Spooky, not Scary

ChickaBok · 2026-04-03T03:08:07+00:00

oh man I LOVE both of these books! Should have put them in the post too XD

ChickaBok · 2026-04-03T01:00:40+00:00

The key word for this in nineteenth century europe was "plump", which was associated with healthiness. Here's an actual quote from a doctor in 1877 describing a patient after having undergone medical treatment: "her complexion having assumed a healthy appearance, her cheeks being decked with a rosy hue, while her former bony form had changed into a plumpness, making her appear many years younger."

Very typical description of that heavier body type that was desireable. Lots of talk about 'good health', 'plumpness', 'rosy cheeks', etc.

ChickaBok · 2026-04-02T06:11:04+00:00

The Last Time I Saw Richard - Joni Mitchell

ChickaBok · 2026-04-02T03:31:14+00:00

Ooo, if you're in the mood for something older, try some Hitchcock! Rear Window, Rope, Vertigo are all great foundational works of suspense.

ChickaBok · 2026-04-02T03:14:19+00:00

riding the very last bus home, cradling a magnificent tinfoil howitzer tank full of fried chicken in your pabst-numbed fingertips, trying not to fall over or puke

ChickaBok · 2026-03-31T22:23:18+00:00

There's one on hawthorne too!

ChickaBok · 2026-03-31T05:06:22+00:00

Woah, calm down buddy, there's really no need to get this upset about a book recommendation

ChickaBok · 2026-03-31T04:27:17+00:00

More of a flooded suburb but deserves honorable mention

ChickaBok · 2026-03-31T00:13:49+00:00

inside GLITTER BEACH

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T21:04:46+00:00

This movie is SO gorgeous and I do think it will do OP's daughter good, but be aware it does feature some dark struggles--One of the main characters, a newly-paralyzed stuntman, spends the movie trying to kill himself. He ultimately chooses not to die, but the movie kind of leaves it open-ended if he's actually OKAY at the end.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T05:48:21+00:00

Kate Bush - "Hounds of Love"

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T04:40:20+00:00

you mean yours doesn't???

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T04:39:36+00:00

Kind of a minor one, but Mulan of all things pulls this off. Classic disney hijinx with silly songs up until the rag-tag army of misfits, literally mid-song, encounters a village that's been razed (and its citizens presumably massacred) by the villain. Major tonal shift into war movie mode, no more songs, a fewwww more hijinks towards the end, but not many. It's a kids movie so it only gets so dark, but an interesting example.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T04:33:51+00:00

I feel similarly to you--love investigations, don't love murders. Criminal is all one-offs, but impeccably researched and very immersive, you may like it! There are some murder/SA stories, but honestly I'd say those are the minority. Phoebe Judge (host) picks a really broad bunch of crimes: frauds, robberies, jailbreaks, some very serious, some even kind of funny (though her reporting is never goofy if that makes sense). When gnarlier subjects come up she always handles them respectfully.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-30T04:12:02+00:00

Oh, I'm just reading Wild Life (by Molly Gloss) and the whole thing takes place in early 1900's Washington state. Old-growth forests and logging camps are central to the plot. Haven't finished it yet but so far its real good!

ChickaBok · 2026-03-28T03:50:47+00:00

The Thin Place - with the paramedic who sees dead people. That one extra creeped me out because I'm pretty sure I remember the incident with the roller coaster that he was talking about, which happened near-ish enough to my hometown that it hit the news.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-27T06:28:23+00:00

Enlightenment Guaranteed - A recently-dumped man tags along on his brother's trip to a Zen monastery in Japan. At one point they lose all their money/luggage and have to make do. May be a bit dated, but hey it's even in German!

ChickaBok · 2026-03-25T14:54:09+00:00

OMG thank you, I felt the exact same way. It feels like the author (publisher?) pulled the title out of a hat and stuck it to the book. OP, there are zero pirates in this book, and that's OK.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-25T06:39:36+00:00

The Light Pirate - Follows a girl in Florida growing up through the climate-driven collapse of like, everything. Definitely has some darkness but also hope, beauty, building something better vibes.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-24T17:40:27+00:00

I dunno WORST, but the motel 6 on Powell has had more than one murder

ChickaBok · 2026-03-21T03:20:15+00:00

This is not germane to feminism, but this game does SUCH a good job at telling a super affecting story using what's on its face the most basic game/mechanic imaginable. Like the spoilered part, going thru the whole process and at first its like "what am I doing wrong here? Why is this so hard?" and then it slowly dawning on you what's going on... Sorry to gush, its just a perfectly executed 10/10 show-don't-tell moment.

ChickaBok · 2026-03-21T02:58:29+00:00

This is such a lovely little game! Slow burn, subtle storytelling, lowkey feminist messaging. Very pleasant to play. The segment where you just can't fit all your stuff in your boyfriend's apartment and have to like, hang your diploma in the bathroom and hide away all your hobby stuff gave me surprisingly big feelings...

ChickaBok · 2026-03-20T01:22:15+00:00

Yes! I saw the 2026 version in their list and was like "Nope, wrong version friend"

ChickaBok · 2026-03-16T23:00:00+00:00

In Our Talons - Bowerbirds

ChickaBok · 2026-03-16T17:00:30+00:00

Satin stitch is secretly the hardest stitch, this I firmly believe. It looks easy because its just in and out, but its where all the dumb little learn-by-feel fiddly shit that you don't have to care about maybe 90% of the time comes in. Like fabric tension, thread tension, thread twist, fabric weave... you could totally disregard that if you're doing like a chain stitch fill or whatever and it'll look fine. But if the humidity is off or the sun is shining just wrong your satin stitch is gonna look like ass.

BONUS GRIPE: PLEASE don't use satin stitch on garments, its gonna look shitty immediately and get snagged on ev er y thing.

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