#darrens covers are awesome

[ipwarn]

RE: Gatsby. You might not know but if they have a premiere date and a theater does that mean they've already done the workshops? Could they have already decided on the cast? I'm trying not to get my hopes up about Darren getting casted but it's been so quiet and I'd love to see him in a new musical.

I understand how you feel but I honestly don't know. Darren doing workshops for shows isn't a new thing but I don't know if any of those other shows had a date and location picked. So maybe this is further along or maybe it's just got some serious backing behind it. I think the truth is that the only way we'll know the final casting is when the press announces it. Everything else is pure speculation.

[musiclover61]

Little Witch. Pt1

Fandom: Supernatural

Summary: You and your fiancée were about to have people over but you got a knock on your front door then attacked and kidnapped, but you got saved by these two guys

Paring: Sam winchester x witch!reader

Warnings: Cussing, mentions of weapons (guns and knifes), describing wounds (gashes, cuts and bruises), mentions of blood, yn is used, let me know if I missed something :)

A/N: so in this one there kinda isn't really Sam x reader but in the next one there is I pinky promise:)

Proofread!!

Part 2 is up!!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

'Shit, shit, shit,' I thought as I ran through the woods trying to lead a demon to its death, thankfully I was a fast runner.

Just a few hours before, I'd say 10 hours before I had no idea that demons, ghost, angles, weird spider things, I had no idea that any of that was a thing until my soon to be husband was killed by the demon that's chasing me.

10 hours before:

"Hey" Luke said coming up behind me and hugging my waist "what is my pretty girl doing?" He asked kissing my cheek

"I'm cooking up an awesome dinner" I giggled leaning into him "I invited over one of your friends by the way, Darren was his name I think" I said his friends name and he smiled

"Oh, Y/N/N, how kind of you" Luke smiled kissing down my neck as I giggled putting down the knife I had been holding to turn and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I can't wait for us to get married" I smiled making his smile bigger

"I can't wait either" Luke says kissing me, a nice, passionate kiss and before anything else there was a knock on the door making him groan

"I'll get it" I smiled and gave him one last peck before walking to the door opening it.

When I opened the door I seen the mail man standing there "hi" I smiled "what can I do for you?" I asked

"It's more of your husband" the mailman said his eyes going pitch black before lungging at me pushing me to the ground

"Ah!" I yelled as I fell, my head hitting the ground hard. The guy fell on top of me, his eyes still black

"Y/N/N!" Luke yelled running to me but before he could the mailman lungged at him. Two more guys came in the house one went passed me and the other one picked me up

And then everything went black.

When I woke up I was tied to a chair. Blood covered my shirt and my neck. My vision was blurry when I looked around I see my fiancée strug on the ceiling, chains keeping him up, he was pale and had cuts all over his body "Luke!" I yelled trying to get out of the chair, he looked up at me his eyes were tired, but his teeth something was wrong with his teeth, they looked... sharp and there were... rows of them, three rows of sharp teeth, but before I could say anyting his eye darted behind me before a look of fear crossed his face I looked behind me to see a tall bald man walking over to Luke a large hunting knife in his hands, when he got close enough he swang his arm back before cutting Luke's head off making me let out a loud scream, tears following as the man looked at me

"Shut up or you'll be next" he spat before going out of my view

I looked at my fiancée's dead body his hands still being chained to the ceiling as his head had rolled a few inches away from him, his body going limp and more tears came pouring out of my eyes. The man must have heard me since he grabbed me by my hair and pushed my head back putting a knife to my neck

"I said shut up!" he spat but before he could say or do more there were sounds of a door getting kicked in.

although I couldn't see what was happening, I knew the blad guy was fight two people. Next thing I know my chair was turned around and a knife was to my neck. Two men were standing infront of me, one was tall, had brown hair and green eyes, he had more of a broad frame, he was wearing a light brown jacket that was puffy but on him didn't look it, he had a dark t-shirt under that and jeans on with boots, as the other guy was shorter then the man he is standing next to but still tall, like the other guy he had brown hair and green eyes, he had a real dark brown jacket and was also wearing a dark shirt under it, he had jeans and boots on as well, the shorter guy's hair was more spiked up while the other guys hair was more puffy and a little flat on the top and kinda in his face from I'm guessing the fight

"Put down your guns or I slice her neck open" the blad guy said as he held me tigher

They looked at blad guy before lower their guns dropping them on the ground and kicking them away from them "Ma'am what's your name" The taller one asked looking between me and the guy that had me

"Y/N" I stuttered out tears filling my eyes "please I don't want to die" I choked out a few tears spilling.

"Shut up." The bald guy spat holding the knife closer to my neck.

I let out a whimper as the two guys looked at the bald guy. "Let her go" The shorter one said.

His voice was deep. Kinda like batman but less sandpaper sounding.

"She has nothing to do with this" He added "she's done nothing wrong" he said and took a step closer.

The man put the knife closer to my neck, the feeling of it digging in my skin was unpleasant and the pain only grew.

"you know this guy that I'm possessing has some real interesting thoughts about this girl" He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back "to him she's just another play thing" he chucked.

The shorter one moved to quick for me to even think because all of a sudden I heard a gun shot and the man had the knife away from me dropped on the ground somewhere.

The gun shot didn't even seem to faze him because he picked up the knife and pulled his arm back getting ready to stab me. I turned my head away getting myself ready to be stabbed.

I heard three more gun shots and loud thum. When I opened my eyes I seen the shorter guy on one of his knees his gun pointed behind me. The taller one quickly made his way over to me and untied the ropes.

"Hey, your okay now" he said softly "my name is Sam and that's my brother dean" He said then moved to my next arm, undoing the rope. His voice like his brother's was also deep but not as deep at Dean's. "you said your name was Y/N right?" Sam asked looking between me and the rope. I nodded looking at him "okay good nice to meet you" Sam said.

When he finished he looked down at my leg "looks like you got a pretty big gash there" Sam said. He seemed unfazed by it but when I looked down my head began spinning and I felt faint. I looked up quickly trying not to puke.

The 'gash' on my leg was a huge cut that started at my hip and went to my kee and it was about a finger nail wide

"Okay so I'm going to pick you up on three, okay?" Sam said looking at me. I gave him a nod and he nodded back "okay, one, two, three" he counted and like he said on three he picked me up, princess style. It was like I was a feather to him. Kinda hot. Stop! Your fiancée just die what is wrong with you! I put my arms around his neck for better support.

When we walked outside, the cool air hit me and I moved closer to into Sam. The only thing I was wearing was what I had been when I was taken, which was jeans that were now cut open and a white shirt that with a dark red long sleeve shirt over it.

We walked over to an impala. Dean opened the back door for Sam as he carefully put me in the car and shut the door then Sam and Dean got in the car, Dean was driving and Sam was in the passenger. After a few minutes of driving I had falling asleep, leaning against the window.

☆☆☆

I don't know how long we were driving for but I do know that we were stopped at a gas station.

"Sam we need to take her to a hospital" Dean said. The door to the driver side was open and Dean was pumping the gas "we can't take her back to the hotel" it was dark out and the only light was coming from a nearby lamp post.

"And what are we going to tell the people at the hospital, huh?" Sam asked "'hey this girl was cut up by a demon, help her?'" Sam said sarcastically

"Sam what do you want us to do" Dean asked and looked back at me. I closed my eyes and pretend to be asleep "we can't keep her like a dog" Dean said then looked back at Sam

"We can take her back to the hotel and then we can call Cas" Sam suggested

'Cas?' I thought 'who the hell names theirs kid Cas?'

"We didn't kill that demon, and they obviously wanted to keep her alive for something" Sam said "Cas can get her healed and then we can.... use her as bait" Sam said looking at Dean as if he just made that up on the spot

'Hold on demons?!' I thought 'if I'm demon bait they can take me back and I'll just die'

Dean was quite for a second he looked like he was thinking and when the gas stop he took it out of the car, put it up then got back in the car and looked back at me again then to Sam and let out a sigh "fine we'll go back to the hotel, call Cas, have her healed, and tell her about the supernatural and if she doesn't run off calling us crazy then we can use her has bait" Dean said "happy?" Dean asked starting the car

"Thank you" Sam sighed and looked at the road as Dean began to drive

'WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST HEAR!' I thought 'AND WHO THE FUCK IS CAS!'

☆☆☆

A/N: this is my first work on tumblr so I hope it's good and it's kinda been awhile since I've seen Supernatural so if I got anything wrong let me know🤞

[sillyname30]

elturista_john: From a pair of star crossed lovers who die tragically to a has been silent movie actress yearning for that adoring closeup once again. From a retired pair of helperbot robots whose humanity shines through despite their programming to a gang of down and out youth who show the longing in all of us to matter. This is but a sampling of the AWESOME talent gracing Broadway at the moment and the QUALITY shows showcasing their talent. A show about love, longing, jealousy, fear, mortality and quirkiness sounds like a lot to cover in a 90 minute single-act musical but you’d be surprised how well it works. Exceptionally talented Darren Criss leads a cast of mostly Broadway newcomers on an age old “human” quest in Maybe Happy Ending. Helen Shen has a long career ahead of her.

[sw33tsuccubus]

Eight Legged Fiends

frank iero x reader

summary: Frank versus spider.

genre: crackfic

word count: 1k

If there was one thing Frank could rid the world of, it would be spiders. Nobody could convince him that they did the world any good.

With his loved off at work, he had to keep an eye on the creature on the ceiling while also watching the movie on the TV. He had promised Y/n that he would watch it so that they could talk about it with them spoiling it.

He wished he could pay attention. Even if the spider wasn't moving, it was still there, posing as a possible threat. He quickly checked his watch and sighed. His lover was already on his way home, meaning that he didn't have to worry for much longer. They would easy wrap him in their arms and hold him while they lay together.

Casting his eyes back up to the TV, he tried to keep his attention on it. He really did. It wasn't his fault that the sp-

Spider? Spider where?

Frank immediately stood up and let out a horrified gasp. His lover wouldn't be home for at least another fifteen minutes. If the spider found it's way to him in that time, he would die, and he didn't want Y/n to go through that. Or maybe he was over exaggerating. Key word was maybe, he told himself as he inched towards the hallway.

He could easily run to the bedroom and take base under the covers until he heard the door open. That would work. But he didn't want to seem like a wimp if Y/n walked in on him cowering under the blankets, so he sat on the edge of the bed and started fidgeting with his fingers. He kept checking his watch to make sure he didn't have to wait much longer, but it seemed to only slow time down. At some point he got up and grabbed the book on his lovers' bedside table and started on the first page, only making it to the fifth when he heard the door open and the dogs barking.

Frank happily bounced off of the bed and placed the book carefully back where he had gotten it from and ran to the den. There Y/n was, clad in their work uniform and petting the dogs, receiving kisses.

If it were any normal day, Frank would have started giggling and joined the kids, dropping to his knees and pressing kisses over his lovers' face as well. But this weren't any normal day. This was a day in which Frank had spotted his worst fear, and he desperately needed his lover to help him out.

"Hey babe."

"Hey gorgeous. How was work?"

"It was great. Darren finally got the date with that girl he never shut up about. It was awesome, they've already got a second one planned."

"That's nice. Need any help getting changed?"

"I've got it, but thanks for the offer. How was your day?"

Frank internally sighed. Does he dare ruin his lovers' day, or does he save himself?

"I saw a spider. When I looked away, it disappeared."

Y/n's features softened, and Frank internally swooned. It was amazing, having a partner who generally cared about him.

"Are you okay? Did you ever find it?"

"I'm fine. I went to our room and read while waiting for you to get back. I never did find it, thanks to that."

Y/n reached out and pulled Frank into a one armed hug. When they pulled back, they also stood up and walked down the hallway.

"I'm going to get dressed. When I'm finished, I'll come help you."

"Thanks, babe."

"Of course! I know you'd help me if something I didn't like came up."

A few minutes later, Y/n came back into the den in some comfortable clothing and quickly pressed a kiss to Frank's cheek.

"Where was it when you saw it?"

"It was on the ceiling. Kinda right there."

He pointed a finger up to a spot between the ceiling and wall, slightly to the left of the TV. Y/n walked over and dropped to their knees and hands, peeking behind the TV stand and then spinning around to look under the couch.

"I don't see any signs of it.."

Y/n stood back up and walked back over to Frank, wrapping their arms around his torso.

"But it has to be somewhere."

Frank let out the murmur before placing his head onto his lovers' shoulder, closing his eyes. His arms snaked around their waist and he gave them a light squeeze, earning himself a light sigh.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now, do you want to keep looking for it, or should I start making dinner?"

Frank leaned back and looked around. There was no way they would find it, it's like it never even ex-

There it is. The sneaky fucker.

He let out a gasp and pointed to it, scurrying into the kitchen. Y/n chased after him, only to grab a cup and a random piece of paper. They ran back to the den, and Frank watched from the island as his lover basically slammed the cup over the spider. They then slid the paper underneath and then let out a triumphant noise and rushed to the front door. They opened it and shook the paper until the spider was released, and then came back in, quietly telling the dogs to go back inside.

Y/n brought the cup and paper back to the kitchen, placing them on the island. They then turned to Frank and gave him a lopsided smile. He couldn't help but smile back, as the threat was no longer around.

"Thanks. You know I could never."

"Indeed I do. Now, what do you want for dinner?"

"You choose. It's only right that the savior gets to choose."

Y/n let out a laugh before walking around the kitchen and gathering ingredients. They had settled on a dish they knew both members of the couple enjoyed, and they let out a happy sigh when Frank wrapped his arm around their hips from behind, walking around with them. Maybe helping them male damsel in distress wasn't such a bad idea after all.

[aestheticvoyage2024]

Day 273c: Sunday September 29, 2024 - "Coney Dog Day"

When in KC, its always Arthur Bryants, and when in Bellingham its the Oysters. St Louis has their Imos, and Milwaukee has its wine- but when in Detroit, for me, its not any deep crust and pepperonis - (though I am pretty equal opportunity on pie no matter where I am). for me, its the coney dogs. The finer things in life enjoyed by a city with Grit and today I took the "over" on Dave's odds on 4.5 coneys; I mean the guy is wearing a shirt that said "stay loose and sexy" - he could easily do 12 of these, extra mustard! Thats a baseball dude right there and one of my very favorites. He started the day off right, assisted with fork and knife to try and see if such a gritty plate could be eaten sophisticatedly. Breakfast at Leo's Coney Island in the Burbs Baby. - we're like Bourdain meets Guy, with life (or at least digestive track) hitting the fast lane in Motor City. Genius move Dave. Well played.

A fitting encore would be found from National Coney in Comerica, enjoyed with mustard beside the Tigers Carousel. "Could you imagine this place lit up at a night game in late October?" Primetime hopes and dreams found in that "coney sauce" - yea, yea, because when a town is down, the artists move in, and this my friend is art.... Its in the 'Snap' - just dont put any mustard on it. It already has everything it needs in the sauce. read: I am allergic to mustard, but enjoy chili on a koegels vienna like we're in the backroom of Silers learning what its like to eat like a man. This is Macho food. I explain, as we visit the Joe Louis fist, that Detroit has always represented toughness for me. I grew up on Bill Laimbeer, and Darren McCarty. If Clubber Lang ever embodied a city and its charm, it would look and smell and taste, a lot like Detroit. And that is my kind of town, in my DNA. - it romances me up under my blue collar, and here we are with a baseball team to match. Coney Dogs and Tigers Baseball. I was glad to help wire that in for Dave on his new ballpark day here in my home park....and it made me really want to do the same with him in Philly next year. The Finer things, the important things, the important places.

Later - after we'd blown the afternoon and evening in some deep getting-to-know-you conversation over long drawn out cigars, with some of the cooler cats in the D (I mean seriously, there were some dudes in here watching the NFL game - chains, well dressed, dudes - out of our league, exactly what you'd want from down here in the D - what an awesome idea Dave had!), we meandered our way to Lafeyette St and the beating-coney-heart of Motown. We reveled in the last Coney order of the day and finding Lafeyette open after it got so late on us on a Sunday night. "Soon we'll be asleep, lets live while we're awake!" Took our seat at the community table where we all learned through broken english that the open face burger was indeed a Coney with ground beef - brilliant!! Dave had covered the spread! Dad and I put down 2 more coneys of our own bringing our own totals to 4 for the day, and the total for the weekend to be more than enough. "Stay Loose and Sexy" I imagined advising my butt tomorrow morning. It was worth all of it. My only regret will be not eating one for breakfast like my good friend Dave - what a Champion!

I really enjoyed going back to Detroit and staying downtown - really grateful that Dave helped pull that together and wingman along with me. That Dad stayed and came along. I had a really great day - and baseball ended up being the least of it. So many stories, continuing to go down on pages yet to be imagined and I am blessed to have good ones to tell my stories with.

Dave would say he was here eating coneys today because he lost a bet. The way I'll always tell it, is that it was because he made the bet. Its all because we made the bet. I love that and the way the world works.

I understand now.

Song: Kenny Chesney - Back Where I Come From

Quote:

"Every time I visit Detroit, somebody asks me if I've had a good Coney yet.

Apparently, I never had a great one.

I finally got one.

I understand now."

~Anthony Bourdain

[casspurrjoybell-24]

The Alpha's Beta - Chapter 19 - Part 1

BOOK ONE: The Alpha's Trilogy

*Warning Adult Content*

The Arcade - Part 1

Alpha Silas Claymore

"Alright team. Awesome work. I've gotta' say I'm proud of every single one of you. You're all on your 'A-Game' for training and honestly if it wasn't for the fact that this meeting is two days away I wouldn't even bother holding training. You all deserve a break. So afternoon and evening training have been cancelled but I expect to see you all here early tomorrow morning."

Simon stayed behind and helped me clean up the mess made, by the group of trainers.

The sky was just tinted with light, the sun rising over the nearby mountain.

It was a beautiful morning.

You could smell the frost in the air from the late winter leaving but you could tell the day was going to be warm.

A definite no shirt afternoon.

Leaving the clearing I thought about the last three days.

Darren and Star had been staying in my house and things seem to be going well.

We'd eat meals together.

Well, normally dinner, since Darren and I were gone by 3:30 in the morning and we let Star sleep in.

Ellis would be at the house by 5:00 to make sure he was still asleep and if he was 'which so far he has been' Ellis would hang out with him and play Xbox until around 8:00.

Darren and I would bring home breakfast for him.

We'd eat that together.

Spend our day doing our normal stuff.

Darren would take Star with him to the I.T. room when he went there and by the time training was done for the day, Darren would be home with Star and I would be going home to either Darren telling me to pick something up or Darren making something to eat.

Which only happened last night and it was only Kraft Dinner but it wasn't take out and that's all that mattered.   

Star had been having night-terrors and the worst part about it was we couldn't hear when they were happening.

He'd normally wake up and pull Darren to the bedroom with him.

It was by far the cutest thing I'd seen in the morning.

Star curled into a ball next to Darren's side, with the covers over him, as Darren slept on top of them, with his arm over the boy's head.

Needless to say things weren't going too bad and we we getting into a pleasant and comfortable routine.  

***********

I made my way into the house and stopped in my tracks when I heard someone yelling.

I crept towards the living room and poked my head in.

Ivan and Star sat on the couch with controllers in hand.

Ivan yelled at the T.V. and shoved Star with his shoulder while Star just sat there with a small smile on his face.

Both boys wore black plaid pajama bottoms but Ivan wore a red shirt and Star wore a black one.   

"What are you two doing?" I asked, stepping though the threshold.

Star paused the game and looked up at me with a beaming smile.

'Ellis brought Ivan over to play video games. We're playing Mario Cart and I'm kicking butt.'   

"What ever he's saying is a lie," Ivan said, after Star had finished.

I just laughed at them both and walked into the kitchen.

Darren hadn't bothered going to training today and instead went for the I.T. room first thing this morning.   

"They've both been fed so don't worry about making them breakfast," Ellis said, from where he sat, at the kitchen island.

His eyes didn't look up from his cell-phone, as he scrolled through 'whatever' he was doing.   

"Thanks, you're a life saver," I said and sat in the seat beside him.   

"Star's a nice kid. What are you planning on doing with him when all this is over?" Ellis asked.  

I didn't want to answer, I didn't want to think about what would happen when all of this was done.

They would want him back and of course we wouldn't let them take him back but then there was the fact that Darren treated the kid like a prince.

He's only been with us three days and already he has Darren wrapped around his little finger.

I couldn't see Darren letting him go or trying to find this 'mysterious brother' we were told about.   

"I don't know," was my smart reply.   

Ellis and Ivan stayed around until noon, then it was decided it was time for both boys to get dressed in there day clothes.

Star insisted he needed a shower, as did Ivan.

So Ellis left with him and I was stuck alone in the living room, as I waited to Star to finish his shower, so we could go do... 'something'.  

Star took his time in the bathroom.

Taking a twenty minute shower before I finally heard the water stop.

Ten minutes later he came running down the stairs in a pair of black skinny jeans and the deep red shirt, Darren and I had bought him, after his first day here.

His brown hair was left hanging by his shoulders.

He was a handsome boy, he stood at 5'4 but you could tell he was going to be tall by the way his arms hung so far down his sides and his eyes were beautiful, you could get lost in them like the sea.   

"What did you have in mind for today, kid?" I asked, as he plopped down, in the seat beside me.   

'We could go to down town and see a movie or we could get Ivan and go to the arcade. He told me all about the arcade. Oh please, Silas? Can we go to the arcade? And we have to call Darren, he has to come too. Please?'

"Sure dude, I don't see why not," I said as I got up, I ruffled his hair.

Which caused him to flick his hand at me. I could almost hear the inaudible groan leave him.

I grabbed my cell-phone and dialed Darren's number, as I grabbed my beige duffle-coat.

After a few seconds Darren's smooth voice reached my ears.

"Yeah?"

"Hey. Star wants you to join us, at the arcade. Are you down?"   

"I don't know. Quinton and I are just getting to last night's surveillance. Tell Star 'I'm sorry' but this is for, all our safety."   

Darren hung up after that, leaving me to explain to Star that he was to busy for the first time in three days.

Which I understood.

Darren had pushed all his priority's aside, to make Star comfortable, to make sure he was happy and not afraid of anything.   

I couldn't get the image of Star and Darren curled up together, on his first night here, out of my head.

'That's how things should be.'   

"Alright dude, looks like it's just me and you but we're gonna' have fun, okay?"   

Star nodded his head, his smile flattering a bit but I could tell he was trying to look happy, if not for me, for himself.  

[golbrocklovely]

How was the show? I'm hoping to live vicariously!

it was a lot of fun, but also kinda sad.

this became so long, my apologies omg

for your viewing pleasure, here's one of the pics i took last night:

so first off, my mom had to be in a wheelchair which is no problem for me. we got there really early and had time to get a decent parking spot. got her up to our seats and they were NOICE. they were on the club level which i didn't know what that meant at the time until we got there. all i know is that i wanted seats where a handicapped person could be in and that's what i got (bc i got presale for the jonas brothers so i was able to get tickets before the public).

the show starts, the opener was a band called lawarence. they were really good. i didn't know who they were but they were a lot of fun and the main girl singer was fantastic. also... darren criss was there too????? he was the special guest with the opener and it was very confusing but a lot of fun and they sung a cover of it's gonna be me. and as a starkid and glee fan, it was so fun to see him omg.

then we had to wait like 20 mins for the jonas brothers to come out. ppl were filing in, the place was packed. this lovely person in my section gave me and mom friendship bracelets, it was adorable.

the lights dim, the show begins. and for almost three hours straight i screamed. i am very surprised i have my entire voice still. must be from all the years of being a jonas brothers fans mixed with listening to emo music lol i guess i just know how to scream without fucking up my vocal chords.

they sung songs that i never even got to see live which was awesome. i got to hear some of my favorites, and some i got to rehear some from when i saw them years ago back in 2009. they are basically doing their own version of an eras tour. and i genuinely mean this, they sung every song (minus a very small few) from five albums. insane.

so to get to the sad part.

if you don't know all the drama that is occurring with joe jonas and his soon to be ex wife sophie turner, i do a bit of break down in this previous ask. the thing is, joe has a song dedicated to his wife from the previous album that they sing every night. at this point i WISH they would just cut the song from the setlist and do literally anything else. bc joe looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there last night. and i dont blame him. he still had some energy, but it was the kinda of energy that screamed yeah, i love my job *rolls eyes* you know? a little melancholic but also dry.

that's not to make him sound like an asshole, he just seemed tired. and i get it and don't fault him for it. bc the vocals were still very much there. and philly brought the fucking LOVE last night. it was so loud at times i thought i was gonna pop an eardrum.

also the thing that made it sad is that, i love the jonas brothers and have always said that they KNOW how to write a damn good love song. i know for sure one of their songs will be my wedding song. but they also know how to punch you in the stomach with a break up song. so some of their old music, being sung now, was kinda ironic in the worse way last night. and i just felt really bad for joe.

other than that, i had fun. everyone at the arena was super nice to me and my mom which hasn't always been the case with her in a wheelchair so 10/10 for that. traffic was a literal fucking nightmare, but i expect nothing less from philly. and we got to drive past my grandparents' old house in south philly for a moment on the way home, so that was kinda sweet.

i would say my favorite songs from the night were walls, take a breath, and strangers. cake by the ocean was also fun bc of all the confetti. all of them looked super hot which is not surprising. even tho i am a nick girl at heart, i was a joe girl for the night bc i just felt for him the whole time. i would give it a solid 7.5/10 for the experience overall. but like a 8.5/10 for the concert alone.

[televinita]

Books Read in 2022: The Why

I said I wasn’t gonna do this but then it really annoyed me that I hadn’t while I was looking at the older ones, and SECRETLY it turns out I had the whole document on my computer so boom. End-of-year wrap-up but it’s midway through the next year.

We are now in year seven (?!) of looking back at my reading list for the year and answering the question, why did you read this particular book? I’m officially adding back in where/how I heard of it, too, because I also missed being able to easily see that stat.

You can see the full chronological list w/ larger cover images here, but these are split into groups by target readership age, plus nonfiction at the end. When it comes to 20th century teen books, sometimes it’s very hard to decide whether to count a title YA or middle grade, so I tried to just stick with the rule of “protagonists age 13 and under = middle grade.”

ADULT FICTION

(splitting into 3 sections because there are A Lot of covers here)

Very Sincerely Yours - Kerry Winfrey. 2021. Do we all know the story of how I took one look at the love interest described in the summary and said “Darren Criss??” (specifically the energy of him in that one music video?)

How I heard of it: a book blog

How Not To Die Alone - Richard Roper. 2019. I mean, it’s an eye-catching title! Upon pulling it out: “oh I’m here for sad introverted men. And the prospect of office romance.” And his job sounded interesting to read about.

How I heard of it: library

The Killer in the Carriage House - Sheila Connolly. 2019. The Secret Staircase - Sheila Connolly. 2021. The first audiobook of this cozy-mystery series was such a fun experience last year that I was excited to enjoy the next two (sadly there are no more, or I would have kept going)

Cross My Heart - Robin Lee Hatcher. 2019. Pulled this out of a Little Free Library like “HORSES??” (a romance featuring people who work with horses, specifically) and read it immediately.

Castaways - Brian Keene. 2009. The premise of “Survivor goes horribly wrong” was irresistible. I love jungle thrillers, I love horror, I don’t usually love cryptid horror but combined with the premise, I said yeah, okay.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Present Danger - Elizabeth Goddard. 2021. My rewatch of Blood & Treasure season 1 whipped me into a frenzy of both searching the keyword “treasure” in the library catalog and looking for 2nd chance romance. This one gave me both, PLUS my beloved western mountain setting!

Brood - Jackie Polzin. 2021. Small, cute, compact book to which I said, “chickens? Vignettes? Cool.”

How I heard of it: library, specifically because it was shelved beside the next book on this list.

A Rumored Fortune - Joanna Davidson Politano. 2018. See “Present Danger” rationale but swap mountain setting for a 19th century English estate (woo!) and more prominent focus on treasure.

How I heard of it: library

Made in the U.S.A. - Billie Letts. 2008. I really enjoyed two of her earlier ones; this cover caught my eye at the library so I spontaneously decided to take a trip back to her.

The River - Peter Heller. 2019. The Guide - Peter Heller. 2021. Watch The Amazing Race Season 33 –> find Dusty & Ryan’s friendship totally awesome –> Google for a book about two best friends, ideally in an outdoor setting –> find the book of your dreams in a Reddit post looking for exactly that. And I loved the characters so much that of COURSE I was going to read the sequel.

Five Tuesdays in Winter: Stories - Lily King. 2021. The title got my attention and the first couple of stories intrigued me juuuust enough that I decided to read the whole thing instead of just skimming or reading a couple.

How I heard of it: library

The Bookshop of Yesterdays - Amy Meyerson. 2018. How could you NOT love the idea of a) a literary scavenger hunt and b) inheriting a bookshop??

How I heard of it: I think this one was on a book blog?

While You Sleep - Stephanie Merritt. 2019. Picked up the previous book at the library and this was next to it. What I could see of the spine looked cool, the cover looked awesome, and “ghost story on an isolated island off the coast of Scotland?? TAKE ME TO THERE.”

Before I Called You Mine - Nicole Deese. 2020. I was desperate for a sweet romance. I wasn’t sure if this would cut it, but when I looked it up on Goodreads, there was a review that said “if you don’t fall in love with Joshua you are not human,” and that was a very good endorsement indeed. not least because I was looking for a book specifically to cast Josh Groban in

How I heard of it: used book sale

Lake Season - Denise Hunter. 2019. Days of furious keywoord-googling produces: sweet romance prospect the second! (he’s a shy and reclusive romance novelist?? OK go) WITH a bonus dream setting/premise of “inherited B&B.”

Beautiful Girls: Stories - Beth Ann Bauman. 2002. The cover was very pretty – less for the image of legs than the lovely use of purple tones, which I suppose includes the knee high socks I now want – and I was hoping to relate to the women/girls in this collection. Bought 1.5 years ago, read now to see if I could get rid of it. (yes)

How I heard of it: used-book section of my magic local Barnes & Noble.

girlchild - Tupelo Hassman. 2012. I was intrigued by the cover, trailer park setting, vignette style of writing, and 3-generations-of-women cast of characters.

How I heard of it: used book sale

All That Really Matters - Nicole Deese. 2021. Her other book was so good that I looked up her backlist, which led me to one been intrigued by on a book blog but forgotten to write down; I genuinely had no idea it was this author! Mostly because: I love main characters who are Influencers, but I was also curious about her youth mentorship job.

The Middle of Somewhere - Sonja Yoerg. 2015. Summertime = hiking inspiration time! (she’s on the Pacific Crest Trail)

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Thief of Hearts - Tess Gerritsen. 1995. Blood & Treasure obsession round 2 (for season 2) leads to me seeking an audiobook with a British female narrator whose voice will remind me of Lexi’s. And then I find one from an author I love, about a CAT BURGLAR?? Serendipity! So even though their nationalities are reversed, “whatever, this is a Danny-and-Lexi story now in my head.”

How I heard of it: Libby

In Their Footsteps - Tess Gerritsen. 1994. And then I accidentally fell in love with Jordan Tavistock so much that I went back to the first book in the duology to get more of him.

How I heard of it: Libby

Never Say Die - Tess Gerritsen. 1992.   But in between those books, I was like, that is WILD, I can’t believe I’m finding 90s mass market romance so fun?? so I picked up a bonus (in print this time) because this one kind of looked like my other OTP Of The Summer, Claire/Owen, since it was an ex-soldier + headstrong woman who Doesn’t Need His Help.

How I heard of it: Libby

Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes - Alexa Martin. 2021. Raise your hand if you LOVE the idea of best friends moving in together in adulthood even though one of them has a kid.

How I heard of it: a book blog

The Summer List - Amy Mason Doan. 2018. SO many reasons: the beautiful cover and title, best friends reuniting in adulthood after 15 years apart, the idea of scavenger hunts, the northern California setting...

How I heard of it: oh no, can’t remember! I think Goodreads?

The Lake Season - Hannah McKinnon. 2015. The beautiful summery cover, mostly. I wanted in on a similar setting after loving the above.

How I heard of it: Goodreads (upon looking up Lake Season in the search bar)

What You Wish For - Katherine Center. 2020. I’ve loved several of hers and though I was definitely Wary about this one’s romance, then I got briefly obsessed with Adam Scott and was like, oh, I could imagine HIM playing this character in a still-appealing way, given the difference between his personalities on Parks & Rec vs. Severance! (facts: even picturing Scott, I still hated Duncan)

How I heard of it: Goodreads

A Dazzle of Diamonds - Liz Johnson. 2020. Was once again in the mood for a sweet romance and I loved the other two in this series / had always wanted to read this one. Guaranteed good time.

How I heard of it: Goodreads, but introduced to the series originally on a book blog

Tailspin - Elizabeth Goddard. 2016. Blood & Treasure got me to a place of “I need multiple life-threatening/life-saving action scenes STAT!” and then my brain remembered that when I was last here in January, I’d learned that Goddard had one billion options for me. This one seemed closest to my needs from what the library had. Cookie-cutter mass market romance is very useful sometimes.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

We Went to the Woods - Caitlin Dolan-Leach. 2019. It sounded like an American version of my beloved The Shadow Year. Friends deciding to try group homesteading for self-sufficiency? BRING IT.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Rizzoli & Isles #13: Listen To Me - Tess Gerritsen. 2022. Read & loved all the other books in this series.

The Map That Leads To You - Joseph Monninger. 2017. I’ve read several of his YA novels, and then a Reddit post described it as some of the most beautiful writing they’d ever encountered. Plus, it is very romantic to think of a man following his grandfather’s leatherbound travel journal.

The Vines - Shelley Nolden. 2021. Came up on my Goodreads feed; I clicked on the link to her research about North Brother Island with all its crumbling abandoned structures, and immediately said TRANSPORT ME HERE FICTIONALLY.

An Afternoon Walk - Dorothy Eden. 1971. The cover pulled me in and the first chapter – which details the cover image as they explore the grounds of a nearby estate and peek at the abandoned house – sold me entirely.

How I heard of it: used book sale

The Lost Island - Preston & Child. 2014. Gideon's Sword - Preston & Child. 2011. Looking for more audiobooks that at least vaguely fit my Danny/Lexi/adventure casting, the “treasure” keyword pinged the Lost Island. It didn’t work for Lexi, but I could totally picture Matt Barr as Gideon and the audiobook was really good, so I went back to the beginning. (I had intended to listen to the whole 5-book series, but I got Distracted)

How I heard of it: Libby

Fading Starlight - Kathryn Cushman. 2016. Beautiful cover + fixing up a coastal house, I’m there.

How I heard of it: used book sale

Hidden Treasures - Michelle Adams. 2021. Needed an audiobook, did a keyword search for “treasure” on Libby this time and was drawn in by that, the cover, the prospect of cleaning out a hoarder’s house, and the 2nd chance romance (hey there Danny/Lexi).

The More I See Of Men - Lynn Hall. 1992. Reading all her books is #1 on my literary bucket list. I’ve long been intrigued by this one ever since Lynn referenced it in an interview, so I finally bit the bullet and bought a copy when I found one for $5 (and, in a shocking turn of events, actually read it immediately).

Small Game - Blair Braverman. 2022. Does everyone in the world know yet how I fooled myself into believing this would be like the TV show Siberia??

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts - Kate Racculia. 2019. Small Game failed me, so I desperately went fishing on my TBR for a pick-me-up and decided a treasure / scavenger hunt with riddles would be a good consolation prize.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

The Dragon Keeper - Mindy Mejia. 2012. I liked a previous book of hers and loved the idea of a zookeeper character, with a focus on her zoo charge. Bought cheap at a book sale since library didn’t have it, and read it ASAP to send it back out the door.

A Shroud of Leaves - Rebecca Alexander. 2019. A Baby's Bones - Rebecca Alexander. 2018. The cover and title pulled me in, not least because season 1 of Bedlam ended on a cliffhanger that made me desperate to read a proper British crime novel about missing girls. Who knew I would find one at the dollar store?? Anyway, the book was so awesome that I went back to the first one at the library ASAP.

In A Cottage In A Wood - Cass Green. 2017. Riding high on British thrillers, this was for sale at the library and I jumped on it because “you randomly inherit a house” is always a plot favorite. Bonus points if it’s apparently creepy.

The Doll's House - M. J. Arlidge. 2015. Still on the British thriller theme of missing girls, this time looking for an audiobook -- and I’m always extra-intrigued by The Collector-type scenarios. (I was not aware it was part of a series until after I started)

How I heard of it: Libby

Vanishing Edge - Claire Kells. 2021. An Unforgiving Place - Claire Kells. 2022. Hiking inspiration (national parks) AND an investigative mystery? The first one was so good that I devoured the sequel as soon as it was available.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

The Escape Room - Megan Goldin. 2019. Found a cheap audiobook at a library sale, am down for escape room thrillers

How I heard of it: used book sale

Lease on Love - Falon Ballard. 2022. It popped up on the library homepage and immediately looked like it might be one of those sweet romances (or at least have the sweet love interest) I’ve been craving. Plus real estate porn from getting to live in a brownstone for practically nothing. (I didn’t factor in there being actual porn, but regrettably...)

The Cottage on Wildflower Lane - Liz Davies. 2020. Available audiobook, cute cover, sweet romance, soothing British narrator.

How I heard of it: Libby

Three Story House - Courtney Miller Santo. 2014.   Who am I to turn down stories about women fixing up old houses??

How I heard of it: library

The Night She Disappeared - Lisa Jewell. 2021. Anyway, back to British thrillers about missing girls. (But also, I know this is a popular author, and the phrase “abandoned mansion” IMMEDIATELY sold me as the one to start on from her)

How I heard of it: Libby, I think?

Dead Lake - Darcy Coates. 2020. The Folsom Ghosts was actually the book that caught my eye on the library website; it looked like everything I like in horror. When I got to the library and found a whole SHELF of identically appealing books, I checked out half a dozen and intended to read them all, but randomly started here. And then I just...didn’t read any others, it was too good.

Check Me Out - Becca Wilhite. 2018. Bought at a book sale a while ago, because G-rated romance featuring a librarian.

Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. 1990. Reread via the new full cast audiobook (listened on Libby), which was the dream/what I wanted the first time around in 2020.

(I forgot to include a pic of this one, whoops)

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CATEGORY TWO: YOUNG ADULT

(again in two parts)

99 Lies - Rachel Vincent. 2018. Sequel to (more accurately “the second half of”) a fantastic thriller I read in December.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Eden Summer - Liz Flanagan. 2016. Bought cheap at a book sale because cool title and cover, plus curiosity about what had happened to her missing best friend.

Spellbook of the Lost and Found - Moira Fowley-Doyle. 2017. In search of an available audiobook, I thought the Irish-accented narrators would be cool, not least because I had looked with interest at this beautiful cover for years at the library and only been put off by the “fantasy” sticker on the spine. This time I actually read the summary, and it sounded a lot more realistic.

The Runaway's Diary - Marilyn Harris. 1971. Intrigued by the publication year + dog + journal format. First came across it on Goodreads in a “what’s that book?” post; was in the mood to order from Interlibrary Loan.

The Rules - Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie. 2015. Love me a creative serial killer Spooky Book in February.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Children of the River - Linda Crewe. 1989. Reminded of its existence by Speaking For Ourselves and was frankly stunned to see the library still had a 90s copy in circulation, so I took the opportunity to reread a book I’d liked in high school.

In Summer Light - Zibby Oneal. 1985. Read about it in Speaking For Ourselves, Too; was intrigued by the setting and the focus on art. Lucked out this year finding a copy for sale at the library.

The Golden Window - Ernie Rydberg. 1956. Tripped over it in an antiquarian bookstore on clearance; it seemed like a very darling, nostalgic look at college.

Pretty Bad Things - C.J. Skuse. 2010. Cover model looked like Melissa Benoist and I was under the impression (until I started) that the twins were both girls. Read now because I could -- after 2 years on my TBR I saw the audiobook on Libby (the library doesn’t have a print version).

How I heard of it: Goodreads

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson. 2020 (US edition). Good Girl, Bad Blood - Holly Jackson. 2021. As Good As Dead - Holly Jackson. 2022. I finally succumbed to the hype, mostly for the promise of some unusual formatting / mixed media, and had such a good time that I finished the trilogy in quick succession.

How I heard of it: book blogs

The Mall - Megan McCafferty. 2020. Fun cover design/colors + I love malls. And the 90s.

How I heard of it: a book blog

What Waits in the Water - Kieran Scott. 2017. Picked up in a Little Free Library & read immediately because I liked her previous What Waits book.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Three Desperate Days - Hope Dahle Jordan. 1962. Vintage teen thriller! With a road trip twist.

How I heard of it: used book sale

Lies Like Wildfire - Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. 2021. Wildfire + teen thriller/suspense/mystery = sold.

How I heard of it: library

There You'll Find Me - Jenny B. Jones. 2011. Loved the movie (Finding You), wanted to immediately revisit it in book form.

How I heard of it: I do remember it from the library when it was new

Sisters In Sanity - Gayle Forman. 2007. I like this author and was surprised to see the library had such an old book (old by the library’s standards, not mine). Plus I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of middle-of-nowhere reform camps for uncontrollable teens, ever since I read an article about one in a teen magazine when I was a teen -- not the one this author apparently wrote before writing her book, but very similar.

How I heard of it: library

The Dead House - Dawn Kurtagich. 2015. + Dead House: Naida (not pictured) I was at the library to pick up the book below, when I saw this next to it with a more alluring title/cover/premise and – oh, is that COOL MIXED-MEDIA FORMATTING?? Sold! (then I read the sequel novella on Libby because I Just Can’t Get Enough.)

And The Trees Crept In - Dawn Kurtagich. 2016. Read a post about it on r/whatsthatbook; it sounded so awesomely spooky that I wanted to read it even after being spoiled on the ending.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids - Sarah Ockler. 2015. Beautiful cover/cover model (the girl, at least); between that and the setting it seemed like a perfect summer read.

How I heard of it: Library

The Evolution of Claire - Tess Sharpe. 2018. In which after losing my mind about Jurassic World: Dominion, I learn that there is officially licensed YA fanfic about Claire Dearing and immediately pterodactyl-screech “GIVE IT 2 ME!”

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Never Coming Home - Kate Williams. 2022. I will apparently read infinity versions of social media influencers being lured to deserted tropical islands for creative and vengeful Murder Reasons.

How I heard of it: library

Hold Still - Nina LaCour. 2009. Continuing last year’s quest to finish reading her YA novels, I decided I wanted to go back and reread this one before my last new one, mostly because there was an audiobook version this time.

How I heard of it: library

Gap Life - John Coy. 2016. Always interested in post-high-school paths that aren’t college.

How I heard of it: library

Property of the State - Bill Cameron. 2016. Always interested in foster-kid stories.

How I heard of it: library

Damselfly - Chandra Prasad. 2018. *New York “Beyonce?” face* MIXED GENDER LORD OF THE FLIES??? (one of the few assigned classics I genuinely enjoyed in high school)

How I heard of it: library

We Are Okay - Nina LaCour. 2017. Working my way through all her books; specifically interested in the idea of best friends reuniting after months of silence (as a person who remained solitary and had minimal contact with her own best friend during the first semester of college).

Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America [stories] - ed. Nora Shalway Carpenter. 2020. Interested on sight in the promised settings of small/rural towns.

How I heard of it: Barnes & Noble

Secret Scribbled Notebooks - Joanne Horniman. 2004. The most alluring title in the history of ever. I wanted a peek at what she scribbled in the notebooks, perhaps for notebook-using inspiration of my own.

How I heard of it: OpenLibrary

Meet The Sky - McCall Hoyle. 2018. Natural disaster survival + lost horse?? Two of my favorite things.

How I heard of it: library

Solace of the Road - Siobhan Dowd. 2009. Reread of a book I didn’t remember well because available audiobook + pleasing Irish narrator I figured would lull me to sleep.

How I heard of it: library

This Is Our Story - Ashley Elston. 2016. I keep wanting to read one of hers, and murder mysteries are always fun.

How I heard of it: library

The Tenth Girl - Sara Faring. 2019. IT LOOKED SO SPOOK (plus how often do you find a story set in Patagonia?)

How I heard of it: Barnes & Noble

The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton - Richard Fifeld. 2020. Mostly the pretty colors in the cover (see: The Mall) and irresistibly cool title; a little bit because “small town in Montana” setting.

How I heard of it: library

Holly Jolly Summer - Tiffany Stewart. 2018. Bought cheap because cute cover + working at a theme park?? As unusual a theme for YA as the idea of a Christmas-themed town. (Read now because I needed a summery read to match the Indian summer weather.)

How I heard of it: the used book section of my Barnes & Noble

Full Flight - Ashley Schumacher. 2022. Loved her first book, ready to be heart-hurt again.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Not In The Script - Amy Finnegan. 2014. Randomly browsing at the library and saw...cute romance on a TV show set? I love that.

Drop-Out - Jeannette Eyerly. 1963. Been meaning to read one of hers, this one was on OpenLibrary and I always like mid-century stories about teens getting (or in this case trying to get) married.

How I heard of it: yet another Speaking For Ourselves find. :)

Out of Reach - Carrie Arcos. 2012. Bought on BookOutlet because I thought it was on my TBR (and it wasn’t at my local library), but it wasn’t there when I looked?? Maybe it was at one point and I deleted it. Anyway, still read it because kind of interested in the story of a girl looking for her runaway drug-addict brother on the streets. Also, pretty cover.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

The Distance Between Lost and Found - Kathryn Holmes. 2015. It’s not the right time of year for hiking inspiration, but I didn’t hike much this year after July anyway so I randomly decided I wanted to read about it regardless.

How I heard of it: library

I Am Princess X - Cherie Priest. 2015. Read a post about it on r/whatsthatbook and was intrigued by: the mystery premise, best friends, and curiosity about how the graphic novel panels would be incorporated.

This Is Not A Love Letter - Kim Purcell. 2018. Loved her first book, have long been interested in the setting of this one while leery of a lecture on racism, but to be honest? I can’t say why without spoilers, but the reason I finally read it is that I vaguely remember hearing how this one ended, and I needed a fictional way to process a similar scenario I’d just heard in celebrity news.

How I heard of it: library

Rain Is Not My Indian Name - Cynthia Leitich Smith. 2001. I’ve known about this semi-classic for a while and have been vaguely interested in reading it as an early Native American #OwnVoices; someone bought it out from under me at a book sale, but luckily Libby had an audiobook!

(side note: I am stubbornly keeping this in YA where it was originally shelved at the library, even if they’ve kicked it to middle grade now. Which is fair since it’s short and she’s 14, the Border Age, but I really dislike the more childish new cover image.)

How I heard of it: I don’t actually remember! I may have seen it at the library back in the day, or maybe I read about it in a book about teen books.

All American Boys - Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely. 2015. I don’t read a lot about racism or social (in)justice, but something about this one seemed like it would be unusually accessible. I found a copy in a little free library over the summer, finally remembered I had it while cleaning out the car, and just randomly read it.

How I heard of it: Half Price Books

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CATEGORY THREE: CHILDREN’S/MIDDLE GRADE

Ghetto Cowboy - G. Neri. 2011. I’ve always been vaguely interested because of the horse aspect, but I finally made the effort in order to have an idea of the story before watching the movie based on it.

How I heard of it: library

The Tiny Mansion - Keir Graff. 2020. I put ‘mansion’ into the library catalog keywords because of my general interest in those kinds of settings, but I was equally thrilled to find something unique: a middle grade story about a tiny house?? In a forest setting?? YEAH

How I heard of it: library

Bearstone - Will Hobbs. 1989. Reread of a middle school favorite when I saw there was an audiobook.

The Door in the Wall - Marguerite de Angeli. 1949. Reread of a middle school assignment I’d forgotten I ever read (and barely remembered) when I saw there was an audiobook.

Operation Red Jericho - Joshua Mowll. 2005. Operation Typhoon Shore - Joshua Mowll. 2006. Operation Storm City - Joshua Mowll. 2008.  

I read about the first book on r/whatsthatbook and it sounded like it had the coolest art design ever. It did. Even though I didn’t love the actual stories, I had to finish the trilogy just so I had enough context to keep fully enjoying it.

The Secret of Blandford Hall - Margaret Crary. 1963. It was mostly the map of the 4-acre estate in the front that sold me on this quick-n-easy vintage kids’ mystery, tbh. Literally, sold; I paid $4 since library didn’t have it.

How I heard of it: antique store

Bonny's Boy Returns - F.E. Rechnitzer. 1953. Sequel to a dog book I loved.

How I heard of it: bookfinder.com

Breathing Room - Marsha Hayles. 2012. I haven’t read a lot of books about patients this young being treated for tuberculosis in sanitariums. The local MN setting doubled my interest in this one.

How I heard of it: library

You May Already Be A Winner - Ann Dee Ellis. 2017. Bought for $1 mostly due to the very cute cover + trailer park setting.

How I heard of it: dollar store

Maisie Lockwood Adventures #1: Off the Grid - Tess Sharpe. 2022. In which I lose my mind about the found family in Jurassic World: Dominion, go home intending to google for middle grade novels with this exact family dynamic, learn that licensed fanfiction about this actual family already exists, and immediately pterodactyl-screech “GIVE IT 2 ME!”

How I heard of it: Goodreads

A Patron Saint for Junior Bridesmaids - Shelley Tougas. 2016. Bought cheap because cute cover and title with a local setting; I was curious how she would navigate bridesmaid duties as a 12-year-old.

How I heard of it: used book section of my Barnes & Noble

Water Balloon - Audrey Vernick. 2011. 99% because of the summery cover, 1% because she sounded relatable in being left behind by her friends for not maturing fast enough.

How I heard of it: a book blog

Meant to Be - Jo Knowles. 2022. Sequel to a book I didn’t love, but liked enough to want the full story.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

Birdie's Billions - Edith Cohn. 2021. Fantasizing about what I’d do if I found a bunch of money is second only to talking about books in terms of my favorite hobbies. A Goodreads friend read this and I literally went to the library the next day to check it out so I could have full context for deciding what I would do as her.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

All The Things You Are - Courtney Sheinmel. 2011. Found for $1 -- I like this author so I’ll give most any standalone she writes a shot.

How I heard of it: Goodreads

The Echo Park Castaways - M.G. Hennessey. 2019. Cool cover + foster kids.

How I heard of it: used book sale

When I Hit the Road - Nancy J. Cavanaugh. 2020. I love road trip books!

How I heard of it: Goodreads 

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CATEGORY FOUR: NONFICTION

Living Simply: A Teen Guide to Minimalism  - Sally McGraw. 2019. It was slender and brightly colored and I thought it would be fun to fantasize for a bit that I was a teen again, with only one bedroom’s worth of possessions to sort.

How I heard of it: library

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Reflections of Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders  - Suzette, Stephanie and Sheri Scholz. 1991.

Obsession with the DCC reality show = time to look for books about cheerleaders’ time there. There didn’t seem to be any from the modern era, so this was as close as I could get to actually hearing about the practices, appearances, etc. (also, someone said it was soapy/scandalous)

How I heard of it: googling keywords

All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House  - David Giffels. 2008.

I will read any memoir you have about fixing up a big ol’ historic house.

How I heard of it: library

Speaking For Ourselves  - ed. David Gallo. 1990. Loved the second volume when I read it last year, finally realized I could get this one through Interlibrary Loan as well. Tell me about prolific authors of teen books and their work from my favorite era of teen lit!

How I heard of it: OpenLibrary

Things I Should Have Said  - Jamie Lynn Spears. 2022. Honestly, I’ve always found her more appealing than her sister, and the world’s Absurd Hatred of this book for daring to exist made me extra-curious about it (and desirous of helping its Goodreads rating), so reading it ASAP became a priority.

How I heard of it: ONTD

Everybody Fights: So Why Not Get Better at It?  - Kim & Penn Holderness. 2021. See “teams I fell in love with on The Amazing Race.” I loved their podcasts about it so I started watching their YouTube videos, found out about this audiobook and was like, “A PODCAST I CAN COUNT ON MY READING LIST??”

How I heard of it: YouTube

UnSweetined  - Jodie Sweetin. 2009. I re-fell in love with her on Beyond the Edge, needed more of her ASAP and then vaguely remembered she had written a memoir.

How I heard of it: just...random celebrity news sites back in the day before I was on ONTD regularly

We Are the Baby-Sitters Club: Essays and Artwork from Grown-Up Readers - ed. Marisa Crawford & Megan Milks. 2021.

I was also the BSC!

How I heard of it: Goodreads

I Want To Be Where the Normal People Are  - Rachel Bloom. 2020. It was at the library and I was juuuust curious enough to check for some Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stories.

How I heard of it: ONTD

Made From Scratch: Discovering the Simple Pleasures of a Handmade Life  - Jenna Woginrich. 2008. I was browsing through old reading lists and remembered how much I liked this one. I wanted to read one of her more recent memoirs, and was bummed to find the library didn’t have any of them – but they still had this one! So I checked it out intending to just skim through it, and ended up rereading cover to cover because fascinating info.

How I heard of it: library

Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life With 600 Rescue Animals - Laurie Zaleski. 2021. Rescue animals!!! At an animal rescue!

How I heard of it: Goodreads (but my dad independently recommended it as well; both my parents liked it actually)

The Horseman's Companion  - Margaret Cabell Self. 1949. An old horse book with a cover illustrated by Wesley Dennis, written in an appealing writing style (basically storytelling)? SOLD.

How I heard of it: used book sale

O.C. Undercover  - Brittany Kent. 2004. I love The O.C. and I will read any ridiculous books you have about it.

How I heard of it: used book sale

===========

And that’s it; hope you have enjoyed this special 6-months-late edition of the traditional post.

[darrenhayesoneandonly]

The cover photo from the official Savage Garden Facebook Page has been changed 👆🏼😱 in 2 days the “Affirmation” album will turn 20 years!!!! Could be possible there’s a special surprise to celebrate it!?? 🥰 Let’s all use the hashtag #AFFIRMATION20

[d-criss-news]

shiller16: Just over a decade later and my "Darren Criss made fun of the way I say crayon" story has a part two 🖍️ . Two Jews celebrated a very merry Crissmas in DC with DC last night. Watching @ darrencriss perform live, whether on Broadway, in concert playing his original songs and Disney covers, or giving a not-at-all-shitty TED Talk interspersed with Crissmas songs is always a magical and totally awesome experience. It has been incredible watching his career from musical boy-wizard to today, and waiting in the cold to meet him at the stage door was 1000% worth it. I am so grateful that the handful of celebrity favorites of mine who I have been lucky enough to meet have all proven to be so kind, thoughtful, and generous with their time, and Darren was all of that and more. Cannot wait to see what's next for this wonderful and talented human. .

#DarrenCriss #Crissmas #MeetYourHeros #Concert #DCinDC #LincolnTheater #StarKid #Fangirl #ITriedNotToBeTooMuchOfAFangirl #DidItWork? #latergram

*Last video via her ig story

[tresvagas]

I posted 1,771 times in 2022

That's 162 more posts than 2021!

15 posts created (1%)

1,756 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@farminglesbian

@manny-jacinto

@bladesrunner

@unfucked

@jigglypants

I tagged 1,726 of my posts in 2022

Only 3% of my posts had no tags

#killing eve - 155 posts

#warrior nun - 74 posts

#killing eve spoilers - 73 posts

#movie2022 - 58 posts

#parallels - 56 posts

#disco elysium - 48 posts

#art - 45 posts

#a league of their own - 44 posts

#critical role - 43 posts

#jessie buckley - 42 posts

Longest Tag: 133 characters

#whenever i am in the uk i got to the used book sections of national trust properties and pay a visit to red cross shops and the likes

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Jessie Buckley - Country Girl (live @ The Long Road Festival 2019)

6 notes - Posted May 28, 2022

#4

@farminglesbian tagged me to list 9 books I plan to read this year. However, I'll extend the list and include comics, graphic novels, and manga, because I love reading those, too.

Thanks for tagging me!

Generally speaking, I do not plan ahead what I'm going to read over the course of a year. Most of my drive to read something originates from an obsession or a certain curiosity, something I watched or read about, or when I browse the shelves of a book store.

That is why my list of books I read so far is pretty much all over the place.

1. "Kingdom Come" - Alex Ross

I really want to look at Wonder Woman in that glorious golden armor.

2. "The Power of The Dog" - Thomas Savage

Highly enjoyed the movie, so it's a no brainer for me.

3. Another Moomin book by Tove Jansson. I've read the first 3 and watched the new aninmated series Dec-Jan, which I enjoyed a lot.

4. Maybe another one by Virginia Woolf? Last year I read "Orlando". But I really have to be in the mood since the language is quite complex. No reading in bed for me when it comes to her work. I fall asleep too easily hah. Her diaries and letters are easier to read every now and then.

5. Another novel by Michael Crichton. Loved "Jurassic Park", and "Dragon Teeth" was awesome. Plus the new Jurassic World movie will be released this summer, so there's a high chance my dinosaur obsession will resurface.

6. I'll probably re-read all "The Way of The House Husband" volumes as soon as the new volume is released. It's one of the few Manga series that make me laugh out loud.

7. If I'm in the mood this year, I'll re-read "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. The one novel that got me into reading (almost) exclusively in English back in 2004-2005.

8. Maybe I'll manage to finish "Dune" by Frank Herbert, or at least the first half which the Villeneuve adaptation covers.

9. "The Last Wish" by Andrzej Sapkowski

I put it aside, although it's a great read. Love the writing style.

I'll tag the following and anyone who feels like it (no obligations):

@bipolarandannoyed @pensoakspaper @geniusorincrediblyarrogant @fourorfivemovements @sineala

6 notes - Posted February 14, 2022

#3

Jessie Buckley by Jennifer Cheng, The New York Times Magazine (2022).

14 notes - Posted December 1, 2022

#2

Jessie Buckley by Darren Gerrish [x]

15 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

First look at Sarah Polley's Women Talking with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, and Frances McDormand.

24 notes - Posted August 18, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[a-simple-gaywitch]

Nom de Plume

Spencer Reid x Reader

Summary: Spencer’s new girlfriend is the best thing to ever happen to him. But he can’t shake the feeling that she was hiding something from him...

Warnings: None really, a little bit of angst, that’s about it

Word Count: 1609

Requested: Yes/No

“hiii, can i request a fic where reader is like a famous writer but writes like novels and then they and spencer meet at a library event and they start to go out and date but reader doesn't tell spencer about their publish books cause they think it wouldn't be interesting for him so spencer finds out one day when he goes alone and stars to walk around the library and he confronts reader for lying to him and he gets mad but then when they talk about their insecurity of it not being enough for him and he's like "are you kidding, I though it was awesome"

something aangs and fluffy 🥺🥺

sorry it's a long request, just so you now i love your blog so much!!” -anon request

“Everyone you meet has something to teach you.” -Anonymous

~

Spencer was visiting the local library on one of his rare days off. He seemed to be arriving at the tail-end of a book event. Once a month, the library sold the books that hadn’t been checked out in a while. It was mostly romance novels and historical fiction.

Spencer walked past the crowd and started climbing the stairs to the upper level of the library, where the research books were kept. He started browsing through the history section when he bumped into a woman holding a stack of books. The books toppled out of her arms. 

“I’m so sorry,” Spencer said, bending to help the woman pick up the books. 

“Oh, no, it’s my fault,” she said. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Spencer picked up one of the books and handed it back to you. “I usually don’t see people up here,” he said. “Most people prefer reading fiction.”

She smiled at him as she took the book from him. “Sometimes reality is weirder than fiction.”

Spencer chuckled as he read the title of one of the books. “I think Darren Oldridge covers that pretty well.” He handed you the book on medieval history titled Strange Histories: The Trial of the Pig. “What are you reading these for?”

“Partially research, partially for fun,” she said. “I’m (Y/N).”

“Spencer.” 

“So, you don’t read much fiction?” you asked him.

“Well, not much modern fiction. And not much in English.”

“Really?”

Spencer pushed his glasses up on his nose. His cheeks were flushed. He wasn’t used to a pretty woman being genuinely interested in him. “I, um, I like the challenge from the original copies of Dostoevsky’s work.”

“What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.”

Spencer’s eyes widened. “You’ve read The Brothers Karamazov?”

“Of course. It’s a classic.” You stacked all of the books. “Um, out of curiosity, why don’t you read modern fiction?”

“They’re too easy for me,” Spencer said. “I read through them too fast.”

You laughed. “I can relate to that. I read through the entirety of Sherlock Holmes in about a month.” Spencer was entranced by this woman in front of him. “Although, if you’re looking for a long read, Lord of the Rings is always my go-to. I think you would enjoy it.”

“Well, if I do that, I’d want to talk to you after,” he said.

You smiled and dug around in your purse. You handed him a business card. “That’s my office number for the university I work at. Call me when you finish the first book.”

~

Spencer did call you. You invited him to coffee to talk about the books. When you were getting ready to leave, Spencer knew he needed to see you again.

“Uh, (Y/N), would you want to, um, maybe, meet up again?”

“You mean like a date?”

“O-Only if you want to, it doesn’t have to be-”

“Spencer, I’d love to go on a date with you,” you said. Usually, you didn’t want to cut him off, but you could see his anxiety was spiraling. 

Spencer smiled at you. His joy was short-lived as his phone went off. He sighed when he saw it was a message from Hotch. “I have to go,” he said, pulling his jacket on and slinging his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll call you!”

When Spencer got into the bullpen, the team noticed the change in his demeanor. He seemed more distracted, but in a good way. While the team sat around the Round Table, Derek and Elle noticed Spencer not paying attention to JJ. He seemed to be off in his own world. 

When they got on the jet, Gideon noticed Spencer wasn’t paying attention to their chess game. Gideon was able to win in five moves.

“Okay. What’s going on with you?” he asked Spencer. 

“What do you mean?”

“Reid, I stole your king in five moves. You’ve never been that bad at a game.” He looked over Spencer. “Who is she?”

Spencer looked down at the chess board, his cheeks turning red as he smiled. “Her name is (Y/N),” he said. “She’s amazing. She’s smart, and beautiful, and funny and-” Spencer stopped talking when he noticed the whole team was listening in. “Can I help you?”

“Oh, no, keep talking,” Morgan said. “Tell us more about this girl. How long have you known each other?”

Spencer shook his head. “Nope. I’m not telling you anything else. I don’t want Garcia digging into her life and invading her privacy.”

“Come on, kid. You know we only want to know because we care about you.”

“Not gonna happen, Morgan.” Spencer said, though he was still smiling as he thought about you.

~

You and Spencer started officially dating, and he quickly fell in love with you. Although, he couldn’t shake the feeling there was something you weren’t telling him.

You and Spencer started sleeping together after your fourth date. Everything with that was going great. Except, you only ever wanted to go to Spencer's apartment. When he suggested going back to yours, you were quick to deflect. And it was worrying Spencer. 

Spencer was standing by the coffee maker, pouring sugar into his mug. 

“You want a little coffee with that sugar?” Derek said, clapping Spencer's shoulder. Spencer rolled his eyes and picked up the wooden stirring stick. “What, no quip? No statistics on sugar or caffeine?”

“Sorry. I was up late.”

“Really? What keeps the great Dr. Spencer Reid up all night? Wait, don't tell me. Memorizing an obscure text. No, no, solving cold fusion. Oh, nope, I got it. Watching Star Trek and laughing at the physics mistakes.”

“You know, for being made so long ago, there aren't actually that many mistakes. Some illogical predictions, sure, but not many outright errors.”

“...Right.” Derek was about to walk away.

“I think my girlfriend is hiding something from me,” he blurted out. 

Derek stopped and turned back around to Spencer. “What?”

“I-I can't shake the feeling. I don't know what it is, but she's hiding something. I was up all night running through scenarios.”

“Reid, you know that's dangerous. And you also know you have someone who can find out what she's hiding in seconds.”

“I don't know. Having Penelope look into her life seems like a major invasion of privacy.”

“But wouldn't you want to know if what she's hiding will end your relationship?”

“I guess you're right,” he conceded. Spencer followed Derek to Penelope’s office. 

“Hello, my lovelies,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

“Pretty Boy here is having some relationship issues.”

“Oh, no. Come sit. Tell me what’s going on.”

Spencer took the extra wheely chair in her office. “I think (Y/N) is hiding something from me.”

“We were hoping you could find out what it is,” Derek said. 

“Of course I can. But you know for me to do this, I need her last name, too.” Spencer chewed on his lip before deciding he wanted to know too badly. Garcia started typing away. “Oh!”

“What? I was right, wasn’t I? She’s married. She’s married with kids and I’m the other man.”

“Oh, no. No, baby boy,” Penelope said. “Look. It’s nothing bad.”

Spencer read the information on her screen. “I… I have to go.”

As Spencer rushed from the office, Penelope and Derek shared a concerned look.

~

You were sitting at your desk, typing out your newest manuscript when someone started pounding on your door. You pushed your rolling chair back from the desk and walked over to the door. The pounding continued as you unlocked the deadbolt and undid the chain. 

“Hold on, hold on,” you said to the impatient person on the other side. You figured it was probably the college kid down the hall who locked himself out and needed you to call the super. You opened up the door. “Spencer.”

“What the hell, (Y/N)? Why didn't you tell me you were a published author?” You could see the hurt and anger in Spencer’s eyes.

You sighed, opening your door wider. You gestured for Spencer to come in. “I didn’t mean to hide it from you,” you said. “It’s just- when we met, you said you found modern fiction boring. And I couldn’t handle you thinking my work was boring, too.” Your eyes were cast on your Converse-clad feet as you shifted your weight back and forth.

Spencer walked over to you and cupped your face in his hands, kissing you. He tried to convey just how much love he had for you in that kiss. When he pulled away, he kept your cheeks cupped in his hands. 

“(Y/N), I think you’re an amazingly talented and creative person. Even before I found your books, I thought so. I fell for you the moment you quoted Dostoevsky to me. You don’t ever have to feel like you need to hide things from me. And I read all your books. I think they’re amazing. Like you.”

“You really think so?”

“I really do. You have so much talent and such a creative mind. It’s like your brain compliments mine perfectly.” You smiled shyly, unable to meet Spencer’s eyes. He gently tilted your head so you’d look at him. “I love you, (Y/N).”

You felt like all your breath was knocked out of you. That was the first time either of you had said it. At least, the first time it was said out loud.

“I love you too, Spencer.”

~

“But he, who does not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose.” -Anne Bronte 

[popculturebuffet]

Disney Plus just dropped a Pride Month Collection. Your thoughts?

I saw it and was HOPING someone would bring it up or I could slip it into a review because man oh man is this shit hilariously pathetic. Like last year's attempt at showing queer solidarity to earn some quick points:

Still hilarous btw, it TRIES to show them as progressive.. while instead showing just how bad they are at doing representation.

So starting off we have the movie section

It's not as hilarious as the other two, we'll get to that, as there are four full length movies in here making a gennuine effort as well as shorts.

That said two things about it stick out: the first is that there are ONLY four movies here. While I do thank Disney for not having the balls to put any of thier "first gay person" bs films in there, it does show that it took until LAST YEAR to put a gay character of note in a marvel film and that none of the others are huge relases.

As for west side story, which is indeed a film... that one's simply because Ariana Debose, who is wonderous, is nonbinary. Which is awesome, she is, but it does feel a touch pathetic to put a film in there JUST because the actor is nonbinary, especially when they didn't for any films that had other queer actors. I didn't see Cheetah Girls 1 or 2, College Road Trip, The Descendants Trilogy, Encanto, Kim Possible: So the Drama, Onward and that's just the handful I saw that I know have a queer actor in them. The list likely goes on past that. I mean if they wanted to i'd fully support it, but this feels less like putting a spotlight on ariana, like it should, and more like Disney going "oh shit we only have 8 things in this section quick pull another out of our goofy's ass!". So it's not TERRIBLE but it is pretty shocking just how little queer content disney has, as well as how a possible out, spotlighting it's queer actors, was never thought of beyond one single movie.

Now onto our main event

It's beautiful. Stupid and self serving but beautiful. So yeah for starters like movie's it' slaughably sparse. It's not as bad as there's still a decent spread of shows and outside of glee I honestly can't speak for big shot, hsm the series, future president, doogie kamahola MD, or grown ish as I haven't seen them and only know jessica jones and runaways gayness by having read stuff. And on stuff I have seen I watched all of glee as it aired...

Look I was a nerdy kid who loved music. It wasn't a hard sell and only became one as it slowly degraded into a blob monster of hit's former self. I regret nothing. But they had NOTHING to do with Glee's production so while not a bad grab, it had quite a few queer characters and decent one at that including Blaine played by my boy darren criss and Santana played by the late great Naya Rievera as my faviorites out of it's queer cast, it does come off as reaching. Owl House, while something they CANCELED, is also a stellar choice. Granted I also hope this means more yelling at them for it but still. We also get louder and prouder which not only had a standout episode I planned to cover this month but got bumped up thanks to don't say gay, REMEMBER THAT GUYS?, b

But then we get reachy. We have amphibia which DOES have gay characters: oliva and yunan, the IT gals, the "I don't clownface you" guys, and our main trio despite never gettin ga proper upgrade, it just feels lik e"hey this has a few gay characters" feels a bit of a reach.

But then we get to ENTIRE reaches. We have Star Vs which while heavily impling tom, star and marco are all bi or pan, never really goes through with it and in the episode section promotes just friends.. for showing same sex couples. It congradulates the show fo rdoing the bARE MINIMUM. We also get louder and prouder which at the very least has a gay character in the main cast

Then we have the biggest joke of all: Gravity Falls. They put the series they let have the BAREST BIT of gay content at the end in, that they constantly rejected ANY AND ALL gay content from i nthere.. from a guy who DIRECTLY AND RIGHTFULYL MOCKED THEM FOR THE EVERYONE'S WELCOME UNDER THE RAINBOW TWEET. It's a level of embarassment i'd be shocked a company had reached if it was anyone but disney.

Overall it's not that the rep is bad persay, ther'es some decent one, but only ONE of these shows has a queer lead and only a few of them are on mainline networks and one of them, and Glee was added again transparently for representatoin. It probably woudl've eventually but doing it THIS MONTH just makes it obvious.

But most hilarious, most damming is that they LEFT SHOWS OUT. Yes. REALLY. With a list this small they STILL forgot some shows had queer content. So in order

Andi Mack: THe most galling omission as one of the main cast members is gay, both in character and in real life, and was Disney Channel's first gay character I believe. Hell some of his coming out arc is outright MISSING from the service because disney wants you to forget they hired a pedophile to play the dad. Yes that happened. But it's not the show's fault. They coudln't of known he was a sex monster. Just my god

Big City Greens: Admitely it's just two side characters we see together and who are confirmed a couple in the valentine's special but it's weird that's fine for Amphibia but not this show to get put on there.

DuckTales; Now like the gravity falls one this would bite them in the ass a bit as they outright blocked saying Penny was gay.. but she still is and says she is best they could. Not only that you also have weblena and Storkules. There is no straight explination for eithe rof those.

The Muppet Show: Not only was Richard Hunt gay as hell, but you also had queer guests like Elton John on there. It' sbaffling.

The Simpsons: This is a BIG one to me, especially since next week i'm doing FOUR episodes of the show for pride as part of a bigger project. Not just plugging myself there either: homer's phobia was groundbreaking for the time, there's something about marrying handles how gay marriage was and the more recent smithers episodes with him coming out and finding love help recontexualitze what was once a "GET IT HE'S Gay" joke. The show isn't the gayest, i'll grant you but the fact two major supporting cast members are gay and the shows had a decent amount of queer characters, it's weird to not feature it or at least the gay episodes. And it's not the homophobia either: Louder and Prouder's father figures is all abou homophobia as are the black-ish episodes featured. there is NO excuse.

So yeah episodes are also a mess. My point here is that while Disney is trying.. they really haven't learned anything about representation and hopefully CAN.

[sillyname30]

Mixed Asian Media: JoySauce is proud to present something very special—a partnership with the ultra talented team over at Mixed Asian Media. In JoySauce’s mission to cover stories from the Asian American and Pacific Islander diaspora, we’ve always considered it incredibly important to include mixed AA+PI perspectives. Since their team already has that piece on lock, we’re delighted they were willing to join forces to help us share even more fresh, funny, interesting, irreverent stories each week. Take it away, MAM!

Late last month, I spoke with Darren Criss for his upcoming Broadway premiere, Maybe Happy Ending, in which he plays a robot (a Helperbot to be specific) named Oliver who’s been deemed obsolete by technological standards. Another Helperbot, Claire, asks to borrow his charger, and thus begins a unique friendship between the two.

Maybe Happy Ending was written and produced in both Korean and English and has had performances all over the world. This production features Asian American creatives both on stage and behind the scenes. Criss himself identifies as half-Filipino on his mother’s side, and has said his feelings on his identity have evolved over the years. In 2018, he was quoted in Vulture saying that he did not identify as Asian American. In 2020, he would later shift his perspective after playing a half-Filipino character in Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood, telling People: 

“It’s a tricky cocktail in America ... Anyone who is biracial can attest to this: No matter how much or how little they look like their respective mix, it’s a constant work in progress … I’ve always been proud of my heritage, of being Filipino. Just because people don’t see it, doesn’t make it any less real to me.”

I got the chance to speak with Criss not just about identity, but about his career at large, how he relates to the character of Oliver, and what audiences will take from Maybe Happy Ending.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Bri Ng Schwartz: As a biracial person with Asian identity, how does it feel to be working on a show that’s been produced and written in both Korean and American?Darren Criss: This show isn’t categorically an Asian show. It is very much a universal human’s show, but it happens to celebrate and represent a large degree of Asian-ness. Anytime you can show up for your cultural identity, that’s always a very exciting thing. It’s very exciting that the vast majority of people working on the show, on stage and off, are of Asian American mix and descent. The Asian experience is not a singular experience. It’s a very large breadth of backgrounds, so it’s been fun for all of us to bring our own experiences and stories to the table.

BNS: I saw you about 10 years ago at the Belasco when you were starring as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.DC: Oh boy. This will be a little different. 

BNS: Yeah, definitely different. As you return to the Belasco for Maybe Happy Ending, how do you think you’ve evolved as a performer in the last 10 years?DC: I hopefully have evolved as a person. If I’m the same person that was 10 years ago, then we have a serious problem. I’m just still trying to learn, still trying to connect as many dots as I can. Hopefully I never know the answer to that.

BNS: We are forever learning as humans.DC: Exactly. 

BNS: I spoke to your former on-screen father, Jon Jon Briones, a couple of months ago.DC: He’s the best, and he was part of this production! This show has been around in many iterations for a long time, and he actually was part of a reading several years ago. We find ourselves connected yet again, me and Jon Jon. He’s awesome. He’s the best.

BNS: Do you take any advice or inspiration from people like Jon Jon or other seasoned Broadway vets in your work?DC: There are these goalposts that artists may think are the be-all and end-all of what makes a successful career. Jon Jon’s consistency and longevity are the goalposts. He’s one of these guys, if I mention his name, half of the room knows him or has worked with him. There are a lot of guys like Jon Jon who just are constantly a part of things. And that’s the goal. Success in devoting yourself long form to the craft, which he has done in spades.

BNS: In Maybe Happy Ending you play Oliver, a Helperbot 3. Do you think there are any parallels between you and how Oliver perceives the world?DC: I am endlessly curious and endlessly trying to download and learn as much as I can from the world around me, whether consciously or unconsciously. I happen to be a human being, and Oliver is not. 

I’m still getting under the skin of this guy, of this robot. I’m finding a lot of parallels as far as the desire to please. I always say I’m in the service industry. I service ideas and emotions and people. That is my vocation. My programming.

BNS: Do you think that audiences are going to walk away from this show feeling differently about their technology?DC: Technology becomes more human in the way we treat it. When people put away their phones, they get sad. They’re like an appendage. We’ve already started to ascribe emotional connectivity to our non-human components. People will walk away with perhaps a more emotional experience with the human components they have in their life.

The battery life that our devices have are a microcosm metaphor for our own battery life, our own shelf life, and our own energy. The finite amount of time that we have, and really coming to peace with the idea that we are a transient technology ourselves, considering that, and hopefully, making sure that your battery life is spent on the right things, I think is the thing I hope people walk away with this show.

On top of hopefully singing the songs, because they’re beautiful. 

BNS: They really are. Thank you so much for taking the time today. On behalf of mixed theater kids everywhere, thank you. I don’t think I would be who I am without having you to look up to.DC: Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

[pompadourpink]

Hi mom! Thanks for all the work you put into making this such an awesome resource for us 🥰 lately I’ve been struggling with a lack of confidence and I feel like I have to be perfect? Do you have any advice? Bisous xx

Hello dear,

You're welcome! I have covered this before, here's for a fresher answer:

Perfection isn't a thing. Not only because it would be excruciatingly hard for a human being to be very strict with themselves 24/7 (no birthday cake, sleeping in on vacation, taking time off if sick, having a meltdown after a tragedy, etc.), but even if it was easy, there is no definition of perfection.

Think about ethics: if telling someone a lie would save your life, you would have to pick between dying pure, leaving your children/pets starving and your family heartbroken, and surviving the situation with a 'soiled' mind. There's no good answer that was officially given by the Great Monarch of Decisions that you just have to follow, there's just a solution that works better for you, depending on your priorities.

Well, perfection has the same issue. Let's take an everyday example: what should I wear? The vegan will tell you to not buy animal products, the hippie to go to thrift stores, your boss prefers pantsuits, crusty men will have a comment about showing skin, your conservative grandpa thinks tents are proper, the YouTuber wants you to use their Shein promo code, the green activist tells you off because of sweatshops, your Gen Y cousin insists you wear something empowering, your rich friend thinks you should support expensive ethical brands, etc.

The problem is that all of those make sense, but they're not applicable at the same time. I'll happily buy secondhand items, but what if the seller is in Australia and the package has to come by plane? If the shoes are made of leather? If the item is smexy and I'm accused of setting us back? If I'm supposedly a minimalist and technically didn't need this? Does that make me a hypocrite?

What if I'm just doing my best with the tools I have and trying to keep myself happy despite the economy, the plague, the environment, etc.?

No one will ever fully agree with your choices, and even if they did, they're not the Great Monarch of Decisions, so someone else would think differently and start fighting them. Focus on finding out what you think is right, keeping in mind that your opinion will evolve with time, decide that you are wise and smart, that your opinion matters and deserves to be respected, Don't betray yourself because Karen and Darren think you should wake up at 5, work 100h and give all your money to charity. They can do that. You do you. Smile and nod and keep doing you.

Love,

Mum

[shitty-check-please-aus]

Please tell me the plots and songs of the glee episode I need to know

Ok so going in I want to note that I turned off the TV and abandoned Glee when Sarah Jessica Parker showed up because it was a bridge too far, so it’s more of “if Hamilton had come out earlier” than “if Glee had kept going.” I would also like to note that many of these plot points are in very poor taste and problematic, because a lot of Glee was in very poor taste and problematic. I’m not trying to outline a good version of a Hamilton Glee episode, I’m trying to outline a realistic version.

Also this got to a point where it’s so long that it needs a readmore. So if you don’t care you can just scroll on by.

So the A plot is obviously Rachel Berry being pissed off at the Hamilton rules that the main cast be played people of color except for King George, because she would rather die than be out of the spotlight for an hour. Rachel is a terrible person and exactly the kind of terrible person who would be mad at this. She would also be terrible at rapping. A very ripped from the (broadway) headlines conflict, there were a lot of white people in 2016 who were very mad about having one show where they couldn’t audition for the lead roles. 

They’re learning about the Revolutionary War in history class and there’s some BS reason that they need to sing songs about history. They’re doing Hamilton instead of 1776 because it’s more hip. Anyways there’s a half-assed debate over whether they’ll follow the same rules as the real show for their production, we have some snappy but stupid dialogue of Kurt asking if being gay counts as being a poc, they decide they will follow the Hamilton guidelines, and Mr. Schue stands up to Rachel for once and says she can’t sing a main song and has to do ensemble, even though she starts to sing a few bars of “Burn” in the middle of class, which is interrupted by the bell. We all know they won’t sing the actual songs but instead a mashup, but it’s decided that the parts of the songs will be doled out appropriately.

Because of this we have our first actual song, which is Rachel performing “Nonstop” in the hallways of McKinley High. It is not good. It is one where if you downloaded the Glee cast album, you would skip it. We have several versions of her in different costumes doing all the roles. It’s too much. She has her hair in a ponytail and a fake goatee to look like Lin Manuel Miranda. 

Now in our B plot, Santana and Brittany broke up for some reason. What reason? Doesn’t matter. It’s always Kurt and Blaine or Santana and Brittany breaking up, and I want more Santana solos than Kurt falsetto. Santana is upset about this, and we get an actually awesome version of “Satisfied” as she watches Brittany flirt with someone new. This would be a good enough cover that you would definitely download it.

Back to the A plot. Mercedes, Mike, Unique, Blaine (if Glee acknowledged that Darren Criss is Filipino, I can’t remember if they did or not), and Tina (Santana maybe, she could be somewhere else if needed) are getting annoyed with Rachel for being, well, Rachel, and they channel those feelings into a really good cover of “Burn” mashed up with “My Shot” (”I hope that you buuurn-” “I am not throwing away my shot!”). Rachel overhears this and takes it extremely personally. She runs to have a breakdown in the bathroom. You would download this song as well, it would slap.

In the bathroom, Rachel sings “Hurricane.” The song ends with a toilet flushing, symbolizing the hurricane.

Then Brittany walks in to the bathroom with the B Plot and tries to say something kind of nice because she’s not a totally shitty person and will not be a dick to a crying person when Santana walks in. She yells at Rachel for like 2 minutes for talking to Brittany and also for making everything about herself. The camera frames this in a way where we understand that we’re supposed to feel bad for Rachel. The insults are the funniest part of the episode because Naya Rivera was excellent, may she rest in peace. 

They all realize that they need to work together if they want to do this performance right (is it a singing competition? a fundraiser? It does not matter) and we get an ensemble performance of “Guns and Ships” as they get ready and make up.

Our A plot is resolved with whichever guy they had doing the King George part getting food poisoning, it really doesn’t matter who, and Rachel gets to do those parts, which end up taking up way more of the mashup than they deserve to and teaching her nothing. The final number is basically The Hamilton Polka but without the joking noises. If Weird Al had less money they’d copy it straight up, like they did with the Jonathan Coulton version of Baby Got Back.

Now there may be some more songs in there to bulk up the episode but not really add to the plot (Sue Sylvester and Mr. Schue doing “The Farmer Refuted” in the principal’s office could be good),  but these are the main ones. If we could somehow get Mercedes, Tina, and Santana to do “The Schuyler Sisters” that would also be excellent but I can’t quite figure out where it would go. I also can’t find a good place for “Say No to This,” I think it could be either something with Quinn or Mr. Schue being incredibly inappropriate with a student. Maybe with Miss Pillsbury if it’s at a point where that’s a thing? It would be incredibly awkward to see two white kids in Ohio say “Immigrants- We get the job done” but it would happen and there would be essays about it online.

Also if they can afford him, Lin Manuel Miranda has a guest spot as a history teacher. Following the precedent of Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, they do not acknowledge his part in Hamilton. Jonathan Groff has a prior filming commitment and doesn’t appear in spite of being the original King George.