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The Book Show
The Book Show

Alison Bechdel - Spent

By Joe Donahue
Published July 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM EDT
Book cover for "Spent" by Alison Bechdel
Mariner Books
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provided

Celebrated cartoonist and “Fun Home” author Alison Bechdel returns with “Spent: A Comic Novel,” a sharp, funny, and self-aware look at art, aging, and the absurdity of success. Set on a goat farm in Vermont, Bechdel (both author and character) grapples with writer’s block, late-stage capitalism, and the unintended consequences of cultural fame.

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The Book Show book showthe book showAlison Bechdelvermontcartoonistfamecapitalismcomicfarmlgbtqai+
Joe Donahue
Joe talks to people on the radio for a living. In addition to countless impressive human "gets" - he has talked to a lot of Muppets. Joe grew up in Philadelphia, has been on the area airwaves for more than 25 years and currently lives in Washington County, NY with his wife, Kelly, and their dog, Brady. And yes, he reads every single book.
See stories by Joe Donahue
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