Vacation books, sheep redemption arcs, and arguing with AI

I’ve been planning for vacation in the next couple of weeks. We typically go to an all-inclusive resort where I get to read all day listening to the ocean. Which means it’s officially time to figure out what books are making the trip.

One of my favorite things is a floppy paperback at the beach. The problem is we travel carryon only, which means every vacation becomes a negotiation between books and clothes. I still haven’t fully decided what I’m bringing, but at least if I’m not in the mood for the paperbacks, the Kindle will save me. Vacation reading apparently requires the same level of contingency planning as a natural disaster.

I also know exactly what I’ll gravitate toward. Rich people behaving badly. Family drama. Beautiful vacation settings. Any combination of the three. I want atmosphere, just enough chaos to keep me locked in, and a frozen drink I absolutely do not need.

Most “This Was Exactly What It Said It Was”

Trying to stay ahead of a recording schedule for Chapter One Scene One sometimes cuts directly into my mood reader instincts. This week I had Margo’s Got Money Troubles on my schedule.

What did I know going in? Single mom starts an OnlyFans.

What did I get? Essentially that.

I kept waiting for the book to become messier or sharper than it actually was. I didn’t connect with Margo, and I don’t really care how she makes her money. Something that might have felt shocking in 2021 just doesn’t land the same way in 2026.

Honestly, have at it Margo. I wish you all the success.

The show worked better. Nick Offerman is weirdly believable as a former wrestler, and I might have to go find Michelle Pfeiffer at the Bloomingdale’s she works at. They made it watchable.

Sheep Redemption Arc

Then I went and saw The Sheep Detectives.

Last week I whined about how Three Bags Full was more about sheep politics than solving a murder. I stand by that. The movie figured out exactly what people actually wanted from this premise.

The sheep were charming. The mystery moved faster. And they did solve a murder, so there’s that.

Watch the movie, skip the book. We’ll be talking about it on the podcast soon.

Debates I Apparently Needed AI Help With

I know some people use ChatGPT and Claude for email drafts. I’ve started using them for research so I can then go do more research of my own. It’s created some interesting debates, sometimes with myself and occasionally with the AI.

A few things I spiraled on this week and where I landed:

Are thrillers that use podcasts as a device their own subgenre now? Yes. I’ve also decided that a fake podcast inside an audiobook is one of my favorite things to listen to.

What actually makes something a beach read? Technically any book qualifies, but personally I want rich people behaving badly and family drama. That’s my beach read.

How long before spoilers are fair game? I spoil things for myself constantly but try not to do it to other people. If something has been out for years, we need to move on as a society.

Is OnlyFans as a central plot point already culturally dated? Yes, and also sex work is work, so the shock value was always the weakest part of the premise anyway.

Are books increasingly written to become streaming adaptations? I don’t think books are changing that much. Studios just love a built-in audience and easier marketing.

Are shows being dumbed down so you can scroll your phone and still follow the plot? Unfortunately yes.

That’s the spiral this week. Vacation logistics, adaptation homework, sheep redemption, and using AI to organize thoughts that probably should have stayed inside my own brain.

See you next Sunday.