#can you tell the I picked Eleanor for romancing lol

[donthugmeimhungry]

Headcannon for Temple and the Rest of the Hex

Temple is effectively mute. They communicate through their guitar. It's not the most effective communication, but at least others can understand the emotions being conveyed but what they're playing. (Unsure if Eleanor can understand them via their mind. Possibly.) They also spend time with each hex member playing their favorite music when they're chilling in the mall.

Eleanor probably listens to either lowfi or grunge rock (I'm getting Cranberries and Enya vibes as well) while she's chilling on the couch, Arthur listens to his industrial rock while strategically planning, Lettie plays slow classical guitar music to help her relax and calm patients, Amir listens to hyped video game soundtracks while gaming, and I can kinda see Quincy either listen to 90's rap or something similar to Beastie Boys (I didn't include Aoi because I think we already know what she'd be listening to).

Temple ideally could transfer their favorite music through speakers without using the guitar (similar to Eleanor's telepathy but projection instead).

Edit: Let me know what you all think! I like hearing other people's head cannons. :)

[strscrossed]

https://www.tumblr.com/strscrossed/774485950198906880/book-recommendations-extra-points-if-theres?source=share

Honestly idk 😅 i used to read a lot but I haven't picked up a book in years except for one but it was a health book so it doesn't count lol

i'd say it counts. tbh i read one fiction and one nonfiction book at a time to keep myself out of a slump. i can't say i read a ton of spice. it's not usually a requirement only because smut doesn't hit in books the same way it does in fanfic. but here are some fantasy recs:

smutty/spicy recs:

the hurricane wars trilogy - only two books are out at this time. yes this was a reylo fic originally but it's so good and i devoured every second of it.

receiver of many series - i cannot whore this book series out enough. there are three books so far but it's basically a retelling of hades/persephone and it is classified as erotica. like it is SPICY. i know the author follows this blog so i want to tell her once again that i adore these books.

serpent & dove - tbh i only liked the first book and the second book was a downgrade. not too spicy but there is spice. it's basically arranged marriage between a witch and a witch hunter. and how that story goes.

other fiction recs

the lunar chronicles - a sci-fi retelling of cinderella, little red riding hood, rapunzel, and snow white. in the future, humanity has colonized the moon and this follows four girls who are in the center of all this. one of my favorite book series.

the falling kingdoms - one of my "i didn't say it was good, i said i loved it" recs. it was marketed as game of thrones for teens but i wouldn't say so because it's simplistic. the romance was satisfying as hell and i love rereading it over and over.

the summer queen series - historical fiction on the life of eleanor of aquitaine. i've only read the first book but i loved how the characters were written. tw: there is a pedophilia in it but it is treated as horrific and tragic to what it does. and it's to a side but major character. and the reason it's there? sadly, it happened in actual history.

the constant princess - historical fiction on the life of catherine of aragon. if you've heard of that show "the spanish princess" it was based on this book but the book was infinitely better. i suppose there is some spice in this but like...the kind your grandmother would approve of.

the accursed kings - i've only read the first three books but i got through them in less than a week. grrm calls them the original game of thrones and omg they are. they follow philip iv of france and the events that led to the events of the downfall of the direct capetian line of french kings.

nonfiction recs (i just read these and started nonfiction but these were my favorite so far)

the dark queens - a narrative biography of the lives of brunhilde and fredegund, two early medieval merovingian queens whose rivalry is absolutely legendary. this details the years between 567 - 613. they did some pretty awful things to each other, each other's husbands (who were brothers), each other's children, and each other's descendants too. it's a little known time but omg i devoured it.

house of lilies - as you can tell, i love medieval history so this is basically a narrative telling of the history of the house of capet. so this book covers medieval french history from a little before 987-1328.

four queens: the provencal sisters who ruled europe - a narrative retelling of four sisters who respectively became queens of france, england, germany, and sicily. i didn't know much about any of them but it was quite a story and i 100% recommend this.

femina - a series of essays on the role of medieval women and the misconceptions we have about them and their role in society and how that ties in with the present. i read that in january but it was definitely eye opening.

[persephoneflouwers]

Hello Angie!

I hope you don’t mind the novel but hey you wanted to share thoughts so here I am!

Rationalize is a big word but me thinks this is happening for various reasons, you tell me what you think about these options:

- Louis has this persona of “not wanting to grow up” so a younger girlfriend fits what everybody knows about him. She also seems to be tailored to the het audience who wants to “date him” and might identify with her. You know, sort of what El 1.0 was in 2012, the girl next door sort of thing but still “a fashion model” (who does no modeling, lol). But these pap pics feel precisely planned to make her look like a fan, so the message seems to be if she can date him, all fans can too! He’s a normal dude dating a normal girl who looks just like you! Buy tickets to his concerts and you might get lucky (because I can pretty much guess she’s gonna disappear real quickly and he’s going to be *available* and party boy during tour 🥲)

- There’s extra gayness in the documentary so having a son wasn’t enough. Seems unlikely but who knows? Rainbows can’t be erased from his tour shots, so I guess it’ll have to be addressed in some way.

- Also having a new romance in general helps with publicity, so for him to be talked about before the doc release. I still would have picked a higher profile, maybe another musician girl, if you really needed to sell a certain image AND benefit Louis and expand his audience, but again let’s be real I think his PR is incompetent. If I have to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe the fan, down to earth girl angle is what they actually wanted to achieve with picking a good-looking nobody (back to point 1). It’s clearly benefitting her more than him (she went from 5K followers this morning to what, 35K now?)

- last wild though, maybe there was something with Eleanor wearing his clothes and still posting from his house that didn’t sit well with someone? So they needed to make a point? Wild but we’ve seen worse so keeping all options open.

I genuinely don’t know, but a mix options 1 and 3 seem the more rational. What do you think?

Last thought: I really hope she was ready and well informed before agreeing to this, but the whole shitshow with the Pinterest pins and Spotify playlists tells me there was a level of naivety on her end which is alarming. She was probably guided into this by a reckless agent with who knows what promises and it scares me. I don’t mind the age gap (my parents started dating when she was 18 and he was 29), but I do mind the fact that she’s likely too young to handle the hate she’s getting, regardless of the economic gains she’ll get from this it’s going to be traumatic if you don’t have the right support to handle it/maturity.

Hello, angel! Thank you for sharing <3 I will slowly go through your thoughts and explain what I think.

1. The forever young boy is interesting, bc Louis comes off as the loud hyperactive guy sometimes. Unfortunately I think they burned this option out when they gave him a fake kid lol

2. I think feeding such a dream to his fans is a huge underdevelopment, but it’s loyal to his fanbase origin. Still. It’s so cringe for me that a 31 yo man with a kid goes out with a young girl who pins tiktoks and random tattoos researches on Pinterest. It’s counterproductive, dumb and lazy. I don’t look at them as examples and I don’t expect them to do smart shit. we’re talking about rich people growing up as completely detouched from normal world since they were teenagers. Me and them, you and them? We’re not the same as them. I hoped he was smarter than this tho. Of course this can be useful as promo for the doc… will it tho, we know how his team and the media treat his content and projects, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they wouldn’t get any coverage not even with these pics. I don’t think that’s how you expand a fanbase or get more people curious in his work.

3. I think Eleanor simply wanted to be out for whatever reason. I think they replaced her with a new one bc E wasn’t going to engage with bg. She has never and she won’t (so far). I hope this new girl did her homework because fandom is hard to manage.

[queennsansa]

It’s Spotify wrapped 2021!! ✨ let’s party it up in this hellhole. Can you please tell me which character/ship you’ve in mind for the following songs: 7, 33, 62. Please feel free to add headcanons or use them as prompts if you’re feeling inspired!

Most wonderful time of the year tbh! Christmas who? 

Some Maneskin, Slipknot and Gossip Girl (the reboot) coming up...

7. Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

This is literally the only song on this entire list I'm ashamed of and you picked it first lol, but okay, we're owning it.

I listen to this one a lot when I’m thinking of the Gossip Girl reboot, for some reason, but the more I’m listening to the lyrics the less it works for a specific ship. Sooo, hypothetically... 

Nothing happens after two, it's true, it's true My bad habits lead to you

Okay, so this is a Max song, right? Envision the scene: we’re at a club. Flashing neon lights, gorgeous people, drinks in all colors of the rainbow being spilled. He’s not alone (he never is), but tonight his companion isn’t a stranger but Luna. You can’t tell me this hasn’t happened before, I see the chemistry. 

Both single, both looking. For love, but mostly for trouble. Escapism doesn’t make for the best love stories, and as bright as they’d burn at night, they’d fade out just as quickly in the mornings. But they’d make some serious fireworks in the meantime.

We took the long way 'round Burned 'til the fun ran out, now

33. Le parole lontane - Maneskin

Oh this is a sad one. I actually have a bunch of options for this song because I love angst, but let’s go with another Max, shall we?

Your mistake was loving me as if  Tomorrow the world would be the same as yesterday

In which Max is Marlena, naturally. The song is a little vague (or it might be the translation I’m using), but it seems to be about two people growing apart due to the fault of the narrator.

Max/Marlena is steady, while Eleanor/the narrator is the sea. Eleanor wants to love, but won’t commit to loving Max the way she wants to be loved, and it’s driving Max away. Theirs is a romance that happens behind closed doors, a romance that is never spoken aloud except by Max. 

Like air you'll breathe me On the day I'm hiding you In phrases you won't hear

62. Snuff - Slipknot

I honestly only associate this song with one pairing and that’s Will and Hannibal. It’s got the perfect mix of resentment and creepiness.

This song speaks for itself, really. Hannibal’s very sad. I don’t think he would ever listen to Slipknot, but if he did I think he’d like this one. 

Bury all your secrets in my skin Come away with innocence, and leave me with my sins

You couldn't hate enough to love Is that supposed to be enough?

[eleanorbloom]

Skeptical (w/ Tobias Carrick)

Book: OH: TY. Characters: Eleanor Bloom (MC), Tobias Carrick, Aurora Emery, and Bryce Lahela (briefly). Summary: Eleanor confronts Tobias about Aurora. Rewrite of Book 3, Ch. 9.

Word Count: 2.1k Rate/Warnings: Teen, few curse words.

A/N: Hello! I'm bringing something different than usual. PB has been doing like Tobias never used Aurora, like he never hurt my friend (and LI too) and personally, I can't stand it. So here's my take about it. I wrote it with Eleanor instead of Rosalía because in Rosalía's universe Aurora never tranfers to Mass Kenmore.

Hope you like it!

Taglist: @romereadingshop @starrystarrytrouble @penda-bear @queenelianar @julia-highstorms @mercury84choices @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations I'm using my Aurora x Rosalía taglist because I thought you might be interested in reading this. Feel free to ignore it if only want to read romance lol

_________

Eleanor furrowed her lips as she was listening to Tobias telling his side of the story with Ethan.

When Tobias joined the Diagnostic Team, she was very dubious about everything that involved him. She didn't know him enough but the few things she knew about weren't good.

His blatant competitive attitude, the feud with Ethan, the fact that he was hired by Leland without consulting Ethan. All those signs telling her she shouldn’t trust Tobias.

But once she got to know him better, her image of him started to change. He wasn't the insufferable he was the first day, he was actually charismatic and rather funny. Easy going once she knew him past his competitive attitude, and she had learned a lot with him even if Tobias wasn't the type of Doctor she would normally admire. His values were totally opposed to hers, as she learned with Francis' case.

But still, something was stopping her from actually trusting him.

She did believe he was sorry for the stupid, childish attitude he had with Ethan, and seemed to be acting according to that, trying to make up for his mistakes.

He deserved a second chance.

But her skepticism had nothing to do with the Diagnostics Team or Ethan.

It was about Aurora.

“What is it? You don't believe me?” Tobias asked when Eleanor hadn't said a word since he finished his story. Trying to hide his concern, he gave her a mischievous smirk.

Eleanor didn’t know what to say.

It was hard to believe he wasn’t the same person who sabotaged his own friend when last year he used a person to get what he wanted. He hired Aurora to entice Harper to work in Mass Kenmore.

He hurt her friend, even unknowingly. And Eleanor couldn’t forget that or just get past that.

“Why do you say that?” Eleanor asked, trying to conceal her skepticism, but there was no use. She had always been too transparent with her emotions, and this time wouldn't be the exception.

“Well, you don’t look too convinced with what I told you.”

He was right. She wasn’t.

Eleanor sighed. Should she tell him? It wasn't her problem to tell, it was Aurora's, and knowing her, she would never confront Tobias about it. She barely had confronted her Aunt because they were family, but in no way she would face the umpteenth person that used her to get to Harper Emery.

“Come on, we're among friends here. I confided in you really top secret stuff, Elle.”

Eleanor grimaced at the sound of that name on his lips.

"I prefer Ellie if you don't mind. The only person that calls me Elle is my partner."

Tobias' hazel eyes widened in surprise for a brief second, “Sure, sure, my bad. Ellie it is.”

Eleanor nodded.

“So? Come on, be honest. I won’t get mad at you because you can’t believe I wanna mend up things with Ethan.”

“It’s not that. This is not about Ethan.”

“Then what is this about?”

Eleanor pondered her words. What was the best way to approach this?

“I believe you regret what you did to Ethan, but it's hard to tell you have changed since that.”

His brows knitted in curiosity, but for a brief second, embarrassment flashed features, “Okay, that's fair. Can I ask what makes you believe that?”

Eleanor wasn't particularly a confrontational person. Only when a person pressed her buttons she would actually confront that said person. And Tobias hadn't pressed any buttons, but the chance that they would have this kind of conversation in the future was extremely low. And she really needed to tell him that, in order to have a more amicable relationship with him.

“The fact that you used a person to get what you want.”

Tobias frowned, “Eleanor, what are you talking about?”

He was incredulous. And oblivious. Apparently, he had no idea where she was going with that accusation.

“You used Aurora to get Harper to work in Mass Kenmore,” Eleanor said, and Tobias' face disfigured instantly, “You didn't hire Aurora because she was a good doctor, but because she was Harper Emery's niece.”

“How did you know?”

“When you went to pick up some stuff after the Solomon Kenmore partnership, Aurora and I heard the discussion you had with Harper.”

Tobias winced in earnest regret.

"You seem like a decent person now that I know you, but even if your mistake with Ethan was years ago, what you did with Aurora is as much condemnable as what you did to him, and this happened just last year."

As Tobias remained silent, she continued.

“That's why I can't believe you. I just… can't stand people who use other people. And it's worse if you used my friend.”

“You're right,” it was the only thing he could say.

“Do you have any idea what is like living under the shadow of Harper Emery?” Now that she had opened her mouth, she couldn't stop. “Aurora has struggled her whole life with that, and transfer to Mass Kenmore was the opportunity to escape that. She deserves the spotlight, that people value her for her work, for her brilliance, and not for her family name. But it turned out, it wasn't because you believed she was good. You actually didn't give a fuck about her as long as you get what you wanted.”

Tobias gave her a pained look, “Aurora is a brilliant doctor, an outstanding resident. It didn't take her long to become the best resident in Mass Ken, and I know she'll achieve great things after finishing her residency.”

“But you found out that after. You only saw her as your mean to get Harper. And that's wrong. I'm sorry, but I can't act like this never happened. You used my friend, you made her doubt about her worth. I can't forget that.”

“You're right, Eleanor. But she should've never found out...”

“That's not the point! Or it is, actually. You did it knowing it was wrong. It doesn't matter if she finds out or not. You used a person and that was wrong. And if you're really trying to grow up from that 'blatant competitive' attitude, the first thing you should stop doing is using people.”

Tobias averted her eyes for a few moments, processing her words, concealing the shame.

He never thought their conversation would turn out like this.

“Well, what can I say? You're right in feeling that way about me, Eleanor, so I won't try to change your mind when it's clear that the wrong is on me. ”

“I've been very tempted to like you, but I can't like the person who hurt my friend. Hypocrisy doesn't work for me.”

Tobias shook his head, amazed, “You're something else, Eleanor. I wish I was lucky enough to have a friend like you, firm in your values and loyal.”

"You were lucky enough to have it, Tobias, but you betrayed him. Ethan is a loyal friend, and true to his values to a fault. And probably you know that better than me."

Tobias gave her a sad smile. Eleanor could swear there was melancholy in his eyes.

“Thank you for your honesty, Eleanor. I really appreciate that. I'm gonna learn a lot with you.”

Eleanor blushed, incredulous. He was being sincere or he was just schmoozing?

Only time would tell.

*

The cafeteria was quiet at that time of the night. Perfect place to study. Bryce had been interrogating Eleanor for the past thirty minutes in his interest to help her study for the boards, making knowledge questions as well as practical cases he had found on the web.

"Okay, we have this 2-year-old boy, his mother found him unconscious…" He started reading on Eleanor's tablet, but suddenly stopped as he saw Aurora approaching their table, "Hey Aurora! Coming to join the midnight study session?"

“No, thanks, Bryce,” Aurora replied, giving him a tiny smile, “Would you mind…? I need to speak to Eleanor. ”

Bryce looked from Eleanor to Aurora for a second and then nodded, “Oh, sure! She's all yours. Well, to speak to her she's all yours, we all know she's mine.”

“Oh my god, Goldie, just go!” Eleanor giggled, tilting her head as Bryce was leaning to kiss her.

“Text me if you need anything, okay?”

“I will, thank you, love.”

Once Bryce was out of sight, Eleanor turned to face Aurora, who was sitting across her with a serious expression on her face, “You wanted to talk?”

“Yes.”

Aurora sighed, and after several seconds of silence, she finally spoke, “Tobias talked to me yesterday.”

Oh fuck.

Eleanor never thought Tobias would speak to Aurora about what happened in Grace's apartment, several days ago now.

“Okay…”

“He apologized for what happened with Aunt Harper. For hiring me knowing I was her niece. He was also sorry I had found out.”

Eleanor nodded, feeling a pang of fear inside her.

“At first, I was so mad at you, Eleanor. So mad. Because you had no right to tell Tobias how I felt. That I knew the truth. It was something deeply personal.”

“I know, I know, and I'm… ”

“Let me finish, Eleanor.”

Eleanor, completely pale, shut her mouth and made a gesture with her hand as if she was fastening her mouth like a zipper.

“I was mad because I would never recognize in front of him how bad it hurt me his… scheme. That's why I never confronted in the first place.”

Aurora looked down at her hands, as if she was focusing on reliving those feelings.

Eleanor was rigid and terrified. She had betrayed her trust and who knew how much time it would take her to be forgiven for that, considering the story they had.

"But after a while I realized … I never knew how much I needed an apology until it happened."

Eleanor looked at Aurora, agape.

"Tobias told me he would've never realized how wrong was that if you hadn't told him. And when he thought about the pain he might have caused, he regretted doing it. He was sorry he made me believe I was just Harper Emery's niece when I'm much more than that."

Eleanor shook her head, regret washing over her features.

“Aurora I'm truly sorry for what I did. I knew at that moment it wasn't my business to tell him what had happened, but I couldn't act like everything was fine with him. He needed to face what was wrong, but it wasn't my call, it was yours.”

“Yeah, but I would've never taken it, and you knew it. I would've never done it because I thought the only thing I needed was to get over it, and forgive myself for stupidly falling for his lie.”

Aurora bit her lip before giving Eleanor a humorless smile, “But it turns out I shouldn't be blaming myself for something I didn't do. He was the one who used me, it was his fault, not mine. So when he apologized, I realized that. And that would've happened if you hadn't intervened.”

“Aurora…”

“I've spent my whole life blaming myself for trusting people who used me, but I've never been the problem. They are. People have never cared. Never cared to sincerely befriend me and never cared to apologize when they used me. So when Tobias apologized… it felt so good, because it let me stop blaming myself for that. It's not my fault.”

“Of course not, Aurora. It's their fault. It's their fault not being able to see the amazing person you are, the brilliant doctor you are, and all the incredible things you can do and give. So fuck them. ”

Aurora chuckled, "Fuck them. Except for Tobias. He looked really sorry for what he did so maybe there's a chance for him in the end."

“Yeah. He's not that bad. But I couldn't let myself like him when he had been an ass with you. ”

“Thank you for calling him out, and for defending me. Though I beg you to please don't this again. At least talk to me before going in the whole protective mode, okay?”

Eleanor took Aurora's hands in hers, and gave her the first genuine smile of the night, bright and wide, “I promise.”

“Good, now let's call Bryce to resume your study session with a little friendly competition.”

“Oh? Competing against Aurora Emery again? You're on!”

_____

Thank you so much for reading!!!

[almondscroissant]

hey, sweet friend. how are you doing? how's everything going on with you? i hope you're doing great. just wanted to say hi and ask you for book recommendations lol since you won't send me the playlist i asked for 🙄 jk jk honestly take your time. i recently got back into reading again would really like recommendations. just tell me your favorite books or something. other than that nothing much happening with me. but thanks to you i am obsessed with sage green now💀.

💜💜💜💜💜💜

Akjdkfjskdk call me out for that playlist lmao. I will finish it one day, I promise!!!! 😅

But oooh okay, book recs I can do! And congrats on getting back into reading. I hope I can help you find something you love! I'm not sure if you have a preference for certain genres, but I'll just list different things I've read recently and enjoyed/a few all-time faves:

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: one of my favorites, even though I feel like the marketing absolutely tricked me lmao (Reese Witherspoon, i am looking directly at you ...) This book is so clever and quirky and heartwarming, but it also deals with darker topics and a character living with the effects of childhood trauma. (I can be more specific on the triggers if you'd like me to!) All that said, it's such a special book to me and the friendship is just the best <3

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall: so sweet!!!!! so funny!!!!!! so warm!!!!!

One Day in December by Josie Silver: a controversial pick dksjdks. Some people really don't like this one because there is a cheating element to it, but boyyyy the angst and boyyyyy the pining. I picked it up in the middle of a reading slump and I flew through it.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: this book has my whole heart!

The Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman: it's a graphic novel series and it is so soft!!!!!

Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark: Probably my favorite thing I've read all year. It's about a trio of Black girls in the early 20th century fighting demons/the KKK. The concept is so unique and it was very short but made me feel more than books twice its page length. 14/10 recommend!!!!!!!

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse: It's a fantasy inspired by pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas and it was such a ride!!!!!! (I also recommend reading this one while listening to the audiobook. SUPER FUN.)

Circe by Madeline Miller: big kill men energy. Her writing is unparalleled!

Legendborn by Tracy Deon: I just finished this one and while I have mixed feelings about the romance (I can just feel a love triangle looming and ksjdksjdksd), the story is so interesting! It's got mythology and magic and twists all over the place!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: just !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta (first book is Finnikin of the Rock): this is the first high fantasy series I ever read and it legit blew my mind?? I just fell in love with every single character and I knew the author was a genius (her book Jellicoe Road also blew my mind!!!!) but this really sealed the deal.

The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo: maybe you've heard of them lol. But I mean, they are a good time!!!! Also starring the two loves of my life: Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa.

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater: do not worry if you don't understand a single thing that is happening while you read this; it is the universal experience, it is part of the full scale hallucinogenic quality of the writing. Bonus factor: my son Richard Gansey III, the one character who, if I learned he was created in a lab to be unlikable to me specifically, I would not be surprised. (He's my fave.)

And some books I'm planning to read soon:

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha

I'm stopping because I'll just keep adding stuff lol, but I really do hope you can find something here that appeals to you!!! 💖💖💖

[shards-of-realities-blog]

heya shards!!! are you reading any good books right now? or watching any good tv shows? (sdajdh i just finished stranger things and i need something to entertain myself with lol) - anonymous love letter

Oh am I reading any good books right now?? Am I READING ANY GOOD BOOKS RIGHT NOW?? haha anon you don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into. I don’t know what you’ve read or what you’re into but here’s some:

Some Book Series to Consume Rabidly and Then Finish, Leaving Your Life Empty and Meaningless For a Few Days:

The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Dark Artifices, and other random standalone books by Cassandra Clare are all fantasy with quite a lot of queer elements (trans character, bi character, 1 &1/2 poly relationships, gay character & relationship, more I can’t remember) and I love them to death

Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo is another fantasy series with queer elements (two bi characters and a gay relationship) as well as a lot of POC rep and a disabled main character! Really really really fun and cool and unique books

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is more fantasy, but with witches this time, and it’s absolutely amazing. Maggie has a very unique style that’s scary and ethereal and really really cool, I love all her books

The Shiver Series by Maggie Stiefvater is a cool take on werewolves and really shows off her style, it’s beautiful and haunting.

??? By Marissa Meyer—I can’t remember what it’s officially called, but it’s a very cool series of fairytale retellings set in a future Earth, I especially love Winter (Snow White). Cinder is the first book.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu is magical fantasy with a twist—magic users (the Elites) are hunted instead of valued, and it’s a very cool series. Some very vague lgbt elements, a bi character and a side lesbian relationship in the last book.

An Ember in the Ashes Trilogy by Sabaa Tahir is an amazing series I don’t even know how to describe, it’s slave girl gets wrapped up in a rebellion she wants no part in, it’s the defected and conflicted soldier that saves her, it’s like four different betrayals and the most insane plot twist ever in the last book. And it’s really beautiful.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor is really creepy and really good, includes angels and chimaera and a girl with naturally blue hair. I’ve only been able to read the first book but it’s very very addicting

Some Standalone Books I Love:

Anything and everything by Rainbow Rowell, she’s an amazing author and, except for one thing, writes really sweet contemporary love stories, and realistic fiction isn’t really my thing but she does it very very well. Don’t read Eleanor and Park unless you have 15 free hours and a box of tissues.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli is an adorable book about a straight girl and her lesbian sister/moms all stumbling around and finding love (well, except her moms, mostly). Very very cute and sweet. I’m going to assume you’ve read Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (if not, do!!), this is the same author.

Tell Me Three Things by ??? is a book I read a while back that I cannot remember the author of?? It’s the same sort of thing as Simon, but straight (anonymous emails, falling in love, etc.).

Jellicoe Road is also by someone I can’t remember, it’s set in Australia and is confusing af for the first 3/4 but it’s definitely really cool once everything comes together, and worth the reread to pick up on all the subtle things you miss.

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck is sweet and hilarious and honest and heart-wrenching and beautiful, and it was written by my wonderful, fun and supportive old English teacher!!

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King is a great book about a gay girl who’s having problems with her girlfriend, a homophobic town, her family, and herself. She also sends love to airplanes overhead and we actually see the passengers receive her love sometimes which is a really cool concept.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys is set in 1950s New Orleans and follows the estranged daughter of a prostitute—trust me, I didn’t think I would like it all that much and I found it very good. It’s one of those books where everything is going good and the MC is actually at a good place and then every bad thing that could possibly happen, happens, and you don’t know how it can possibly be fixed.....and then of course, it gets fixed. Oh, and there’s a blink-and-you-miss-it gay relationship which was a fun surprise because, yknow, 1950s New Orleans.

(I now realize that I read only fantasy series’ and contemporary romance standalones. Oops)

Shows To Consume Your Life:

Umbrella Academy, if you haven’t seen it, is about a dysfunctional family of adopted kids with superpowers who come together after being estranged for I don’t even know how many years, one of hem is dead, all of them are traumatized, one of them is pan and I believe genderfluid?? I can’t remember. Also the apocalypse happens in eight days. Yay.

One Day At A Time is really funny and sweet and honest, a Cuban family struggling through life with a veteran mom, a lesbian daughter, a hilarious grandmother, a dumb younger brother, and the random annoying Canadian immigrant neighbor/building manager who is their family now, I guess.

Glee is fun if you want a show to watch with 20% brain, it’s very funny and stupid

Supergirl seems good? I haven’t watched much of it but it’s pretty good so far if you’re into superheroes at all

That’s what I got! Hopefully you an I have slightly different book/show tastes and you haven’t already consumed everything I recommended, lol. By the way, is Stranger Things any good? I wanna watch it, should I?

[overlordofthelollipopguild]

What shows apart from OUAT would you recommend?

Oooh I love this ask. Okay, I have a lot of shows i love, so I’m going to choose my top four of all time….I think…other than OUAT.

One Day at a Time (Netflix, 2017-Present): A comedy featuring a Cuban-American family. But wait, it’s more than just a comedy? It’s a show that has good representation and touches on real issues? Hells yeah, sign me up. 

Why is this show good? Because it’s freaking lit. Okay, two seasons on Netflix right now, and let me tell you: Amazing show. The characters are fantastic. You have POC representation, LGBT representation, real single mom struggles, teenage struggles, the struggle for accepting yourself for who you are (whether it be trying to figure out if you are gay or accepting that you are mentally ill and will always have that illness). Like Penelope Alvarez (Jutina Machado deserves all of the awards ever) is a fantastic supportive mom who is also still trying to figure out the things she wants in life, Elena is the gay teenage daughter who’s just starting to figure out life, Alex (Papito!) is the son who’s just too pure, Schnieder the awkward former drug addict/alcoholic who really becomes family, Leslie is Penelope’s awkward older boss who just….like you want him to be happy, and then finally….the icon, the myth, the legend Lydia Riera (portrayed by the iconic Rita Moreno) who is Penelope’s mother who is just integral to the show. So 20/10 recommend.

Lucifer (Fox, 2015-Present): The Devil is living it up in Los Angeles, but after a murder in front of his club, he meets and partners himself up with Detective Chloe Decker. Another cop procedural? Hell no. 

Why is it good? It’s a different take on the devil and actually makes him sympathetic, it has a strong female lead, and as the show grows so does the cast which is pretty equal between men and women. Chloe’s a full time mom and full time cop and a badass who doesn’t take Lucifer’s shit, but learns to accept him as a partner. Also Mazikeen is freaking awesome. The female characters are actually pretty well rounded and all have different personalities, but also get along fabulously. Lucifer’s family also tends to show up lol. Also half the cast is POC, like yes please. To be honest I am behind on this show, but I still think it’s worth a watch, and I have got to catch up.

Charmed (WB, 1998-2006): All right this is an old one, but I’m putting on because I have sentimental reasons. This show helped me when I needed something to hold on to at a time when I was very lonely. It’s a show about three sisters who find out that they are witches. 

Why is it good?: At it’s core, it’s about sisterhood and family. It also developed a unique fantasy mythology. You have three sisters that all struggle with balancing their lives between normal and magical. They also find out more secrets of their family’s past including: the history of a few ancestors, their mother’s affair, why their father left, a half-sister, and so on. There’s magic, romance, good vs evil, and family above all else. They go through a lot in 8 seasons, and each season has it’s pros and cons and some characters can be…problematic (personally my fave is season 6, but that’s because Chris is my favorite character). All in all it’s a magical show and you will fall in love with the characters. It will always hold a very special place in my heart, and to be honest, if you’ve heard of the CW Charmed Reboot and want to watch, I recommend watching this show first. 

The Good Place (NBC, 2016-Present): Eleanor is dead, and so is everyone else. They all made it to The Good Place, a version of the afterlife. The problem? Eleanor isn’t suppose to be there….

Why is it good? Well rounded characters that develop deep friendships and relationships. There’s Eleanor, our main girl, who is a terrible person, but also really wants to learn to be good. Chidi…oh Chidi….so pure, cinnamon roll, I adore him. He is an ethics professor who tries to teach Eleanor to be good. Tahani, you think is gonna be an alpha bitch, but like no? I mean she comes off that way at first but there’s more to her. Jason….oh bless him. Jason is a sweetheart, but the first bit of season 1, he never talks, and there’s a very good reason for it. Janet is also very cool and tries to be more human. Michael, oh what to say about Michael. He’s like so desperate for his “Good Place” to work out. You’ll never see the twist at the end of season 1 coming or I didn’t, but maybe I was too distracted by my love for all of these characters. 

Other Recommendations: Black-ish, The West Wing, Grace and Frankie, Star Trek (like pick any of them but TOS is really the heart and core of the franchise), Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Father Brown, Call the Midwife, Broadchurch (BBC), The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Death in Paradise, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn-99, The Alienist, like I know there are more shows that I am forgetting because I watch way too much tv lol. 

Willing to answer anything that comes in ask right now

[sociallyawkward--fics]

Oh wow, you like Rainbow Rowell? I've only read one of her books (Carry On), but it was super good and I want to read more! What's your favorite of hers? ~S

i LOVE Rainbow Rowell you don’t even understand. She’s one of my fave authors, along with Rick Riordan (which, if you know me, is serious praise because I can never pick faves so if I actually list faves then you Know i thought it/they were Amazing).

(okay so this ended up getting REALLY long so I’m gonna put the rest under a ‘keep reading’ lol, why do my posts always get so away from me??)

I’ve read three of her books (not including Almost Midnight)

Fangirl is probably my favorite by her. It’s the first book I ever read by her so it holds a special place in my heart. I also relate a lot to the main character. The book is about a girl just started college with her twin. She suffers from anxiety and finds an escape through reading the Simon Snow novels and writing (gay) fanfic about them. It’s kind of a romance novel (like, the romantic relationship is a big focus from what i remember), but I see it more as a coming-of-age story tbh. Also, Cath was the first character that really felt like Me in a book. Just an ordinary, bookish, awkward girl who loved writing. I think that’s why I was in love with it from page one lol.

Carry On is my second fave by her, which you said you’ve read, but I’ll talk about it anyway because I love it. It was so funny when I got this because my family is extremely homophobic but we were in Barnes and Noble and my older sister picked it up and said, “Look! It’s the author you like!” so I convinced my mom to buy it for me and didn’t tell her it was about gay wizards (they also hate witchcraft-y stuff, I’m not allowed to read Harry Potter – though a friend has been lending me the books in secret and I love them). Basically it takes the characters from the fake novel series Simon Snow from Fangirl and Rainbow Rowell writes them as she would have written them. Not as the author of the Simon Snow books in Fangirl, not as Cath with her fanfic (coincidentally titled Carry On lol), but as she wanted to write them. I absolutely adore this novel.

Eleanor & Park, while it is last on my list for novels by her, I adore with my entire being. I went into it thinking it was going to be this sweet love story, but it is far from that. It is so much more. It is so intensely real. I nearly cried – and I am the kind of person who never cries at media (mostly to keep my “tough tomboy girl” persona, but it’s a lot of annoying toxic masculinity lol). It is bittersweet and there’s so much I never expected from it, and I don’t even know what I can say about the plot without accidentally giving something away. I would definitely recommend.

And okay, I’m gonna talk about Almost Midnight too because yes, I love everything. It’s a book with two short stories by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Simini Blocker and they are both so good and the art style is amazing omg. I’m seriously gonna look up the artist now. Plus, the cover is SPARKLY and I love that because I have never seen such a fun cover. Anyway, the first story is about this girl Mags (Margret) and it tells the story of like 3 or 4 New Years Eve’s where she watches her BFF kiss other people when she wants him to kiss her and it is the Cutest romance (I hope that doesn’t give too much away). The second short story is about a girl named Elena camping out in line outside the theater to see Star Wars because she’s a Massive Nerd, but there are only two other people camping out. It’s about her experience with these two guys and the friendship she starts forming with the boy around her age.

All of these are AMAZING reads and I would recommend them them 100%, 13/10, astounding novels (and short stories). She has two other novels called Attachments and Landline, which both look incredibly interesting to read and I intend to get them soon (I’ve been meaning to for years but I’m the most forgetful being on the planet, I really need to get a day planner or something lol).

I think a lot of people outside this space would find what I’m about to say rude, but I mean it with the highest praise.

Rainbow Rowell’s writing reads like fanfic.

And I say this because in my experience, except with the most stellar of novels, fanfic tends to invoke more emotion in me than most books. There’s just this certain feel that comes along with fanfic that makes it feel different than a lot of books, but in a good way. In an AMAZING way.

Not only that, but the fact that her writing feels like fanfic is such an intense inspiration to me. Like, it makes me think that my writing, once I’ve grown in the skill a bit more lol, could be novel-worthy. I could publish. My style isn’t bad. People won’t not read it because I “write like a fanfic author.” Because writing fanfic is real writing, even if it’s not my characters.

Honestly, Rainbow Rowell is one of the authors that has kept me writing when I just wanted to give up, figuring that I’d go nowhere. But look at me now. I am determined in my dream to become an author someday. 

tldr; Rainbow Rowell is an ASTOUNDING author and I would definitely recommend anything she writes lol

[stephschoices]

For Choices special asks: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35

All the questions lol thanks!!

1. What’s your favorite book?: The Crown & The Flame, Endless Summer, and It Lives In The Woods

2. What’s your top 5 male characters?: Jake, Zig, Liam, Raydan, Kenji

3. What’s your top 5 female characters?: Kenna, Estela, Eleanor, Ava, Teja

4. Tell the character you love most.: Listen I really love Kenna okay I would die for her

5. The character you hate most.: I really cannot stand Madeleine, I would like her to leave

6. If you could rewrite any scene you want, which one would be?: Probably the Royal Romance book 1 finale, I would like to not be thrown out of the palace and explain what happened thx

7. Tell a character everyone loves but you.: I don’t like Olivia.

8. Tell a character everyone hates but you.: none that I can think of

9. Since when do you play Choices?: Early 2017, like around February I think

10. Has anyone started playing Choices because of you?: I wish lol

11. The story you like least.: Most Wanted

12. Do you read Choices fanfics?: Sometimes, but not often

13. Have you already created a tumblr just to talk about Choices?: Yep, that’s what this blog is lol

14. For which release (book or chapter) are you most excited?: I always look forward to Endless Summer and ILITW!!

15. The MC of which story is your favorite?: Ahhh I hate picking between my children, but probably Hayley, my Endless Summer MC is my fav

16. Which MC least represents you?: Probably my Home For The Holidays MC. She’s very happy and I am not

17. Declare your love for your favorite character.: *clears throat* PRINCE LIAM THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT I WILL BE MARRYING YOU AND I AM GOING TO BE THE BEST QUEEN CORDONIA HAS EVER SEEN THANK U

18. Which character do you want to be a love interest?: I really wanted Noa to be one in TCATF lol

19. Do you usually buy diamonds?: When I have the money for them yes

20. Tell a song that fits your favorite story.: idk I think Live Forever by The Band Perry fits Endless Summer pretty good

21. Create a ship name for you and your favorite character.: For me and Liam?? hmm… Stiam? 

22. Your favorite scene from any story.: Oh my god there’s too many I have no idea which one to pick

23. Your least favorite scene from any story.: Also too many to pick from lol

24. Have you read any book more than once? Which one did you read the most?: I’ve read TCATF book 1, ES book 1, and THOBM twice. But I’ve read TF book 1, 3 times lol

25. Tell a plot you’d love to see in a Choices story.: *screams* I WANT MORE HORROR STORIES

26. Which character looks more like you in personality?: I have no idea.. really just the MCs tbh

27. Which character looks more like you in appearance?: I’d say I’m a mix of Nerdy!Twin and Lily

28. What was the first story you played?: The Freshman

29. What was the last story you played?: ITLTW

30. Tell a character you disliked but started to love.: I didn’t really like Annelyse at first but she really grew on me

31. Tell a character you loved but started to dislike.: I really liked Mark at first but eh.. his personality started getting on my nerves

32. Your favorite ship (not involving the MC)?: Kenna x Raydan

33. Your least favorite ship (not involving the MC)?: Liam x Olivia

34. Tell a character you’ve never really paid attention to.: If I had an answer for this then I would’ve been paying attention to them

35. If you could shout something to the Choices team, what would it be?: GIVE US AN EASIER WAY TO GET DIAMONDS U LOSERS

[sometimeintheafternoon-arch-blog]

YE OLDE TAG GAME

I was tagged by @got7peaches ! Thank you for tagging me Claire! I love when you tag me in things! We should talk more!!

how tall are you? 5′2.5″ the half is necessary  what color and style is your hair? long & wavy blonde hair here what color are your eyes? dark blue do you wear glasses or contacts? nope do you wear braces? yes but i should get them off in a few months! what is your fashion style? this is hard to answer because it ranges so much! sometimes i dress super casual, sometimes girly, sometimes edgy! it really depends on my mood! i’m always wearing something i feel good in though! i have to be comfortable  when were you born? January 3 how old are you? 17.. do you have any siblings? 4 sisters- 3 older, 1 younger what school/college do you go to? i’m not answering this what kind of student are you? i’m the type to do work super last minute and sleep in class but somehow gets straight a’s? what are your favorite subjects? anything but math! i’m not good at math at all and it makes me really sad. i guess if i had to pick though, foreign language classes are my favorite.  what are your favorite shows? i haven’t been watching tv lately but i used to watch it often. right now i watch the magicians, riverdale, impractical jokers, friends, sailor moon and your lie in april.  what are your favorite movies? oh my gosh there are so many and i can’t even think of them. empire records. 10 things i hate about you. short term 12. the fundamentals of caring..there are so many more. i can’t think. what are your favorite books? for some reason it’s really hard for me to get into anything but romance books…i’m not sure why. but my favorite books are eleanor & park and to all the boys i’ve loved before. currently i am reading the diary of an oxygen thief.  what are your favorite past times? photo editing. sleeping! shopping! tumblr! socializing!! listening to musc! and honestly, just thinking! i like to self reflect often and imagine wild things i’ll never do lol. do you have any regrets?  i don’t think so! i’m really content with  my life. i like how things are going for me so far. everything that has happened to me has helped form who i am and i actually like who i am so i suppose i wouldn’t change anything.  what is your dream job? i’ve never known what i want to do with my life lol. i’ve always wanted a job with a good amount of freedom, but i need some rules to follow otherwise i get lost aha. i also want to help people or the environment, either is fine with me. being able to travel would be nice.  would you like to get married? where? yes, if i find the right person. i’m scarred of commitment though..this question made my heart beat speed up lol. but i think in a forest would be really pretty! do you want kids? how many? i’m 98% sure i want kids lol. i doubt it sometimes though. if i do have kids 3-5 of them sound good to me. my family is shook whenever i say that. do you like shopping? haha yes! maybe too much! i’m working on it! how many countries have you visited? none! i’ve only been out of state once. i’m going to hawaii this summer though! and possibly japan too! what was your scariest dream? mmm usually i can tell i’m dreaming so i’m more entertained than scarred?? i get really shook if any family members die in my dreams though. that’s happened a few times. the worst one was really brutal so i won’t go into anymore detail.  do you have any enemies? not that i’m aware of?? i don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.  do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? nah. i’m too focused on myself right now.

put your phone on shuffle. without skipping post the first 15 songs that play

4u - blackbear (omg i used to be obsessed with this song. lowkey him too. he has some goood music. but really this song makes me really happy for some reason??)

nice guys - chester see & others (i don’t feel like typing everyone’s name but i just laughed so hard i started crying. i know all the words to this song too. by heart. i can yell all the lyrics with no music. lmao)

undercover - kehlani (yes!! my girl! she’s my favorite singer :’) her and jhene aiko)

save me - nicki minaj (hm i used to be hella emo listening to this song..i still love it though. i’m lowkey still emo)

love robbery - kalin and myles (uhh wow..my childhood is haunting me. i’m having flashbacks…someone send help. another song i know all the lyrics to)

still dre - dr dre (whaaaa this is in my playlist noooo wayyyy)

countdown - beyonce (yes!! this song is so good. i get  hyped)

memories faded - twenty88 (i genuinely think i would be okay if twenty88 was the only artist i was able to listen to for the rest of my life. and like jhene aiko?? my other favorite female artist?? hell yah!)

bedrock - young money & others (i love love love this song. omg)

past lives - borns (i like listening to the lyrics! the past lives idea intrigues me. i think about it often. also, this song is just kind of fun)

no one - alicia keys (this whole thing has just been one big nostalgic trip for me)

losers - the weeknd (the weeknd….mmm..so much love..i don’t think i’ve ever disliked a song??)

by my side - iamsu! (this song is so pleasant to listen to imo. i don’t know it well though)

how you’ve been - carter (aw i was listening to this when i was lowkey heartbroken…)

LYING IS THE MOST FUN A GIRL CAN HAVE WITHOUT TAKING HER CLOTHES OFF - PANIC! AT THE DISCO (flashbacks to my emo phase omg. this is easily my favorite panic at the disco song. i’m screaming!! i haven’t heard it in so long)

but why are there no kpop songs on this list??? i’m confused but okay.

tagging some of my favorites: @taeonie @lattetae @babyjjk @jhopesluvr@jhopesluvr @nverever and as always: if you’ve already been tagged i apologize and obviously you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to! also let me know if you’d ever like me to stop tagging you in things please!