I’m really not a football fan nor am I at all a sports girl, but once in a while, it can be a good plot device. 

This week, you can read about Flame & Fable, a Lakewood-based bookshop that specializes in romance and fantasy, plus a new docuseries that some might say is like Cleveland’s own Friday Night Lights. 

I absolutely will not be watching the Super Bowl, but I do highly recommend Discovery Channel’s Puppy Bowl instead.

Happy reading,
Dakotah

Trust me, no one is more surprised than I am that there are not just one, but several football mentions this week. I guess I’m using up everything I know, and just stay with me on these.

I recommend poet, author and culture critic Hanif Abdurraqib a lot. Knowing that he was from Columbus gave me some hope when I decided to move to Ohio in 2023. 

Object of Sound is Abdurraqib’s podcast where he examines pop culture history through music, often with a sports twist. For example, one of my favorite episodes is about the National Anthem, specifically Whitney Houston’s jaw-dropping performance in 1991. It’s a very special one and as usual, Abdurraqib handles it all with extreme care, and a perspective that only he could give. 

If you just honestly cannot even care about something about sports, I hear you, so start with this episode about Biz Markie instead.

I’m so glad that Durand Bernarr won a Grammy, because not only is he supremely talented, but now (hopefully?) people finally know he’s from Cleveland.

Growing up, Bernarr had opportunities to work with legends such as Whitney Houston and Erykah Badu. A few years ago, I had the chance to see him live at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA. He opened his set in a yellow suit, styled as The Mask, and it was wonderful.

If you’ve already listened to Bloom, check out “Boundaries” from his 2022 album Wanderlust.

I was so incredibly avoidant of this show from its premiere in 2006 until about a decade ago, when it was recommended to me by people whose taste I trusted. I couldn’t possibly see myself getting attached to a story about high school football in Texas, of all places. But, shocker, I was wrong!

If you’re looking for a multi-season series that can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, look no further than Friday Night Lights. It starts off a little slow, but I think it has one of my favorite pilots. The soundtrack is great, and if you stick around to the last season, you’ll even see baby Michael B. Jordan and Jurnee Smollett.

Flame & Fable is home to more than 3,000 romance and fantasy book titles, including many Cleveland authors. Meet six of them on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Lakewood.

For almost exactly one year, Flame & Fable has cultivated not just a genre-focused bookstore, but a community of readers across both romance and fantasy titles. This Saturday, the woman-owned bookstore has lined up six Cleveland authors for book signings and more to celebrate its first birthday. 

“I always wanted some place that I could go to and look at books that I really enjoyed reading,” owner Nickie Lui said.

After leaving a job in publishing, Lui realized that she really just wanted to spend the rest of her life reading and recommending books. Specifically, romance or fantasy, or “romantasy” for short when the genres are combined. 

Inspired by similar-themed bookstores in other cities such as The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Lui rolled up her sleeves to figure out how to start something similar in Cleveland. 

“It just made sense to do fantasy and romance, because it’s what I love,” Lui said. She has also curated the shop’s website to include “tropes” such as “friends to lovers” or “slow burn.” (For example, HBO’s Heated Rivalry – based on a book – is considered a “slow burn.” While the shop specializes in romance, it also sells “romanceless fantasy,” too.

Don’t consider yourself a fan of romance or fantasy? Lui is used to getting customers who are new to the genre or sometimes even embarrassed to ask questions. Even with the success of Heated Rivalry, she said customers still come in nervous to ask for similar titles featuring “boys kissing.”

On Saturday, Flame & Fable is throwing its biggest event yet featuring six Cleveland romance and fantasy authors: Allison Kennedy, B.B. Aspen, Bre Bartell, Chelle Sloan, Ciara Hartford and Emma Foxx. 

“I knew Cleveland had authors, but I did not realize how many romance authors Cleveland had,” Lui said. “I’m really thankful for all the support and the opportunity we’ve had. I’m a little fish in a big pond.” 

The shop is also home to several bookclubs, including Spicy Grapes and Feral Gremlins. 

The event is free, but books will be available for purchase. You can also shop from two local vendors, Bookishly Bailey and Kiwi’s Bakery. Flame & Fable’s anniversary event is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 15207 Detroit Ave in Lakewood.  

Just in time for a football-filled weekend, a new documentary tells Chuck Kyle’s story after 40 years at Saint Ignatius High School in Ohio City. The series premieres today, Feb. 4.

Trying to avoid football this weekend? A local docuseries about one small high school’s rise to football fame might have you reconsider. Mostly set in Cleveland, “Object of the Game” follows long-time Saint Ignatius Football coach, Chuck Kyle, during his final season after 40 years. Directed by one of his former players, Matt Waldeck, the series premieres today, Feb. 4 on Prime. 

For forty years, Kyle coached the Saint Ignatius High School Football team. He transformed the team from one that had never made the playoffs to one with 11 state titles and 4 national championships. Kyle announced his retirement in 2022, and the film captures his last year coaching the Wildcats. 

Football has been under scrutiny for some time, especially as evidence piles up that the sport can lead to concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. As of quite recently, high school players are now allowed to cash in on name, likeness and image deals, further blurring the line between youth and professional sports. Last Thursday, the Ohio House introduced a bill that would ban these types of deals for middle and high school students.

These are just some of the challenges that Coach Kyle has navigated under his long tenure. Throughout his career, he’s helped send multiple players to the NFL and in 2024, he was inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame.

Although openly not much of a football fan (#relatable), Kim Sutton joined the project to offer an outside perspective. 

“Even though I’m not a football person, the film is so much more about resilience and persistence,” Sutton, the film’s main video editor, said. It’s her first feature-length documentary, following previous work with local institutions such as Karamu House and Cleveland Orchestra. 

It quickly became about more than just football. 

The film starts during Kyle’s last playoff game in 2022, and without spoiling the plot, sets the stage for a massive comeback in the second half. 

“There’s no gotcha, it’s a simple, heartfelt and deep story about [Coach Kyle’s] philosophy,” Sutton said.

After spending a few years working on the film surrounded by football, she finds herself quoting Kyle all the time. For example, Kyle is known for saying “no shortcuts” and “do it right,” phrases she has repeated to Waldeck throughout the editing process.

The film also includes an original music score commissioned by Waldeck, inspired by artists such as Explosions in the Sky, known for providing the soundtrack to the aforementioned Friday Night Lights. 

Starting today, you can watch the film on Prime. Each episode is $2.99, or you can buy the whole series for $6.99.

There is a super cute video game called “On-Together” that works as a virtual co-working space. Filled with adorable animals that sit at the bottom of your screen, you can utilize its productivity tools and even play games with your friends. One review said it’s “like going to the office in Animal Crossing.”

Kinda surprised it took until 2026 and wish I had more reasons to co-work with other people! I haven’t “played” it, but if you want to try it together, holler.