#ask adib

[adibkhorram]

Dear Mr Khorram,

I recently read one of your books, Darius the Great Is Not Okay, and I’m so glad that I did. I had heard talk of the book floating around and I never knew why, but now that I’ve read it, I’m incredibly grateful that I did. Reading about Darius’ experience with his culture, his family, and his depression hit me right in the heart, as I have gone through very similar things. Seeing someone else go through things that I’ve gone through makes me feel so much less alone, and even if it’s still hard, I know that it’s a feeling that I can share with others.

Originally, I read this book as a way to look into another perspective, a type of ‘window,’ but the more I read, the more I saw myself in Darius. I understand how he feels when his father seems disappointed in him all the time for things he can’t control, because I’ve been through that too. My parents don’t always understand that sometimes the best I can do is just getting up and staying awake. Being excluded from the group, dealing with bullies that target you for things you don’t have control over, and struggling to understand what you’re supposed to do when you’re around others isn’t too far from home. It made me sad to realize that Darius and myself had gone through very similar situations.

More than that, I saw myself in Darius’ experience trying to connect with his culture. My family comes from many different places, and I’ve never been as connected as I’d like to be. I didn’t even know about part of my heritage until I was older, since my parents never talked about it. The lack of knowledge made me feel like I couldn’t really claim the culture as my own. Darius’ hesitancy to engage in things and his uncertainty about how to talk with other people in Iran, felt like someone had taken my anxieties right out of my brain and put them onto a page, just with a different background. It makes sense that plenty of people feel that way, especially when you’re the child of an immigrant, but it still was very special to see that struggle represented.

The thing that was maybe most impactful to me was Darius’ connection with his grandfather. I lost my grandfather around a year ago, and since he lived in Germany, I didn’t get to see him as much as I would have liked. I also had to leave knowing that I wouldn’t get to visit my grandfather again, and I’ll admit that I cried a bit reading that part of the book. Losing someone is always hard, but knowing that you won’t be able to go visit them again hurts. Losing someone hurts even more when it feels like you haven’t had enough time with them. The way that you talked about Darius’ feelings hit me right in the gut, and I still haven’t fully gotten over it.

Darius’ story was a reflection of mine in so many ways, and I’m forever grateful that I took the chance and read your book. It was a book that I will probably think about for some time to come. Darius’ struggles with his mental health, with connecting to his culture, and with knowing that he won’t get to see his grandfather again all painted a very realistic portrait of teenage life, and I’m glad that I read the book. Congratulations on your newest book! I hope to hear back from you. It would be awesome to get a ‘letter’ back from an author I admire, and my teacher promised me extra credit points if I got a response back, although I was not expecting this to be done through a tumblr ask.

Sincerely,

Tobie

Hi Tobie,

Thank you so much for your lovely message. I'm so honored you saw yourself in Darius's story, and I hope it was a balm to you through your own rough times. I wrote it for folks who feel like you do—and like I do too, tbh.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather passing away. Mine are both long gone, but I think of them often, especially my Iranian one, who went through so much in his life but, in his later years, was more content than maybe any person I've ever known. He would sit on the porch of my aunt's house (where he lived), looking at the garden and the sunlight, and say "Khaylee khoob" (very good) to himself.

I hope you're taking care of yourself as best you can. And I hope, like Darius, you find the people that love you for who you are.

Yours,

Adib

[lgbtqreads]

m/m or queer male (and maybe even non-fiction ones, although I am mostly looking for fiction) books with more realistic sex/sexuality portrayals or depicting a more complicated relationship with sexuality than ‘I discovered that I am gay and I automatically like every sexual act with a romantic partner I have’.

And I don’t mean just “I am insecure about my body and learn to overcome that” complex relationship with sexuality but niche and smaller/more specific things talked about less, for example:

main character finding that they are borderline uncomfortable with being an active side in any type of sexual act and scared of being selfish

disliking doing something or not fitting sexually with their partner

not being attracted to people in a consistent manner

being nonverbal during sex

not being able to get off with another person

being on ace spectrum and not attracted to people but still wanting to have sex

not trusting people that you’re attracted to enough to have sex with them

having kinks considered weird but not being comfortable to go to kink clubs

Et cetera

Sorry if it’s a bit weird of an ask, but it’s really really hard to search for books about realistic sexuality where not everything is perfect without just getting sex ed or non-realistic erotica (not that there is something wrong with that, just not what I’m looking for atm) results

Not weird of an ask at all! Definitely grab I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram, which fits for a couple of reasons. (Fun immature fact: I read it while on a bday weekend getaway with a bunch of friends, and one of said friends thought it was hilarious to ask me if anyone ever farts in Romance novels. It was a delight to come to him the next morning and say, YES, ACTUALLY - IN THE ONE I AM READING RIGHT NOW.) 

Some m/m with men on the ace spectrum - The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, How to Be a Normal Person and How to Be a Movie Star by TJ Klune, Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky, and Easy Does It by KM Neuhold.

I’ll edit as I think of more books that fit, but these are a good place to start!

[displayheartcode]

let your followers get to know you!! list the top 5 books you've read this year and then send this ask to other blogs you like

Stacie!!! I hope you’re warm and cozy despite the 19° outside

My top five

NICKED by MT Anderson

HOLY TERRORS by Margaret Owen (please preorder the ending to such a wonderful trilogy!!!)

I’LL HAVE HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING by Adib Khorram

RISE by Freya Finch

THE BOOK EATERS by Sunyi Dean

Honorable mentions: FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry, YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY by Cat Sebastian, WHEN AMONG CROWS by Veronica Roth,FIRST LIGHT by Liz Kerin…

[mistermaxwellboucherdieasilived]

Doing @charlottan's book tag game Hiiiiiii Charlotte :) And thanks Skippy for tagging me

Favorite books: We'll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss, The Street by Ann Petry, Notes From my Captivity by Kathy Parks, Hunger Games trilogy (Catching Fire is my fave I think), Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram SOOOOO GOOD, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, More Than This by Patrick Ness

Favorite authors: Sorry for this some of these I've read literally one of their books. But anyway. Jason Reynolds, Lemony Snicket, George Orwell SORRY, John Webster, E. Lockhart LOVEEEEE HER

Favorite genres: Realistic fiction, lgbt coming of age/romance, YA but I don't consider that its own genre, novels in verse, early modern british drama sorry, survival narratives (idk if theres an official term)

Book(s) you're currently reading: Sort of The Hunger Games trilogy because I'm writing a paper on it, about to start reading Stone Butch Blues (for fun) and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (for class)

Books on your to read list: Stone Butch Blues, The Poet X, The Hate U Give, The Handmaid's Tale, House of Leaves (THIS SUMMER I WILL)

Books you loved as a child: STARGIRL BY JERRY SPINELLI <3333, Nature Girl by Jane Kelley, Captain Underpants (the whole series), Animorphs series, any scary stories collections but especially David Lubar's Weenies series, A Series of Unfortunate Events <33

Preferred book length: Like 300-400 pages

Books you couldn't finish: Omg so many.... Sense and Sensibility, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, The Scarlet Letter, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar... these are just for school

Fiction or nonfiction: Fiction<333333333 I <3 narratives

Buy, borrow from library, or read online: Library LOL. I also love thriftbooks

Author you've read the most of, but DON'T recommend: Laurie Halse Anderson. Sorry. Okay.

Favorite book character: At the moment, Katniss Everdeen.

If you at some point stopped reading but then started again, what book/books got you into reading again: What most sparked my interest in literature for school was probably Macbeth or Heart of Darkness. I stopped reading much around freshman/sophomore year but one book that really brought me back would be You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman. I remember reading it in one sitting and feeling like myself again because I read it so fast lol. Smiles

Tagging @verpaso and anyone else who wants to heart

[jabertaf123]

In the heart of Gaza, I, a young father, hold my three small children close as the relentless echoes of war shake the very ground beneath us. My eldest, just five years old, stares at the world with wide, innocent eyes that have witnessed more than they should. My other two children, even younger, cling to me, their small hands trembling as explosions rip through what was once a peaceful neighborhood.

Every day, my heart shatters a little more. Each scream, each distant blast, pierces through me like a dagger. I try, with all my strength, to shield my children from the horrors around us, but how can I hide the thunderous roar of war? How can I protect their innocent minds from the terrifying reality of death and destruction that surrounds us? Food is scarce, and water even more so. I scavenge whatever I can find, often risking my life just to bring back a scrap of bread, all while my children cry out in hunger, their small stomachs empty.

At night, we huddle together in the corner of our damaged home, now nothing more than a fragile shell. I whisper stories of hope into their ears, even though my voice trembles with fear. They look up at me, searching for reassurance, but the truth is, there is no safety here. No refuge from the violence that has stolen our peace. This war has taken everything from us—our freedom, our security—and now it threatens to take our lives.

Each day, I face unbearable choices. Do I flee with my children into the streets, risking death at every turn, or do I stay, hoping against hope for a ceasefire that never comes? Every decision feels like a gamble with the lives of those I love most. My body is worn out, my spirit shattered, but I cannot afford to break—not while my children depend on me to survive.

I am just a young father, trying to protect my family in a war zone. My children deserve a life free from fear, a chance to laugh and play, but for now, all I can do is hold them close and pray for our safety.

Please, I beg you, if you can hear my plea—help us. We need your prayers, your support, your donations. My family and I cannot endure this suffering alone. With your help, maybe we can survive this nightmare and find a glimmer of hope in a future free from war. Please, I ask you from the depths of my heart, help us before it’s too late.

[fionacreates]

3, 11, 14 for the book asks?

3. What were your top five books of the year?

(gonna lump some series together)

"Darius the Great is not OK" and the sequel "Darius the Great Deserves Better" by Adib Hhorram - maybe it was just the vibe I needed at the time, but they were lovely coming of age books.

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb (reread) It's been actual YEARS since I read these and I still cite them as a favourite series. It was amazing how much I forgot. Still a good read. Even if I want to throttle the teenage protag at times!

The Martian by Andy Weir. I picked the audiobook up on a whim because it was available and I needed something to listen to. Best whim I've had this year! I don't know what I expected from the book, (I haven't seen the film) but it was a blast from start to finish. Again, the narration by Wil Wheaton didn't hurt!

Jade City by Fonda Lee. I've only had a chance to read the first of the trilogy, and it was setting up for some grand things. It's been a while since I looked around the fantasy genre for a good series to sink my teeth into and there's been so much published since I last went looking. Can't wait to get to the next two.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland. Fantasy queer romance. Does what it says on the tin. The right amount of trope and emotion and vibe. I've read a few fantasy romances this year and I was expecting something melodramatic and cliche but fun, and it delivered way above what I expected! I know the author is publishing again next year and I can't wait. I think it's pirates next time.

Honourable Mentions

Lessons in Chemisty - Bonny Garmus

The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison/Sarah Monette

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

The Odssey - Homer (I know QUITE A WHILE Huh?)

I listened to an audiobook narrated by George Blagden, this has been a book I've tried to read for a while as I am ofc very aware of the cultural impact, but I just couldn't get into reading it. Considering the Odyssey comes from Oral Tradition it is so much better when read to you. George Blagden's voice doesn't hurt either :P

14. What books do you want to finish before the year is over?

I'm rereading Jane Austen's Emma for the first time since I read it the first time, and I'm trying to go slowly and really enjoy the language, not zoom through for "OMG WHAT HAPPENS NEXT". I'm now getting to enjoy the slower chapters and all the bonus gossip and vibes.

I'm also in the middle of Victoria Goddard's Hands of the Emperor which has been a good read so far, protags who aren't -20 are rare and I love it.

Yes I ADHD read multiple books at once.

Folks, send more book asks!! - The List is Here

[mariacallous]

If I were granted paradise I would not wish to have it alone May no clouds rain on me and my land That do not cover the whole country

When Riad al-Turk, the veteran dissident known affectionately as “the old man of the Syrian opposition,” died on New Year’s Day 2024 in exile in France at the age of 93, his family took the unusual step of starting his death notice not with a religious quote but with the above lines by the 11th-century Syrian poet, philosopher and freethinker Abu al-Alaa al-Maarri. The egalitarian spirit of the verse captures much of the essence of Riad, who lived a life of great personal sacrifice in the struggle for a free and democratic Syria. He suffered immensely but was not broken. He leaves behind a rich legacy.

When I first met Riad, I had recently arrived in Damascus from Britain. It was the year 2000. It was a mild autumn, but all the talk was of a “Damascus Spring.” Hafez al-Assad had just died, after three decades of totalitarian dictatorship, and his son Bashar had inherited the presidency. The new president seemed to be an outward-looking modernizer. Many Syrians at home and abroad believed his presidency would usher in a new democratic age. My father was one of many political dissidents who seized the moment to return from exile. He took me with him.

Riad al-Turk was a close friend and former comrade of my father’s. He used to visit our house in Tiliani, behind the Italian Hospital from which the district takes its name. I saw my father truly come alive on those evenings when they sat with other friends in a smoke-filled room, a glass of arak or whisky in hand, voices raised, hands gesturing. During those visits my father relived the escapades of his youth. He could also engage in the animated political discussions he’d missed so much in exile.

I was young, and my interest in Syrian politics was limited. I had come to Damascus to spend time with family. I had recently graduated with a master’s degree in human rights and had dreams of working in South Asia. Did I want to work on human rights in Syria? Riad asked me. A short while later, I found myself attending a meeting of a human rights monitoring center, one of the newly formed independent civil society organizations that had sprung up following Hafez al-Assad’s death. The meeting was held in an old stone building in Damascus’ Baramkeh neighborhood. I was introduced that day to a young lawyer called Razan Zaitouneh. We were the same age, both of us were passionate about human rights and social justice, and we quickly developed a strong friendship. At the time, I was largely oblivious to the risks such work entailed.

I never made it to South Asia, and I saw a great deal more of Riad.

Riad al-Turk was born in Homs in 1930. He grew up in an orphanage. Maybe it was his early childhood experience that imbued him with the strong sense of injustice and the determination to resist it that would define his life. He became politically active while in law school, and in 1952 he joined the Syrian Communist Party (SCP). His first short stint in prison was the same year. This was punishment for opposing the military coup led by Adib al-Shishakli, one of a series of coups that followed Syria’s formal independence from France. Then he was imprisoned again in 1958 and held for 16 months for opposing the short-lived United Arab Republic, which brought the Syrian and Egyptian states together under Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rule. Both the Shishakli coup and the Nasserist dictatorship significantly eroded Syrian democracy, giving the military and security services a central role in political life. It was this assault on democracy — and, specifically, Nasser’s banning of the Syrian Communist Party — that provoked the opposition of Riad and his comrades. He was a democrat to his core. And by now he had suffered grievous torture, which didn’t subdue his fervor for justice — on the contrary, it deepened and made it more visceral. He refused to back down.

He served as secretary general of the Syrian Communist Party (Political Bureau) from its foundation in 1973 until 2005. The party was formed following a split in the SCP over several key disagreements. The breakaway Political Bureau wanted the Arabs to play a role independent of the Soviet Union and opposed the SCP’s authoritarian leadership under Khaled Bakdash. In 1972, they rejected the SCP’s decision to join the pro-regime National Progressive Front, which provided a facade of political pluralism while the reality was absolute subservience to the ruling Baath Party and the Hafez al-Assad cult. The Political Bureau was able to operate at first, although with restrictions. But the regime cracked down on the party after it strongly condemned Syria’s intervention in Lebanon in 1976, in which Assad supported pro-Israel Falangist militias against the Palestinian-leftist alliance. All party activity was severely repressed. In October 1980, Riad was arrested.

On this occasion, he was imprisoned for almost 18 years, spending the whole time in solitary confinement. For the first 10 years he didn’t have a bed to sleep on. As well as the psychological torment, he was subjected to extreme physical torture. He refused repeated attempts to co-opt him in return for his release.

He was isolated from the outside world entirely. It was only in the final months that he was allowed books, newspapers or mail. I once asked him how he managed not to lose his mind after such a long period in solitary confinement. He told me how he used to collect lentils from his meals to turn into artworks. This story became well known among Syrians, in part through two films made by Mohammad Ali Atassi about Riad’s life: “Ibn al-Amm” (The Cousin, 2001) and “Ibn al-Amm Online” (The Cousin Online, 2012).

His long periods in prison, and his unwavering commitment to a free Syria, earned him comparisons to Nelson Mandela. I was often in awe not just of Riad, but of other former prisoners who, despite years of incarceration and brutal treatment, resumed their political activism when they were released. I suppose they’d had everything else taken from them — the chance of a life lived with family, of raising children — and knew that once your eyes are opened to tyranny and injustice, remaining silent is also a political choice.

Riad was released in May 1998. Hafez al-Assad died in 2000.

When I arrived in Syria in the fall of 2000, the “Damascus Spring” was in full swing. In the supposed political opening of Bashar’s nascent reign, a number of forums were being set up, primarily in Damascus but also in other towns. In these forums, dissidents gathered to discuss ideas of political reform. It was by no means a radical movement — its demands were modest — yet it represented a significant change in a polity where, for decades, all criticism was forbidden and brutally suppressed. Once more, Riad became a prominent critic of the regime. In an interview on Al Jazeera in August 2001, he declared, “the dictator has died.” The regime was angered. Riad was arrested and tried by the State Security Court and spent another 15 months in prison.

At the human rights organization where I worked, one of our main areas of focus was political prisoners and prisoners of conscience — those from a wide variety of backgrounds and political beliefs who were imprisoned because they opposed the regime and advocated for a free and democratic Syria. As the “Damascus Spring” turned to winter, we were increasingly advocating for friends and colleagues who had been incarcerated by the regime. Riad was one of them. It had now become apparent that Bashar al-Assad would continue his father’s authoritarian rule.

In 2005, the Syrian Communist Party (Political Bureau) moved away from its Marxist-Leninist roots. Adopting a social democratic orientation, it became the Syrian Democratic People’s Party. Riad stepped down as party secretary, but remained an active and influential member. In October of that year, he was one of the signatories to the Damascus Declaration. This attempt to unify the political opposition called for a multiparty democracy based on free periodic elections, respect for the rule of law, equality and human rights. (In 2011, the Syrian Democratic People’s Party joined the Syrian National Council through its participation in the Damascus Declaration.)

But Riad was aware that a lack of political freedoms was not the only challenge people faced. The neoliberal economic reforms introduced by Bashar al-Assad and his regime’s rampant corruption and crony capitalism were impoverishing large sections of the population. In a 2005 interview, Riad observed:

The issues that concern people are the issues that affect their daily lives. The average salary, for example, is less than 6,000 lira (about $115) per month. It’s not enough; they need to pay rent and put food on the table and most families have at least five people. … The average citizen may work two or three jobs and there is no time for anything else. How is he supposed to get active in politics? It’s not possible because the mafia-like rulers have continuously impoverished the people of this country.

Riad al-Turk was a man of quiet and unassuming dignity. He was a profoundly intelligent man and one of considered words. He exuded warmth despite the sadness in his eyes that hinted at the ocean of pain he must have carried within.

At our office in Baramkeh, a delicious cooked lunch was prepared every afternoon. We were often joined by various figures of the Syrian opposition — human rights defenders, political activists and journalists. As Razan Zaitouneh and I were the two young women in a group of older men, the task of clearing away the dishes often fell to us. The exception was Riad. This elderly, frail gentleman, whose iconic status and history of hardship should have exempted him from any mundane tasks, always got up to help us.

He was also generous in spirit. I still have two gifts from Riad, one a beautiful simple silver box for tobacco (he found my smoking roll-ups amusing) and the other a set of beads strung by political prisoners during their incarceration.

When the Syrian revolution erupted in 2011, of course Riad openly supported it. He believed the revolution belonged to the youth, and he was critical of the traditional opposition from which he himself came. In a 2011 interview, he told the filmmaker Atassi:

Revolutions are not made by statements and television interviews but by action on the ground. … Today, we face a people emerging from their silence, developing their own language, inventing their slogans and forms of action. Let us listen to them carefully, walk with them and not ahead of them and refrain from hijacking their voices to our benefit.

In the early days of the revolution, he went into hiding, at first staying in Damascus to avoid arrest as the regime was rounding up thousands of pro-democracy protesters and opposition activists. He was close to the young activists of the local coordination committees co-founded by Razan Zaitouneh that organized the protest movement and engaged in media work. He moved throughout the liberated areas encouraging the youth to join the rebellion against the regime’s tyranny. Although not himself a member, he was influential in the Syrian National Council (the opposition body in exile) when it was formed in Istanbul in August 2011. In 2018, in deteriorating health, he left his beloved Syria and fled via Turkey to France, to be with his daughters following his wife’s death.

Some rare people who enter your life are teachers — people who, through their friendship, change you forever. Riad al-Turk was such a person for me. So was Razan Zaitouneh, the young woman he introduced me to all those years ago. (Razan was kidnapped in the Syrian city of Douma in 2013, most likely by the Islamist militia Jaish al-Islam, along with three other activists — Samira al-Khalil, Wael Hammadeh and Nazem Hammadi — collectively known since their disappearance as the Douma Four.) Riad and Razan taught me the same lesson: that political struggle is not an abstract, elite or intellectual endeavor. Political struggle starts and ends with people — it stands by them, and walks together with them. Riad al-Turk liked to be called by the affectionate term “Ibn al-Amm” (cousin) by his friends and comrades. But to me he was always “Ammo” (uncle). The best way we can honor his legacy is by continuing to strive for the Syria he gave his life to achieve.

[faunabel]

*paws at ur inbox* can i get some music recs? what kind of stuff r u into?

ME????? 🥺 oh this delights me sm. who are u kind anon?? <333

SO! you asked me to yap and i shall >:3 i listen to a lot of stuff so maybe u will find something u like! so sorry for my rambling but u opened the floodgates. i'm more of a song person than artist person but i searched through my playlist just for u!

one. first, if u like acoustic, dreamy, melancholy, sometimes romantic music, i recommend flower face! her music feels like waking up from a far away dream world except the dream world was dystopian.

( jupiter | spiracle | the garden | another life )

two. band rec, i've always loved against the current. their music varies from pop, to punk pop, to pop rock, to rock. fave song by them is weapon. it got me through a v hard time and the first time i heard it i was like omg. perfection, truly.

( weapon | almost forgot | paralyzed )

three. also! i like waterparks. i don't know all their songs but a lot of them seem to be in the pop rock category, which i love <3

( dream boy | stupid for you | 11:11 )

four. OH if you don't mind non-english artists, i love emanuele aloia. he's italian (if u couldn't tell) and a lot of his songs are partially rap. his songs are pretty deep and a lot of them are romantic! beautiful lyrics <3 he's obsessed with similes which amuses me a little. even if u don't understand the words, his music is still gorgeous.

( quando dio ti ha inventata | cartagine | girasoli | il bacio di klimt )

five. if u like english vocaloid and dark, dreamy, melancholic, nostalgic songs, i recommend pumpkin head! i love their music sm. i believe they have DID so some of their songs hit very hard for me (as someone who also has DID).

( 8am | reflection? | requiem for gemini )

six. sounds like harmony. his music varies from acoustic to pop rock/punk and feels pretty sentimental to me. his lyrics r clearly very personal to him which i love <3

( neverland | fairytale | everything i've never wanted )

seven. fly by midnight is pretty good. they're more pop, i believe! i don't have much to say abt them except that fr some reason they remind me of lionfield. my brain just sees two guys and goes Oh Look It's Lionfield. (lionfield also has good music btw. if u weren't aware. go listen now this is an order)

( in the night | tragedy | infinitely falling )

eight. i like bao the whale! she makes her own songs, covers, and frequently joins other artists as a vocalist. vv pretty, sweet, cutesy voice! songs are on the soft side. peach vibes, u know? if you like her, you'll also prbly like adib sin.

( seafoam | bishounen | honeymoon un deux troix )

nine. if u like rap, u'll like zach diamond. i don't use tiktok often but i did find him on there and he seems like a nice guy <3 also his lyrics r pretty personal which, again, i enjoy. love peeking into people's minds.

( falling deep | on my own | isolation )

ten. i don't listen to them as much as i used to, but i still love get scared. rock band. probably everyone knows them, esp if u grew up on the internet any time in the past 13 years.

( don't you dare forget the sun | problematic | built for blame | drown )

eleven. unironically, one direction. i like boy band music what can i say. their music is so upbeat and feel good. some of it's romantic. some of it's emotional. makes me wanna be a cute guy w/ a girlfriend. also makes me wanna dance 🕺

( kiss you | you and i | little things | truly madly deeply )

ok i'm sleepy now and eleven is a lot so hopefully u found something u like! :3 honk shooo honk shoooooooooo

[the-march-hair]

19 and 22 for the book asks :D

19. Did you use your library?

Very much yes. Both online and in person. Browsing the library catalogue and making lists is one of my favourite things to do. "Here's all the books I can get for free!!"

I use the library to take reading risks, either outside genre, or a story in genre that I'm not sure I'm going to like. Or just cos I don't have enough cash for books atm and want to read. Also for audiobooks. Because they're expensive and when I'm working I can zip through those. Libraries are great.

Some fab things I read from the library that I wouldn't have tried otherwise.

The Martian - ANDY WEIR

Darius the Great is Not OK - ADIB KHORRAM

Foundation ISAAC ASIMOV

22. What’s the longest book you read?

Possibly... To Sleep in a Sea of Stars - Christopher Paolini. I listened to the audiobook which was 32 hours long while I was working, google says the book is 880 pages.

I also (re) read 6 Robin Hobb books in the same world, and they're pretty big individually.

For the book asks

[adibkhorram]

Does Darius listen to PAR-K?? :)

omg worlds colliding!!! what a fun question!!

(for those who haven't read yet PAR-K is an Iranian-American pop-rock band [read: boy band] from Kiss & Tell)

I honestly don't know?? I waffle on whether all my books are in the same universe are not honestly. But if they WERE in the same universe I think Darius would like them!!

[marriedtolike18fictionalmen]

Our Infinity of Stars (pt. 8)

Hope you're ready for the next one, it's Abt to go down

Four months had passed since that day. Much had stayed the same, with the new addition, of course, of Alira and her family in our lives, as well as Neteyam and I sneaking around. We had shifted our mauris around, now ‘Rina and Ateyo were in the same one, next to them was Ateyo and ‘Rina, then came Neytiri and Jake’s, then Tuk’s, Neteyam, Mine, Adib and now Alira’s mauri, then Lo’ak, and finally Kiri.

It was long past eclipse, and I was in a deep sleep. Something woke me, and I opened my eyes to see neteyam’s silhouette near the entrance of my mauri. “Darling? What are you doing? It’s late.”

Neteyam’s light steps neared me, and he slid into the hammock beside me, burying his face in my neck. 

Immediately I wrapped myself around him, brow furrowed. “What happened?”

Neteyam just shook his head. I pulled back and pushed the braids from his face. “You can tell me, I won’t mention it after this conversation. Promise.” I held out my last finger and he reached up and entwined his own with it. 

He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I rested my chin on his head. “Lo’ak was being dumb again. He got caught sneaking back in his tent just now, but wouldn’t tell anyone where he was, or who he was with.” I nodded, brushing my fingers on his back. “Of course I got all the blame for it. ‘Neteyam, why don’t you know anything about this?’ ‘Neteyam, you should have gone with him.’ For fuck’s sake, do they want me to handcuff him to me 24/7?”

I leaned down and pressed my lips to his. One of his hands came to caress my neck. I pulled away after a moment. “I’m sorry my darling. Lo’ak needs to grow up at this point, he’s not a child anymore, he can take accountability for his own actions. It’s not fair to you or to him that you always take the blame for him, and your parents need to realize that.” His fingers tapped on my hip twice as a silent thanks, and I cradled his head closer to my chest.

“Can I just stay here tonight? Wanna be near you.” Neteyam mumbled against my neck.

I only pulled him closer, pressing myself against him and smiling as his scent filled my senses before I drifted off once again.

~ᐧ~

The next morning, as first light drifted through the gaps in the fabric, I awoke to Neteyam getting up. “I’m sorry, princess. Did I wake you?” he asked with a frown.

“No, no. I always wake up early.” Neteyam pressed a soft kiss against my lips, and I sighed as he pulled away. “I kinda want you to just stay for a minute. What if I came to your mauri and we could say I had a nightmare from the war and you helped me out?” I could see as Neteyam’s defenses disintegrated, and he held out a hand for me to take. 

“C’mon, ma tex’lan.” His hand enveloped mine, and with soft steps padded next door to his mauri. I lay down on top of him, out chests pressed together and he wrapped his arms around me to keep me close as we slept.

“Neteyam, have you seen ‘Rin- oh shit.” I heard Lo’ak’s voice as I awoke again, and smirked as he dashed the other direction.

“Does that count as him figuring it out?” I whispered to Neteyam, not opening my eyes. I melted as his chuckle rumbled through his chest.

“No, he didn’t truly figure it out. I think. Maybe?” I laughed at the utter confusion in his voice, “Whatever. If he did, then  neither of us will have won the bet.”

I nuzzled into his chest, and placed a soft kiss on his neck. “I’m surprised your mother didn’t notice anything.”

He agreed. “Speaking of mothers, I need to go talk to yours. Nothin’ important, just wanted to get to know her better.” I nodded, and we got up. “I’ll see you later. Think there’s a gathering at the spot later.”

We promised to meet each other there, and parted ways. Neteyam went towards the beach where my mother looked after and taught the children, and I to the tsahik’s tent to help out and learn.

~ᐧ~

Later that night, I walked down to the beach with Kiri, ‘Rina, Lo’ak, and Ateyo. “I wonder where Neteyam got held up.” Kiri commented as we walked. 

“I don’t know. Maybe getting something to drink? He mentioned having some of the good Omatikayan stuff he grabbed before you guys left.” I smiled at the thought of Neteyam stealing it as his father wasn’t looking.

Lo’ak sauntered to my side. “What was that this morning. Y’all looked very comfy.”

“I had a really bad nightmare. About the war and my dad, i’ll spare you the details. It was bad though, and Neteyam caught me sitting outside and offered to let me hang out with him for a bit until I felt better, and we decided to have a sleepover. For old time’s sake.” I explained, the lie slipping effortlessly off my tongue. 

Lo’ak nodded. “You guys have been spending most of your time together, what’s that about?”

I narrowed my eyes. “WHat’s up with the interrogation? I think somebody’s jealous.” Lo’ak immediately backed off, and I laughed. “It’s not that deep. Ralak’s just been weird lately, and the boys don’t want me alone. Adib's been busy with Alira lately, not that I blame you bro, I’d spend all my time with her if she was my fiance too, so Neteyam has been sticking close by until that whole thing dies down.”

Lo’ak nodded, backing off as Neteyam ran up to us. “Sorry I’m late.” He held up two bottles of a drink. “I brought the good stuff!

I smiled up at him, grabbing one of the bottles. “I’ll be keeping this safe for you.” He tried to grab it, but I kept it out of reach, and he eventually gave up. Alira met us at the spot, and everyone sat down around the fire that had been made.

We had at some point began telling stories, and Roxto was telling about a legend of a creature that lurks in the deep and takes lone swimmers to the depths. I looked across as Neteyam, and found his face completely blank. He looked angry to anyone who didn’t know the familiar flick of his tail on his thigh meant that he was completely engrossed in what he was paying attention to.

The group slowly got smaller, and Neteyam too got up. He paused next to me, “I’ll walk you home.”

I stood, saying goodbye to everyone as we walked away. “Wanna go for a swim? I didn’t see you drink much and I didn’t drink much either. We should be good I think.” I asked him as we passed by the ilus on our way. 

He shrugged and nodded, and I hopped onto an ilu, Neteyam wrapping one arm around my waist and the other resting on my thigh.

[satanicdollx]

🍄💻🏡

🍄: Write a short essay about your thoughts and opinions on mushrooms. fuck no i won't I wrote enough essays when I was a student lmao but i love mushrooms (NO I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT DRUGS) also they so cute but some of them are deadly which is what i'm aspiring to be tbh.

💻: To feel nostalgic; what are some old games/websites you spent lots of time on when you were young? Believe it or not i didn't really play video games when i was a kid i didn't have any console 😅 I loved the Harry Potters games tho (fuck JK Rowling), especially the third one; and idk if Adibou is a thing outside or France but this was a classic too. As for websites only French people will know about the one and only Skyblog (it was like Myspace but make it French and more cringe) 🥲

🏡: You can make it as crazy and silly as possible; what would be some must-have features of your ideal dream house? i need my dream kitchen. Idc about the rest just gimme the damn dream kitchen. (that's a lie i'd like a room dedicated to music and gaming stuff + a huge balcony + a cat parkour thingie).

autumn emoji ask

[kuyajermsss]

gym kwento compilation

Monday, pumunta ko sa AF to attend gx classes. Saw a familiar face. Someone lang na nakakasabayan ko rin sa gx classes pero sa ibang branch. Quick chitchat lang, catch-up. Tapos dumating partner niya, tinabihan sya. Pinakilala naman sakin but his actions felt like he's trying to intimidate mo lol. So as understanding as I can be, ako na yung umiwas hahaha as if naman jusq

Wednesday, while queuing sa restroom, I witnessed 2 members fight over a shower room. Thought it was just a regular conversation, but it escalated that all of us in line stood in silence. Di ko alam buong context pero parang confrontation lang that there's a queue ganun, but they were shouting. Mag-memediate na sana ako buti na lang may dumating na staff. Hinayaan ko na sila nung nabakante yung another restroom kasi I was next in line, so di ko na alam how it ended.

Friday, talked to coach and asked for her PT rates. Wala naman akong fitness or physique goal, nalaman ko lang na she used to be a cheerdancer from Adamson. Since I really wanted to learn stunts and flips, I asked if feasible ba na specifically designed lang sa ganun yung training given na wala namang proper equipment sa gym (eg. foams and mats) to execute them. Sabi lang niya na we can do some drills but we'll execute them outside gym.

Ayun lang, all of these happened sa iba't ibang AF branches kasi adib adib ako haha

[zeinabragab]

Is Uber in Egypt a Safe Ride or a Ride to Harassment?

Is riding Uber Egypt safe? How Uber Egypt ensure safety for the riders? Who responsible for waking up on harassment and sexual abuse stories?  Why Uber didn’t take actions and fail in applying appropriate safety strategies even after knowing about previous sexual crimes?  Through scrolling on social media all of these questions need to be answered people are worriedespecially after two harrowing cases stand out. Let’s talk about the topic in details and explore the truth of Uber's place in our society, safety, and responsibility.

After reading about Habiba’s death I was really disappointed from Uber actions and heartbroken. Habiba Al-Shamaa is 24 years old graduated from the Faculty of Media from a British university, and works in the field of furniture and decor. People know Habiba as (the girl from Shorouk) this young girl lost her life because on the hands of an Uber driver. The accident starts when the driver tries to kidnap her causing her to throw herself out of the speeding car. After being in coma for 21 days sadly she lost her life. The way that Habiba’s father cried because of the loss of his daughter saying “I can’t believe yet that she has left me.” Could you imagine how the fear and the panic that Habiba felt surround her when she jumped in the street. People are waiting form Uber to take proper action after this crime and apply new safety regulations for ensuring ride-sharing service.In my opinion safety is the most important thing for any company what I’m concerned about Uber obvious disrespect for these serious accusations. It’s obvious for all the people that their safety is not guaranteed while using Uber. What is really shocking that second accident incident of the Tagamoa woman who was assaulted by an Uber driver. Amr Adib the famous TV presenter was direct in his show program Al-Hekaya questioningUber " Whose son is Uber in Egypt?, Who are the people that Uber is accountable to? , Who is responsible for making sure that they are held responsible, and the last women died and nothing was done". These questions and more similar to all of the Egyptian’s especially for the customers who really need Uber in their daily life. Let’s tell more information what Sallysaid the sister of the lady from El Tagammo in phone call “Al-Hekaya” program. She said that her sister was going to wedding she choose for her the best available driver but minutes later she was surprised by a call from her sister asking her to cancel the trip. She said that her sister was surprised when the driver stopped in an empty area saying that he was was thirsty then he attacked her with knife trying to assault her. She was able to escape from the car and run into the desert until Lori's driver helped her and took her to a safe place. After addressing all of this accidents do you will trust Uber again.  

In the end for all the reasons above Uber need to take a proper action regain our trust. Indeed, Uber introduced anti-harassment training for drivers but this is not enough. They should do more like drug testing every month, check on their criminal records, and stronger driver selection. If Uber wants to keep our safety as a top priority they should apply this action’s to ensure that every ride is safe.

Aya Hussein

[hagatha-christie]

February reads, here we gooooooo

The bad: None!

The fine: Darius the Great is Not Okay/Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khoram: Any time I read a book for kids/teens, I always ask myself what audience it's for and if I think the book would benefit them. This is for the awkward high schoolers who despite their best efforts are kind of bumbling idiots who aren't great at communicating (me as a kid!!!). I think this is generally is entertaining and sweet and relatable, and I liked the first enough to read the second one. Overall would recommend.

The good:

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler: I was not as in love with this as I thought I'd be, I think mostly because of how clunky the dialogue felt at times. Still a very solid read, absolutely brutal though and I had to take a long break after finishing this because it was ROUGH and made me sick to my stomach at times.

Space Invaders by Nona Fernandez (Chile): Short and surreal. I feel like it only gave me a taste of Fernandez' writing style but I enjoyed it enough to want to check out her other stuff.

The great:

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin: I read this and Parable of the Sower in the same week which was a mistake!!!! I thought this was super unique and I generally like Jemisin's writing style so I flew through this after kind of struggling for the first 70 pages or so. I think I need a break before continuing with the Obelisk Gate, but I'll for sure keep reading the series.

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin: Underlined half the damn book and cried through the other half, can't wait to be absolutely wrecked by Beale Street next.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (Sri Lanka): Listen I just finished this and have a headache because I didn't have the energy to cry about it. I love a book about characters who maybe aren't the best people but are trying to be better and also situations that don't end tidily and also books that are both sad and funny so this kind of ticks every box. I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla (recommend btw - the narrator is fantastic) and decided I need a physical copy of my own.

[atreef]

Houston Couples Therapy & Relationship Counseling - Expert Guidance

Strong, secure relationships are necessary for all of us to thrive.

The joy you had with your partner was unmatched and unlike any other feeling. You felt at home and loved every second spent with them. The love was unlike any other feeling you ever felt or could imagine.

But, today, your feeling of love and joy has unfortunately been replaced with:

Repeated arguments with your partner, often starting over small issues and then escalating to bigger, sometimes hurtful disagreements.

Feelings of tension in your relationship, or at times, feeling like you are "walking on eggshells."

Less intimacy and sexual desire as your emotional connection or your partner’s emotional connection has decreased.

Fear of talking about your issues or problems because you just don't know where or how to start . . . or you may feel overwhelmed as you can not tell where the conversation will lead.

This could be the result of you or your partner feeling stuck. You may also feel too tired to share or discuss your differences, and old issues seem to never get resolved, and at times, your feelings may lead to hopelessness.

That is why couples therapy may be a good place for you to start. Couples just like you may wonder the same issues, and yes you are not alone in this!

Here are some questions that are normal to ask:

Will couples therapy or counseling make a difference in my relationship?

Can my relationship be saved?

Is there a solution to our arguing repeated cycle?

Is it too late for my relationship?

Can we set a better example for our kids?

And can we turn back time in our relationship?

Answers to questions like these can depend on where the feelings are in your relationship.

Located in Houston, Texas, and licensed in both Texas and Florida, my goal as your therapist is to work with you and your partner on your relationship issues and to assist you in any stage of your journey.

"With therapy, couples can transform challenges into opportunities and growth, turning struggle into steps towards a deeper understanding and stronger connection."  -- Ehsan Adib Shabahang

My passion is to help you and your partner reconnect and, in the process, while working with you, develop a strong foundation from which you and your partner can take on any challenge that you may face. I understand the pain and struggle of reaching out for help; that is why I offer a 15-minute consultation to help you in this journey, giving you a chance to share and express your emotions. I specialize in using scientific, innovative, and proven couples therapy approaches that can provide you with the tools that you and your partner need to help you and your partner become a team again.

AtReef is a place that helps you heal in your relationship and turn issues into opportunities with the help of tools and science-backed methods. Giving you a chance to once more love, enjoy, and share that feeling that once existed in your relationship.

My Services Include:

Relationship Counseling

Sex Therapy

Premarital Counseling

Affair Recovery

Couples Therapy and Counseling

Note: I am trained to work with a variety of challenges that are too exhaustive to list. Please call or email if you have any specific questions that I can help.

Strengthen your relationship emotionally and physically.

In my therapy sessions I focus on understanding your story helping you work through challenges in a way that feels right. I use a mixture of methods in our sessions.

First, there's an approach that helps you and your partner manage emotions and improve relationships by teaching practical skills. Then, we work on changing negative thought patterns to improve how you feel and act.

For couples, I also use special technique that's all about making relationships stronger and helping you communicate better.

And finally, I offer guidance on issues related to sexual health and intimacy. This part of my work is about creating a comfortable space where you can openly discuss and work through concerns or questions you might have.

My goal is to provide you the support and tools you need to feel better and make positive changes in your life and relationships.

My Specialties

I have helped countless couples through major challenges

Difficulty communicating

Feeling misunderstood or misjudged and struggling to get your message across

Lack of intimacy

Feeling lonely, avoiding vulnerability, and having struggles with closeness

Limited boundaries

Difficulty in setting boundaries burdens you, leading to resentment or loneliness

Relationship viability

Questioning if you’re in the right relationship, feeling like you don’t have the tools to decide

Intense conflict

Reaching painful conflict often and feeling overwhelmed by everyday interaction

Long distance

The physical distance is making it hard to get traditional counseling, but you need help