Short Book Review: Department of Mind-Blowing Theories

Tom Gauld, Department of Mind-Blowing Theories. Montreal, Canada: Drawn and Quarterly, 2020. ISBN: 9781770463752.  (Publisher link)

Genre: comics

Subgenre: science and scientists

Format: small hardback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

 

 

This is a collection of Tom Gauld cartoons focusing on science and scientists. If you've enjoyed his relatively minimalist art, you will probably enjoy this book. As in his other books, the humor varies. Some comics are funny, and others are just OK. The strips are published in color. 

A few of my favorite comics include: 

• The new journal issues out now. 
• The smartspoon.  If you are not a fan of "smart" appliances, you may appreciate this one. 
• The "out of office" e-mail auto-reply.
• The virtual assistant and robot-cleaner. 

Overall, I think the book is a nice, quick, and easy read. It is entertaining, but it is one to read and move on. If you need something light to read, this is a good option. On campus, your science faculty may particularly appreciate it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

Book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge:  

 

 

 

Holiday Post 2025: Gifts, strange things, and other shopping

Greetings and welcome to the second installment in my holiday posts series for 2025. In case you missed it, here is the first post in the series looking at holiday traditions, manners, and miscellany.

Today I am looking at gifts, strange things, and other shopping. This year seems to be marked by many people stating up front that they will spend less for the holidays and/or are making efforts to keep expenses and gifts at a modest scale. This is not the first year that people make such statements; you hear some of it every year, but this year the situation seems a bit more urgent, and folks sound a bit more insistent about it. I can add that we are doing our best to keep holiday expenses as low as possible and trying to keep the gifts modest. My one indulgence has been some cartomancy decks, and I saved money throughout the year to get them. One thing I can say is we are not using credit or any other pay later scheme to pay for the holidays. If we do not have the money for it, we can do without just fine. In the end, I hope folks out there take it easy. Don't feel pressured to shop just because the big stores and businesses urge you to do so. Do what you can with what you have, and in the end, remember it is more about the thought and the quality of time with those in your close circle. 

 

Tips and advice for holiday shopping 

• As I mentioned, many people this holiday season are trying to make do with less. The Bad Economy is hitting some folks hard. Here is a small sample of such stories: 
• Two out of Five Americans plan to spend less for the holiday season, via The Independent. For some, this means no gifts at all. This is not good news for ordinary folks, and it certainly is not the kind of news retailers want to hear at this time of year. The article draws on some survey data and a look at key issues in the U.S. such as the still expensive groceries and the Pendejo In Chief's tariffs. 
• NPR also mentions that Americans are planning to make do with less this holiday season. People who have what may be considered regular and stable jobs are still having to take on second jobs and even going to food pantries to make ends meet in the Bad Economy. That is not all, so read the article for more details. 
• Our Canadian neighbors up north are also planning to cut back. The Toronto Sun reports on a survey stating one-third of Canadians plan to spend less for the holidays. How grim are things? For example, the article reports that "the poll shows 60% of Canadians are redirecting savings to essentials like groceries. . . ". What can I say? People need to eat. The CBC also reported on what people are doing to keep expenses down for the holidays. According to the CBC, people say they are cutting down their shopping lists, limiting gifts to just the children, and thrifting. 
• Even back in Puerto Rico, where people do their best to go big during the holiday, 7 out of 10 Puerto Ricans report they are cutting back for the holiday season according to a local survey.Story via the San Juan Daily Star. 
• For some folks, anxiety with giving and/or receiving gifts is an issue. Via OM Times, here is some advice to help you cope and overcome that anxiety and discomfort. One bit of advice that resonated for me: "What is the best present you can give or receive? Many would say it is the other person’s presence and willingness to listen to them without judgment or interruption." 

 

General gift ideas

  

This is where I look at some general lists that have a bit of this and a bit of that. Mostly I am looking for items I may find interesting or amusing. 

• Rolling Stone has their list of "best Christmas list."  I am always skeptical when someone claims they got the best list of whatever, so let's take a look at this list. They state their list goes from affordable stocking stuffers to luxury items.
• Coming in at $30 is a 10 ounce Yeti tumbler. Given the recent craze of Stanley Cups and other similar beverage containers, does anyone really need another insulated cup? However, the detail to keep in mind with this tumbler is that its "double-walled insulation keeps wine at the right temperature." We all know how important it is to keep that wine at the right temperature. 
• At $25 they got a Leuchtturm1917 Notebook. Let me be honest. As an amateur writer and journaling enthusiast, I may use a nice notebook, but I certainly do not pay $25 for one. Only time I have paid more was for a handcrafted journal notebook from a local artist who works in leather and upcycled materials. Those are notebooks and notebook covers to cherish, plus you buy local. 
• At the $100 range they got a Google Nest Audio, one of those home smart devices that I will never have in my home as long as I live. However, if being spied on by Google is your thing, oh well. 
• $58 gets you a cast iron pigeon, which I honestly have no idea why anyone would want one, but here we are. 
• If you want to splurge for someone they suggest a LEGO set to build a Porsche 911 model at $169 or so.  I like LEGO, but that is definitely out of my price range.
• When I first saw this headline, I wondered why anyone wanted a hamper. Turns out across the pond the hamper refers to a basket, kind of like what I might call a picnic basket. Anyhow, The Telegraph (UK) has their list of best Christmas hampers if you are interested.  The newspaper reviewed a bunch of different baskets from various companies to help you decide which to get or not. Note these can be a bit on the pricey side. I'd say you may be better off making your own hamper or basket as a gift to someone. This leads me to the next article.
• In the Bad Economy, Teen Vogue offers the idea of "preloved baskets." These are gift baskets you make with items you got second hand and/or from thrift stores.  If you have someone in your life who is into some fandom, you can make the basket with items related to their fandom. With some patience, creativity, and perseverance, you can make this work for anyone and stay in budget. To be honest, I like this idea better than the Telegraph's list. 
• Need something for those stockings? Vice has a list of holiday snacks for the stockings. From the list, the Legally Addictive snacks were new to me. 

 

Specific niche gifts 

These are lists of gifts for specific groups and people. I am not listing them in any particular order. 

• For gaming enthusiasts and movie lovers, The Verge has a list of 36 items. Note this article also has links to some of their other niche lists. Prices range from under $20 to about $400. 
• The LEGO Gameboy model also made the Rolling Stone "best" list above.
• For men, Art of Manliness has a list of 15 items. This annual list tends to be traditional male gifts, some of them a bit old school, but I think the right guy would appreciate some of these. It has a blend of some basics, some practical things, and a classic or two. For example, it features a pocket knife, which is a very classic gift for a man, although at $200 for the one they feature, that is a serious investment in a pocket knife. I had pocket knives when I was young, especially when I was in the Boy Scouts, but as an adult I've never felt the need to have one, or at least a very high end one. I do have a multi-purpose knife and tool I carry in my backpack. 
• For the toy enthusiast, and I do not mean children unless we mean children of all ages. Comics Beat has a list for them in 2025. Once again, LEGO sets are popular in a list; this one features a LEGO gumball machine model that runs about $180. 
• For the comics lover, Comics Beat also has a list.  An issue with the list is they have their writers mention titles with brief descriptions, but there are no links for purchase or where to find the items, so you'll need to do a bit more searching on your own to find some of the books listed. Having said that, there are some interesting titles here, and you might discover a new to you book to read. 
• For the internet and online activist, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has a small holiday list of items you can buy that look cool and you can help support EFF. From their list I do like their gaming dice.
• For the fancy traveler, Quartz looks at 9 best Christmas destinations according to the Michelin Guide. If you have time and some money to burn, maybe you want to visit one of these places. The list does feature some nice places.
• For the book lover and reader:  
• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books has their annual holiday gift guide. It features gifts like mugs and jewelry. I thought the library card coasters were a nice idea.
• This just caught my eye, via Literary Hub, an estate sale in Philadelphia where they are selling thousands of books. If you were curious, like antiquarian books, or just want to see what the deceased collected, this would have been interesting. 
• Book Page has a list of 5 literary gift books.  From their list I am intrigued by the book Everyday I Read.
• Libros 787 has a list of 10 perfect books for Christmas (Spanish language).  From the list, I have the first book on the  list, the new at this time history of Puerto Rico, on my TBR list. Also from the list I read The Puerto Rican War graphic novel (link to my review). 
• For the stoner and cannabis enthusiast, if you are in Michigan, the Detroit Metro Times has some gift ideas.  
• For writers: 
• Especially memoir and essay writers, Open Secrets Magazine offers a gift guide. It features books, workshops you could sign up to do, and other things.  
• Literary Hub has a gift guide for writers.  Tea scented erasers are an item on the list, and I am not too sure about those. A lot of these items overall I definitely view as highly optional and probably a bit on the pretentious side.
• The Washington Blade offers an ultimate guide to queer gift giving.  Claiming it is "ultimate" does set the expectations fairly high. I have to admit the vulva candles can claim an ultimate gift level. The candle is one of those that burn from underneath, so they can keep the shape as they melt down. That aside, the list combines some cute items with some luxury ones.
• You may want to consider buying your gifts from Black-owned brands. Story via The Root.
• Rolling Stone has a list of best gifts for wives that prove the husband (or spouse) is listening. It must be wives who like expensive things because if I got some or any of these for the Better Half, she would know for sure I was NOT listening when she said to keep it simple and modest.
• Rolling Stone also has a list for the husbands. Most of the stuff is fairly stereotypical male guy stuff.      

 

Alcohol and spirits

  

A small sampling of the liquor and alcohol lists for gifts this year. I always remember back in younger days my dad, who was an industrial salesman, often received bottles of liquor as gifts from his vendors and clients. And they were usually very nice, albeit modestly priced bottles. My dad drank, but moderately so, so he got more booze than he knew what to do with it, so he drank some and regifted the rest as best he could.  

• Maxim has a tequila lover's gift guide.  Most of these are a bit pricey, but the Dizzy Donkey, love the name by the way, comes in at $30 for the blanco. Just for the name I am curious to go look for it. 
• Maxim also has a list of best rye whiskies for the year.  I do enjoy a good rye whiskey now and then, but these may be a bit out of my price range, but if you can afford it, have at it. 
• The Spirits Business has their top 10 Christmas gift ideas.  The rum gift set by Drop Works sounds interesting. 

 

 

 Tarot and other cartomancy and esoteric

• Collective World has a nice idea: what gift to give yourself this holiday based on your zodiac and Tarot. List is not so much material things but more things that may help your personal development and growth.
• Pagan Grimoire has a list of 40 witchy gifts for men. This caught my eye in part because one does not see too many things for men in the pagan and witchy scene. It is what it is, but as I said, it caught my eye. Naturally the items, some at least, do have the necessary manly man aesthetic, whatever that means. Anyhow, for the pagan dude in your life some of these could be an option. There are some interesting items overall. I liked this list.  
• From the list, I am intrigued by the back flow incense burner, the first item on the list, but I get the impression you may need to buy their incense to make it work. Personally, I am perfectly happy with basic incense and a cheap burner, but if you want to splurge a bit have at it. 
• By the way, the book they show as an example, The Hermetic Museum: Alchemy and Mysticism, I just finished reading it, and yea, for your pagan man, he might appreciate it if he is a reader or just likes nice books. I hope to post a review for it soon. The book is published by Taschen, and they always put out very nice books. 
• They also suggest a Tarot deck. Personally, I would say unless you know the person, this may not be the best option because, in my humble opinion, each cartomancer knows their own preferences and aesthetic. Just give me some cash or a gift card so I can get my own decks. Having said that, if this will be their first deck, just be mindful in your choices. 
• I liked the idea of making or giving a handmade wand. I may need to do that for myself, find a good stick to make a wand. 
• Naturally, there is at least one LEGO set, and this time they suggest the Hocus Pocus model featuring the Sanderson Sisters house so you can build it together (wink wink).
• Colette Baron Reid has her list of favorite things for the holidays. List combines a bit of self promotion, say for her decks, and some more personal ideas like writing  a handwritten notes. 
• Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, offers her "2025 Tarot, Astrology, and Mystical Holiday Shopping Guide." She does put some thought and offers some good variety of items and services of interest to the witchy and other magical folk. From the list of books she suggests, I am currently reading Ethony Dawn's Become an Exceptional Tarot Reader, and so far I can say the book is great. I will have a review here on the blog soon. 

 

 I end this post with the adult section. If that is not your thing, you can stop reading here, and I thank you for stopping by. If you are cool with, keep reading. 

Adult and/or sexy gift ideas 

 

 

•  Back in September, Tenga was taking pre-orders on their advent calendars. Story via AVN.The calendar features "25 unique surprise Tenga Egg strokers to discover throughout the holiday season." This sounds like one of those fun items that the Better Half and I should get one of these years for some fun quality time. At about $120, we'd need to save a bit of money for it. Oh well, maybe next year. If you want to get it, here is the link to their store.
• Girl on the Net has her list of Christmas gifts with sexy suggestions. 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Post 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Thanksgiving post here at The Itinerant Librarian. This is a small post pointing to some trivia and other small items of interest related to the holiday that I think my four readers may find amusing or interesting. 2024 has been a rough year, and here personally we had a loss in the family this month, so a tad rougher recently. At any rate, we keep going on the best we can. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a safe and happy time. If it is just Thursday for you, I hope you have a good and safe day as well. 

Personally we will have a modest celebration and meal at home. We are neither traveling nor hosting, so it will be small and simple in our home. I believe pot roast is on the menu this year as chosen by family consensus. We got away from the "traditional" menu years ago, and it was for the best Now, we just pick something we feel like eating, and we make the meal. In addition, I will be making the traditional Puerto Rican coquito. I will be making a few bottles for some of our family friends; making coquito is one of the small traditions I enjoy from back home that I can easily do during the holidays. It is not difficult to make. If you want to try it, here is a recipe that is close to the one I use (you don't really expect me to reveal all my secrets, do you?). When folks in the States ask me what is coquito I often describe it as  Puerto Rican coconut nog, but do note it does not contain eggs, which adds to its simplicity. 

So while I am taking a small holiday break for Turkey Day, thanks for stopping by, and read some of the stories below to be entertained until I get back. And if you run out of things to read, well, here is the post from last year, which I am sure has one or two stories that may still be of interest.

 

Holiday Trivia

 

• President Biden continues the tradition of doing a presidential pardon for two turkeys. The turkeys' names are Peach and Blossom this year. 
• The Library of Congress has a blog post about Sarah Josepha Hale, a woman who helped Thanksgiving become the national holiday it is now. Among her many accomplishments she was also the editor of Godey's Lady's Book. 
• The Library of Congress blog also has a post on historical holiday cookbooks. However, it only discusses the books; no recipes are offered at this time, which is a pity. I would have found it interesting to see some old recipes, and so would the Better Half, who enjoys cookbooks and has a small personal collection. 
• This is not quite trivia, but it did not fit under the other headings. Via the Prison Journalism Project, here is a story on how a group of inmates celebrate Thanksgiving behind bars. If you like stories about holiday miracles, you might enjoy this tale. 
• Ever wonder where the cranberries for the holiday come from? I mean, besides in a can. Well, turns out a lot of them are harvested in Massachusetts. 
• J-STOR Daily presents a short history of the turkey in the U.S.
   

The economy of the holiday

 

 

• Turns out that in 2024 the traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be a bit cheaper than last year. The Axios story is drawing from the annual survey of the Thanksgiving dinner done by the Farm Bureau Federation annually (see graphic above). 

 

Holidays advice (and we will be needing it this year)

 

Given that we just barely survived a seriously contentious election season in the United States, the holidays season is shaping up to be very tense and conflicting for many folks. If you pay attention to media, odds are good you have read at least one of the many articles being churned out giving advice about how to cope with certain family members over the holidays. Personally, this makes me glad we are neither traveling nor hosting, and to be honest, my advice is if you can stay home and don't host anyone who may cause trouble. But if you must go somewhere or host someone who may be trouble, well, here are some bits of advice to hopefully makes things at least bearable. This is just a very small sampling from my feeds from what seems a deluge of advice this season. I'd suggest takes what works for you, and leave the rest.

• Here are some tips from the Associated Press. 
• NPR offers three pieces of advice. 
• Sojourners also has an advice column. Do note, this one has a bit of a Christian viewpoint (the magazine is owned by a progressive Christian organization). Still, the advice can be applicable to anyone since, for example remembering the principles of love, some things are shared in common no matter your religion. 
• Not that I am telling women what to do, but some women are choosing to outright boycott any holiday celebration with people who voted to cut down their rights as women and human beings. You can learn more about this via the Lexington Herald-Leader. 
• Traveling? Here is a bit of advice on that too.
• AAA has tips on when is the best time to hit the road for the holiday travel. If you did not leave early, turns out the day of Thanksgiving may be the best day to travel, so if you live near your destination, that may be best. If that is not an option, read to find out what are other good times if you must drive. 
• The news are filling up with stories at this time about how airports will be seriously congested with travelers for the holiday. Reader's Digest has a report on which airports will have the longest wait times if you are choosing to fly. 

 

 The food

 

• Are making the traditional turkey? If you bought it frozen, you will need to thaw it, and to do it safely, you need to know when to start thawing it and how. This article from The Hill gives you that information. If you need more details, the article draws upon information from the USDA. Oh, and make sure you do check the temperature before serving it once you cook it.
  
• Associated Press also has some advice for safely cooking the Thanksgiving meal. 
• Cooking the meal stressing you out? NPR asks a top chef for ways to reduce the stress. One tip? Make some of the dishes ahead of time. Yes, you can do that, and the dishes will still be just fine. 
• Are you flying with food for a Thanksgiving gathering? I am not sure why anyone would do that, but OK, you do you. If you are traveling with food, read this article to learn what the TSA will allow or not. 
• Need some ideas on what to serve, or not to serve for your Thanksgiving feast? Well, here is a dinner poll that shows what are the most popular and least popular Thanksgiving foods. By the way, if you are serving Brussel sprouts, you are an effing barbarian; it is the least popular choice. 
• Trying to keep the meal healthy? Yea, I know, a challenge for many, but here are some ideas to make things a bit healthier via The New York Post. 
• Speaking of keeping it healthy, this NPR story offers the suggestion of taking a walk after the meal to keep things a bit healthier. It does not have to be a long walk, just some quality time to get some steps in and help your sugar stay under control. This is an idea I certainly favor, and I do this.
  
• Cocktails, which some may need to help mellow tensions, and mocktails, for our friends who may be on the sobriety journey and/or just choose not to drink: 
• The Spirits Business has a list of "10 cocktails to serve this Thanksgiving." 
• Enjoy whiskey? Drinkhacker has some suggestions of whiskey and Thanksgiving food pairings. 
• Want or prefer non-alcoholic options? Town & Country magazine has a list of 18 Thanksgiving mocktail recipes that look pretty nice.
• The leftovers. For some, these are great. Personally, I do not particularly care for Thanksgiving fare leftovers, other than pie. Turns out this holiday can be seriously wasteful, in large part because not everyone either likes leftovers or knows what to do with them. This is also a big reason why our household gave up on the "traditional" meal and just make food we actually like. Still, for our friends who still do traditional,  here are some ideas on what to do with the leftovers. 
• Here is a recipe for a one pot meal with leftovers via the Lexington Herald-Leader.
• The Chicago Sun-Times offers ides on how to use every part of the Thanksgiving meal leftovers. 

 

 

Short book review: Baking with Kafka

Tom Gauld, Baking With Kafka. Montreal, Quebec: Drawn and Quarterly, 2017. ISBN: 9781770462960.

Genre: comics

Subgenre: humor, books, literature

Format: small hardback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

This is a 2017 collection of Tom Gauld comics. These are cartoons previously published in The Guardian, and people often share them on social media. Odds are if you are on social media, especially if you have interests related to books and reading, some of these have appeared on your feeds. If you enjoy humor about books, reading, and literature, this may be a book for you. 

Some favorites from this volume include: 

• The Set Text. I am sure a few literature teachers may appreciate this one. 
• Revolution. 
• Planning Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology' Book Tour. 
• Our Town in Literature: New Fiction by Local Authors. 

Overall, a nice and amusing collection. I liked it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review: LEWSER!

G.B. Trudeau, LEWSER! More Doonesbury in the Time of Trump. Kansas City, MO: Andrew McMeel, 2020. ISBN: 9781524859503.

Genre: comics and graphic novels, humor

Subgenre: politics and current events

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library. I did get an e-galley via Netgalley I was unable to access, so was not able to read it at that time. 

This is a collection of Doonesbury comics during the time of Trump.; many of the strips feature Trump as the protagonist. The volume then also looks at the regular Doonesbury characters living their lives and trying to cope and live in these Hard Times. 

This book is part of a Doonesbury Trump trilogy. I read the first volume, Yuge! (link to my review). The second volume is #Sad, and this book is the third volume.

On the one hand, there are some amusing moments in this volume. When the humor works, it works well. On the other hand, it can be painful to go read about the Trump administration. Those times may seem like a dark joke at times, but by now this book is a painful reminder of what was (and what could be again if Americans don't get their act together). To be honest, the best parts are the strips with the regular characters. A strength of the book is that it really captures the essence and mood of the time. 

Overall I liked this one. It is an easy read, relatively quick getting through it. I do always like the art in this series, especially when the author turns objects into people like the cigarette and now the Juul vape stick. Doonesbury does have a way to keep up with the times, but it does not always age well though.

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: 

Short Book Review: You're All Just Jealous of my Jetpack

Tom Gauld, You're All Just Jealous of my Jetpack. Richmond, BC: Drawn and Quarterly, 2013.  ISBN: 9781770461048.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: humor, literary

Format: small hardcover

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library.

This is Tom Gauld's 2013 cartoon collection. If you've seen his comics published in The Guardian and/or  seen them frequently reposted on social media, then you already know what to expect. Humor varies from cute to amusing to dark, but not too dark. Unlike the publisher's description, I would not label the humor as "laugh at loud," but it will certainly make you smile, more so if you appreciate the world of books, literature, and reading. 

Some comics in this volume include: 

• Night in the consulting room.
• The adapted novel.
• The origin of swearing.
• The family of writers. 

Overall, a nice and easy read. These are nice books for light and relaxing reading. I read this relatively quickly. Always entertaining, and I did like this one. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Thanksgiving Post 2023

Somehow Thanksgiving just got here. It was barely Halloween, and lo and behold, Thanksgiving is here. To put in perspective, Christmas and the holidays have been here for a while now. It may seem that Thanksgiving is just a bump in the road to the rest of the holiday season. 

Anyhow, like many folks in the United States I am taking some time off for Turkey Day to be with family. As in previous years, we are staying home so we can actually relax. For years now, we always do a non-traditional meal because to be honest we could not care less about turkey and the rest of the usual meal. This year it's going to be a small beef roast with some vegetables made in the slow cooker, so by the time we are ready to eat it will be nice and tender. We'll also have the usual charcuterie board, fancy name for plate with cheeses and some cold meats, to snack throughout the day. And since this is the start of the holiday season it is time to make coquito. Making coquito is one of the small holiday traditions I enjoy, and I usually make some extra bottles to send out to close friends. It is relatively easy to make, and the cost is relatively low. If you want to try making your own, here is a recipe that is pretty close to what I use. Most Puerto Ricans probably use more rum than the recipe suggests. I suggest you try and see how much or how little rum you want in it.

While I am taking a break, I offer this post to give my four readers something to read over the holiday break and maybe find some amusement here or there. If you are celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope you have a peaceful, safe, and happy holiday. If it is just Thursday for you, I hope it is a good day to you as well. So without further ado here are some Thanksgiving related stories and bits of advice and trivia. I have been doing this tradition for a bit now. Here is last year's post, which does have one or two posts that may still be of interest now, in case you need some more stuff to read. 

 

 

Trivia about the holiday

• Apparently this year travel is up, and the weather may be an issue according to UPI.. So if you are traveling, remember to remain calm and stay safe. 
• In traditions, President Biden will be pardoning two turkeys. Story via UPI.
• On a different bit of trivia, turns out the day after Thanksgiving is very busy for plumbers. Learn more about Brown Friday via UPI.
   

 

 

The economy of the holiday

• Farm Bureau once again does their annual survey for the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. In some good news, the cost is a wee bit lower than 2022. Here is a graphic for folks who may want a visual:
   

Holidays Advice

The holidays, including Thanksgiving, can be a stressful time for some folks. Not everyone has happy memories or looks forward to spending time with certain family. So here are some bits of advice and other wisdom that may be useful for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays season. 

• I personally abide by the old time rule of not discussing certain topics in polite company. Two of those topics are religion and politics. Save yourself some grief and just don't do it. Don't be that one asshole who needs to bring up politics and ruin the nice family gathering for everyone else. Some Americans seem to agree at least in principle as a recent survey found that 6 in 10 Americans hope to avoid politics during Thanksgiving. 
• If your family gives you grief in any way, shape, or form, I will be blunt here. Cut them off and save yourself the trouble. Start your own traditions. Have a friendsgiving instead with those in your close circle. P.Z. Myers looks at complaints younger folks may have about their Boomer elders and why they are not coming home for Thanksgiving. 
• It would be nice if you could invite Leslie Jones to help keep things under control during the gathering (link to YouTube video). 
• Another option for Thanksgiving may be just travel someplace else, stay at a nice resort hotel, and in addition to letting them prepare the meal you can also do other activities. The San Juan Daily Star has an article on places to visit. By the time you read this post it may be a bit late, but maybe you plan for next year.  Closer to home, you can also consider just going out to a nice restaurant that may be doing a Thanksgiving meal. In an idea world, everyone would close, but I get life happens. I will add that I when I worked as a waiter many moons ago, the hotel I worked for did put out a Thanksgiving meal, and it was quite popular for locals. The pay was decent at the time for me too, and I just had the dinner with the Better Half after work.
  

 

The Food

Photo of a Thanksgiving plate, turkey and fixings, via National Turkey Federation.

 

•  The USDA has some advice to help you "Keep risky habits out of the kitchen this Thanksgiving." This includes some basic safety advice including washing your hands, tips on defrosting your turkey (if you are cooking a frozen bird), and how to handle leftovers. 
• Do you have questions how to cook a turkey? Are you cooking it, and it looks funny somehow? Other concerns? Butterball has a Thanksgiving turkey hotline and website to help. It includes their 800 number: 1-800-Butterball. If it is your first time making a turkey for Thanksgiving, this is very much a lifeline. 
• Salon also has a helpful article on how to roast that turkey to a perfect golden brown.
• The Root also has some advice and tips on cooking the meal. 
• Also from The Root, are you spending Thanksgiving in a Black household? They have some advice on what NOT to bring for Thanksgiving in a Black household. Some of it is humorous, and some is dead serious, so proceed with caution. For example, apparently bringing a pizza is a problem. Not at our household. You bring a good pizza, you will be welcomed with open arms. Different strokes for different folks as the saying goes. 
• More advice on what not to bring and/or what not to make. Via Level, here are the 8 worst Thanksgiving dishes.  This is not so much about exotic dishes for the gathering. It's more about not fucking up the traditional dishes such as the potatoes and the cranberry sauce.
  
• Are you wanting to do "healthy" Thanksgiving dishes? Well, if you must here are some healthy suggestions via the Chicago Sun-Times. Joking aside the article gives you some tips also on how to keep a balanced diet such as being cautious about your carbs, which can be Public Enemy number 1 for diabetics. 
• Pie is always a highlight of the festivity. Theresa Reed, over at the Farmer's Almanac,  has made a list of best pies for your Zodiac sign. This is perfect for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays season. Links to recipes are included. 

 

Black Friday

Leonardo di Caprio meme raising glass. Text: To all the people out there who do their Black Friday Shopping Online.

Ah, that fine tradition the day after giving thanks for the bounty. Because you are barely done giving thanks and showing gratitude for what you have, so you are ready to rush out to get more stuff. These days many retailers start offering Black Friday deals earlier and/or for a longer period of time, especially if you choose to shop online.

• Axios reports on some Black Friday deals in places like the Big A and Walmart. 
• If you prefer to avoid shopping on Black Friday, NPR has some suggestions of what to do instead.
   

Finally, for those folks who are into frying turkeys, a bit of humor:

"It's that most wonderful time of the year." 🎶 . . .   How not to deep fry a Turkey (link to YouTube video). 

Short Book Review: Hagar the Horrible: Motley Crew

Dik Browne, Hagar the Horrible: Motley Crew. New York: Tor Books, 1992. ISBN: 0812515447.

This is a nice collection of Hagar the Horrible comics. The book contains a series of short comic stories, 41 in total. The stories can be two to four pages in length. The comics look at Hagar's travails as a viking and a family man. Highlights in this volume include: Hagar and Helga watching a sunset, celebrating Christmas (I always like Christmas comics), Hagar visiting a wise man for wisdom, and Hamlet, Hagar's son, reading with Hernia, a girl friend. 

Overall, this is a fun and easy read that can make you smile. The strips are in black and white, but they are still fun to read. If you need something light to cheer you up, this is pretty good. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Short book review: Hagar Hits the Mark

Dik Browne, Hagar Hits the Mark. New York: Ace Tempo, 1977. ISBN: 0441315836.

Genre: comics

Subgenre: vikings, Middle Ages

Format: paperback

Source: I own this one.

 

This is another amusing collection from our favorite viking and his travails. Among the highlights: loot Hagar brings Helga, his wife, poking fun at how the English talk, and whether Helga knows what Hagar really does for a living. Overall, it's a nice collection of comics with nice humor and family friendly. It is a quick and easy read that I liked. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

 

Short book review: Hagar the Horrible: Sacking Paris on a Budget

Dik Browne, Hagar the Horrible: Sacking Paris on a Budget. New York: TOR Books, 1982. ISBN: 0523490453.

Genre: comics

Subgenre: vikings, Middle Ages

Format: paperback

Source: I own this one.

 

This is a short paperback collecting Hagar the Horrible comics. This volume is a bit different than the previous one I read. The strips here present short stories instead of random strips. A highlight for me is Hagar's son, Hamlet, who is a bit more gentle, and to Hagar's chagrin, reads books. It's amusing how Hagar does not wish to read, yet he gets curious about the books his son reads. Other strips feature family humor and lessons in life such as in business it really is who you know. The book overall is a quick and amusing read. I liked it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Short book review: Hagar the Horrible: Happy Hour

Dik Browne, Hagar the Horrible: Happy Hour. New York: Ace Tempo Books, 1982. ISBN: 0448168596.

Genre: comics

Subgenre: vikings, humor, family

Format: small paperback

Source: I own this. I got it as part of a bundle of four Hagar the Horrible books at Half Price Books. 

 

This is a small book collecting Hagar the Horrible comic strips. Hagar is a viking, but he is also a married man with kids and faces many of the issues a family man does. The strip often looks at modern issues through Hagar, his family, and his peers, especially Lucky Eddie. I remember reading Hagar comics in newspapers here and there, so it was nice to find this book. Among the highlights are things Hagar brings home for Helga from his pillaging trips. The humor overall is light and easy. Overall, I liked it. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Knock 'Em Dead

Eliot Rahal, Knock 'Em Dead. Dallas, TX: Aftershock Comics, 2021. ISBN: 9781949028683

Genre: comics

Subgenre: comedy, horror

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus

 

Pryor Brice is an aspiring comedian, but he is pretty bad at it. He lives with his overbearing sister who wishes he would get a real job. One night, Pryor decides to take a chance and do his first stand up gig at an amateur comedy night. He bombs, but that is not the worse of it. On the way home, he almost dies in an automobile accident. When he is brought back to life in the hospital, he learns dying may not be the worse thing to happen to him. 

Pryor's story combines horror in the tradition of works about spirit possessions and a bit from The Twilight Zone. The twist at the very end is reminiscent of the series. It also brings in a bit of comedy and dark humor.

The story can be a bit inconsistent, or rather it may stretch the fiction a little bit. For example, I thought the part with the exorcist for hire was funny. When Pryor and her sister want to just do the exorcisms themselves, it seemed a bit too easy. Granted, this is fiction, but that briefly interrupted the suspension of disbelief. Still, the idea of Pryor and his sister getting spirits of comedians to possess him is humorous, and it takes a dark turn as well. As Pryor and his sister get deeper into their scam soon they end up way over their heads.

The comic overall is a good read. If you like a bit of horror with a bit of humor, this is a good selection. It is well paced and engaging. The art is good and in full color. The art of the covers is great. In addition, for folks who want to learn more, the extras in the volume include a series of interviews with the creators and others. In the end, you may see stand up comedy in a whole new light. I really liked it, and I would recommend it.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Dumpty

John Lithgow, Dumpty: the Age of Trump in Verse. New York: Chronicle Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781452182759.

 

Genre: poetry

Subgenre: humor, satire, politics, United States politics

Format: hardcover

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library  

 

Usually I would avoid a book about Trump, but two things caught my eye. One, it is a poetry book, so I figured it could be an easy read. Two, John Lithgow is the author. I know Lithgow as an actor, but I did not know he also wrote books, including books for children. I may need to check his other books out, and no, Dumpty is NOT for children.

The book is satire in verse about Trump and his administration. It looks at his time in office, various events up to the Mueller Report. Figures making appearances include Betsy DeVos, William Barr, Rudy Giuliani, and many more. Given Trump's tendency to fire people, some characters you might not recall readily, so the book includes footnotes after the poems to identify people. 

The book's strength is the poetry and its craft. Lithgow is very good at putting verses together, rhyming well, and writing a good poem overall. For some poems, he writes in the style and form of famous authors such as A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, and Mother Goose. The poems are mostly light and amusing. 

The topic may be a weakness, but that is not Lithgow's fault. I mean that by now as of this post, many people would rather forget the Trump years. The book came out in 2019, so it may be losing impact in 2022. Yet I say the book can be a good picture of what that time was like. If some of the poetry feels ridiculous you need to recall those were ridiculous times. Humor can be a way to cope and remember. I had mixed feelings reading the book as I would rather put those years behind, but some of these poems are funny. Some more funny than others, but that is just how the collection works. 

 

The book also features some cartoon art by Lithgow that goes well with the poems. 

Overall, I liked the book, but it is a book to read once and move on. Your mileage may vary depending on your sense of humor (or lack of humor) and on your feel for the former president. On a side note, I heard that Lithgow reads the audio version, and in this case that may be the better reading option. 

 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review: Pearls Gets Sacrificed

Stephan Pastis, Pearls Gets Sacrificed: a Pearls Before Swine Treasury. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2015. ISBN: 9781449458294.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: humor

Format: large trade paperback

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library 

 

This 2015 treasury of Pearls Before Swine has a bit over 240 pages of strips. The strips are mostly in black and white, but the volume also includes larger Sunday strips in color. 

 

The humor overall is good, but it can be a bit inconsistent. When it is good, it is really good and funny. When it is not, it can fall a bit flat. There are times when the author stretches a joke a bit too far. One example of stretching the joke too far was the series about Zebra's bad vacation on a small isolated island. The author stretched that way more than he should have. In addition, the author is known for doing puns, and again, some are good, some are not. 

Having said that, the majority of the comics are good. I do enjoy the contrast between innocent Pig, cynical Rat, and wise Goat. Some of my favorites in this collection include: Humpty Dumpty suing for damages after his fall, Rat pointing out about political bribery (whoops, corporate campaign contributions), Goat at the bookstore (which could also apply to libraries), Pig's doctor appointment (oh so true), and on Anthony Bourdain as a hero. 

Overall, I really like this volume. I enjoy the humor that goes swiftly from silly to cynical and back to silly. It does feature some good observations about life as well. This is a good selection for libraries with comics and graphic novel collections. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Short book review: Garfield the Big Cheese: his 59th Book

Jim Davis, Garfield the Big Cheese: His 59th Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2015. ISBN: 9780345526045.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: humor, children and young adult

Format: trade paperback

Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library

 

I have read this book before but apparently forgot to write a review note. This one is like his other recent collections with light humor, and it's an easy read. For me, these volumes are a nice comfort read. Among the highlights: Garfield meets a locust, Jon proposes a book club, and some running/jogging humor. I appreciated the running humor as I have recently started running. Overall, this is a good and amusing book for all ages. I liked it. 

3 out of 5 stars.

Short book review: Pearls Hogs the Road: a Pearls Before Swine Treasury

Stephan Pastis, Pearls Hogs the Road: a Pearls Before Swine Treasury. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2017.  ISBN: 9781449487324.

 

Genre: comics

Subgenre: humor, life observations

Format: e-book

Source: via Hoopla from Madison County (KY) Public Library 

 

This was an entertaining and fun collection of comics to read. These comics have a good blend of humor, sarcasm, and cynicism; they are perfect for the Hard Times we live in. In addition, Pastis includes commentaries on many of the strips which add to the humor and/or offer additional insights into the comics and his craft. Sometimes a comic strip may not work out as well as he thought it should, and he is often transparent and open about it, which I think adds to the series' appeal. 

I found myself laughing often while reading this. Some of the puns Pastis does work better than others, but overall the humor is good with a bit of dark humor here or there. This is not a cuddly comic series, but it is a funny one overall. 

 

This volume covers strips appearing in newspapers from March 3, 2014 to September 6, 2015. In addition, this volume features 3 comic strips illustrated by Bill Watterson, author of Calvin and Hobbes.

4 out of 5 stars.