The Checkout Counter #40
February 2026

The Fire Concerto

The Ugly Stepsister

Nothing's About to Happen to Me

where i am it's light at 5pm again :) take care, and thanks for reading 🀍

Books

  • The Fire Concerto, Sarah Landenwichreally enjoyed this! always a fan of stories that explore what "history" actually means and how it's deliberately shaped to fit concise narratives (much like mysteries...!).

    i was charmed by the romances, both in the present and pastβ€”that final reveal in the last few paragraphs was very sweet. wish i could listen to the fictional music that's described here, though in these cases it's probably best left to the imagination.

    Mystery. A former child prodigy inherits a metronome from her estranged piano teacher, drawing her into a mystery of centuries past.

Film

  • The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesΓΈsteren), 2025lol this was stylish and fun. cinderella and her two stepsisters are all sympathetic here. the silkworms bit was inspired!
    Fantasy, horror, comedy. In a fairytale kingdom where beauty and pain go hand in hand, Elvira goes to extreme lengths to catch the eye of the prince.
  • Best in Show, 2000
    Comedy, mockumentary. Contestants from across the United States prepare for the annual Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show.
  • Wendy and Lucy, 2008all the mundane and bland shots of oregon made me a little homesick to be honest! lot of gut wrenching stuff here (the crumpled-up bills she's handed...!)
    Drama. On her crosscountry journey to seek out work in Alaska, Wendy's car breaks down in Oregon.

Music

  • Compendium V, DIM
    Dark folk, dungeon synth
  • Illinois, Sufjan Stevensfunny to listen to a universally acclaimed, two decade-old album all the way through for the first time and think, "yeah this is pretty nice". i've always been familiar with the more well-known songs on this album, but i thought i should give this a real listen after seeing the lyrics of chicago written on a public feedback wall at an art exhibit. this track is my personal favorite.
    Folk, Americana
  • Warm Welcome, Griddlekeep
    Ambient, synth
  • Nothing's About to Happen to Me, Mitskigorgeous instrumentation! love how americana/folksy this is (are those even the right words…). very drawn to this title/cover/art direction overallβ€”feels the most narratively and sonically cohesive of her albums.
    Alternative

Games

  • list animals until failure, Vivian Rose266 animals listed

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  • Saltwrack, Antemaionyes!!! incredible atmosphere and use of minimalist styling. what a strange and terrifying world.
    Interative fiction, horror, post-apocalyptic. A scientific expedition heads north, across a thousand miles of toxic ice.
  • Out, crotovane
    Interative fiction, romance. Step into the fighting ring.

Articles & essays

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March 2026 β†’

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