November 21st, 2025 My new book got a one star rating. Why that’s kind of a relief. (Plus: notes on self-selection and I’ll see you at the Gary’s Sip & Shop tomorrow!)
Tag Archives: Review
Smarg Review
December 30th, 2024 I was so excited to finally get the first issue of Smarg delivered to my door! This book is both the debut of pals Paul Hallgren and Jesse Switters as a creative team and Snow Day Press, the new local comic imprint. Smarg himself is the alter ego of Swerven Niv-Bakcen, anContinue reading “Smarg Review”
Best of 2024
December 23rd, 2024 As I remind you every year: lists are so stupid, and oh do I love lists. These aren’t the “best” in the same way we rank athletes or products; these are the things that best captured my imagination, best dominated my conversations, best made me think and feel and moved my soulContinue reading “Best of 2024”
Flow Review
December 17th, 2024 As much as I like to participate in the popular culture conversation (and, boy, do I ever), I also like to highlight stuff that you would probably miss otherwise. Even though it’s been the talk of the animation world, collecting awards and getting nominated for a Golden Globe, most people I’ve talkedContinue reading “Flow Review”
Fluke
March 11th, 2024 I can say without hyperbole that this book, Fluke, by Brian Klaas, is one of the best I’ve ever read. The problem with reviewing something is that you don’t want to spoil the thing for a potential reader, but you have to say enough to make them feel compelled to read it.Continue reading “Fluke”
Fall Out Boy in Somerset
July 14th, 2023 We could not have asked for a better day outdoors than yesterday when we sat down on the grass in Somerset to watch my absolute favorite band, Fall Out Boy. Until a thunderstorm rolled into town and asked: “You sure about that?” After three sets under beautiful weather, cold drinks in hand,Continue reading “Fall Out Boy in Somerset”
the graetness of being human
July 10th, 2023 “Every night you make somebody’s day.” I can’t easily explain why I’m still in the restaurant business after all these years. There are the reasons I keep freely between my fingers like playing cards, displaying them when people ask me to show them a magic trick. As a writer who makes veryContinue reading “the graetness of being human”
Football is Life (and Death)
May 30th, 2023 I’m posting this absolute thirst trap to talk about my two favorite shows right now which, like this photo, are about soccer and not about soccer at all. Yellowjackets and Ted Lasso couldn’t be more different on paper, but they share more than their European football connection; they compliment one another, andContinue reading “Football is Life (and Death)”
Axol Review!
April 12th, 2023 I’m officially an Axol-Head. I got introduced to the work of 14-year-old Landon Shepherd by his parents, Jennifer and Justin; he’s an incredibly talented artist and storyteller, and I couldn’t be more fortunate to have been able to feature some of his artwork in my graphic novel, Brushfire: Wave 1. Not oneContinue reading “Axol Review!”
Them: Review of a Review
March 13th, 2023 Ah, reviews. They can be inconsequential; they can be essential. They can make or break a thing, or deconstruct and remake it again. However you feel about them, they’re not going away. And as much as I hate to admit it, getting a review confirms to me that something I’ve created isContinue reading “Them: Review of a Review”
The Den 