BOOK | The first two words of this hot new memoir's title are so menacing, so like a horror film: SLICE HARVESTER: A MEMOIR IN PIZZA. Gross. But the book isn't a scary read; it's about a newly sober, heartbroken punk rocker who attempts to eat a slice of cheese pizza from every pizzeria in New York City. With faint notes of Julie & Julia — Colin Atrophy Hagendorf also started a blog with a kitschy concept that would later turn into a book deal — the story works because everyone can relate to eating pizza of all kinds. Here's how Hagendorf rates one slice on his blog; such poetry: "But ultimately, despite the slight vomitude, this shit wasn't too bad. It just wasn't any good at all."
ALBUM | On the Mynabirds' brand-new record LOVERS KNOW, main member-songwriter Laura Burhenn wonders, "Omaha, will you still call me darling?" She moved to Omaha after signing with the city's famed Saddle Creek Records in 2010, dropping the masterful Generals two years later. But now, like so many musicians before her, the songstress has moved to L.A. Her current record is also a move in a new direction. There's still the folk influence, silky tones and haunting lyrics, but now there's an electronic, early-'90s vibe to it all. Go listen to "Wildfire" immediately.
DRINK | I kept hearing about this mythical root beer, a bottled root beer that has alcohol in it. Two weeks ago, I finally had my first taste of NOT YOUR FATHER'S ROOT BEER at Morty's Tap & Grille on the South Hill. They're sold out now. So is the Park Inn. Every place in Spokane that recently announced they had the beverage seems to have already exhausted their stash. The root beer, produced by the Chicago-area Small Town Brewery, has become so popular that it's the fastest-selling new craft beer this year, Business Wire reports. The root beer's flavor mix of wintergreen, sassafras bark, oak, vanilla and anise hide the taste of alcohol too well — you'll never guess it's in there. Hopefully, Spokane will have more in stock soon. ♦
