I know we are all exhausted with our country at the moment, and most of the Littens who need to hear this have already unfollowed me, because, while I've tried to keep political stuff to a minimum on my feed, I refuse to ignore people posting lies and fear mongering. However, in the wake of ABC's pathetic suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, I feel the need to state the obvious, though logic and decorum feel increasing futile. Good luck out there, citizens

Great concept, strange execution. Each artist was given four pages, with a short bio, a highlighted book, and publication history of that book. Some of the text took up three of the four pages. Some were a few short paragraphs. Some of the art was full page spreads. Some were collections of drafts and one small finished image. Some had captions, some didn't. It was very inconsistent and limited in scope.

This was one of my earliest cassette tapes. It came about after the success of his recording of The Itsy Bitsy Spider for an AIDS benefit album. This collection is not readily available these days, but I was able to find a copy to download, and what a blast from the past! 😆
https://youtu.be/smBYs5U055g
#tuesdaytunes

National Constitution Center just released their interactive Declaration of Independence, to match their interactive US Constitution. So many people are claiming these documents, but few people take the time to read and understand them. These free educational resources are brilliant, and, if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia, be sure to visit the museum. It is a truly inspiring space. https://constitutioncenter.org/declaration

Shannon Chakraborty has announced the next adventure for Amina al-Sirafi! The first book was a blast, and book 2 sounds great, with the author saying she is “attempting to write a book about a medieval mother‘s attempt at work-life balance.“ 😋 Due May 2026

What happens when the president has an agenda against "radical liberals" and uses bad policy, armed forces and loyal politicians to push people to their breaking point? Well, you can read the news, or you can check out this excellent graphic novel about the Kent State protests in 1970. The creator of My Friend Dahmer delivers a brilliant book that is both nuanced and respectful. ⤵️

This is not a sensational, true-crime thriller. This a nuanced examination of trauma, using the looming dread of an unseen threat as the catalyst for a deep consideration of dysfunctional families, societal pressure, sexuality, and misogyny. Overall, I was impressed at the depths of these strong but flawed women, and I appreciated that the Defendant's presence was kept to a minimal, unflattering role.

I received two Kickstarter rewards today! David J. Walker's new book The Death of Bobby Hart (which was also an excuse to get the Bitter Root omnibus), and Nathan W. Pyle's new Strange Planet book and his 50 states book where he creates shapes/characters for each state 😜

Look ordinary
Don't ask for much
Travel to your edge, then go further
Empty out
Let the moon refill you
Embrace opposites easily
Host travelers without borders, feed them
Listen to the distance in their songs
Nurture the invisible, harbor the young
Send those you've raised out into the world
Digest insults. Reframe and cleanse them
Adopt silence while others speaks all around you
Measure change calmly
Mirror the sky
At times,
Be still.
-Wendy Erd

I adore John Carney's films, and I was finally able to watch his latest, Flora and Son, since subscribing to AppleTV. While it is probably my least favorite of his, and the least musical, it was a good story, and it had Joseph Gordon Levitt, which elevates any project IMO

https://youtu.be/fNsKYbQKk5A

#tuesdaytunes

JGL also covers a Tom Waits song in the movie, so, bonus points 😜

We dropped a dozen books in free little libraries in Homer during our trip this weekend 😊

A lovely collection of nature poems inspired by the PNW and Alaska.

Local Homer, AK poet Wendy Erd has some of her work posted throughout the Bishop's Beach Park trail. A wonderful way to encourage pause and reflection while taking in the beauty of the area.
#poetrymatters

Fairly standard King: a ton of set up that gets you really invested in the characters, then it gets weird, but you're already in for the long haul. It starts out as a story about a boy, an old man, and his dog, and ends with the boy trying to save a kingdom. It was a shame the dog was sidelined so much in the second half, but this was a great, sprawling yarn from a master storyteller, a fantasy novel like too few of his books.

#blameitonlitsy @Soubhiville

An emotional examination of grief and queer identity. Excellent narration!

August StoryGraph stats
I read several comics this month, all VERY different. Us and Rare Flavours are easy favorites. Discipline is an interesting experiment from the always fascinating Dash Shaw. By the Fire We Carry is an excellent crash course in the history of native land in America. It is always inspiring, and, sadly, constantly relevant, to read the words of Dr. King. Currently working on Fairy Tale by the other King, Stephen King 😉

BookSpin: Bright Young Women
DoubleBookSpin: Batman Resurrection

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

#tuesdaytunes

I recently watched Marvis!, a 2015 HBO documentary about the incomparable Mavis Staples of the Staples Singers. At 86 years old, she has a new album coming out on November 7. The first single is out now.

https://youtu.be/AqfIe8qEc70

@WildAlaskaBibliophile and I will be hosting a pumpkin craving contest this year! We are still working out the details, but it is never too early to start planning. We will likely have a couple different categories and winners. All are welcome; cute and creepy.

#thegreatpumpkinfaceoff

If anyone is organizing a bigger October-themed event, feel free to include this as a way to earn points 😜

What a fun book! A cute story with excellent art.

🍺📖

#bookspin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

I'm working through Fairy Tale right now, but I don't think I'll finish this weekend, so it'll carry over, then I have some library checkouts to work on.

Quick Stops Volume 1 shares four stories that take place off-screen during Clerks 1&2. It was a fun flashback.
Volume 2 goes full Red State, telling a bloody, sex-fueled story of Mooby's creation.
Two very different books, but fun reads. Serviceable, consistent art.

#tuesdaytunes

Armed troops from the Ohio National Guard were sent to Kent State in May 1970 in an escalation of attempts to suppress protests against the Vietnam War. In a tragic instance, guards fired into a crowd, killing four and injuring nine.

https://youtu.be/l1PrUU2S_iw

I'm not really familiar with the event, but I'll be checking out the graphic novel recommended by @mrp27 And I hope DC makes it through this occupation without incident..

We'll see how things shake out, but just a heads-up that things might get complicated/expense for international swapping. Tariff exception for low-value packages are expiring. It looks like personal gifts under $100 are still exempt (and letters), but several shipping services are pausing all deliveries until they get clarification, and who knows what Drumpf will do next...

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/23/nx-s1-5513936/dhl-parcel-tariffs

50 pages about who in town likes hockey and how much. I'm not digging it (spoiler alert: the girl doesn't like hockey 🙄)

A very blah book. The story was unsatisfying, and the art had no life. A Jedi on the run is hunted by Vader and his Inquisitors. While there is a lot of talk of the legend growing around this Jedi, it is told and barely shown. He is able to outwit the Inquisitors, with absolutely no consequences. Spoiler: Vader joins the finale, Jedi is dispatched, story over. I don't see why this story was told...

This is such a sweet, honest look at one couple's experience with an individual's transition. The author doesn't shy away from the lows and the struggles, but it is a very affirming read. She does a great job of giving space for both her and her partner's voice. It was wonderful to read their story, and I'm grateful that they were comfortable sharing their journey.

While this imparts a powerful history of the forced removal, disenfranchisement, and legal gymnastics against American Indians throughout history, it confusingly starts with a very detailed account of a murder of which the details have zero relevance to the rest of the book. It was confusing and set up a false expectation for the rest of the book. It should be read by every American citizen, but just don't get invested in the Jacobs murder...

A solid start to a new Batman. Exciting twists on familiar characters, but still the same Dark Knight.

Absolute Batman punts the bad guy's kid and I'm here for it 😅 😅 😅

I'm not sure how long the “Absolute“ title will hang around, but I'm enjoying this alternative Batman.

#tuesdaytunes

I haven't watched the 5-hour documentary yet, but I've rocked out to the 7-hour soundtrack.

Billy Joel's debut solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, was notoriously poorly mixed, sped up for a chipmunk-like sound. It was re-mixed in 1983, without Joel's participation, and was a mild improvement. For this soundtrack, there is a new mix of 'Got to Begin Again' and 'Tomorrow is Today', and they are excellent!

https://youtu.be/yHw2rv2qJMg

Thanks to everyone who participated and spread the word about the first #litsyblooddrive, specifically @bookzombie @kadagul @kshakal @lil1inblue @bookwomble @matchlessmarie @thebookhippie

Seeing all the messages and generosity made my birthday extra special. We had financial donations, snack donations, blood donations, and platelet donations. So many ways to give! Keep the hashtag going all year 🩸

How cute are these floating tea infusers?!

https://float2infuse.com/collections/books

A few new releases from a few of my favorite artists:

Rob Thomas - Hard to be Happy
https://youtu.be/tJklc_85tu8

Rachael Yamagata - Birds
https://youtu.be/CZudktmwhYk

Christone Ingram - Bad Like Me
https://youtu.be/4uZT6CChfbE

#tuesdaytunes

I got these about 10 years ago when I was visiting Atlanta, GA. While it could be depressing how relevant King's message still is today, his story is nonetheless inspiring, and many of his philosophies are still in practice today, whether intentionally or subconsciously.

Are you participating in the first #LitsyBloodDrive this weekend?

We have plans for this weekend, so I donated during my lunch break today (and broke out some tie-dye socks for the day 😉). Unfortunately, my employer doesn't provide paid time for donating (yet!), but yours might, so be sure to check. If you are able to donate monetarily, see if your employer has a donation matching program.

Thanks to everyone who has shared and will be giving 🩸

*sigh* Thanks for this, Sesame Street 💝

Thank you to everyone who committed to donating blood or otherwise supporting your local blood bank this week and year round! If you are planning on donating, here are a few tips for optimizing your donation.
#litsyblooddrive

BONUS FACT: Did you know that blood is generally sterile? When they ask if you are feeling healthy and well before your donation, it is not because of germs. It is because they don't want to risk compromising your immunity.

I wish this was more impactful for me. I listened to the audio, and they spoke too quickly and used language specific to the movement that I was not familiar with; I zoned out a few times because I couldn't follow what they were talking about. They talked about their person struggle, but there wasn't a lot of personal information, at least in the beginning; certainly their right, but it made the discussion about their struggles more abstract.

I would certainly have voted for Ram V as best writer over Gene Luen Yang for best writer in this year's Eisner on this vs. Lunar New Year alone. A demonic Rakshasa, Rubin, struggles with its nature as it embarks on a Bourdain-inspired journey through Indian cuisine. The epic team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr create another masterpiece.

Well deserving of the 2025 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album, Best Publication for Teens, and Best Writer for Yang. Valentina believes her family is cursed in love, so the spirit of St. Valentine gives her one year to find true love, or he will free her of the burden of ever falling in love. In that year, she learns the truth of her family and joins a team of lion dancers. Predictable ending, but a great journey to it.

Happy Birthday Buddy Guy! He released a new album to celebrate 89 years, and it is brilliant. Check out "Where U At" with Kingfish and "I Don't Forget." And if you haven't seen the movie "Sinners" yet, what are you waiting for?! #legend

#tuesdaytunes

August #bookspin #bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks

Bookspin: Shadow of the Sith
Double Bookspin: By the Fire We Carry

With minimal text and simplistic art, Dash Shaw tells the tale of a young Quaker man who enlists in the Army during the Civil War. The story follows his time at war, as well as his family back home, and how they all struggle with their own interpretations of their faith in relation to the inherent violence of the conflict.

A really good month for me! I rarely read new releases, and I finished two this month. And I enjoyed all of these titles a lot: (Camp Damascus is the only one that was rated less than 4 stars, and that was just because I didn't think I would have enjoyed reading it as much as I did listening to the audio).

I know I read this at some point growing up, but damn, this packs a punch! A simple story on the surface, a slice of life look at a group of greasers, is told with such an honest, clear voice. Powerful characterizations, beautiful insights, I can't believe it was written by a 15 year old, but it totally makes sense that it was. I hope at least some schools still use this as required reading...

#blameitonlitsy

Thanks for posting, @julesG. A quick, but funny read. I was able to find it on Hoopla, took me 15-20 minutes to go through. I've included a sample of the hilarious, but most likely very effective, burns that you can use to deflate the stereotypical “alpha“ male.

Fireweed is blooming nicely in Alaska. I think I'll lean towards non-fiction and comics this month; I read several gritty, dark, emotional books recently, and I think I need a break 😜

Tracy returns home to find answers about the death of his brother. No stranger to getting his hands dirty, he joins his brother's old crew and gets in deeper than he expected. Solid gold from Brubaker and Phillips.