The format of my monthly review posts is changing; I’ll only be reviewing the books I really liked each month. The cat photos, however, will keep flowing as before.

I inherited a few copies of an unusual children’s magazine, published in the wake of one of the most horrifying events in history. Here’s how it looks.

I had anticipated my reading to taper off a bit as I immersed myself in another activity, but still managed to find time to read several books and a nifty little zine this month. The fiction ranged from classic to recent, and the nonfiction followed a maritime theme.

Despite a bunch of other activities clawing at my schedule in August, I managed to read six books that ranged across fantasy, sci-fi, and nonfiction. We also hosted another adorable batch of foster kittens, who joined me for much of my reading.

I don’t follow the ‘summer beach reads’ trends the publishing industry marketers push; to me, good books have no season, whether they’re ‘heavy’ or ’light.’ In July, my reading included a literary novel, how-to guides, science nonfiction, and only a couple of heavily hyped bestsellers.

My June reading was a very mixed bag, in both the assortment of subjects and the quality of the writing. Only one of the books was both bad enough and long enough to make me quit before the end, though, and a couple of them were quite good.

Policymaking and law aren’t rocket science. They’re much harder than that. Here’s an introductory lesson in public debate, for all the scientists who think they don’t need it.

Motivated in part by a guest, I read even more books than usual last month. From literary fiction to dark fantasy, satire, and two very different works of nonfiction, here’s what I thought of them.

As a relatively mild Mud Season came and went here in western Massachusetts, I read an immensely fun LitRPG bestseller, some dark fantasy stories, an eye-opening historical survey, and a lovely tale of people facing disaster with dignity and art.

My March reading spanned global capitalism, a guide to personal journaling, a depressingly realistic dystopia, a page-turner about taxes, and a celebrated time travel novel. Here’s what I thought of each of these books.

I finally set up one of those email newsletter things, so anyone who wants to keep up with my blogs can do so more easily.

The Great Blizzard of 2026 only grazed us, with less than a foot of snow falling, but between the other snowstorms and a brutal cold snap, it was still a good month to curl up in a warm house with some good books.