Q&A - Sydney Graves Owner of Monarch Bookstore

LEBANON -- Monarch Books owner Sydney Graves runs an independent bookstore in downtown Lebanon offering more than 7,000 new and used books alongside gifts, games, puzzles and products from local artists and artisans. Graves opened the store in April 2024. Her mother, Monica, helps with the shop and sets up the storefront window displays when Graves is away.

Graves, 20, spoke about opening her bookstore, the challenges of running a small business and the role she hopes the shop will play in the community.

Are you originally from Lebanon?

Yeah, I grew up here. My entire family lives in Lebanon, too. I was homeschooled. So I did sports through the high school, and I did my freshmen year there, but it was during COVID, so it was all online.

Are you currently in school?

I’m getting my bachelor’s in business right now through an online university. I’m in my 1st year, it’s amazing. I took a little gap year to work on this. I went to college while I was in high school at LBCC and almost got my associate (degree), and then I got busy.

Were there any previous jobs that prepared you for starting a business?

Not really. I worked at Bloom Tea House before for like two or three years, and that really helped me with customer service, ‘cause I had to work the front. It was like waitressing and stuff. Before that I was very introverted. I’m still a bit introverted, but I’m much better at conversation now. Just knowing how to interact with customers and working in another small business kind of, like, you see how it’s run and things like that. So I’d say, for the most part, just other jobs.

What was your inspiration when opening Monarch Books?

Books. I just love books, and I love colorful things. So I love the artwork I get to do behind it, and the decorating, and there’s still a lot more I want to do. So I just like the creative aspect of it. It’s kind of my own little place, I can do whatever I want with it. I love meeting new people too, and hearing all their stories. Everything around it, I get to curate which is nice. It’s a creative outlet for me as well as work.

What was your inspiration for the name?

It was actually kind of funny, ‘cause have you seen the butterfly mural on the side of my wall? So when I first opened, that was being put into the works. They were getting an artist to do that, and they originally told me it was going to be a Monarch butterfly. I’m like, okay, so cute. There are gonna be these little Monarch butterflies on the side of my building. I’ll name it “Monarch Books,” I feel like it’s got multiple meanings too, so it’s just like a fun name and it’s nice to brand with. I can just pick a lot of Monarch things as my brand. Then it ended up being a Painted Lady butterfly. I was like, you know what, it still works.

What does your family think about your small business?

They actually love it, which is so funny. When I first started to open this, I was like, I don’t want to do it guys, because no one buys books anymore. They’re like, no you have to. You have to go live out your little hallmark dream or whatever. They’re all really supportive, which is nice. I had a couple of family members who were like, I don’t think that’s a very smart Sydney. But for the most part they love it, and they all come hang out here. A lot of them have their stuff here, like my sister sells plants and things she makes here. It’s a whole family affair, I guess.

What was your biggest surprise when starting this business?

How many people came in. My first day I opened, it was filled all day, and I barely had anything. It was, not barely anything, but a lot less in here than there is now. I had so many people come in, people I didn’t even know, supporting me. I was like, wow, it just surprised me because I had no idea how many people were gonna come in. I didn’t know people still read. So I was like, hey, this might work. It’s been awesome to see though.

What makes you unique compared to other bookstores?

It’s like new and used books, and I try to curate it to where it has a lot of local vendors, which most small businesses do, which is awesome. What I try to do differently with my bookstore is instead of it being books everywhere, I like to keep it very creative and colorful, and I want to eventually add a local artist section and really focus on the artsy side of it and not so much just be books. So kind of like having different outlets as well.

How do you compete or compare with big corporations like Barnes & Noble or Amazon?

It’s really hard obviously, because people like things very quick and fast paced nowadays and they want to be able to buy something at the click of a button. I feel like the only way I can really compare is a lot of people in local communities get really fed up with big corporations and stuff. And so they want to support small businesses. That’s really my customer base. People who are ordering books from me don’t care how long it takes because they want to support me and have money going into their community and not big corporations. So it’s obvious I can’t really compete with the speed or anything, but I can compete on a level that’s face to face and we have that connection.

Where do you source your books and other products from?

I’ve got lots of local vendors in here. I get a lot of stuff from wholesale, small business, Ingram, and Faire. If I can find it through a local vendor, I’d much prefer that than getting it off Faire, because it’s just so special to see everyone, especially artists creating something different. They all have backstories behind them, and there’s always a story to tell when you’re selling someone that. And once I start expanding, I’d love to get more.

Usually new books will come from Ingram and Faire. Used books, that’s like all over. I’ll go thrifting or I’ll get donations or I’ll do trade-ins. My friends at the library and I will trade off books. So there’s like a lot of different ways—I’ll do garage sales. My family members will donate them, so kind of everywhere. No shortage of books in the world. That’s for sure.

What is the biggest challenge you face today? How are you overcoming it?

My biggest challenge has probably been staying open all the time. I have a lot of other stuff I have to do, so having consistent hours and making sure I’m meeting every customer’s needs. There’s just one of me. I don’t really have people helping me. My mom will come and help sometimes, so I don’t overuse her. Being at the front of it and then running all the back stuff, doing orderings and cleaning, focusing on where my resources are going. Like, should I use this to improve, like build new shelves? Or should I just do a big order or plan an event? So just deciding where things get to go, I guess.

How do you balance your personal life with owning your own business?

That one’s so hard, because there is a lot of other stuff I do in my personal life. I have a couple other side jobs I do. So it definitely is hard sometimes. That’s why I’m looking to hire some people eventually, because it just gets to be a lot. But mostly it’s like, I get Sundays and Mondays off, so usually I use Sundays to reset and Mondays to either go volunteer with someone or hang out with my family. So it’s got a good balance.

What other side jobs are you affiliated with?

I do modeling on the side. So that can take up a lot of time. It’s very sporadic sometimes. I’ll have a lot of busy seasons and I’ll have seasons where I don’t book anything for a while or there’ll be times where I’m out of state for a long time. So it’s just kind of balancing that and never really knowing exactly what my schedule is. I’m also working on my art business on the side, because I sell my artwork too. Getting time to find how to be creative with that and find time to paint and to order prints and stuff like that.

Do you think books are a dying media?

I don’t think so, just because BookTok and Bookstagram are such a trend, like up and coming now. There’s really nothing you can replace a physical book with. Obviously there’s Kindle and audiobooks, which is nice, but I get a lot of people in here like, “Yeah I’ll do Kindle sometimes, and I’ll do audiobooks sometimes, but there’s really nothing better than the actual book.” Also with Kindle and audiobooks, you can’t display it on your shelf like a cute little trophy book. A lot of people who come in here to shop actually will read it on Kindle and then buy the physical book if they like it because they want the actual book itself. That’s why I think it will never really go out of style because books are just classic.

What is your opinion on the book ban?

I’d say, especially with the classics and things, obviously it’s a different time when those were written. I’m a firm believer in you should be able to access all sorts of books and people should be able to access those books, even if they have different opinions or languages in them. Because if you’re banning books or getting rid of books from a certain narrative, it’s basically taking away a little bit of your freedom. I feel like even if it’s something you don’t necessarily agree with, it shouldn’t be something that’s taken away because you should have the variety of different opinions.

What is your favorite book?

I really like the Six of Crows duology by Leo Bardugo. There’s a lot, but that’s one of my top ones.

If you were a book what book would you be?

I don’t even know, ‘cause I feel like it’s hard to see what yourself looks like to other people. Probably some sort of fairy fantasy book… So maybe, Holly Black’s Cruel Prince or something. That’s another one of my favorites.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

Just go for it. You literally never know how to start when you start. Start with what you have, and then build from there. You’re never gonna know. I learn new things every single day. I learn how to interact differently with customers. So I probably won’t know until I’m like ninety.

Any upcoming events?

There’s always Friday events downtown. What I’m working on is getting things kind of more set up in here, ‘cause there’s still so much I want to do. This back room, it’s gonna look different, so I can start hosting more events, because it’s hard for me to plan events when it’s not what I want it to look like in here. I do have a flower kind of workshop going on. It’s gonna be March 28. A lot of the time I’ll just have vendors or people who are interested come and they’ll host their own events in here and I’ll let them use my space. Then I have my two-year party coming up on April 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What future do you see for this business?

I keep seeing it grow. I’d love to expand eventually, maybe add on to it. I want to be able to help others through it and be able to hire people or do more community events and things like that. I’d like to see it expand for sure. I think definitely for sure in the future, I just want to see where it goes, where God takes it. I’m definitely a very spiritually led person. I don’t have a ton of set plans in the future because whatever God wants me to do, that’s where I’ll be.

What’s your favorite part about your job?

Getting to do what I want. I kind of always knew I wanted to have my own small business. Not that I don’t like working for people, but it’s just nice to have freedom to think and to get to plan your own schedule out and to decide what to do at work instead of being told. I just really enjoy getting to decide what I do everyday. The downfall of that is I do have to be disciplined. I do have to make sure I’m getting things done, so that’s something I have to be careful with.

How do you define success beyond revenue or growth?

Honestly, happiness. As long as you’re enjoying what you do and you come to work everyday excited, that’s what success is to me. I love what I do and I love getting to interact with people and getting to be creative.

What impact do you hope your shop has on the community?

Getting kids to read more. I get a lot of parents coming in here; “I’m trying to get my kids to read more, but I don’t know what they like or they’re not into reading.” I feel like when I was a kid I read so much and it helped a lot with being creative and learning in general. So definitely getting more books out to the community for kids. Having a place where people can come and feel inspired. Eventually I want to turn this back room into a place people can study and just chill, sort of like a comforting place everyone’s welcome in.

How has owning a bookstore changed you personally?

Every single way. I feel like I’ve learned so much in the last two years. I’ll look back at myself before I owned this and like, that’s a completely different person. And I’m still the same personality and stuff, but I’m able to interact with people so much better than I did before. I’m much more confident than I was before. I’m a lot better with boundaries and saying no to things because I get a lot of questions, like people trying to sell me stuff in here all the time. I’m better with organizing. I feel like there’s so many positive ways it’s changed me. I’m so grateful to have it because it’s not only something I love to do, but something that’s improving me everyday too.

Sydney Graves

Age: 20

Occupation: Book seller

Interests: Selling books, modeling, art

Hometown: Lebanon Oregon

Business Established: April 2024

Business Location: 696 S. Main St. Lebanon Oregon

Hours: Tue-Fri 11 am - 6 pm, Sat 10 am - 7 pm (Closed Sun/Mon)

Phone: (458) 223-7263

Website: Monarch Books Website

Media Blog Project--Lumï Speak Softly EP Review

Once In A Blue Moon Live

 

    Lumï's EP, Speak Softly, immediately stands out because of its emotional restraint and atmospheric sound. In a music landscape dominated by high-energy production and viral hooks, Speak Softly feels intentionally intimate. I discovered the duo through a TikTok back in August 2025, and ever since, I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for more releases. I chose this recording because it contrasts with mainstream pop trends, instead embracing subtlety and vulnerability. 

    The duo released Speak Softly on February 20th of 2026, with only five songs; the EP is 16 minutes long. The EP's cover art--minimalistic and soft-toned--visually reinforces the mood of the music. They blend ambient pop and electronic textures. While not yet a mainstream name, Lumï has built a growing audience through streaming platforms (114.9k monthly listeners on Spotify) and social media (179.6k TikTok followers). The one single the duo had released is a feature titled “we've been loving in silence”, by MARO. 

    Speak Softly is the first EP Lumï has released; three singles--included on the EP--were released prior (The Truth Can Wait, Chasing Silhouettes, and Once In A Blue Moon). These three songs hinted at a softer, atmospheric style, but this EP marks a more cohesive artistic direction. The production feels more polished, but also more intentional in its minimalism. Unlike more commercial alt-pop releases that build toward dramatic drops, Lumï avoids explosive moments. This sets the EP apart; it resists formula. Where many modern artists chase virality, Lumï embraces subtlety.

    Although Speak Softly has not topped major charts, it has gained traction through curated playlists and online music communities. Independent EP releases like this often rely on streaming numbers and word-of-mouth rather than traditional sales figures. One interesting detail is that Lumï has cited influences from ambient and minimalist pop artists, which explains the layered production style and emphasis on tone over heavy instrumentation.

That artistic choice makes the EP feel more personal but potentially less commercially aggressive. In an era where audiences increasingly discuss mental health, vulnerability, and authenticity, this EP fits that trend. Its tone aligns with the rise of “sad pop,” lo-fi aesthetics, and intimate bedroom-style production.

The target audience appears to be:

• Young adults and Gen Z listeners
• Fans of ambient/alternative pop
• Listeners who value mood and emotion over high-tempo dance tracks

    Overall, Speak Softly is a strong independent release. It may not dominate charts, but it succeeds artistically. Whether it becomes long-term memorable depends on Lumï’s future trajectory. As a standalone EP, it’s subtle but impactful. Speak Softly has not yet reached a broader audience to be professionally critiqued. 

    Lumï utilizes platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to promote music clips, behind-the-scenes content, and short performance videos. They're best known for covering popular songs on Tiktok, notably the most viral cover being Chamber of Reflections by Mac Demarco. They rely on aesthetic consistency, soft visuals, muted tones, and a fish-eye lens. Listeners’ comments often highlight relatability and emotional comfort. Many describe the music as calming or reflective.

    In conclusion, Speak Softly stands out because of its emotional subtlety in a loud digital culture. While not designed for mainstream pop dominance, it succeeds as an intimate and cohesive artistic statement. The EP reflects broader trends in introspective music and independent distribution models.

From Campaign To Council -- The Call For Stronger Advocacy

The results of the SLC elections are now in! Check out this link for an in depth look at results and student concerns (https://www.linnbenton.edu/current-students/slc/index.php)

Lia Schmeck and Jaymie Poujade have been elected President and Vice President of the Linn-Benton Community College Student Leadership Council following this year's student government elections. 

A total of 409 students cast ballots in the election. Both Schmeck and Poujade received 45% of the vote, earning 183 votes each in their respective races.

The newly elected leaders will spend the coming weeks assembling their council team and participating in training before officially assuming their roles at the end of week five of spring term. 

The Student Leadership Council serves as the governing body of the Associated Students of LBCC, representing all students enrolled in credit courses and advocating for student needs through campus initiatives, events, and school-wide feedback.

Election data highlighted several areas of student interest and concern that may guide the council’s work in the coming year. According to results shared after the election, about 20% of students reported using Roadrunner Resources, while 13% said they want the SLC to prioritize addressing tuition increases. 

Both Schmeck and Poujade said student feedback gathered during campaigning will play a central role in shaping their leadership. 

“I hope students feel genuinely heard, supported and connected to their student government,” Poujade said. “If we stay focused on what improves student life, we can align our priorities and move forward together.” 

Pojade said plans to approach differing viewpoints within the council as strengths rather than obstacles, emphasizing transparency and collaboration among council members. 

 “Everyone comes into student government with their own experiences and priorities,” she said. “That diversity is what makes our leadership more effective.” 

Schmeck echoed the importance of communication when working with leaders who may hold different priorities. 

“Often we as student leaders have a shared goal, which is serving the students,” Schmeck said. “Sometimes the way we want to get there varies, and in that moment clear communication is important.”

Both leaders said conversations with students during the election were among the most impactful parts of the campaign. 

Poujade said she was surprised by how openly students shared personal experiences.

“Hearing how deeply people care about issues like affordability, food security, and mental health reminded me why this work matters,” she said. 

Schmeck said the supportive atmosphere among candidates stood out throughout the election process. 

“It was set in stone pretty early on that no matter the results, the team was going to be left in good hands with any elected president,” she said, noting collaborations with fellow candidates Rebecca Thomas and Jaxon Lee. 

Looking ahead, Schmeck said she hopes students feel represented on issues frequently raised during the election, including tuition increases, textbook costs and access to resources. 

“I want students to walk away knowing they are being represented and supported with the resources they need to be successful,” she said. 

Both leaders emphasized accountability as a central responsibility of student government.

“Representing my peers means carrying their trust with care,” Poujade said. “It means being willing to have hard conversations and stand up for students even when it’s inconvenient.”

Schmeck added that council members must remember they are stewards of student fee dollars that fund campus events and services.

“It’s your money, as students, who pays for the events we put on and the services we provide,” she said. “We are here to serve the students.”

Poujade said her motivation to serve comes from witnessing firsthand the challenges students face.

“Leadership should make people’s lives better,” she said. “Serving in student government gives me the opportunity to turn those observations into action.”

Schmeck said her passion for connection and advocacy led her to pursue the presidency after previously serving as Chieftain of Events.

“I’m excited to lead our team to complete objectives that everyone is passionate about,” she said. “We care about our students.”

Students can expect several SLC-sponsored events during the remainder of the winter term. The Karaoke Kaleidoscope, is scheduled for March 4 from noon to 2 p.m.

More information about this events: 

https://www.linnbenton.edu/about/calendar/index.php#event-details/d3f0d434-af17-4a12-ad2d-c77a7fbf9615

While the newly elected leaders prepare for their transition into office, both said their focus remains on building collaboration and strengthening student engagement across campus.

Celebrating Black History 365: Ramicya McGhee on the origins of Black History Month.

Black history is not confined to February, and it is not always comfortable. 

That was the message delivered at “The Origins of Black History Month,” where author, LBCC educator, and Albany Council member Ramycia McGhee challenged attendees to confront erasure, embrace discomfort and engage year-round.

Dressed in all black, attendees filled rows of seats and couches in the warm, coffee-scented Equity Center, as they gathered to reflect on the origins, impact, and future of Black History Month. 

“Black History is a lived history," McGhee said. “It’s not just a post on social media. It’s happening now, and it will continuously be lived.”

The event drew a large turnout, including many white staff members seeking to learn more about Black history and its broader context. As the lunchtime presentation continued, more attendees quietly joined the audience. 

McGhee traced the origins of Black History Month to Chicago and historian Carter G. Woodson, the second Black graduate of Harvard University. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” founded the Association of the Study of African American Life and History. He launched what began as Negro History Week. In 1976, it was officially recognized as Black History Month. 

The presentation also addressed what McGhee described as systematic erasure – the removal or minimizing of Black history from education, textbooks, and federal programs. A video produced by Black Stories Untold was also shared during the event to further illustrate the sanitizing of slavery narratives, the promotion of “feel good” success stories that do not challenge dominant perspectives, and the reduction of funding for certain diversity initiatives.

“Take the opportunity to not only share the knowledge, but also extend grace, because there’s a reason as to why all of our histories have not been shared broadly,” said Jason Dorsette, executive director of LBCC’s Office of Impact and Engagement.  

Throughout the event, speakers emphasized emotional intelligence, self-care and growth through discomfort. 

“I think it’s good for them to be uncomfortable,” McGhee said in an interview. “When we are all uncomfortable, we are challenged to grow. When we are too comfortable, we are stagnant. Discomfort is often a cornerstone of progress.”

McGhee encouraged participants to engage with people who hold different perspectives.

“I know it’s not easy to be in a room with people who are not of like mind,” she said in reference to individuals who may have differing opinions on race or historical inequities. “There is something that is very enlightening about being around people who don’t think like you. I do a lot of listening. I’m not in a space of trying to prove them wrong. I am in the space to just see and observe.”

When asked by an educator in the audience what resistance looks like today, McGhee said it varies. 

“Activism and resistance looks different to everybody,” she said. “Wherever there’s progress, Black folks have always been resisting. We do not live in a post-racial world. It is ingrained in the fabric of the U.S. Having conversations like this is resistance.”

Dorsette added that resistance also requires discernment and emotional awareness.

“Every battle isn’t yours,” he said. “Every argument isn’t yours to have. Every untruth is not yours to debunk. We have to center our emotional intelligence and self-care.”

McGhee pointed to the civil rights movement as a blueprint for modern organizing. 

“Folks can go back and look at how they were organized,” she said. “How they resisted, and what came from that. The civil rights movement is a prominent social movement that influences all other movements.”

She cited Ida B. Wells, the journalist and activist who documented lynchings in the South, as a personal inspiration. Wells continued her work even after her newspaper office was destroyed. McGhee also referenced Madam C.J. Walker, recognized as the first Black woman millionaire, as an example of entrepreneurial achievement. 

McGhee reflected on her own role as the first Black woman and first woman of color elected to the Albany City Council.

“Representation shows the progress that Albany is making,” she said. “That’s huge.”

She also spoke about her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, founded in 1908 as the first Black Greek sorority. The organization’s notable members include former Vice President Kamala Harris, Coretta Scott King, and honorary member Rosa Parks. 

McGhee encouraged students to attend Black History Month events, support Black-owned businesses, bookstores, and continue reading beyond February. 

“Black history is synonymous with American history,” she said. “There’s no difference in that.”

Looking ahead, she said she hopes conversations about erasure diminish and that Black history is recognized as part of a global diaspora. 

“I hope that when people say Black history it is not just February," McGhee said, “and that when people say history, it’s not just American history.”

McGhee also connected discussions of historical erasure to contemporary events, pointing to what she described as limited media coverage surrounding the case of Keith Porter Jr. A black man, who was fatally shot and killed in Los Angeles, California by an off-duty ICE officer. 

“It is so sad,” McGhee said. “To see it’s not being covered, I know that it is by design.” 

She emphasized the importance of community conversations in keeping stories visible, adding that Porter’s life and experiences should not go unnoticed. 

“He was someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s father,” she said. “We have to have a conversation about it. As much as people don’t want to talk about it. It happened, this is real.” 

McGhee added that moments of resistance throughout history often come with personal cost and that honoring those affected is part of continuing the work of awareness and advocacy.

Quoting Lonna Clark Capaci, McGhee reminded attendees, “Before stories were told they were lived.”

As the event concluded, one message remained clear: growth requires intention.

“Make people uncomfortable,” McGhee said. “Make people think a little bit more.”

The responsibility, she added, does not end when the program does.

“It’s up to the person to water their own seed.”

At a Glance:

Find it here: The 100-Year Plot To ERASE Black History Month (It's Happening Now) – Black Stories Untold: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqhb6R5qKEs

More information on Keith Porter Jr: latimes TheGuardian

From posters to polling links: SLC election season is here

 Students at Linn-Benton Community College can now cast their votes in the Student Leadership Council elections.​

Voting opened Feb. 2, and will remain open until noon Friday, Feb. 13. Students will vote electronically through a secure system provided by ElectionRunner; an email sent to students contains a unique voter ID and voter key to prevent duplicate or unauthorized voting.  

Three candidates are running for president: Jaxon Lee, Lia Schmeck, and Rebecca Thomas. The vice president race involves Vayne Lim, Jaymie Poujade, and Ross Zinck. (See profiles of the candidates on LBCommuter.com.)

The Student Leadership Council serves as the governing body of the Associated Students of Linn-Benton Community College, acting as a liaison between students and the college administration. All students enrolled in credit courses during an academic term are automatically members of ASLBCC and are represented by the council.

​

The SLC advocates for students' interests by participating in college committees, managing student fees, organizing campus events, and supporting student success initiatives.  The council also provides leadership training and ensures students have a voice in collegewide decision-making.

Jaxon Lee and Ross Zinck shared that it's important to accurately represent the student body and stay true to the values of the SLC. 

​

Students who serve on the SLC receive a range of benefits, including leadership and professional development opportunities. Members participate in leadership retreats, workshops, and training sessions focused on governance and college policies. They also gain experience in public speaking, budgeting, and teamwork.

​

In addition, SLC members may receive talent grants that provide tuition support based on enrollment, up to 12 credits per term. Participation can also strengthen resumes and transfer applications while offering networking opportunities with college administrators and staff.

​

Candidates have been campaigning through posters, daily conversations with students, and prepared statements included in official election materials. Candidate information is available online through LBCC’s election materials page: https://lbccmonitors.my.canva.site/2026-slc-election.

​

“The candidates were trying to organize a meet-and-greet style event, but I have not heard that it was finalized or if a date and time were set,” said Rob Camp, administrative advisor of the SLC.

Election results are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Alongside the elections, applications for additional SLC positions are now open. Applications close Feb. 20, with interviews beginning the following week. The college aims to fill the remaining council positions by the end of the winter term.

Interested in applying? Here’s a link to the form: https://forms.gle/7DGTaWXryBLicfMx9

Bob's Burgers: The Comfort Food of Animated TV

Bob's Burgers has become one of the top adult animation series on Hulu (BubbleBlabber). Created by Loren Bouchard, it's primary Network being Fox, and streaming on Hulu. The show has been running for around 15 years, starting in 2011, and has since released a movie in 2022, as well as the 16th season on Hulu, set to be released in September 2025. The episodic format is easy to follow as the Belcher family: Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (John Roberts), along with their children Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Louise (Kristen Schaal)--run their struggling seaside burger restaurant.

I have picked the most recent episode (S16 E10-Heist Things are Heist), the episode aired on Hulu December 28, 2025. Bob's Burgers has since entered a mid-season break. In this episode, Bob has won the "Best Dive on the Mainland award, and the family is asked to cater the award ceremony. All is well until Bob finds out he has to pay $200 to actually receive a physical award. Along with an outfit mishap from Linda. The kids decide to cause some mischief, and they plan to steal the "Best of the Bay" award for their father. They team up with a recurring character, Vincent (a supposed jewel thief) who convinces them to devise a strategic plan, which by the end of the episode is successful (no spoilers). 

The show exhibits a distinct hand-drawn 2D animation style featuring simple oval-shaped characters in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors. The Belchers’ outfits are everyday casual, the world is vaguely East Coast-inspired, and the design is intentionally simple yet expressive. The consistent animation style contributes to the show’s comfort-factor appeal. One of the most impressive aspects of Bob’s Burgers--especially by Season 16--is its strong sense of continuity(Reddit). By "remembering the past", the show builds a world that feels lived-in, where events matter, and characters evolve. At the same time, the show often experiments with dream sequences, musical montages, and genre parodies (like "story time" episodes), showing that consistency does not mean stagnation.

Bob's Burgers is notable for their inclusion of fan art in S8 E1, Brunchsquatch. In this episode, different scenes were animated by fans and independent artists. The character designs shift constantly--from rough sketches to elaborate, colorful reinterpretations--while the voice acting and script remain consistent.

Unlike many animated sitcoms that focus on exaggerated wealth (Family Guy) or cultural satire (The Simpsons), Bob’s Burgers centers on a struggling, small-business, working-class family. The Belchers own a modest burger restaurant that rarely turns large profits. They worry about rent. They reuse costumes. They repair broken equipment instead of replacing it. What stands out is the dignity in their portrayal. Bob is not incompetent; he is passionate about quality and craft. Linda is not “trashy”; she is enthusiastic and deeply supportive. The show presents working-class life without humiliation or cruelty. Financial strain is a recurring theme, but it is treated realistically--not as a punchline. This makes the Belchers feel closer to real American families than the hyper-satirical depictions in some other animated series. 

One of the most quietly groundbreaking aspects of Bob’s Burgers is how naturally it incorporates diversity. Unlike many sitcoms that highlight difference as a source of conflict or punchlines, Bob’s Burgers treats diversity as ordinary--part of the fabric of everyday life in its seaside town. Though mostly inclusive, the show has sparked discussion about its humor--including moments some find insensitive--and how it portrays quirky or neurodivergent characters (CommonSenseMedia). 

The primary audience is adults and teens (13+), skewing toward viewers who enjoy animated sitcoms and family comedy. Advertisements I noticed while watching were: Liberty Mutual Insurance, McDonald's, Weight Watchers, America's Best (eyewear), Apartments.com, and a promo for The Masked Singer and Fear Factor--which appeals to a youthful demographic. 

Upon further investigation, the social platform Bob's Burgers interacts with is apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter through clips, art, and episode promos. Reddit threads reflect active engagement and debates often. The fan base is passionate. I personally re-watch the show every couple of months because of its comfort-show kind of vibe. 

What surprised me most was how Bob's Burgers has evolved, from a show with edgier, darker humor to a beloved sitcom with whimsical comedy. Its legacy will not be built on shock or spectacle, but on heart. And that may be why, long after its final episode airs, audiences will continue returning to the small seaside restaurant where the burgers are creative, the rent is overdue, and the family at the counter always sticks together.

My First Blog: Introduction/Media

Hi, my name is Kendra (or Kenny), and this is my first year at LBCC, where I am studying Journalism and Mass Communications. I've always had a fixation for storytelling and creating; my grandma used to tell me I had a wild imagination. At the beginning of my pursuit of higher education, I wanted to move and attend a liberal arts college. Unfortunately, the amount of debt it would put me in was a significant deciding factor for me, leading me to stay in Oregon and earn my associate's degree. I'm not a lover of school, so who knows if I'll go beyond community college, but I think life has a funny way of taking us toward success; it just matters how much we desire it.

My hobbies include: dancing (15 years going strong), crafting, watching hockey, creative writing, film watching, traveling, photography, quality time with the people I love, and listening to music. Music is a huge part of my life; it influences the way I interpret things (like movement, writing, art, etc). My current career goals are to dance until my feet fall off, network, get better at writing, and hopefully one day write a movie. I've always seen myself as one of those podcast hosts who are secretly best friends with celebrities (like Owen Thiele and Emma Chamberlain). I'm chronically online, but don't get it twisted, I don't buy into the brain rot and continue to expand my knowledge daily through my phone. This class interested me, because I'm very present online, and I've seen how the media affects my life, so I was curious on how it affects marginalized groups, and how it shapes generations.

My main sources of information come from TikTok, Instagram, and CNN Reliable Sources. My most used apps are TikTok and Instagram, and I try to follow reliable news outlets on those apps, so I can stay up to date. I recently signed up for CNN Reliable Sources, and I am loving it! I can argue that TikTok and Instagram are probably not the best apps to use for reliable information, and can be very biased at times.  Learning about "deep fakes" and "fake news" is honestly so terrifying to me, especially with the use of artificial intelligence in a harmful way. As someone who uses social media daily and practically surrounds herself in different forms of media, it is very difficult to believe in certain posts nowadays. Ways I check the reliability of information: Googling, checking hashtags/comments, looking for watermarks (indicating ai), and making sure the account is a legit news outlet.