@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

dbsalk

@dbsalk@mastodon.social

Recovering #hospitality professional now working in the tech industry. Husband, boy dad, #Mizzou 🐯 alum, 🥨 lover, MoT ✡️. Left the bird site early Nov 2022 after 13 yrs.

Based in NW suburbs of #Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Talk to me about #books #movies #sports #food #running #Jeopardy #Disney °o° (among other things). My header image is an avatar for my to-read list. I drink (occasionally) and I know things.

I brake for #DadJokes.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

My heart aches for the children who will no longer have access to their local library because some arrogant assholes decided to be offended by books with new ideas and different perspectives.

The cruelty is the point.

https://bookriot.com/donnelly-public-library-adults-only/

#Books #BookBans #Bookstodon #Libraries @bookstodon on@a.gup.pe

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

After I finish a book that's a bit of a slog (or, most recently, DNF), I like to treat myself with something awesome that I can really dive into. Yesterday for a palate cleanser, I decided to resume my stalled re-read of the Dark Tower series with Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower 5) by Stephen King. Mr. King is ridiculously reliable when it comes to providing something good to read. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to 13thFloor
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I admit when it comes to knowledge of Peter Straub's work, I am lacking. I know of him thanks to his collaborations with Stephen King (The Talisman, Black House). When Straub passed away last Sept, I felt I had missed something by not enjoying his writing while he was still on this earth.

Many said at the time that Shadowland is his best work. I'm reading it now. Slow going, but good so far.

@bookstodon

dbsalk, to 3goodthings
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

@3goodthings

Took a short road trip to to watch my niece graduate. Super proud of her. She worked hard and absolutely earned her moment!

Decided to take the 10yo with me for the event and he had a blast.

The 10yo and I "discovered" a new taqueria in Iowa City, The Taco Depot. Open 5 months, but nobody has bothered to review them on Yelp. Is Yelp not a thing with college kids? My review is up. 😉 I hope they stick around because our were DELICIOUS. 🌮

Slide showing a graduate in cap and gown doing a backflip outdoors under a blue sky. Caption is "IOWA: Once a Hawkeye. Always a Hawkeye."
Top portion of the program from Nursing School Commencement at the University of Iowa. Text: "IOWA COLLEGE OF NURSING COMMENCEMENT Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 9 a.m., Hancher Auditorium Processional Platform Officials Faculty Representatives Candidates Sign language interpretation provided by Hands Up Communications Student Marshal: Kate Randle Welcome Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN Kalting Dean and Professor College of Nursing"
Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

dbsalk, to Help
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I need some from my bookish friends here, particularly those in the area. I'm trying to identify an independent that, instead of providing gift receipts, uses a gold sticker over the price of the book. The issue is that the gold sticker doesn't tell the recipient of the book where it's from, and I'd rather not ask if I can avoid it.

The store in in a north suburb, and knowing the person who shops there, probably an affluent one.

@bookstodon

Close-up of the back cover of a paperback book, with two gold stickers covering the price beneath the barcode.

dbsalk, to breakfast
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I don't read a lot of physical books anymore. Ebooks and audiobooks are just more convenient for me. But sometimes I'll make an exception, and if anyone deserves one, it's Raymond Chandler. Dude could write... truly a master of wordcraft. The Big Sleep has so much in it to savor and enjoy, and I'm loving the "hardboiled detective" vibe. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to superbowl
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Remember my friends as you're putting your kids to bed after the game or worried about assholes driving home after too many: the COULD start two hours earlier, which would significantly reduce DUIs and make bedtime a lot easier on a school night. The fact that it does not is a CHOICE made by and TV executives in a boardroom. Those execs probably haven't driven a car at night or put little kids to bed in decades.

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

For the third time this year, I had to mark a book DNF. I hate doing that, but I had completely lost interest in the characters and the pace was so. damn. slow.

For me, the balm after a book like that is . Almost always reliable. In this case, I'm continuing my re-read of The Dark Tower series, so I know what I'm getting. Glad to be back with Roland's ka-tet in Song of Susannah. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I'm having a bit of a hard time with Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. I knew going in that some of the short stories were going to be a bit "out there." A few are quite good, but most I think are not really my taste. I'm about 60% of the way through and hope to have it done this weekend. Really, the sooner, the better.

I know Palahniuk has written a bunch of books. This is the first of his that I've picked up.

@bookstodon

dbsalk, to chicago
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

from this past week:

The 7yo completed another circuit around the sun; will now be referred to as the 8yo for the next ~12 months. I revised my intro post accordingly.

Work trip to was a success! View from my room @ the Bellagio was AWESOME. Hit the tables for a hot minute and left the city up $105.

Went to a Wolves minor league game. The last time I went decades ago, the Allstate Arena where they play was called the Rosemont Horizon.

@3goodthings

Hockey game in progress between the Chicago Wolves (white sweaters) and Iowa Wild (green sweaters).

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

It's Friday, which means . I'm currently about halfway through the audio for The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro. The pace is a bit slow, but the narration is ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ and I'm enjoying it overall.

What's keeping everyone else occupied today? @bookstodon

dbsalk, to random
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Zzzzz....

BODY: Hey! Wake up! You need to pee.

BRAIN: Seriously? I'm so comfortable and tired. Lemmegobatoslee...

BODY: No can do, buddy. Up and at 'em.

BRAIN: Dude! It's 5am. My alarm goes off at 6. You can't give me an hour? It's so warm and toasty under these covers.

BODY. No can do. You have got to GO. Now get the hell up and make like a damn Russian racehorse on Derby Day or you can kiss that last hour of sleep goodbye.

BRAIN: You really suck, you know that?

dbsalk, to StarTrek
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I don't know enough people that would appreciate this joke/meme. #StarTrek #STTNG #Aha #80s #Music #Picard #Riker #Humor

dbsalk, (edited ) to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Started Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz. I love mysteries, and am excited to see where this goes.

Anthony Horowitz should not be confused w/ non-fiction writer Tony Horwitz. Coincidentally, I finished Horwitz's book Spying on the South a couple of weeks ago. I did not plan this.

I am loving how shows random recommendations from my TBR onto my landing page. It's really helpful in selecting what to read next. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I've been looking forward to Sea of Tranquility by for a while, but I felt the need to re-read Station Eleven and Glass Hotel first, and then had to wait a bit for SoT to be available from the library. I started it on Wednesday and I am NOT DISAPPOINTED. I just got to the twist (is it a true twist? there was definite foreshadowing) and now I'm worried this book is going to be over way too soon. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I think it's safe to say that over the past few years has easily become one of my favorite authors, and I am very excited to pick up Sea of Tranquility soon. Before I do, I feel I should re-read some of her backlist since it seems Station Eleven, Glass Hotel, and SoT are somewhat interconnected. This is not something I mind doing at all and am really enjoying for the third time. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to random
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

My 10yo is about to inherit his mother's old iPhone. Does anyone have recommendations for apps or tools that can help monitor his activity? I don't know where to start with this. Honestly, it's a little early IMO, but all of his friends have phones and he's feeling left out. 😐

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Today I started Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong In The Real World by Matt Parker. The alternate title is Humble Pi: A Comedy Of Maths Errors.

This is the second time this year I've read a book with two titles. I guess it depends on the edition? @bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Pitchers and catchers report next week, and it's around this time of year that, if I can, I try to read something baseball-related. Yesterday I picked up a book that I read when I was a teen and remember enjoying it very much: If I Never Get Back by Darryl Brock. It's sort of like if Field of Dreams and Back To The Future had a baby, and it's great. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Continuing my prep for Sea of Tranquility by re-reading Emily St John Mandel's backlist... or, at least, the two novels I'm familiar with. In July, I read Station Eleven for the 3rd time. Now I'm on a re-read of The Glass Hotel. I was struck by this:

"(Idea for a ghost story: a woman gets old and falls out of time and realizes that she's become invisible.)"

Was the author thinking out loud? Because I would totally read that story. @bookstodon

dbsalk, to NFL
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Speaking of dealing with assholes, Is there a term for a person that insists on referring to the Washington franchise by their previous (and very racist) name?

I'll stipulate that "Washington Commanders" is terrible, but a significant improvement over what was in place before.

dbsalk, to random
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

"Today is Thursday. Can we skip today? I want it to be Friday."

I feel like the 11yo is way too young to be having these thoughts.

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

"In those streets everyone moved faster than me, but what they didn’t know was that I had already moved too fast, too far, and wished to travel no further."

  • Gaspery Roberts, Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

@bookstodon

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Just finished Mr. g: A Novel about the Creation by Alan Lightman. It was... fine. Not bad, but not great. Ok for a quick diversion. I'm glad it wasn't longer than it was.

I thought it would be funnier, but it turned out to be more philosophical than humorous. There were funny moments, but if I needed to categorize this book, I think I would file it under "metaphysics" and not humor or fiction.

The audio narration by Ray Porter was great.

@bookstodon

dbsalk, to 13thFloor
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

I really need to start keeping notes on how/why I put a book to my TBR pile. The East Indian by Brinda Charry was added about a year ago, and I don't remember how I found out about it. A truly unique tale about an Indian boy winding up first in England and then Virginia during the 17th century efforts at colonization, for me this book is historical fiction at its absolute best. It might be one of the best books I pick up in 2024. @bookstodon

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • JUstTest
  • khanakhh
  • kavyap
  • thenastyranch
  • everett
  • tacticalgear
  • rosin
  • Durango
  • DreamBathrooms
  • mdbf
  • magazineikmin
  • InstantRegret
  • Youngstown
  • slotface
  • megavids
  • ethstaker
  • ngwrru68w68
  • cisconetworking
  • modclub
  • tester
  • osvaldo12
  • cubers
  • GTA5RPClips
  • normalnudes
  • Leos
  • provamag3
  • anitta
  • lostlight
  • All magazines
    •