Visiting a new town? Gotta check out the bookstore! Seward, AK is such a small community, this one doubles as a yarn shop 😅

The beer's a-bubblin'

I made a batch of homebrew last weekend. My first attempt in Colorado turned out really well 🍺. Trying a tripel this time. The recipe was a little off, so I had to make some adjustments, but I'm hopeful for a good brew🤞3 months is a long time to wait to find out, though 😬

Dang, I did not expect the conclusion of the original arc to hit me in the feels like that! I read the first three volumes of American Vampire years ago, and finally decided to go back and read the series the whole way through. I've heard mixed things about the “Second Cycle,“ but this original run is full of brilliant writing and amazing art!

#tlt #threelistthursday @dabbe

June #bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

Not listed in the database, but I really enjoyed Darth Vader: Black, White and Red. How much story can you get out of an unstoppable force tearing its way through the galaxy? At least 4 issues! There is a main story that runs through all four issues, plus two additional shorts in each. Fun seeing different takes on Vader, and different artists. I especially liked this look of Vader in the rain!

#tuesdaytunes What is your favorite radio station?

I am fond of several, but the only one I actually still listen to is 88.5 WXPN out of Philadelphia. Memorial Day this year was brewing day, as I attempted my second homebrew, and I was jamming to their Block Rockin' weekend, playing three songs from every artist they played. They also hosted Frank Turner for an excellent performance on Friday, which they arrived live. ⤵️

Thanks for sharing, @Bookwomble This was an entertaining, quick-listen audio dramatization. I haven't read the book nor seen any of the adaptations, but I liked the story and I can see how it could be expanded in some engaging ways.

An excellent limited series from the prolific Jeff Lemire and frequent collaborator Dustin Nguyen. A post apocalyptic vampire tale. Each kid's backstory is slowly revealed, as are the circumstances that led them to occupy an abandoned city.

I love the Judge Dee vampire mystery series, but this is one of the lesser entries. Not much of a mystery, TBH, and the characters were not fleshed out much. Still, a quick, entertaining read.

I feel like this book would have been better served if it tried to be a little less? There is a galactic empire and a rebellion. There are also inhabitants of a world caught in the crossfire, an AI that defected from the empire, and a commune of people trying to avoid the conflict. The threat of the empire is underdeveloped, the locals are a plot device, the AI is exposition-dumped at the end, and the rebels are all over the place. ⤵️

I love K. O'Neill's art, but the story wasn't 100% there for me with this book. Lots of wordless panels that didn't convey to me what was going on, and I never fully connected with the main character's emotional struggle. Maybe the author gave me too much credit to be able to interpret her intentions, but a lot of the story felt vague or implied, and the art sometimes lacks detail, like she was used to drawing large and had to go small here...

Since finishing my recent Star Wars trilogy on audio, I've been binging the Clear + Vivid podcast to try and catch up. In November, he had on Stephanie Land to talk about the Netflix adaptation of Maid and the release of Class. He has the absolute best conversations with guests. There is a section where she talks about being a reluctant public figure that is very interesting. My default podcast recommendation!

Parlour Tricks was an amazing pop group out of NYC with a killer three part harmony led by Lily Cato. Their proudly queer video for "Broken Hearts/Bones" went viral and one of their early songs was licensed by BMW, but I'm sharing a live version of "The Storm" https://youtu.be/UN2uGX8pDRo
Unfortunately, they only released 1 album and 1 EP before disbanding. Share your favorite one-and-done band or whatever you've been grooving to! #tuesdaytunes

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.