![What about now? Is now good for you? My [now] or your [now]?](/content/images/size/w750/2024/06/IMG_7585.jpeg)
Latest communiqués
16
Aug
Book report for July 2025
Letter No. 119: Includes spies, spies, and damned spies; Iceland when travel there was really fun; and stories worthy of slow reading.
1 min read
14
Aug
No thinking, please, we’re a university, and besides, what good is it?
Letter No. 118: Includes the usual grousing, a writer named Zena, and a jaundiced view of higher education, just in time for back to school.
8 min read
06
Aug
Revealed! Clandestine humor at The Gray Lady!
Letter No. 117: Includes ferocious teeth, a terrifying mutant predator, and much concern about language.
3 min read
18
Jul
Book report for June 2025
Letter No. 116: Includes more completed reads than usual, one book about a crow and another about horses, and impenetrable verse.
2 min read
14
Jul
Because…puffins
Letter 115: Entirely given over to some insufferably cute images from Dr Essai’s recent excursion to Iceland.
3 min read
16
Jun
Book report for May 2025
Letter No. 114: Dr Essai returns after an unplanned hiatus due to various distractions and misfortunes.
2 min read
05
May
Book report for April 2025
Letter No. 113: Five volumes completed, nine purchased. May need a bigger house.
2 min read
11
Apr
Slouching toward disaffection
Letter No. 112: Includes poetry, commentary, more than a little bitching, and the most I've ever had to say about James I.
5 min read
03
Apr
Book report for February/March 2025
Letter No. 111: Includes an apology, heavy luggage, alternative histories, and Cinnabons.
3 min read
15
Mar
This city would be perfect, just look at the math!
Letter No. 110: Includes urban planning, virtuous philosopher-kings, some snark aimed at productivity schemes, and the first-ever appearance of a colossally abundant number.
6 min read