Welcome Distractions
A better way to waste your weekend.
books | music | short stories | rambling
Hi! You’re here! Thank you.
This is a smarmy one, but it was Canadian thanksgiving this week, so let’s get thankful. Six things I’m thankful for:
Baseball: it’s the only sport I follow closely, and the Jays are making things interesting. It’s also the reason this is late (I was out late last night watching the game)
Music: so much great stuff on the site this week. If you want to pick two new artists to listen to, pick Skullcrusher (not a metal band!) and Jouska. Just give ‘em a try
Safety. The story of JoobieSeaz’s escape from Moscow was fascinating and inspiring, and it re-contextualized their music. I can’t wait for more.
Stories: Eden Undone is a stranger than fiction story that’s 50% Lord of the Flies and 50% The White Lotus. You really should check it out.
You guys: awwwwww. Thanks for hanging around and engaging. I got some great feedback on last week’s call for insight into publishing my flash fiction piece, watch for updates soon.
Scooter:
And now:
Off the blog: links you shouldn’t miss
The Verge ran a series of essays on being transgender online in 2025. It’s essential reading. Here’s a teaser piece: How Trans Visibility Became a Trap. You should pay to read the rest, this is life or death stuff.
“Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion” on Bluesky. Mine: A Little Life is exploitative trash. Metafilter has excellent takes too. What’s yours?
What It’s Like to Own a Cybertruck: I have no pity on these people but the story is bonkers. Two of these people keep toys in the car to give to children! Plus this doozy:
National Post: The untold story of 'the deputy' in the Vice Media cocaine plot who has avoided jail reads like a terrible thriller. Vice has always been garbage, even when it was only a Montreal culture mag.
Shirley Manson is being vocal about the state of the music industry. Also Neko Case stands up for safety at concerts in a very Neko Case way.
The guy who wrote The Body Keeps the Score just got paid. Lithub has some fun with the idea of a sequel.
I’m a little disappointed the title isn’t The Body Keeps The Score 2: Overtime, or Body: 1, You: 0 — We’re Still Keeping Score, or The Body Keeps The MORE!…
Amazon removed the gun from James Bond posters. These are hilarious.
“He who eats fire, craps sparks”. Dutch proverbs, designed in a fun and interactive way.
LitHub: Am I the Literary Asshole for Letting AI Fix My Writing? is not snarky at all. It’s pretty inspirational.
This review of Mitch Albom’s latest book, though, is snarky AF:
This is the kind of novel that a guard in a locked room must force you to keep reading.
What got your attention this week? Got a hot take on something? Hit reply and let me know.
On the Blog
Listening:
Blue Deputy: midwest emo with brilliant storytelling
JoobieSeaz: The Music. The Backstory.
More Backstories: Joyer and Equipe de Foot
Jouska: gorgeous, layered alt pop
bloodsports: punishing Brooklyn DIY rock
Skullcrusher: the most tender and reflective record I’ve heard in a long time
bloodsports: nuanced and dynamic rock, that’s also crushing and loud as hell
Lunch Break: quick hits on new records from Black Honey, Xarissa, and Ribbon Skirt.
The Setlist: 2 hours of wildly diverse music, you should check it out for sure this week.
Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.
Reading:
Thanks to the Jays, I didn’t read as much as I usually do.
Eden Undone is one of the wildest nonfiction books I’ve ever read.
The Sirens’ Call is…not. I hated this book, but I recommend some alternatives in the review.
The Shortlist: Six great stories. I have a huge backlog but these are worth your time. Check ‘em out here.
Something I should read or hear? Send it my way
Next week: I totally bit off more than I can chew - I’ve promised to write about seven albums coming out next Friday. They’re all great! But it’s a lot. I’ve updated my planning tools to prevent this from happening again. At any rate, watch for sleep-deprived music features from Just Mustard, Ugly Ozo, Low Girl, Wavepool, Rebecca Foon, Joyer and The Noisy, among (maybe) others. There will be books too.
-hugh
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