Graphic Novel Review - 'Lilith, Vol. 1' by Corin Howell (Writer/Artist), Warnia Sahadewa (Colourist), Jim Campbell (Letterer), Adrian F. Wassel (Editor), Der-shing Helmer (Editor)

Corin Howell's 'Lilith' is a supposedly sexy, sexual, pulpy horror comic. And in a way it is. But there is more to it than that.

FYI, it is not porn.

What it is is very violent, bloody and gory. Several (severed!) panels are truly horrific and horrifying, it cannot be stressed enough.

But apart from that, 'Lilith' is surprisingly funny, and even, dare I say it, cute. And it works! Its beautiful red, black, white and grey artwork is positively manga-esque at times. It doesn't really care for tone, and I mean that not as a detriment. Far from it. 'Lilith' is messy in all the right ways.

It is a pulpy horror comedy throwback comic, about a sexy demoness/vampiress/murderess/royal/super-model named, well, Lilith. She's a hell maiden and an antiheroine who eats people, basically; she's like Elvira, Vampirella, Lust from 'Full Metal Alchemist', Jennifer from 'Jennifer's Body', and an adult-rated version of Marceline from 'Adventure Time'.

Most importantly, she is a lost immortal soul living and surviving in our mortal realm (she lives as a mortal model, and survives by eating mortal flesh).

In her search for clues to return home to her Babylon hell dimension, Lilith reluctantly befriends two queer siblings - one of whom, the absolutely adorable and chatty Penelope Pleasance, is a potential love interest for her - and another demon from Babylon, Michael, who is Byronic, flirty, mysterious, and a match for Lilith in killing. There is a lot of mystery going on, and gross, gloopy demon monster slaying and banishing from the mortal realm.

Indeed, there is more to every character than meets the eye.

Also Lilith has a pet three-eyed cat named Gordy, who gobbles up her human leftovers.

I admit to a shallow reasoning for wanting to read 'Lilith, Vol. 1' - it was all because of the title. I am a fan of the Lilith of legend, not of horror and gore. I sort of expected a better, more sympathetic and feminist interpretation of the Lilith figure - as the first woman, the first rebel against inequality, authority, fascism, and a higher power, and the first woman to demand bodily autonomy and the right to choose. So subsequently she is the first woman ever to be demonised by the patriarchy at the dawn of its manmade conception. She is not a fearful, murderous, literally dick-chomping demon and monster.

However, 'Lilith' the comic is a fun, enjoyable, campy, feminist, occult horror mystery story in its own right. Lilith mostly kills and eats bad men who deserve it, anyway.

It could have been more diverse in its POC rep, and its characters less incredibly stupid for the sake of plot contrivance, but again, it's fun, regardless.

If you like 'Exorsisters', 'Lady Killer', 'Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter', 'The Sandman''s Death character, 'Angela: Queen of Hel', 'Elvira', 'Vampirella', 

'Carmilla', 'Interview with the Vampire', 'When I Arrived at the Castle', 'Ginger Snaps', and 'Jennifer's Body', then go ahead and sink your teeth into the grisly, bloody, yet oddball-y elegant 'Lilith, Vol. 1'.

Horror and humour. Occult and cult. A flight of fancy flesh.

Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'It's Her Story: Dolly Parton' by Emily Skwish (Writer), Lidia Fernández Abril (Illustrator)

A cute, clever, well-rounded, authentic, abridged comic retelling of Dolly Parton's life for children.

So many accomplishments this lady has! In making all of her dreams come true, for herself and others. Emily Skwish is right - Dolly is like a real-life superhero!

She's an amazing, multitalented, larger-than-life, loving, compassionate, caring, empathetic person. A truly wonderful human. A true star.

Now read these:


'Dolly Parton: Ultimate Fan Edition: Little Golden Book Biography'

'Dazzle Like Dolly: Games, Activities, Quizzes & Fun Inspired by the Queen of Country'

'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton'

'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges'

'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage'


Final Score (for 'It's Her Story: Dolly Parton'): 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dazzle Like Dolly: Games, Activities, Quizzes & Fun Inspired by the Queen of Country' by Jessica MacLeish, Susana Castro (Artist), Chris Kwon (Artist)

I was sceptical of this at first, but 'Dazzle Like Dolly' is a sweet, comforting, informative, educational, emotionally educational, and empathically educational activity book for children (and adults, too).

It isn't all sparkles, sunshine and saccharinity, either; it isn't childish, nor is it sanitised and puritanized; it tells the truth regarding aspects of Dolly Parton's life and her achievements, up to 2024.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' is all at once an activity book, a quiz book, a writing guidebook and notebook, a Dolly quotes and wisdom book, a Dolly "pep talk" book, and a self-help, counselling and therapy book. You've got to love (and need) its optimistic and positive worldview and attitude, while at the same time it omits and censors nothing. There is a realism to its optimism.

Exploring Dolly's philosophy, humanity, varied feelings, successes and lessons - both personal and career-oriented - it is a very good life coach and tool to have around.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' teaches the importance of being yourself, believing in yourself, putting yourself out there, staying true to yourself and being open and honest, standing up for yourself, working hard to make your dreams come true, aiming higher, maintaining healthy coping mechanisms and strategies, balancing yourself, taking breaks, taking the time to enjoy life and have fun, and helping others in need; and the importance of creativity, philanthropy, empathy, compassion, and kindness - all reflecting Dolly herself.

'Dazzle Like Dolly' is just as inspirational and aspirational as she is.

If only there were more people like Dolly Parton in the world. It would definitely, irrefutably be better.

Dolly's best, perhaps least well-known quotes founded in 'Dazzle Like Dolly':


'Everybody should look and be whatever makes them comfortable so their inner self...can shine.'

'I love being able to do things that create opportunities for others...'

'I'll go to my grave doin' everything I can to make the world a better place and myself a better person.'

'Leave something good in every day.'

'Create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.'

'I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.'

'I'm not afraid to try anything, and I'm certainly not afraid to fail.'

'Whatever it [processing and channelling feelings] is, I can say it in a song, in my own way.'

'People will use you as long as you let them.'

'I've often said I don't lose my temper as much as I use it.'

'When I'm mad, I'm mad all over. I'm just a person: I like to experience whatever the feeling is and whatever I'm going through.'

'If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours.'

'I've always said I will step over you or around you to get where I'm going, but I will never step on you.'

'I write what I write, say what I say, 'cause I feel what I feel.'

'As soon as you realize something is a problem, you should fix it...I would never dream of hurting somebody on purpose.'

'In all relationships--no matter what they are--you have to respect each other.'

'I love peace and harmony, but when you step in my territory, I will call you on it.'

'I look totally artificial, but I am totally real, as a writer, as a professional, as a human being.'

'I always count my blessings far more than I count my money.'

'Everybody has their own journey. They have their own way of doing things. And who am I to judge?'

'I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.'

'If people want to pass judgement, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody.'

'I'd rather be an honest person than a good liar.'

'I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself.'

'I'm very real where it counts, and that's inside.'

'You have to be able to relate to the things you write about, but you don't have to live them personally.'


Here are just a few of my other book reviews about the iconic Queen of Country:


'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton'

'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges'

'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage'


Final Score (for 'Dazzle Like Dolly'): 4/5

EDIT: How fitting that this is my 1250th review! For thirteen years now I've been doing book reviews!

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage' by Dolly Parton, Tom Roland

'I don't play second fiddle

in nobody's band

And I'm no backup singer
and I won't be a fan

And I'm nobody's co-star
I just play leading roles...

And I won't play a part
unless it's star of the show.'



Here it is, the final book of the Dolly Parton showbusiness history trilogy, that contains 'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones' and 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics'. Now it's about her life on the stage, in her TV and movie roles, and on her tours across the world.

She is the superstar of every show she's ever been on, shining brightly no matter what.

Even bigger and more detailed than 'Behind the Seams' and 'Songteller', 'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage' is an absolutely mega megastar biographical book, that chronicles Dolly's life up to 2025. In this archive also are photos of everything Dolly, from herself at her best and most inspirational, to her clothes, her concert tickets to places around the world, her concert and tour performance lists, and her album and music video lists. Also the merch, and additional Dolly book promos.

Goddess, how emotional, as well as entertaining!

What a big journey her life is! - the life of a talented, philanthropic superstar heroine.

A heroine who has made her butterfly dreams come true, and has never wasted her blessed, charmed existence, well lived.

Dolly Parton is truly an amazing, strong and resilient lady. Nothing and no one has stopped her from being her best, brightest, and most free, loving, grounded and down-to-earth self. She is true to herself above all else. It seems there is nothing she has not done; nothing she has not experienced; nothing she has not succeeded at; nowhere she has not been. There is nothing she can't do, even now when the Queen of Country Music has reached her eighties.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Dolly Parton is a star and an icon, known all over the globe, for good reasons. She is one of the most talented, accomplished, altruistic, generous, charitable, and important women in the pop culture sphere, and one of the best people on the planet.

She shall remain larger than life, and will continue to do good for others, forever.

Her Imagination Library is a must-mention, as well as Dollywood; most honoured, loved and respected.

Dolly Parton, Madonna, and Marilyn Monroe - the trio of female celebrity showbiz idols and icons who I admire and have read extensively about. I am a fan of women who are not straight, white and (predominantly) blonde, too - I am inspired and educated by them, too. I am all too aware of the issues surrounding privilege and double standards in a white supremacist, patriarchal and capitalist society, and I am an intersectional feminist, and will always try to do better.

So 'Dolly Parton, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage' - a most recent essential-read for every Dolly fan.

Links to my other Dolly book reviews:


'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones'

'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics'


Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' by Dolly Parton, Robert K. Oermann

'Discover the stories that inspired the music' - from the blurb

'My name is Dolly Parton, and I am a songwriter. [...] That is how I express myself. In a song, I can go anywhere and do anything.'



This giant book about Dolly Parton's life and the songs she wrote and sung is very personal, and indeed not always happy and positive. She is primarily a country singer and songwriter, after all. But 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' is clearly a labour of love, of passion and effort.

Covering 175 songs (out of over 3000) and spanning sixty years, 'Songteller' (aka 'Storyteller', at least according to me) is a deeply raw, vivid and vulnerable journey for Dolly, oftentimes bumpy and rough, and unflinchingly honest, heartfelt and true.

'Songteller' shows an imperfect, messy side to the revered Queen of Country Music. It contains her famous song lyrics, and she writes about the moments in her life that inspired them. Each song is personal, and she puts an emotional piece of herself - and of the people she's known - in them.

They are truly great songs.

Lovely, diverse, varied bunch of photos, as well.

Above all, 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' is a celebration of her creativity and genius. When it comes to Dolly, it's about feelings, the heart, and the truth.

It's about compassion, goodness, and love.

Hers is a life lived to the fullest and biggest, through all the ups and downs - all for love. If you want a rainbow, you must also take the rain.

Cheers to the rags-to-rhinestones global star.

My review of the other giant, themed Dolly book of a trilogy, 'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones', can be found in the link here.

Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones' by Dolly Parton, Holly George-Warren (Primary Contributor), Rebecca Seaver (Primary Contributor, Curator)

'A Diamond in a Rhinestone World'

I admit I mostly skimmed this, to gawk at all the photos and the pretty, pretty, creative outfits. But wow does this huge book contain a huge collection, detailing the most stunning fashions of Dolly Parton's career.

It's six decades worth of pieces!

It is a big book all right! A gemstone gallery!

Absolutely gorgeous, dazzling, versatile, playful, funny, tongue-in-cheek, and competently, carefully and meticulously crafted and written. Oh, the sparkles and rhinestones! The bigger, the flashier, the more extreme, the better - as is the Dolly way! It also covers the various shoes, cosmetic items, wigs, and guitars that she has ever owned.

Dolly has always strived to be different, unique, and creative. She knows that looks don't matter, and you shouldn't care what other people think of your appearance - indeed, she wears whatever she wants for herself; whatever takes her fancy! Her free, limitless, delightful fancy! It's how she, as a star, shines extra; it's how she expresses herself, before people may get to know her for her big brain and heart. Remaining true to herself, her outer tastes reflect this very much.

Dolly is a jack-of-all-trades - and styles. She's a stage performer, who is also like a runway/catwalk model, with her fashion sense. Everything about her really does shout, "Go big or go home." It's no wonder she's a top inspiration for drag queens.

'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones' - what a behemoth of a book; a colourful biography/fashion album, full of gaiety in every sense. Beyond the clothes and rhinestones, how inspiring, heartfelt, funny, witty, open and honest it is.

In other words, it is just like Dolly herself.

What an icon.

Read my review of another Dolly book here (that includes further links to reviews of her other books).

Final Score: 4.5/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges' by Media Lab Books, Topix Media Lab

'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton: Country Wisdom for Life's Little Challenges' - exactly what it says on the tin.

It is like a short biography of Dolly, interspersed with details about her singing and acting roles, and with her song lyrics, inspirational quotes, and words of wisdom. Its photos, taken over the decades, are sublime and divine.

Positive, uplifting, heartfelt and inspirational, and even sad and bittersweet at times - the more challenging times of Dolly's career and life (up to 2020, and oh boy would it be needed then) - 'Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Dolly Parton' (aka 'What Would Dolly Do?') is an honest, personal, raw, grounded, and hopeful look into the Queen of Country Music's life, and a treasure for any Dolly fan.

It is like a pocket book you can read in a day, and take with you anywhere, to look at if you feel you are in need of a pick-me-up. And a cup of ambition. A cup of freedom and love.



"I love that I've been able to make a living at something I love to do."


"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader."


"Don't get so busy making a living that you forget how to make a life."



For more on Dolly:


'Pocket Dolly Wisdom: Witty Quotes and Wise Words from Dolly Parton'

'Dolly Parton: Ultimate Fan Edition: Little Golden Book Biography'

'My Little Golden Book About Dolly Parton'


Final Score: 4/5