Today’s Book Mail: The Sundowner’s Dance by @toddkeisling.com

Every time an author does or says something despicable, people line up to declare “well, they aren’t that good anyway. There are so many better authors!” My question, why does that matter? Even if they were the greatest living author out there, that doesn’t change what they said.

We were looking for something just to put on in the background and found Night Visions, a horror anthology, on Tubi. It’s hosted by Henry Rollins and guest stars like everyone. Weirdly, it’s Independence Day and there’s an episode staring Bill Pullman. Not sure how I’ve never seen this before.

Since its Independence Day, here are some of my favorite Alien Invasion novels: Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle The Vampire Earth Series by @eeknight.bsky.social Overgrowth by Mira Grant Veil by @jonathanjanz.bsky.social The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

I’m a week late because we’ve been on vacation since last Sunday but honestly, being a stepfather (who never expected to have kids), you can’t imagine what this feels like.

Usually I choose to read longer books in audio but I decided to go the print route with Devil’s Creek by @toddkeisling.com. It took me exactly one month to finish it but it was well worth it. Not only is it my favorite book I finished this year but it would make my top 10 of the past 10 years.

Vacation Book #2: @alanbaxter.bsky.social

When you’re at Quizzo but learned all your history from Harry Turtledove and @birmo.bsky.social novel.

Today was the Walk For Woods. I didn’t do the 5k bur chose instead to do the 1 mile fun limp.

Well, it seems I find myself at a Yungblud show in Atlantic City.

I made up a dad joke and no one things it’s funny. Why do British bowling balls have three holes? To put your fingers, innit?

I’m just hit the halfway point of Devil’s Creek by @toddkeisling.com. This was my first book by him and I don’t want to jump the gun with a review but I will say that I’ve liked it so much that I just preordered the paperback of The Sundowner’s Dance from @shortwavebooks.bsky.social.

Me, trying to read.

Me and Ben with Mr. T. He was so excited to meet him and Mr. T was very friendly.

We went to FanExpo Philly mostly because my wife wanted to meet David Tennant. She hates getting he picture taken but she did get one with the family with David and I convinced her to take a picture with me and James Marsters. She’s the Buffy fan but I’m the Dresden fan.

Finished listening to The Dark Times by Nick Petrie. Another solid thriller. Next, I was looking for something scifi and had a bunch on my TBL list. I went with Crawlspace by @adamchristopher.me. Probably not going to get a lot of listening in over the weekend but plan to slip into it next week.

Listening to The Dark Time by Nick Petrie and it just took a turn I didn’t expect. I guess I’m in for a ride with this one.

Today’s puppy tax: Crowley after seeing a bunny. He loves bunnies.

Has anyone been to FanExpo Philly before? We have a Photo Op at 11:00 with one attendee but there’s another one I’d like to get for Benjamin but it’s scheduled at 11:30. Is this doable. I’ve never been to an event like this so I’m really unsure how it works.

Playing Taboo as a married couple is like: “Remember that time we were at that bookstore and David Lee Roth came in the radio.” “COFFEE MUG!” “Right. That thing we found under the car.” “CANTEEN!” “Right.” “You hate…” “DAVID SPADE!”

Just paid off the balance of our heating bill before are new contract begins. Unrelatedly….

Finished died by Izzy Von. Utterly brilliant and horrifying. Here’s my very quick review that totally doesn’t do it justice. app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/111f...

We introduced our daughter’s boyfriend to our favorite party game, Anomia and now he wants to come over and play it all the time. No complaints.

Coming up with a list of books with FROM vibes. My list so far. American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett Bar None by @timlebbon.bsky.social The Border by Robert McCammon Borealis by @texascthulhu.bsky.social Darkness on the Edge of Town by Brian Keene

NYC friends: Suggestions for a good family restaraunt within walking distance of The Jacobs Theatre. We will be seeing The Outsiders then getting dinner. Vegetarian options a plus.

Occasionally a book will pop in my head that I read a long time ago and I just hope someone asks for a recommendation so I can mention it. Today that book was The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clark. @seeorsea.bsky.social. Such a good audiobook. @katerudd.bsky.social was perfect.

Please say a prayer to Robert Smith today for my fair skinned, introverted goth wife as she must face direct sunlight, 90 degree heat and other people while she accompanies my step-daughter on her first college tour.

Bookish Confession: I went through a big alternate history phase where I read a lot of Turtledove, Phillip K. Dick and SM Stirling and sometimes I have to remind myself what was actual history and what was fiction which can get really embarrassing at Quizzo.

My stepdaughter is going on her first college tour today, the first step in the holy hell she’s almost a senior in high school what the hell is going on phase.

My wife secretly took this picture of me:

I’m voting for Lucia tomorrow. Hopefully others in our district will as well. She may not win but I hope she makes a statement.

The Bucks County Sheriffs Warant Officers showed up at my house looking for someone who doesn’t live here. According to them someone OD’d at my address in January but I’ve lived here for over 5 years and that’s never happened. They said, “Well, maybe they got the wrong address. That happens.”

Finished The Flesh King by @richardkadrey.bsky.social narrated by @voiceofjoey.bsky.social. Man, I love these books. Gritty and funny, with characters you just wouldn’t want to show up at your door but would be intrigued if they did.

My wife and the girls are at the dress rehearsal tonight so I’m home and can do anything I want! So you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to swiffer the floors and watch Day of the Triffids again.

I have like 15 credits on Librio that I want to use up so if you have a book on their let me know. I love weird scifi, post apocalyptic fiction, horror and legal thrillers. Some of my favorite authors are Jonathon Maberry, Mira Grant, Stephen King, Richard Kadrey and Peter Clines.

First two college tours scheduled for my eldest stepdaughter, Rider and West Chester. Very excited nervous excited isthisreallyhappening ohcrapshecantevendoherownlaundry excited.

For some reason my car thinks the book The Mercy of Gods was written by actor and comedian Jim Carry instead of James SA Carey.

I’m reading a book while waiting for my daughter at the dentist and it’s about a guy who enjoys fishing talking about how he wants a serious relationship and I’m pretty sure he’s going to hook up with a fish person or something because that’s how this book has been going.

Dumb things I do that I feel like I’m the only one who does it: When I driving on a road, even one I drive often, and there a large curve coming I will, without thinking, hit my turn signal.

Last night we watched Whistle on Shudder/AMC+. Man, this movie had more flaws than I can count on my eleven fingers. Tons of plot holes, poorly developed characters and a shattershot mythology. Yet, it was visually compelling and actually a lot of fun. A few beers helped.

I’m listening to Children of the Dark by @jonathanjanz.bsky.social. I’ve read plenty of books with dumb, incompetent cops but man these cops are dumber and incompetenter than most.

Stumbled on to another “audiobooks isn’t reading” thread. Simply put, if you say that audiobooks are not reading, even if you like audiobooks, then you are saying that reading words visually is better than listening to an audiobook.

Last night, my wife and I went to one of our favorite breweries to watch PSYCHO on 16mm. These 16mm showings are some of our favorite events at Neshaminy Creek.

I was training a new staff when one of the guys in the building attacked me then eloped. By the time I got out of the building to follow the new staff was running down the street. I haven’t seen him since. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’m halfway through my first one of his books and I’m going to need to buy more , both print and audio.

If anyone has a recommendation for a lawyer who handles guardianship issues in the Philadelphia area please let me know. Particularly dealing with adults with developmental disabilities.

Speaking of concerts, so far my current planned concerts for 2026: Confirmed: June 6th: Yungblud June 13th: Cracker July 16th: Lionel Richie & Earth Wind and Fire August 15th: Stray Cats August 21st: Psychadelic Furs w/ Living Colour Maybe: June 26th:Bouncing Souls October 23rd: The Damned

In the waiting room to try and get tickets for Olivia Rodrigo for my daughters. I hate this whole ticketing process.

Me: I want to read. Winchester: Pickle time!

I’ve only really gotten back into reading print on paper books after my eye surgery so sometimes it’s weird to look down and realized I’m on page 184 of 271 and have to do the math myself.