Stephen Hillenburg is a former marine biology teacher and the creator of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” the most-watched animated series on television for the past 12 years. A worldwide cultural phenomenon, SpongeBob has had a tulip named after him in the Netherlands, and his bright yellow image is printed on hijabs in Egypt.

READING I am reading “This Is How You Lose Her,” by Junot Díaz. It’s about people and how flawed they are in their relationships. I don’t think it’s as amazing as his first book, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.”

And I also recently read this book called “The Wave,” by Susan Casey. It cross-cuts between the science of giant waves — the kind that make ships just disappear — and this surfer named Laird Hamilton and other big-wave riders who ride incredibly enormous waves that are incredibly dangerous. There are some pretty harrowing stories.

Image Credit... Robert Voets/Nickelodeon

LISTENING I am a big fan of the Australian band Tame Impala. They are these young guys reinvestigating psychedelic rock, and it does not seem ironic. To me, the singer sounds a lot like John Lennon. I’m also listening to the new release by Unknown Mortal Orchestra called “II.” I guess I’d call them an art band. The guitar tones and the singer have a very distinctive sound. At home I’ve been jamming with my 14-year-old son. He plays drums and I play guitar — horribly. It’s a great way to bond with each other.