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TV/music/book recs, plus boo makes bumper music

May 20, 2026

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I’ve finally made it to our summer hideaway on Peaks Island, here in Maine, and as always, I find myself set free in so many ways. There’s a lot to worry about out there in the big blue blistering blur of life, a lot of ways to conjure fear. It all falls away as I step onto the ferry to leave the mainland. If you’re ever up here, come find me. I’d love to break bread with you, so long as you’re good people. I’ll share pics of the last few days below, but first, let me get into some lovely art that’s landed into my life lately.

Let’s start with the book world. Ridley Scott has made a film adaption of Peter Heller’s The Dog Stars, which is a post-apocalyptic book that’s been on my TBR pile for far too long. Years, in fact. I’m halfway through and so so into this book. He’s a tremendous writer, a sort of Hemingway-esque vibe, coarse and virile, but there’s a gentleness too. And his imagining of what happens after a flu kills most of the population will definitely keep you tearing through pages.

Have you read it? I know, I know. Surprise, boo is talking more about end-of-times books. Sorry, not sorry. The movie hits theaters in August, so plenty of time to read first. I highly endorse this wonderful novel.

Quick side story: director Ridley Scott’s television person reached out to me a few years back about adapting my Red Mountain series. That, my friends, was a wonderful day and an agonizing few weeks as we chatted a bit, and I waited for a big fat green light. Alas, nothing came of it, but that only means Red Mountain is waiting for a better time to find the screen. I feel it coming soon!

Are you watching Your Friends & Neighbors on HBO? What a show; what a cast! The second season is total fire, and I feel almost guilty as I delight in how toxic and unhinged this crew of Westchester, NY high-society misfits has become.

Now, music! As I mentioned, the Newport Jazz Festival is my spirit place, and I’m getting to know this summer’s lineup. I’d not heard of Gotts Street Park before, a jazzy soul group from Leeds, but they’ve climbed the boo charts in NASA fashion.

Check out some of their work with these killer female singers, Pip Millet and Celeste. For real, crank these tunes up and tell me if your soul doesn’t start dancing.

Yeah, that’s right. Doesn’t get much better than that. Celeste is going to be at Newport too, so I’m hoping they all share the stage together. Anyone else going?

Last and least, here’s what’s happening in my world. My mom and the one other wonderful person who listen to the audio versions of these missives will be over the moon to know that I recorded an into and outro with my acoustic guitar that will now be included on all further podcasts, starting with this one. Don’t fear, I’m not getting all professional. It’ll still be unedited and an unfiltered mess, but I just had an urge to write a couple of catchy jingles, what my friend Charlie has taught me is called bumper music. You can listen by hitting the play button above or via my Drowning in Words podcast on Spotify and Apple, which will have the latest episode up shortly.

My agent came back with edits for my work-in-progress, Salvation Isle, and she’s thrilled with what I’ve done. She’s most certainly lying, but it’s the encouragement I needed to take this baby home. I have a July 15th deadline and feeling beyond wonderful about this story. You have NO IDEA what’s coming.

For you writers and readers who like craft talk, I have some good ones on deck, so stay tuned.

Much love from Peaks and thanks for letting me share,

boo