Off The Shelf: Our Top Non SFF, Non-Book Recommendations

Ten years is a long time! We’ve spent most of it reviewing books, making lists, and shouting our recommendations from the rooftops. Today, we’re taking a little break from the world of SFF books. I (Cole) asked each QTL writer to drop three new recommendations with two rules—first, no SFF. Second, no books! Otherwise, nothing is off limits. Here’s what we’ve got for you. 

Cole: Laugh, Laugh, Learn (And Also Laugh Again)

Taskmaster

Each season, five comedians duke it out in a silly game of meaningless tasks. They watch the footage back while the Taskmaster (Greg Davies) and his assistant (Alex Horne). It’s belly-bursting in every episode, and there are 18 seasons available for free on YouTube (plus Australia and New Zealand spin-offs). Start with series 5, 7, or 16, then go back to series 1 and watch it all. Season 16 is my personal favorite, and I’ve treated you to the first episode in the video above. 

See Also: Last One Laughing UK, Would I Lie To You?

Game Changer

Was I tempted to make my second recommendation a blanket statement saying “subscribe to a new streaming service?” Yes, of course. Did I actually do that until Andrew (nice guy) suggested I focus on a specific show? Yes. So here we are, talking about Game Changer, a complete reinvention of game shows in which the contestants do not know the rules going in and must figure it out along the way. It has resulted in some of my biggest-ever laughs during a comedy show, and it’s worth the $6.99 Dropout subscription alone. Enjoy the free episode above and thank me later. 

See Also: Make Some Noise, Very Important People, Smartypants, Gastronauts, Dimension 20, Um, Actually

Video Essays

Every night, my wife and I watch a clip of a video essay before bed. No topic is safe from our gaze. We love learning about social and cultural issues from people in marginalized communities (Contrapoints and F.D Signifier). We appreciate the unhinged deep dives into wild corners of the internet (hbomberguy and Jenny Nicholson). Our personal favorite drop-everything-and-watch creator is CJ The X, who explodes our tiny brains with galaxy-sized ideas. Start simple with their “Top 10 Types of Water” essay (above) or dive into the deep end with this galaxy-brained piece: Subjectivity In Art. 

See also: Fundie Fridays, Dr. Fatima, Philosophy Tube, Folding Ideas, Defunctland, Jacob Geller, Alex Avila, Razbuten

Andrew: In It For The Vibes

Board Game Conventions

I am a fan of conventions, despite their many drawbacks. There is something very fun to me about going to a huge congregation of like-minded hobbyists and hanging out with dedicated time, space, energy, and money for a hobby. I have gone to conventions for video games, books, anime, and more, but I have found that the best category of them all is board game conventions. Many members of the QTL have recently started to join me in going to PAX Unplugged, the Philly board game convention. I have found that everyone has a wonderful time, regardless of their interest and engagement in board games. The people are nice, the atmosphere is relaxed, and I always leave the convention feeling like I wish it was twice as long (not a common occurrence). Though I have primarily only attended PAXU, the QTL team is now trying to explore the many other BGCs worldwide and plan our trips and vacations to enjoy their immaculate vibes.

See Also: PAX Unplugged, Gen Con, UK Games Expo, Spiel Essen

The Many Worlds Tavern

In recent years, I have been getting into tea a lot more. I am not a big coffee person, so I am constantly searching for new teas that might be fun to experiment with. On this tea journey, I discovered the Many Worlds Tavern, a tea shop that fuses art, whimsy, and adventure into their tea design. Each tea is designed to evoke a different D&D experience, and they delight me when I brew a cup. I also think the tea is pretty good, and they also do coffee for those of you who are heathens.

Teas I Have Tried: Astral Bloom, Nectarean Stream, Spiced Sands, Sage’s Gate

Following Book Reviewers

Completely without agenda, I recommend you follow book review sites that give amazing insightful reviews. One I have been enjoying a lot lately is Realms of my Mind, run by Caitlin, who is an avid reader with great taste. I find that lifting other sites with great taste only makes all of us stronger, and while I think The Quill to Live is the best (no bias), there are a ton of other great sites to discover out there. Personally, I am always looking for reviewers with interesting off-the-beaten-path review projects, but find whatever floats your boat.

Other Sites I Like: Petrik Leo, Bookstooge, Weighing a pig doesn’t fatten it

Brandee: Ear Buds In, World Tuned Out

Spiritbox

This is an incredible female-fronted metal band that you need to have on your playlist. Frontwoman Courtney LaPlante stuns with her vocal range, featuring both a powerful voice and unclean vocals. Let her carry you away in “Perfect Soul,” or get in the pit and start swinging for hardcore “Holy Roller.” And even if the music ain’t your thing, LaPlante is a style icon that cannot be ignored.

Last Podcast on the Left

This one is not for the faint of heart or the overly sensitive. LPOTL is a comedy true crime and history “edutainment” podcast hosted by Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ed Larson. The crew, supported by a research staff, recounts insane moments in history like the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, explores the lives of strange figures like Rasputin, and scratches every true crime itch you could ever have. LPOTL also has one-off episodes covering everything from UAPs, graphic novels, and horror. It’s irreverent, dark, and hilarious, and guaranteed to make you laugh if you can learn not to take life and its chaos too seriously. 

Insight Timer App

This meditation app is a great resource, whether you’re beginning your meditation journey or already have a dedicated practice. There are guided meditations, courses, live talks, and a customizable meditation timer. Insight Timer has a subscription option, but a ton, and I mean A TON, of the content is free. I never have problems finding a great guided meditation without paying for the extra perks. My favorite feature is searching by topic, because you can find content tailored to exactly what you need in the moment, whether it be destressing from work, dealing with grief, or needing sleep support.

Alex: Breaking Rules and Shirking Norms

Listen, I’m going to ignore the bit where this media has to be non-SFF, not out of spite for non-SFF, but I don’t know how qualified I’m going to be based on the fact that I have been very deliberate in reducing the amount of “content” I consume. So, I’m going to focus on the things that have grabbed my attention in a way that has compelled me to sit down and enjoy them for what they are, regardless of the genre people bestow upon them. I also apologize for the lack of related items!

Scavenger’s Reign 

If you missed out on the streaming discourse surrounding this show, you should definitely at least make room for this short and sweet juggernaut of contemporary science fiction in a visual medium. A colony ship breaks up while passing through an alien solar system. The majority of its inhabitants die, but a small lucky few manage to survive, separated from each other. They must learn to adapt to the alien life they encounter, and search for a way home. It’s a simple premise that is elevated by all the weird and wonderful life that is created within each episode. The planet is explored as a series of interconnected biomes with their own liminal spaces. Visual storytelling becomes more and more of a lost art in the age of second-screen content creation, but this show says so much with very few words. If you want something that is out of this world but draws inspiration from nature as we understand it, you owe it to yourself to take it all in. It will dig deep into your soul and root until it blooms.  

See Also: There really isn’t anything like it that’s not a book.

Disco Elysium

I’m several years late to the party on this one, but if you’re like me and have been sleeping on it and need an interesting RPG to play, pick this bad boy up. To be fair, I have not quite finished it yet, but every time I get a chance to play it, it sucks me right into its story. Combat is rare, and most of the gameplay involves making decisions based on very little information. You see, you’re a cop who has partied so hard, he has forgotten who he is. You’re tasked to solve a murder outside the hotel you’re staying in, and the only one keeping you in line is your new partner, Kim Kitsuragi. The world is your oyster as you learn about the history of the place you operate in. The real magic is that the game teaches you how to understand the world through asking and answering questions. Some of them are deep thinkers, and others are simple, like “what is a boat?” It leads you down rabbit holes and causes you to question your own understanding of the world. And then you can kind of do with that what you will. There are no boundaries. Oh, and I buried the lede here, but you have a cavalcade of inner voices that push and pull you in different directions based on your stats. And the narration is just maniacally genius. It’s a fucking trip.

See Also: Frostpunk

Phantom of the Paradise (1974) 

I was recently introduced to this delectable rock opera treat by the local theatre as part of a late Friday night series. This movie is a fever dream that pulls from Faust, Phantom of the Opera (story, not the 1986 musical), and The Picture of Dorian Gray. It’s a dark comedy musical about the music industry that goes balls to the wall in production. The scenes have contrasting darks mixed with exuberant levels of color. The character who becomes the phantom is now iconic in my head. I was hesitant in the opening sequence, but slowly pulled in by the 70s in-your-face charm of the whole deal. There is a character whose name is Beef, and he’s a true queen. I watched it several weeks ago, and I can not stop thinking about it. So if you’re craving something in the vein of Rocky Horror Picture Show that skews a little darker, and is a little more cynical but still entertaining as all hell, treat yourself to this cult piece. If you can see it in a theatre or somewhere with a good sound system, prioritize it that way, as the mixture of sight and sound here is a true delight. 

See Also: Rocky Horror Picture Show