#Top Rated Biographies

[theseoblogspace]

Best Top Rated Biographies to Read Now

Summer is the perfect time to relax, unwind, and soak up the sun. And what better way to complement those lazy days than with a compelling book that takes you on a journey through someone else’s extraordinary life? Whether you’re lounging by the pool, enjoying a picnic in the park, or escaping into the shade of a cozy hammock, a top rated biography can transport you to different times and places,…

[ulkaralakbarova]

The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, whose challenge of their anti-miscegenation arrest for their marriage in Virginia led to a legal battle that would end at the US Supreme Court. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Richard Loving: Joel Edgerton Mildred Loving: Ruth Negga Grey Villet: Michael Shannon Sheriff Brooks: Marton Csokas Bernie Cohen: Nick Kroll Frank Beazley: Bill Camp Lola Loving: Sharon Blackwood Raymond Green: Alano Miller Garnet Jetter: Terri Abney Judge Bazile: David Jensen Phil Hirschkop: Jon Bass Theoliver Jeter: Christopher Mann Musiel Byrd-Jeter: Winter-Lee Holland Deputy: Michael Abbott Jr. Percy Fortune: Chris Greene Virgil: Will Dalton Chet Antieau: Matt Malloy Laura: Andrene Ward-Hammond Alex: D.L. Hopkins Hope Ryden: Jennifer Joyner Cousin Davis: Lance Lemon Cousin Gerald: Marquis Adonis Hazelwood Older Sydney: Brenan Young Older Donald: Dalyn Cleckley Older Peggy: Quinn McPherson Middle Sidney: Jevin Crochrell Middle Donald: Jordan Williams Jr. Middle Peggy: Georgia Crawford Toddler Sydney: Micah Claiborne Baby Sydney: Devin Cleckley Infant Sydney: Pryor Ferguson Clara – Cashier: Karen Vicks Reporter #1: Scott Wichmann Construction Worker: Benjamin Loeh Court Secretary: Bridget Gethins Store Pedestrian: Mark Huber Drag Race Spectator: James Matthew Poole Secretary: Coley Campany Secretary: Sheri Lahris Construction Worker: Jordan Dickey Telephone Man: Coby Batty Drag Race Spectator / Bar Patron: Chris Condetti Richard’s Racing Crew: Logan J. Woolfolk County Clerk: Robert Haulbrook Bricklayer: Keith Tyree Spectator: James Nevins Prisoner: W. Keith Scott Photojournalist: Tom Lancaster Street Walker: Lonnie M. Henderson Court Audience Member: Brian Thomas Wise Drag Race Spectator: Ken Holliday Antieau’s Secretary: Terry Menefee Gau Driver: Marc Anthony Lowe Racetrack Spectator: Jay SanGiovanni D.C Teen: Tyrell Ford Baby Boy #1: James Atticus Abebayehu Phil’s Dad: Jim D. Johnston …: Derick Newson Boarding House Boy: Miles Hopkins Construction Worker: Kenneth William Clarke Reporter: Robert Furner Secretary: Victoria Chavatel Jimison Field Hand / Drag Strip Attendee / Shot Gun Shack Attendee (uncredited): Darrick Claiborne Courtroom Spectator (uncredited): Raymond H. Johnson Drag Race Driver: Dean Mumford Pregnant Girl: Rebecca Turner Magistrate: Mike Shiflett County Jailer: Greg Cooper Supreme Court Reporter: A. Smith Harrison Press Conference Reporter: Keith Flippen Soundman: Jason Alan Cook Courtroom Spectator (uncredited): Lucas N. Hall Film Crew: Director: Jeff Nichols Editor: Julie Monroe Producer: Peter Saraf Executive Producer: Jack Turner Executive Producer: Jared Ian Goldman Executive Producer: Brian Kavanaugh-Jones Unit Production Manager: Sarah Green Art Direction: Jonathan Guggenheim Casting: Francine Maisler Production Design: Chad Keith Storyboard: Nancy Buirski Associate Producer: Oge Egbuono Producer: Colin Firth Producer: Marc Turtletaub Set Decoration: Adam Willis Producer: Ged Doherty Unit Production Manager: Will Greenfield Costume Design: Erin Benach Music Supervisor: Lauren Mikus Original Music Composer: David Wingo Still Photographer: Ben Rothstein Director of Photography: Adam Stone Script Supervisor: Jean-Paul Chreky Special Effects Coordinator: Gary Pilkinton Special Effects Technician: Trevor Smithson Property Master: A. Patrick Storey First Assistant Director: Cas Donovan Second Assistant Director: Tommy Martin Stunt Driver: Dean Mumford Key Makeup Artist: Katie Middleton Second Second Assistant Director: Ben LeDoux Construction Buyer: Roslyn Blankenship Assistant Property Master: Hannah Ross Dialogue Editor: Brandon Proctor Genetator Operator: Maxwel Fisher Post Production Supervisor: Susan E. Novick Boom Operator: Proctor Trivette Leadman: Stephen G. Shifflette Second Assistant “A” Camera: Stephen McBride Sound Effects Editor: David Grimaldi Foley Mixer: Judy Kirschner Makeup Department Head: Julia Lallas Hairstylist: Brian Morton Sound Effects Editor: Joel Dougherty ADR Mixer: Chris Navarro Sound Effects Editor: P.K. Hooker ...

[mariacallous]

The tragedy of New York Mayor Eric Adams, who’s facing a dizzying number of investigations targeting him and his inner circle, was foreseeable. Indeed, it was foreseen. 

“We all know you’ve been investigated for corruption everywhere you’ve gone,” a rival candidate said to the then-Brooklyn borough president during a mayoral debate in 2021. “You’ve achieved the rare trifecta of corruption investigations.”

That didn’t deter Democratic voters, and Adams — an ex-cop and native son of the city who ran on his biography and a promise to restore public safety after crime rates and fears shot up during the pandemic — eked out a victory in the party’s closed primary, which made him a sure thing to be the city’s 110th mayor and just its second Black one. 

nce that was official, Adams proclaimed himself the “future” and the “face of the new Democratic Party.” He also started publicly partying all night at clubs, sometimes with felonious friends, when he wasn’t talking about how God had told him 30 years ago he’d be the mayor in 2022 and should share that good news with the world — something he’d never publicly mentioned before winning the election. 

The new mayor immediately brought in a crew of cronies with sullied records, including a deputy mayor for public safety overseeing the NYPD, Phil Banks, who’d abruptly retired as the chief of department in 2014. 

Banks left that post about a year before it came out that he’d been an unindicted co-conspirator in a case involving two guys who went to prison for bribing the previous mayor. One of them testified they’d treated the police chief to plane trips around the world and the services of a prostitute when they weren’t smoking cigars and storing their diamonds in the chief’s office at One Police Plaza. 

Banks, who’s denied any wrongdoing but says he regrets the association, had his home hit and his phones seized in the FBI’s synchronized early-morning raids last week. Again, he said through an attorney he’s done nothing wrong. 

Those raids, though, are a sign that this new probe is far enough along for prosecutors to go public with it — and get a federal judge to sign off on their concerns that the deputy mayor for public safety and the police commissioner might destroy evidence if given the opportunity. 

Last week’s raids were reportedly distinct from earlier raids of top Adams allies in two previously reported probes being conducted by two different federal prosecutors, who both needed sign-off from Justice Department bosses in Washington, D.C., to go after the mayor of America’s biggest city. 

There’s the ongoing investigation into Adams’ travel and ties to Turkey, along with campaign cash that appears tied to the Turkish government. And the ongoing investigation into Adams’ travels and ties to China, along with campaign cash given through secret donors. The mayor had his cellphone seized by FBI agents last year as part of that case. 

And now two new investigations that appear to be about influence schemes involving Adams’ appointees at the highest levels of his police department and administration steering public money to family members.

In just three years, Adams has bested his old corruption probe trifecta: There are now four separate, though possibly overlapping, federal investigations targeting his inner circle and the mayor himself.

No one has been charged with any wrongdoing in those investigations, and Adams says he always follows the law while asking the public to respect the process and withhold judgment. 

New Yorkers might know more soon, as the feds have already impaneled at least one grand jury. With the city’s primary next June, prosecutors are up against long-standing Justice Department guidelines about not having cases interfere with elections.

But New Yorkers are already rendering a verdict in the court of public opinion. Adams at the end of last year hit the lowest approval rating ever recorded for a New York mayor as voters have been choking on all this smoke, also including the corruption trial of his former buildings commissioner, the guilty pleas from members of a crew including another ex-cop and old friend of the mayor’s for their own straw-donor scheme involving his campaign, and the guilty plea of a Chinese billionaire who also sneaked money into his campaign, as well as those of other American politicians. 

Tim Pearson, another ex-cop and old friend of Adams’ who now runs a shadowy new mayoral oversight agency, also had his phones seized by the FBI last week. Pearson has been accused in multiple civil suits of ruining the career of a police officer who wouldn’t sleep with him and the supervisors who tried to protect her while hunting for “crumbs” of his own from city contracts. Taxpayers are covering his legal bills at the mayor’s behest and over the objections of the city’s former top lawyer, who was then pushed out. 

So many of Adams’ problems seem to involve the gap between his mantra of “stay focused and grind” and his need to swagger and test limits. 

Polling shows New Yorkers still like much of his agenda but don’t like him or how he’s executing it. He keeps repeating “crime is down” but not saying down from when or how much, and the data is mixed and most New Yorkers don’t really believe him. 

It hasn’t helped that Adams’ police department is increasingly unhinged in its public communications, with one reporter at the cop-friendly New York Post getting attacked this week as a “f---ing scumbag” and the official NYPD account even giving me the wannabe Trump-y nickname “Harry ‘Deceitful’ Siegel” earlier this year. 

No wonder Democratic challengers are lining up to take on Adams next year, assuming he’s still there, in what would be the first contested primary against a Democratic incumbent since David Dinkins upset Ed Koch in 1989. 

Asked at a news conference Tuesday what he would do if he were indicted, Adams said he intended to remain as mayor and run for re-election before adding that he wouldn’t engage with hypotheticals.

The tragedy of Eric Adams is that he’s done this to himself.

[haleswallows]

DRAGON UPDATE

Fandom: DC x DP Pairing: Dead Tired (Danny/Tim) Rating: Teen High Fantasy AU, Arranged Marriage, and Dragons (oh my!)

Teaser:

Any response Tim may have had died on his tongue as the doors opened. It felt a little like getting caught, like they’d broken an unspoken rule, when Danijel stepped in. But the large man didn’t seem to notice at all the odd mood.

He bee-lined to Jasmine, tugged on a tress of hair and dropped into a slouching recline in front of her feet. Not a word spoken. Jasmine smiled dotingly at the top of his head. As he settled, Jasmine ran her hands over his braided mohawk, began twisting them back into place.

“Like a cat, you are.” She teased, but her tone was flush with affection. Danijel pinched her ankle, earning a light swat to the side of his head in retaliation.

Entirely unbothered by Danijel's intrusion, Jasmine turned back to Tim.

“There isn't much to the wedding ritual, but there are some small traditions we'll ask you to observe. Would you prefer to read them? Or I can do my best to explain. The biography of Lazarus and his wedding are the same traditions we observe today.”

Frankly, Tim would prefer to read it. He wanted to take notes and root out what connections the Infinite Lands had to Damian, to analyze and ask Bruce. But time was not exactly a resource he had an abundance of.

“I hate to demand so much of your time, if you can spare it. May I borrow this book? I should like to familiarize myself with it.”

Jasmine flapped a hand. “Think nothing of it, I need the break from anatomy texts anyway. The book is yours for as long you'd like. Well, it will need to find its way to its owner again at some point.”

“Phantom's favorite,” came Danijels's low rumble. Still, Jasmine's hands worked to twist and tighten the small braids, his eyes half-lidded where he leaned against her shins.

Interesting. Watching the siblings felt like an intrusion, so he focused on Danijel’s words. There was an inkling that there was a man beneath the terror that had been dispensed by his hand. Countless deaths of his countrymen, and now Tim considered him a tentative ally. Had found a delicate trust on the road that extended into the Keep.

It was difficult to parse.

So instead he set his mind to the new information on Phantom. The book of the first high chief’s life was his husband’s favorite. He looked to it for guidance, and so adamantly held its contents in high regard enough for it to be considered a favored text.

Tim would read it with a careful eye.

Jasmine patted her brother’s shoulder, indicating she was done with his braids. Though Danijel did not rise, he simply settled more comfortably. She sighed and jostled him lightly with her feet. “You’re heavy.”

Chuffing, Danijel shifted to lean more against the couch in the space between Tim and the princess.

[ly0nstea]

Some books and other resources in and about Irish

Roinnt leabhair agus achmhainn eile i agus faoi Ghaeilge

Honourable mentions to focloir and teanglann but you cant learn a language from a dictionary, its like trying to cook a meal from the menu. They're great for finding words as well as conjugating and altering words into the different cases.

GRAIMÉAR GAEILGE na mBRÁITHRE CRÍOSTAÍ le Liam A. Ó hAnluain: An irish grammar book, very comprehensive but it is written entirely in irish

Gramadach na Gaeilge: AN CAIGHDEÁN OIFIGIÚIL: The official grammar standard for Irish published by the Irish government, again written exclusively in irish.

Daltaí na Gaeilge: Some good lessons on irish grammer, proverbs, and other parts of language, also has info on classes in America, Canada, and other countries

Goodreads list of top rated irish language novels

TG4Player which has irish language tv and movies

You can also search youtube for irish language short films, and youtubers, youtubers would be a good way to pick up on everyday/conversational irish if you arent able to speak to people in real life, seeing as it wont be as formal as most online resources or films. You can also look for other media like tumblr, or tiktok, personally I love Úna-Minh on tiktok (she translated Among Us and got it officially implemented, and iirc she's written a biography in irish, and has even more irish resources than I could ever list, go check her out!! She also has a youtube, instagram and twitch account if you prefer those. She's definetly been an significant help to my turas as Gaeilge.

Easons and books.ie have good irish and irish language books, as well as being irish brands you can support (including dracula in irish for 10 euro + shipping???) Along with kennys.ie and litríocht

Also, writing irish is a great way to force yourself to learn, be it journalling, fiction, or just notes in irish. Talk to people online in irish too, social media posts, chatting in chatrooms, discords, reddit, etc., anythign to practice. That's the key to any language, consistent practice.

This is just a starter, feel free to add resources in rbs if you have any you feel are worth seeing!

Go raibh míle maith agat as léamh!!1

ALSO WATCH AIFRIC ITS FUCKING AMAZING YOU CAN FIND IT FREE ONLINE

[cursedvida]

SAD EYES, BROKEN SMILE VII (Buggy x F!Reader)

PART VI

RATING: +18. EXPLICIT.

WARNINGS: Explicit sex, smut, swearing, inadecuate use of a devil fruit, angst and a lot of fluff aftersex.

N/A: just enjoy and thank you for liking, commenting and rebloging <3

"Why did you decide to become a pirate?"

The question catches him off guard. In his room, already in the evening, Buggy has apologized to you for having to take care of some business about the ship's accounts. It's an issue that has come up at the last minute, but he has promised to finish quickly to have time for both of you. You don't mind, you've never slept much so you don't mind going to bed a little later. Sitting on the edge of the bed, you watch your captain - and now, it seems, also your lover - as he goes over the ledger on his desk with a grumpy face.

If you think about it, this is the first time you've had a moment of real intimacy with a pirate of renown. Whenever you've been alone with one, it's always been to cut off his head and take it to the marines, so you've never had much time to talk about trivial things. Why a person decides to go into piracy is something that has always fascinated you. You are not a bounty hunter because you like it, but because you were trained for it, you were trained to kill and you don't know how to do anything else. It's the only thing you were taught and, therefore, the only thing that feeds you.

Buggy looks at you somewhat confused, as if he doesn't understand where such a question comes from. He turns his head back to the papers on his desk and answers you without giving you too much importance.

"I don't know any other life" he replies casually.

"Then it's true?" you insist. You had heard rumors on the subject, but you had never quite believed it. Despite the feelings you have for Buggy, no one can say he's a top pirate, at least not like Whitebeard, for example. "Is it true that you were part of Roger's crew?"

For some reason that question seems to make him uncomfortable. It's odd, something like that, for a person like Buggy who loves to brag about anything, should be cause to puff out his chest and spout some kind of speech replete with bragging. However he clears his throat a little, shakes his head and tries to change the subject.

"I was a kid then."

It doesn't suit him at all to be so modest. Well, you wouldn't say he's being modest, but rather discreet, and that's not something that suits his personality either. You wonder what that experience must have been like for him, if there's something he's keeping hidden, if he had a bad time or if he prefers to forget certain things. Curiosity is killing you, but he doesn't seem very willing to talk.

"And what was Roger like?"

"Not as handsome as me."

"You're an idiot" You shoo him away, throwing a pillow at his head.

"Hey!" He exclaims, then giving you the attention you deserve "But what's all this interrogation now? Did you get the urge to write my biography or something?"

"No, it's just… I wanted to know more about you" You shrug "You never talk much about your past."

"Well, you don't talk about yours either."

There is absolutely right, but telling him about your past would imply confessing that you came on his boat with the sole intention of hurting him and that is something you obviously can't say. You conclude that it's fair that everyone has their reservations when it comes to talking about certain things, it wouldn't be right to demand from him what you don't want to give at the moment.

"The past doesn't exist" Buggy sighs, as he gets up from the chair and begins to undress. He seems to be done "It's not something that can be changed, I prefer to live in the present. Especially when I have a cutie doll waiting for me in bed."

"How corny…"

"Come on little girl, come with daddy for a little while."

He sits next to you, kissing you slowly, taking his time to make every hair on your skin stand on end. It's a patient, intense, wet kiss. You feel his bare hands run over your face, your neck, the opening of your cleavage. They are rough hands, rough from so many years at sea, hands that rub your skin igniting it with every millimeter they run. Little by little he lays you down on the bed, placing himself on top of you without stopping kissing you. Your mouth moves down to your neck, then to your breasts. He undresses you little by little, but this time he undresses too. Before you know it, you're both naked, he's on top of you, rubbing your pussy with his huge erection.

Buggy sits up slightly, gazing at you with fascination. His gaze makes you nervous, he has you totally at his mercy, under him totally naked and vulnerable.

"From now you are forbidden to be in this room with clothes on, it's sacrilege."

"And what do you want, for me to walk around naked every time I come in?"

"You said so, not me."

He lets out a mischievous laugh and you smile. He's a real jerk, but a jerk who goes down your belly, leaving traces of saliva and paint, until he hits your crotch and starts licking it, causing you to let out several sighs of pleasure.

"I have an idea, little one. Come on, get on top of me."

Buggy guides you to sit on top of his face and bend over his huge erection. He begins to lick your pussy, while you lean down curiously. You have never tasted a cock, nor did you think it was something you could be attracted to, but the pleasure he makes you feel with your tongue is so great that you feel the need to give it back to him. You are afraid of not doing it right, you have never had to make love to a man before, but you will do it as best you can. With one of your hands you take his cock gently, while the tip of your tongue runs along his shaft until it reaches the glans. You can feel Buggy tense up as you lick his cock, but it's not until you suck his glans that he lets out a grunt of pleasure. That motivates you to keep going, slowly taking his cock into your mouth, until it almost reaches your throat and start to push it in and out.

"Fuck, how hot is that little mouth of yours" moans Buggy, as he opens your pussy to stick his tongue inside.

You let out a gasp, noticing how Buggy's tongue slips inside you. One of his fingers has gone to your asshole and -previously wet with saliva- caresses the outside. It's something you find strange but it makes you very horny at the same time. You keep sucking his cock, giving it your best.

"Don't stop, my little girl. Keep it up" he asks you, letting out a couple of moans.

Buggy puts his index finger in his mouth to fill it again with saliva and starts to introduce some in your ass.

"Not there, please" you exclaim, somewhere between horny and upset.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, it's not that. It's just…"

"Let me just a little bit, if you don't like it I'll stop."

At that moment Buggy moves from your pussy to your ass and starts licking it with his hot tongue. You find it embarrassing, almost humiliating, but you feel your pussy more swollen than ever, so much so that it even bothers you a little bit because you are so horny. You would never have thought that something like this would turn you on so much.

"Look at the state of you, you look like a little bitch in heat" he chuckles, listening to your moans, seeing how much you're getting all wet "Do you like it when I suck your ass, little girl?"

"Yes, yes, I love it Captain"

"But look how dirty you are when you want to be, you naughty girl."

Buggy's various body parts suddenly separate, leaving you totally discolored and on all fours on the bed. His body rejoins right in front of you, on a couch on which he appears seated, legs spread wide and one of his hands stroking his erect cock. He stares at you, pleased, excited. You naked, unprotected on the mattress.

"Get nice and horny for me, little girl. I want to watch you as you cum."

And before you can respond, you feel one of his fingers lightly push into your asshole, while another caresses your clit. Buggy has separated his hand from the rest of his body and also some fingers, which he is inserting into your various cavities. You feel how he penetrates you gently with one and the other in both holes, you start moaning as if he is fucking you. Your breasts move at the same rhythm as Buggy's fingers move your body and when you watch him he is looking at you with a hungry, almost animal expression from that armchair he is sitting on while he jerks himself off watching how he himself makes you cry with pleasure.

"You don't know how much I want my cock to have you like this" he says, panting "Little girl, your freshly fucked virgin face is the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my fucking life."

"Buggy" you moan, now the finger in your vagina has moved on to caressing your clitoris, while the other one goes a little deeper inside "Buggy I love this, I want this all the time."

"Mmmm you've got me almost ready."

At that moment he stands up, pulling you closer towards you. His huge erection close to your face, it's an invitation for you to open your mouth to him. You do so without him telling you, letting him penetrate you in it and fuck it. You hear a moan of pleasure come out of your mouth, while the ones he rips out of you with his fingers are silenced by the throbbing cock that won't let you speak.

"Like this little girl, let me fuck that cute little mouth of yours" he tells you, thrusting in and out over and over again "Y/N you're amazing. You don't know how fucking horny you make me feel."

"Mmmmm" you moan on his cock, noticing how you have less and less left to climax.

This time you're the first to cum, followed by him, who seeing how you scream in a choked way can't take it anymore and spills all his fluids in your mouth. It is the first time you taste the semen, it is salty, somewhat sour, you decide to swallow it not knowing very well what to do. Buggy collapses on the bed and you do the same, leaning on his chest. Both of you are panting, sweating, breathing fast.

"If this feels like this now, I don't know what will happen when I can penetrate you" he laughs, looking sideways at you "Fuck, Y/N. It's amazing."

You snuggle even closer on his chest. It's the first time the two of you have been like this, enjoying a moment for the two of you after you cum. You've never thought about how much you liked the idea of cuddling with him after climaxing until that moment. You can smell Buggy's natural scent mixed with the smell of sweat and sex, a scent that makes you feel strangely good and safe. You would give anything to be able to be like this for the rest of your days.

Buggy notices that you're not in a joking mood, but in a very uncharacteristically affectionate state. He instinctively hugs you, although he doesn't quite know what to do in a situation like this either. He has never been a man for cuddling after sex, but rather for sporadic sex and quick goodbyes. But with you it is not like that, with you he is born to correspond to your need for affection, to embrace you, to entangle his legs between yours, to play with your hair. He wants to have you by his side every night, to tangle with your naked body whenever he wants.

After a while in silence, enjoying each other's company, you hear Buggy murmur, almost in an exhalation of air.

"I grew up on Roger's ship, I was there until I was eighteen. I've always been a pirate."

You smile but don't say anything, you don't need to. He has answered your question, he has opened up to you. Your response is to hug yourself closer to him, who is grateful not to hear any comments from you.

When you fall asleep, the smile is still plastered on your face.

[elwenyere]

A literally breathtaking essay: remarkable and riveting

"In​ the autumn of 1928, a previously unknown painting turns up on the London art market. It belongs to a Major Henry Howard of Surrey. He is 45 years old. His father has just died and left him a large estate, and he’s selling off much of it – houses, land, family heirlooms. There are death duties; he has five young daughters and a marriage that’s going to end soon. He needs cash.

Howard is knowledgeable about art. He’s a serious connoisseur and collector, an expert on Wenceslaus Hollar, the prolific 17th-century Bohemian printmaker. Among his inheritance is the family’s great collection of paintings, including first-rate 18th-century portraits by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Arthur Devis, John Opie, Jonathan Richardson and Richard Cosway, among others. The small, unattributed canvas he disposes of in 1928 is not in the same league. But it does come with an intriguing back story. Most of Henry Howard’s family’s wealth originally came from sugar plantations worked by enslaved people in Jamaica. And this portrait had been owned by a famous ancestor, of whom they are very proud, an 18th-century planter and writer called Edward Long.

So when Howard takes the painting to a London dealer, he explains that it had belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather, who had lived in Jamaica in the mid-18th century; that it was painted in Spanish Town, the colony’s capital; and that it showed a man called Francis Williams, about whom Long had written a whole chapter in his celebrated History of Jamaica (1774). Not only that, he says, but when Long was writing that chapter, he had this painting in front of him and was describing it.

The dealer, Jack Spink, is delighted to have this information and uses it to advertise the picture. He recognises it as an unusual object, with excellent ‘associative’ value, and is sure it will make a quick sale for a good price, probably in America. They like this kind of thing over there. He has some leaflets printed and takes out a full-page advert in Country Life. At the top is a photograph of the painting, and beneath it a lengthy extract from Long’s chapter about Francis Williams – the first two and a half pages of it, no less, in tiny but legible print. That’s the only description provided. To the Howard family, and to Spink, Long’s words explain this picture. It’s an understandable presumption, since pretty much all that is known about Francis Williams comes from Long’s ten-page chapter about him. It remains the only detailed contemporary account of his life, and it was written by someone who had known him.

The problem is that Long was, in fact, Williams’s greatest enemy. His potted biography was a malicious hatchet job, full of lies and half-truths, that sought to bury rather than to commemorate its subject. Long’s huge, three-volume History of Jamaica wasn’t really a ‘history’ at all. Angrily composed in the aftermath of the Somerset ruling of 1772, which had undermined the certainty of slaveholding in England, it was above all a defence of West Indian slavery as ‘inevitably necessary’ and an attempt to prove that all ‘black’ people were naturally inferior to the ‘white race’.

It is ironic, therefore, that Long is our main source about Francis Williams, who in his lifetime (he died in 1762) had been the most famous Black person in the world, at least among educated English-speaking people. He was rich; he was a gentleman; he was a scholar; he was celebrated as a clever and accomplished person. His memory lived on after his death. In 1774, when trying to argue that Black people were inherently less intelligent than ‘Whites’, Long had to accept that his readers would already know about Williams. He was forced to write about him because, to prove his theory of innate white superiority, he needed to take him down."

READ THE REST: SERIOUSLY, READ IT!!!

[olderthannetfic]

Here's my mini list about how to figure out if someone is a tryhard, and if you thereby should ignore them when it comes to recommending books. Obvs this is also paired with some sub conscious pattern recognition.

1) Cares too much about the author. Making mention of the author if it's relevant is ok. But some people will put too much weight on what the authors is, and who they are and let that influence the review. Also noticed especially with social media famous people where the author. So if the author's presented persona is brought into the review for no reason, it becomes a red flag. I don't often think there's any reason to really mention the author, unless it's a biography.

2) People who judge the author instead of the work. In some cases this can be valid, but in most cases the judgement of the author makes little sense in a review of the book. If you're reviewing a book, review the book.

3) Identity checklists in the review, especially if it's at the top, and they're counted as a positive, instead of a neutral fact. Yes having a lot of diverse identities can be a pro, especially if the book has diversity as a theme, but it shouldn't be presented as a grocery list for you to check off. A lack of elaboration can make it feel like the reviewer really didn't actually care that much about the identities listed beyond "They exist, so that means the book is good."

3.5) Too much random focus on the identities of the characters, but with no actual elaboration of how this is presented in the story. Just because the book has a lot of identities doesn't mean they're done well, or that the story is good. You can mention a hundred times that the gay character is gay, but is the actual character any good? Is the story written competently?

This is something that I noticed can really mess up a review streak. You can have two books with wildly different levels writing competency, and they get the same type rating and review, because the reviewer didn't actually care about more than the checklist. So a 10/10 book is treated as equal to a 4/10 because of the identities presented.

4) Double standards for reviews. Honestly pretty straight forward, are they excusing things for certain stories but condemning the exact same thing in another, for not actual reason? Are they biased against certain authors? Against certain demographics? Certain plot turns and arcs? No one is free of a little bit of bias, but when it's too obvious it's just not good.

This point actually goes back to author identity and the character identities. Author: A cishet author and a queer author can both write competent queer stories. If the only, and I mean ONLY reason the cishet author gets a worse grade is because of their identity, then that's a double standard. You're supposed to read the story on its own merits.

Checklist: Let's say you have an abusive character get their commuppance; if the reviewer thinks the abusive female character shouldn't have gotten punished, but are fine if a male character gets punished for the same crime.

I simplified those examples, and this point is mostly based on you noticing a pattern by the reviewer. If you actually are someone who follow reviewers, it'll at some point become something you notice.

--

[cariantha]

Lost

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks) Rating: General Warning: None Category: Fluff Word count: 965 Prompt: Inspired by an ask from @jerzwriter. Has Sawyer or Ethan ever "lost" their son when he was little? A/N: Sorry, still haven't decided on this kid's name yet.😝

Sawyer was called into work unexpectedly, forcing the family of three to cancel their planned outing. As an alternative, she suggested that Ethan take their son to the library to pick out some new bedtime stories. 

The excited four-year-old had only been in the children's section for a few minutes before he found a fun pop-up book. Plopping into a nearby bean bag chair, he eagerly flipped through the pages. 

Ethan stepped down an aisle of books searching for a series he enjoyed as a young boy. He frequently glanced back to ensure that his son was still within sight. As his finger tipped one of the books from the series off the shelf, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

“Hi Naveen...”

Ethan was distracted talking to his mentor and flipping through the book from his childhood when the children’s librarian came and quietly announced the start of storytime. She ushered the gathering crowd of parents and children into a nearby community room.

Finishing his call, Ethan looked back over to the children’s seating area. A wave of panic washed over him when he saw an unoccupied bean bag. He quickly swept the room calling out his name, but not too loud to cause disruption. 

Not finding him anywhere, Ethan moved his search to nearby sections of the library. Non-fiction. Biographies. Teen Central. He turned this head left to right and back again as he frantically walked past aisle after aisle of books. 

Pausing for a moment, Ethan spun in a circle, his hands on top of his head as he tried to decide where to check next. Making his way to a nearby help desk, he was startled when a reference librarian popped up from behind a cart of books.

“Can I help you find something, sir?” the older woman asked. 

“God, I hope so. I’ve lost track of my son. We were in the children’s section when I saw him last. He’s only four. He’s wearing jeans…uh, a red t-shirt…oh, and black and white checkered shoes.”

“Let me make a quick call to security and then I’ll help you look.”

“Thank you,” Ethan said. Using his height to his advantage, he continued to scan the room while he waited.

“Believe it or not this happens quite often…” the woman said hanging up the phone, “...especially on Saturday mornings. Do you come to storytime often?”

“Storytime?” Ethan asked.

“Oh, I assumed that’s why you were here. The children’s library hosts storytime every Saturday. It’s a very popular activity especially during the summer months,” she explained as they circled back toward that part of the library. 

Children’s laughter echoed into the hall as the kind woman guided Ethan to a nearby room. As they entered, the librarian was first to spot the missing child. 

"I'm guessing that handsome young man with the same pretty blue eyes is yours?" she pointed to Ethan's mini-me.

"Yesss," Ethan's shoulders relaxed as he sighed with relief. "Thank you so much."

Spotting the towering figure at the back of the room, the excited preschooler crawled through the audience toward his dad. Little fingers tugged on Ethan’s hand encouraging him to sit and listen to the story. As Ethan took a spot on the floor, his son climbed into his lap.

Ethan placed a relieved kiss on the top of his head, his pulse gradually returning to normal as storytime continued.

When Sawyer returned home from work later that afternoon, she found her boys sprawled out on the bedroom floor playing trains.

"Wow! Did Daddy buy you another train set?"

“Yes! Look at this!” he answered, holding the train engine up for her to see.

"Go give her a hug," Ethan encouraged.

“Mmm, I missed you all day,” she planted a big kiss on his soft cheek. Noticing the milky white substance and chocolate smear on the front of his shirt, "Ice cream? And a new train? It looks like you were spoiled today.” Looking toward Ethan she chuckled, “What kind of dirt do you have on Dad?” To her surprise she caught a flash of guilt in his eyes.

“I didn’t get Daddy dirty,” their son responded, Ethan and Sawyer both laughing at his innocent response.

“Did you guys go to the library? Did you get some new books to read tonight?"

"Yeah, we got a lot. And guess what? Daddy got lost at the li-berry."

Ethan whispered “traitor” under his breath. 

"Daddy got lost?" she repeated. She peeked up at Ethan again who nodded his head in admission and she quickly understood. As she spoke to her son, her eyes were on her husband. "Oh no. That must have been so scary for him. I'm glad you found him, buddy."

As their son went back to playing with his new train, Sawyer crawled over to Ethan and climbed into his lap. Placing a gentle kiss to his sad lips, she asked "You okay?"

"No, I feel terrible," Ethan said before giving her the quick version of what happened.

"You need a hug," she squeezed around his trunk.

"How are you not mad?" he wondered out loud.

"Would you have been mad at me if I had been the one that ‘got lost’ today?" 

"I guess not. But I still feel like you're letting me off the hook too easily."

As Sawyer stood to go and change out of her work clothes, "Ethan, he’s safe. That’s all that matters now. I know you and I’m sure you've punished yourself enough. We’re only human…well, I’m human…you’re half human and…what did we decide…cyborg?” she teased, bending down to kiss the top of his head. “But, hey, if you need a spanking or two later for the lesson to really sink in, that can be arranged," she looked over her shoulder with a smirk.

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @potionsprefect @jamespotterthefirst @annfg8 @peonierose @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @jerzwriter @quixoticdreamer16 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @inlocusmads @txemrn @trappedinfanfiction @mvalentine @takemyopenheart @openheartforeverinmyheart @doriopenheart @coffeeheartaddict2 @genevievemd @starrystarrytrouble @hopelessromantic1352 @kyra75 @lsvdw-blog @rookiemartin @headoverheelsforramsey

[citiesborn]

HEART SRISEVOK, THE OWNER OF NEXOS NIGHTCLUB

OOC INFORMATION

your alias, timezone, & pronouns: rainie, est, she/her muse’s name: heart srisevok tagging system link: tbd. [ baifern pimchanok, cis-woman, she/her ] Look who just landed! CHALIDA “HEART” SRISEVOK, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as THE OWNER of NEXOS NIGHTCLUB. The city has plenty of spots for a 33 year old HUMAN like you. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as THE HEDONIST, being CHARISMATIC and NARCISSISTIC. ( rainie, 23, EST, removed for discretion )

STATISTICS

full name: chalida zhong, heart srisevok nickname: while "heart" was originally a nickname she legally changed her named to heart upon arrival to mars. date of birth: may 27th, 2372 gender: cis female pronouns: she/her sexual orientation: lesbian romantic orientation: lesbian current age: thirty-three modification: human affiliation: nexos nightclub birthplace: new york city, new york, earth current neighbourhood: sora occupation: owner of nexos nightclub, information broker known languages: english, thai, mandarin

TRADITIONAL BIOGRAPHY

WHEN CHALIDA ZHONG FLEES EARTH in the dead of night she has three things in her bag. 1. twenty-thousand dollars in liquidated bills, a handle of kentucky bourbon - aged twenty years, and a pair of bedazzled dior sunglasses. when she lands on mars chalida zhong is dead and heart srisevok is born. raised on the upper east side of manhattan heart's childhood was a heady mix of swedish boarding schools, lunches at le bernandin, and sneaking out of the marble penthouses her father kept at different points in the city. her mother, much like her daughter was a bored socialite who had even less interest in having a daughter than she did in being married. her father was old money - fortune 500 conglomerates and caviar for breakfast. and in the middle of it all a young chalida desperate for some sort of attention. but her father's attention is domineering at the best of times and cruel at the worst. still she acts out, lashes out at anything she can - ruins business dinners and ends up on the cover of the social papers in handcuffs. when she was eighteen he demanded this behavior come to an end. she was getting married whether she wanted to or not. from that point on it became near impossible to leave the house. heart knew that just leaving new york wouldn't be far enough. so she liquidated her trust fund shoved what she could in boxes and bags and bought herself a first class ticket to mars. after she landed she shook off her old name. taking on her mother's maiden name and the nickname she'd had growing up. she quickly blew through her trust fund partying and in need of quick cash began escorting. due to heart's life in new york high society she blended seamlessly into the upper echelons of sora. her rates skyrocketed and more than money she began collecting information. by twenty-four heart had blackmailed her way into the upper ranks of sora. she'd amassed enough money to quite escorting entirely and opened nexos. it wasn't enough to run the most successful nightclub in new jakarta though. rumors ran through the place like water so heart gave her staff an objective. hear something? come tell her and reap a healthy bonus on top of an already generous salary. heart developed a reputation for knowing things. after all who wouldn't trust a beautiful woman in a pair of designer heels? what could she possibly do to betray some man who thought himself far more intelligent and savvy than her. for the right price she'd tell you the rumor she heard. of course if you wanted to thank her by sending her some sort of gift she'd never be upset by that.

INSPIRATIONS

pinterest: right here quote: "i will always be the virgin prostitute, the perverse angel, the two faced sinister and saintly woman." -anais nin. label: the hedonist tropes: ethical slut, loveable alpha bitch, hard-drinking party girl media parallels: samantha jones ( sex & the city ), faye valentine ( cowboy bepop ), brooke davis ( one tree hill ), ramona vega ( hustlers ) theme song: crazy girls by toopoor

PERSONALITY

positive traits: charismatic, intelligent, effervescent, loyal neutral traits: cynical, unconstrained, honest, outspoken negative traits: selfish, vindictive, narcissistic, jealous peeves: boring people, business meetings, slow walkers fears: spiders, being forgotten, her father skills: manipulation, drinking a whole bottle of top shelf tequila without dying, bitching goals: to become so rich and powerful she's untouchable

APPEARANCE

faceclaim: baifern pimchanok height: 5'5 eye colour: brown hair colour: brown clothing style: heart prefers skirts and dresses over pants. her clothes tend to be especially tight, revealing, and daring. she's typically the most overdressed person in the room and doesn't wear many shoes aside from heels and the occasional pair of boots. she's an admitted shopaholic with an enviable closet of designer clothes. jewelry: much like her clothing heart has an extensive collection of jewelry she cycles through based on her outfits. she's not particularly attached to any of the pieces tattoos: a small sun on her left hip fragrance: some variant of expensive designer perfume

[ulkaralakbarova]

New York in the 1920s. Max Perkins, a literary editor is the first to sign such subsequent literary greats as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. When a sprawling, chaotic 1,000-page manuscript by an unknown writer falls into his hands, Perkins is convinced he has discovered a literary genius. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Max Perkins: Colin Firth Thomas Wolfe: Jude Law Aline Bernstein: Nicole Kidman Louise Saunders: Laura Linney F. Scott Fitzgerald: Guy Pearce Ernest Hemingway: Dominic West Zelda Fitzgerald: Vanessa Kirby John Wheelock: Demetri Goritsas Assistant Editor: Harry Attwell Bertha Perkins: Angela Ashton Zippy Perkins: Eve Bracken Julia Wolfe: Gillian Hanna John Wheelock: Corey Johnson Eleanor, Perkins’ Maid: Miquel Brown Scribner’s Staff: Rosy Benjamin Mabel Wolfe: Elaine Caulfield Director: Richard Dempsey Jane Perkins: Katya Watson Peggy Perkins: Lorna Doherty Nancy Perkins: Makenna McBrierty Miss Wyckoff: Lucy Briers James, Mailroom Clerk: Ray Strasser King Scribner’s Staff: David Altaner Scribner’s Staff: Charles Dinsdale Scribner’s Staff: Erick Hayden Scribner’s Staff: Kenneth Hazeldine Scribner’s Staff: Oliver King Scribner’s Staff: Alex Large Scribner’s Staff: Charlotte Longfield Scribner’s Staff: Nick Mercer Scribner’s Staff: Kim Rosenfeld Scribner’s Staff: James Wallace Purring Woman: Katherine Kingsley Guest at Purring Woman’s Table: Richard Clark Guest at Purring Woman’s Table: Stella McCabe Guest at Purring Woman’s Table: Christopher Oram Guest at Purring Woman’s Table: Mike Vessey Actress: Maddie Rice Actor: Ian Drysdale Lighting Technician: Alistair Sanderson Lighting Technician: Alexander Scrivens Woman at Bar: Cassandra Nina Woman at Bar: Pamela Okoroafor Band: Kenji Fenton Band: Neville Malcolm Band: Winston Rollins Band: Chris Storr Band: Frank Tontoh Dancer: Jamal Crawford Dancer: Kemi Durosinmi Dancer: Jo Dyce Dancer: Kevin Ketti Dancer: Lesley Mutombo-Agbepa Dancer: Joshua Robinson Grand Central Station Conductor: Andrew Byron John Hopkins Hospital Nurse: Jane Perry Funeral Minister: James Bierman Effie Wolfe: Trina Dillon Frank Wolfe: Gary Thomsett Frederick Wolfe: Mark Phillimore Film Crew: Producer: Michael Grandage Standby Property Master: Phil Bull Producer: James Bierman Screenplay: John Logan Casting: Jina Jay Costume Design: Jane Petrie Original Music Composer: Adam Cork Editor: Chris Dickens Production Design: Mark Digby Executive Producer: A. Scott Berg Director of Photography: Ben Davis Conceptual Design: Elo Soode Executive Producer: James J. Bagley Makeup Artist: Christine Blundell Makeup Artist: Laura Morse Special Effects Makeup Artist: Nathaniel De’Lineadeus Special Effects Makeup Artist: Chris Lyons Art Direction: Alex Baily Art Direction: Gareth Cousins Set Decoration: Michelle Day Executive Producer: Tim Bevan Executive Producer: Nik Bower Executive Producer: Tim Christian Executive Producer: Ivan Dunleavy Executive Producer: Arielle Tepper Madover Executive Producer: Deepak Nayar Producer: Tracey Seaward Assistant Foley Artist: Lilly Blazewicz Foley Mixer: Glen Gathard Foley Artist: Jack Stew Foley Artist: Andrea King Foley Mixer: Jemma Riley-Tolch Movie Reviews: Reno: **Behind a great writer, there’s a genius editor!** I felt the title ‘Genius’ was not appropriate for how the story revolved in the film. It was more like a commitment and priority given to those undertaking than any other stuffs and that’s why it looked like a genius from others eyes. Though I won’t deny the experience always comes very handy. This film tells the story of ant editor and how he meets one of the best writers of his time. But they two together give the literature world some masterpiece works and that’s the tale the film very genuinely presented to us. This story takes place around the 1930s. An enthusiastic writer and a genius editor develop a strong bond, especially from their professional, but it goes beyond that. When both the families struggle while these two men completely dissolved with their works. So the takes from di...

[lauraelizabethmarazzi]

2024 Book Review

As the year comes to a close, one of my favourite traditions is reflecting on the literature I consumed this year. It was an ambitious year with the goal being 50 books - and yet I exceeded it, finishing 68! My most prolific year yet.

Stats:

For those titillated by pie charts, statistics, and graphs, here is the breakdown of my books as provided by the app Fable:

My most-read genre was Romance with a total of 35 books read (Emily Henry being the top author in this category [ with 3books read] closely followed by Abby Jimenez). Fantasy was next with 18, Literary Fiction 16, Historical Fiction 14, and lastly 12 Mystery Books. (Some books fall under multiple genres, of course.) My average rating was 4 stars. I read the most in August and December, finishing 8 books in each. One book was read on my Kobo, 32 were "physical" reads, and 34 were courtesy of audiobooks (mostly through the Libby app).

Last year I broke down my reading highlights into categories and I thought I would follow that same vein this year.

Reese's Book Club:

I read 12 novels from Reese's Book Club. Anyone who knows me is aware of my perhaps unhealthy love of her Book Club. Her team has the ability to consistently pick well told stories. Of the 12, the only book I wouldn't recommend would be "The Cactus" by Sarah Haywood. Otherwise, Reese is your girl for a good story.

General Lit:

A broad category with some highlights: "Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver, "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney, "Blue Sisters" by Coco Mellors, and "Obasan" by Joy Kogawa. An honourable mention to "Lolita" by Vladimir Nakobov, which has been on my TBR list for years and didn't disappoint.

Biographies:

One of my tried and true genres. The standouts this year were "Thicker Than Blood" by Kerry Washington, "Down the Drain" by Julia Fox, and "Crying in H-Mart" by Michelle Zauner. Fantasy This year I properly got into fantasy, with top favourites being the second and third books from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, "The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi" by Shannon Chakraborty, and the Fourth Wing series.

Summary:

This was my best reading year yet, which has now led me to the slightly delusional goal of reading 75 books next year. For Christmas, I got a Kobo, and I'm interested to see how that changes my reading habits. I also surprised myself by completing more audiobooks than physical books this year, and might have found a good hack to read ALL the books ALL the time (plus it really helps me tackle classic lit). Moving forward I am wanting to read more classic literature and focus on books that have been on my TBR list for quite a while.

Thank you for indulging this chronicler,

Laura

[casbooks]

Book 59 of 2024 (★★★★★)

Title: Sunday Bloody Sunday: A Soldier's War in Northern Ireland, Rhodesia, Mozambique and Iraq Authors: Gregory Michael Budd & Jake Harper-Ronald

ISBN: 9798858120445 Rating: ★★★★★

Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Mozambique, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Rhodesia, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Africa.Zimbabwe, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Europe.Northern Ireland Troubles, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Infantry.UK.British Army, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Middle East-SWA.Iraq.OIF.Mercs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.SpecOps.Rhodesian.SAS, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.SpecOps.Rhodesian.Selous Scouts

Description: Gold is forged in fire. Men in the furnace of adversity… Step into the extraordinary life of Jake Harper-Ronald, a man whose childhood dream of becoming a soldier led him on an unparalleled journey. In 1966, he fulfilled his ambition as a conscript in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment, only to embark on a series of adventures that most soldiers can only imagine. From early days in the elite Parachute Regiment in the UK to his pivotal role as the official photographer during the infamous 'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland, Jake's path was one of courage and resilience. He left an indelible mark on history, capturing iconic moments through his lens that still resonate today. Returning to Rhodesia in 1974, Jake's journey continued with the ultra-tough SAS and the Selous Scouts. His daring cross-border raids and contributions as a professional soldier showcased his unwavering commitment. Despite facing the trials of combat, he persevered, even transitioning to a top-secret Special Branch callsign and later joining Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation. Jake's remarkable story unfolded further as he operated as an intelligence agent for global powers such as South Africa, Britain, and the US. His path was not without challenges; accusations of treason led to his time in solitary confinement at Goromonzi Detention Centre. Undeterred, he emerged from adversity, and in 1989, MI6 enlisted his expertise to train and lead militias combating Renamo in Mozambique. His efforts were so impactful that his Special Forces unit was integrated into Mozambique's National Army. Witnessing the harrowing realities of Mozambique, Jake's journey came full circle as he returned to Zimbabwe and ventured into the private security sector and then on to private military contracting in Iraq. Despite his health declining, his resolve remained unshaken until his passing in 2007 at the age of 59. Immerse yourself in an incredible narrative of bravery, sacrifice, and tenacity as 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' chronicles the awe-inspiring life of Jake Harper-Ronald. This is more than a biography; it's a testament to the indomitable spirit of a true soldier and a captivating journey that will leave you inspired and in awe. Read It Now!

My Review: This is a book about a man who was always THERE, or THERE adjacent, or knew the people who were right THERE. From his days with 1 PARA during Operation Banner, to his time with the SAS and Selous Scouts Recce Troop, his time locked up in Goromonzi, to his final years in Mozambique and Iraq, Jake was really in the thick of it time and time again.

You'll see a lot of people talk about his overcoming adversity, his struggles, or focus on his actions and incidents, and it's all there, page after page. If you want to know what selection was like, the physical and mental toughness required, if you want to know what the contact and firefights, an interesting view of the Paras in NI, and SAS operations across the borders, this book has it in spades.

But what Budd was able to write about that sets this book apart, was the more personal aspects. His two marriages, his feelings toward Rhodesia as a nation, staying on and working for the new government in Zimbabwe and more. To read the chapter on the election night and about Mugabe's slaughter of the Matabele cuts right to the bone and is raw in its emotion. To read the chapter about his time in Goromonzi is incredibly difficult to read because of its detail and horrors. More importantly, Budd and Jake never shy away from the trauma and its effects on him after that. How much that changed him, how much he continued to suffer because of that.

This is a man who killed, who had so many friends killed, who saw atrocities, and isn't shy about talking about an incident that he was ashamed to have partaken in. And a man who stayed, even when so many others left, who knew his faults and admitted them while sometimes trying to blame the stresses of the job, but accepted much of the responsibility for the things he did. Which is why that chapter on Goromonzi hits home so hard. As he succinctly put it, he was always willing to pay the price for the things he did, but to be tortured and destroyed in so many ways for something that someone else did, for something he was innocent of… that was too much to handle, too much to endure, and yet… he did. He survived, but surviving doesn't mean you aren't affected, don't carry the wounds and scars, and doesn't mean you are the same person you were before.

There is a lot to say about this book, and each section contains so much incredible info, so many good stories, and the writing is so fluid. From being a covert photographer and political shenanigans when he was with CIO and Special Branch, to the fireforce concept and what it was like fighting a war against all sides while heavily sanctioned. His experiences with the complexities of South Africa's machinations inside of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, and how even his own former friends wanted him dead for staying behind all give you an incredibly vivid picture of his life and the world around him. I'm really glad I grabbed this book, and reading it was definitely one of the highlights of this years group of books.

[tomorrowusa]

The biography of Putin-worshiper Tucker Carlson is tanking at bookstores.

While people might be talking about Tucker, a new biography by Chadwick Moore about former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the buzz apparently failed to translate to book sales. With so much hot goss about Carlson’s abrupt ouster from his top-rated Fox News show in the wake of the bombshell Dominion settlement, one would think that a book putting the cable news star in the spotlight — and featuring “hundreds of hours of interviews with Carlson” — would pump up sales. Not to mention Moore’s sensational promotional tour, jam-packed with rumors about Carlson’s firing and attacks on his former home. According to numbers provided by Publisher’s Weekly, Tucker, in its first week of release, sold just 3,227 hardcover copies, putting it at number 15 on the Hardcover Nonfiction list.

If everybody who bought a copy of Tucker took a seat at the United Center in Chicago for a Bulls game, that would still leave 17,690 empty seats.

Maybe the Russian translation will do better.

[S]elling a book can be a tough business, especially when you don’t have a built-in audience… but here’s the funny thing about that: Tucker Carlson has a built-in audience. When he was a host on Fox News, his ratings were great. And when he started Tucker on Twitter, they were even bigger! (Except they weren’t. Despite bragging about 114 million people tuning in to his post-Fox hate fest, many of those “views” were people who might have simply happened upon the tweet containing the video while scrolling through their feed. That doesn’t mean they all watched the full video.)

Tucker is simply a hyperventilating, self-promoting cheerleader for Trump and Putin. Maybe the sequel book should have the title Giving Fellatio to Narcissistic Fascist Dictators. That would probably sell more copies.

[signify-nothing]

2023 In Review - Top 5 Movies

The Servant (1963)

It's safe to say I lost my fucking mind over this movie. I've watched it no less than five times, I've read the source novel, I've annotated academic articles about it, read the British Film Institute volume, looked over Dirk Bogarde's biography passages pertaining to it, and listened to some great podcast episodes discussing its themes.

My best friend watched it with me and said it was Lana Del Reycore, which is something I haven't been able to get out of my head since. It's so slutty and and wild and gorgeously shot. Every scene just gives me chills (I mean, just check out the hand placement over the shadow in the GIF above. Does it get hornier?). That's not even getting into Bogarde's acting. So gloriously unhinged. You never know quite what he's thinking, but you believe he's thinking it with your whole body (Does that make sense? Probably not). It's confounding and wonderful and never ceases to mesmerize me.

2. Saltburn (2023)

I went absolutely fucking feral over this movie. The most accurate review I can give of it is: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Emerald Fennell said one of her key inspirations was The Servant (1963) and when I learned that, my neural pathways rewired themselves because, of fucking course. Oliver Quick is the spiritual successor to Dirk Bogarde's Hugo Barrett. A character as compelling as he is diabolically fucked up. Someone you can't help but wish would ruin your life.

That's not even getting into the gorgeous cinematography, the perfect soundtrack, or the paradigm-shifting sex scenes that have taken up full-time residence in my brain. I'm this movie's bitch.

3. Wild Things (1998)

2023 really became the year of trashy erotic thrillers for me and I'm owning it 100%. This movie is ridiculously sexy, gay, and beyond - beyond - absurd. Just watch it. And listen to the Horror Queers podcast about it. And the Bechdel Cast podcast after that.

4. Flesh for Frankenstein (1973)

It's an x-rated Young Frankenstein with Udo fucking Kier and lots of full frontal male nudity. Is any more information needed? Another one where the Horror Queers podcast is absolutely mandatory post-screening.

5. Past Lives (2023)

Needless to say, this film departs wildly from the 4 films above it... or does it? In its own restrained way, this film is slutty as fuck. No one knows longing like these two. There, I said it.

... But to put it in more respectful terms, this film captures the feeling of having to choose a life you love over a person you love, which is something I've had to do multiple times. It's always heartbreaking. I rarely shed a tear at movies, but this one made me ugly cry. A lot.

Honorable Mention: Showgirls (1995)

You really thought I was gonna end this list on a downer? Not this year. I fucking love this movie and will not be made ashamed. Kyle MacLachlan's hair alone is enough to make this a camp classic. It's on a level of absurd that surpasses all logic, and that is what makes it so brilliant. A great double-bill with Wild Things. Don't forget to check out the Horror Queers & Bechdel Cast pods after viewing. They provide the chocolate syrup & cherries on top.

[romanwagncr]

gifs credited to @conjuringgifs & @keetikagifs

Character Name: Roman Wagner

Character Age: 36

Birthday: April 15th, 1987

Faceclaim: Chris Evans

Neighborhood: Orchird Park

Occupation: Cyber Security Developer (Fortress Networks that is based in New York City)

Biography 

Roman Wagner was born and raised in New York City to wealthy, loving parents Charles and Madeline Wagner. As the middle child sandwiched between his older sister, Alexandra, and younger brother, Sebastian, he enjoyed a comfortable upbringing full of private schools, European vacations, and elite social circles. Although his parents came from old money and gave him a lavish upbringing, they also instilled in him a strong sense of family, hard work and duty. Roman attended Trinity School for high school. With his good looks, and charisma, he quickly became one of the most popular students on campus. He excelled both academically and in lacrosse. With his confident charm, he had no trouble getting dates and leaving a trail of broken hearts behind him. 

He had always dreamed of attending Columbia University—wanting to follow in his parents footsteps—and he made that happen after graduating high school. There, he majored in computer science and acquired a bachelors and masters degree. He met Samara Khanna when he was 23 and fell hard and fast for her—and had even envisioned a future together. After over two years of dating, she told him that she was planning on returning to her hometown of Covington, Georgia after graduation. Foolishly, he’d forced her to choose. She chose Covington which forced them apart. 

It broke his heart—driving him to dive headfirst into New York's tech scene, co-founding the cyber security firm Fortress Networks with his college roommate. Throwing himself into growing his company—he embraced his reputation as an ambitious, cutthroat businessman and charming playboy. Over the next decade, he turned Fortress into one of the hottest cyber security startups in the industry, landing big-name clients and amassing a personal fortune.

Two years ago, Roman's fast-paced life was upended when his cousin, Jasmine, arrived unannounced at his door with her 4 year old daughter, Ivy. The next day, he got another surprise. With only a vague note explaining her inability to care for the child, Jasmine left Roman to raise Ivy as his own. He was initially hesitant, but he didn’t have the heart to leave Ivy behind, so he decided to become her legal guardian. At first, he struggled to adjust to suddenly being a single father and caring for a young child. He had to learn how to cook healthy meals, get Ivy ready for preschool each morning, and entertain her on weekends. His social life took a backseat as he devoted his time and energy to giving Ivy a stable, loving home. 

With a new priority, Roman decided to relocate to provide Ivy the calm, wholesome childhood he never had growing up in bustling Manhattan. After searching for the right environment, he decided on Covington, Georgia—coincidentally the very town Samara had left him for over a decade prior. The irony was not lost on him, but he focused on giving Ivy the stable home she deserved. The small town had a charming main street lined with mom-and-pop shops, a top-rated school district, and a quaint neighborhood ideal for raising a family.

Personality

Charismatic: It has always been easy for Roman to make friends. It helps that he's good looking and friendly too. He has no trouble attracting romantic partners.

Ambitious: Built a successful cybersecurity startup and amassed a fortune through hard work and drive. Known as a cutthroat businessman.

Family-oriented: Although his family rarely see each other—since most of them were living in different states—they kept in contact and meet up once a year for a family vacation.

Responsible: Stepped up to raise Ivy on his own and provide for her, even though it was unexpected. Learned skills like cooking and childcare out of duty.

Wanted Connections

Ex-girlfriend: Samara Khanna

Love Interest: They met as kids at camp and the moment he saw her, he was smitten. She was his first kiss. They meet again as adults and are friends who hangout for the sake of their kids until old feelings arise. Callie Montgomery

A fellow single parent: They met through Ivy's school. Since Roman is new at parenting, he could use a friend who would help guide him.

A neighbor: Their kids play together and occasionally share home-cooked meals (he's a horrible cook but has a personal chef lol) or watch each other's kids in a pinch.

Classic car enthusiast: Roman has a collection of cars, and is a bit of a geek. I'd like it if he could have a friend who's just as geeky when it comes to cars lol. I could use more than one connection here!. Drew Parrish

Friends: Pretty straight forward

Enemies: This could be someone he might have accidentally offended.