We're back to spread the good gospel of a well-funded public library: another "Library Evange-log!"

What has the Good, Big Book™ blessed me with this time? Especially where those blessings were *not* books?

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1. *Love is Not Enough* - Converge

=> Bandcamp: *Love is Not Enough*

I know Converge is a juggernaut in the scene.

They're you're favorite bands' favorite band.

That does not change that my appreciation for Converge is sporadic at best.

This is the first record from Converge that for me has really worked basically end to end. That doesn't mean I love every song, but where it hits... oh boy, IT.. HITS.

The opening tracking, "Love is Not Enough", and the second-to-last track, "Make Me Forget You", were instant "clicks." And then there are tracks that aren't as 10/10 for me but are still total head bobbers: "To Feel Something", "Force Meets Presence", and "We Were Never the Same."

I knew the record was a hit for me when I went to return it to the library and renewed it instead.

Look forward to me eventually getting into a car accident because I've enthusiastically drummed on my steering wheel too hard, triggered the airbag, and plowed into a ditch. Knock on wood I don't hurt anyone else.

2. *The Blue Nowhere* - Between the Buried and Me

=> Bandcamp: *The Blue Nowhere*

Not my favorite, but a great "weirdo" record.

It really reminds me of the great chasm between progressive metalcore (my usual comfort zone) and progressive metal.

If progressive metalcore is all-black-tech-ninja-fashion clad dorks playing through "Axe Fx II", progressive metal is dorks playing technically proficient guitar to distract you from the synth-flute bridge that they *actually* wanted to show you.

What I said to a friend was, "this is not a neg, but this record is very silly." I'm all about silly.

Anyway, it was "fun times" even if it wasn't "long times." Thanks BTBAM.

3. *Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You* - Jinushi

=> KCLS page

I adore this series. It gets its tone *so* right for me. The feeling of gentle intimacy in the wee hours of the nights and mornings is expressed so well.

It's sort of an age gap romance, but the vibe is more "age gap crush."

I am nearing being caught up and honestly dreading it.

If you like slice of life or light romance, I would recommend it. I've written so little about it here and I worry it betrays how much I've latched onto it. It's good. good good good good good.

4. *The Honjin Murders* - Seishi Yokomizo

=> Wikipedia: The Honjin Murders

I have not finished this book, but I'm having a blast.

It really feels like a novelized episode of Detective Conan. I find the author has a real talent for explaining how a space is laid out without confusing me. I don't visualize things in books well, so to me this is a real show of authorial talent. Good job Yokomizo-san and Louise Heal Kawai (the translator.)

I look forward to reading this as my "fun" fiction reading. I'm trying to read more fiction that is just there to tickle your brain and entertain you and less to be about "saying something."