Solo But Not Alone 5 is Live!
And who doesn't want to solve 32 Wordles at the same time?
Hurray, friends, one of my favorite events of the gaming year has happened again: Solo But Not Alone 5 is live! Once again, the terrific Cat of Peach Garden Games has organized a charity bundle benefiting Take This, a charity working to support mental health in the gaming community and industry. The bundle features over 100 solo role-playing games for a minimum donation of USD10! I was not organized enough this year to contribute to it, but have definitely already bought mine:
The question now, ofc, is which game I’ll be playing first! I desperately need more time to play games, seeing as how I’ve played exactly zero this past week. Meghan Cross’ Origin Story, which has players write a comic book for their superhero protagonist, is a strong contender for first to play from this bundle. I’m also intrigued by Trollmilla’s You Are Road Kill lyric game, if only because I know I can actually finish a lyric game! Regardless of what kind of solo gamer you are, there’s plenty here for everyone, and supports a great cause.
Oh, wait, I lied, I did discover Duotrigordle, where you aim to solve 32 Wordles simultaneously within 37 guesses. I have adored this spin on the base game, especially once I figured out the strategy, and play regularly with my eldest kid.
In other great news, Bookshop has ebooks now! If you’d like to support what I do, the next time you’re thinking of buying a book, whether in digital or physical formats, do consider using my affiliate link so I get a small commission.
Speaking of books, I really enjoyed the picture book Carla’s Glasses by Debbie Herman & Sheila Bailey, and not just because exuberant Carla reminded me of myself at that age, at least in my willingness to stand out from the crowd. When the school nurse tests everyone’s vision, Carla is hopeful that she’ll need glasses, so she can be the only kid in class who has them. Instead the honor goes to her friend Buster. He’s not thrilled about it, as he hates being different. What can Carla do to help make him feel better about this? Smart, sensitive and fully allowing for the breadth of healthy emotional expression, this is a standout children’s book.
I also really enjoyed Thibaud Villanova’s Gastronogeek: Gothic Recipes. Every recipe I’ve tried from this series has been a banger, and The Blue Whale Sandwich inspired by Dark Shadows is no different. Click on the link to read my full review and to see photos of the sardine, pepper mayonnaise and pickle sandwich.
I’m swamped with work still so I’ll keep this week’s newsletter short. And don’t worry: I did have time for some fun besides Duotrigordle this week (I auditioned yet another ensemble, explored a new-to-me sculpture garden and ran an extra chamber orchestra rehearsal,) and even got to watch Arsenal play twice, once with my besties! I had my doubts about the new Champions League format but now that we’re doing so well in it, all my fears have been allayed, lol. See you in seven, friends!
Currently Playing (Music): Mozart’s Prague Symphony; my Declan Rice and 2025 Energy playlists; Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS; Rosalia’s El Mal Querer; Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine)
Currently Playing (Games): The Light In The Mist puzzletale, The Wild Beyond The Witchlight, Metazooa by Trainwreck Labs, Learned League trivia, NYT Connections, Duotrigordle, Your Friend In Witchcraft by Kay Marlow Allen.
Currently Reading/Writing (Games): Ghosts Of Saltmarsh.
Currently Reading or Just Read (Books): Deep Fury by David Freed; Carla's Glasses by Debbie Herman & Sheila Bailey; Gastronogeek: Gothic Recipes by Thibaud Villanova; The Resurrectionist by A Rae Dunlap; The Whitestone Chronicles, Volume 1: Ripley by Marieke Nijkamp & Tyler Walpole.