#I have the audiobooks and so it’s just constant

[macaulaytwins]

girl help I’ve become too emotionally invested in this sad gay book series about bastard lacrosse™️ and the yakuza

[batemanofficial]

*tommy wiseau voice* i am NOT developing a crush on a random customer service worker who was nice to me i am NOT

[slowparts]

i’m finally listening to the fellowship of the ring and i think perhaps best audiobook maybe ever?

[vandijkwrites]

sorry if you've already answered this 700 times, in which case totally feel free to ignore. but how do you lengthen your attention span? is it as simple as watching/reading progressively longer things?

First of, I am by no means an expert, but I'm happy to help as much as I can! There are a lot of great articles, books, and podcasts on the topic if you want any further info.

The most important thing to realize is why are attention spans are getting worse:

Information overload and distractions make it difficult to focus. (Ex. social media and text notification going off while you are doing other tasks)

Intentional multitasking gets your brain used to doing more than one thing at once so it becomes very difficult to make it do only one thing (Ex. having the tv on in the background while doing other tasks)

Consuming a lot of media focused on having minimal downtime and immediate gratification decreases our patience and ability to do slower tasks (Ex. watching a lot of action packed movies and short TikToks)

Getting constant small hits of dopamine from social media decreases our ability to do tasks that don't give us dopamine hits (Ex. getting likes from a post or messages from friends)

The solutions to most of these come down to two things: (1) Do only one thing at a time (2) Limit distractions from that task (3) Reduce immediate gratification

So some example of ways to do that would be:

Read a book without your phone being on hand to distract you.

Watch TV without multitasking.

Reduce time on social media, especially social media focused on short videos.

Spend a day or part of a day without technology.

Spend time with friends without looking at your phone.

Watch slow-form content like unedited lecture or panel videos where people are just speaking at their normal pace without cutting pauses.

Listen to music albums all the way through instead of shuffling and skipping.

Eat meals without multitasking (ie mindful eating)

Make yourself a cup of tea and sit on a park bench or by the window and watch some birds.

People-watch at the coffee shop.

Write long emails or letters to friends and family instead of short texts.

Call and have a conversation with a loved one without multitasking.

Meditate.

Take a walk and enjoy nature.

Don't scroll through your phone while waiting in a line.

Read long posts when you come across them on your dashboard.

Have an ebook on your phone to read whenever you would normally scroll through social media.

Don't go on your phone/online for a certain amount of time before bed.

If you are having trouble doing these things, try to do one tasks but increase the stimuli of that task. For example, read a book while listening to the audiobook at the same time. Or listen to music while watching a lyric video. These are great baby steps!

Another great baby step is (like you said in your question) doing things for progressively longer amounts of time! Set a timer for a certain number of minutes and then read without distraction for that amount of time. That way it won't feel like it is never ending and you can track your progress.

Obviously not all of these will be for everyone and some of these are too hard for people with ADHD or serious attention issues, but they are a good place to start!

I hope that helps 💕

[tinycoffeeroom]

farm love | italian bach

face claim: none ♡

request: here !

requested: Could I request an Italian Bach imagine inspired by Arthur’s vlog to Jezza Clarksons farm?? Maybe on that trip or maybe they just go on a cute little remote trip in the country farm? In their own private cabin (maybe a hot tub on the deck?👀) I feel like Bach is always a great bf but when he’s with friends he’s in his comedy/entertaining mindset so it’s subtle sweet gestures whereas when it’s just them he’s super clingy and boldly romantic

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📍 Cotswolds

👤 georgeclarkeey, arthurtv liked by y/nstagram, arthurtv and 298,017 others

italianbach me and my 2 boyfriends were invited down to the lovely Diddly Squat Farm to experience farm life and preview #/ClarksonsFarm season 3! Huge thank you to primevideouk for the invite!

y/nstagram and where are my pic creds? ↳ italianbach sorry who are you? ↳ y/nstagram oh, you're sleeping in one of the other huts tonight ↳ italianbach babe no george's snoring will interrupt my beauty sleep :(((( ↳ y/nstagram too bad didnt ask xx ↳ italianbach now look what you've done georgeclarkeey arthurtv ↳ georgeclarkeey wtf did we do?????? ↳ italianbach idk be sexy or something?

fan bach not even posting his gf but has time to post these two muppets

fan we want y/n!!!!!! ♥️ y/nstagram

fan george please give me a chance

fan arthur wrapping his arms around his two little omegas, we love a true alpha ↳ arthurtv what the fuck ↳ georgeclarkeey can't tell if i'm offended by being called an omega... ↳ italianbach i am?? we all know i'm a beta!!

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You were surprised to have been invited along to the Clarkson's Farm premiere alongside Arthur, George and Isaac. You didn't really have a following, mostly people coming from Isaac's constant posts about you to see who his girlfriend was.

The coach ride there had certainly been... something. Arthur annoyed the others by vlogging the entire thing, constantly asking Isaac and George to repeat their jokes so he could catch it on camera and having to redo shot after shot when the footage came out shaky or his finger had been covering the mic at the bottom of his phone.

You'd chosen to sit behind the group of lads, plugging your headphones in to play a small town farmer romance audiobook. If you're going to be subjected to dirt and the trio for the weekend, you were going to take advantage and daydream about a buff farmer sweeping you off your feet.

Isaac made sure to keep an eye on you, well aware that you were too engrossed in your audiobook to notice him. Knowing you were slightly camera shy as well, often choosing to be behind the lens and film his tiktoks, he chose to text you instead of drawing attention to you, conscious of the fact that Arthur could whip out his phone for another vlog clip at any moment.

Midway through the first meeting of the MC and the strong, beefy farmer, your phone lit up. At the top of the screen, you saw a few Instagram notifications and two texts from your boyfriend.

Isaac <3 You ok babe? x We should be stopping at Oxford services in about 20 minutes x

Looking up at your boyfriend, his attention was half on you and half on George who was, once again, jokingly shouting at Arthur who had asked him to repeat himself for the 20th time since you'd stepped onto the coach. Smiling briefly at the trio, you looked back down at your phone to reply.

My Love <3 I'm good angel xx May nip in and grab a sandwich or something, I'm kinda hungry :( x

Two seconds after the read receipt appeared beneath your message, a hand thrust a packet of Malteasers between the seat gaps. Grabbing the packet from your boyfriend, you sent him a grateful smile, quickly tucking into the chocolate.

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After a day of trekking back and forth across farm land, cudding cute little piglets and being stuffed full of the most gorgeous food and wine Clarkson's Farm had to offer, you and Isaac say goodbye to George and Arthur, waving them off as you walk up the little path to your cabin.

Despite it being later on in the day, the sun was still shining thanks to the British summertime. You immediately open your suitcase, grabbing a bikini and swapping your muddy tracksuit bottoms and band top you'd stolen from Isaac at some point. Isaac catches onto your thinking, also grabbing some trunks from his suitcase and changing into them.

You grab the bottle of champagne gifted by Prime Video and open the back patio doors which lead to small set of patio chair and a large hot tub.

Whilst Isaac double checks that the front door is locked, you slide into the water, sighing as the warmth soothes your aching muscles. It had been a while since you had spent this long on your feet and the last time you checked your watch, you'd done 35,000 steps.

Closing your eyes, you allow yourself a moment of silence, taking in the faraway bleats of the sheep in the meadow opposite your cabin. A warm breeze flows through the air, making a few stray hairs on your face sway gently.

You hear the doors behind you open and close and an affronted noise comes from your boyfriend. Cracking one eye open, you look back to see him frowning at you in the hot tub.

"What's up, babe?" You already know, but it's sweet to see how clingy Isaac gets when it's just the two of you.

"Budge up." He queues up a playlist on his phone, connecting it to the outside speaker before stepping into the hot tub, staring at you with a playful pout.

You comply, moving to the side so he can sit in your spot. As he settles down, one arm snakes around your waist, lifting you up and dragging you onto his lap under the water. His other arm joins the first, a strong interlink ensuring you won't go anywhere. Not that you'd want to.

"Better?" Grinning up at him, you slide your hand to rest at the base of his neck, fingers tangling in the chocolate brown curls there.

Isaac hums in lieu of a verbal response, face coming to rest in the curve of your neck. Feather light kisses trace along your skin, starting at the juncture between your neck and shoulder, trailing up to below your ear.

You giggle at the sensation, twirling the strands of hair entangled in your fingers round and round as he playfully nips your ear lobe once before pulling away. You untangle your fingers from his hair, moving your hand to the front to swipe his fringe away slightly to get a good look at him.

His eyes seem to twinkle in the now fading sunlight as he takes a moment to trace over your face. "You're so beautiful."

You can feel the blush rising hot up your neck, splaying out dusty pink on your cheeks. Even after being with him for so long, he still manages to fluster you every time he calls you beautiful. Normally, it's a throwaway comment, something he mentions whilst in the middle of something else. But here, just the two of you in the quiet British countryside, your heart seems to skip a beat, thumping a clumsy rhythm in your chest.

Wrinkling your nose to hide the way the statement made you feel, you run a finger gently across his cheekbone, dragging it softly down his cheek to the corner of his jaw. "And you're handsome."

His eyes are glued to your cheeks, smile widening as the blush only deepens, now crimson pink and burning hot. "I mean it. I know I say it a lot, but right here, in this moment, you're ethereal. I'm just so lucky you finally agreed to date me. Knowing that I get to wake up everyday and see you when you first wake up, that I get to walk into any room you're in and watch your face light up when you see me, and that I get to fall asleep holding you every night... Honestly, I don't think I could ask for a better life."

Your eyes are lined with unshed tears, mouth trembling as words of adoration spill from your boyfriends lips. He's a known secret romantic, you had the anniversary cards filled with paragraph after paragraph of him waxing poetic about you; but to hear it come directly from him, his voice warm and syrup soaked, your heart beat another treacherous beat, yearning to burst out and reach for the man below you.

"Isaac... I love you. So much." Your hand cups his cheek, thumb rubbing lightly over the skin below. "I couldn't ask for a better life either. This is the best relationship I have ever been in, and I have you to thank for that. Thank you for showing me a love I only thought was possible in movies."

Leaning down, you press a soft kiss to his lips, revelling in the delighted hum it pulls from your boyfriend. His arms wrap tighter around you, twisting you in a way so the two of you are chest to chest. He pulls you in deeper, mouth warm and insistent against your own.

When it feels like he's pulled every last bit of breath from your lungs, he pulls away slightly, murmuring a soft "I love you too" as he presses one final kiss to the corner of your mouth.

You move your head to rest in the crook of his neck, enjoying the warmth of the water and your boyfriend's body as the sun sets slowly behind you.

You're almost lulled to sleep, cocooned in the arms of your lover. Isaac's hands move in a repeated rhythm along your back, dragging up and down in slow circles as he hums along to the song playing softly from the speaker in the corner.

Before you can drift off, he mutters just loud enough to be heard over the bubbling of the hot tub. "Wanna go in the pool tomorrow?"

Nuzzling down further into the crook of his neck, you nod your head lightly, already smiling at whatever stupid Tiktok's he'll make you film. "Fuck yeah."

His chest vibrates with laughter in response and you close your eyes, pressing one last kiss to the skin beneath your lips as the two of you welcome the sky full of stars.

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a/n: first italianbach fic ! welcome to my gaggle of men mr isaac xo first of the ac3may hc's and my lil fingies are flying working through the rest !

[fruity-mega-coconut69]

Movie & Dinner

[pairings]: Jenna Ortega x Fem!Reader x Emma Myers, Fem!reader x Mason Gooding (platonic)

[Summary]: You have had a crush on Jenna and Emma ever since you met them, little did you know, they were already head-over-hills.

[warnings]: Swearing, kissing, bad writing bc it's late, not proof read

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When you first got the call from the director of the new Scream movie, that you would be playing the character of Danny Brackett’s sister, you literally almost had a heart attack. You had applied to the role not only because it could be your big breakthrough, but because of your love for the Scream movies.

During the time you were shooting, you got closer with everyone in the cast. Especially Jenna and Mason. Which also meant that you guys hang out even after the last wrap-up and after the movie was released. 

You hung out with Jenna the most, only because Mason got sick for a long time. After a while of just hanging out at Jenna’s or your apartment, she decided to introduce you to her lovely girlfriend, Emma Myers. The two of you instantly clicked and soon it was either you, Jenna and Emma who hung out or you, Jenna, Mason and Emma. For a while it was fun, but then…….you started catching feelings. At first, you brushed it off as just a silly crush on two of your best friends, but then the constant nervousness and overthinking around them started. Things like, ‘ is this outfit going to be good for our movie-night’ went through your head or whenever one of them gave you a hug and your heart started racing and your face heated up,-which you tried to hide- you knew it was not just a little crush, it was a big, fat one.

But of course, Jenna and Emma weren’t stupid. They picked up on your behavior. And in all honesty, they were fucking amused. The main reason Jenna wanted you to meet Emma was because of her own ‘silly, little’ crush. After two-three months of hanging out with you, they were both fucking wiped.

Mason, obviously, knew about your crush. He always told you to talk to them about it, but you were too much of a coward to do so.

And of course, Jenna and Emma had someone that knew about theirs too. For Jenna, it was Melissa, who knew about her and her girlfriend’s crush. For Emma, it was her sister, Izzy. Obviously, they talked to each other about it too. Having a complete melt-down everytime they do so. 

Also, that is the reason they’ve decided to call you over tonight for you guys’s usual movie & dinner night. Only, they are planning on finally telling you about their feelings.

You are walking up the stairs to get to their apartment with your headphones on and an audio book playing through them, just some russian learning ones. It has been your passion to learn as many languages as you can, ever since you were a kid. But anyway, you arrive at Jenna and Emma’s door and simply let yourself in. Turning off the audiobook and taking off your headphones. You looked around and saw the light on in the cozy living room, deciding to walk in. 

And there they were. Sitting on the couch, cuddling. 

You walk in further and when you are close enough, you clear your throat in a way to get their attention. Which you got pretty quickly. They turn around and as soon as they see you, the both of them smile in usion.

“Y/N! Hey!” Jenna squeals in excitement as she gets up and goes over to you, giving you a warm hug. Emma did the same.

“Heyyy, so what are we watching?” You sat down on the couch and they followed you, Jenna on your right and Emma on your left. You felt your cheeks flush as they scoot closer.

“Uhm, we were thinking ‘The Grown Ups’?  That good for you?”

You gasp and smile. “Of fucking course! I love that movie! “ They laugh at your excitement and turn to the TV to put on the movie.

— —

It was nearing the end of the movie and you couldn’t wait for it. Basically, the reason for that is, you are really flustered. Jenna has her arm around you while Emma’s hand is resting on your knee in a comforting manner. All that was making your heart beat out of your fucking chest. You are only hoping that they can’t hear how loud it is.

As the movie comes to an end, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding until now. “Uh, I'm going to get a drink.” You state, getting up and squeezing yourself out from between the two lovers.

Walking into the kitchen, you head straight to the sink to wash your face. When you’re done, you take a glass and fill it with water. As you are drinking it, Emma and Jenna appear in the entrance. Jenna walks ahead her girlfriend and up to the counter you are leaning against.

As she looks at you, there is a sickeningly cute grin on her face that you can’t help, but admire until she speaks up.”God, I don’t know how they let you graduate acting school. “She giggles as your eyebrows furrow. “You are so obvious!” Jenna pauses for a moment to look back at her girlfriend who is smirking, leaning against the wall of the entrance. “ C’mon, we know you like us. “ At that, you feel your face burning up once again as your mouth opens and closes like a fish, trying to find something to deny it.

“Hey. It's okay. We are not mad. “ Emma speaks up and walks over to the two of you.

“Y-you’re not? “ They both shake their heads and you let out a sigh. 

“However, “ Jenna starts, looking back at you and stepping closer. “ We have to tell you something. “And your heart once again races, not only because she is centimeters away from your face, but also because of what she and Emma have to say. “But, I’d rather show you.” Jenna smirks at your red face as she takes your chin in her right hand and tilts it down a little. Then she turns her head to the side and leans in and finally, her soft, red lips meet yours.It’s a little rough, but still endlessly hot. The kiss doesn’t last long as you hear Emma whine and soon her footsteps come closer. 

Jenna steps aside a little as Emma settles in-front of you. Smirking, she cups your face and pulls it closer to hers. When your lips meet, you immediately note that her kiss was softer than Jenna’s, more gentle. But good nonetheless. After a couple of seconds, she pulls back with a smile on her face and lets go of your face.

You were still blushing and trying to process when Jenna speaks up. “ Soo, are we throuple now or something? Is that what it’s called?” Emma laughs and nods at her girlfriend.

“Sure, Jen. But we still have to ask, don’t you think?”  She gestures towards you, who is just standing there.

“Right. Right.” Jenna turns to you and chuckles at you frozen state. She grabs your shoulders and shakes you lightly. “Hellooo, earth to Y/N!”  You finally look up at her.

“Uh, huh?” 

They both smile and glance at each other then back at you. “Would you like to be our girlfriend? “ They say at the same time with a little bit of nervousness in their voices.

You just stare at them for a couple of seconds, but before their smiles could disappear, you speak up. “I-I…Yeah, sure. I mean….yes. Yes!” They both smile and take each of your hands and lead you back into the living room. 

— —

The next morning after you arrive home, you just drop your stuff and call Mason immediately. “Oh.My.God! Mason! You won’t believe what fucking happened!” 

You heard shuffling in the background. “What?What? What is it?”

You grin as you take in a deep breath. “Me, Jenna and Emma are fucking together! Can you believe that shit?” 

“Wait, Really?! “ You nod but soon realize that he can’t see you so you speak up. 

“Yes! It happened last night. We even kissed and everything! “ Mason smiled as he heard the happiness and excitement in your voice.

“Oohh, wait! Don’t tell me the juicy parts just yet! I’ll be over in 15. “ You laugh. “What? I want to be there so you can see my reactions.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll be waiting. “

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A/N: Sorry, it's short :/ I have a lot of studying to do.

[oloreandil]

as a chronically ill person with asthenia and particular ways of speaking, i've always felt uncomfortable with how Frodo is treated as a weakling and a wimp by so many lotr fans. not only does it ignore how insanely heavy the weight of his burden is (regardless of how constantly the narrative and characters repeat it in like. extremely plain terms), but it often leads to ableist comments of "well other characters were in pain too and they dealt with it better, AND without whining all the time :/"

however, listening to the audiobook, i'm only now realising why i don't like the treatment of Sam's deference to Frodo and their interactions during their quest. yes, you can absolutely do a class analysis of their relationship (Frodo is his "master" in the aristocratic sense of the term, and the narrative treats is as a quality that he "knows his place" - subservience). yes, Frodo sometimes lashes out at Sam unjustly (which is treated as bad by the narrative, again very plainly)

but, and i cannot stress this enough, having a Sam by your side as a disabled person on any kind of adventure is literally the only way to stay alive. Sam notices his health fluctuations, is on the lookout for ring-symptoms that Frodo may not even have noticed yet, makes sure that Frodo has the accommodation he needs to be in as little pain as possible as they live through the great evils of their time... Frodo relies heavily on Sam's support. like any disabled person on a year-long march would need to. especially when your condition keeps worsening

it feels so incredibly loving and revolutionary that, in Rivendell, when he sees Frodo awake for the first time since Elrond healed him of the Morgul blade, Sam takes Frodo's left hand in his and shyly says he's glad it's warm again. i don't think Frodo knew how cold it'd gone, or thought anyone else had noticed, and indeed the narration moves on quickly. but those moments are constant and deeply touching. it's hard to articulate just how accurate Frodo's journey is to my own disabled journey, and how profound it is that Sam's care is foundational to saving the world

[that1fangirrl]

Dating a Ballet Dancer...

Cw: some 18+,food mentions

A/N: This was honestly so adorable to me. I think I might write so more for it later on. If you have any ideas for this or other concepts, my inbox is always open. Enjoy!

He does not understand why ballerinas wear so many layers to practice. Especially because they are mostly thin and mesh garments, but with leg warmers

Yoga and stretch “dates”

Forcing her to eat more food so she can build up strength… or at least him sneaking a few snacks in her bag before she leaves for practice

Helping her stay in shape and healthy always

Something tells me he’d be curious to try a move… maybe stick to plié or tendu. Just like small footwork. Nothing extreme

He probably helps her with choreography. His enhanced senses pick up on slight changes so i definitely see him being like “oh that pirouette wasn’t as strong” or “your elbows aren’t tucked in right”

He doesn’t seem like a nervous person, but knowing with any sport you can get hurt has him on edge all the time. “What if you don’t land right and break an ankle?”

But he’s fairly confident in his babygirl… she's a professional after all

He's a huge stickler when it comes to her health. I know I said it before, but he's constantly watching what she eats, how much sleep and rest she gets. Cause he knows what the body needs to feel good and function better

Maybe it even motivates him to be better about his own health

It doesn’t help that they’re in college which always somehow means snacks over real food

If practice goes longer into the night, he’ll wait in the building or in the studio, so they can walk back to his or her dorm

Classical music is a must for them both. Just picture it. Him sitting on the bed studying with the music softly in the background while his adorable lover mimics the movements in her head along to the music. He would have the cutest little soft smile on his face(y'know the one)

When it’s tech/rehearsal week and he's not allowed to be around, it’s the worst. He’s only allowed to sit on one of the benches outside of the theater/auditorium. He can hear her jagged breathing, the nerves bounces off the walls, the constant frustration running through her veins. It makes him super antsy that he can’t barge in and console his sweet angel. 

But after each night of rehearsing, he makes sure Foggy isn’t at their dorm, so he can give her a well deserved night of comfort. Whether that be a nice massage, cuddling with an audiobook or some music, or everyone’s favorite… sex!!

Speaking of sex… he’s 100% her first. He’s so sweet and gentle. Constantly asking if she’s okay, if she wants to try something else, etc. It’s always a good time. Vanilla, but who cares? They're only in college.

Back to our charmer, he might’ve flirted with the dance instructor a little so he could be allowed into the dance studio after hours or during sessions. She’s an older lady, so of course she’s gonna love that little catholic boy who’s “too much”.

Now when the tickets for each show goes on sale, he is the first and i repeat THE FIRST to get a ticket. He’s up bright and early waiting for the doors to open so he can get one and be prepared for the night. 

During the day, he tries his best to keep her head up. Makes her stand in front of a mirror and say only positive things to herself. Even texts in the middle of his day, that she's gonna kill it. 

He even has Foggy tag along. Has him help pick out flowers and a cute card. Maybe even some cute jewelry, like a little dainty bracelet that has a ballet charm on it. Foggy doesn’t mind though, he’s their number 1 supporter. 

At the end of the show, he finds her backstage crying. Something about how she messed up on her turns and everyone noticed. To which he assures her with the biggest and tightest hug. “The crowd loved you Angel. They were absolutely breathless and amazed. If you did mess up, they didn’t even notice because your beauty hypnotized them too much.” Ending it with a billion kisses all over the face and on her forehead. 

She kept those flowers by the way. Dried them out and has them in a special area of their apartment. Probably in some cute little keepsake box. 

 After all these years, they’re still together. Graduated from school. Successful lawyer and Ballet Dancer of Hell’s Kitchen.

He still goes to all of her shows. Brings Foggy and Karen. Has a cute new bouquet of flowers each time. 

One night, he brings a ring. And after the show, they go for a small walk in the park nearby and he gets on one knee and proposes to her. The rest from there is history.

[witchybitchypeachy]

How I found my Inner It Girl

things I did to become the best version of myself because I deserve to be her.

I lost the Extra Weight that was making me self conscious. I stopped eating recklessly, most Importantly i stopped drinking recklessly, I started exercising and moving my body and I am beyond happy and proud. I haven't lost alot of weight, only a few kilos, but i can see that I have more muscle now and less fat.

I ditched the 20 step skin care routine for simple active ingredients and my skin has never looked better. Retinol, a simple moisturizer, lots of SPF and that's it.

I stopped drinking alot. I still have an occasional drink when i go out, but no more 5 cocktails a night and no more finishing a whole bottle of pinot grigio on my own on a random weekday. I feel so much better, less anxious, less depressed, more motivated and energetic. life is so much better when you are not living in a constant state of hangover.

daily walks for an hour and sometimes more. I used to think this is useless when i started but it improved my mood and my life significantly. it really helps with anxiety and just helps you sort out your feelings. Sometimes i listen to audiobooks, sometimes music, sometimes I call people. but at the end of that hour i feel amazing. I started going on these walks cause i was depressed and frustrated and I just wanted an excuse to get dressed and leave the house and they changed my life(I know this sounds dramatic but fr)

I started Reading books. I don't force myself to finish them, and I don't read novels cause I hate it, but i started looking for books i might enjoy and read a few pages a day.

I stopped listening to Depressing music

I started being grateful. for everything. I have so much to be grateful for.

I drank my coffee in the sun. as pathetic as it may sound, this will actually make you feel like the main character. there is nothing more romantic. it's truly the best way to start the day.

Pilates and Deep core exercises

10. I distanced myself from people who made me feel worthless

11. I Kept the good news to myself.

12. I started doing things I have never done before.

13. worked on physical attributes that made me feel insecure.

[spiderliliez]

MORFYDD CLARK and ADHD

The GIFs above are excerpts from Morfydd’s five different interviews during the promotion of “Saint Maud” while still filming “The Rings of Power” where she briefly talks about, and inadvertently exhibits her ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) traits. The first one shows of her being surprised by her alarm, and explains she keeps it on snooze so she doesn’t forget her tasks. Some would think this is just normal, that we all really need to have reminders anyway. But when you have ADHD, your alarms will be your lifesaver, and it can be quite extreme as your attention easily wanders off and you have almost no control of it, because you simply completely forget what you’re supposed to do. 😖

In the second interview, the keyword is “Procrastination” and she mentions how procrastination doesn’t make her feel guilty. Constant procrastination is very common amongst people with ADHD. It’s just always there. Yes, we all procrastinate, but people with ADHD does it more extreme than others. There are those who would feel endless guilt when they dither and temporize what needs to be done, and after all that, they still couldn’t keep themselves from procrastinating anyway. It becomes this vicious cycle, that adds on to one’s depression because of feeling incompetent. I’m just glad she’s allowed herself to indulge in what she wants to do and not feel criminal about it. 🙃 In the third one, she talks about her struggle with reading and being unable to keep at it for a certain duration. This is very common with ADHD as your ability to focus shifts so quickly, especially if you happen to be reading something you realized you’re not that interested in. However as she mentioned, she was able to read through the entire script (for “Saint Maud”) in one go, of which shows how much she loved the story. In some of her interviews, she speaks of how audiobooks have been very helpful to her. People with ADHD can also have “Dyslexia” (just like Morfydd). It’s more common than not, and that makes reading and writing even more challenging.

In her fourth and fifth interview, she talks about how her brain reacts while she was in school. It’s quite clear, listening and reading her interviews, that she has the combination of both the “Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive Type”. As you know, there are three types (Hyperactive-Impulsive, Inattentive, and having both). Being in class, with so much stimuli, with her brain firing different thoughts and ideas almost all at once, as Morfydd exclaimed, “So exciting!”, while the teacher talks about a subject that she probably doesn’t find interesting, plus that insatiable need to get on her feet to be where she wants to be, or do what she wants to do. And all of that... you can imagine, it just becomes quite taxing for an excited ADHD brain. 🧠 I get that, really. The most common type of ADHD in girls is the “Inattentive Type” (formerly just called “ADD” aka Attention Deficit Disorder), which is easily overlooked. I was only diagnosed with it as an adult, which makes it sad as I’ve always been so cruel to myself before, not knowing what was wrong with me, and admitted to myself that I was just simply “lacking” or worst, feeling “dumb”. It’s a terrible (false) acceptance for a kid, and I carried that thought until adulthood. Morfydd got her diagnosis when she was seven. She was probably quite a handful! 😅 Parents and teachers can easily spot the “Hyperactive” kids because, well, they are literally hyperactive and uncontrollably rambunctious. Because of that, they can get their diagnosis earlier in life and get the help they require in their formative years. I was not like that. I was quiet, and timid. I was even called the “most behaved in class”. I didn’t cause any trouble in school. However, my concentration level is next to zero at worst times. I might be sitting quietly, but my mind is just all over the place. I’ve learned earlier in life on how to pretend I’m okay and find ways to cope.

🗨️ MORFYDD SAID:  I knew I was different from age seven when I started having medication for it. I understood that something was different but I didn’t understand what it was. I’d go and get my tablet in the staff room at lunchtime and there was a boy a few years above me who had an illness that required lots of medication, but I didn’t know this at the time. I remember seeing him get lots of tablets, cause that’s what he needed, and being like “Wow. He must be really naughty because I am quite naughty and I get one tablet.” I think quite early on, you label yourself as naughty and bad. (via ContentMode)

My ADHD caused me to have insomnia as early as age eight or nine. My brain just never stops wandering, even when I am physically tired. When I do things, I finish my tasks a lot longer than most people, be it at school, at home, or at work. This is not something I’ve talked about before, because I feel as an adult, in the usual corporate profession, I feel I’d be marginalized for it. It’s not really something I want my colleagues, and my boss to know. What’s more, for ADHD people, other learning disabilities are quite common. In school I enjoyed writing essays and stories, however, I suffered from mild “Dyslexia” and when I started second grade I started to have terrible “Dyscalculia” that I still have to this day.

🗨️ MORFYDD SAID: My dyslexia means I can’t read for long periods or the letters start moving around on the page, giving me headaches, so I have to prep more than others in shorter bursts — and when I’m home I’ve got these orange tinted glasses that I have to wear. (via WalesOnline)

My dyslexia has progressively gotten better as I have gotten older, and I even joined spelling bees in school. But the amount of hard work I did for that was just a lot. When I joined my local school paper, I decided it’s better I just focus on “editorial cartooning” instead of writing features and news because I have trouble submitting my articles on time. My dyscalculia until now is the same. I took up “Bachelor of Computer Science”, and you could call it a miracle, but I did manage to graduate. During exams, I always leave the room last, as I have to recheck my answers again and again before I submit them. Same with writing emails at work. And when I have to read a book, I oftentimes find myself stuck on one page over and over again. I’d be reading the same lines, but my mind just flies off, so I have to either stop, or restart reading until I could concentrate. The distraction can be caused by my own thoughts, or because I’m distracted by my surroundings. It’s really hard to focus, and I think Morfydd is amazing for being able to remember her lines especially when she’s doing onstage plays.

🗨️ MORFYDD SAID: I feel that acting really suits me because sometimes I struggle with a whole day rehearsal in a play, but film is very short moments of intense concentration. Then you can snap out of it. Also, the stakes are high. If I was going to have to do something boring like writing an essay, I can only do it under huge amounts of pressure and adrenaline. Being on set you have short bursts with pressure and it’s fun. In terms of learning lines, I will just wander around my flat or town saying them. There is no structure. I struggle when there is a structure enforced on me, that I can’t do. Within film, I am allowed to be fluid and structured within this world. I thought about that a lot with Maud. Because I thought, “Would I have been bullied a lot if I had been in an office, because I would just be annoying? Would I be fired a lot for being late?” (via ContentMode)

The good thing about ADHD, is you have this superpower to “Hyperfocus”. This is when you would zone in on a task, happens when you have so much interest in a certain activity. Just like what Morfydd said, when she read “Saint Maud” for the first time, that she was able to finish it in one go. In that state, nothing can distract you, and I mean nothing! I would often forget the time, or my surroundings when I hyperfocus. I don’t even notice people when they call me. I’m sure it’s the same for Morfydd when it comes to acting. 😎

If you have ADHD, and you aim to meet expectations (such as graduating from school or university, being in a relationship, running a business, or keeping your job), your brain really needs to work extra hard to compensate for your lack of focus and distractibility. In short an ADHD brain tends to be a lot more fatigued, and stressed than others. It can get easier by taking your prescribed medication for ADHD, managing your time, and not forgetting to setup your reminders. Finding ways to cope with the help of recent studies are quite helpful. Support from your friends and family is very important, too!

🗨️ MORFYDD SAID:  People with ADHD find it really hard to put effort into things that they don’t find interesting. So, it’s about finding the thing that your child or person with ADHD is passionate about and finding a way to make that part of your world.” (via ContentMode) It’s weird to have a diagnosis from seven. It makes you feel different or other, which feeds a fascination with brains and why people are the way they are. I’m kind to myself about stuff I find difficult, because I understand why. (via NZHerald)

There are many people, especially girls and women who struggle with this neurodevelopmental disorder and not know they actually have it. So, I do have a lot of love, respect and appreciation for Miv, especially that she talks about this publicly, and reminding others that, ‘it’s okay’. With that, I have been reminded to be kinder to myself. I was never okay with having ADHD, but when people like her talk about it, I feel not so alone anymore. 🥀

Thanks to: ContentMode, NZHerald, The Observer, The Upcoming, BFI, Harper's Bazaar UK, Carl Marsh, BAFTA Guru, WalesOnline, ADDITUDE

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

Every week I will post various reviews I've written so far in 2024. You can check out my Goodreads for more up-to-date reviews HERE. You can friend me on Goodreads here.

Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts?

___

281. Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young--⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to love this, BUT I'm sure I'll really enjoy book 1 and 3! I did like the love interest, he was a darn sweetheart.

I think what I didn't really care for in this book (and why my rating wasn't as high as I would have liked) was that I couldn't really connect with the MC and her decisions. But a three star isn't a bad rating, it is a "I enjoyed this but it could have gone better for me".

I really liked the mental health rep and how detrimental it can be when it has you in its grip. I think that was one of the things I loved most about this book. I liked that Bonam-Young didn't shy away from this aspect of the MC's life.

But the story itself, while having some very fun and cute moments, felt like it lacked something that would have fully grabbed me. I don't know if the pacing was off, or if the relationship felt a little too surface level--something about it held me back from fully loving it. I don't know if it was that the bus was fixed a little too much behind the scenes or too quickly, or that there was a third act break up.

The love interest was really sweet and I really liked him. I kind of wish we'd had a dual POV story, just to both make things feel more rounded and to get more bus-fixing scenes.

I am definitely going to pick up the other two books because I'm excited by their descriptions. I will say that I'm happy that I read this one first because it's only up from here!

___

282. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm not a novel-in-verse girly, but I loved the hell out of this audiobook. This book was beautiful. Such a wonderful exploration of a young person learning who he is and who he wants to be.

I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook because it flowed so well and was just a great experience!

Dean Atta has created a great character with a strong personality and relatability for readers of all ages, especially teens trying to figure out who they are. I connected with the MC over his mixed-raced upbringing and how society might view that part of him. We get to see him experiencing these moments of racism and identity-confusion.

I loved that Atta touched on the confusing feelings teenagers might experience when they are discovering who they are and how even though you're certain of one thing, your mind will always ask you to consider other ideas (like him knowing he is gay, but still contemplating potential romantic feelings for his female best friend.)

Another surprising aspect of this book that I was really enjoying was how the book spans over several years of the MC's life. We get to see him be completely confused about who he is until the last page where he is fully sure and finding that confidence he had always wanted when he was younger.

Overall, I highly recommend this. And if you're not a novel in verse person like me, listen to the audiobook! It's worth it!

___

283. The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn't even know this existed until last month. LOVED. Such a great sequel/finale!

When I saw that THE GIRL IN QUESTION was a sequel to a book I loved last year (or the year before?), I KNEW I wanted to read it. And from the very beginning, I was hooked--even if it took me a second to remember who each character was.

One of the things I immediately liked about this one was the setting. I don't know how many times I've mentioned it in past reviews, but I LOVE survival stories and Sharpe's newest novel is set in the woods! Immediately got me. And then from there, it was twist after twist. The characters were badasses in their attempts to survive and it was constant action. There were no slow moments.

I also liked that the story jumped from perspective to perspective because it made the novel feel more cinematic and rounded. It felt like I could see the whole thing taking form in my head. It especially helped when we started to get more background information about the one MC's past.

The ending was great and was a nice way of ending the story. I will be surprised if there is another one in this series, but I won't be angry with it.

If you love a good YA queer suspense novel, then I really think you should add the first book, THE GIRLS I'VE BEEN, to your TBR!

___

284. Swift & Saddled by Lyla Sage--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lyla Sage's series is just such a sweet and pure fun time. I like that the series feels like a low-drama, low-stakes type of romance series and I'm 100% here for it.

SWIFT AND SADDLED was no exception to the cute romance factor that I'm really enjoying from this author. We get some fun chemistry between the two MCs and the build up of sexual tension. Loved the idea that she was the perfect fit for him, even though she just stopped by the town for her new job.

The MMC was a sweetheart who is used to putting everyone first, so it was nice seeing him get some character growth throughout the story.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this one too was that the characters had to work for their relationship. It might have been an insta-attraction story, but it took a bit before they both official fell for each other. We got to know them and the way they are together before anything truly sexual happened. Yes, the tension was there but I liked the boundaries set.

If you're looking for a romance that is just an easy and quick read, you might love this one. It's the kind of romance that will make you feel giddy and will keep you hoping that these two characters give in to their mutual attraction.

___

285. The Titan's Bride Vol. 4 by ITKZ--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh, loving the reveal of the major storyline that has been hinted since volume 1! I feel like the next volume is going to be more action filled!

There was some mystery in this and of course, some spicy times. But I like that we're getting more insight into the MC and his love interests' relationship and connection. I'm excited to see what comes next as the mystery unfolds because this volume left me on a cliffhanger.

___

286. Earthlings by Sayaka Murata--⭐️⭐️⭐️

What the hell did I just read?

I feel like this book was an interesting and deeply disturbing take on trauma and how it can cause some serious damage. While EARTHLINGS took things to an explosive conclusion, I think it's important to keep note on the traumatic experiences that acted as the base for the destruction of the MC's mental health.

This book is very much not for everyone. Hell, I kind of wish I hadn't read it. Massive trigger warning for readers who can't do books with SA, especially when the survivor is a child and the assault is descriptive. I remember having to pause the audiobook because it was so disturbing and horrific--more than the final acts of the book.

But it wasn't just the traumatic SA of the MC as a child, but it was the verbal and physical abuse from the family, the gaslighting from the sister, the trauma bonding with the cousin that led to an inappropriate relationship, and then the control that was put over the MC even as she gets older.

There is a moment in this book where the MC loses the taste of food in her mouth due to her abuse and the way she gains that sense of taste back was, admittedly, chef's kiss. It was in moments like that where I saw the author's genius. But the rest of the book was a study in "How much can be written to showcase how horrible this MC's childhood was?"

I want to read more by Murata and I probably will, but man, what a hell of a book to start with. EARTHLINGS is a study in trauma and holy hell is it traumatic. Please be incredibly wary before you start reading! Don't go in blind like I did, especially if you have triggers you try to avoid.

___

287. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This felt like PRINCESS DIARIES if there was an abundance of swearing and sex positivity.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it wasn't a sassy teen girl who spoke her mind in such a refreshingly honest way. I wish I had read this as a teenager because I think I would have related a lot to this MC.

McCafferty touched on a lot of the things that teen girls might experience--like friends who might not really be friends, feeling left out even though you're still in the crowd, crushes, feeling the pressure from expectations from those around you (especially parental), having people assume they know who you are, and finally starting to accept yourself and who you are.

I was so surprised by the swearing and laughed my butt off at various points. I was so entertained by this book and how it didn't sugarcoat any of the realities of teenhood. This was a lot of fun and while I don't know if I'll be reading the rest of the series, I recommend SLOPPY FIRSTS (especially if you're a fan of the teenhood-ness of PRINCESS DIARIES)!

___

288. Business Casual by B.K. Borison--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A story without miscommunication and the dreaded third act break up? YES. I was so happy by the time I finished this one! Best one in the series, 100%!

One of my issues that I've had with this series in the past was how the couples ALWAYS had a third act break up, usually led by the miscommunication trope. Every time I picked up one of the earlier books in this series, I did so warily because I knew there would be that break up trope waiting for me. So, of course, I went into BUSINESS CASUAL with that wariness but I was so surprised and I'm so happy that I actually gave this book a shot.

BUSINESS CASUAL was the kind of romance I've been wanting from this series. The couple have great communication, great character growth, a romance that builds up over time, and hilarious moments that had me giggling.

I liked that beyond the romance, there were also complex relationships that the FMC and the MMC had to navigate throughout the book. They each had their own internal battles and I liked that they tackled them alongside their growing romance. The expectations of being a younger sibling and the stresses of being the son of a man who is constantly belittling who you are as a person.

This was just such a breath of fresh air and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I wish I could live in a small town like this one!

___

Happy reading!

[coulsons-fullmetal-cellist]

Bedtime Stories

(Dieter x horror loving female)

Words: 1, 426

Summary: thanks to this lovely idea from @nell4now I wrote this adorable idea where Dieter reads to his family even when he’s away

Warnings: pregnant reader, all the pregnancy nausea, so much wholesomeness so maybe have some tissues, Stephen King

Check out masterlist here

“‘The operation was called hobbling, Paul, and that is what I’m going to do to you. For my own safety…and yours as well. Believe me, you need to be protected from yourself. Just remember, a little pain and it will be over. Try to hold that thought.’

Terror sharp as a gust of wind filled with razor-blades blew through the dope and Paul’s eyes flew open. She had risen and now drew the bedclothes down, exposing his twisted legs and bare feet.

Seriously honey cakes, you want me to read this?”

You opened your eyes and looked over at your husbands concerned face. Humming an affirmative, you nodded your head.

“Won’t this make you more nauseous?” he asked.

“Your voice is soothing.”

“It’s not your favourite voice though?”

You gave a little smile, “It’s in my top five of sexiest voices.”

“Top five? Wow, I’m honoured.”

“There’s a lot of sexy voices out there,” you rubbed your stomach. “Yours is the Things favourite.”

Dieter put his hand over yours, “Am I your favourite, cupcake?”

“Don’t talk about food or I’ll vomit.”

“So back to the crazy violence?”

“Yes! The Thing wants violence!”

“Aw,” he patted your stomach. “You’re already taking after your mama!”

*****

This tradition of Dieter reading to you started when you got pregnant. Trying various ways to distract yourself from the constant nausea, the only thing that brought comfort was your beloved horror. While watching a film, you’d end up falling asleep to the sounds of mindless teenagers falling victim again and again to the slow-paced serial killer. You’d wake up hours later with a blanket draped over you and a fresh glass of water on the table.

Reading also helped but it was hard to keep your eyes open. Dieter quickly learned that the best way to soothe your battling body was to read to you, his voice providing a gentle hum, the perfect vibration to cancel out the painful buzzing of nausea. It was so comforting to cuddle up with your husband while he read the words of your favourite books.

Sadly, he wasn’t able to read to you every night. He made himself busy so you wouldn’t have to work, and it would leave him with plenty of paternal leave once the baby was born. Technology helped in some ways but not always. Lying in bed with a few good pillows to prop you and your growing bump up, you answered your phone, Dieter showing up on screen.

“Hey honey cakes, sorry I haven’t been able to call later, filming has been hectic and-you’re lying in bed. Have you been sick again?”

“No, it’s just a pain in the arse to move around. Have you tried moving around with a watermelon attached to your stomach?”

“I’d have to check over my filmography.”

You both laughed but you stopped and shifted, letting out an uncomfortable sigh.

“Are you okay honey cakes?”

“Yeah, the Thing is just excited to hear you.”

“Hey cupcakes,” he addressed your stomach. “Have you been missing daddy?”

“I had to find something to stop the summersaults. I ended up using some audiobooks you did.”

“I did some audiobooks?”

“Yeah, I never knew you did the audio for Never Go Down to the Neverwoods. That’s my favourite werewolf trilogy. I liked that the main character Celina was a female werewolf. And it had creative werewolf lore with original werewolves being priestesses of Artemis and…”

“I narrated a werewolf series?”

You described the story to hopefully trigger a memory. “Small town suffers strange animal attacks which turn out to be a werewolf.”

“Sorry but when I read things out loud, it goes in one ear and out the other. But not with you, I’d never with you.”

“I know,” you sighed happily. “You probably don’t remember some chapters. Had to skip them.”

“Really? Why?”

“Sheriff Luca and Celina finally get together and have some babies, so it gets a bit spicy.”

“I really must’ve not been paying attention because I’d remember some spicy reading.”

You laughed, “So how is it on the other side of the country?”

Dieter sighed, “I tell you; I’m bored out of my brains here.”

“Do you have enough yarn?”

“Thankfully yes. And this small town is big enough to have a small yarn shop. I’m nesting now. Actually, let me show you what I found yesterday.”

He moved out of frame for a second and came back trying to move his object into frame. You managed to see a set of books.

“I found the complete Winnie the Pooh stories!” he declared. “It’ll fit great with the nursery.”

“That’s so sweet!”

“I can’t wait to read them,” he wiped a tear from his eye.

“You know, could you read them out now? Record them I mean.”

“You’d like that?”

“I know someone who’d like it,” you said rubbing your stomach.

*****

Clara loved it when her father read to her. Dieter noticed this early on as she’d always give a wide grin whenever he’d talk to her, smiling a toothless grin. Eventually she would understand the words he was saying, and she went on a magical journey every night before bed.

“Now one day Pooh and Piglet and Rabbit and Roo were all playing Poohsticks together. They had dropped their sticks in when Rabbit said ‘Go!’ and then they had hurried across to the other side of the bridge, and now they were all leaning over the edge, waiting to see whose stick would come out first. But it was a long time coming, because the river was very lazy that day, and hardly seemed to mind if it didn’t ever get there at all.”

“Can we play?” Clara asked looking up at him.

“You want to play Pooh Sticks?” she nodded. “Of course we can cupcake. We’ll do it as soon as I’m back.”

Dieter wanted to be there at every bedtime but sadly, his work didn’t make that possible. He was sad to leave his family as he went off to be several states away.

The timing became terrible as Clara came down with a terrible fever that warranted a trip to the emergency room. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as you thought, your motherly instinct taking it to the extreme. Coming back home after a few hours with medication, Clara was put straight to bed, your bed as you wanted to keep her close. She was still restless with fever, so you put the headphones over her ears like you did when you put them across your pregnant bump. As soon as the dulcet tones of Dieter’s voice played, your daughter instantly calmed and fell into a deep slumber.

You only informed your husband once Clara’s illness was in the clear as he would have come straight back home. He did still call you as soon as he was able.

The ringing of your phone woke you from your slumber. You quickly forgave it as it was Dieter calling, soon seeing his face on your screen.

“How is she? How are both of you?”

“She’s fine. We’re fine. It was just a small fever.” You moved the screen so a sleeping Clara could fit onto your screen.

“She’s sleeping next to you?”

“It made sense. You’ve spoiled her with cuddles.”

He sighed, “I do. And I spoil you with cuddles.”

“Cuddles are nice.”

“She can’t wait until she gets cuddles from you again.”

“Has she been missing me much?”

“Only a little. I brought out your recordings to help her sleep.”

“Really?”

“Really really.”

 “Glad those recordings helped you again. Tell her I found the perfect place to play Pooh Sticks.”

“I will. Love you Dieter.”

“Love the both of you.” He put his fingers to his lips and held them up to the screen and you did the same.

*****

The recordings were used every night while he was away. Clara would happily listen to a story every night. But before she closed her eyes, she’d say “Night night daddy.”

This left you confused until you decided to listen to the recordings. You never heard them in full as the stories were purely for your daughter. Rewinding a little, you listened to the ending. What you discovered brought a tear to your eye.

“So they went off together. But whenever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.” There was a pause then Dieter said. “Night night cupcake, daddy loves you.”

Lovingly tagging @boliv-jenta @simpingcowboy @ellenmunn @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @chaithetics @myloveistoolittle @cevans-is-classic @glshmbl @cupcakehp @gswizzsstuff

[edwinspaynes]

Since you've talked a bit about your idea for a TLH/DBD crossover fic involving TLH characters experiencing the modern world as ghosts, what do you think would be various TLH people's favorite/least favorite things about the 2020s?

I am GOING TO WRITE THIS CROSSOVER I am REALLY PUMPED AND PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

The only TLH characters in my fic will probably be my core five, so I'm just going to do them. Also because that's what I want to do. Lol.

I think Cordelia would oddly be a massive fan of outdoor shopping malls. I know this is a weird one, but she would have SUCH a fun time browsing the dresses with Anna and Matthew and trying things on. Plus, what's there not to love about Dippin Dots? Dippin Dots for Cordelia Carstairs 2024. I can't really think of anything she'd hate right now beyond the concept of minimum wage work, lol.

James would be so so happy about the existence of audiobooks. You cannot change my mind. He would be able to take his books with him everywhere and would have the chance to read while he walked all over London. Much easier than what he did in ChoG when he read while walking about the gardens. I think that something he would dislike is streaming television because cancelation based on shitty and arbitrary metrics is the enemy of good storytelling, and I firmly believe that James adores storytelling.

Matthew would obviously ADORE the modeling and fashion scenes, especially those in major cities. I think the modern bustle of places like 2024's London and Paris and New York would appeal to him, since the world was a lot slower-moving in the early 1900s. It'd be a ton of fun for him to explore, speed around on trains, try vois (lol), and walk through busy high-end streets to get amazing clothes. I don't think Matthew would enjoy chain companies at all. Like, why would he go to Starbucks when he could go to a nice little hole-in-the-wall coffee shop? Diversity is the spice of life!

For Thomas, I think we can all agree that he would be a Duolingo Stan. Languages, an owl, fun colors and sounds - what more could one want? He'd probably also love YouTube and the ability to feel connected to other people sharing ideas with him. That sounds like a Thomas thing to enjoy. A thing I'm pretty sure he'd dislike though is public transit. Not because he's anti transit, but because he wouldn't easily be able to fit on the Tube or in a bus seat, which would be awkward as hell.

I think Alastair would adore Spotify. He'd have constant access to any and all music that he'd want to listen to, and once he became more comfortable singing again he could even start his own channel. However, despite this love for Spotify, I think he'd have a love/hate relationship with Smartphones. He's not someone who'd like being accessible 24/7 because he likes alone time and wants to just chill with Thomas.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

All the books I reviewed in 2023 (Novels)

Next Tuesday (December 5), I'm at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC, with my new solarpunk novel The Lost Cause, which 350.org's Bill McKibben called "The first great YIMBY novel: perceptive, scientifically sound, and extraordinarily hopeful."

It's that time of year again, when I round up all the books I reviewed for my newsletter in the previous year. I posted 21 reviews last year, covering 31 books (there are two series in there!). I also published three books of my own last year (two novels and one nonfiction). A busy year in books!

Every year, these roundups remind me that I did actually manager to get a lot of reading done, even if the list of extremely good books that I didn't read is much longer than the list of books I did read. I read many of these books while doing physiotherapy for my chronic pain, specifically as audiobooks I listened to on my underwater MP3 player while doing my daily laps at the public pool across the street from my house.

After many years of using generic Chinese waterproof MP3s players – whose quality steadily declined over a decade – I gave up and bought a brand-name player, a Shokz Openswim. So far, I have no complaints. Thanks to reader Abbas Halai for recommending this!

https://shokz.com/products/openswim

I load up this gadget with audiobook MP3s bought from Libro.fm, a fantastic, DRM-free alternative to Audible, which is both a monopolist and a prolific wage-thief with a documented history of stealing from writers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/07/25/can-you-hear-me-now/#acx-ripoff

All right, enough with the process notes, on to the reviews!

NOVELS

I. Temeraire by Naomi Novik

One of the finest pleasures in life is to discover a complete series of novels as an adult, to devour them right through to the end, and to arrive at that ending to discover that, while you'd have happily inhabited the author's world for many more volumes, you are eminently satisfied with the series' conclusion.

I just had this experience and I am still basking in the warm glow of having had such a thoroughly fulfilling imaginary demi-life for half a year. I'm speaking of the nine volumes in Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, which reimagines the Napoleonic Wars in a world that humans share with enormous, powerful, intelligent dragons.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/08/temeraire/#but-i-am-napoleon

II. Destroyer of Worlds by Matt Ruff

The Destroyer of Worlds is a spectacular followup to Lovecraft Country that revisits the characters, setting, and supernatural dread of the original. Country was structured as a series of linked novellas, each one picking up where the previous left off, with a different focal characters. Destroyer is a much more traditional braided novel, moving swiftly amongst the characters and periodically jumping back in time to the era of American slavery, retelling the story of the settlement of the Great Dismal swamp by escaped slaves.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/21/the-horror-of-white-magic/#anti-lovecraftian

III. Scholomance by Naomi Novik

The wizards of the world live in constant peril from maleficaria – the magic monsters that prey on those born with magic, especially the children. In a state of nature, only one in ten wizard kids reaches adulthood. So the wizarding world built the Scholomance, a fully automated magical secondary school that exists in the void – a dimension beyond our world. The Scholomance is also an extremely dangerous place – three quarters of the wizard children who attend will die before graduation – but it is much safer than life on the outside.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/29/hobbeswarts/#the-chosen-one

IV. Tsalmoth by Steven Brust

Longrunning Brust hero Vlad Taltos has been convinced to recount the story of how he and Cawti came to fall in love, and how they planned their marriage. This is quite an adventure – it plays out against the backdrop of a gang-war within the Jhereg organization, with Vlad in severe mortal peril that he can only avoid by uncovering an intricate criminal caper of crosses, double-crosses, smuggling and sorcery. But while Vlad is dodging throwing knives and lethal spells (or not!), what's really going on is that he and Cawti are falling deeply, profoundly, irrevocably in love. The romance that plays out among the blades and magic is more magical still, a grand passion that expresses itself through Nick-and-Nora wordplay and Three Musketeers swordplay.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/27/mannerpunk/#ask-anyone

V. Hopeland by Ian McDonald

Seriously what the fuck is this amazing, uncategorizable, unsummarizable, weird, sprawling, hairball of a novel? How the hell do you research – much less write – a novel this ambitious and wide-ranging? Why did I find myself weeping uncontrollably on a train yesterday as I finished it, literally squeezing my chest over my heart as it broke and sang at the same moment? The stars of Hopeland are members of two ancient, secret societies. There's Raisa Hopeland, who belongs to a globe-spanning, mystical "family," that's one part mutual aid, one part dance music subculture, and one part sorcerer (some Hopelanders are electromancers, making strange, powerful magic with Tesla coils). Amon is a composer and DJ who specializes in making music for very small groups of people – preferably just one person – that is so perfect for them that they are transformed by hearing it.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/30/electromancy/#the-grace

VI. The World Wasn't Ready For You by Justin Key

These are horror stories, though some of them are science fiction too, and more to the point, they're Black horror stories. In his afterword, Key writes about his early fascination with horror, the catharsis he felt in watching nightmares unspool on screen or off the page. And then, he writes, came the dawning recognition that the Black characters in these stories were always there as cannon-fodder, often nameless, usually picked off early. "Black horror" isn't merely parables about racism. In the deft hands of these writers – and now, Key – the stories are horror in which Blackness is a fact, sometimes a central one, and that fact is ever a complication, limiting how the characters move through space, interact with authority, and relate to one another.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/19/justin-c-key/#clarion-west-2015

VII. The Future by Naomi Alderman

A cracking, multi-point-of-view adventure novel about billionaires prepping for the end of the world. Three billionaires, the lords of thinly veiled analogs to Facebook, Google and Amazon, each getting ready in their own way. Stumbling into their midst comes Lai Zhen, a prepper influencer vlogger with millions of followers.

When Zhen becomes romantically entangled with Martha Einkorn, the top aide and chief-of-prepping for one of these billionaires, she finds herself in possession of an AI chatbot that is devoted to protecting a very small number of people from incipient danger. This chatbot determines that Zhen is being stalked by an assassin at a mall in Singapore, and guides her to safety.

The chatbot is a closely held secret among the tech billionaire cabal. It is designed to monitor world events and predict when The Event is imminent, be it disease, war, or other cataclysmic disaster. With the chatbot's predictive powers and its superhuman guidance, the billionaires, their families, and their closest confidantes will be able to slip away before the shit hits the fan, fly by different private jets to one or another luxury bunker, and wait out the apocalypse. Once the fires raging without have died down to embers, the chatbot's billionaire charges will emerge to assume their places as wise and all-powerful leaders of the next human civilization.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/07/preppers-of-the-red-death/#the-event

VIII. Liberty's Daughter by Naomi Kritzer

There's so much sf about "competent men" running their families with entrepreneurial zeal, clarity of vision and a firm confident hand. But there's precious little fiction about how much being raised by a Heinlein dad would *suuuck*. But it would, and in *Liberty's Daughter*, we get a peek inside the nightmare.

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/21/podkaynes-dad-was-a-dick/#age-of-consent

Like I said, this has been a good year in books for me, and it included three books of my own:

I. Red Team Blues (novel, Tor Books US, Head of Zeus UK)

Martin Hench is 67 years old, single, and successful in a career stretching back to the beginnings of Silicon Valley. He lives and roams California in a very comfortable fully-furnished touring bus, The Unsalted Hash, that he bought years ago from a fading rock star. He knows his way around good food and fine drink. He likes intelligent women, and they like him back often enough. Martin is a—contain your excitement—self-employed forensic accountant, a veteran of the long guerilla war between people who want to hide money, and people who want to find it. He knows computer hardware and software alike, including the ins and outs of high-end databases and the kinds of spreadsheets that are designed to conceal rather than reveal. He’s as comfortable with social media as people a quarter his age, and he’s a world-level expert on the kind of international money-laundering and shell-company chicanery used by Fortune 500 companies, mid-divorce billionaires, and international drug gangs alike. He also knows the Valley like the back of his hand, all the secret histories of charismatic company founders and Sand Hill Road VCs. Because he was there at all the beginnings. Now he’s been roped into a job that’s more dangerous than anything he’s ever agreed to before—and it will take every ounce of his skill to get out alive.

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865847/red-team-blues

II. The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation (nonfiction, Verso)

We can – we must – dismantle the tech platforms. We must to seize the means of computation by forcing Silicon Valley to do the thing it fears most: interoperate. Interoperability will tear down the walls between technologies, allowing users to leave platforms, remix their media, and reconfigure their devices without corporate permission. Interoperability is the only route to the rapid and enduring annihilation of the platforms. The Internet Con is the disassembly manual we need to take back our internet.

https://www.versobooks.com/products/3035-the-internet-con

III. The Lost Cause (novel, Tor Books US, Head of Zeus UK)

For young Americans a generation from now, climate change isn't controversial. It's just an overwhelming fact of life. And so are the great efforts to contain and mitigate it. Entire cities are being moved inland from the rising seas. Vast clean-energy projects are springing up everywhere. Disaster relief, the mitigation of floods and superstorms, has become a skill for which tens of millions of people are trained every year. The effort is global. It employs everyone who wants to work. Even when national politics oscillates back to right-wing leaders, the momentum is too great; these vast programs cannot be stopped in their tracks.

But there are still those Americans, mostly elderly, who cling to their red baseball caps, their grievances, their huge vehicles, their anger. To their "alternative" news sources that reassure them that their resentment is right and pure and that "climate change" is just a giant scam. And they're your grandfather, your uncle, your great-aunt. And they're not going anywhere. And they’re armed to the teeth. The Lost Cause asks: What do we do about people who cling to the belief that their own children are the enemy? When, in fact, they're often the elders that we love?

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865939/the-lost-cause

I wrote nine books during lockdown, and there's plenty more to come. The next one is The Bezzle, a followup to Red Team Blues, which comes out in February:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle

While you're waiting for that one, I hope the reviews above will help you connect with some excellent books. If you want more of my reviews, here's my annual roundup from 2022:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/01/bookishness/#2022-in-review

Here's my book reviews from 2021:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/08/required-ish-reading/#bibliography

And here's my book reviews from 2020:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/12/08/required-reading/#recommended-reading

It's EFF's Power Up Your Donation Week: this week, donations to the Electronic Frontier Foundation are matched 1:1, meaning your money goes twice as far. I've worked with EFF for 22 years now and I have always been - and remain - a major donor, because I've seen firsthand how effective, responsible and brilliant this organization is. Please join me in helping EFF continue its work!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/01/bookmaker/#2023-in-review

[meraki-yao]

I would love interviews and promotional stuff as much as the next fan, but all that stuff is baked into the actors' contract, and unfortunately, the strike probably ran that time for promotional interviews out. With a potential sequel on the horizon and the demand for the two of them for interviews, the constant trending, etc it also wouldn't benefit Nick or Taylor as far as negotiating for higher paychecks for the sequel to do anything promoting rwrb besides some social media because they can use that as part of their asking price. I don't think we'll see the two of them do any interviews until the sequel (fingers crossed there is one), unfortunately. The strike really screwed the fanbase over as unintentional as that was. Silver lining is that like you said earlier I don't see amazon not giving them a sequel if at all possible given the success and there will probably be a huge promo tour for that. I really hope we see the two of them do the puppy interview with buzzfeed one day. It would be so adorable to see Taylor and Nick together with the puppies!

I... yeah I don't have much to add, Aside from this might be one of the more detailed and objective views on the matter I've personally seen

But I'm also wondering how many adjacent things can they do?

I'm more confident in us getting podcast episodes where they get to talk about RWRB, at the very least one with Tommy DiDario, since I think Podcasts are more from independent creators? Also I think I saw a while back conventions were asking fans if we wanted to invite the boys, so while I'm much less certain about that, there's that as well.

What about other related things? I'm not saying they definitely will do stuff, I'm just wondering what those potential things would be categorized as, because there are RWRB things that aren't "outdated" (can't think of a better word) as promo and interviews, and not as far in the future as a sequel. Stuff like let's say, DVD commentary, cast audiobook, what would those count as?

oh and HELL YES TO THE BOYS AND PUPPY INTERVIEW!!!!! THAT WOULD BE SUCH A DOPAMINE BOOST IT WOULD BE ADORABLE

[dira333]

Winter - Kageyama x reader

It’s unbearably hot here, so of course I thought about winter and therefore Kageyama.

words: 1156 , fluff

For some, winter is the best time of the year.

The soft white blanket of snow covers every surface, changing their appearance as if a magician had danced through the streets at night. The air is crisp and cold, painting the skin a rosy red wherever it can reach with nimble fingers. 

There’s a beauty to winter that is so different from other seasons, ethereal in its kind. Spring and summer are like children, prancing and dancing around you, inviting you to play. Fall is a moody teenager, one day eager to entice you, the other dreading to see your face.

But winter, winter would make you shiver with delight if only you could enjoy its beauty the way it seems to want you.

To you, winter is a time of pain. 

You don’t remember when it started first but you remember when it lasted. The constant ache in your joints, how going to school became first trouble and then almost impossible.

But even in this, winter has never disappointed you. It would be so much easier to hate it if it were different.

When the cold settles in your aching bones and you feel like you’ll never be warm again, winter offers you a welcome distraction with warm cocoa, a hot fire, and another blanket wrapped around your body.

It’s the time when family draws closer, even voluntarily so, seeking the warmth of an hour spent together.

Winter cares for you, even when it leaves you shivering.

And you suppose, for all the thinking you’ve done about the matter, that Kageyama Tobio is just like winter.

There’s an ethereal beauty about him that you’ve noticed the first time he stepped in front of you. He doesn’t dance around you like Hinata or Bokuto, Summer and Spring. He’s not moody like Sakusa who would do good to incorporate some fall colors into his clothing instead of that gaudy greenish yellow of his High School days. 

He stares at you with crisp blue eyes until your cheeks burn, reminding you again and again of the cold chill of a winter's morning.

And just like winter, he brings pain.

You’re not allowed to have a relationship with one of your athletes. 

There are days where you catch yourself longing to be with him, enjoying the time with him like you used to as a teenager, longingly gazing out the window onto snowy fields, wishing you could run and slide and roll around but unable to do so.

You wrap yourself in more layers of self-control and he breaks through them. 

And where at first you thought he didn’t know what he was doing, you soon realize that Kageyama Tobio is like the winter in a lot more ways than you had known.

Beyond a thick layer of snow and stony silence, lie the secrets of a caring man.

There’s an extra pair of compression gloves on your desk one morning right after you’ve ripped your good pair. A travel mug of hot chocolate waits on the bench every morning instead of the bitter coffee that almost every other member of the team drinks - except Kageyama, who prefers plain milk, and the chaotic duo of Spring and Summer that are not allowed around coffee.

When the Olympia week starts he claims the seat next to you on the ride, pulling a book out of his bag.

“I’ve noticed you like to listen to audiobooks on your rides.” He tells you calmly while glaring holes into the pages. “I thought without internet you might want to read something. I could read it to you.”

“That’s a lovely idea.” You fall asleep to his smooth voice pulling the words from the page and setting them gently in your lap like one would do with sleeping kittens. 

When you wake up, your head is gently deposited on a pillow that rests against his upper arm.

“I am too tall.” He explains softly when you ask. “We’d both get a stiff neck if you’d slept on my shoulder.”

Kageyama never explains why he’s got a pillow handy in the first place. You’d rather not ask.

Only when your time with the team ends does he wait for you after training.

He’s a shadow from where you sit, his figure not that clear through the frosted glass but your mind can fill in the missing pieces just fine.

You wonder if he’s going to ask you out. You wonder if you should say yes.

If winter hadn’t been your favorite season when you’d grown up, you would have suffered less when you realized your health had stolen it from you. Every piece of it that you can enjoy you’ve fought for, just like with Volleyball, a sport you’ve once been able to play yourself. 

Can you live off that forever?

There are parts of Kageyama that will leave you in pain, parts of you that will hurt him too. How you’re unable to walk some days or unable to use your hands on others. You get cranky when you’re in pain and rather not talk to anyone when it’s cold outside and you can feel the chill in your bones.

But, as you open the door for him, all shy eyes and stolen glances, winter has always cared for you in some way, the least you can do is care for him.

“I’ve got an offer for Italy.” He says, pulling the contract from his bag. A travel pillow and a dog-eared book fall out as well and he blushes as he stows them away.

“That’s good. Do you want me to read over it?”

“Yes, please. I requested the addition of a personal assistant.”

“That would certainly be a good idea. How’s your Italian?”

“Terrible. How’s yours?”

You look into his eyes, wide and blue like a frozen lake.

“Why do you ask, Tobio?” He shivers at the use of his first name.

Words spill out of him like snowflakes from the clouds, thick and heavy and meaningful.

“I’ve got an offer for Poland too, Ushijima put in a word, but I wanted Italy because it’s warmer there and your condition gets better in a warm climate. I put in a request for Brazil as well but they didn’t want me anyway.”

“You want me to come to Italy with you?” You try to rephrase his thoughts like you’ve come accustomed to.

He swallows thickly, his eyes not leaving yours. He’s trying to tell you without speaking the words but his lips quiver and he mumbles them anyway, their meaning dropping off his lips like honey.

“I want to go wherever you want to go.”

For all he’s worth, Kageyama has never been one to do things halfheartedly. 

You shouldn’t be surprised that he’s not asking you on a date, he’s asking you out for life. 

When you speak the answer into his lips, you’re not surprised at all.

He tastes like winter.

My Kofi if you want to tip me