Like, seriously.

I was in the middle of reading José Andrés’ We Fed an Island when I stopped. (Milan, I’ll get your copy back to you soon.) Why? It was all just too depressing. The book, yes, but also life in general at the time.

I didn’t read one word out of a book in the entirety of 2021. It’s insane for me to even type that out because I love to read. But at the time I just had this feeling of… I don’t know. What does it matter? I guess that sounds about right.

Anyway, after nearly a year and a half of not reading, I finally picked up a book. I started with American Cult: A Graphic History of Religious Cults in America from the Colonial Era to Today, which is an anthology graphic novel published by Robyn Chapman of Paper Rocket Minicomics and Avi Ehrlich of Silver Sprocket. It collects 18 different stories about, you know, American cults.

"American Cult: A Graphic History of Religious Cults in America from the Colonial Era to Today"

It was a quick but fun read. If cults are your thing — learning about them, not joining them — check it out.

Next up is Marx (A Brief Insight) by Peter Singer.

"Marx (A Brief Insight)"

I came across this one in a Little Free Library near our place and figured I’d give it a try. Admittedly, I know little about Marx, but I am excited to learn more about him while also freaking out my father-in-law in the process.

It feels pretty good to have fallen off the non-reading wagon. Maybe it’s a sign I’m finally becoming more hopeful for the future. That, or I’m just bored to death.

Gotta be one of those two,

-Shady