics I remember really enjoying this year (I wait to read collections) were "I Am Iron Man," "Absolute Wonder Woman," and an unofficial collection of John Paul Leon obscurities (including "Karl Malone the Mailman"). 

Also, these were not good (Windsor Smith's Wolverine is such a standout it's absurd) (there's an extended Shanna storyline by Gulacy that has good art, and a She-Hulk one-shot with great art by Byrne), but it was fun skimming them, seeing all the forgotten characters and problematic stories and early appearances by the Image comics crew. I'll never understand why Marvel and DC won't sell high-res scans of pre-digital comics as they originally looked instead of the terrible new colorized versions.  

Finally, speaking of comics, the BBTS has some new comics-related figures: Hot Toys Absolute Batman and an exclusive Hellboy figure by Boss Fight Studios with stylized paint.

Finally, finally, the Internet Archive is currently running a 2-to-1 matching campaign (described in the email they sent out today, not sure it's mentioned on their site).

The audiobook for Iain Bank's novel "Matter" is fabulous

My favorite Culture novel (slightly abridged), wonderfully performed by Toby Longworth. Available at Amazon, although I listened to it in the Libby app.

Look at this great figure of the casino boss and his mouse droid from the "The Duel: Payback" episode of Star Wars Visions

ケダマ親分に会いにきました#ビジョンズ pic.twitter.com/aV3QJJcQxu

— トルーパー.com (@trooperkt0108) November 2, 2025

浪川#ビジョンズ pic.twitter.com/N0duqEGbac

— トルーパー.com (@trooperkt0108) November 2, 2025

Great episode, I enjoyed it much more than the episode in season one.

Arkady Martine's scifi horror novella "Rose/House" is great

A genius's last great work was designing a magnificent mansion inhabited by an AI, and the novel opens with the AI contacting the local police department to inform them that someone just died in the supposedly-sealed mansion. Available at Amazon, but I read it for free in Libby.