This may be the most accurate depiction of a dystopian America, and it ain't pretty. Played for laughs, a private investigator tracks down a radical feminist group looking to make a violent statement. Due to whatever breakdown of society, gangs rule their territory, very little is off-limits for sale or trade, and everyone uses derogatory, racist, and insulting slang. A very simple story used to justify exploring this alternative world.

3 favorite albums of all-time (from movies in 2001 😋)
💛 Hedwig and the Angry Inch
🐘 Moulin Rouge
1️⃣1️⃣ Ocean's Eleven

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

An excellent book that gives some of the biggest minority heroes a chance to tell their stories. They did a great job of choosing characters that casual fans would be aware of, but not particularly knowledgeable of, and providing some alternate views of major DC and world events. More of an illustrated novel, since it is VERY wordy, and the art does not move the story forward at all, but once you get starting, it's hard to put down

1. My library growing up had meeting rooms behind doors that were built into the walls, which was so cool, and had a hill that we'd run up and down anytime we passed. But my favorite memory is @WildAlaskaBibliophile asking me out on our first date
2. A local bookstore or library. I rarely buy books from Amazon or B&N unless I have a gift card
3. I haven't read much this past week, but I'll start the tagged book soon.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

The votes are in, and the worst song in the world is "(You're) Having My Baby" by Paul Anka!

While most of the songs suggested have aged poorly or fell on the wrong side of catchy, this tune is just uncomfortable to listen to. The concept is sweet, but the execution actually made me cringe!

Thanks to @Leftcoastzen and @willaful for suggesting it. And thanks to everyone for a fun day of questionable music.

#tuesdaytunes

#two4tuesday @thespineview

1. I don't picnic much; usually more a quick stop while hiking or cooking while camping. You can never go wrong with a hoagie/sub and chips/popcorn. I'm partial to beer, but a Riesling would be nice.

2. Something light and fun, maybe a collection of short stories or something with short chapters, that would be easy to put down and enjoy the breeze.

Thanks for the tag, @wildalaskabibliophile

Who wants to have some fun for #tuesdaytunes this week? Share your vote for the worst song in the world ? Feel free to post along with something you already planned on sharing.

My vote is Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton singing "Stay Out Of My Bedroom" from the movie Rhinestone

https://youtu.be/5GZjXVe7GhY?si=azlfnKVXK7Lpwbht

Understandable for a book about a revolutionary abolitionist who was both cast out and voluntarily withdrew from society, but there is a lot of filler in here. The parts about Lay were interesting; the deep dives into his friends, the lives of his influences, and the page long dissections of a few sentences were less so. I skimmed a lot in the second half, but his is a good story and one worth knowing.

This trilogy definitely improved over time. While not an essential story, it is a compelling story and excels in exploring a galaxy in transition after the success of the rebellion. Perhaps due to a lack of planning, the conclusion is extremely vague, but I enjoyed my time with these books. (Maul was not involved, but I had to share this Lego portrait that I finished last night!)

#nationaleggmonthchallenge @wildalaskabibliophile

1. Tag a favorite mystery you've read
📚 An excellent mystery with a brilliant premise

2. What is your favorite way to prepare eggs?
🍳 My default is scrambled eggs, but I am slowly learning to appreciate a runny yolk, especially egg-in-a-hole

@bookwormjillk @catlass007 @thebookgeekfrau Wanna play?

The book often switched from the main story to flashbacks with no indication, and so at first it felt like a series of short stories. By the time I realized everything was part of a full narrative, I lost track of the different characters, and I felt like I was never fully engaged with the story because I kept losing the thread. Some of the wordless sequences, though, are excellent and an important story is conveyed.

I was listening to an episode of World Cafe with McKinley Dixon, and "Dedicated to Tar Feather" pulled me out of my passive listening. Later, I realized I had heard the title track before (and loved it). "Run, Run, Run" is excellent, too, and the album as a whole is so diverse in its sound. It is apparently considered "jazz rap." Definitely a top album for me from 2023.
https://youtu.be/oc3F3RPP-TE
#tuesdaytunes

I loved this book. I had never heard of Percival Everett until his recent increased publicity from his new book James and the movie American Fiction, but I had a strong sense that I'd like his work. He pulls no punches in his criticism of southern culture, white supremacists, and, towards the end, president 45. He flirts with the supernatural, but keeps everything in this world in some excellent developments, and his quips are darkly hilarious.

Books and beer with @WildAlaskaBibliophile

#maythefourthbewithyou #maythefourth
I spent today in my Maul socks. I went to see Episode I on the big screen. I am working on the Maul picture of the Lego Art Sith set and listening to the tagged audiobook. And I get to express my love of Star Wars everyday with my Jedi wedding band from @WildAlaskaBibliophile

Mahalo @DebinHawaii for such a generous #500kgiveaway box!
The treats all look delicious. Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors. This is Paradise sounds very good. The Familiar is on both of ours list. A wonderful joy to open heading into the weekend!

I have been feeling a little blue lately, but it's been a good week overall:
1. Applied to a new job. Hoping to hear back, but it felt good just to take that first step to actively apply
2. Salmon fish & chips! (empty plate shown)
3. Giveaway box from @DebinHawaii
4. Episode 1 on the big screen this weekend
5. @WildAlaskaBibliophile being silly with me. She prefers a salon, but we will occasionally revert to COVID-era self grooming.
#5joysFriday

#LitsyLove is a truly international group! Check out the map of where our members are from.
If you love snail mail and want to join our group, email @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks at loverofbooks75@gmail.com 💌

A few classic storylines from O'Neil and Adams featuring Ra's Al Ghul. A mixed bag, but a solid collection.

A different kind of list today; read the above info. LINK TO THE MOVIE LIST:
https://bit.ly/3wjI50s

123 of 187 · 66%

Three I'd like to watch
🎥 Ladyhawke
🎫 Yentl
🎬 An American Werewolf in London

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

A trilogy of books that feature one of Batman's greatest foes, Ra's Al Ghul. Some prime 80s Batman comics here! Excellent portrayals of the complicated relationship between Bruce and Talia. I also enjoyed the Birth of the Demon, which explores Ra's origins and features an epic fight between the Bat and the Demon's Head (though that book had my least favorite art).

#bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks
Bookspin: The Fearless Benjamin Lay
Double Bookspin: Killadelphia

I'm confident in competing this month's picks, so I just need to read A Gathering of Shadows to be caught up for this year!

#wondrouswednesday Thanks for the tag, @Eggs

I. It's not springtime without pet shedding 😅

II. Killer of the Flower Moon

III. @wildalaskabibliophile will be driving to Anchorage for a weekend that includes a Beard 🧔, Bacon 🥓 and Beer 🍻 festival, a bazaar supporting a local LGBT 🌈nonprofit, hopefully some good sushi/ramen 🍣, and some “big city“ shopping 😋

Darwyn Cooke is a one-of-a-kind artist. This was a gorgeous adaptation of a pitch-black crime thriller. But there was nothing redeemable about Parker. Sure, people did him dirty, but he kills without hesitation, and doesn't seem bothered with collateral damage. There was actually a troubling amount of violence towards women in this. Maybe there is more nuance in the novel, but this mostly seemed nasty for the sake of being nasty.

Whether you like to listen to music while reading or just love talking music, share new music discoveries or all-time favorites with the hashtag #tuesdaytunes

Hiss Golden Messenger “I Need A Teacher“

No particular reason this week, I just really like this band and this tune 🎶

https://youtu.be/nDGYV82lAFI

#litsylove progress today is slower than planned, but I got through February, and I'm now replying to mail from March! 😁 #SlowMailisBetterThanNoMail
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life

A dark chapter of American history that is essential reading. Interestingly, this is not a chapter that we tried to bury; in fact, Hoover used it as a launching platform for the FBI. No, instead of being buried, everyone just shrugged it off after the case was solved and moved on with their lives. But the Osage did not just move on, and their input adds so many layers to Grann's investigation. I hope to see the movie soon.

@WildAlaskaBibliophile is working today, but I've still got a busy day. Woke up way too early, so I built our new dinner table and chairs. Made a couple trips to the dump, and passed this eagle. Long overdue deep clean for the car. Obligatory celebration of #independentbookstoreday and a quick brewery stop before finishing my errands and hopefully squeezing in a quick nap 😉

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

I wasn't going to participate originally, because I didn't want to rack my brain for 80's pop songs, but I thought of a category I could narrow down enough, soundtrack scores 😁

🎷 Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone from The Mission
🐍 Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams
🦇 Theme from Batman (1989) by Danny Elfman

An exciting tale of the master of the mystic arts. A pathetic human is somehow able to endow his followers with mystic abilities, as his worshippers increase in number throughout NYC. Strange needs to peel back the layers to discover the source of the chaos and save his friend.

I don't know how to properly review this. I feel like it requires multiple reads or a slow, contemplative one. Topics include suicide ideation, communication, depression, self-worth, relationships with self and others, creativity and creation. The art is wonderfully varied to convey different ideas. The narration is very meta and very personal, but I think the message is universal, especially post-2020, even if you don't struggle with depression.

#LitsyLove members: Check your email for the link to our first MEGA Member Survey. Share your thoughts on the best snail mail group on Litsy.

I have been reading a lot of downers lately, so this was a nice change of pace. In this world, gods appeared and attached to humans. About 1 in 10,000 are without a god; while they are the dredges of society, they have the ability to shape and manipulate the gods of others. Ennay, a shaper who travels with a rouge god, has his freedom threatened as he is pulled into a scheme of manipulation and capitalism. Wonderful, energetic art!

“Nothing horrific happened, no massive attacks, no total breakdown: it's the little things... the ways in which people seem to be pulling away from each other, into stories of their own making. You can almost feel it, the low scrape of seats backing away from the table...the paranoia and protectionism of [humanity in] old age.“ - Scott Synder

This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper
- T.S. Elliott

Part graphic novel, part illustrated novel, this meditation on death and immortality ended up being much more than I expected.

This is an excellent collection of indigenous Canadian stories. There are some powerful stories and mostly excellent art. The stories are mainly chronological, and I didn't really connect with the ones set in the 1800s, but once they break into the 20th century, there is so much discussed that I never knew. Unfortunately, it seems Canada was just as reluctant as the US to grant rights and agency to indigenous peoples, if not more so.

Okay, I've been good for the past two months, but it's time for Amos Lee on #tuesdaytunes
Amos Lee is one of my all-time favorites. His show with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in Vail (poster shown) is in my top 5 concerts. He is currently touring with the Indigo Girls. His social media has some great covers. He has a new song coming tomorrow, with a new album this summer. Until then, please enjoy
https://youtu.be/CE9Ey89zzIk

#sundayfunday @bookmarktavern

I have met Brian Jacques, Chuck Palahniuk, John Leguizamo, and Sam J. Miller.

I'd like to meet V.E. Schwab, Deliliah S. Dawson, Steve Martin, and Jeff Lemire.

Someone had thought to spoof classic art, and it's pretty funny! This is one of my favorites, and it also shows a weird publishing error where there are faint printings of another page at the top...

This first chapter of a new trilogy to bridge the original trilogy and the sequels is okay. A new band of heroes join together to disrupt a gathering of rogue Imperials who are attempting to keep the Empire from fading away. There was a lot of character work, so much that I kept having to remind myself exactly what the plot was. Not overly memorable, but good enough to continue the series.

This was a super cute comic that looks to remind us of the importance of an appropriate work/life balance.

#LitsyLove members: You should have received an email yesterday with the news and a link: we will be closing our Letter Love Facebook “page“ and transitioning to our new #LitsyLove “group.“ Facebook groups are more user friendly for your hosts and offer more ways for everyone to engage with each other. Thanks!

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

1. Rosario Dawson

2. Ming-Na Wen

3. Regina King

1️⃣ Exercise, friends

2️⃣ Stress and drama at work (it's getting bad, y'all)

3️⃣ Meeting and marrying @WildAlaskaBibliophile

#wondrouswednesday @eggs

I was not at all surprised to see that the author was a contributor to BuzzFeed. This is an entertaining, occasionally informative, collection of blurbs that seek to answer questions from pop songs: could Andre 3000 apologize to Ms. Jackson a trillion times? What would it look like if every day were Christmas? What if God were one of us? A couple entries were intentionally overly literal, and not funny, but it is a mostly enjoyable read.

#tuesdaytunes

I don't think I've listened to her newest album, but I was a big fan of Katie Melua 10-15 years ago (see fan art 😁). This book fact-checks songs in a ridiculous manner, including investigating whether there really are nine million bicycles in Beijing
https://youtu.be/rrPUJsZQSkw

An epic crossover saga dealing with the fallout from House of M. There was a volume between these two, but it didn't sound interesting. I haven't read much X-Men comics, most of my knowledge is from TV shows and movies, but this was fairly easy to follow and an excellent story. The consequences are numerous and, while I'm sure they are eventually retconned, feel substantial. Art is mostly solid, but some seriously wonky Cyclops masks... 😅

A few more letters going out today #litsylove

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life

4 of my 5 joys for a belated #5joysfriday @DebinHawaii