Due to my recent videogame obsessions, I’ve been spending a lot more time on Tumblr these days. That’s how I found this incredible drawing of Aluna from the Above World series by artist Mentacose. I love everything about it — her hair, the expression in her eyes, her clothes, the breathing shell… she’s perfect! If you need me, I’ll just be over here staring...
I haven’t done a “Stuff I Love” post in a while, which is silly since I love so many things. Today I want to recommend my latest find: vegan-friendly sneakers from Onitsuka Tiger. I have high standards when it comes to shoes, partly from having a bad back and partly because of my goal to “buy fewer things, buy higher quality (when possible).” Finding high-quality...
One of my favorite middle-grade series of all time is Stephanie Burgis‘s Kat, Incorrigible trilogy, and the third book, Stolen Magic, is now out in paperback! Book 1: Kat, Incorrigible — Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Book 2: Renegade Magic — Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Book 3: Stolen Magic — Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble I’m not...
I’d been hearing great things about a PS3-only video game called Journey, but knew almost nothing else about it until I sat down to try it out last week. Three hours later, I’d finished the game and been profoundly affected by it. You wake alone and surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert, and soon discover the looming mountaintop which is your goal. Faced with rolling sand...
I have no intention of becoming a book reviewer, but I do want to start talking about books that I’ve read more often. Instead of a review, you’re likely to get a ramble about the book, my emotional state while reading it, or whatever tangents I feeling like exploring. The first book I read in 2013 was Matthew J. Kirby‘s Icefall, and I absolutely loved it. Do you like vikings...
Trying to compile these entries has taught me that I need to keep better records of my media consumption each year. Let me give it a go anyway… Videogames Portal 2 One of my favorite games of ALL TIME. I love logic puzzles, and the collaborative mode of this game had me scratching my head then whooping with joy every time I solved a new challenge. LOVE LOVE LOVE. The single-player mode also...
I have no interest in reviewing books, but I love sharing the joy when I find a great one. Today I want to talk about Mike Jung‘s debut middle-grade novel, Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities [Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon], recommended for ages 8-12, but easily enjoyed by everyone. Excerpted from the official blurb (with spoilers extracted): Vincent Wu is Captain Stupendous’s No...
Some of you know that my rosacea — usually just an irritating flushing or blotchiness on my face — has escalated in a lot of unfortunate ways over the last few weeks. Instead of surrendering to daily antibiotics and topical steroids, I’ve been searching for lifestyle changes and natural products to help me manage the condition. And lo, I have discovered the glory of Jojoba Oil...
On my journey toward minimalism, I have a rule: I’m not allowed to buy things because they are on sale or a good bargain; I must only buy things that I love, even if they’re more expensive. As a result, I have discovered two pairs of shoes that I never want to take off, that make me dance joyfully around the house whenever I put them on. I have become a Shoe Person. (Note: Neither of...
If I had to choose one brand of pen to use exclusively for the rest of my life, without even a moment’s hesitation, my answer would be Sharpie. It’s not even a question, really. I’ve been using Sharpies my whole life. They’re the pens I reach for to address envelopes, to label boxes, to scribble on CDs, to leave tiny love notes on the counter for my partner. They come in a...
Sports Night, a half-hour comedy-drama series created by Aaron Sorkin (before he rose to West Wing fame), has just made it to Netflix streaming and should therefore be added to all of your to-be-watched (or re-watched) queues. First, it’s not about sports. Not any more than The West Wing was about politics, at least. It’s about people — about an intense workplace that has forged...
I have talented friends, and they write fantastic books. Today I’d like to talk about two recent releases because they are so incredibly different, and yet have so much in common. Let’s compare the books: Boy at the End of the World by Greg van Eekhout Male author, male main character Science fiction (post-apocalyptic) Setting is wild and dangerous, very “Person vs...
I’ve been using Baggu for years, and I can think of few products that I love more. Baggu are reusable shopping bags that fold into tiny pouches. They are so light and small that they fit easily into a purse, backpack pouch, or even the back pocket of your jeans. Unfolded, they are Bags of Holding, capable of carrying heavy and bulky items, or tons and tons of groceries. If you decide to buy...
My primary rules for health and beauty products are simple: the company must be cruelty-free and the product must be 100% vegetarian and contain no palm oil. Secondary rules include: as many natural ingredients as possible and somewhat affordable. (Although I am willing to pay extra for items that meet my requirements.) Here are a few of the products I love: Coalface Cleanser, LUSH The first time...
I miss blogging, and in an effort to return to more regular posts, I’m starting a new thing: “Stuff I Love” posts. How does this differ from most of my other posts? Um… it doesn’t. But this is my excuse to talk about the many tiny things I discover, uncover, or enjoy in my everyday life. First up: Umami Burger Yes, that’s right. Despite the fact that I...