#but whatever. at least there’s audiobooks

[livvyofthelake]

dude this actually sucks. guy at work voice

[hyephyep]

i keep going through the same conversation with myself.

"i'm really enjoying this audiobook but i wish it had captions"

"wait that's just a book"

"well maybe audiobooks should come with the book. as standard practice"

"wouldn't that make audiobooks more expensive though?"

"shit. probably"

[nerdsandbabyteeth]

.

[fxggotclown]

kalista is so awesome actually :)

[oysterie]

read two mediocre fiction books the last few days maybe this next one will be better -_-

[boneless-mika]

Yes it’s annoying when people accuse people who read 100+ books a year of somehow cheating at reading but I’d argue it’s even more annoying when people respond to that by saying “It’s easy to read 100+ books a year. Anyone can do it. Just replace your screen time with reading.”

[gothicprep]

since we live in the era of garbage health advice, these are my honest and tried-true tips:

eat a variety of things. if you don’t have a ton of time to cook, buy a bag of onions and chop them up when you wake up in the middle of the night. now you have improved knife skills and versatile onions ready to go. do this enough, and you’ll be able to make pretty much anything with a really low prep time.

exercise when and how you can. you don’t need to get a gym membership. you can walk around your neighborhood in loops while you listen to an audiobook and call it a day. you can bike up the steepest hill around you and coast down while you exhale on the way back. you can follow along with calisthenics videos on youtube. you can do yoga and lift. it doesn’t matter. you’ll feel better if you move around.

wear sunscreen. you probably won’t get skin cancer in general, but avoiding the possibility of that as much as possible is still helpful.

if your apartment has a balcony, if your building has a courtyard, if your house has a backyard, read or work outside if the weather permits it.

if you can’t see your closest friend each week, at least call them. non-text/IM/discord/whatever conversation matters a lot. grounding presences keep you sane.

it’s simple but it’s not easy. you’ll get into the groove if you do it enough. and if you do it right, you’ll be immune to quick fixes.

[caitlynlynch]

AI NARRATION UPDATE

The union got involved. Thank goodness for unions, eh? The SAG-AFTRA demanded and got an emergency meeting with Findaway Voices and Apple, and got an agreement for a complete stop on all machine learning using audiobooks distributed by Findaway Voices. For now, at least. Until "appropriate and adequate compensation" can be worked out, whatever that means. If you're wondering why Apple didn't just tell SAG to go stick it where the sun don't shine, I'm guessing that SAG-AFTRA reps looked at them and said "you know all that lovely Apple + TV content you're producing? Be a terrible shame if we told all our members to stop work".

Apple might be rich as all get out but you cannot be in TV and films without SAG support. Thankfully, they went to bat for us voice actors and for now, our voices cannot be taken without our permission.

By Apple, at least. Who the fuck knows what Amazon might be up to.

[xxportfolio]

while i am a proponent for higher education of all levels, i do understand it truly isnt for everyone.

that being said, please don’t rule out education in general just because higher education isn’t something that calls to you. you don’t need to go to college, but please continue to propel your learning in some way.

1. read books

-> i will never be able to recommend the public library enough. you don’t need to purchase all of these educational books, your library has them for you. and if they don’t, they will get them for you - just ask. i can vouch for this seeing as i am a librarian. if you prefer digital formats for a kindle/ipad, or prefer audiobooks, you can use your library card with the “libby” app or “hoopla” app. there’s no excuse to not use a public library if there is one available to you.

-> you don’t need to read as many educational books as you possibly can. instead, read whatever you’d like, as slow as you’d like, and apply what you learned. reading educational books and not practicing the lessons is pointless if you’re trying to expand your knowledge. read, apply, review results, adapt, repeat.

2. consume educational videos

-> you’re already on your phone. dedicate 10-20 minutes a day learning something. hold yourself accountable and set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to give this carved out time to watching something educational. find videos that make you stretch your brain. youtube and TEDtalks have endless hours of educational information for you for free.

-> if you have more time to spare, choose a documentary on your preferred streaming service rather than a TV show. maybe devoting 1 hour a week to this to start (again, set a timer.) if you don’t have streaming services, kanopy (with your library card), tubi, and soap2day are all free. take advantage of these, that’s what they’re there for.

3. pick a topic (or a few, preferably) that you genuinely want to learn more about

-> i always encourage to do 2 sets of learning side by side to even things out. when it comes to new topics choose one that’s fun for present you, and one that’s helpful for future you

-> fun learning for the present could be literally anything you want or anything you’re interested in at the moment

crochet

music writing

instrument playing

painting

sculpting

perfecting a recipe

&c.

-> helpful learning for the future could be something career related or anything to simply expand your knowledge outside of your immediate interests

finances/saving/investing

language learning

medical studies (make sure your resources are science backed. please reach out to me if you don’t know how to check validity of sources or don’t know what lateral research is and how to conduct it)

mental health studies (same warning as above)

coding (or anything tech related)

&c.

again, i will always recommend you get your AA degree at the very least. but if that’s not possible, don’t exclude learning in general because school-learning isn’t your thing. you don’t need to be a student to learn, but you need to continuously learn in order to be a human. education is a necessity. everyone loves to learn, if you don’t, you haven’t found your niche yet - i promise it’s out there.

i believe in you.

[babymetaldoll]

"Cowboy take me away" (Spencer Reid x fem!reader)

Part of the "We are not gonna make it" writing challenge @aperrywilliams and I are hosting during October.

Event Masterlist - Main Masterlist

Summary: After quitting the BAU, Spencer decides to follow his heart and become a cowboy... with your help.

Word count: 2.773

Warnings: None

Leaving the FBI after over 15 years as an SSA hadn’t been easy. But once the decision had been taken and his last day was finished, Spencer felt better than ever. He needed a fresh start. No one could question him about it. Prentiss knew it, Garcia knew it. Even Alvez. His life had turned too dark and painful working with the Bureau. There had to be something better out there, for him, a better way to live.

Besides, there was something he didn’t share with anyone. Something that had influenced his decision to quit. After his teammate (Y/N) had left the BAU, Spencer had been left with an emptiness in his soul that nothing could fill. She was his best friend, his confidant. The platonic love interest he never persuaded ‘cause time had never been right. She had joined the team and started dating someone else. Then Spencer had fallen for Maeve. Then so many bad things happened and he was left grieving for so long.

And then she was gone, claiming she needed a fresh start. The BAU can be too much to deal with, no one could ever argue that.

Now it was time for him to have a new start. Spencer didn’t have anything in mind if he was being deeply honest. He just didn’t want to spend his life catching serial killers anymore. It had been enough of hurt, pain, and fear.

Spencer wanted to do something fun and exciting. Baking? No, he wasn’t really good at the kitchen. He could learn, of course, and he wouldn’t mind the early working hours. But it didn’t feel right. Teaching? Everyone thought that would be the obvious path to follow. Spencer was made to be a teacher. Georgetown would be glad to welcome him as head professor. But his soul wasn’t set on that field either. Maybe not at that moment.

As he stared at the ceiling, lying on the couch of his living room, only one thing kept coming back to Spencer’s head: (Y/N). She had sent her a letter a few months before telling him all about the slow life she was enjoying living in the countryside. It had been three years since her departure, three years since he last saw her, and though they still called and sent long letters to each other, he hadn’t visited.

- “You are welcome on my farm anytime you want.”- she had written. He didn’t make that up (he checked the letter, just to make sure) and somehow, the fresh air from the countryside sounded like something that could help him decide what to do with his life. A change of scenario.

Yeah, Spencer was in denial about him missing her that much. he had locked his feelings and his hopes to be with someone many years before.

Just six days after his last day in the FBI, Spencer found himself on a solo road trip to Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He could scratch that adventure from his bucket list. It was empowering to be alone on the road, behind the wheel of his car, on his way to what could be his future.

Spencer dreamed about being a cowboy when he was a kid, at least for a brief amount of time, before people convinced him he was meant for great things. He had even confessed his childhood dream to JJ one time in the jet on their way back home from a case.

Maybe it was time to connect with his inner child like his therapist had once told him. Stop doing what people told him was right for him and just doing what he wanted to do.

It was time Spencer did whatever Spencer felt like doing. And that day, he felt like driving seven hours to see (Y/N) and hang with her on her little farm. All he needed were a few snacks for the road and an audiobook to keep him company.

- “I can’t believe you are actually here!”- (Y/N) was static. She ran from the front porch of her house to the car and wrapped her arms around Spencer’s neck, nearly choking him.

- “H.. hi, hey”- he mumbled, absolutely overwhelmed by her presence. Her smell, her laugh, the warmth from her body. It was like three years hadn’t passed by, and they were back at the BAU, two fools pretending not to be in love.

- “I made you dinner! You must be starving.”- Spencer didn’t argue with her words, mostly ‘cause they were right, but also ‘cos soon he realized he still would do anything she asked him to. Just like three years ago.

She helped him with his bags and invited him to her little house. She had a lovely farm just outside town. Her house was so warm and cozy, that Spencer felt he was part of a fairy tale.

- “I was so happy when you called. I still can’t believe you quit!”- she murmured the last part as she stared at him from the other side of her couch. They were sharing a cup of tea after dinner, catching up and just enjoying each other’s presence.

- “It was about time I changed my life. Just like you did.”- he replied and smiled at her.- “Looks like you’ve been doing alright.”

- “I’m right on track to become the town’s crazy spinster.”- she joked, chuckling.- “I live alone, talk with my animals, and only go to town when it’s absolutely needed.”

- “How many animals do you have?”

- “Two cows, two horses, three dogs, two cats, some chickens.”- she replied proudly. - “They are my best friends.”

- “I can’t wait to meet all of your best friends.”- Spencer answered and finished his tea.

- “They are gonna love you.”

They just stared at each other in silence, smiling and blushing, until it started being awkward. (Y/N) finally stood up and offered to walk him to his bedroom, and kept talking about how tiring his trip must have been.

- “Seven hours behind the wheel. That’s a lot of time driving.”- she said as she walked him upstairs to the guest room.- “You need to rest. Tomorrow I’ll show you around and you’ll have to keep me around the farm.”

- “Looking forward to it.”- Spencer answered and stood outside his room looking at her. None of them said a word for a few seconds until she sighed and took a step back.

It felt like a flashback. One she didn’t want to have. Being on the verge of confessing her feelings, but letting time and life pass her by instead.

It had been the main reason why she had taken a step aside from the bureau. Quitting a very successful career only because the man she loved didn’t seem to care about her. Or more likely, didn’t seem to have the guts to love her.

Chemistry was there, sparks were there. But it was always bad timing with Spencer. And she had moved to the middle of nowhere just to start fresh, away from him.

- “Good night, Spencer.”- she whispered and cut him one last sad smile.

- “Good night (Y/N). It’s really nice being here with you. Thank you for having me.”

- “Anytime.”- she answers and makes a short pause, still smiling at him.- “I missed you.”

She didn’t want to say it, but words slipped from her lips, betraying her at the last second.

- “Me too.”- he replied not even thinking about his answer.- “I’ve missed you more than I actually told you on the phone.”

- “You never said you missed me on the phone”- (Y/N) raised an eyebrow and Spencer blushed. Yet, he didn't move or say a word. And so, she took a step backward and waved.

- “You are tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”

And just like that, she was gone.

Spencer had no idea what was wrong, but he knew something wasn’t right. He kept tossing and turning in his bed, and though he was exhausted when he got ready for bed, now he couldn’t close an eye.

Why? What was happening? What was wrong with him? Was it the deep silence outside his window? Being in the countryside was a huge change from his downtown Washington apartment and all the city noise that came with it.

But no, that wasn’t it. The sound of the wind between the leaves outside his window was relaxing. Then why was he awake at two in the morning?

Was it because he was just a wall away from (Y/N)? It surely felt like it. How could he sleep when a part of his brain couldn’t stop thinking about it? How she was sleeping safe and sound so close yet so far away from him.

Did he want to feel her close? Absolutely! Did he wonder what it would be like to hold her tight? Yes! Was he doing anything about it? Of course not! Because that was Spencer’s problem. Too much thinking and too little action.

He would be a lousy cowboy. Or at least that was what he told himself before closing his eyes, defeated.

The following morning, Spencer woke up to (Y/N)’s singing in the kitchen. It took him a moment to remember where he was, but her voice he recognized in a second. The smell of bacon and eggs pushed him out of bed in a second. He quickly put on a sweater and a pair of pants and walked to the kitchen quietly.

- “Mathilda, you have no idea what you are saying.”- he heard (Y/N) talking and froze. Who was in the kitchen with her? There was no reply (not that could hear at least) but (Y/N) kept talking.

- “No girl. I am not doing that. You are the worst adviser on this whole farm. I swear. Now I am not even sure you should meet Spencer.”

- “Who shouldn’t I meet?”- Spencer asked and smiled as he set foot in the kitchen, taking a look around. (Y/N) turned to him and just smiled, busted.

There was silence in the room. A pause as Spencer realized what was happening.

- “Wait, that’s a cow?”- Reid raised an eyebrow as he stared at the animal sticking its head from the back door like he was the only one who could see it.

- “It is, Spencer. Her name is Mathilda. What’s wrong with that?”- (Y/N) questioned as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

- “What’s wrong? It’s in your kitchen!”

- “Yeah, she likes keeping me company while I have breakfast every morning. Sometimes I think she doesn't want me to be lonely.”

- “A cow?”- Spencer questioned one more time and stared at (Y/N) waiting for a different answer. As if she could give him one.

- “Yes, a cow. Mathilda, the cow. Here Tilly, have some carrots”- the young woman walked toward the animal and

- “Shit, (Y/N)”- he chuckled and stared at the scene.- “I love you so much.”

The sound of the ceramic bowl crashing against the floor was the only sound in the room for a few seconds. (Y/N) had turned to stare at Spencer as soon as she heard him saying that, dropping the bowl with carrots, and Reid had frozen in the spot at that very same moment. Eyes wide open, like deer in front of a car, waiting for the imminent crash.

- “What was that?”- (Y/N) whispered, trying to keep calm.

- “N… no, nothing.”- stuttering didn’t help Spencer’s at all.

- “Are you really gonna pretend you didn’t say it?”- she crossed her arms on her chest and held her eyes on his as much as she could. It was now or never. Probably it was the only real chance they had ever had to deal with their feelings in an honest way.

Of course, it would start on a random morning when none of them was prepared.

- “We’ve waltzed around this topic for long enough, Spencer. It’s time we deal with it.”- (Y/N)’s voice was calmed, in contrast with her heart, racing inside her chest. But Spencer still didn’t say a word.

- “I love you too, you know?”- she added, in an attempt to calm him down, ‘cause somehow it seemed like he was about to have a panic attack.

- “I’ve been in love with you ever since I met you, Spencer. It just never felt like…”

- “It was the right time.”- he murmured but still didn’t move. (Y/N) nodded and relaxed her shoulder a little bit.

That was not how she had imagined the whole situation would be. She had had a lot of years to build the scenario in her head. In a perfect world, Spencer would have knocked at her door at midnight, looking like a madman, confessing he couldn’t live without her anymore, telling her he was desperate, that he would do anything and everything to be with her. That he had always loved her, no one else. Just her. Then, he would hold her in his arms and take her upstairs to her room, to give her the most amazing night she had ever lived.

Instead, she got a cold morning, in her kitchen, confessing by accident, in front of a cow.

- “I… I feel the same way.”- Spencer managed to mumble, and though he was sure he was about to faint or have a stroke (the symptoms were incredibly similar and he couldn’t stop listing them in his head) he felt this was what he had to do, once for all.

None of them moved for a few more minutes. They had no idea what to do next. Until Mathilda mooed from the kitchen door.

- “Yeah, Tilly, you are right.”- Spencer replied and walked the three steps that kept him from (Y/N), cupping her cheeks with both hands and simply kissing her.

He kissed her like a man starved. Like he had dreamed of doing for long enough (longer than he dared to admit). He only stopped to gasp for breath and to look at her reaction. (Y/N)’s eyes remained closed for a few more seconds, as Spencer rested his forehead against hers.

- “I love you.”- he whispered and kissed her lips one more time, a little softer than before, and yet with so much love and passion, (Y/N) felt her knees shake for a second.

- “I love you too.”- she managed to reply and finally looked at him.

- “Good… ‘cos I really wanna stay here and be with you for a while.”

- “Stay forever.”- she whispered and kissed him one-third time, biting his lower lip and hearing the most delicious groan coming from Spencer Walter Reid.

Yes, she could live like this for the rest of her life.

Mathilda's mooing interrupted them. They slowly moved apart and stared at each other, smiling and blushing.

- “I’m gonna get her more carrots before she gets upset.”- (Y/N) whispered and walked to the fridge.

- “I’ll clean the floor. I don’t want you or Mathilda to get hurt.”- Spencer announced and looked for a broom to swipe the kitchen. They remained quiet, both Reid and (Y/N), for a few minutes. (Y/N) pointed out the place where she kept the broom and talked to Mathilda about their upcoming activities.

- “Yes, eat your veggies ‘cos you’ll need strength to keep up with me today.”- Spencer heard her, feeling his heart bursting in his chest.- “We are going to show Spencer the farm. Do you think he’ll like the chicks? They are a special bunch, aren’t they? Then we have to visit the local market ‘cos we are running out of a few things, so you’ll stay in charge of the farm. I trust you.”

It was the way she talked to the cow that made Spencer feel so in love, so warm and so comfortable, that before she could notice, he had held her in his arms, spun her around, and kissed the top of her nose.

- “Woah cowboy!”- she teased.- “Breakfast is almost ready, and you also need to eat to be strong for today’s agenda.”

- “I heard is a very busy day.”

- “You’ll manage”- she teased and smiled at him as she kissed him just on the lips.- “You know, considering it’s your first day as a cowboy, I think you did great.”

- “Will I be a good cowboy then?”- Spencer raised an eyebrow and waited for her answer. She sighed and fully kissed him one more time before she gave her verdict.

- “The best.” 

[wosoimagines]

Second Chance

part 2 of rivals

Jo's second camp with the team is nearly over and she gets news of her future.

2,367 words

previous part| |next part

“Hi, kid.”

I grinned at the familiar voice as I closed the door behind me.

“Hey, Becky.”

The woman smiled at me as I threw my bag onto the open bed. I hadn’t exactly expected Jill to room me with Becky again, but it was nice. Becky had helped to make sure that I actually got to bed at a responsible time and that I wasn’t late to any meetings or practices. After all, it had been quite easy for me to get distracted by everything else.

“Did you get to go to the lake?”

“Yeah, we went for a couple of days,” I admitted.

Becky nodded at that before she turned back to the book that she was reading. I tilted my head as I read the title.

“ The Portrait of Dorian Gray ,” I read off the spin. Becky looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve never read it.”

“I could read it out loud, if you’d like.”

I smiled at Becky as I nodded. Becky looked back down at the book as I kicked my shoes off. 

“‘I have always been my own master; had at least always been so, till I met Dorian Gray. Then--but I don't know how to explain it to you. Something seemed to tell me that I was on the verge of a terrible crisis in my life. I had a strange feeling that Fate had in store for me exquisite joys and exquisite sorrows. I grew afraid, and turned to quit the room. It was not conscience that made me do so: it was a sort of cowardice. I take no credit to myself for trying to escape.’”

I grinned as Becky read the words on the pages. I knew that we had at least an hour, if not two, until our meeting started since they were still waiting on quite a few players to get into the hotel. I didn’t give Becky time to start the next paragraph as I crawled into her bed before ducking my head under her left arm so I could look at the pages. Becky stayed silent for a moment as I got comfortable.

It wasn’t until I had settled down and stopped moving that Becky continued.

“‘Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil. Conscience is the trade name of the firm. That is all.’

‘I don't believe that, Harry, and I don't believe you do either. However, whatever was my motive--and it may have been pride, for I used to be very proud--I certainly struggled to the door. There, of course, I stumbled against Lady Brandon. 'You are not going to run away so soon, Mr. Hallward?' she screamed out. You know her curiously shrill voice?’”

Becky’s voice was definitely one of the most soothing voices I had ever heard. Maybe she could become a professional audiobook reader or something like that once she retired from playing. Or even just take it up during the off-season. I wouldn’t mind listening to Becky read me more books if her voice was always this soothing.

“‘Yes; she is a peacock in everything but beauty,’ said Lord Henry, pulling the daisy to bits with his long, nervous fingers.

‘I could not get rid of her. She brought me up to Royalties, and people with Stars and Garters, and elderly ladies with gigantic tiaras and parrot noses. She spoke of me as her dearest friend. I had only met her once before, but she took it into her head to lionize me. I believe some picture of mine had made a great success at the time, at least had been chattered about in the penny newspapers, which is the nineteenth-century standard of immortality. Suddenly I found myself face to face with the young man whose personality had so strangely stirred me. We were quite close, almost touching. Our eyes met again. It was reckless of me, but I asked Lady Brandon to introduce me to him. Perhaps it was not so reckless, after all. It was simply inevitable. We would have spoken to each other without any introduction. I am sure of that. Dorian told me so afterwards. He, too, felt that we were destined to know each other.’”

I couldn’t find it in myself to fight off the sleep as Becky’s voice lulled me into darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, pipsqueak.”

I looked at Hope who had sat down across from me. I titled my head at her sudden presence. I knew that she often sat at the table with Carli and Christie during our meals. But they were both seated at a table that was behind Hope.

“Hi, Hope.”

I looked over my shoulder where most of the team was still getting their food. Being small did come with advantages, such as being small enough to get around everyone so I could be one of the first to get my food. I spotted Becky and Alyssa who were just now grabbing their own plates to fill them up. I turned back to look at Hope.

“Look, I just came to say that maybe you aren’t that bad.”

I raised my eyebrows at that. Hope complimenting me had been the last thing I was expecting. After all, we still weren’t getting along that well. It seemed like we both tolerated each other just enough for a fight not to break out during practice, but that didn’t stop the two of us from exchanging words during practice.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” Hope said as she kept her eyes trained on her plate as she stabbed some of the food with her fork. “You still aren’t better than I am. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t helping us out.”

I stayed silent, causing Hope to look up at me. She just stared back at me. I was trying to figure out if this was some kind of joke or something.

“Who are you and what have you done with Hope Solo?”

Hope chuckled at that as she nodded.

“That’s cute, pipsqueak.”

“No seriously. Hope Solo would never compliment me. We go at each other’s throats,” I said as I shook my head. I turned my attention back to my plate. Hope had to be seriously sick if she was being nice to me all of a sudden. “Mine and Hope’s relationship does not consist of us being nice to each other. We’re like sweet potatoes and mustard. They don’t go together. I don’t give a shit what Mick says either. He’s a weirdo for eating sweet potatoes and mustard.”

“No, I’m serious, Jo,” Hope said. I paused at that before I looked up at Hope. “Can you just take the compliment?”

I shook my head. I really couldn’t.

At least not from Hope.

This was too weird. Hope wasn’t supposed to be nice to me. She wasn’t supposed to compliment me.

“Is everything okay over here?”

Hope and I both looked at Becky who took a seat next to me. I sent Becky a small smile before I turned back to Hope. I slowly nodded my head as I realized just what this was about.

“You’re being nice 'cause I saved your ass in the goal.”

“Jo! Language!”

I rolled my eyes at that. I already had a mom at home, I didn’t need Becky deciding to mother me while I was at camp too.

“No.”

“You said that way too fast for it to be true! This is about me saving you in the goal.” I grinned as I glanced at Alyssa who sat next to Becky. So it wasn’t because Hope actually wanted to get to know me. “You just feel bad that you tried acting all tough and like you could stop me and then you couldn’t back it up and I had to save the game against France so we didn’t draw again.”

“I don’t need help in the goal, pipsqueak .”

“Sure you don’t.”

It felt good knowing that Hope had felt bad after I saved her skin.

“You could have just said thank you.”

“Jo,” Becky said. I looked over at her as I raised my eyebrows. I wasn’t too sure why she really cared what happened between Hope and me. “Just take the compliment.”

“But she’s only saying it because I made the stop on the goal line.”

“Jo. Take the compliment.”

My jaw slacked a bit at that. I couldn’t believe that Becky was actually taking Hope’s side.

“Thank you for the compliment,” I said once I eventually turned back to Hope. The goalie smirked at me as she stood up. I rolled my eyes as I lowered my voice. “Good thing you’re good at soccer. Cause the porch light’s on, but there ain’t no one home.”

It wasn’t until Hope was well out of earshot that I felt the hand connect with the back of my head.

“Ow!”

“You’re lucky she didn’t hear that comment,” Becky hissed quietly. I slumped back against my chair at that. I really wasn’t in the mood for another lecture. “I get it. You don’t get along with Hope and you might never get along with Hope, but she’s our goalie. You are going to have to stop trying to provoke her.”

“She doesn’t treat me fairly. Why should I be the one to have to extend the olive branch?” I asked as I leaned forward to get closer to Becky. “She’s the adult. I’m only fifteen.”

“Jo-”

“No, it’s bullshit.”

“Langauge.”

“And I don’t need another mom. I already have one.”

Becky sighed as she leaned back in her own chair. I looked away from her. 

“What if I talk to Hope?”

Becky and I both looked over at Alyssa. I had honestly forgotten that she was sitting at the table with us because of how quiet she had been. It was something that Becky told me I would have to get used to though. 

“As if that would make it any better.”

“That would be great. Thank you, Alyssa.”

I huffed as I pushed myself away from the table. I had already finished my plate and if it gave me an excuse to be away from Alyssa and Becky right now, I would take it. I didn’t need everyone else fighting my battles for me. It was part of the problem. If everyone else fought my battles for me then no one would ever take me seriously.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So, I heard that you and Hope got into it,” Jill said as I was wrapping my hand. I sighed as I looked up at her. “Is there a problem that I, as the coach, need to address between you two?”

“No.”

Jill nodded her head slowly as she still looked down at me as I finished wrapping my hand. I rubbed the bridge of my nose before looking back up at her.

“Is there anything else?”

“I really hoped that you and Hope would have gotten over this by now,” Jill said. I softly groaned as my shoulders slumped forward. “I’ll be honest with you, kid. I want to call you up for the August game and September-”

“I get it,” I assured her. I glanced at where the rest of the team was getting ready. Even though I had been friendly enough with Alyssa and Becky, the rest still seemed hesitant to get close to me. “Who wants a kid on their team when they’re the best in the world?”

“Jolene, that isn’t it.”

“Isn’t it?”

I looked away from Jill and down at my shoes. I knew that it was. It wasn’t the first time I had been left behind because I was the youngest one, and I doubted that it would be the last.

“Jo, you’re gonna be called to the U-20 team in just days,” Jill said as she bent down so that we were equal in height. “I encouraged them to do so. I think it would be a great opportunity.”

I looked back over to the rest of the team. But my eyes zeroed in on Hope. I knew what she would say when she found out that I wouldn’t be called to the team in August or September.

“The U-20 World Cup will be over before August. So what’s the point in keeping me out of the September camp?”

Hope would only boost and brag if I was gone longer than I needed to be. Plus, I didn’t want to lose the pace of play that came with the national team if I was gone for too long.

“Because you’re only fifteen, Jo. You will have to go to school and finish your education,” Jill said. I looked back at her. I didn’t care about that, I just cared about my future in soccer. “If your grades suffer too much, then I can’t call you up. You will be gone until late August if you guys make it to the finals.”

“So why have me go to the U-20 team instead of getting more practice with the senior team?”

“Because the U-20 team is going to a World Cup. It might not be the World Cup you were hoping for, but it will give you a taste of what it will be like next year,” Jill said as she sighed. I wondered if she would ever get tired of me and all my questions. “You’ll be expected to be a leader on the U-20 team as you’ve already been called up to the senior team. That will also be a good experience for you. I don’t expect that you’ll be seen as a leader on this team for years, maybe not until I’m gone even, but it will happen eventually, and leading a team at a World Cup, even a youth one, will be good for you.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Jill sighed as she patted my leg before standing up. If I had to prove myself to Jill at the youth level again, I was going to do it. Nothing would stop me from winning gold in August. Maybe then, the rest of the team would also start to see me as more than just some kid.

[sunshowersanddandelionwine]

Soap who’s tried to get into reading, but just never had it click.

Ghost who’s an absolute bookworm and finds an escape in whatever old, battered paperback he can get his hands on.

Ghost, who introduces Soap to audiobooks. Who shows him he can do things with his hands to keep him stimulated enough to actually listen and absorb the story for once.

Soap, who tries it, a little more than skeptical but willing to give it a shot at least once. Who listens to an entire book in a day without realizing, totally lost in the twists and turns.

Soap, who finally gets it. Soap, who can finally escape into those same fantastical worlds with ghost. And ghost, who’s happy to share his escape with him.

[thewitchinthecloset35]

Beginner Witch Starting Points

° . * • ☆ Research starting points ☆ • * . ° The following list is of topics that I believe are good research starting points for beginner witches. I've laid it out in a couple lists of what I consider the most important to research early down to things you may want to research depending on interests.

Important to research early

♡ How to read critically and cross-reference

> Research is huge in witchcraft, knowing how to find the right information and triple check it's not wrong is very important

♡ Witchcraft vs paganism

♡ History of witchcraft

♡ Open vs closed practices

♡ Cultural appropriation

♡ Discernment/Mundane vs magical

> Always ruling out mundane explanations or options before considering magical

♡ Types of witches

> Such as sea witches, kitchen witches, green witches

♡ Types of magic/practices

> Such as art magic, lunar magic, chaos magic

♡ Types of spells and rituals

> Such as spell jars, candle spells, sprays

♡ Basic spell work

> Such as cleansing, grounding, protection, warding

♡ Understanding Intention

♡ Altars and Tools

> Such as wands, tarot decks, bells

Researching interests

♡ The elements

♡ Symbols and sigils

♡ Item associations and correspondences

> Such as crystals, herbs, colours

♡ Dream interpretation

♡ Religions and deities

♡ Shadow work

♡ Whatever has caught your eye during researching so far, research some more

° . * • ☆ Practice starting points ☆ • * . °

As soon as you feel like you've got a good grasp on witchcraft, you'll want to start practising. With everything you've come across, it might prove overwhelming or confusing as to where to start. Some topics are more advanced than others and aren't considered beginner-friendly. Therefore, having practised and got a hold of some basics is a great way to begin your journey, and is always recommended by other practitioners. That way, if you accidentally step too deep too early, you're already equipped with the information, tools, and experience you need to look after yourself.

It's easy to get excited and rush through it to what you may truly want to do, however, I suggest practising the following topics until it becomes a habit and you can throw up protections and wards like second nature without any notes. It depends on how much time you can dedicate to this daily and whether there are any reasons you might have to slow down, such as being broom-closeted or having children. I would suggest 1 to 2 years overall for researching all the topics in-depth and practising it until you have at least one method of each nailed down confidently with no doubts in your ability or knowledge - and be honest with yourself on that.

Where to begin with practising witchcraft

♡ Grounding and meditation

♡ Cleansing

♡ Protection

♡ Circle casting

♡ Warding

♡ Enchanting items

° . * • ☆ Where to get information and resources ☆ • * . °

The internet is amazing for allowing people to write their own informational posts, blogs, and to make their own videos. Sometimes a simple google search for what you’re after will bring you loads of results, which is also why reading critically and being able to cross-reference is so important. You can find resources and information anywhere, such as:

♡ Youtube

♡ Tumblr

♡ Websites

♡ Books

> Ebooks, audiobooks, physical books

♡ Podcasts

♡ Pinterest infographics

♡ Discord servers

♡ Amino communities

This is an updated version of my old post https://thewitchinthecloset35.tumblr.com/post/656426177696874496/beginner-witch-friendly-research-points

[soracities]

hii! do you ever get into a huge reading slump? i would say ive been in one for about 3 years now and im desperate to escape it and read again but i cant find anything that's 'popular' enjoyable and have no idea where to start in finding content and books i actually enjoy by myself without tiktok or booktube 😭

Oh I've been in a particularly bad slump for at least 2 years so yes, absolutely! I think the key thing here is to try and remove the pressure off yourself as much as you can: don't look at every book you approach with the mindset of "THIS is will be the antidote to my reading slump" or "THIS novel will save me" because it will most likely stop you from actually enjoying the book: when you go in with such high expectations, you're also bringing a very distracting form of hyper-vigilance with you, waiting for the magic moment to hit, counting the pages until it does, being too conscious or worried when it doesn't in the way you envisioned it. It will turn reading into a chore, an endurance test which you either succeed or fail at, and this will only cement the slump further.

Everyone is different and I don't know what kind of books you like most, but the best thing I can advise is to go back before your slump and see what some of your favourite reads were. One way to ease back into reading is to revisit books you loved and read them again--this eliminates some of the pressure and I think it can also help rebuild that excitement because you know you're returning to familiar ground you've enjoyed before. That, or find other works by those same authors whose writing / style you liked and slowly expand from there. I don't log my reading through apps or websites anymore (and I stay away from booktok like the plague but that's a whole other conversation)--I have an ask on how I find my books here and I hope that helps too--but I've heard really good things about The Storygraph so if tiktok and booktube haven't done it for you, this might be a much better way to move towards books you actually enjoy because it's based on your preferences, not an influencer's or what an algorithm is pushing.

Whatever book you decide to try next, I would also advise you to start slow and / or small if that's what you need (more here)--don't force yourself to plow through several hundred pages in one sitting or 2 days. Sometimes breaking a slump is far more sustainable when you do it chip by chip, slowly, but consistently in a way that makes it less daunting than thinking you have to finish 2 novels every week. Something as simple as setting aside 15 minutes to read in bed before you go to sleep each night can do it. You can also look at audiobook versions, or short story collections in whatever genre it is you enjoy most!

Best of luck, anon, and I hope some of these answers will help 🤍

[bogkeep]

[now entering: the OPINION ZONE]

the way i feel about Booktok(tm), as a phenomenon, or maybe more as a weird miasma that is seeping through every bookstore i enter, is that we don't see eye to eye. i'm sure it's got a lot more variation and diversity than whatever weird takes bubble up to the surface for my tiktok-less self to stumble upon - mostly i just feel like my motivation for reading books is different than theirs. there is the occasional overlap in the Books I Enjoy / Big On Booktok venn diagram (which makes me feel very weird about those books but that's for me to sort out), but i cannot personally Trust a booktok recommendation, if that makes sense. either way, it's none of my business what other people like to read, and i think me and booktok can peacefully coexist in each our own spheres. (if all of this is completely incomprehensible to you i salute you and envy your peace of mind.)

anyway, a very fascinating discussion that keeps showing up recently is the phenomenon where popular booktok influencers admit to skipping paragraphs that are too long, or only reading the dialogue of a book, or performing shock at a printed book containing Too Many Words Per Page. what fascinates me is not so much that it is happening (though it DOES fascinate me), but how much people reacting to this struggle to explain exactly Why it's so aggravating.

like, i feel like the obvious takeaway is that these people are monetizing their alleged joy of reading, and then... don't? even like to read? that the consumerist aesthetic of Being A Reader is more profitable on a video platform than doing the due diligence of reviewing books properly? that the content machine marches on and if you're too slow you'll fall behind??

INSTEAD the discussion seems to center around the good old "oohh nooo people read BAD BOOKS instead of GOOD BOOKS and IT'S IMPORTANT TO CHALLENGE YOUR BRAINNN or else the MEDIA LITERACY....." and i'm sorry but i think this has been a moral panic for as long as we've had literature. media literacy has never had a golden age that i'm aware of. there's always been trashy romances that authors pump out on the monthly for easy consumption. capitalism is gonna value profit over quality for as long as it's in charge. people who read for fun are gonna read what they're gonna read, and they're gonna read it in the way they enjoy reading. i agree that reading Good Books is deeply fulfilling! but that is my personal and subjective experience that not everyone is going to share.

i think the reason i feel weird about the insistence that you Must, at least occasionally, Challenge Yourself while reading is that... i'm exhausted in my brain. too exhausted to challenge myself for fun. maybe it's a burnout thing. i really really get looking at a paragraph and finding it simply too much to absorb right now. my main method of getting through books these days is in audio format, even if i would personally prefer to read them visually (they'd stick to my brain better, i would see how names are spelled, sudden POV switches between paragraphs would be less confusing). but reading a book in text form is taking me weeks at best - unless it's a special kind of book that i can't help but devour immediately, sleep schedule be damned (which is another toll to pay). some books are just too complex and need too much focus for me to enjoy right now, so i keep having to goldilock my way to what feels Just Right. some books, i'm sure i'll get back to later. some i've made my peace with never picking up despite the fact that they feel Obligatory (my apologies to lord of the rings. i've Tried and i just can't do it). so like i GET IT. sometimes reading is too much.

what i Wish the discussion was more about, was instead finding ways to read that's enjoyable for you. there is literature and screen plays that are Only Dialogue. there's graphic novels. there's audiobooks and e-readers that let you change the font sizes. there's lots and lots and lots of fanfiction that's literally just banter and smut. there's no shame in reading what you enjoy! there's no shame in spending months on the same book! but i suppose it's not as ~Aesthetic~ as purchasing 10 editions of the same book series on amazon dot hell!!!!

[imanes]

doing a lil august reading wrap up because apparently i read 13 (!!) books. in chronological order (bolded are those i recommend):

city of stairs by robert jackson bennett: quite the interesting read. i think the character work in this one is a standout, as well as the world building. the good thing is i have no idea where this trilogy is going so it's exciting. the audiobook for the second book arrives in 2 weeks on my shelves on libby so I'll be reading the sequel soon

braiding sweetgrass by robin wall kimmerer: this one took me a whole entire year to read and finish lol. no comment. or maybe one comment: i think i'd have found this book a lot more eye opening if i had read it three years ago so right book wrong time i guess? i do recommend it i just think it didn't impact me as much as i thought it would

the blighted worlds by megan e. o'keefe: this one hit me like a truck!! i was so obsessed. it's a sci-fi space opera with an element of horror and an interesting romance sub-plot. basically everything i love lmao. i really do recommend this book it might actually be my fave of the month

sanctuary by ilona andrews: i have to stay up to date on all things kate daniels-related to this spin off was high on my tbr. it was a lot of fun but it petered out toward the end

where the dark stands still by a.b. poranek: a bit of a let down not gonna lie. the gist of my opinion is that it felt underdeveloped and in turn i felt under-interested in whatever was going on

shadows of self by brandon sanderson: once again i am begging the protagonists of this series to stop being aggravating

the fractured dark by megan e. o'keefe: continuing my obsession with the devoured worlds trilogy... unfortunately i have to wait on my libby hold to get the audiobook of the next one (i read with my eyeballs and listen at the same time to help with concentration)

the right to sex - feminism in the 21st century by amia srinivasan: i read this book because i know of two people who broke up with their significant other (one of them resulting in a divorce) after reading this book so i had to know what srinivasan had cooked in there and yeah she did cook.

the way of kings by brandon sanderson: just part of my re-read in preparation of the release of wind and truth in December. this month we tackle (again) words of radiance teehee

just for the summer by abby jimenez: womp womp womp. idk what it is with romance authors these days they're in a competition with themselves to portray the healthiest love stories but this one teetered on the wrong side of boring one too many times and the volume to therapy-speech in this one was staggering.

the ex vows by joyce jessica: twas a cute poolside read, it's nothing revolutionary but it was pleasant enough and it didn't make me roll my eyes like just for the summer jdkjgsk at least the love interest had a personality and a life... i mean it's fiction so it's not a life but it appeared as if he contained multitudes or something

funny story by emily henry: I'll go ahead and say it nobody writes a contemporary romance quite like miss henry because she's got the secret recipe for the right balance between heartfelt feelings and amusing situations + her dialogues feel a lot more natural than most (though if i had to nitpick she always has this side character who's a fountain of wisdom and gives you life-changing monologues but i guess such people exist out there)

the thief by megan whalen turner: the megans are really out in full force because this is another book written by a megan that i loved so much. yes half of this book is a fairly episodic journey across made-up countries, yes i ate it up, yes the second half is worth the wait (if you were out of patience, which i wasn't, bc i was having fun) and yes the plot twists are chef's kiss. "gen's ambitions are his own" is the perfect summary. everand has all the audiobooks so you know what I'm gonna do... that's right... listen and read at the same time

as an aside the tandem reads i do with both books and audiobooks happen only when i like the narrators. if i find a narrator i like i stick to them like glue because they're few and far between as far as my picky ass is concerned. i never do romance audiobooks they're the worst...