Evan Hays

Myth, monsters and making sense of a disenchanted world: why everyone is reading fantasy I have made the leap from literary fiction to fantasy – for those who think it’s mere wish-fulfilment, here’s why we need that thing with the dragons

Myth, monsters and making sense of a disenchanted world: why everyone is reading fantasy | Fantasy books | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...

Is a River Alive? The renowned nature writer and author of the best-selli…

@robgmacfarlane.bsky.social I finally finished Is a River Alive? Took my time to really ponder it. Thank you for writing another excellent book. Hopefully you can see my review on Goodreads here. My name is Evan Hays. www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...

Morning Prayer | Friday 20 February 2026

An excellent morning prayer podcast I'll be doing every day during Lent. open.spotify.com/show/2747nxg...

I've been sick for a week, and the board games I ordered are stuck in USPS purgatory. Ugh.

My favorite board game podcasters are back! @gameschooler.bsky.social boardgameradio.com

I just pulled the trigger on a deal I found on bgg market for base Roll Player plus both expansions for $55 including shipping. I love a good dice puzzle, but for that price, I'll make $ selling it if it doesn't work out.

If you ever want to lose faith in humanity, read the replies to your state governor's tweets.

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social ha, I was scoping out Roll Player+Monsters and Minions just today. Almost laughed out loud when it was Tim's first choice. Being from WI, I'm gradually trying to collect @thunderworksgames.bsky.social games.

Gun-rights group says Noem, Patel are "fundamentally wrong" on Minnesota law Second Amendment and other allies are pushing back.

Ten years ago, if you'd said, the federal government is coming after you and violating your 2nd Amendment rights while doing so, which side would folks have expected it to be?

'Fundamentally wrong:' Gun groups, Republicans condemn Noem, Patel statements share.google/ug1I2JsQU9GB...

Y'all who keep talking up Challengers, here's a tip. Saying it's like War is not helping you sell it at all.

Here's a #boardgame hot take for you. Those 50 or 100 point tokens that come in some games to indicate lapping the points tracker are just there to taunt you.

Tomorrow, my 8th graders begin the unit on US imperialism post CW up to WWI. I'm hoping they're really paying attention when we do the Roosevelt Corollary, the Panama Canal, and the Sp-Am War. I've just seen the Economist call what's happening now the "Donroe Doctrine." History always matters.

I'm going to try to post after each of my monthly game nights. Last night was Blue Lagoon (3p, I won, rating 10) and Lords of Waterdeep (3p, I won, rating 8). Great game night.

Tolkien Birthday Toast 3 January

I will be participating in this tonight. Unsure of beverage as of yet.
Tolkien Birthday Toast – The Tolkien Society share.google/X2KzZ3oWq7uT...

2026 goals: be more intentional about how I use my time. Also pray more, worry less.

Seventy-Five Years of Narnia When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

A good read for Christmastide.
www.plough.com/en/topics/cu...

Even without that event, the dungeon seems so important for staying under fifteen cards.

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social just finished an Everdell game. My daughter got the dungeon and used it to bury critters and play higher point constructions to not go over 15. She also got the ministering to miscreants special event which gave her 27 points. Crazy combo. Have you ever done that?

My son just got Catacombs for his birthday and we've been loving it. Will have to check this out.

Yeah I never get to play it as much as I want, but I'm never getting rid of it. My thought is it will be a great game when I'm in a retirement home someday. Only slightly kidding.

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday.

Monday.

The high cost of the U.S. sports betting boom Betting eats into savings, not just fun money.

It's not like anyone would be surprised by this. States should be ashamed. www.axios.com/2025/12/14/s...

Tomorrow begins one of the best weeks in a male teacher's school year: the week of wearing all the ugly Christmas ties you've somehow acquired over the years. Will add pictures as the week goes along.

I don't do a lot of hot takes, but here's one. Rob Inglis' recordings of Tolkien >>> Andy Serkis' recordings of Tolkien.

I'm flexible by group. If I want to play a game with my wife, it had better be multi player solitaire. But if I'm with my gaming group, more interaction is great. The banter can be a big part of the fun. Mostly, I just want to play any game that people are willing to play with me.

Part of it is nostalgia for me with this game, but I still love it. The expansions much improve it too. There's something great about the fight for dice places.