Here is a collection of media and products that I use or enjoy frequently. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here you will find links to products I enjoy and I think my readers will enjoy as well.
Books
- Audible is 100% worth it and I use it nearly every day. Now that free books are included with the subscription it is an even better value.
- Speaking of Audible, one of my favorite things to get with my credits are Great Courses, like this one on the history of human language.
- The Dresden Files is an urban fantasy series written by Jim Butcher that I have been reading since middle school. They’re a great blend of action, magic, and humor. I can’t recommend them enough.
- While I’m on the topic, you should also read Codex Alera by Jim Butcher. This series is much shorter but I actually like it much more. It’s a rare example of elemental magic done well.
- The Powder Mage Trilogy is a great example of gunpowder fantasy and with a sequel trilogy and many short stories you wont run our of reading material any time soon.
- If you like lesbians and necromancers then you’ll love Gideon the Ninth, the first book in a science-fantasy horror series by Tamsyn Muir.
- If you like history and Russia you’ll like The Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montefiore. It’s an amazingly detailed personal history of the family who ruled Russia for centuries.
- Antony Beevor’s history of the Battle of Stalingrad is another great book. Beevor has a way of writing that allows you to imagine history in vivid detail.
- A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik is a fantastic twist on the classic magic school. Read my review about it here
- After you have read A Deadly Education you should read Temeraire. Another series by Nomi Novik that will more tha tide you over until The Last Graduate is releases.
Pens
- I love the classic jotters, but they’re small. The Jotter XL takes everything great about the original and makes it bigger, so it fits perfectly in my big, meaty claws.
- If you like fountain pens but want something that you can fit in your pocket, the Pilot Vanishing Point is a fantastic option.
- Kaweco makes my favorite mechanical pencil ever. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality is worth it. It’s blends the aesthetics of a traditional wooden pencil with the practicality of a mechanical pencil.
- If the kaweco is out of your price range, these pental graphgears are also a great option.
- Rotring’s technical drawing mechanical pencils are of great quality. In terms of price, they sit somewhere between the graphgears and the Kaweco.
Notebooks
- The Rhodia Rhodiarama is my favorite notebook every. Dot grids are incredible versatile and the soft cover is perfect for a variety of writing positions.
- If spiral-bound notebooks are more your thing, these are also a great option.
Gadgets
- It can feel strange to spend so much on a mouse, but I have always thought that it’s worth investing in something you use every day. Logitech’s MX Master series is 100% worth the money.
- iPads have come a long way, I use my iPad pro for writing, reading, and general media consumption all the time. It’s even better paired with an apple pencil or magic keyboard folio.
- I really enjoy the Drop Alt, it’s hot-swappable so I can change the switches whenever I want, but I prefer the gateron blacks.
- If the Drop Alt is outside you budget, the Royal Kludge is a great option.
- I bring my Leatherman everywhere, it’s incredible useful.
- The Victorinox Tinker is also a great knife if you don’t need plyers.
- Anker makes some great stuff including charging bricks and earbuds. The Soundcore line sounds great and is way more affordable than other options.
Collectables
- Brickheadz are great Lego sets. They’re the perfect balance between complexity, creativity, and collectability.
- If you want a more complicated set, the Saturn V is an incredibly well-designed set.
- I love fidget toys, but one fidget toy has a special place in my heart. And it’s this one. When I had to present to my committee virtually last year it was in my hand the entire time I was speaking. It’s simplicity is soothing.
- A pound of dice. What more could you ask for?