Ben O'Connell
@benjaminoc.bsky.social
Dad, husband, promiscuous reader, former music geek, wannabe movie nerd, Montanan, NE DC Canine Knucklehead Ward co-founder, C-SPAN director of editorial operations
And still the same guys since the ‘90s. It’s impressive. They’ve turned into a reliable, sometimes extraordinary power pop band despite their grunge-tinged debut. (Which I like fine, novelty hit and all.)
November 9, 2025 at 11:31 PM
And still the same guys since the ‘90s. It’s impressive. They’ve turned into a reliable, sometimes extraordinary power pop band despite their grunge-tinged debut. (Which I like fine, novelty hit and all.)
Cal Ripken showed us a ton of memorabilia—bats, balls, and uniforms from significant games and gloves from some of his biggest seasons.
November 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Cal Ripken showed us a ton of memorabilia—bats, balls, and uniforms from significant games and gloves from some of his biggest seasons.
The father of a friend worked on Ishtar. If not for that I suspect I wouldn’t have watched it before last year either.
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 AM
The father of a friend worked on Ishtar. If not for that I suspect I wouldn’t have watched it before last year either.
I forgot I watched Mikey & Nicky for the first time last year, too. I went on a jag after reading the bio. I’d only previously seen Ishtar.
November 7, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I forgot I watched Mikey & Nicky for the first time last year, too. I went on a jag after reading the bio. I’d only previously seen Ishtar.
Was A New Leaf in the lineup? I saw it first the first time last year and adored the heck out of it.
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Was A New Leaf in the lineup? I saw it first the first time last year and adored the heck out of it.
Eh, looks like the sketch comedy writing (not sitcom) may be scenery than essential. www.theguardian.com/books/2023/m...
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld review – lights, camera, attraction
The US author’s zingy new novel tackles celebrity, lockdown and frustrated love lives with ambition and panache
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Eh, looks like the sketch comedy writing (not sitcom) may be scenery than essential. www.theguardian.com/books/2023/m...
I haven't read it, but Curtis Sittenfeld wrote a novel about a sitcom writer a few years back.
November 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I haven't read it, but Curtis Sittenfeld wrote a novel about a sitcom writer a few years back.
Hm. I'd almost guessed Doug Clifford, but I don't think he's originally from SF.
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Hm. I'd almost guessed Doug Clifford, but I don't think he's originally from SF.
Possibly Phill Calvert or Greg Errico?
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Possibly Phill Calvert or Greg Errico?
I went with:
Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
November 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I went with:
Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
Self-serving, I know, but I think we're doing well on C-SPAN.
November 5, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Self-serving, I know, but I think we're doing well on C-SPAN.
Westerns are not a go-to genre for me, but, aside from True Grit, these are my favorites:
Warlock by Oakley Hall
Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
God’s Country by Percival Everett
Lonesome Dove is forever on my “I’ll read it soon” pile.
Warlock by Oakley Hall
Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
God’s Country by Percival Everett
Lonesome Dove is forever on my “I’ll read it soon” pile.
November 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Westerns are not a go-to genre for me, but, aside from True Grit, these are my favorites:
Warlock by Oakley Hall
Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
God’s Country by Percival Everett
Lonesome Dove is forever on my “I’ll read it soon” pile.
Warlock by Oakley Hall
Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
God’s Country by Percival Everett
Lonesome Dove is forever on my “I’ll read it soon” pile.
Having read all but one of his novels, he is brilliant. Masters of Atlantis, in particular, may hold appeal for sf readers.
November 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Having read all but one of his novels, he is brilliant. Masters of Atlantis, in particular, may hold appeal for sf readers.
Mine is 140 years old, so, boy howdy, do I hear you.
November 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Mine is 140 years old, so, boy howdy, do I hear you.
Last year, I nominated:
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Human Acts by Han Kang
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Basic Black With Pearls by Helen Weinzweig
The cousins selected Kang and Johnson. Weinzweig made a decent showing in the vote.
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Human Acts by Han Kang
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Basic Black With Pearls by Helen Weinzweig
The cousins selected Kang and Johnson. Weinzweig made a decent showing in the vote.
November 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Last year, I nominated:
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Human Acts by Han Kang
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Basic Black With Pearls by Helen Weinzweig
The cousins selected Kang and Johnson. Weinzweig made a decent showing in the vote.
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Human Acts by Han Kang
Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo
Basic Black With Pearls by Helen Weinzweig
The cousins selected Kang and Johnson. Weinzweig made a decent showing in the vote.
I can nominate up to five titles. And I must have read a book to nominate it.
November 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I can nominate up to five titles. And I must have read a book to nominate it.