#amazing character. love her. wish that her social intelligence was highlighted more

[rustedleopard]

Okay, I'm awake enough now that I can properly elaborate on what I meant by this.

Martlet doesn't have the highest opinion of humans. It's not something you'd really notice during a typical Pacifist/Neutral Route because she treats Clover like they're an adorable child, but play a No Mercy Run and during her fight she's belting out insults directed specifically at Clover's humanity. Play a high LOVE Neutral Run and when she gets impaled by Flowey at the end, she dies assuming that Clover is the one who killed her and states "I should've known..." before disintegrating into dust. Even though Clover has given up and agreed to go with her to Snowdin, she reprimands herself for not knowing better. OF COURSE a human would take advantage of her kindness and attack her when she dropped her guard, she should've known better than to trust them. Despite how she acts throughout most of her time with Clover, her conversation with Chujin (+ everything she was taught throughout her life about how humans are the enemy) did get to her, enough that she commits treason by breaking into the Royal Laboratory and stealing an experimental serum/medication specifically so she could use it to defeat a human.

There's also how Martlet agrees to accompany Clover through the Underground. I do think she was being honest with wanting to get Clover home in time for "a dinner," but she also states that she's risking her job/livelihood by choosing to accompany them. That's a lot to risk for someone you just met, especially since she doesn't really need to accompany them. Clover was capable enough to get through the Ruins and Snowdin by themself, why would they need her to tag along for the rest of their journey (especially when all humans end up at Asgore's eventually)? Well, I headcanon that in addition to trying to ensure Clover's safety throughout the Underground, she's also using this opportunity to monitor them, drive away other monsters (she states in the game that monsters don't fight other monsters/you can't get encounters when traveling with her), and gauge whether or not she should use her serum and defeat them. She only stops accompanying Clover through the Underground when she's unable to (because she's locked up in the Wild East) or when their next destination is an abandoned part of the Underground where she doesn't have to worry about any other monsters being attacked.

Martlet is also aware of Clover's violent tendencies and can even tell how violent they've been; a skill that's shared only with Ceroba. Just look at how her judgements varies based on their LOVE. In every judgement that isn't Pacifist or aborted No Mercy/No Mercy, she apologizes for her lack of honesty which I feel adds weight to my headcanon that she was using her time with Clover to monitor them and gauge whether or not she should kill them.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think she's some secret genius mastermind nor do I think that her deception was done with malicious intent. She just wasn't entirely forthcoming about her thoughts on/plans for Clover. Her "ditzy bluebird Royal Guard" deal is still her, but beneath all that is a very intelligent and socially aware person.

(Minor edit: I said it in the tags but I'll elaborate here so it doesn't get lost in reblogs. I want to rephrase my first post a bit: I wouldn't call what Martlet did "actively deceiving" but rather "not being entirely forthcoming." Actively deceiving implies that she was intentionally lying; in the game, she just wasn't telling the whole truth. I also made that first post very late at night/early in the morning, so that explains the sloppy word choice.)

I love Martlet. One of my favorite Martlet traits is how she spends most of her time actively deceiving Clover

[goneseriesanalysis]

Astrid Ellison

So here are my opinions on Astrid Ellison from book 1. Astrid was the character on which my opinion changed the most, which is why it’s taken me so long to get my thoughts together. Sorry for the length again but it seems I have a talent for ✨rambling✨

Spoilers for Gone by Michael Grant down below

Original Opinion: Astrid was one of my least favourite characters. I remember finding her irritating and self-righteous and honestly couldn’t think of a single good thing to say about her.

New Opinion: Astrid was my favourite character in this book. She had moments where I found her slightly irritating - but I think that was Michael struggling to right a smart character more than anything else. She was so kind and brave and not at all like the emotionless and manipulative girl that I remember hating at the grand age of 14. 

1.) Astrid’s appearance - Astrid is one of the better described characters in Gone. In the first chapter we find out that she “had shoulder-length blonde hair, and liked to wear starched white short-sleeved blouses that never failed to catch Sam’s eye.” This description immediately establishes her as Sam’s love interest, from her being the first character to get a proper description to Sam’s clear infatuation with her. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I’m not a huge fan of their relationship – it was obvious from page 3 that they were going to end up together.  We get three other main descriptions of Astrid throughout the book that really stood out to me:

“Her normally sharp, discerning blue eyes were wide, with way too much white showing” – Chapter 1

“She sat in the big white wicker rocker with her feet propped up on the railing. Her bare legs were blazing white in the sunshine.” – Chapter 20

“The starched white blouses of the pre-FAYZ had given way to t-shirts” – Chapter 28

What really stood out to me in these descriptions is the repeated use of the colour white. Now, in religion white is symbolic of faith, innocence and sacrifice, all of which really seem to fit the characterisation of Astrid. She has a lot of faith in the beginning, not only in God but also in herself. She is relatively confident in who she is and in her place in the world. As the book continues, however, she begins to lose this faith. As she sacrifices more of her time to the care of Little Pete (I really don’t like how Michael constantly treated him as a burden but that is a topic for another post), she becomes less and less confident in her faith and begins to resent what she has become. 

As for Astrid’s innocence, I believe this is more of an insight into how Sam views her as opposed to how she actually is. Astrid is intelligent and brave and caring (although a lot of the time I think she struggles to show it) – but is she innocent?? I don’t think so, at least not in the traditional sense. She has grown up as a parent, been forced to mature faster than other children her age. She is Little Pete’s constant defender, and I think in this way Sam underestimates her. As the book continues, he begins to see this, with her staple white blouses transforming into t-shirts, he begins to see her for who she is. 

2.) Astrid’s Personality and Character - Aside from Astrid’s intelligence and religious beliefs, Astrid has a very well-rounded personality. She is brave and kind-hearted but seems somewhat socially inept, meaning that the softer side of her personality is often hidden by her cool exterior. (I think there is a possibility that Astrid is autistic-coded but I don’t know enough about the topic to develop this point past mere observation). She takes on the role of a mother to Little Pete and this calmer, kinder, and more protective side of Astrid is often shown in small moments throughout the books. Astrid is the first person to offer comfort to Quinn when he realises his parents are missing, and it is only once she does this that Quinn finally allows himself to fall apart (Chapter 2). She places a hand on his shoulder and for the first night is the one who hears out Quinn’s wild theories, instead of shooting them down (cough cough Sam). 

Her relationship with Little Pete is a complicated one. While she often seems resentful about her new position as a guardian, it feels like her resentment towards Little Pete is a way for her to mask her anger at things that are beyond her control. She is furious that the FAYZ has left her without parents, and is even more furious because she can’t truly understand why it has happened. So, to stop these feelings of helplessness, she targets her resentment towards the person she is closest do (as most of us unfortunately do when we feel this way). But despite her anger, her unconditional love always wins out. And this is one of the things I absolutely adored about her when re-reading. Despite her often feeling trapped by her new role in Little Pete’s life, she is still willing to distance herself from Sam, Edilio and Quinn (who are, as far as we know, the closest thing she has to friends) in order to keep him safe. She realises that Little Pete caused the FAYZ in chapter 11 and, even when Sam confronts her, her first move is to defend LP – she is not concerned with what they think of her, only with the safety of her brother. 

Further on in the book, after Drake forces her to call Little Pete a slur, she is horrified with herself. She gives almost no thought to the pain she went through stating that “now she was far more angry at herself than she had ever been at him.” I think this really just shows how devoted Astrid is to her brother and, when you remember that she is only 14 it really is amazing how strong she forces herself to be for him. I began to notice on this read through just how much she neglects her own emotions and wellbeing in favour of protecting others (she even shields LP with her own body when the church collapses on top of them and we get no indication as to how injured SHE is). Once again her thoughts are only on her brother. While I wish she had made more of an effort to communicate with Little Pete in a way that he could understand (the few times she does this in the book, he does respond well and it would have been interesting to develop this side of their relationship more, rather than just the one sided protector/protected dynamic), when you think about her age and the trauma that she must be experiencing, I think she does exceptionally well to stay so kind, patient and collected for the majority of the time.

 One thing that really surprised me the most when revisiting Astrid’s character was her immense bravery. This is a huge part of her character that I had completely forgotten about, leading me to remember her as little more than a typical damsel in distress. While she often uses her intelligence as a defence mechanism, such as in Chapter 15 when she stands up to Diana, in times when a verbal smack down is inappropriate, she is perfectly willing to put herself in danger in order to protect those that she cares about. We first see this in chapter 10 when she breaks up the fight on the highway. We see it again when Panda and Quinn attack Little Pete, with one of my favourite quotes of the whole book, “Did you throw a rock at my brother?’ Astrid yelled. Fearless in her outrage.” It reminds me so much of the Frankenstein quote “I am fearless and therefore powerful” and was the point in the book where my past prejudices got completely wiped away and were replaced by my new love for her. She cares so much about people, and gets hardly any recognition for it. I just want to give her a hug 😥

Another thing I noticed about Astrid, which I thinks fit’s in really well with the idea of her being this awkward social outcast (I mean did she even have any friends before??) is that while many pop culture references are made by a variety of characters, Astrid makes multiple references to historical figures:

“Patrick was named for Patrick Star, the not-very-bright character on Spongebob” – Lana’s pov Chapter 2

“It’s like a roadrunner cartoon” – Quinn Chapter 9

“I’ll bet you’re one of those brainy Lisa Simpson types” – Diana Chapter 14

“Let me guess, you’re secretly a wizard who was raised by muggles.” – Sam Chapter 21

“And this isn’t exactly the time for me to consult Yoda on how to use my power” – Sam Chapter 26

“..an ornate, heavy iron thing that Coates kids joked was the tenth Nazgul” – Jack’s pov Chapter 32

“Too bad Dr Phil’s not around.” – Diana 39

VS

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – Astrid Chapter 5

“To understand this you’d have to be Einstein or Heisenburg or Feynman, on that level” – Astrid Chapter 13

“Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I forgot who said it.” – Astrid Chapter 17

I don’t have much else to say about this other than I find it quite interesting and I think it perfectly highlights how Astrid never quite fits in, no matter how hard she tries. 

3.) Astrid’s Intelligence - Astrid’s intelligence is mainly used for world building throughout the first book. It is from Astrid that we learn the full story of the power plant incident, learn that the barrier is a dome and are introduced to the idea of animal mutations, as well as many theories about the outside world/ what caused the FAYZ (although those last theories are a misdirection on her part). This works well for the most part as it means that important information can be spaced evenly throughout the book, without the need for info-dumps. However, sometimes Michael’s attempts to showcase Astrid’s intelligence were, I think, a little on the nose and took me out of the story. The worst offender for this, in my opinion, is in chapter 2 with the line “Is that meant to be a pro forma reassurance or a specific commitment?” This is a really nit-picky complaint but this line just really bugged me as it seemed like he was making her smart for the sake of being smart and it kind of came off as annoying. I know one of her character flaws is her social awkwardness but this just felt too much. I love the way she over-explains and over-analyses things when she’s nervous, and I think her constant referencing to things that the other characters just don’t understand perfectly demonstrate this flaw, but lines like this seemed a little irritating and obnoxious. 

The secondary use for Astrid’s intelligence in this book is as her primary line of defence. Her intellect is something that she prides herself on, but it is also something that separates her from everyone else. People are intimidated by her, and, as a result, she has learned to use her intelligence as a weapon when necessary. This is clearly seen in chapter 14, when Diana tries to intimidate her and Astrid immediately starts asking Diana questions about the cause of the FAYZ (questions that she knows Diana has no answer to). It’s later seen in chapter 22. When Drake begins to bully Astrid into calling LP a slur, she fights back by explaining that said slur is outdated; explaining the meaning of it; and then explaining how it does not fit LP anyway. While she knows that she cannot use her physical strength, her intellect is something that she can weaponise in certain situations in order to protect herself and those she loves. Her proficiency in this tactic also leads me to believe that Astrid has probably been in similar situations before. Everyone in Perdido Beach seems to know about LP. Is that why she has no friends?? Has she distanced herself from her peers in order to protect LP from their ignorance, whether consciously or not??

4.) Astrid and Religion - I don’t have as much to say about this, as I’m not religious myself and have very little understanding of Christianity (Or Catholicism – I’m actually not sure which Astrid is meant to be so if anyone knows I would appreciate it), but I feel like this is a such a huge part of who Astrid is that I had to at least mention it. One thing that I do like is Astrid’s seemingly constant battle between her scientific beliefs and her religious beliefs. While she does believe in God, she won’t accept him as an explanation for the FAYZ, and still looks for a scientific answer. Her relationship with religion seems to act as more of a moral guideline rather than a fundamental belief system. She looks to God for guidance and support in times of trouble, such as at Bette’s funeral (Chapter 17), as she is being chased by Drake (Chapter 24) and when the church is collapsed on top of her (Chapter 45) and seems to be convinced that her morality is directly tied to her faith. However, she relies on facts (things she can explain and control) for true comfort, and doesn’t allow her faith to interfere with her action. I think these ideas are perfectly encompassed by this quote from Chapter 40 “No. I believe in free will. I think we make our own decisions and carry out our own actions. And our actions have consequences. The world is what we make it. But I think sometimes we can ask God to help us and He will.” – And I am quite excited to see how her faith/ loss of faith changes her perceptions in the later books. 

5.) Astrid’s Role in The Book - For the most part, Astrid has three main roles in this book:

- To act as LP’s protector

 -To act as a source of plot-relevant and world building information to the reader

-To be Sam’s main motivation is becoming the leader

And this, in my opinion, is a phenomenal waste. Astrid was the perfect candidate for the leader of the FAYZ, and giving the role to Sam made no sense?? I think what Michael was trying to do was suggest that Sam had to be the leader instead of Astrid because, while Astrid is the intelligent one who knows how to work people, Sam is the one who people look to when things go wrong. (Think of Katniss and Peeta’s dynamic in The Hunger Games). But, it just doesn’t work. For one, we know that what the people of Perdido Beach think has very little effect on leadership. There was no uproar when Caine took over. Were people scared and upset?? Yes. Did they run to Sam’s aid and rebel against Caine?? No. So why should it matter whether they prefer Sam to Astrid – Sam could still be the hero without being the leader. In fact, I think it would have made both characters so much better if this was the case. Also we know that in times of crisis, people DO look to Astrid. Albert’s cat anyone?? Furthermore, Astrid’s ability to use her intellect to play on people’s emotions is a much better match for Caine’s easy charm than Sam with his flame throwers. I mean please. Astrid has a cool and intimidating exterior that actually hides a well of deep emotions that she can pull from and use to manipulate people into doing things they never thought they were capable of (we mostly see this work with Sam in this book during the fire, chapter 4, and the first time he controls his powers, chapter 28). Caine has an easy going and charming exterior that hides his lack of empathy, allowing him to use people for his own gain as he sees them as expendable. They are such PERFECTLY MATCHED OPPOSITES. But no. Michael wanted the leader to be Sam because?? Fire?? Ugh. Even when the question of who will take over if Sam poofs comes up in chapter 40, NOBODY EVEN MENTIONS HER. Astrid suggests that Edilio takes over and that’s that. (With that being said I do find it interesting that Astrid basically chose both the leader AND the backup leader but still. Let her live up to her full potential Michael.)

I think I’ve pretty much covered the first two bullet points in other sections but I’ll just quickly mention her part in Sam becoming the leader. It’s very clear from the fire onwards that Sam being in charge is Astrid’s main goal. Is this so that Sam can protect her?? Maybe. Idk. But it kind of frustrates me that she is broken down into Sam’s love interest towards the end, rather than coming into her own role. We are constantly shown that she is the main reason that Sam is becoming the leader, and this is even explicitly stated when Sam tells his mother/the gaiphage that he has “someone I have to stay here for” – chapter 46. I think the book should have ended with Astrid taking on her own role (as the leader obvs but I would have settled for something smaller or, you know, ANYTHING), instead of her just becoming Caine’s human shield. I do have more to say on this topic but I feel like it falls more into the relationship category so I’ll leave that for a later post.

And I’m not even going to talk about her powers past saying: what was the reason?? As far as I can gather Michael wanted a reason for Astrid being so insistent about Sam taking on the role of leader and so gave her a weird power and then decided hmm no. 

Thank you so much for reading and I would love to hear all of your thoughts on Astrid. I think I’m going to do Caine next but who knows.

[shelovescontrol91]

Camila Cabello raises her voice: "It is important to love yourself and feel good in your skin"

Cuban singer and actress Camila Cabello brings Cinderella to life in a new version of the classic fairy tale that breaks the stereotypes of helpless damsels.

Tired of criticism, negative comments and disqualifications, Camila Cabello dispatched her critics with a forceful message that made clear the woman she has become. "We are real women, with curves, cellulite, stretch marks and fat, and we have to be proud of it," said the actress and singer to those who questioned her physical condition. Now, the Cuban takes that statement of empowerment to the movie Cinderella (Amazon Prime), in which she breaks the mold of conventional princesses.

"I love how modern this version of Cinderella is and how it focuses on empowerment," the actress told People en Español exclusively. "I think other fairy tales don't accurately reflect women. In this one, Cinderella has dreams and ambitions, and she wants to save herself, not for a prince or anyone else to save her. There is also no clear villain in the story.".

The villain in real life is stereotypes and to get rid of them, Cabello does a little bit of everything. "I think other fairy tales don't accurately reflect women," she says. "I think it is very important to love yourself and feel good in your skin."

Together with the person you share your life without a doubt as well. "My heart is full," says the singer, who maintains a relationship with singer Shawn Mendes. "I am happy right now"

Of that happiness, hers starring hers as the new Cinderella, Cuba, her family and her upcoming projects spoke exclusively with People en Español.

What was the message of this new adaptation that made you decide to be the new Cinderella?

I love how modern this version is and how it focuses on empowerment. I think other fairy tales have more old-fashioned values ​​and don't accurately reflect women. This Cinderella has dreams and ambitions, and she wants to save herself, not for a prince or anyone else to save her from her. There is also no villain in the story, it focuses more on people who seek to get ahead despite their emotional load and their traumas.

This movie breaks all the stereotypes of the classic Cinderella story. An independent woman predominates, a young woman who has dreams and turns them into reality. What can you tell us about this story that you may have known as a child?

I grew up a huge fan of princesses. I love that this version is fun and empowering. I think it is very important that we continue to show messages like this to younger audiences so that they see the value of having different dreams.

What was it like working with Idina Menzel, Minni Driver and Pierce Brosnan? What would you highlight about them as people and professionals, what did you learn from them?

It was an incredible and unique experience. They are very professional and created a safe and welcoming environment on set. I really learned from them and it became a very collaborative process.

Why should everyone see this new Cinderella? Especially young girls ...

This is a very enriching movie and I love that message. I think that more and more, women themselves are the ones who determine what we can do. [Women] are powerful, fearless, intelligent and we can do anything. This movie really shows that and it's so much fun!

Which was your favorite scene?

I loved the scene when I meet my Fab G (Billy Porter). That scene is a lot of fun and it also shows the importance of getting a little help and guidance, sometimes.

What did you enjoy the most when bringing this character to life? Do you see yourself acting in the future?

This was one of the funnest experiences of my life. I would definitely love to continue acting in the future. In fact, I was able to write a song for this movie, so the acting and singing part was perfect for me.

Did the filming take place during the pandemic? How did that work? What were the measures you took to protect everyone?

Some of the filming took place during the pandemic, but when we were on set we followed all the covid-19 protocols, so as crazy as it was, everything felt very safe.

What would you highlight from the film's soundtrack?

The soundtrack is great! I wrote an original song for the movie, so it was amazing to be a part of it. I also love the dance scene that plays a cover of Ed Sheeran's "Perfect". That is my character's first time dancing with the prince and the song is perfect for the scene.

You have always struggled to break stereotypes. Why is it so important for you to use your life, your career and your image to empower women, to fight for mental health?

I think helping other women to be strong, ambitious and support each other is very important, [also] helping each other to realize our power, our potential. I love being able to be a part of empowering other women to fight for their mental health and body positivity, but I also encourage all my fans to break any stereotypes imposed on them.

What advice do you give to all the girls who do not feel good in their own skin? To the young women who admire you and everything you do?

I think it is very important to love yourself and feel good in your skin. Everyone is doing the best they can and we are all just human. Some days it can be really challenging, but I think it's important to make the effort to feel good about yourself.

This last year and a half has been very difficult for everyone. Many have lost loved ones during the pandemic and others are very ill. How did you and your family live this stage? How did the pandemic change you?

I paid a lot of attention to my mental health and I think prioritizing self-care is important. I like to meditate to calm myself down and I think meditating can be great for everyone. I also think it's important to appreciate the little things and really enjoy your time with family and friends.

What has been the most difficult thing you have faced as a professional and as a young woman? You must have to deal with a lot of pressure, how do you do it?

I started in the industry at a young age so it was a lot of pressure when I started and even now. I think it is very important that you control yourself on how you feel and listen to what your body is telling you.

Cuba for you is...

Where I was born and where my mother and her side of the family are from, it will always be part of me

Mexico for you is ...

Where my dad and his side of my family are from, it will always be part of me.

Miami for you is ...

My home base: where I grew up and where I spend most of my time

Your family for you is ...  

Everything! Family is the most important thing to me and it has been my support system throughout all of this.

What is left for you to do, what is on your wish list, your to-do list both in your life and in your career?

I am very grateful for everything I have experienced so far. I have also learned to live more in the present, so I am very excited for everything to come! I just released my first single "Don't Go Yet", which is part of my next album.

How is your heart? Are you happy?

My heart is full and I am so happy right now!

[chicagosfinest2021]

nosy anons let's go

(I know people are supposed to anonymously send these to people but most people usually don't bother so I'm just going to answer them myself because I can :-P )

0: Height-5'3"

1: Age-Old enough to know what a pager is but young enough to never have actually used one before X-D

2: Shoe size-9

3: Do you smoke? No

4: Do you drink? Occasionally/socially

5: Do you take drugs? Just benadryl for my allergies

6: Age you get mistaken for? Early to mid 20's

7: Have tattoos? No

8: Want any tattoos? No, I like my chocolately skin the way it is :-)

9: Got any piercings? Just my ears

10: Want any piercings? I might get one or two more

11: Best friend? My sister

12: Relationship status? Happily unattached

13: Biggest turn ons? Men who have money and spend it on me

14: Biggest turn offs? Broke men who are looking for free sex and free therapy

15: Favorite movie? An Indian movie I just watched on Netflix a few months ago called "Queen". I saw so much of myself in the main character, it was amazing.

16: I’ll love you if… For men, you consistently make the effort to make me happy and make sure I'm taken care of(which includes respecting my time and my presence in your life). For women...we just have to bond and genuinely enjoy each others company, that's really it. Women earn my love much more easily.

17: Someone you miss? My grandmother, I'd probably give up a lot of good things I have going for myself right now in exchange for having my grandmother back.

18: Most traumatic experience? (*Trigger warning*) My sexual assaults, especially the second one because it was someone I'd known since I was a kid.

19: A fact about your personality? I've been introverted since childhood. I like either small intimate settings or being alone, rarely do I enjoy being in big groups.

20: What I hate most about myself? That it took me so long to come out of my social anxiety and had low self value for so long. I think that if I had conquered all of that sooner, I'd be a lot further ahead in life.

21: What I love most about myself? I'm more secure in who I am now than ever before. There's certain things that I used to tolerate that are unthinkable to me in the present, and I don't have "haters" because anyone that might be throwing negative energy my way doesn't register.

22: What I want to be when I get older? A luxurious Black woman with my own condo and living in an upscale neighborhood. I want to be saving money, making wise investments, and spoiling myself and my niece <3 I also want to have a tight group of girl friends I spend time with regularly.

23: My relationship with my sibling(s)? I have one full sister who is like my twin and we're very close, and a younger half-sister who's 8 years my junior whom I love but don't relate to too much. We have different mothers and (through no fault of hers) we grew up in very different environments: me and my oldest sister are a lot more "bougie" as a result of our suburban upbringing, but our little sister grew up in the 'hood and applies "hood logic" to a lot of things. The type of men we're attracted to, the type of music we like, the company we keep. . .it's like trying to talk to someone who speaks a foreign language.

24: My relationship with my parent(s)? I'm a daddy's girl. Even though my dad and I don't see eye to eye on everything he's the reason why I have such high expectations from men. My mom and I only recently started getting close, she and I tend to bump heads more often than me and my dad.

25: My idea of a perfect date? I show up to a 4 star Italian restaurant and my date meets me with roses and a small gift. We sit down and he's a gentleman, we eat, chat, makes jokes, and have a few drinks. After he pays the bill but before we get up to leave he passes me an envelope under the table. I take a look and see that it has $700 in cash inside of it. I accept it and thank him. Before we part ways he requests to see me again soon and I tell him I'll have to check my schedule. My Uber ride pulls up and my date opens my door for me before taking my hand and kissing it.

26: My biggest pet peeves? Men who want maximum benefits for minimal effort and the women willing to give it to them. Also trap music, just. . .in general. Oh and Black people who still insist we're "taking the sting out of the N-word" by using it casually amongst ourselves, it's just such a problematic and counterproductive mindset and I can't even pretend to entertain it.

27: A description of the girl/boy I like? I don't currently have anyone that I like but ideally they'd be well groomed, witty, intelligent, stable mentally, emotionally and financially. Someone who likes jokes but isn't vulgar, and notices the little things about me (how I make eye contact, my natural scent, the way I carry myself when I walk, sit, stand, etc). Being physically attractive is always a plus, but things that I find physically attractive in a person is very broad.

28: A description of the person I dislike the most? Rude, unkempt, body odor, someone who doesn't respect personal boundaries, ungrateful, uninteresting, someone who talks incessantly about things they don't actually know or can't comprehend.

29: A reason I’ve lied to a friend? I can't remember the last time I lied to a friend about anything.

30: What I hate the most about work/school? My current position is uninteresting, tedious and not in a field I was working in previously. Also I'm doing work that realistically should be performed by 4 or 5 people but of course they expect one person to take care of everything. It's really just a temporary gig to make money to save up for a new place, so I'm trying to suck it up because I know I won't be here long.

31: What my last text message says: My cousin said she got her 2nd covid vaccination today so I responded with "Hip Hop Hooray!" LOL

32: What words upset me the most? "I'm just looking to have fun. . ."

33: What words make me feel the best about myself? When another pretty Black girl gives me a compliment, I immediately feel invincible.

34: What I find attractive in women? High self esteem and a sense of security, not seeing other women as competition, women who are cultured and have multiple interests, and who enjoy learning new things as well as sharing her wisdom with others. I also enjoy creating bonds with women who are child-free by choice like myself.

35: What I find attractive in men? Their ability to spoil me and give me pleasure.

36: Where I would like to live? North side of Chicago maybe around Lincoln Park. Outside of the US I'd like to live in England or Ireland in the future.

37: One of my insecurities: I am a short woman with large breasts (double D's). I've been buxom since a very young age and being well endowed has made me the center of negative attention on more than a few occasions. I'm constantly battling between wanting to highlight my curves without "advertising" too much either.

38: My childhood career choice: I believe I wanted to be a writer. I'd love to be a travel blogger actually.

39: My favorite ice cream flavor: It used to be cookie dough but now it's mint chocolate chip

40: Who I wish I could be: Sade

41: Where I want to be right now: Sitting on the balcony of my luxury condo, sipping wine and watching the lights of the city while smooth jazz is playing on my record player.

42: The last thing I ate: A slice of my dad's birthday cake (red velvet)

43: Sexiest person that comes to my mind immediately: I have this picture of this male model saved on my phone who looks like a "stereotypical" sugar daddy to me: tall, caucasian male, white/silver hair, piercing blue eyes, mid to late 50's, full beard and mustache, about 6 feet tall, muscular build.

44: A random fact about anything: Countries with more irreligious people/atheists/non-believers tend to also be the most peaceful and prosperous.

[marysfoxmask]

Have you done The Misselthwaite Archives webseries? It's obviously one of the looser adaptations, but I thought it was really well done. Love to hear your thoughts on it!

my first ask!!! i’m so excited!! thank you, anon! i love asks, btw, and would love for people to continue to send them!

i actually watched the misselthwaite archives as it was coming out! every wednesday, i watched the newest episode after coming home from school. it was the highlight of my week!

i actually rewatched a good chunk of episodes the other night. it dredges up a lot of nostalgia for me in a bittersweet way. i appreciate the series a lot, and i think everyone involved did a great job, but it’s the way the creators approach adapting the source material that i find to be a little off the mark.

this is mainly because i think something is inevitably lost when bringing the secret garden into modern day (which was, back then, good old 2015). i think, if i were trying to adapt the book into a modern setting, i’d minimize the modern day trappings as much as possible; references to modern pop culture like parks and recreation and beyoncé, like misselarch employs, are fleetingly fun, but i think they date the material too much. they also feel too kitschy and cute, in my opinion. that’s my opinion of a lot of the misselthwaite archives’ adaptation choices—they’re cute, but don’t feel like they do justice to the material. 

i feel making mary a snarky, bitter teenager seems like a good idea at first, but i think it’s ultimately a misrepresentation. in the original novel, she’s prickly and prone to insulting others, sure, but she’s also sullen, withdrawn, and socially awkward—her inability to connect with others is derived from the lack of positive social interaction she had since she was born. she’s emotionally stunted, which mary in the misselthwaite archives doesn’t communicate at all in her video diaries to dr. burnett (which is a very nice homage, i will admit). 

on the contrary, teen!mary is charismatic, with a biting wit; she’s had friends in the past, but they only cared for her parents’ money. ironically, her friendship with declan seems almost to benefit him more in terms of social development than it does her. her petty cruelty seems more the product of watching mean girls one too many times than any deep-rooted emotional trauma. though there are gestures made to indicate that she feels badly about her celebrity parents’ deaths, i never found them particularly convincing. i felt her vulnerability as an orphan, as a young woman with no prospects, with no real friends—as she is at the the beginning of the story—never came through properly. it felt like the writers wanted to modernize mary’s contrariness in a way, metamorphosing it into a more palatable 21st-century diagnosis: jaded teenager syndrome. 

which is cute, but not very book-accurate, i feel. it colors the rest of her journey if she hasn’t been socially deprived like she is in the novel. i can’t imagine the mary of the misselthwaite archives having a profound revelation about how much nicer people look when they smile, for instance. as a result, her journey feels a lot less interesting to me.

i personally feel mary should have been prickly, of course, and sometimes aggressively mean, but more unwilling to talk about her feelings than anything—more emotionally numb after years of neglect, more uninterested in nearly everything. she shrugs when spoken to, looks eternally glum, glares at the pitying glances of sarah medlock. it’s only with the influence of the characters in the story that she’s coaxed into opening up and begins to bloom.

i really liked sarah medlock’s characterization, as well as uncle art’s and phoebe’s! i love that aunt sarah is presented as having positive intentions from the get-go, as i’ve always hated her vilification in other adaptations. i also really like the portrayal of declan—i like the idea of him being a bit of a social misfit.

with callie, i really enjoy her actress’s portrayal—she’s properly hysterical and catty! but i feel like turning colin into a girl doesn’t add anything to the story, and removes some of the narrative tension that comes with mary coming into contact with a member of the opposite sex that mirrors her in terms of upbringing and attitude. if anything, i feel it downplays the tension of their budding friendship, as the subconscious assumption that people are more likely to become friends people of the same sex is one that the audience undoubtedly has. 

i don’t particularly like callie being steeped in pop culture, either, though it makes sense in a modern setting, technically. in the source material, though, colin is surrounded by interesting things to engage with, but he’s disinterested in all those things when mary stumbles across him. he’s more interested in thinking about his illness. i think having callie be immersed in pop culture as a way to entertain herself indicates a level of engagement with the world that colin is completely shut off from, which definitely affects his characterization. a version of colin that is invested in things enough to buy merchandise of them, etc. is a version of colin who is already significantly more “alive” than his book counterpart from the beginning. a more accurate idea of communicating colin’s isolation, i feel, would have callie being too cynical and emotionally stunted to be interested in anything, at least for very long; any media about characters going on interesting adventures only reminds her of the lackluster quality of her own life and makes her insecure, so she eschews pop culture in favor of frequent depression naps and bullying aunt sarah and phoebe. sometimes she’ll read if she’s bored, but not often, and she refuses to have lessons with phoebe unless she feels well enough to learn, leaving her education full of gaps despite her intelligence. callie, in my hypothetical adaptation, is determined to live a miserable, barren existence, much like colin. 

 anyway, it also seems that canon callie isn’t dogged by colin’s negative thoughts quite as much, and her feelings surrounding her condition feel too subdued to communicate colin’s utter maladjustment. the episode where callie “explodes” feels too muted by half! this girl should be furious, incoherent with hysteria, raging at the world for her mother’s death, stricken with self-loathing and misery! but, while callie’s actress does an amazing job with what she has, i can’t help but feel that the adaptation of her character was a bit lukewarm.

i also think giving mary and callie a history together undermines the importance of them finding each other for the first time, and gives their friendship too much of an instant leg-up from the minute mary finds her. it makes the work she has to do to befriend/reform callie feel too easy. 

not to mention, the pacing of the second half of the story, where mary finds callie to the point where she and declan plan to take her to the glade, seems way too fast. i feel there was a lot of missed potential there; they could’ve really drawn out the rockiness of mary and callie’s relationship, like mary and colin’s in the book.

i think my big problem with the misselthwaite archives is that the creators, in service of adapting it to modern times, undercuts and downplays a lot of the earnestness of the characters’ relationships that i found so charming in the book. instead of instantly loving dickon and breathlessly calling him beautiful, mary only grudgingly admits that she needs declan’s help, and any affection she has for him she keeps close to the chest. colin’s desperation for mary’s company, his screaming for her to come to him, is rendered as needy over-texting, devoid of any emotional urgency; callie seems more bored, rather than truly lonely and unable to communicate in an emotionally mature manner, like colin is. even declan is subdued in his love for nature, more shy. it makes sense for a modern adaptation not prone to the novel’s 1910s sentimentality, but i can’t help but feel that the adaptation feels dull and repressed as a result. 

i also wish we got a proper video of callie and declan meeting!

like a lot of adaptations, i think the pacing is off; more time should be spent on ironing out mary and callie’s relationship, more time should be spent in the garden, helping callie bloom. the “eye of the tiger” bit was cute, but gah, colin walking took months and months of practice, and to see all that development be reduced to a short little montage feels disheartening. i’d love to see at least 10 episodes of the teens just chilling in the glade, talking about their childhood traumas in more detail, having little conflicts among each other, planting flowers and setting up decorations...for a series with such short installments, that kind of episodic structure would be perfect. maybe they could create a subplot where mary suggests callie go to her high school and she has to work that out with medlock and that becomes a whole character-building thing, or she has a conflict with basil, or callie properly hashes out her negative feelings toward declan, or something. i dunno. i just wanted more.

i think the misselthwaite archives was really cute, but i feel it misses the mark on the melancholy of the original story; the glade itself is perfect, but the interpretation of mary feels too derivative of the “bratty teenager” trope to be honest to her book character, in my opinion. and i dislike pop culture references in timeless classics, even modern-day interpretations of them, lol. but i still appreciate it as an adaptation, though—it’s just so eager to translate the sentimentality into something more modern that it loses the essence of what i find so charming about the book, which is the unabashed intensity of the characters’ friendships, the extreme character development, and the scale of the emotional and social deprivation mary and colin suffered before said character development occurs.

i also wish declan had more animals around him, though obviously that can’t be helped, haha.

please send more asks, anon! i’d be happy to answer them! :)

[adrianodiprato]

+ “Great leaders, in contrast, are able to inspire people to act. Those who are able to inspire give people a sense of purpose or belonging that has little to do with any external incentive or benefit to be gained. Those who truly lead are able to create a following of people who act not because they were swayed, but because they were inspired.” ~ Simon Sinek | Author – Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

Game Changers | Series One Reflection

In March this year I launched an educational podcast series titled Game Changers, with fellow host Associate Professor of Education & Enterprise Dr Phil Cummins. Game Changers is a podcast for those who want to change the game of school. We started Series One with the provocation “What is the purpose of schooling for today?”

When Phil and I started to record this series the coronavirus pandemic had not taken hold. Before I launch into a reflection of Series One I feel it is important to acknowledge and state that during this unimaginable time we find ourselves in, we in education have to be super conscious of our parents and families, who are balancing work, finances, a house and home learning, our remarkable teachers who have demonstrated amazing agility and adaptability like I’ve never witnessed before in my educational career and finally to our students. Who now find themselves without the huge benefit of the physical, on campus community and relationship connectedness that had brought them much psychological safety, certainty and comfort.  

Since then we have seen a new learning paradigm – learning remotely, online, distance, home campus – whatever you wish to call it, actually I prefer continuous learning, because the pandemic has amplified the notion that learning can happen anywhere and anytime. So, we live in interesting times. Coping with the complex changes of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) – but what do we do with this insight? For mine, this podcast has become a sign of our times. This series has confirmed that emotional competency and our inherent humanness is the new knowledge base, in a world that is increasingly automated, with artificial intelligence a more and more prevailing construct. And it has taken a virus for educators across the global to put a spotlight on educational models, amplifying the gulf between a model of schooling that has passed its use by date and a move toward a dynamic learning ecosystem for a new world environment.

It has been a real privilege to be in dialogue with this diverse group of educators and entrepreneurs. I am better for my encounter with their body of work, their passion, their thinking, their unwavering commitment to young people and above all, their humanity. When I think about all eight individuals I am remined of this quote from Parker Palmer’s landmark book, The Courage to Teach, he writes, “The connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts – meaning heart in its ancient sense, the place where intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self.”

Episode One | Stephanie McConnell

We then started Series One with foundation Principal of the Lindfield Learning Village in Sydney NSW, Stephanie McConnell.

Key learnings – We have to reimagine schooling to best prepare all young people to learn, live, lead and work for their future. And to this end Stephanie spoke about equipping young people with the mindset to thrive. That learning needs to be more around the contexts of young people, therefore relevance a prevailing construct. And that a thriving learning community or village is about true collaboration - learning with and from the local and global community. And that the individual learning pathway is central to the future of schooling.

Episode Two | Yong Zhao

Key learnings – We need to abandon the prescribed factory model. That we currently manufacture scarcity with our industrial model of schooling – life is not about fighting for a few spots. And that adaptive challenges however are less precise, intangible and are usually resolved through a more organic process of trial and error, as we have been witnessing many adaptive teachers during this pandemic. I particularly love that Zhao is strong advocate for students to become drivers of their own future, trusting in each young person to take ownership and agency. Believing each can create their story, for their own future.

Episode Three | Valerie Hannon

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Crutzen first suggested, back in January 2011 in Yale Environment 360 online magazine, that we were living in the Anthropocene, describing the value of this new framing for our current Earth history. He stated “Students in school are still taught that we are living in the Holocene, an era that began roughly 12,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. But teaching students that we are living in the Anthropocene, the Age of Men [Humans], could be of great help. Rather than representing yet another sign of human hubris, this name change would stress the enormity of humanity’s responsibility as stewards of the Earth. It would highlight the immense power of our intellect and our creativity, and the opportunities they offer for shaping the future.”

Key learnings – For mine, our conversation with Valerie Hannon was brilliant in highlighting that we are in exactly that, The Age of Human. And that we have a responsibility to craft learning communities that understand and embrace this stewardship of earth, where we see ourselves as part of nature, understanding how to live within and with the planet as a whole. It is less about a selfless approach to living and more about place and the other. And that educators and schools have a fundamental role to prepare future generations for this world that awaits.

Episode Four  | Henry Musoma

Key learnings – For mine, this conversation was the reason why I do what I do, teach. Henry reminded us all that authentic learning is a social exchange of the heart and of the mind. He reminded me of two key things:

Self-actualisation - When we do the work and invest in improving ourselves, we evolve all aspects of our being. Then, we take what we’ve learned and share that light and love with the other. This feeling of self-actualisation is worth actively working toward for true personal fulfilment.

For All -  Effective educators leave a legacy, and a tremendous influence on the life of the other. This is a privilege and gift. “Never regard study as a duty but as an enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later works belong.” – Albert Einstein. This is the human act of giving. Therefore generosity, love and kindness are not impulsive reactions. They require a profound consciousness and concern for the other.

Episode Five | Catherine Misson

Key learnings – Today’s educational sector calls for adaptive leadership. It is a collaborative change movement that emerges in a non-linear manner from interactive exchanges. School leaders and educational sectors need to wake to the fact that control, order and certainty are fallacies and that agile and adaptive leaders read the patterns of life effectively, moulding themselves to the needs of the moment, the sign of our times. Catherine is one of those leaders who isn’t afraid to agitate for doing schooling differently, always with the wellbeing and dignity of all the centre of her decision making.

Episode Six | Peter Hutton

Key learnings – School leaders need to re-examine the purpose of education for today’s world and ensure that it is based on the facts and emerging predictions about the impact of the exponential change we are currently witnessing. It is our collective responsibility to expose young people to new experiences and possibilities, but if we want them to take charge of their learning, these experiences have to be worthwhile and applicable in the students’ lives… really applicable, not because traditional dogma says they have to know it.

Episode Seven | Madeleine Grummet

Key learnings – Real opportunities exist with private enterprise to partner with schools and educational sectors to codifying curiosity and connect young people to industry-based people. What a dynamic way to accelerate the work of careers practitioners in schools and scale up with entrepreneurs that are focused on empowering young women, across industries that smash gender stereotypes. I always love having a dialogue with wonderful entrepreneurs like Madeleine - because they are forever curious about learning, living, leading and working. So, ask yourself, how do you quench your thirst for curiosity?

Episode Eight | Mark Hutchinson

Key learnings – The heart of the matter is what matters most to Mark and his commitment to the formation of pre-service teachers. He spoke about the importance of congruence and a readiness of pre-services teachers having a greater sense of fit with the ethos of the schools they are joining. Ensuring that the preparation of future teachers to be re-situated in the learning ecologies of their particular practice.

The American marketing guru Seth Godin once said, “The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.” It is time. We can’t do nothing. We must act in creating a schooling model that has an explicit emphasis on the fostering of confidence, competence and character. Having said that, above all, this series has confirmed for me why remaining forever curious, highly adaptive and that when we make a commitment to our own self-efficacy and that of the other, these are all fundamental to thriving in this new world environment.

When we go back to school everything will be different – and it must be different. It is time to focus education on the flow of humanity and the importance of relational connection. And if that’s the construct of the new normal, the new mainstream in schools. A holistic education nurtures a student’s unique talents and shapes their awareness of the broader common good. We need teachers and school leaders who challenge the status quo, embrace diversity of opinion, acknowledge limitations in expertise, seek input, and most importantly who are not only able to as John Dewey as previously stated “learn from experience, but rather learn from reflecting on experience”.

Thank you to Stephanie, Yong, Valerie, Henry, Catherine, Peter, Madeleine and Mark for sharing your story and passion. And thank for reminding us all that each person in our learning communities is home to a life. It is as simple and complex as that. Born from the construct of love – of self, for place and the other.

Listen to our Series One: Epilogue via streaming platforms - SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Play.

[ororowrites]

T’Challa Oneshot: JILL

Characters: T’Challa x Honey (OC)

Word Count: 2, 480

Warnings: Slight smut, language, adult themes

Her thick brown thighs seemed to be the main attraction that night. The short gold, spandex dress was no match for her legs.

As her lips parted to recite her most recent work, the Prince’s eyes found her’s. There he was sitting in the corner of the room. Away from everyone as if he was hiding. As his lips rested  against the glass, Honey spoke. Taking a sip of the numbing potion, he drank in her appearance. Warm brown skin with a hint of cinnamon. Dark brown eyes that held many stories. Lips - oh her lips. The way her bottom lip poked out a more than the top, giving her a delicious pout. When she licked them, that bottom lip being tugged between her teeth made the Prince adjust in his seat.

I just don’t know where I should go.

So, slowly, surely.

Her tone was sultry and demanding. It was smooth and alluring. She commanded the stage, looking every club goer in the eye as she spoke.

Anybody that can listen, come listen.

Having faith in the rest of you, will be an amazing awakening.

Again, she caught the young Prince’s eye, locking her gaze on him longer than she did anyone else in the room. The way he stared back set her body on fire. That blaze finding its way between her legs causing her womanhood to become curious. Who is this man? I want to get to know him, she purred.

There’s power in them rolling hills, come on.

Honey began to move her hips to the soulful beat the jazz players performed in the background. Her spoken word was always mysterious, yet sexy. She had a way of making people hang on her every word. The Prince of Wakanda was no different. Visiting the States for three months on a mission, he found himself at this particular club a couple of times during the week. It was tucked away downtown. The first night he saw Honey perform, she didn’t notice him. By the third night, her eyes searched the small room until she found him. This went on for weeks and they had never met or spoke. Honey would come up and perform new work, have one drink, then return home.

Tonight, T’Challa vowed to meet her. He had grown tired of watching from afar and needed to know her.

You're in so deep, I'm breathing for you

You grab my braids, arch my back high for you.

When Honey finished her set, the King approached her at the bar where she was ordering her favorite drink. Rum and coke. Before he could even open his mouth, the beauty turned her head, a smile already forming on her dark red lips.

“I was wondering when we’d finally meet,” she said. “Honey Williams,” the dark skinned beauty extended her hand.

“T’Challa,” the Prince introduced himself, flashing a dashing grin and making his new acquaintance swoon in her seat. “You’re quite the poet. I’ve enjoyed your work.”

Honey’s beautiful smile spread across her face, highlighting her high cheekbones. “Thank you. I noticed you a few weeks ago and knew you weren’t from around here. I’m disappointed. I haven’t heard any spoken word from you. You have the voice for it.”

By your cologne, your hands, your smile, your intelligence.

You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me.

That night, Honey stayed for more than one drink. T’Challa had her attention and she had his equally as much. Over rum and coke, they shared laughs and childhood memories as if they were old friends. T’Challa learned that Honey was a social worker by day and had recently published a book of love poems. She was a bright, young woman with big aspirations and she had a plan to make those dreams come true.

Honey was warm and unique. She loved the way rain smelled but was afraid of thunderstorms. Her personality the type to make anyone feel like they’d known her for years. When she listened to him, T’Challa could tell she was engaged and interested in getting to know him. They talked for hours, both of them losing track of time. But, neither of them cared because they had nothing but time on their hands.

I love your mannerisms, babe.

The way you handle them.

After sobering up as much as their bodies would allow, Honey invited T’Challa to her apartment a few blocks away from the club. By this time, their conversation had deepened to more serious topics. Gentrification of the neighborhood, the current state of American politics and if pineapple truly belonged on pizza. Note: T’Challa thought it was the most American practice he’d ever seen.

Honey was intrigued by what T’Challa shared about Wakanda. He wasn’t too specific but he shared enough detail that painted a beautiful picture for her. In her head, she pictured exotic plants and the most beautiful sunset in the world.

Over coffee, the pair continued the conversation. T’Challa talked about his passion for education and the goals he wished to accomplish in the near future with his schooling. Honey chuckled when he complained about his little sister being a nuisance, though she was a genius who enjoyed annoying her brother for entertainment purposes.

Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation.

Share situations, temptations, education, relaxation.

“You have any siblings” T’Challa questioned, not even noticing how close they were sitting. His thigh rested against Honey’s bent leg. It was comfortable. So comfortable and effortless that T’Challa began to wonder if they’d met in another life. Maybe their ancestors had cross paths. Their spirits were too connected to just be strangers that had been watching each other for a few weeks.

“No. I’m the spoiled, only child. My mom  got her tubes tied after she had me at 38. Supposedly, I was an uh-oh baby,” she explaining, laughing at her mother’s claim.

“Well I don’t think you were an accident. Obviously, you were put here for a purpose, right,” the Prince added, his smooth voice sending a chill over Honey’s body. The shift in the mood was hard to ignore. Honey moved in closer, appreciating T’Challa’s close company.Taking in her warm smile, T’Challa didn’t stop his own from forming.

For a few long seconds, they didn’t blink until Honey’s shyness made its first and only appearance that night. The Prince made the first move, slowly inching towards Honey’s lips. She was wearing a brownish red lipstick that smelled just like chocolate. All he wanted was a taste.

I know you don’t understand,

But you’re gonna have to understand he’s my man now.

Electricity didn’t take long to build between them. And when their lips finally touched...oh, the fire they made. Not sure if they were crossing forbidden territories, the kiss was timid at first. The first thought that ran through Honey’s head was, ‘you don’t even know this man and he’s in your home.’ This wasn’t the norm for either of them, yet no one was stopping it. As a smooth jazz tune played in the background, T’Challa coaxed Honey’s lips open until their tongues met. Those walls were crumbling and Honey’s brain was no longer screaming at her to think about the consequences of having a one night stand.

Like Honey, T’Challa was normally not the type to indulge in one night stands. But something about Honey was intriguing and he couldn’t leave it alone. The kiss intensified and T’Challa pulled Honey into his lap. Her thighs squeezed the sides of his legs and his dick hardened immediately under her hips.

Jill Scott’s, Golden, was next on the playlist. The upbeat tempo the complete opposite of the slow roll of Honey’s thick hips.

I’m taking my own  freedom, putting it in my stroll.

I’ll be high stepping ya’ll, letting the joy unfold.

T’Challa’s long fingers played with the hem of her dress before running up her thighs and under the thin fabric. When Honey pulled away from his lips, she went straight for his neck while his digits played with the heated flesh between her legs.

Wetness pooled with a simple touch causing Honey to grind faster. Her newest toy couldn’t even get her this aroused. T’Challa’s hand work conjured up a moan sitting in the back of her throat. He inserted two fingers, keeping his thumb busy on her clit. Massaging the sensitive nub with the pad of his thumb, the Prince watched Honey’s changing expressions. Her mouth fell open, forming a small ‘o’.

“How does that feel,” T’Challa questioned, curling his fingers inside the pink abyss.

“So good,” Honey moaned, in response her body stiffening from the pleasure of T’Challa’s fingers introducing themselves over and over again. Breathy moans harmonized with Jill’s soothing voice. “I want to ride you until the sun comes up,” Honey spoke confidently, shocking herself her words.

“What was that,” T’Challa quizzed, continuing to explore, knowing he heard her the first time.

“Ooooh shiiit,” Honey shook under T’Challa’s spell, her pussy tightened around him before releasing Honey’s nectar all over his hand and lap. “My room, now!” Within a second, Honey was off his lap and leading T’Challa to her bedroom.

Thankfully, she had folded  and put away laundry earlier in the day, leaving her bed open for business. T’Challa waited on Honey’s lead since it was her space after all. The brown goddess sauntered over to him, her hips hitting every beat of the next Jill track.

She smirked as she began removing the short dress, revealing a purple panty and bra set. T’Challa was in love with how smooth her skin looked under the dim light of the floor lamp. The Prince followed, removing his shoes, pants and sweater.

He was beautiful. Deep brown skin coating his sculpted muscles like the finest silk. When Honey’s eyes traveled below his navel, her mouth watered as her insides churned. Where would she start exploring? Judging by his growing erection, she knew exactly where to start.

Kissing T’Challa again, Honey took control, walking him back towards the bed. He obeyed her silent instructions and laid back, allowing Honey to climb on top. They weren’t rushing because their bodies wouldn’t allow it.

You pulled some tricks out your sleeve last night.

Everything I fantasize about.

Honey was feeling greedy and wanted to feel him in the back of her throat. She wanted to taste him but T’Challa wouldn’t allow it. When he realized her plan, he cradled her face before flipping them over.

“No, I won’t let you do that,” he urged, holding his index finger to her lips when she tried to protest. Instead, he pulled Honey to the edge of the bed. He wanted to write a little poetry of his own. Watching Honey watch him sent blood downward, making him stiff under her intense stare. Her eyes stayed on him as he used the tip of his tongue to dip into her folds, getting a taste before diving in. T’Challa was gentle but assertive enough to make her legs fall open to give his mouth better access.

The light smacks of his lips and tongue, produced a different soundtrack against the next Jill song on the playlist. She crooned alongside Honey’s soft moans. It was beautiful, almost erotic. T’Challa’s tongue explored Honey’s depths as he became familiar with what made her body react and fed her spirit. She liked when he dipped his tongue deep inside her, but not too fast. Slow, methodical patterns made Honey wetter and her legs tighten around his head. For extra stimulation, Honey massaged her breasts pulling her nipples between her fingers. With each dip, she pulled a little harder.

“Fuck, fuc-right there, shit,” she cried out when T’Challa found her spot. Juices coated his tongue as they wet the sheets below. Honey could no longer focus on pleasing herself, her hands finding the back of T’Challa’s head. Her pussy throbbed as she came a second time that night.

Eating Honey out so good, she began to see stars, he kept going. Honey coated his tongue and his nose rubbed her clit with each slow grind and glide of his mouth. Making use of his hands, he brought Honey home for a third time, leaving her a blubbering mess. Aftershocks left her body sensitive to his touch. She didn’t think she had any more to give, but somehow Honey ended up on her stomach with her ass in the air.

They say I'm crazy.

The way you got me open baby.

The liquor must have still been in her system because she yearned for a rough fuck. He had been gentle enough with her all night. Respectful enough with her all night. Right now, Honey wanted skin slapping, lip biting, down right nasty fucking. Feeling bold again, she expressed her need after T’Challa found a condom in his pants.

“You sure about that,” the Prince asked, knowing his strength may be a bit much for her to handle. He still didn’t truly know her body.

“Yes,” she huffed, her throat dry from having her mouth open for too long. “Fuck me,” she repeated, grabbing a pillow from the head of her bed.

Still not wanting to be too rough, T’Challa gently slid into Honey’s warmth. A low groan escaped his mouth. She felt so good. The way she wrapped around him was going to make it hard for him to keep his composure. Allowing Honey to adjust, T’Challa began a slow grind. From his view, he could see the muscles in Honey’s back flex. Her fingers gripped the silk sheets, grasping at them when his strokes became rougher.

“You feel so fucking good,” Honey cursed, her breasts bouncing beneath her. The neighbors weren’t going to be too happy about the bed banging violently against their wall. T’Challa didn’t keep the same rhythm. Sometimes he pulled all the way out to see her juices glistening on him before gently driving himself back in. He gave her short, hard pumps with a mixture of slow, tantalizing strokes. Sweat transferred from his body to her’s and vice versa. He talked her through her fourth orgasm briefly stopping to give her time to breath before he went back to chase his own climax.

Honey’s ass bounced roughly against his hips until she couldn’t take it anymore. The urge to tap out was strong but the dick was too good. When T’Challa applied pleasure to her asshole with his thumb, the poet came undone. Her soul escaped her body for a moment as the strong bout of pleasure zoomed through her limbs and back to her center. It crept up her neck and wrapped itself around her head before only becoming a pulse between her thighs. The feeling paralyzed her body and mind.

T’Challa’s light snores brought her back to reality.

“Damn,” was all she could muster up through loud pants.

Taglist: @90sinspiredgirl, @chaneajoyyy,

[acaseforpencils]

The Ink Well Foundation.

The Ink Well Foundation is a non-profit that helps bring smiles to the faces of children facing adversity such as illness, neglect, and abuse. I cannot begin to express how big of an honor it is to have Elizabeth Winter on Case—this interview brought me to tears, and it means a lot to share her message on here, so that you all can help more children in need to be able to connect with this incredible foundation.

Bio: I am the Founder and Executive Director of the Ink Well Foundation. Growing up, I had cancer my entire childhood—it was a rare cancer that kept getting misdiagnosed, which meant a fair amount of biopsies and days in the hospital, and finally major surgery where I was told I might wake up without a leg. I am very fortunate in that the doctors were able to remove all the cancer without amputating, and I have been cancer-free since I was about 20 years old. 

That experience gave me a lot of empathy and compassion for kids facing long, isolating hospital stays. There were also other issues during my childhood: I experienced a lot of abandonment with a mother who just could not play the role of mother, and who eventually died when I was fifteen. In general, I just had a pretty severe lack of affection and emotional support growing up. All that made me very tough, in some ways too tough and it wound up creating only further isolation and pain. 

As an adult, I saw that pain mirrored in other children's eyes and I began to seek out a way to connect with them, to help them and myself learn to nurture and heal together. I strongly feel that genuine human bonding can fuel both physical and emotional healing. I also think getting out into nature and carrying that same respect to all wildlife helps us to become humble and connected in a very powerful way, so we stress those ideas in our work often.

In 2005, I was working in animation in New York City, and I stood up in a meeting at work one day, and asked if any of the other artists would like to come along with me to draw with kids facing illness and hardship. A couple people raised their hands, and we went together to Gilda's Club out in Brooklyn (that club house has since closed, but we still go to the one in Manhattan). The artists who came along in those early years, like Rami Efal and Ray Alma, Pedro Delgado and Sergei Aniskov—those people are all still volunteers today! That says so much to me about the kind of people this work attracts. We've all become like family over the years and I love those guys so much. 

It all began at Gilda's Club, but then I reached out to places like the Ronald McDonald House, St. Mary's Hospital and Bellevue Hospitals, and we slowly but surely became accepted and welcomed at healthcare and at-risk support centers all across New York, because the kids loved what we did, and at then end of every event they were begging us to come back. So we always did! That is the true mark of success for me every time, when the kids are yelling at us to get back there as soon as we can.

A few years ago, I learned about the great organization on the Upper East Side, The Society of Illustrators. Their Executive Director, Anelle Miller, connected me with all these other great artists like Stefano Imbert, Bil Donovan, Abby Merrill, and Elana Amity (who is now our Event Director at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she hosts a monthly live drawing call-in show that beams to all the kids' hospital rooms at once). They draw along with us and call or text in with questions and comments. It's hilarious and adorable. We also connected with the great people of the National Cartoonists Society, and wonderful artists like Ed Steckley, Adrian Sinnott, Howard Beckerman, Tim Savage, Marty Macaluso, Joe Vissichelli and so many more. 

After MTV Animation New York shut down, pretty much all my colleagues and I from great shows like Beavis and Butthead, Daria, The Head, and Celebrity Death Match all moved out west. So I had this great group of talented friends still living there, and based on the Ink Well's popularity in NYC, I thought, let's give it a shot there too! I reached out to my former colleague from Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys, Joseph Scott, and asked if he'd be interested in running things there. He is now heading up all our operations in L.A. and he is just the most phenomenally kind and talented person on earth. With his art skills he could do whatever he wanted but he devotes a huge amount of time to the kids we work with and I'm so moved by his giving spirit and boundless good energy. And Michael Daedalus Kenny is also stepping up in a leadership role as our newest Event Director, we've got amazing artists like Marla Frazee of Boss Baby genius, Monica Tomova from SpongeBob, Jeanette Moreno, king of The Simpsons, Chris Harmon from Futurama, Ashley Simpson from Phineas and Ferb, Christian Lignan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, graphic novelist, Jeremy Arambulo and so many others so we're in great hands there. I just wish the traffic weren't such a problem! It really is tough to get around that city, unlike NYC where there's a decently functioning subway that goes to all our locations, so getting around is no real trouble comparatively.

Tools of choice:  Our events are usually very handmade by design so that the kids can feel like they could do all of this easily by themselves. So we come up with themes like, “Who is your Superhero?,” and we ask the kids to focus on their strengths and what superpowers they wish they would have, and we draw their portraits as such. We are not art therapists, but we feel these event themes help to make the kids focus on positivity and their potential, and therefore help them to bond and heal. 

We do sometimes get more elaborate, like when we teach stop motion, claymation, and we once even taught them how to build homemade rockets on the roof of Bellevue Hospital! One of our Event Directors at the time, Nathan Schreiber, used to come up with the most fantastic science-focused events. He now runs a company called Science Ninjas, that helps kids learn about science with fun card games. But usually it's simple by design.

We are extremely fortunate to have Blick Arts as a sponsor. Their support enables us to provide each child with their own art kit after each event so that they can keep creating on their own after they learn new skills with us so thanks to them we have a lot of the arts tools we need.

Tool I wish existed: I think we do great working with anything we've got lying around- we emphasize the potential of just about anything to become art: we often create characters out of inanimate objects, make flip books, sculptures and puppets— using everything from card stock to socks to toothpicks and gum drops. We keep it accessible and inventive. 

How can we support The Ink Well Foundation? Because our volunteers are by definition "the artists behind the kids' favorite books, films, comics, and TV shows," we don't solicit volunteers from the general public. We do have an online application on our site, so other professionals that meet our criteria in the illustration, animation, and cartooning industries are welcome to apply there. 

What the general public can do is to help us spread the word so that more children can see that others are going through what they're going through, and also so that they see examples of adults believing in them and encouraging them. We try to promote the idea of art as self-expression and a way to get through trying times, ideally together. Connectivity and encouragement are critical to healing, and honestly, to just building a better world. So we talk about that a lot on our social media and at the events themselves. We also honor the kids' intelligence by talking about art in general there— we highlight classic and new artists and ideas and encourage them to learn from those masters as they develop their own skills.

Because we are a very small 100% volunteer-run organization, we focus on giving the kids the greatest events possible, and sometimes that means we don't have a lot of time for social media, self-promotion, and fund-raising. So spreading the word is huge and we are always extremely grateful for, and in need of, any financial donations. 

Where are Ink Well Foundation events held? We operate in New York City and Los Angeles because that's where the top artists in our fields are concentrated. We go to hospitals and at-risk support centers like Ronald McDonald House, Gilda's Club, Bellevue, St. Mary's, Mount Sinai, Childhelp, Covenant House and more. You can see the full list here. 

How can children who don't live near Ink Well Foundation events benefit from your Pen Pals Program? This is another reason we want people to spread the word. Loved ones of a child experiencing serious illness or hardship, who is physically or geographically unable to attend our events, can apply to have a special artwork sent straight to them. We ask the kids what their favorite animated films, TV shows, or illustrated books are, and then we have an artist who actually worked on that production make something tailored to that child. We then frame it up, and send it off to them by mail. 

We've done this with artists from SpongeBob, Captain Underpants, and just a week ago, we delivered a beautiful drawing of Curious George that our Event Directors, Franz Palomares and Lisa LaBracio (both of whom worked on Curious George) lovingly made. This was for a girl named, Maryanne who lives in Florida. She suffers from a rare disease called, vein of galen malformation that has led to brain damage and vision loss. She is unable to talk or walk or eat through her mouth and she suffers seizures but she understands everything around her, and she can feel texture. So Franz and Lisa made her Curious George playing in a sand box, and they glued real sand into the picture, so that Maryanne could feel that, and enjoy the art on multiple levels. Maryanne's mother, Sandra, said that she was thrilled, and that she loves to hold it. 

Our hearts are full being able to share these works with kids who need that moment of light, and that knowledge that an adult they admire, someone who doesn't even know them well, can care enough about them to take the time to create careful, tailor-made artworks just for them. We hope that helps to bring a smile in the moment, and build self-worth long term.

Misc. I'd like to mention that everything we do is 100% free of charge. No one gets paid, no money ever changes hands for the art. We have brilliant artists like Peter de Séve who is on our board and attends many events, while also creating characters for Ice Age, The Little Prince, and all his New Yorker covers. He could get a mint for his works, but he comes down and does this for free, and that's a testament to the power of that loving connection we all feel when we are just selflessly helping one another.

I feel this most acutely when I'm working with youth who have suffered abuse and neglect. We have an Event Director, Jane Archer, who leads our work at Bellevue Hospital. Many of those kids are there because they have been through unendurable trauma, and Jane connects with them beautifully. She begins with a meditation where we all envision our strengths together, we talk about our talents, and hopes for a brighter day, we imagine embodying those gifts and then we gently, patiently, ask the kids to help us draw characters step by step. Many kids start out very suspicious and resistant, even angry. But by the end of the events they are almost always laughing and teasing us, and they don't want to stop creating. It is my greatest joy to experience that transition and I hope we may continue to spread this support and faith in one another for many years to come.

Website, Etc: 

We are @inkwellkids on every platform:

Website

Facebook 

Instagram

Twitter

Find more posts about art supplies on Case’s Instagram! There is a Twitter as well. If you enjoy this blog, and would like to contribute to labor and maintenance costs, there is also a Patreon!

[bymylights]

The Identity Asks: 15 and 19, one hard and one easy ;)

the extension of the title for these asks, “oh shit” is accurate lol.

15. five most influential books over your lifetime

we’ll go chronologically, according to my life (loosely)

1) Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson: for someone who really enjoyed the process of learning to read, it was actually quite a few years before i got into reading books for fun. this is the first novel outside of school i can recall really getting into, and it was my gateway drug. i think i even made fanart before knowing that was a thing. A young, kick ass (literally) female protagonist who’s headstrong and funny and caring and lost, looking after the survival/well-being of her sought-after homeless family of part avian outcasts – what was a 10/11 yr old nina not to like? Max’s attitude, practical paranoia, will, and devotion stay with me.

2) Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks: an obsession, and something of a lifeline throughout my life. a horcrux if i were to ever have one. since i was 12ish, i’ve read it (+sequels) many times, picking up on different things as i’ve matured. reading it feels like home and my affections for the characters make them feel like friends. this book, for me, is comfort. i think during times of stress i feel as if i’ve resided there, like a kind of mind palace i’ve come to naturally turn to for retreat or just for fun. maybe that’s not a healthy coping mechanism but its dear to me. I describe it as a comfort, and while it does include plenty of laughs, friendship, and weird whimsical satire, its a rather dark and unusual YA book. Its happiest moments and triumphs are inseparable from its melancholia. its maybe not for everyone. the book’s description can make it seem like the fun adventure of a lonely, insanely smart kid who thwarts adults and rules to stop a criminal mastermind… but, more accurately, its a rollercoaster journey depicting the moral development of a young boy, Cadel, forced to think for himself and use his smarts to fight his way through a world of selfish elitism and deceit created largely by the sole father figure he loved and who nurtured him. he makes quirky friends who are crucial to his development, and he learns that there is great(er) value to elements of the human fabric other than intelligence, like honesty and kindness. I feel a solidarity with Cadel, in his peculiarities, flaws, desperate yet tentative love for those close to him, sense of overbearing responsibility, strength, and complex feelings, and when the story makes me feel an intense need to protect and care for him, sometimes i can extend those good intentions to myself.

are you still reading? lol

3) The Giver by Lois Lowry: reading this book was one of my favourite parts of grade eight. i hadn’t really read anything like it before. it might have been my first dystopia? or a first time reading a novel in which info about the world was slowly established? with this book, i tend to just remember its impact, WOAH. despite being a fairly popular award-winning book used in schools, i can recall only a few of us enjoying it. i remember wishing all of my classmates felt as ‘woke’ as i had. it makes you question the system, it makes you think about everyday things we take for granted. it gives you a sense of wonder about beauty and pain in life, as if seeing them for the firs time. it highlights the importance of individuality and diversity in experience, and of how feeling enriches our lives and plays a role in moral reasoning. 

4) Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: though amazed by my classmates’ fascination with harry potter, i was late to jump on this train. for some reason, i didn’t think it was for me. i was wrong. near all of tumblr can tell you how wonderful this series is. fans are getting something new out of these books regularly, which i love to see. what is unique to harry potter’s influence in my life, is that it’s created a community among my peers out of a collective love for the series.. i get to be a part of such a large, powerful cultural phenomena. one that acts as a good force in the world. one that we can trace back to an outspoken role model (Rowling), who continues to inspire on many fronts. when i look at pop culture from past decades and wish i could have been alive during the height of a craze, i appreciate that i get to be here for harry potter. not to mention the sweet memes. harry potter is always heartwarming.

5) Philosophy books by philosophers, and psychology books by social scientists: i can’t choose. too many have influenced me. yes, im sorry, this is a lazy answer. but my university studies have been hugely influential and do deserve a spot on the list. social psych, neuropsych, cognition, argumentation, logic, philosophy of science and neuroscience, philosophy of technology, ethics, stoics, existentialists, analytics, epistemology, continental philosophy…i have no idea who i’d be today if it weren’t for my engagement with literature on these subjects and their intersections. they’ve affected my emotional and moral growth as much as my intellectual development.

19. which Harry Potter house would you be in? or are you a muggle?

I am a Gryffinclaw if youre into the hybrid thing, if not, straight up Gryffindor. i only know where i fit in Hogwarts houses though, i’ve yet to test myself on any others.

Thanks for the asks, friend!

[absynthe--minded]

What I think needs to be said

Dear absynthe–minded,

I’ve been following you since you declared you would make a new dress in reaction to the 2017 Beauty and the Beast movie, which I think is an admirable project.

In response to the recent controversy, I would like to make several points.

Point One:  Why the costuming in the new movie is a big deal, and why people should care about it

I’ve got no clue about fashion and periodic clothing, but even I can see that the costuming in this movie was done badly, and with barely any regard to social norms and fashions at the time; and more importantly without any apparent respect to the actual costume designer. I’ve looked up Jacqueline Durran’s work and it’s absolutely incredible, I am absolutely in love - I never realised that she was responsible for the amazing costumes in Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina.

It is fairly obvious that if she had any input or advice for the costumes in Beauty and the Beast, it was disregarded. So I do not understand how those anons can hear about this and say, “Why do you care about this, it’s got nothing to do with you, get over yourself,” etc.

Because costume design is Durran’s life. It is a job she takes obviously takes pride in. She is internationally renowned in her field and winner of numerous awards, among them an Academy Award for her work on Anna Karenina. And it is not just job, it is art. As an artist myself, I know that when you make art, a bit your heart and soul goes into every piece you make.

And I love and admire Emma Watson, I really do. But taking control of an artist’s work the way she did is Not Okay for so many reasons.

The general opinion seems to be that Watson’s goal was to make this movie more feminist, and to have her costumes reflect that. But this raises the question - how is it okay from any feminist standpoint to walk all over a fully capable woman’s work? How is it okay to take a woman’s art - her job, her life - and decide that it is not good enough?

I’m not sure that that is what actually happened, but this certainly sounds as if Durran - even though she doesn’t act offended by this, so there is an unlikely chance that she was okay with it - had a plan, and Watson stamped her own opinions on those without fully understanding the intricacies of periodic clothing and the importance of fashion actually had in that period of time, never mind her lack of experience in costume design. If she had been an expert in the field, it would have been different. But she is not, she is an actress, and so she comes across as a woman who appropriated another’s work and forced her stamp on it.

So I fully understand your outrage. It is even more personal for you because this might be your future. Your work that you love and take pride in might be taken and twisted to suit someone’s opinions, and be used in a fashion that offends you personally.

(Such as wearing a dress and hiking up the for the sole purpose of revealing the bloomers worn as underwear. Honestly. No.)

Point Two: Why the changes to Belle’s characters are such a big deal

Again, People have been questioning in varying levels of politeness if you are justified in being revolted to the point of tears by the new movie.

The answer is: You are. You definitely are.

For one, and this should be a no-brainer, you have the right to have opinions, and you have the right to defend those so long as you don’t force them on anyone, which I don’t think you have done at any point unless I misinterpreted or overlooked something.

I am honestly appalled at the awful things some of those anons have been saying, and admire the bravery with which you face their hate - I for one would have a great deal of trouble dealing with that kind of toxicity.

For another, and this is the point that people just don’t seem to understand, so I will spell it out for them.

2017’s Belle is not a new Disney Princess.

“Of course, we know that, it’s a remake, dumbass.”

Yes, of course. The point is this:

The remake of Beauty and the Beast has been advertised heavily as not just that, a remake, but a movie that surpasses the original and adds to it. A movie that brings a modern Belle with it. An improved Belle.

Basically, we are told that the original Belle and her qualities are no longer valid. The New Belle is the improved and better version, a modern woman™, they are telling us that the New Belle is what women should be now. They are telling us that we should replace the Belle we grew up with and loved with the New Belle.

“So what? They’re the same character!”

Sure. They are the same character. But they are not the same person.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the original Belle and the New Belle had the same personality, now would it?  But here’s the thing. They are not.

The original Belle is lovely. She’s graceful, she’s intelligent, she is sweet, kind and selfless. She‘s also soft and she gets scared, and likes pretty things, and she sees the good in people. And she’s misunderstood and an outsider in her own city, people look down on her ideals; she’d like to break free of her life, feeling that there is more for her out there.

New Belle is actually a lot of those things. But the thing is, they are prioritised differently, and it makes her different.  

I’m just going to highlight the most important differences, I’ve only watched the new movie once which isn’t enough to fully analyse a character.

So. Is New Belle graceful? I would say no. Again, she hikes up her skirt and shows off her bloomers, among other things.

Is she sweet? No, not really. She’s confrontational. She had her moments, but it’s just not a defining characteristic.

As for kindness and selflessness - she was those things, but it wasn’t as pronounced as the original Belle. In portraying Belle as a strong female character, she was made more grab-the-bull-by-the-horns and less accepting.

And this New Belle doesn’t value pretty things as much. Or material things, period. She’s less soft, and more importantly, I got the feeling that she was jaded towards people - hence she was confrontational. She didn’t believe in the good of people as much. Actually, she seemed to look down on them.

I’m not saying that New Belle is a bad character per se - but she is very much different, and again, we are encouraged to look at her as better. As stronger.

Now here’s the thing that makes all of this so important.

Original Belle isn’t weak. She is strong and brave, precisely because she is kind. Because there’s incredible strength in kindness. To go out every day and be praised only for your looks and ridiculed for who you are, for your ideals, for your intelligence, for what makes you you, and still be able to smile at people and be kind to them. Original Belle never rolled her eyes. She never sighed in aggravation, she didn’t do sass. She went on with her life and stayed kind even when others were unkind towards her.

And New Belle doesn’t have that quality and she’s portrayed as strong because of it. This is the real problem. The 2017 movie tells us a woman is strong when she’s talking back and wearing bloomers, when she refuses to wear corsets, when she confronts others, when she fights. And - and this is a pretty important point actually - it tells us this vehemently. The strong™ Belle moments are all emphasised in some way (like the costumes, as you’ve pointed out), we basically get the feminist messages shoved in our faces. The movie doesn’t give us a subtle message to consider and think about at home. No, we are told a point and we are told to accept it, and fast. At least, that is the impression I got from it, and I found it uncomfortable.

The original movie doesn’t tell us about how a woman needs to be. It’s not about feminist propaganda. It tells us a story in which the heroine is kind and stays that way, and makes the best out of a bad situation in a quiet and gentle way. She’s gentle and peaceful, and that is okay. It has a love story in which one learns to look past the other’s terrible looks and sees the good within, and the other falls in love because of the qualities others laughed at her for. To me, The Beauty and the Beast is a story of acceptance.

Again, I’m not saying that New Belle is bad.

But in replacing Original Belle with New Belle and told that the latter is better and modern, we are told that the original Belle’s in this world are outdated. A thing of the past. That we should change to be like New Belle. That we aren’t enough anymore.

So this isn’t actually just a little problem. Because maybe 9 out of 10 people don’t see it that way, but the tenth? The one who grew up wanting to be just like Belle, who had posters of her all over their bedroom, who felt this Belle was their friend who would love them if they were real, who felt encouraged every time they watched the movie?

To them, seeing the new Belle will be disappointed at best, and devastated at worst. It’s like seeing a beloved friend pushed into the shadows for the louder and shinier twin sister, and not being able to do anything.

And what makes this even sadder, there will now be children who’ll grow up never knowing the original Belle.

I don’t know about you, but I think that prospect sounds really lonely.

So I hope that some people will now better understand the significance of this controversy. Absynthe–minded, I fully support you, and I wish you courage. Please know that you’re opinions are valid, you are valid, and what you do gives courage to a lot of people out there.

Thank you for being you.

okay like

this is the nicest thing anybody has said to me about this project? And also just... thank you. For understanding, and for Getting It. Thank you so much.

[winewomenwit]

talk about me because i love you

send me “talk about them!” + a url and I’ll talk about that person

{ I like that Em doesn’t have the voice in her head that says don’t do the thing. I don’t have it either. It means we get public moments like this. }

{ So as much as I wanna talk about the characters present here...I don’t actually know most of them? I could say things like “Fleur’s FC is very pretty!” or “You know how much I adore the ground Nani walks on” or “When I saw who you picked for Charlie I actually shouted ‘cause that’s kind of brilliant,” but I feel like I’d be repeating a lot of the kinds of things I already say to you a lot. (I like how your characters always surprise me and elude my expectations, I love that our chemistry together is as amazing as it is, I appreciate how you continue to expand my horizons both through character introduction and development, etc.)

So I guess let’s start on those darned criticisms I’m just passing out like candy tonight. Aside from my usual complaints--I wish you’d be more confident in yourself and you know what the fuck I’m talking about, I wish you wouldn’t be as hard on you as you are--on a less personal level, or at least a more writerly one, I wish you would challenge yourself more often. Which...is weird to say, because I feel like this blog in particular is actually the answer to that criticism? The variety isn’t as wide as I think you could play it, granted, but you’ve taken on a very different challenge for yourself: writing for characters outside of the usually prescribed box for HP. With Nani, you explore contemporary social (and perhaps later political) issues that HP, by virtue of its target audience, neglected to discuss. With Chrys, whose name will always be Chrys because fuck spelling, you tackle the questions of religion, ideology, and...I think???...foreignness. In Alphard, you take a backwards look into the past and try to tackle the harder issues which today are too often glossed over. With this blog you look into the vast communities untouched by HP because of who and what its protagonist was and you...muddy them up. You ask questions. You offer answers. You challenge yourself in ways you didn’t need to before.And that’s...awesome.

As for bragging about you...gods. What should I say? Everyone at work and at home, from my boss to Frankie to Pammy to Mum and the kiddos (I think Dad’s forgotten already??) and even some people I’ve never told you about, like Pammy’s friend that I sometimes go clubbing with, knows my “best friend from Brooklyn is coming to Texas for the first time ever!!!”. I’ve gone off to try and find you a cowboy hat--maybe I’ll have better luck back home or in H-Town--I’ve ordered you roughly the coolest practical thing I could’ve ever gotten you ever to make up for all the silly impractical shit I usually spend, I’ve got five-six different all-day kind of things to offer for us to do (of which only one is not optional, you’re not hearing me, we’re going downtown for a whole day, bring your ID and also some super-comfy shoes), I’ve even gone so far as to plan a whole outfit for at least one of those days. Probably Friday. You’re incredible. I’m excited to see you. You’ve been the highlight of my week for the past several weeks! You’re supportive and intelligent and you always make time for me, even when you probably shouldn’t. You deal with my shit--emotional baggage and random bursts of energy alike--without being mean or rude about it; you’re upfront with me, but you’re compassionate.

And this--this I can’t stress enough.I talk a lot about wanting to change the world, or a world. I talk about people’s abilities to do it. I talk about how not-hard it is to effect a change. And one day, yeah, I’m gonna change somebody’s world for the better.But you. You, my love. You are going to change THE world. I firmly believe that. I know no one more passionate about what they do than you are. I know no one more ready to roll their sleeves up and better the experience of life for other people. And I know that weighs on you. And I know it’s hard. And I know keeping your chin up is so, so tough, especially with the world as it is right now. But you’re gonna change it. All of it.

And I’m proud of you now, and I’ll be proud of you always. Even and especially then. }

[illbefinealonereads]

Another blog tour day! How much do you know about A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian? Keep scrolling to learn more, and read my spoiler free review.

A People's History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian Published: March 19th 2019 Algonquin Books ISBN 1616207582 | ISBN13 9781616207588

Heaven is a thirty-year-old slum hidden between brand-new, high-rise apartment buildings and technology incubators in contemporary Bangalore. In this tight-knit community, five girls on the cusp of womanhood-a politically driven graffiti artist; a transgender Christian convert; a blind girl who loves to dance; and the queer daughter of a hijabi union leader-forge an unbreakable bond. When the local government threatens to demolish their tin shacks in order to build a shopping mall, the girls and their mothers refuse to be erased. Together they wage war on the bulldozers sent to bury their homes, and, ultimately, on the city that wishes that families like them would remain hidden forever. Elegant, poetic, and vibrant, A People's History of Heaven takes a clear-eyed look at adversity and geography and dazzles in its depiction of love and female friendship.

"The language [takes] on a musicality that is in sharp contrast to the bleak setting...refreshing...a strong debut." —New York Times Book Review “Subramanian writes with empathy and exuberance, offering a much-needed glimpse into a world that too many of us don't even know exists. This is a book to give your little sister, your mother, your best friend, yourself, so together you can celebrate the strength of women and girls, the tenacity it takes to survive in a world that would rather have you disappear.” –Nylon “The novel tenderly guides the reader into and through the struggles of lives lived at the margins, with a sensitivity to experience that can’t be reduced to an apolitical and static image of slum life. If anything, Subramanian deftly explores what political solidarity can look like…A People’s History of Heaven does not reduce its characters to dozens of fists raised in the air, but instead gives a full account of the extraordinary lives that stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the wreckage of a wealthy city, ready to fight against the bulldozers upon the horizon.” —Believer “A vibrant novel…a beautiful story of love, loyalty, and female friendship.” —HelloGiggles “[A] colorful, dramatic coming of age story.” —Ms. Magazine “This novel features a wide cast of characters and each girl has a unique perspective to offer. This book highlights many themes such as poverty, feminism, transgender issues, and living with disabilities. This beautifully written novel follows these girls as they navigate life’s obstacles with the love and support of their friends and family… I also fell in love with each character very quickly. Each girl in the story is very compelling in their own way, and I kept turning the pages to learn more about them…Perfect for readers who want to learn more about Indian and South Asian culture, or for readers who love stories featuring strong female friendships.” —Reading Women "Subramanian’s observations are sharp, witty, and incisive; her writing is consistently gorgeous. She is passionate about the plight of Indian girls subjected to a patriarchal system that ruthlessly oppresses and devalues them...In depicting the societal ills that oppress India’s women, Subramanian refuses to acquiesce to the plot that fate seems to have written for these girls. With the assistance of each other, their mothers, and a particularly dedicated headmistress — and in ways that stretch credulity — each girl overcomes seemingly intractable obstacles to face another day." —Washington Independent Review of Books “Spending time with this fearsome five is…just plain fun. Slum life is never romanticized. The narrator, an unnamed member of the girls’ inner circle, delivers enough cynical wisdom and pithy commentary to show just how wise these girls are to their plight without dismissing how insidious cultural messages are. What crystalizes is the sure knowledge that none of them are powerless…A People’s History of Heaven forefronts human dignity and the intelligence it takes to survive at the intersection of so much society uses to set people apart, while also making it clear that, ‘in Heaven, anger is not about any one person. It’s about the whole world.’” –Foreword Reviews “Poetic…Subramanian's rich imagery conjures up the bustle of a diverse city where children live in poverty mere blocks from three-story homes where their mothers work as maids. With its heroic young cast, A People's History of Heaven has huge YA crossover potential, and its social commentary makes it a wonderful book club selection. As colorful as a Rangoli design, this bittersweet coming-of-age story will linger in the reader's mind.” –Shelf Awareness “Wonderful…The stories of these young women…are full of emotion and drama, and also fierce power and hope. Their relationships and support for one another is inspiring, making this a beautiful testament to friendship and individuality. More LGBTQ+ novels about people of color, please!” –BookRiot “Subramanian sets her story within the harsh reality of Indian slum life but neither sentimentalizes the poverty of the girls nor dwells on it. Instead, she shows their potential and the joy that they can find with each other.” —Real Change News “Tackling some of the most trenchant issues facing Indian women in particular—casteism, arranged marriage, forced sterilization—as well as women all over the world…It has the heart-on-its-sleeve melodrama of some of the most successful teen novels and films, though it will likely also appeal to adults wanting to tuck in to a novel which is like the brainy big sister of a Lifetime movie. A girl power-fueled story that examines some dark social issues with a light…touch.” –Kirkus Reviews “A People’s History of Heaven forefronts human dignity and the intelligence it takes to survive at the intersection of somuch society uses to set people apart.” –Foreword Reviews “How can a novel about a group of daughters and mothers on the verge of losing their homes in a Bangalore slum be one of the most joyful and exuberant books I’ve read? Subramanian writes without a shred of didacticism or pity, skillfully upending expectations and fiercely illuminating her characters’ strength, intelligence, and passionate empathy. A People’s History of Heaven should be a case study in how to write political fiction. Each page delighted and amazed me.” –Heather Abel, author of The Optimistic Decade “Strong debut…Subramanian’s evocative novel waves together a diverse, dynamic group of girls to create a vibrant tapestry of a community on the brink.” –Publishers Weekly “Everything about A People’s History of Heaven is wonderful: the lyrical, light touch of the narrator, the story, the humor, and most of all, the girls. This novel—as shiny and crinkly and heartbreaking as "cellophane the color of false promises"—overflows with girls I want to meet, befriend, celebrate, and shelter from the ills of their world. But they don't need me to do that! Faced with bigotry and bulldozers, these girls know exactly what to do: stick together and help each other learn, love, see, fight. These are girls who ache, girls who build, girls who claim or escape girl-ness. Read about Banu, Deepa, Joy, Rukshana, Padma, and Leela: These are girls who save the world.” –MinalHajratwala, author of Leaving India “What a thrill to read a novel as daring and urgent as A People’s History of Heaven. It’s a story about defiance in the face of erasure, about the survival tactics of an unforgettable group of girls. I can’t remember the last time I encountered a voice of such moral ferocity and compassion.” —Tania James, author of The Tusk That Did the Damage “Everything about A People’s History of Heaven is wonderful: the lyrical, light touch of the narrator, the story, the humor, and most of all, the girls. This novel…overflows with girls I want to meet, befriend, celebrate, and shelter from the ills of their world. But they don't need me to do that! Faced with bigotry and bulldozers, these girls know exactly what to do: stick together and help each other learn, love, see, fight. These are girls who ache, girls who build, girls who claim or escape girl-ness. Read about Banu, Deepa, Joy, Rukshana, Padma, and Leela: These are girls who save the world.” —MinalHajratwala, award-winning author of Leaving India

Mathangi Subramanian is an award winning writer, author, and educator. A former public school teacher, senior policy analyst for the New York City Council, and assistant vice president at Sesame Workshop, Mathangi Subramanian's work has appeared in The Washington Post.com, Ms. Magazine Digital, Zora Magazine, Al Jazeera America, Quartz, The Hindu, The Wire, The Indian Express, and the Seal Press anthology Click! When We Knew We Were Feminists, among others.

She has received various fellowships, including a Fulbright-Nehru Senior Scholarship, a Jacob Javits Fellowship, and an Office of Policy and Research Fellowship from Columbia Teachers College, where she completed her doctorate in communications and education in 2010.

In 2019, her novel A People’s History of Heaven was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and named a Skipping Stones Honor Book.

Genre: Adult Fiction

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: A People’s History of Heaven is a one of a kind book. It has a wonderful cast of characters that are well-developed and intriguing, and they are masterfully executed as they jump off the page and grab onto your attention. The story is heartwarming, in the end it left me feeling like I’ve experienced something I never will again. The book is written beautifully, the style felt fresh and it flowed really well. The book was paced just to my liking, it kept me entertained from the start, and it kept me focused on the story throughout. I definitely recommend this book. I think it’s an unmissable read that you should check out.

[layologie]

Rants & ‘90s Sitcoms

 As a writer, a lot of times I’m either overflowing with ideas & bursting with amazing content that keeps me up at night while other times I have serious writer’s block. It’s so annoying. It seems to happen at the strangest times. I’ll be so inspired, yet because I’m brimming with TOO much inspiration, it clogs up my drain & I explode gunky nothingness onto the page. 

Wait.. that sounds so gross😂 

Anywho.. Hi, I’m Malayia & I’m a rambler. So, don’t mind me.. *gets it together*

This blog is a place where transparency, integrity, and fun are the goal. There will be times to be serious, times to rant, and times to just Juju on that beat (that song is so old, but hey it’s all I could think of. Lol). I put no limits on Layologie, so let’s get the ball rolling with some fun!! 

Here’s 9 of my favorite ‘90s sitcom shows of all-time: 

1. Living Single 

Living Single NEVER gets old. There’s nothing better than watching 4 bad women doing their thing in NYC while juggling life, career, romance, and friendships. Each character was so different, yet they fit. They all complimented each other & anybody watching Living Single could connect with at least one character. I lovedddd me some Regine, but Sinclaire was like my inner spirit animal, while Max & Khadijah were my home girls. Living Single is always my go-to show & it helps me to truly enjoy being single in the city. #NameTheScene

2. Girlfriends 

OMG! I swear Toni, Lynn, Maya, and Joan are my best friends in my head. I always wanted a group of girlfriends who were intelligent, fierce, and sassy. It’s like where else will you see some amazing black women who are culturally aware, fashionably on point, AND educated. It doesn’t get any better. Toni will always be my favorite, but you already know nobody loves Toni Childs MORE than Toni Childs. Lol. Oh! And, you can’t forget William..the honorary 5th! Ha!

3. Moesha 

Mo-to-the, E-to-the… I blame Moesha for my obsession with braids & the reason why I wanted to become a writer in the first place. Moesha was one of the best shows that depicted a solid black family with your average teenage girl who was unapologetically passionate about her education, her roots, her crew, and her social life. Moesha made it cool to be smart & to actually have a voice. Hakeem, Niecy, and Kim were the best with the jokes & I loved seeing teenagers being carefree & loving every minute of it. Man.. I wish we had a place like the Den. Frank was the best dad, hands down & Dee.. talk about a BAD black woman on the rise. And Miles always made me want a younger sibling, but then again, I thanked the Lord I don’t have one. Haha. 

4. South Central 

South Central is always one of my Saturday morning favorite shows. It dealt with real life issues from violence to gangs to unemployment. Joan was a single mother raising three kids: Tasha, Deion, and Andre. They struggled financially, but their mom always made sure they were taken care of. Andre pushed the limits a lot & was put into some crazy situations, but his mom kept him on lock. I hate this show ended after 1 season. I’d take South Central over reality TV any day.  

5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 

Who doesn’t like this show?! Talk about a classic. Uncle Phil was a father figure for a lot of us growing up. It was amazing seeing Uncle Phil & Aunt Viv not only raise their own kids, but take in their nephew, give him such amazing opportunities & a stable home environment. Will & Carlton’s banter was a highlight for me & the bond developed between Uncle Phil & Will over the years was priceless. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the right mix of funny, family, education, relationships, and important issues. One of the best in my book & I’m sorry, but I’m loyal to the 1st Aunt Viv.. It is what it is. #WeWerentFooled

7. One on One 

One on One…another favorite! Even though this was early 2000s, I couldn't leave it out! Breanna Barnes was a quirky teen with great friends, great family, and an amazing dad. Flex [the dad] took in his teenage daughter & basically put his bachelor living aside to make sure he set a good example for his daughter. Along the way was a lot of craziness, but it was so amazing seeing a girl I could relate to enjoying life one crazy day at a time!

8. Thea

Thea was a feisty widow raising 4 kids with the help of her family & friends. She worked in a grocery store by day & ran a 1-chair beauty salon by night all while taking care of her kids, and… mind you, she was raising 3 young black men which could not be easy! Danesha, the only girl was my favorite. She was sassy, educated, and beautiful. I loved watching their family go through their journey together, and always found room for laughter. FYI: I had the biggest crush on Jerome [Jason Weaver]. Haha!!

9. Martin

Last, but CERTAINLY not least. I don’t care what top fav list you’re reading… But, if Martin isn’t on your list for top ‘90s shows, then I need to reconsider our friendship. Martin will always be one of my favorite shows [well, up until Martin & Gina couldn’t be in the same scenes]. However, if I had to pick a crew of friends then Tommy, Cole, Pam, Gina, and Martin would be it. Gina & Martin were such a great representation of black love that was raw, funny, sincere, and passionate. Pam & Martin kept me dying laughing and Tommy & Cole are those silly friends that will keep you in crazy situations. And, even though I always wanted to know…the mystery to finding out where Tommy worked was a classic!

What’s on your list? I’d love to hear some of your favorite ‘90s sitcoms!

[nadbooks]

My Favorite Books of 2016

So I know this is really late but I only just decided to start a book blog and what better way to start than with this kind of post. So here we go! Here are the top ten books I read in 2016, rank-ordered, all of which I gave 5 stars to.

10. Beside Myself by Ann Morgan

This book is about a pair of twins who like to pretend to be each other until one day, one of the twins refuses to switch back. It’s basically a look at how people’s perceptions of you can really influence your entire life trajectory. It’s the most insane case of a self-fulfilling prophecy I ever read about and as a psychology student, I’m a complete sucker for it. The story does get a bit dramatic and it seems that anything bad that can happen to our main character will happen. Still, it is a really interesting look at how the way we judge people can really influence who they become and also highlights some of the worst parenting I’ve ever read about. Kind of an eye-opening book which is why it made it onto my list!

9. Genesis by Bernard Beckett

This book... man, I don’t even know how to describe this book. It’s some sort of dystopian I guess but it’s a relatively short book that takes place over the course of a few hours. The story follows our main character as she takes a history exam about her society so we get to learn about the history of this society and how it came to be from her answers on the exam. It’s a really interesting way of introducing the world that was informative and felt genuine and didn’t feel like info-dumping. Other than the way the story is told, this book also discusses really interesting philosophical questions like how different is artificial intelligence really from humans and what gives humans our humanity? Overall, a really mind-blowing read which I did not expect at all, and one that will make you think.

8. Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell

You will soon realise that I am a huge fan of dystopian books and I will likely feature many of them on my blog. This is one of the most classic dystopians out there so I thought I should give it a read if I wanted to proclaim myself a dystopian fan. It’s easy to see how this book became such a staple for the dystopian genre. It is creepy and unsettling in a quiet way, as all dystopians should be. I thought the idea of language as the thing that allows us to have independent thoughts was fascinating and the idea to severely limit the vocabulary of the society so that people cannot even think rebellious thoughts was the creepiest thing I had ever read about. That is essentially mind control in the subtlest yet most powerful way. There were so many quotable passages in this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy so that I can highlight them all! I also liked how the ending was different from many other dystopians in that it is a pretty bleak one and essentially nothing has changed. Much more realistic in my opinion, albeit a tad depressing. That’s just the way I like my books though!

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This book is extremely well-loved in the book community and perhaps it is surprising that it is only number 7. Unfortunately, this is entirely my own fault as I saw the movie before I read the book (I know, burn me at the stake) so I knew what was going to happen in the end. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I still felt all the emotions that I was supposed to throughout the entire story (though maybe a little less strongly). I thought having Death as the narrator was genius and made the writing so interesting. It was dark but also funny. The plot of the story itself was a little lacking perhaps so what I really enjoyed about this book was the writing. I really do wish I had read this before I saw the movie because I think it would have packed a much bigger punch but oh well... Still a wonderful story and an instant favorite.

6. Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. This is a story about a girl who was raped and is trying to deal with that. I thought this book showcased a way of dealing with rape that is different from what I usually see in other stories. Our main character in this story is actually quite high-functioning and is able to go about her life like usual. It is only when she is alone at night that the nightmares come. I thought this was an interesting portrayal of that. I also loved the romance and friendship in this story. It is not a ‘love fixes mental issues’ kind of story but more like ‘love gives you the strength to face your issues’, which I thought was beautiful. The love interest was so kind and respectful and I just want every love interest to be like him. I am so done with the bad boy trope, give me more nice guys! Contrary to popular belief, they don’t finish last, at least not in my books. The mystery element and sibling relationship in this book were also really great.

5. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This has got to be my absolute favorite historical fiction so far. The story follows a blind Parisian girl and a German boy sent to Hitler Youth and it is a slow build-up to when their paths eventually cross. I don’t usually care about beautiful or poetic writing but Anthony Doerr, man, you sucked me right in. The writing was truly, truly beautiful and was absolutely perfect for a story like this. I fell in love with all the characters and although this book was a chunker, I never wanted it to end. I wanted to keep following these characters forever. Unlike other historical fictions, I thought this one also had a pretty solid plot that had an element of mystery in it, which I loved. This book is just so beautiful (inside and out) and I can’t recommend it enough.

4. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

This is the fourth book in The Heroes of Olympus series. Last year, I read the whole Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and The Heroes of Olympus series and it was incredible. The world of Percy Jackson is so cool! I was always fascinated by Greek mythology as a kid and I only wish I had discovered Percy Jackson sooner! It is just as enjoyable to read these books even now when I’m 23 though! The Heroes of Olympus is definitely my favorite of the two series because I just love all of the characters and their character development was just incredible. You know Rick Riordan is an incredible author when he is able to fully flesh out 10 characters in the space of 5 books. The House of Hades is my favorite one because this was like the peak of all the character development (especially precious Nico!!) and it was also incredibly exciting because we were building up to the finale. Also, Percy and Annabeth are #relationshipgoals. I can’t wait to dive back into the Percy Jackson world with the Magnus Chase and Trials of Apollo series!

3. Champion by Marie Lu

Ahhh here we go again with the dystopians. Champion is the third book in the Legend trilogy. I was pleasantly surprised by this trilogy. I thought it would be just another dystopian, following the same kind of formula all dystopians seem to follow these days. And yes, it kind of did, but it did it well. I thought the Legend trilogy was a bit more political than most other dystopians which I actually enjoyed. I like seeing how people actually carry out decisions in these societies and the kinds of biases that pervade the people. I also think this series is different in that the characters actually work together with the government (or at least a member of the government) to bring about a better society, rather than to just rebel and cause social upheaval and violence. June and Day are also OTP and while many people hated the ending of Champion, I actually really loved it, especially the epilogue. It really struck me and left me thinking about them long after I closed the book, which I can’t say for many other couples in books.

2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Whoo boy, how do I even begin to explain my love for this book and this series in general. The Unwind dystology consists of four books and is a dystopian series (surprise, surprise) set in a world where parents are allowed to harvest their children’s organs if they want to. Sound creepy yet? This world is so incredibly fleshed out (no pun intended) and I think that is largely due to the multiple POVs. We get so many interesting POVs throughout the series that really let us see this world and society from every possible angle. It is also the dystopian that seems closest to our real world which is incredibly scary. The process of unwinding really got me shook. Aside from the world and the multiple POV writing, our main characters are also so interesting and brave and just human. I love love love Connor, Risa and Lev and I think they are some of the most interesting but relatable heroes ever. Gaaaaahhhh I can’t say enough good things about this book and it pains me that it is not more well-known or well-loved. It has quickly become my favorite dystopian series, even surpassing The Hunger Games! If that doesn’t tell you to go read this series, I don’t know what will.

1. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I really struggled between Unwind and A Monster Calls for the number one spot but I decided to give it to A Monster Calls. This book packs such an emotional punch for one that I read in two hours. It is a story about a boy dealing with grief and I think it is such an important read for everyone. Another beautiful story with simplistic but beautiful writing. The story is just so incredible and I am amazed at how it is able to capture so many themes and ideas about grief in such a short and simple story. A must read for anyone who is dealing with grief and highly recommended for everyone in general. The movie was also incredible and really brought out all the raw emotions I felt while reading this book. Please, do yourself a favor and read this if you haven’t. You’ll get a whole new understanding of grief and life and eventually being okay again.

So those are my top ten books of 2016! I’m excited to start book blogging although I’m not sure how often I can do it. I planned to start in 2018 but I thought I would give it a go first with some posts. I will soon post my Least Favorite Reads of 2016 and also Booktube’s Favorite Reads of 2016 where I list out the definitive top ten list of books based on 30 booktubers’ Favorites of 2016 videos. 

Cheers and happy reading!