#litsylove progress today is slower than planned, but I got through February, and I'm now replying to mail from March! 😁 #SlowMailisBetterThanNoMail
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life
#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!
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... 😅
4 of my 5 joys for a belated #5joysfriday @DebinHawaii
US #LitsyLove folk: Just a heads up, stamp prices will be increasing July 14th. Details were sent in an email. Let me know if you haven't received emails lately; a few have gone out recently, just want to make sure no one is missing out!
Pope is a unique and exciting artist and spins a mean yarn. This near future story aims to examine the evolution and legacy of Batman, while offering a sort of peak behind the curtain, possible explanations for some of his famous tricks, but maintaining the veil of secrecy.
10 of my favorite movies that are somewhat lesser known, you say?
Cinema Paradiso
See No Evil Hear No Evil
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Akira Kurosawa's Ran
Sesame Street's Follow That Bird
This is Spinal Tap
Glory
Harry and the Hendersons
Throw Mama from the Train
The Dresser
#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe
Several postcards going out today to new members! Also buying some stamps.
#litsylove @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life
Bonus #Tuesdaytunes on Wednesday: this delightful little ditty from Orville Peck and Willie Nelson "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other" ?
https://youtu.be/BirJMnMcfBs
I'm sure there is a reasonable conclusion hidden in the art, but I've never been one for deep analysis and interpretation. I had a hard time deciphering the symbolism, and was left disappointed in the conclusion. Beautiful, creepy, good concept, but ultimately too vague for my liking.
I was really confused when I started this series; there is book one, then two prequels. And book one ends on a huge cliff hanger. But it seems that book 2 is in the works. I can imagine staying the series and having to wait 9 years for a proper sequel. I'm enjoying the series. The "alternative" style is really well done. I'll probably read Batman Year 100 while I wait
Where did this come from?! My wife and I still watch SNL every week. It is not great, but often good enough to keep watching, except the music acts are often so disappointing. But, damn, Raye was stellar! She is new to me. Her album seems less lounge jazz, more pop, but she has a great voice and I'm interested to she what she does with this exposure.
https://youtu.be/PZvOx5l8myk
#Tuesdaytunes
Thanks for hosting this #500kgiveaway @debinhawaii
From the other non-contiguous state, 5 things that bring me joy:
1. My wife @wildalaskabibliophile 👩❤️👨
2. My cat Black Jack 🐈⬛(honorable mention to our other pets)
3. A nice hot cup of tea ☕
4. A well-told story (book, song/concert, movie, play) 🎟️
5. Doing something that benefits others 🌈
#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe
The undeniable top of this list every time is The Princess Bride!
Others:
1. Big Fish
2. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
3. The Road to Perdition
#whatsnewwednesday @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Read4life
Made my second blood 🩸 donation this past weekend with our new local branch of Blood Bank of Alaska. I haven't been able to donate regularly since leaving PA, so this feels good. Got a free T-shirt, too!
#two4tuesday @thespineview
1. Tagged. I have had this book on my TBR for years. What a title!
2. No. I have thought about pre-ordering The Dead Cat Tail Assassins, but it is coming out around my birthday, so I will wait and see if it gets gifted. I'm considering pre-ordering 49 Miles Alone, but the library is so much cheaper :-)
April #bookspin #bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks
Bookspin: tagged
Double bookspin: Star Wars: Aftermath
The Kinleys were a powerhouse country duo from Philadelphia that released two stellar albums at the turn of the century. They disbanded after struggling to adapt to a life of touring. This may be the first band that I received promotional material for; I think I sent in a receipt from buying the CD and got a signed poster. Have you ever gotten promo material or won an artist's contest?
https://youtu.be/4j2SOqptEFM
#tuesdaytunes
4.5 stars, very close to 5. This was an excellent collection of rock and roll stories, expertly written and wonderfully narrated, told with humor and heart. He is humble, a little insecure, and he shared some of his philosophies for life, but much of it was more surface level. However, for anyone who is a fan of Dave's projects or rock music in general, this is easily on of the best bios available, and audio is highly recommended.
A soldier returns home from war to bury his father, and gets on the bad side of a gang of bad guys, who hunt him down. This is a wildly inconsistent book. It alternates between riveting and incomprehensible. The black and white art can be dynamic or impossible to follow. The story is solid, if a little scatter shot, but people keep finding each other in the middle of nowhere with no explanation. It honestly feels like a first draft. #comicscount
An affable lowlife wakes up after a night of drinking to the sight of a man with a deer head driving a Jeep. He has no memory of the night before, and quickly gets caught up in the strange town. Is it a bad trip, or something real? #comicscount
A delightful coffee table book containing photos of silver screen legends looking at books. The captions make some effort to discern the true readers from obvious publicity staging. They actually put some effort into trying to determine the book as well, when the cover is obscured.
I really enjoy Sam J. Miller's work that I've read so far. This novella is set in an alternate 1920's New York where tattoo artists can impart magic through their ink. An ambitious gangster aims to take over the boxing racket, but can her prize boxer and her new tattoo prodigy trust her or each other?
"For in a world full of Barbies, every girl needs a Joan Jett" - Dave Grohl
#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe
📙 The Giver by Lois Lowry
📕 Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
📘 Blindness by Jose Saramago
#wondrouswednesday @eggs
💥 Patrick deWitt, Stephen King, Ed Brubaker, V.E. Schwab, Kate Moore, Jeff Lemire
💖 Ugh, umm... gotta go with The Giver, whatever genre you want to fit that into :)
📚 Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children), Martha Wells (Murderbot), Stephen King (Dark Tower, Bill Hodges)
Celebrating some Black woman magic, highlighted by the incomparable Sharon Jones! She didn't record her first album until she was 40, and died from cancer in 2016, but rocked the world for those 20 years. Enjoy #tuesdaytunes
Sharon Jones - Better Things https://youtu.be/AxKl_1JAc9k
KIRBY - I Love Me, Too https://youtu.be/fz9QQ2k9X0k
Lady Bri - Making a Move https://youtu.be/g7MWMLkhzvI
Yola - Diamond Stuffed Shoes https://youtu.be/GfC_n8efpiM