Sydnee Mcelroy

Mom, family doctor, podcaster (@Sawbones and @Stillbuff) and frequent troublemaker.

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Book Recommendations:

SM

Recommended by Sydnee Mcelroy

While practicing pandemic parenting it’s important to take time for yourself with an amazing book (I know I’m biased, but it’s truly wonderful!) https://t.co/ExnLj89bjc (from X)

The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom (The Adventure Zone, 4) book cover

by Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Griffin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy·You?

The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom takes this #1 New York Times bestselling series to haunting new heights! All these ghosts are spooky enough, but it’s downright frightening how great of a read this D&D-inspired adventure is, with tabletop antics that fans of Dimension 20 and Critical Role will adore! A desperate call for help interrupts holiday celebrations at the Bureau of Balance, and sends Taako, Magnus and Merle on a high-stakes mission to find and Reclaim a fourth deadly relic: a powerful transmutation stone, hidden somewhere in the depths of a floating arcane laboratory that’s home to the Doctors Maureen and Lucas Miller. An unknown menace has seized control of the stone, and is using it to transform the lab into a virulent pink crystal that spreads to everything it touches. It’s only a matter of time before this sparkling disaster crash-lands, but in order to find the stone and save the whole planet from being King Midased, our heroes will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of rowdy robots and crystal golems, decide whether they can trust the evasive Lucas Miller, and solve the mystery of what―or who―has put them all in peril, before there’s no world left to save. Praise for The Adventure Zone series: "Topping the New York Times bestseller list and building out its stories in fascinating new ways . . . it’s become a cultural phenomenon." ―Entertainment Weekly "Full of charm and snark and wit. Join the party!" ―Felicia Day, author of Embrace Your Inner Weird "The Adventure Zone is fun, hilarious, and also smart. Hey, guys, can I have a cameo next time?” ―Adam Savage, MythBusters “My excitement about this existing cannot be dwarfed by anything. You see what I did there.” ―Jean Grae, hip-hop artist, actor, and comedian “Gorgeous art―the characters come to life! I am so happy that this graphic novel is a thing that exists in the world.” ―Hank Green, author of Crash Course and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries Books in The Adventure Zone series: The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins (Book 1) The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited (Book 2) The Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal (Book 3) The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom (Book 4) The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour (Book 5) The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game (Book 6)

SM

Recommended by Sydnee Mcelroy

Parenthood makes it hard to stay up late to finish a great book, but it’s worth it when it’s as funny, relatable and warm as Medallion Status by @hodgman https://t.co/UmDNA1aVqE (from X)

“[An] affecting and hilarious meditation on fame and prestige as seen through the lens of an airline loyalty program.” —The AV Club A hilarious and honest new book in which John Hodgman, New York Times bestselling author of Vacationland, leaves vacation behind and gets back to work as a still somewhat famous person . . . and then loses his job. An uproarious read. After spending most of his twenties pursuing a career as a literary agent, John Hodgman decided to try his own hand at writing. Following an appearance to promote one of his books on The Daily Show, he was invited to return as a contributor. This led to an unexpected and, frankly, implausible career in front of the camera that has lasted to this very day, or at least until 2016. In these pages, Hodgman explores the strangeness of his career, speaking plainly of fame, especially at the weird, marginal level he enjoyed it. Through these stories you will learn many things that only John Hodgman knows, such as how to prepare for a nude scene with an oboe, or what it feels like to go to a Hollywood party and realize that you are not nearly as famous as the Property Brothers, or, for that matter, those two famous corgis from Instagram. And there are stories about how, when your television gig is canceled, you can console yourself with the fact that all of that travel that made your young son so sad at least left you with a prize: platinum medallion status with your airline. Both unflinchingly funny and deeply heartfelt, Medallion Status is a thoughtful examination of status, fame, and identity--and about the way we all deal with those moments when we realize we aren't platinum status anymore and will have to get comfortable in that middle seat again.