Word of Mouth: Sept 10

From your friends at Isthmus, Madison's alt-weekly.

What we're reading

Rachel Werner, content marketing specialist at Taliesin Preservation:

With the next presidential election looming, the dirt-slinging surrounding most political debates often ends up overshadowing the real lives that are impacted by ineffective policies exacerbated by government officials majorly out of touch with their constituents. Which is what makes To Obama WITH LOVE, JOY, ANGER, AND HOPE such a captivating book. The letters included by author Jeanne Marie Laskas, which the former POTUS received from American citizens while he was in office, manage to juxtapose levity with heartache in such a manner that the major takeaway is that politicians need to remember to not make empty promises — and the American public needs to do a better job of holding politicians accountable.

What we're playing

Aaron Conklin, Isthmus contributor:

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, rated M) is as spooky and unnerving a game as its predecessor, 2015's vastly underrated Until Dawn. It's an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure-style horror game, in which the decisions you make (and the speed at which you respond to quick-time events) determine not just your path through the story, but which characters live and die. This time, a group of young thrill-seekers gets trapped on a malevolent ghost ship in the South Pacific. There are two new multiplayer modes, including a movie-night mode that lets you play with up to four other people, each one controlling –– and probably killing –– a specific character.

What we're checking out

Abby Bartlett, vice president of marketing at Wisconsin Distributors:

After months of listening to chatter about Garver Feed Mill I finally stopped in to see what the buzz was about. The space is stunning. I was especially intrigued by Kosa, a spa on the mezzanine level. In addition to offering a spa menu they specialize in ingredients sourced seasonally for aromatherapy, tea and food. Naturally everything they offered was inspired by fall scents like orange, cinnamon and nutmeg. I'm curious and equally intrigued by what Kosa will feature for our long cold winter ahead!

What we're excited about

What we're eating

Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports:

Everyone who's been to the Dane County Farmers' Market knows about Stella's Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread (picture someone in their booth continuing to bellow "HOT & SPICY CHEESE BREAD!" like an Italian fishmonger). What you might not know about is their olive rosemary ciabatta, baked every other week. It's amazingly good.

What we're listening to

Chelsey Dequaine, Isthmus social media & marketing director:

The Black Keys released their ninth studio album Let's Rock in June. Let me tell ya –– it's true to its name. I only started listening to it last month after "Lo/Hi" came shredding across my Spotify. This one isn't as grungy or as heavy sounding as their old stuff, but it's a step in that awesome direction. I saw the guys in Nashville a few years back on the Turn Blue World Tour. If it weren't for my bachelorette party I would so be at the Milwaukee show on Oct. 4. ("Walk Across The Water" is def playing at my wedding.)

What we're making

Devin Renner, marketing director at True Coffee Roasters:

Turkish kofte. My girlfriend and I both enjoy cooking and to avoid getting into a rut we have a monthly challenge: We pick a country at random and we both have to make dishes from there. Last month our country was Turkey. I found a dish for kofte, minced and spiced meatballs, often made with lamb. I’d never cooked lamb that way, and I don’t like to brag, but they were kind of amazing.