Hello BlueSky jumpers. Paula here, fellow defector. Photo by H. Wakeman circa 1985.

you know, it's small business Friday and I - an independent musician - have EPs ready to sign and send your way. just saying. www.jakegilesmusic.com/store

Husband’s review of The Music of Tori and The Muses: It’s Tori playing around in a lot of ways while keeping the vibes of the Ocean to Ocean tour going. Look at @htownmatt.bsky.social getting it!

This surprise kids album from Tori has no business going as hard as it does.

The Stonewall Inn released a response to the National Parks Service removing the word transgender from the park outside of the Inn. A great reminder that we have to look after each other

Happy new Amy Millan music day! Y’all get to preordering!

Gentle reminder that when you mock men you hate by posting pictures/art of them making out with other men you hate, your queer friends see that shit, too.

I love @youarestars.bsky.social for many reasons. Today’s reason is they way they’re scratching my “I need pop music that’ll make me a little sad but also give me some hope” itch so perfectly.

2025 reading goal: To get back to rabbit holes. I used to get interested in something and go on a reading deep dive. I don’t do that anymore. It’s time to bring back the non-mystery random topic reading binge.

I just saw the acronym LGB in a publisher catalog and it took a good minute to realize it stood for Little Golden Book and not transphobia.

“Disco witches do not sit idly by while their fellows suffer. Via spells, ceremonial dances, or direct action, the disco witch raises hell by any means necessary until all the holy lovers are free.” (Disco Witches of Fire Island by releases 5/6/25 pic by Blair Fell #actup #write #lgbtqbooks

ACT UP, 1990

A customer just tried to convince me that stores are letting people have Onyx Storm early because of the snowstorm that’s causing us all to be closed tomorrow.

I’m reading a series with a gay detective and I can’t decide who the audience is. It feels like it’s written for straight people or the, “I’m gay but I don’t watch Drag Race” gays. (And I won’t say which series)

How is Believe a better disco album than Cher’s actual disco album?

If you don't have it on a physical disk, you don't own it. It's a rental. If it's not accessible unless you log in to a service or own an up to date device that can play/display it, it's a rental. Number of digital landlords who care about making culturally important media available to you? Zero.

My first read of 2025:

You all need to put Disco Witches of Fire Island by @blairfell.bsky.social on your radar. It’s out in May, and this book just cracked my soul wide open. It’s going to take a bit for me to process it, but what an incredible read.

Just got tickets to see @lisaloeb.bsky.social in Lake Jackson in January!

Not a customer calling Colleen Hoover’s books rom-coms.

‘Scream 2’ was released 27 years ago today.

GAY!

@meganabbott.bsky.social do you know about this?

Y’all! There’s a VC Andrews book (Birdlane Island) coming out in August that is a lost manuscript that was nearly completed by Andrews!!!

My favorite reads of 2024. With reviews: www.murderbooks.com/johns-staff-...

My favorite reads of 2024. With reviews: www.murderbooks.com/johns-staff-...

I wrote about Brat, and being in your early 30s. "I was 32 when “Missing” came out..And it is similarly fixated on that transitional life moment – a dance-floor anthem about longing for a childhood friend, while also feeling angst about being unable to “move on”. www.newstatesman.com/culture/musi...

Tinsel and Lights by @traceythorn.bsky.social is my favorite holiday album, and it’s getting its first spin of the season tonight.

As a great guncle you have to roll up to the space themed baby shower in space pants.

And now for the new The Innocence Mission album!

Black Friday RSD vinyl spin:

I don't want to cast doubt on the impeccable dependability of google AI, but I don't remember this particular plot twist in du Maurier's REBECCA

Halsey’s new album is so good, but it’s a tough listen.

When I heard Kacey Musgraves was playing Toyota Center I was worried because her music feels better suited to a more intimate venue. I was really impressed with how she was able to put on an arena show that still felt small. She was able to showcase her music in a way a lot of arena shows don’t.

I AM ALL THE EXCITE!!!

Almost time for Kacey Musgraves!

A publisher having event grids due the Monday after Thanksgiving is a choice.

“We should join Friendster,” was just uttered on The OC.

I did not expect the @jinkxmonsoon.bsky.social and Dela Holiday Show last night to hit me in the feels, and offer a little post-election catharsis. One moment in particular: “Aren’t you tired of caring?” “No, I’m tired of people who don’t.”

I have so much more sympathy for Marissa Cooper with this #TheOC rewatch. She was a poor overwhelmed kid, and the only people in her life that were there for her were her teenaged friends who were ill-equipped to help her.

Sandy Cohen (from The OC) is one of the best TV dads in history.

I love a good cozy mystery, and The Gardener’s Plot by Deborah J. Benoit is a great cozy mystery. A charming small town, a fun duo of sleuths, and an engaging plot. It really reminded me why I love the genre.

Bliss!!!! Stones in the Road by Mary Chapin Carpenter on vinyl!

With block lists being so accessible here I had hoped we’d leave the “I’m going to repost this hate post from someone with 20 followers to my following of 20k so they can block them” behavior on the other site. Block and move on. Stop giving them your platform.

I’ve spent the last year barely lurking on twitter, and I’m not sure I’m ready to dive back into this world.

Something about this place reminds me of the good old days.

I love StoryGraph. You can find me here: app.thestorygraph.com/profile/john...

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