Week 13 Recap: DIY Comes First
DIY wins with wit and indecent charm
DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation from Union Square & Co. outpaced its neon-pink and nipple-forward rivals to claim the top spot in Week 13.
Equal parts science, satire, and sex-ed, Dr. Eric Sprankle’s sharp and hilarious history struck a chord. A bold cover for a bold book.
Week 13 Winner: DIY by Dr. Eric Sprankle
Congrats to Dr. Sprankle and the Union Square team!
Week 14: Grade Them Yourself
No shading. No gradients. Just pure, unfiltered color. This week’s contenders look like final exams in design minimalism. But don’t be fooled. They’re still moody. Grade them yourself.
- New Paltz, New Paltz by Mike Powell (Double Negative, Jun 25, 2025): A disillusioned fact-checker in NYC rediscovers wonder, connection, and meaning in this quirky, quietly profound debut about art, intimacy, and unscripted life.
- On the Clock by Claire Baglin (New Directions, Mar 4, 2025): A summer fast-food job and childhood memories collide in this sharp, affecting novel about class, work, and family.
- Cloudbreak by William Auten (Fire in Hand Media, Sep 19, 2025): Seventeen intimate, quietly moving stories of Americans navigating identity, grief, connection, and purpose.
- Goddamn Failure by Ira Rat (Filthy Loot, Jun 20, 2025): A raw, absurd, and delightfully grotesque collection of early works from cult writer Ira Rat. Not for children. Or anyone with good taste.
Week 14 Lineup
Voting is open now through Sunday at 10pm ET. Tell yr Aunt Polly.
Tap Here to VoteYours in flat color and hard edges,
Will Pass
Book Jacket Bracket Guy