McSweeny’s has really set forth a couple of gems in recent issues. Marketed as their first entirely non-fictional issue, this compilation is a versatile challenge in terms of merging humanity and sociology with technology. On a daily basis, I find myself flustered by details I don’t understand about social media devices we use constantly. For example, one essay about improving password encryption truly sailed over my head (and the only portion of this issue I ended up skimming). On the other hand, “The Digital Blues” by Jennifer Kabat goes into surprising depth on the philosophy behind the use of the color blue in digital spaces— it was delightful. Just the kind of niche nerdery I love. Towards the end, “The Media Virus, My Problem Child” is the shining star. Douglas Rushmore unpacks a brief history of memetics (yes, memes) and urges us against complacency as our attention spans are shuddering faster and faster into the future. I would recommend this issue to anyone; these topics touch every citizen in America. Keep going, McSweeney’s!

I had initially shied away from a review, perhaps partly because I read too many heated exchanges about strong opinions regarding “Sabrina.” I’m not interested in this book’s award and whether or not it is deserved. My thoughts: if you appreciate minimalism and nuance, this dark comic book is worth reading —and it won’t take you long to get through. As the synopsis implies, Drnaso’s story is uncomfortably topical, tragic, and vibrates similar to say, a Todd Solondz movie. It’s a character study, but like I said, a nuanced one. It hurts to read some panels. I don’t care that the artwork is simple. It jabbed me deep enough that I immediately picked up Drnaso’s first work, “Beverly,” which I am eager to read. I’ll be watching for more Drnaso in the future, but certainly, it’s not for everyone.