#l.a. blues authority

[musicmags]

[cookstorys]

I saw

Vinnie hacker sooo I would like to request something idk if you do smut or only fluff so just do whatever you’re comfortable with! Anyway can the reader be shy and doesn’t have social media of any kind and ppl see him in a video and try to find out who he is? You can keep going from there

𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢

_____________

Person - Vinnie Hacker

Warning- None 😋

Author Note - I rushed at the end so ☺️

Females Dni

_____________

One hug. That’s all it took for rumors to start to circulate. You weren’t even supposed to be at the party, you just stopped by to see Vinnie. You walked thru that crowd of people to find Vinnie. Once you did a smile appeared on his face when he saw you. “I didn’t know you were coming.” He admitted. Then proceeded to hug you and plant a soft kiss on your forehead. Unknowingly to the both of you, Larray was filming a TikTok and with a simple zoom in you could see you and Vinnie hugging but more importantly, him planting a kiss on your forehead.

____________________

The sun beamed into your newly renovated room. You were starting to be more thankful for your decision to move and stay in L.A. The feeling of tight arms being wrapped around you was another reason you moved. You loved to be loved, The simple feeling of another person that loves you for you was unmatched and Vinnie was just that. He was the hot satisfying candle on oh-so-cold nights.

Before your surroundings could properly focus, your phone buzzed. You let out a lazy sigh and pick the object up.

[Best Friend’s Contact Name]

[Best friend] - OMFG

[Best friend] - IMA NEED YOUR ANTISOCIAL ASS TO LOOK AT THIS!

[Best Friend] - Twitter.com

You froze at the message. Your best friend had a weird sense of humor, to say the least. So, you were rightfully scared of the possibility that this link would either send you to a video of someone getting their ass beat or a very loud porno. To your dismay it was neither of the assumptions, instead, it was a picture of Vinnie planting a kiss on your forehead captioned, “Vinnie hacker spotted romantically kissing a mysterious boy on the forehead last night”

To say you were not happy was an understatement. You quickly sprinted out of bed and ran into your bathroom. This was not good, imagine how your family would react, your siblings. You weren’t in the closet but you also didn’t want to be public with Vinnie just yet. You loved the man to death - you did but you saw yourself as a shy boy from the south, thrown into this bold new world (aka L.A).

You opened your phone to more messages from your best friend to check the comments. ‘Hell no.’ You texted quickly. One thing you hated more than being in the public eye is people’s commentary about you. However, now that the secret’s out it wouldn’t hurt to take a small peak.

You rushed to open the once-closed tab of your messages. You hesitated for a while, finger levitating above the link. After a few more deep breaths your finger fell on the message, after clicking, your phone flashed blue and there appeared the post you had just recently witnessed. You scrolled down to see the comments.

____________________

@user233/ - Omg who is this

@rishardtim - I love this sm

@medontlikeyou - WE MUST FIND THIS MAN

@singleazzbitch - Not them both being fine…

____________________

A knock on the door stopped you from scrolling on. “[Name] are you ok? I saw the post and I’m so sorry. Just open the door let’s talk about this.” Vinnie tried to reason. Your long sigh could be heard thru the door as Vinnie impatiently waited for a response, action, anything. The door slowly opened revealing you and your phone visibly showing the Twitter post. “No, baby don’t listen to them, we can get this covered up or-“ Vinnie’s sentence was cut short by you rushing into his arms. “I’m ok.” You mumbled. With those two words coming out of your mouth Vinnie let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

After a while of silence. Just the two of your hugging and listening to each other's heartbeats. Vinnie spoke.“Have you thought about how you wanna handle this?” You sat in silence for a little while longer until you finally thought of an idea

“Let’s see how much they can learn.” You smirked

[cielrouge]

2022 YA Reads by Authors of Color

After life (Blue Bloods) by Melissa De La Cruz:  After defeating Lucifer and sacrificing the love of her life, Schuyler wakes up back in New York, only to discover that an alternate reality where Lucifer is alive and well and she is the only person who can defeat him.

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black in America right now. 

Akata Woman (The Nsibidi Scripts #3) by Nnedi Okorafor: 15-year-old Sunny embarks on a mission to find a precious object and return it to the spider deity Udide, but defeating the guardians of Udide's ghazal will put all of Sunny's hard lessons and abilities to the test.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir: A story crossing generations and continents and addressing themes of cultural identity, family, forgiveness, love, and loss; told through the eyes of two best friends, Salahudin and Noor, growing up as outcasts and trying to find a way out of a world set on destroying them.

All the Right Reasons by Bethany Mangle: Cara Hawn and her mother go to Key West to join a reality show to pair single parents. There, Cara meets Connor and now she must juggle her growing feelings while helping her mom pick a bachelor they both love.

Almost There: Twisted Tales by Farrah Rochon: A year after Tiana makes a deal with Dr. Facilier, she has her restaurant, but soon shadows begin to gather and Tiana must work with Naveen and Charlotte to set things right or risk losing her soul.

Alone Out Here by Riley Redgate: A thriller set in a future in which First Daughter Leigh Chen and 53 other teens end up on the only ship escaping a dying Earth and must contend with being the last hope for humanity's survival.

An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan: Star-crossed lovers Hunter Yee and Luna Chang must navigate their families’ enmity and secrets as everything around them begins to fall apart. 

And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems by Erica Martin: A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil rights movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos.

Anne of Greenville by Mariko Tamaki:  In this contemporary retelling, Anne Shirley, a queer, half-Japanese disco superfan, moves to a town that seems too small for her big personality and where she becomes embroiled in a series of dramatic and unfortunate events.

As Long as the Lemon Tree Grows by Zoulfa Katouh: Set during the Syrian Revolution, former pharmacy student Salama Kassab volunteers at a hospital in Homs. Secretly, though, she is desperate to find a way out. So desperate, that she has manifested a physical embodiment of her fear in the form of her imagined companion, Khawf .But even with Khawf pressing her to leave, Salama is torn between her loyalty to her country and her conviction to survive. 

Ashes of Gold (Wings of Ebony #2) by J. Elle: In the heart-pounding conclusion to the Wings of Ebony duology, Rue makes her final stand to reclaim her people’s stolen magic.

Azar on Fire by Olivia Abtahi: 14-year-old Azar Rossi sets out to find her voice and win her local Battle of the Bands contest. 

Bad at Love by Gabriela Martins: Ever since Daniel moved to L.A. from Brazil to join the band Mischief & Mayhem, he’s become the tabloids’ bad boy. When a chance encounter brings Daniel and Sasha together, Sasha sees an opportunity to get close to Daniel and write a story that will make a name for herself at the celebrity gossip magazine where she interns. But Daniel is surprisingly sweet and extremely cute—could she be falling for him?

Ballad & Dagger by Daniel Jose Older: When 16-year-old Mateo and Chela discover each other and their powers during a political battle between neighborhood factions, they set aside their differences to unravel the mystery behind their sunken homeland. 

Beasts by Ruin (Beasts of Prey #2) by Ayana Gray: Now separated,16-year-old indentured beastkeeper Koffi and 17-year-old warrior candidate Ekon will have to find their way back to each other as they face off against the god of death. 

Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale: Exhausted by Kavya Joshi and Ian Jun’s years-long feud, their friends hatch a plan to end their rivalry by convincing them to participate in a series of challenges throughout the summer. 

Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid: Two teens, James and Michelle, meet and fall in love during a layover-gone-wrong at the Atlanta airport. 

Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min: 17-year-old Santi Arboleda finally feels settled in his new life in Los Angeles with a growing found family and a relationship with musical prodigy Suwa - until Suwa is offered the chance to step into the spotlight that he has always denied himsel fand they must finally face their dreams, their pasts, and their futures, whether together or apart. 

Beneath the Wide Silk Sky by Emily Inouye Huey:  With the recent death of her mother and the possibility of her family losing their farm, Samantha Sakamoto does not have space in her life for dreams, but when faced with prejudice and violence in her Washington State community after Pearl Harbor, she becomes determined to use her photography to document the bigotry around her.

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi: Pulled between old friendships, her creative passion, and a new romance, Bitter isn't sure where she belongs - in the art studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?

The Black Girls Left Standing by Juliana Goodman: 16-year-old Beau Willet’s world is upended when her older sister is killed by a white cop who claims she was breaking into his house; desperate to find out what really happened, she sets out to find the only other witness who was there that night—her sister's boyfriend.

Blood Like Fate (Blood Like Magic #2) by Liselle Sambury: While struggling with her new role as Matriarch, Voya has a vision of a terrifying, deadly future, and with a newfound sense of purpose, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her shattered community together and prevent the destruction of them all.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye: 15-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will—she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. But when she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army, Sloane sees a new opportunity: to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.

Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn: When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide an ancient war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick. If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

Boys I Know by Anna Gracia: High school senior June Chu navigates messy boys and messier relationships.

Boys of the Beast by Monica Zepeda: Cousins Matt, Ethan and Oscar embark on a road trip through California and the Southwest come to terms with truths about their families and themselves. 

Break This House by Candice Iloh: Yaminah Okar left Obsidian and the wreckage of her family years ago. She and her father have made lives for themselves in Brooklyn. But when a Facebook message about her estranged mother pierces Yaminah’s new bubble, she must finally reckon with the truth about her mother and the growing collapse of a place she once called home. 

Briarcliff Prep by Brianna Peppins: In this coming-of-age story, Avi LeBeau juggles navigating her first year at a historically Black boarding school after she learns a devastating secret about her big sister’s boyfriend. 

Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado: When an urban legend rumored to trap people inside subway tunnels seems to be behind mysterious disappearances in the Bronx, 16-year-old Raquel and her friends team up to save their city--and confront a dark episode in its history in the process.

Cafe Con Lychee by Emery Lee: A dual pov enemies-to-lovers contemporary romcom following Theo Mori and Gabe Moreno, rival sons of competing family businesses--a Puerto Rican bakery and an Asian American cafe--who form an unlikely alliance running an underground coffee and boba shop at school after a new fusion cafe threatens their parents' stores.

The Chandler Legacies by Abdi Nazemian: At Chandler, the elite boarding school, five teens are brought together in the Circle, a coveted writing group where life-changing friendships are born—and secrets are revealed. 

The Charmed List by Julie Abe: 16-year-old Ellie Kobata’s summer plans to shed her wallflower persona are upended when she is forced to go on a road trip to the Magical Retailers' Convention with her former best friend Jack Yasuda, but what starts out as a punishment turns into an opportunity to find forgiveness and possibly love.

Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow: 17-year-old Farrah Turner manipulates her way into lives of her Black best friend Cherish Whitman’s white adopted family, but she soon begins to suspect that she may not be the only one invested in engineering a place in the affluent household, and someone else's motives may be more disturbing than her own.

The Chosen One by Echo Brown: Anchored in magical realism, a personal account of a first-generation African-American student's first year at Dartmouth College.

Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz: In this lush, retold fairy tale classic, Cendrillon “Cinder” de Louvois catches the eye of the handsome Prince Louis and his younger brother Auguste at a royal ball. As Cinder grows closer to Auguste and dislikes Louis more and more, she will have to decide if she can bear losing the boy she loves in order to leave a life she hates.

Cold by Mariko Tamaki: Told in alternating perspectives, Todd replays the events that lead to his death in the local park, watching as detectives investigate his murder and talk to the students responsible for it, and meanwhile Georgia, who does not know Todd, cannot stop thinking about him.

The Color of the Sky Is The Shape of the Heart by Chesil: Inspired by a mysterious message, 17-year-old Ginny Park sets off to find herself as she reflects on her experiences of growing up Zainichi, an ethnic Korean born in Japan, and the incident that forced her to leave years prior.

Confessions of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Coffney: In small-town Texas, preacher’s daughter Monique embarks on journey toward loving herself and her body, as well as discovering the value of a true friend.

The Darkening by Sunya Mara: Vesper Vale is the daughter of revolutionaries. Failed revolutionaries. When her mother was caught by the queen's soldiers, they gave her a choice: death by the hangman's axe, or death by the Storm that surrounds the city and curses anyone it touches. She chose the Storm. And when the queen's soldiers--led by a paranoid prince--catch up to Vesper's father after twelve years on the run, Vesper will do whatever it takes to save him from sharing that fate.

Daughters of the Dawn by Sarena & Sasha Nanua: Twin princesses Ria and Rani journey deep into dangerous new lands to save their home in this propulsive, immersive sequel to Sisters of the Snake.

Dauntless by Elisa A. Bonnin: Seri, Borderland teen and new assistant to Eshai Unbroken, local commander of the Valiants, may be the only person who can bridge the divide between the People who build their dwellings in the spreading trees and the "beasts" who roam the forest floors.

The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee: Plagued by the voices of Avatars before her for as long as she can remember, Yangchen has not yet earned the respect felt for her predecessor. When she travels to Bin-Er on political business, a chance encounter with an informant named Kavik leads to a wary partnership. As Yangchen and Kavik seek to thwart the corrupt shangs’ plan, their unlikely friendship deepens. But for Yangchen to chart her course as a singularly powerful Avatar, she must learn to rely on her own wisdom.

Dead Flip by Sara Farizan: 18-year-old former friends Cori and Maz reunite to solve the mystery of what happened to their other friend Sam--who disappeared 5 years ago and has now returned, not having aged at all.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta: A life-long speech competitor, Leela Bose loves nothing more than crushing the competition. But when Leela meets the incorrigible Firoze Darcy, a fellow competitor in the state league, she can’t stand him. But Leela’s participation in the tournament reveals that she might have misjudged the debaters - including Darcy.

Deep in Providence by Riss A. Neilson: After Jasmine is killed, her remaining best friends Miliani, Inez, and Natalie plan to resurrect her using magic learned from Miliani's Filipino aunt, but their actions have dangerous consequences that threaten themselves and those they care about.

Diamond Park by Phillipe Diederich: When four Mexican-American teenagers from Houston travel to Diamond Park to buy a 1959 Chevy Impala from Magaña's godfather, something goes very wrong, and one of them, Susi, ends up arrested for murder. Convinced that the real killer is a drug trafficker called Anaconda, Flaco and Magaña head to Mexico hunting for him to clear Susi's name--but in the process of kidnapping Anaconda Flaco discovers how little he understands about what really happened in Diamond Park.

Direwood by Catherine Yu: After Aja’s perfect older sister Fiona disappears when a strange weather event isolates their town, she must put her trust in a vicious but alluring vampire if she wants to see her sister again.

Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt: A coming-of-age story told in two points of view, about Puerto Rican teen Malena Rosario who seeks justice after running afoul of her school's sexist dress code, and Ruby McAllister, the white girl who wants to help her lead "the bra-bellion" but must first learn how to become an effective ally; exploring themes of implicit bias, social activism, and female friendship

The Dragon’s Promise (Six Crimson Cranes #2) by Elizabeth Lim: Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakar: Spirited away to the subterranean realm of Nagalok as children, 17-year-olds Tanvi and Venkat are charged with harvesting human dreams for the entertainment of the naga court--until one of them begins to remember the mortal life she left behind.

Drizzle, Dreams and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad: Sisters Nidhi, Avani, Sirisha, and Rani experience romance and coming-of-age while working at their family's inn on Orcas Island.

Echoes of Grace by Guadalupe Garcia McCall: On the Texas-Mexico border, 18-year-old Grace's relationship with her older sister Mercy is fractured when Mercy's two-year-old son dies in an accident, bringing to the surface old family traumas and literal ghosts as the family struggles to heal.

The Empress of Time by Kylie Lee Baker: Half Reaper, half Shinigami soul collector Ren Scarborough must defend her title as Japan's Death Goddess from those who would see her--and all of Japan--destroyed.

Empress Crowned in Red by Ciannon Smart: Witches Iraya and Jazmyne must once again work together as a new enemy threatens Aiyca, even as betrayal lurks around every corner.

Even When Your Voice Shakes by Ruby Yayra Goka: After Amberley is raped by her employer's son she realizes she two choices--stay quiet and keep her job or live her truth and speak up for herself and for justice.

Every Variable of Us by Charles A. Bush: After she is injured in a gang shooting, 17-year-old Alexis Duncan's dreams of a college scholarship and pro basketball career vanish, but, encouraged by new student Aamani Chakrabarti, Alexis shifts her focus to the school's STEM quiz bowl team.

Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller by Meredith Ireland:  Kelsie Miller and Eric Mulvaney Ortiz, rivals for valedictorian, team up on an overnight road trip to the University of Pennsylvania to win back their exes.

Feather and Flame: The Queen’s Council #2 by Livia Blackburne: Mulan goes from a celebrated war hero to a reluctant Empress and must once again rise above expectations and prove she doesn't have to be anyone but herself to save China.

No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado: 17-year-old Kat Sanchez uses photos of a friend to create a fake Instagram account, but when one of her posts goes viral and exposes Kat's duplicity, her entire world--both real and pretend--comes crashing down around her.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi: Sylah dreams of days growing up in the resistance, being told she would spark a revolution that would free the Empire from the red-blooded ruling classes' tyranny. Anoor has been told she’s nothing, no one, a disappointment, by the only person who matters: her mother, the most powerful ruler in the empire. But when Sylah and Anoor meet, a fire burns between them that could consume the kingdom—and their hearts. Hassa’s invisibility has its uses: it can hide the most dangerous of secrets, secrets that can reignite a revolution. As the Empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn.

Finding Jupiter by Kellis Rowe: Teens Orion and Ray meet at the local Memphis skating rink and fall fast and hard into summer love, until a mystery from their past threatens to rip them—and their families—apart, even if their love is written in the stars.

Fireworks by Alice Lin: 17-year-old Lulu Li’s summer plans go awry when she learns that Kite Xu, her old next-door neighbor and childhood friend, returns. But how could a K-pop star ever fall for a nobody from home?

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera: Strangers Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast first makes their fateful calls.

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee: Korean American actress Hana Jin she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend and K-pop star, Bryan Yoon, who might be falling in love with her. But when showrunners bring on a new girl, Minjee Park, to challenge Hana’s role as main love interest—can  Hana fight for her position on the show while falling for her on-screen rival in real life?

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong: In 1931 Shanghai, two Nationalist spies, Rosalind Lang and Orion Hong, pose as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders causing unrest in the city.

The Genesis Wars (Infinity Courts #2) by Akemi Dawn Bowman: Nami has escaped Ophelia and the Courts of Infinity, and found refuge in the Borderlands; she has spent her days training her body and mind so that when the time comes she will be able to navigate Infinity and rescue her captured friends, and now she has made a breakthrough, gaining the ability to enter minds without permission--the answers she needs are in Prince Caelan's mind, but his betrayal has left her unsure.

The Getaway by Lamar Giles: After a global catastrophe, Jay discovers the world-famous vacation resort where he lives and works doubles as a luxury doomsday refuge for the cruel billionaires he's now trapped with.

The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R. M. Romero: Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague and witness the humble life of an artist, Ilana Lopez—a biracial Jewish girl—finds herself torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents’ desire for her to pursue a more stable career.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh: In this retelling of Shim Cheong, 16-year-old Mina is swept away to the Spirit Realm, where, assisted by a motley crew of demons, gods, and lesser spirits, she sets out to awaken the sleeping Sea God and save her homeland and family from deadly storms.

A Girl’s Guide to Love & Magic by Debbie Rigaud: 15-year-old Haitian American Cicely is excited to celebrate the West Indian Day Parade with her aunt, and voodoo dabbler, Mimose, but when Mimose's dabbling goes awry and she becomes possessed by a spirit, Cicely, Renee, and Kwame, her crush, must find a way to set things right.

Godslayers (Gearbreakers #2) by Zoe Hana Mikuta: Eris and Sona are pitted against each other in the ongoing war between Godolia and the Badlands.

Great or Nothing by Caroline Tung Richmond & Joy McCullough & Tess Sharpe & Jessica Spotwood: A reimagining of Little Women set in the spring of 1942, when the United States is suddenly embroiled in the second World War, this story, told from each March sister's point of view, is one of grief, love, and self-discovery.

Heartbreak Symphony by Laekan Zea Kemp: When Aarón Medrano and Mia Villanueva cross paths, Aarón sees a chance to get close to the girl he’s had a crush on for years and to finally feel connected to someone since losing his mother. Mia sees a chance to hold herself accountable by making them both face their fears. But soon they’ll realize there’s something much scarier than getting up on stage—falling in love with a broken heart.

Her Rebel Highness by Diana Ma (Daughters of the Dynasty #2): High school senior Lei unexpectedly finds love amid the student protests in Beijing in 1989, forcing her to choose between her family and its legacy or her future with a revolutionary leader.

High Spirits by Camille Gomera Tavarez: a collection of eleven interconnected short stories from the Dominican diaspora, centered on one extended family, the Beléns, across multiple generations.

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed: After discovering the body of 14-year-old Jawad Ali in Jackson Park, 17-year-old journalism student Safiya Mirza begins investigating his murder and ends up confronting white supremacy in her own high school.

How Maya Got Fierce by Sonia Charaipotra: When her dream of working at Fierce, a popular magazine, comes true, 17-year-old Maya Gera gets the scoop on a huge story, but wonders how long she can keep up the charade of being older than she really is

How to Date a Superhero by Cristina Fernandez: When Astrid discovers that her boyfriend is a superhero, she must learn how to survive their relationship, college life, and figuring out who she is.

How to Live Without You by Sarah Everett: 17-year-old Emmy returns home for the summer to uncover the truth behind her sister Rose’s disappearance—only to learn that Rose had many secrets, ones that have Emmy questioning herself and the sister Emmy thought she knew

How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy: Half-Black witch Shay Johnson is cast as the lead in her school musical and must decide between exposing her predatory drama teacher and getting the scholarship she desperately needs.

How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta: Sisters Cheta and Zam's paths to break free of their oppressive home diverge wildly--one moves into an aunt's luxurious home and the other struggles to survive on her wits alone--and when they finally reunite, Zam realizes how far Cheta has fallen, leaving Cheta's fate in Zam's hands.

I Guess I Live Here Now by Claire Ahn: Korean-American teen Melody Lee is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and relocated to her father's villa in Seoul, plunges into a whirlwind of culture shock and family secrets as she struggles to reconcile her identity in a place she's supposed to call home.

I Rise by Marie Arnold: 14-year-old Ayo has to decide whether to take on her mother's activist role when her mom is shot by police. As she tries to find answers, Ayo looks to the wisdom of her ancestors and her Harlem community for guidance.

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang: Alice Sun, upon discovering she can no longer afford tuition at her elite Beijing boarding school, teams up with her academic rival Henry Li and monetizes her strange new invisibility powers by discovering and selling her wealthy classmates' most scandalous secrets.

If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So: Elsie has a crush on Ada, the only person in the world who truly understands her. Unfortunately, they've never met in real life. But Elsie has decided it's now or never to tell Ada how she feels. That is, until her long-lost best friend Joan walks back into her life.In a summer of repairing broken connections and building surprising new ones, Elsie realizes that she isn't nearly as alone as she thought.

In Every Generation by Kendare Blake: Follow the next generation of Scoobies and Slayers who must defeat a powerful new evil.

Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo: In her most famous spoken-word poem, author of the Pura Belpr-winning novel-in-verse The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad--the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance.

The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa: Prince Ash achieved the impossible and journeyed to the End of the World to earn a soul and keep his vow to always stand beside Queen Meghan of the Iron Fey. Now he faces even more incomprehensible odds. Their son, King Keirran of the Forgotten, is missing.

It Sounds Like This by Anna Meriano: A sweet and nerdy contemporary YA novel set in the world of marching band.

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman: Four estranged royal siblings, each harboring secrets and conflicting agendas, must learn to work together as they search for the Ivory Key, which will lead to a new source of magic.

Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster by Andrea Mosqueda: Following a self-described romantic disaster living in the Rio Grande Valley, bisexual Chicana Maggie Gonzalez tries to figure out whom she wants to ask to be her escort at her little sister's upcoming quinceanera: her charming ex-boyfriend twice over, her first crush and gorgeous best friend, or the mysterious new girl with the romantic baggage?

The Kindred by Alechia Dow: A royal, Duke Felix Hamdi and a commoner, Joy Abara, mistakenly mind-paired at birth, land on Earth after fleeing royal assassins, only to find the "developing" planet might hold the solutions to their divided and unjust lives back home.

Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas: Set in Baltimore, a celebration of queer Black friendship as two boys, Harrison and Linus, plan a day of fun and facing their fears.

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram: On Kiss & Tell's first major tour, lead singer Hunter Drake grapples with a painful breakup with his first boyfriend, his first rebound, and the stress of what it means to be queer in the public eye.

K-Pop Revolution (K-Pop Confidential #2) by Stephan Lee: She thought that debuting in a K-pop band was the finish line, but it was only the beginning. Because now it's not only Candace Park’s company judging her--it's the entire world. How will she find the courage to stand by her beliefs, even when powerful forces are trying to shame and silence her?

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore: Two non-binary teens, Bastián Silvano and Lore Garcia, are pulled into a magical world under a lake - but can they keep their worlds above water intact?

Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender: 17-year-old nurodivergent and nonbinary Lark pretends that they are the creator of a viral thread that their ex-best friend, Kasim, accidentally posted onto their Twitter account, declaring his unrequited love, but living a lie takes its toll on Lark, forcing them to deal with their own messy emotions.

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes: 16-year-old Mexican American Yami Flores starts Catholic school, determined to keep her brother out of trouble and keep herself closeted, but her priorities shift when Yami discovers that her openly gay classmate Bo is also annoyingly cute.

The Lies We Tell by Katie Zhao: During her freshman year at college, Anna Xu investigates the unsolved on-campus murder of her former babysitter, as she and an old rival have to team up to look into the hate crimes happening around campus.

The Loophole by Naz Kutub: Sy, a 17-year-old queer Indian-Muslim boy, travels the world for a second chance at love after a possibly magical heiress grants him three wishes.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta: In this fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, a lineage of seers defiantly resists the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed.

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen: In this contemporary NYC-set retelling of Emma, high school junior Gigi Wong is determined to be picked for a contest that could lead to an exclusive tech internship, but when her matchmaking app goes viral Gigi must deal with the unexpected consequences of helping her friends find love.

Love From Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali: Adam and Zayneb embark on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia, but as one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder if their meeting was just an oddity after all.

Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle: Clever teen DJ Prince Jones,  always full of love advice for his friends and classmates meets his match in Dani Ford, who is an anti-romance and would rather be preparing to be the next great novelist.

Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke: 16-year-old Michie is busy with big dreams for college and the biggest crush on the school's new basketball superstar, Derek de la Rosa—but when her estranged mother suddenly reappears in her life, she faces important questions about the chances she's willing to take on herself and her future,

Loveboat Reunion (Loveboat #2) by Abigail Hing Wen: Sophie Ha and Xavier Yeh find themselves on a wild, nonstop Loveboat reunion, hatching a joint plan to take control of their futures. Can they succeed together or are they destined to combust?

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez: Two sisters become begrudging partners on their school's cross-country field trip to college campuses as they uncover family secrets, confront weighty expectations for their futures, and discover the true meaning of sisterhood.

The Man or the Monster by Aamna Qureshi: Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover’s fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But Durkhanai’s decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance, but her family’s denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy Lin: Ning enters a cutthroat magical competition to find the kingdom's greatest master of the art of brewing tea, but political schemes and secrets make her goal of gaining access to royal physicians to cure her dying sister far more dangerous than she imagined.

A Venom Dark and Sweet (The Book of Tea #2) by Judy Lin: A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power and Ning has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.

Meet Me in Mumbai by Sabina Khan: A novel in two acts, told 18 years apart; in the first, teenage mother Ayesha grapples with the decision whether to place her daughter Mira for adoption; in the second, her daughter wonders what she will find after discovering an old letter from her birth mother asking to meet in Mumbai on her 18th birthday.

Master of Souls (Kingdom of Souls #3) by Rena Barron: Arrah must decipher the legacy of her past and weave an uneasy alliance between her beloved Rudjek, the Demon King, and the remaining orishas, hoping to restore peace.

The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna: It's been 6 months since Deka freed the goddesses in the ancient kingdom of Otera and discovered who she really is. Yet hidden secrets threaten to destroy everything Deka has known. And with her own gifts changing, Deka must discover if she holds the key to saving Otera or if she might be its greatest threat.

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar: An acrobat, an actress, an artist, and a thief, four girls who seemingly have nothing in common, work together and plot a heist to steal the Rubaiyat off the Titanic. 

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwan: 16-year-old Korwal, from a family of sea-monster trainers, sacrifices everything to be the first of her caste to compete in a monstrous chariot race in an effort to save her sister's life.

Murder of Crows by K. Ancrum: Tig Torres investigates Hollow Falls' horrific history in this original novel based on the hit podcast Lethal Lit.

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth: High school senior Bel Maier has an aptitude for engineering and teams up with robotics team captain, Mateo Luna, but after a rough start together the nights of after-school work lead to romance.

My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel: 17-year-old aspiring violinist Zurika Damani must secretly juggle the obligations of her sister's extravagant wedding week with auditions for a prominent music competition—all while trying to dodge her boisterous family's matchmaking scheme with the groom’s South African cousin Naveen—who just happens to be a cocky vocalist set on stealing Zuri’s spotlight at the scouting competition.

The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A transfer student and scholarship recipient, sophomore Lia Setiawan is angered when she discovers a cheating ring, but by the time she finds a dead body and shuts down the campus drug dealer, she fears she might be the biggest snake in the Draycott Academy nest of vipers.

Night of the Raven, Queen of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra: After a bloody palace uprising, Katyani, a young guardswoman to the royal family, discovers she is not who she thought she was and becomes a major pawn in the political games of a monster-filled land on the brink of war.

The Noh Family by Grace K. Shim: Chloe Chang travels to Seoul to meet her deceased father's ultra-rich family, but she soon begins to wonder if her new family's intentions are pure.

Nothing Burns As Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk: A novel-in-verse that tells the story of a tumultuous romance between two queer girls in nonlinear chapters, anchored by a single day where they set a fire and their relationship spirals out of control.

Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps & Clarence A. Haynes: In a climate-ravaged New York deeply divided by class, Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho, three teens of refugees from a fallen African utopia, begin to develop supernatural powers.

Okoye to the People by Ibi Zoboi: Okoye is a new recruit for T'Chaka's royal guard: the Dora Milaje. But when Okoye is sent on her very first mission—to America—she'll learn that her status as a Dora means nothing to New Yorkers and her expectations for the world outside of her own quickly fall apart.Caught between duty to her country and listening to her own heart, Okoye must find her own way and determine the type of Dora Milaje—and woman—she wants to be. 

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho: Instead of going to prom, 17-year-old Elena Soo wants to spend her time saving the local community center, and she is determined to keep her priorities straight even when her childhood best friend Robbie Choi--who is now a K-pop superstar--returns to make good on their old pact to go to prom together.

One True Loves (Happily Ever Afters #2) by Elise Bryant: While on a post-graduation Mediterranean cruise with her family, Lenore Bennett meets a hopeless romantic with a ten-year plan who helps her find something she's been looking for--love.

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len: Set in contemporary London, in which a 16-yer-old half-monster Joan must embrace her own monstrousness to stop the boy she loves, who turns out to be a legendary monster slayer, from killing everyone she cares about.

Only On The Weekends by Dean Atta: A romantic coming-of-age novel in verse about the beautiful--and sometimes painful--fallout of pursuing the love we deserve.

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie: 17-year-old Ophelia Rojas, well known for her rose garden and her dramatic crushes on every boy in sight, begins to question her sexuality and sense of self when she starts to fall for cute, quiet Talia Sanchez in the weeks leading up to their prom and graduation.

The Other Side of the Tracks by Charity Alyse: In the racially divided towns of Bayside and Hamilton, Zach Whitman moves in and befriends Black siblings Capri and Justin Collins, until one of their friends is murdered by police, and the longstanding feud between the towns erupts into an all-out war, with the three caught in the middle.

Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories edited by Yamile Mendez & Amparo Ortiz: 15 original short stories from YA superstars featuring the monsters of Latine myths and legends.

Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh & Yuko Ota: In a near future New York City of cyber augmentation and artificial intelligence, Indira and Fawn, two competitive interns in an art gallery, work together on a photography project, turning a rivalry into a friendship and perhaps something more.

Private Label by Kelly Yang: Chinese American Serene who gets help from the new boy in town, Lian Chen, to search for her dad after her successful fashion designer mother is diagnosed with cancer.

Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf: 15-year-old Najwa Bakri is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend and Scrabble Queen, Trina, a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.

Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin: Kurara has never known any other life than being a servant on board the Midori, but when her party trick of making paper come to life turns out to be a power treasured across the empire, she joins a skyship and its motley crew to become a Crafter. Taught by the gruff but wise Himura, Kurara learns to hunt shikigami - wild paper spirits who are sought after by the Princess. But are these creatures just powerful slaves for the Crafters and the empire, or are they beings with their own souls - and yet another thing to be subjugated by the powerful Emperor and his Princess?

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space edited by Zoraida Cordova: In this collection of stories by acclaimed young adult authors the Latin American diaspora travels to places of fantasy and out into space.

The Red Palace by June Hur: Set in 1700s Joseon Korea, while investigating a series of grisly murders, 18-year-old palace nurse Hyeon navigates royal and political intrigue and becomes entangled with a young police inspector.

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee: Upon arriving at the prestigious Wooddale University, 17-year-old Savannah Howard comes face-to-face with microaggressions and outright racism--but if she stands up for justice, will she endanger her future?

Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters: The summer before he leaves for college, 18-year-old Isaac Martin makes big plans with his best friend Diego that only the reappearance of an old crush can derail.

Road of the Lost by Nafiza Azad: Croi is compelled by a summoning spell leave her home in the Wilde Forest and travel into the Otherworld, where the enchantment that made her into a brownie begins to break, revealing her true identity, her hidden magick, and her forgotten heritage.

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra: At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for Washington, D.C.'s elite, a rumor gains momentum as it collects followers on social media, pulling three girls into its path--Bryn, who wants to erase all memories of the mistake she made last summer; cheer captain Cora, who desperately wants to believe in her boyfriend's faithfulness; and shy Georgie, newly hot after a summer at fat camp and ready to reinvent herself--but who can stop a dangerous rumor once it takes on a life of its own?

Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland: It is 1937, and Laura Ann Langston lives in an America divided—between those who work the mystical arts and those who do not. In New York City, she embarks on a mission with Skylark, a powerful mage with a mysterious past, into the heart of the country’s oldest and most mysterious Blight. There, they discover the work of mages not encountered since the darkest period in America’s past, when Black mages were killed for their power—work that could threaten Laura’s and the Skylark’s lives.

Salaam, With Love by Sara Sharaf Beg: Dua struggles to find her place in her conservative family's household, but as she spends the month of Ramadan with her cousin in Queens, Dua finds herself learning more about her faith, relationships, and place in the world.

Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho: A telenovela-esque rom-com debut that follows the grandchildren of two rival Brazilian bakeries, Lari Ramires and Pedro Molina, who fall in love despite their families' feud while working to win a contest that would save both of their bakeries from being driven out by a predatory supermarket chain.

Scout’s Honor by Lily Anderson: Following a biracial Puerto Rican teen, Prudence Perry, born into a family of highly ranked Ladybird Scouts, elite monster hunters masquerading as a prim and proper ladies' social club who gave up her tea set and daggers after her best friend was killed, but now must return to the scouts to face the biggest monster of all: her past.

A Secret Princess by Margaret Stohl & Melissa De La Cruz: A romantic YA retelling-mashup of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz.

Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore: Three teens, Nicolás Caraveo, Daisy Fabrega, and Jay Gatsby, chase their own version of the American Dream during the Roaring 20s in this YA remix of The Great Gatsby.

Seoulmates by Susan Lee: Recently dumped high school nobody Hannah Cho must face her unresolved feelings for her childhood best friend, Jacob Kim, when he returns to their San Diego hometown as the newest K-drama heartthrob—and blackmails her into completing his summer bucket list with him.

Seton Girls by Charlene Thomas: The quarterback of Seton Academy prep school wants a state championship before his successor, Seton's first Black QB, has a chance to overshadow him, leading him to take bigger risks, and soon the team's awful secret leaks to a group of girls who suddenly have the power to change their world.

Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton:  In 1920s New Orleans, 18-year-old Zora Broussard banished after an incident in Harlem, struggles with her overbearing family, magical powers, love of jazz, and forbidden romance with white pianist Philip.

She Gets the Girl by Rachel Lippincott & Alyson Derrick: Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand…not so much. Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.

A Show For Two by Tashie Bhuiyan: Mina’s ticket to winning a film competition falls into her lap when indie film star—and known heartbreaker—Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role. They strike a deal to work together, and as Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt by her side, the city she grew up in starts to look different and more. With the competition deadline looming, Mina's dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?

The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad by Natasha Deen: Following Tuna Rashad, always on the lookout for messages from her Caribbean ancestors who have passed on, as she tries to win over her crush before she leaves for college.

The Silence That Binds Us by Joanna Ho: In the year following their son's death, May Chen's parents face racist accusations of putting too much pressure on their son and causing his death by suicide, and May attempts to challenge the racism and ugly stereotypes through her writing, only to realize that she still has a lot to learn and that her actions have consequences for her family as well as herself.

Slip by Marika McCoola & Aatmaja Pandya: An emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me.

Somebody That I Used to Know by Dana L. Davis: Aspiring musician Dylan Woods is forced to reunite with her ex–best friend Langston—who just happens to be the world’s biggest teen star.

Soul of the Deep (Skin of the Sea #2) by Natasha Bowen: To save those closest to her, Simi traded away everything: her freedom, her family, and the boy she loves. Now she is sworn to serve a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean.But when signs of demons begin to appear, it's clear there are deeper consequences of Simi's trade. With the fate of the world at stake, Simi must break her promise and team up with a scheming trickster of a god.

Spin Me Right Round by David Valdes: Luis Gonzalez just wants to go to prom with his boyfriend, but when a hit on the head knocks him back to 1985, he meets his parents' closeted classmate.

Squire by Sara Alfageeh & Nadia Shammas: Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. After she enlists in the competitive Squire program, it’s not how she imagined and she’ll have to soon choose between loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire.

Strike the Zither by Joan He: As three warring fractures try to gain control of the kingdom, orphaned Zephyr, a strategist serving Xin Ren, infiltrates an enemy camp where she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who might just be her match.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson: Demisexual Metis teen Lou is settling in to spend the summer before college working at her close-knit family's small-town ice cream shack with her best friend, ex-boyfriend, and newly back-in-town crush, when a letter from her white biological father, recently out of prison, threatens to destroy everything she cares about.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas: Transgender demigod Teo is unexpectedly selected for the Sunbearer Trials, a fierce competition among demigod heroes where the winner sacrifices the loser to Sol, their blood fueling the Sun Stones that protect Reino del Sol.

Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dillon: Sunny G's brother left him one thing when he died: His notebook, which Sunny is determined to fill up with a series of rash decisions. Decision number one was a big one: He stopped wearing his turban, cut off his hair, and shaved his beard. Sunny debuts his new look at prom, which he's stuck going to alone. Enter Mindii Vang, a girl with a penchant for making rash decisions of her own, starting with stealing Sunny's notebook. When Sunny chases after her, prom turns into an all-night adventure—a night full of rash, wonderful, romantic, stupid, life-changing decisions.

Survive the Dome by Kosko Jackson: High school junior Jamal Lawson teams up with hacker Marco during a police brutality protest to shut down a device that creates an impenetrable dome around Baltimore that is keeping the residents in and information from going out.

This is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves: 17-year-old Enrique "Quique" Luna decides to get over his crush on Saleem Kanazi before the end of summer by pursuing other romantic prospects, but he ends up discovering heartfelt truths about friendship, family, and himself.

This Place is Still Beautiful by Xixi Tian: A story about first love, complicated family dynamics, and the pernicious legacy of racism, following two estranged teen sisters Annalie and Margaret who have no choice but to reunite in their small Midwestern town when their family becomes the victim of a hate crime.

This Wicked Fate (This Poison Heart #2) by Kalynn Bayron: Briseis races to save her family even as she discovers more about their ties to ancient goddesses and deadly curses.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass: Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people. But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.

A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee: In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, ordinary Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch. Embarking on a quest to turn human again, she must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again.

Three Kisses, One Midnight by Roshani Chokshi & Evelyn Skye & Sandhya Menon: A magical Halloween story pitched as told in the tradition of LET IT SNOW, set in a town reminiscent of Stars Hollow, featuring interconnected stories about three witchy best friends and their romantic quest involving love potions (that may or may not work) and true love's kiss before the clock strikes midnight, 

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jasmeen Kaur Deo: A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet.

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez: 18-year-old flamenco dancer Zarela Zalvidar must work with a disgraced dragon hunter to learn the ways of a Dragador and save her ancestral home.

Tokyo Dreaming (Tokyo Ever After #2) by Emiko Jean: Princess Izumi of Japan will do anything to help her parents achieve their happily ever after, but what if playing the perfect princess means sacrificing her own? Will she find a way to forge her own path and follow her heart?

Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi: In this reimagination of the legend of Robin Hood, Rahma al-Hud and her older sister Zeena travel to Jerusalem for a final mission, and on their way they assemble a ragtag band of misfits and get swept up Holy Land politics.

The Turning Pointe by Vanessa L. Torres: Following a dancer in 1980s Minnesota as she navigates complex family expectations, a new romance, and her own ambitions to dance for the Purple One himself, Prince.

Turning by Joy L. Smith: Before the "accident" Genie was an aspiring ballerina, now she is a bitter teenager, permanently confined to a wheelchair, but at physical therapy she meets Kyle, a gymnast whose traumatic brain injury has landed him in therapy--and through their growing friendship Genie realizes that she has to confront the things around her: like the booze her mother is hiding, or the fact that maybe her fall was not entirely accidental.

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onome: 17-year-old Nigerian Canadian Adanna Nkwachi must deal with an estranged older brother, uncertainty about her future, and helping her cousin plan a big Nigerian wedding.

Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey: In Potosai, a silver mining city in the new Spanish viceroyalty of Peru, proper ladies by day and teen vigilantes by night, Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza set out to expose corruption and deliver justice after Kiki's brother is murdered and the prostitute he loved disappears.

Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne: Reeling from the scars of a past relationship, Angel finds healing and hope in the words of strong Black writers and the new community she builds in Brooklyn

We Are All We Have by Marina Budhos: After her mom is taken by ICE, 17-year-old Rania's hopes and dreams for the future are immediatly put on hold as she figures out how take care of her younger brother and survive in a country that seems to be closing around them.

We Are the Scribes by Randi Pink: Ruth Fitz, a black teenager surrounded by activism in a family rocked by tragedy, discovers that she has begun to receive parchment letters from Harriet Jacobs, the author of the autobiography and 1861 American classic.

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds: When 17-year-old Avery moves to rural Georgia to live with her ailing grandmother, she encounters decade-old family secrets and a mystery surrounding the town's racist past.

We Weren’t Looking To Be Found by Stephanie Kuehn: Dani and Camilla find friendship on their path to mental health in a story of acceptance, recovery, and resilience.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson: When a viral bullying incident reveals outcast Madison Washington’s secret of being biracial, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date. But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret, one that will cost them all their lives.

Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto: After Sharlot Citra is whisked from L.A. to her mother's native Indonesia in order to "get back to her roots," who—through a comedy of errors and overzealous parents—she finds herself fake dating the son of one of the wealthiest families in Indonesia, and is surprised when she actually starts to fall in love with the boy, with the country, and with the big family she never knew before now,

What Souls Are Made Of by Tasha Suri: As the abandoned son of a Lascar—a sailor from India—Heathcliff has spent most of his young life maligned as an "outsider." Now he's been flung into an alien life in the Yorkshire moors. Catherine, the younger child of the estate's owner, a daughter with light skin and brown curls and a mother that nobody talks about, soon finds solace with Heathcliff. But when Catherine's father dies and the household's treatment of Heathcliff only grows more cruel, their relationship becomes strained and threatens to unravel.

What’s Coming to Me by Francesca Padilla: After the ice cream stand where she works is robbed, 17-year-old Minerva Gutiaerrez plans to get revenge on her predatory boss while navigating grief, anger, and dreams of escape from her dead-end hometown.

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton & Tiffany D. Jackson & Nic Stone & Angie Thomas & Ashley Woodfolk & Nicola Yoon: Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of interwoven narratives, Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance.

The Wicked Remain (Grimrose Girls #2) by Laura Pohl: At Grimrose Académie, Nani, Yuki, Ella, and Rory have discovered the truth about the curse that's left a trail of dead bodies at Grimrose. But the four still know nothing of its origins, or how to stop the cycle of doomed fates. Can the girls change their own stories and break the curse?

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi: To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.

Wrong Side of Court by H.N. Khan: 15-year-old Fawad Chaudhry has big dreams about being the world's first Pakistani to be drafted into the NBA.

The Witchery by S. Isabelle: Logan came to Mesmortes Coven Academy in Haelsford, Florida, to learn to control her powers, but she soon learns she has a role to play in the ancient curse of the hellmouth--whatever the cost to herself and her new friends.

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen: Three Black Muslim teens, Sabriya, Zakat, and Farah, living different parts of the country start a blog to fight Islamophobia and find friendship and hope as they let their voices be heard.

Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest: The story of how cynic Zyla Matthews and hopeless romantic Kai Johnson become friends, fall in love, and break up unfolds from their different perspectives.

[asgards-princess-of-mischief]

Last Updated: 2023-12-25

Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Lucifer Morningstar stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.

Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning

❆ Christmas Blues by bubblyani • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Los Angeles, it has always been a spectacle. But it seems to double in spirit, especially during Christmas time."

❆ Baby It's Cold Outside by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

❆ Christmas in L.A. by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

❆ Eve Proposal by the-writer-ofthe-fandoms • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

❆ Hot Chocolate by the-writer-ofthe-fandoms • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

❆ Tradition, the by silence-burns • 〔F〕 •

See Also: Navigation || Lucifer Morningstar Master Index

Authors: @ayanna-wild || @bubblyani || @silence-burns || @the-writer-ofthe-fandoms ||

[randomfoggytiger]

Starting a fic rec chain for my friend that wants to get into writing! What are some quintessential x-files fic that showcase the talent of our massive writing community?

O.O

A loooooooooooot, a lot, a lot.

I know it's a biiiiiiiiiiit of a cop-out, but my fic lists here have a lot of "the bests" under each list category; so, if your friend wants to see the same main idea done in different ways... there's that?

If you want, tell me something your friend is interested in, and I'll make a list packed with fics that fit the bill! :DDDD

Ummmmmmmm how about I stick to the different style and talent of various authors to "show them off" for your friend?

*pulls up sleeves to more successfully wrangle Google Docs*

@baronessblixen, @welsharcher, @o6666666, @ghostbustermelanieking, @lokisgame, @mldrgrl, @tinglingworld, @sigritandtheelves, and @kateyes224 write THE BEST short but complex fluff imaginable. The shorter the better for me, because it leaves a lot of room for me to fill-in with my imagination. (And don't forget yourself~, heheheh.)

Edit: Needed to add @settle-down-frohike and @cyb3rpeach to this list~!

@enigmaticdrblockhead rips my heart out and sews it back in with her gut-wrenching short fics on humanity's cruelties. I always cite her fic Ascension as the one that makes me cry every time.

@suitablyaggrieved does great at short fic, too. Her bent is less about fluff and more about dread and horror~.

In a similar vein is @dreamingofscully, whose works are longer but have that teeter-totter between weighted rumination and blissful happiness; and @wtfmulder, who is one of the best writers for "male voice" (making three differently brooding male character sound distinctly different from one another) and does the best Mulder crack headcanons and memes.

astronaught writes like David Duchovny for me (which is a high compliment)-- ex. "He needed to get out of L.A. He needed to stay in L.A. There was a comforting nausea to the unreality here. Funhouse, Pleasure Island, Lotus-Eater nausea. The subtle horror of a museum of plastic toys. Violently happy faces fading from a material that wasn’t meant to age. //Everything was a bit grotesque in L.A. and so was everything out of L.A. Who said that Hollywood lied?"

Jo_B writes a complicated, heartwarming Mulder who is relieved Scully's effortlessly sees his humanity and good intentions.

defnotmeyo writes both the best crack (heartwarming and fun and realistic) and angst short fic. She's gone from Tumblr; but some of her fics can still be found.

@melforbes is another fic author that made me ALMOST sob (but definitely cry) with her seaglass blue fic (Ao3)-- that and, again, Ascension as mentioned above.

Lapsed_Scholar wrote the best collection of Requiem variations (Mulder doesn't leave due to various snags in his departure, all involving Scully in some way.) But all of her work is FANTASTIC (as are these other authors, too!) I always pair up anything Lapsed wrote with --

Anything Apostrophic (i.e. @mappingthexfiles), @seek-its-opposite, @wtfmulder, @sigritandtheelves, and @onpaperfirst touches is always gold. They write IWTB/S11 so well; and as a "stop after S8 the canonical ending" fan, they make me love anything beyond it-- and those aren't not even including their other fics. I always think of Apostrophic's "miniseries" fics Agua Mala-Arcadia-Alpha... stupendous work.

Can't forget the multi-chapter, shot-in-the-veins of 90s grounded...ness that is @cecilysass, @aloysiavirgata, @amplifyme, and @slippinmickeys (though she also loves to dabble in AUs that are wildly entertaining.) You FEEL like you're in the X-Files era reading their work.

For Torture!Mulder (yep, it's a thing) there's Vickie Moseley (Gossamer, Ao3) and Donna-- I prefer Donna's work, but sometimes Vickie NAILS it.

For Gossamer/older fics I reread obsessively (and they're famfic, ngl):

Suki Tawdry's The Way Things Are (Mulder and Scully have a one-night stand aligning w/ Gillian's pregnancy. I skip Chapter 12-- personal preference-- but the BANTER and sarcasm on Scully is top-tier. And Mulder's journey as a slowly morphing family man is... chef's kiss. Not to mention Skinner, Maggie, Melissa, even a well-intentioned but annoying Bill, etc.) and LuvTheBeez's Snow (S5? Mulder and Scully are married and expecting a giant baby... and become hostages in a stick up. The in-control thought processes, banter, and intelligent planning on both their parts while keeping it completely lighthearted is also the best) AND Jamie Greco's Breathing (on the way to Scully's Lamaze class, dialogue only, AMAZING characterization of Mulder and Scully. All of Jamie Greco's other fics do the same-- Scarlet has Mulder high on a hallucinogen and seeing Scully as an angel.)

I'm plowing through RocketMan's works on Gossamer-- WOW are some amazing. Chef's kiss. Not finished yet (taking my time-- just reached second page), but I'll probably make a separate author shoutout when I'm done~.

I haven't even BEGUN to touch the fill-in or fix-it fics that span the series (or at least one season of it) that are incredibly impressive-- like @darwin-xf, @scenes-in-between, and touchstonea's Odyssean epics-- but I've got to cut this list short because... honestly, my list would be endless; and I have not even BEGUN to list them all. If I haven't listed anyone, it's not for lack of trying or because of any attempt at snubbing. I, a mere mortal, can only do so much. XDDD

Thank you for the ask~! Again, if your friend likes a specific category, let me know and I'll drum up a fic list! :DDDDD

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Sinner & Saint: Creed III Chapter 1

Masterlist HERE.

Summary:

Damian Anderson returns to the streets of Los Angeles after being released from a long prison bid. Determined to land back on his feet, he seeks a second chance at life through boxing by showing up at the famous Delphi Boxing Academy to collect on a promise that was made to him by a former childhood friend, Adonis Creed...the man he went to prison for.

NSFW. 18+. Smut. Boxing violence.

"I've been out here, I'm grinding In the midst of the violence You making decisions But they only for profit You don't know what's real You trading your soul just to make the dinero So today I'm the villain 'Bout to send a uppercut to your heroes Your money don't mean nothing The rich and the poor got the same fate The whole world's on a blind date Sinner and saint"

Tommee Profitt—"Sinner & Saint"

She wouldn't answer the intercom system the first time he showed up.

Damian Anderson stood in front of the multi-million-dollar mansion and waited for Mary Anne Creed to either curse him out or send her private security down to shoo him away. Three days after that, he stood there and gave his story about being friends with Adonis from way back. From her security cameras, she took one look at his threadbare sweat pants, worn-down trainers, and the black ankle monitor on his right leg and told him to get the hell on and stay away from her property. Threats of having him hauled off by force echoed onto his back as he shuffled away, not wanting to cause a scene or mess up his probation. Returning to the halfway house they placed him in near downtown L.A., he was grateful to find an unused bus transfer he could use to get back there again.

On the third trip to Beverly Hills, he brought one of Donnie's handwritten letters to prove that he was there for a good reason.

He wanted to see an old pal.

Donnie didn't write very many letters while Damian was in prison. There were only eight, and the fifth letter was the most important one. Written in blue ink with earnest penmanship, a nineteen-year-old Donnie Creed promised to help him get back on his feet whenever he got out of prison. Every month for four years, Donnie put money on Damian's prison account so he could purchase snacks and extras that the prison didn't provide for. One day, the money stopped coming. So did the biannual letters.

Damian understood.

Real life kept going while niggas were locked up. Prisoners were put away and forgotten. Shit happened like that and there was nothing Damian could do. Donnie had been a young buck, sixteen, reckless, and following Damian for street cred and friendship. Being eighteen, Damian knew better than to get a square mixed up in his life. Donnie had done some juvie time, but he had a family to set him straight. He also had Damian who took the rap to protect his friend from going back to a cell.

Tried as an adult, he kept his mouth shut about his friend and told authorities that Donnie was in the wrong place at the wrong time. All the criminal charges fell on him. His boy walked.

Mary Anne Creed had access to the best lawyers and wrapped Donnie up in a cocoon of protection. Damian had a shitty court-appointed attorney until Donnie's adoptive mother paid for his representation. He already had a record, so he still had to do hard time even with the expensive lawyer. The only bright side was that he wouldn't do life.

Damian spent nearly half his life in prison. Out free, he counted on Donnie to stay true to his word. He had been a rich boy and an even richer man with his new status as a world champion boxer, so Damian planned on collecting what was due: a man's word. That shit was a bond that couldn't be broken, especially with all the hard time he did covering for Donnie. Mary Anne should've understood that.

A Black thirty-ish security guard ambled over to the tall gate and glared at Damian.

"Mrs. Creed, I have a letter here that proves I know Donnie. I'm Damian Anderson—"

"I know who you are."

Mary Anne's winter frost voice blared from the intercom.

"Sir, I need you to leave," the guard said.

"Hold on, bruh. Lemme just talk to the lady real quick… Mrs. Creed. I'm not here begging for no handout. I just want to speak to Donnie… let him know I'm out and to thank you for trying to help me back then."

"Adonis is a busy man. I'll let him know you came by, but do not come here again. Do you understand me? Your ties to him are over, and it would be wise for you to stay away from all of us. If you come here again, I will be forced to call the authorities, and I know you don't want that."

Damian grit his teeth. The guard handed him a thick white envelope through the gate.

"What's this?" Damian asked.

The guard shrugged and walked back up the long, curved driveway. Damian opened the white envelope. One thousand dollars cash in twenty-dollar bills. He stuffed it inside the side pocket of his small black leather bag. Everything he owned in life was packed tight inside the bag. He didn't trust the halfway house at all. Too many hard luck men were there and theft was possible.

"Mrs. Creed, I don't need charity. I just need to talk to Donnie."

He waited five minutes until the silence embarrassed him. Stepping away from the gate, he staggered over to the street curb and checked the cheap watch he bought at a dollar store. The next bus back to downtown L.A. was in forty minutes and a thirty-minute walk was needed to get to the pickup stop. He gripped his bag and let out a defeated sigh. Mary Anne Creed was most definitely the type to call the cops if he showed up again. The downtown library had public computers he could use to find Donnie through his social media. He only knew about the mansion because Mary Anne had done a celebrity Mom segment on Entertainment Tonight and they showed the gate of the mansion with a giant gold letter "C" on the front. He spent hours jogging up and down the streets of Beverly Hills, looking for the exact gate until he found it.

Damian bent down to tighten the laces on his trainers and he heard the soft clink sound of the gates opening. He stood up fast. There was no security guard around. A whipped cream white Lucid Air electric car zipped down the driveway with music thumping from within. It stopped once it crossed over the gate's threshold and the passenger window rolled down. Damian's breath huffed out of his throat when he took in the beauty of a dreamy dark beauty with a dazzling smile of perfect teeth. Goddess braids cascaded over one shoulder as she stared at him with sultry dark eyes.

"What do you want with Adonis?" she asked.

Damian kept his distance from the car but ducked his head low to see her clearly.

"He said he'd help me out when I got free," he said.

"Damian, right?"

"Yeah."

"You should listen to my mother and keep clear of this house. Adonis doesn't live here."

"Listen. I'm a boxer. I only want to talk about boxing and getting into the ring myself. Me and Donnie used to train—"

"Save the story."

"This ain't no scam or nothin'…"

Damian reached into his bag and pulled out the last letter he received from Donnie. He held it out to her window.

"The last thing he wrote to me was that I could find him and see about boxing again. That's it," he said.

The woman reached over and took the letter. She read the two pages front to back and glanced over at him when she was done.

"You took all the heat for him," she said.

He nodded.

She regarded him with a cautious look and handed the letter back. Damian folded it up and placed it in his front jean pocket.

"Why would you take the fall by yourself?" she asked.

"He was my friend. Younger than me. Had a future brighter than mine."

"Still… you paid a high price for my brother," she said.

"You're Athena?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Your Moms is not open to me at all. All I want is to talk to your brother about training. I'm a good fighter."

"As good as him?"

"Better."

Athena's eyes sparkled when he said that.

"You sound pretty confident," she said.

"Donnie said he would help me. I'm free and I'm hungry."

"You betta be. The men climbing into the ring now are bruisers."

"Yeah, well, they ain't fought me yet."

She grinned.

"Try the Delphi Boxing Academy," she said.

Damian stared into her eyes. She had her father's color, and both she and Donnie had the same nose and feisty energy about them. He dug into his bag and pulled out an address book and a small pencil. Writing the name carefully, she told him the address, too.

"Thank you. 'preciate this," he said, holding up his address book.

"Good luck," she said.

She shifted gears and took off. He watched her expensive electric car glide down the street quietly.

"Okay, we're getting somewhere," he told himself.

He walked with a little more pep in his step. His stomach grumbled. Grinning, he held his bag close to his body. He had cash to buy himself a good meal before returning to the halfway house. Thoughts of steak and garlic mashed potatoes made his mouth water. Prison food made him humble. One thousand dollars in his pocket made him desire a gourmet meal. Something Donnie probably ate every night with his pretty wife and daughter.

Damian made it halfway down the street when he noticed Athena's car reversing from the corner. She pulled up next to him.

"You walked here?" she asked.

"Took the bus," he said. "Next one is due in thirty-five minutes."

"Get in," she said.

He gazed at her with uncertainty.

"I'm the one who should look at you like that. I'll give you a ride there. Will you have a way to get home from there?"

"I stay at a halfway house. The curfew is at ten. I have a bus pass."

"Come on," she said.

He hopped in and held his bag on his lap.

"You try anything, I have a taser and the cops on speed dial with my steering wheel," she said, showing him the buttons on her steering wheel.

He nodded.

"Lots of folks have been robbed lately and one old couple was killed near here, so I'm ready for anything crazy," she said.

He gave a smirk and caught her watching his face. At the stoplight, she regarded him for a long time. She dressed like she was on her way to a yoga session or something. Her fingers turned up her music, and they bobbed heads to R & B and some pop fluff.

"What's it like?" he asked.

"What's what like?" she said, turning onto Santa Monica Boulevard.

"Being the daughter of a famous champion and the sister of the latest boxing champion."

Athena rolled her eyes.

"My life stayed the same," she said.

She smelled so good. Her car was brand new and pristine. Her perfume and the hair oils for her protective braids overpowered the new car smell. She had a slender athletic build, full breasts, and average height. He caught her glancing at him a few times. The self-consciousness he normally felt didn't bother him. Something about her made him feel okay about being an ex-con. She didn't judge him or treat him like he was less than her because of it.

An hour later, she pulled into a strip mall.

"That's his car right there," she said.

A sable Rolls Royce SUV took up three spaces parked the wrong way horizontally in front of the Delphi Boxing Academy. Damian gazed at the late model SUV and pumped himself up mentally to see Donnie again.

"I'd take you in and introduce you, but… me and Adonis, we're not exactly in a good place right now," she said.

Her steely eyes were on her steering wheel.

"Thanks for the ride, Athena," he said.

"Good luck with him. He owes you a lot," she said.

Damian stepped out of her car and put her passenger seat back the way he found it. His immense body had to shift the position of the car seat to get comfortable and Athena watched him with amused eyes.

She drove off, and he watched the finest woman he had ever seen in his life disappear into traffic. Her scent, unmatched beauty, and openness aroused his desire for female companionship. Damian had done some things in prison to get him over sexually. Meeting a fine-ass beauty like Athena blotted away some past struggles of jerking off in front of other men, and allowing some to suck him off while he closed his eyes and imagined women like her taking care of him. God had truly watched over him. He had never been assaulted, nor had he resorted to using force on other men to get by. A few pretty boys over the years gave him head when he had to share a cell. When he was given his own solo bunk after beating up too many inmates, Damian used his imagination to satisfy himself. If a nigga couldn't fight in San Quentin, he was prey. He was never the prey. Damian went to jail as a child, barely out of his teenage years. He walked out a haunted man with something to prove to the world.

A boxing champion lived inside of him.

He eyed Donnie's car, then checked out the entrance of the academy. It was better to wait by the man's whip and catch him when he came out. Going inside, Donnie could make up any excuse to leave or hide in an office somewhere and pretend to not be there. Damian tossed his bag on the hood of the SUV and posted up against the quarter of a million-dollar vehicle. Being the champ had nice perks.

He didn't have to wait long.

Adonis Creed strolled out of the gym with a confident, unhurried gait. He wore an olive-colored sweatshirt with a tan blazer. His head was down, preoccupied with his cell phone.

"Hey, my man, can I help you?" Donnie called out, glaring at Damian.

Damian folded his hands across his stomach and stared at him.

"Lemme get a autograph," Damian said before quirking up his extra full lips into a smile.

"Nah, I ain't signing no autographs, but you can get off my car."

Damian grinned harder. Lil nigga tried to put some edge in his throat.

"You don't remember me, huh?" Damian said.

If his smile had been any wider or harder, his lips would've split his face in two as he watched the expression on Donnie's face change with confusion and then garner curiosity. The man stopped walking and studied Damian's face like he was going through a catalog of people he tried to forget when he ran the streets of L.A. pretending to be a hood boy when he was really the son of a rich dead hero from Watts. Born to middle-class parents, Apollo Creed became a superstar athlete in college. He gave up an NFL football career to become a boxer at twenty-six. His youngest son stared at Damian Anderson until a light bulb went off.

"Damian?" Donnie said with a hushed tone in his voice.

Damian held his hands out.

"The one and only," he said.

Donnie walked up to him and they shook hands, bumping shoulders with a half hug shared between them.

"You all swole up, man," Donnie said with a genuine smile.

"I'm tryin' to be like you, bruh."

"You hungry? I was going to grab a bite down the street."

"Yeah, I could eat something."

"You drive?"

"Nah, your sister Athena gave me a ride."

Adonis's body stiffened, and his once friendly smile grew tight.

"Hope that's not a problem. I was over at your Mom's. She wasn't down for me looking for you there. Ran into your sister and she offered a ride. Told me to stay away from Mrs. Creed," Damian said.

"Yeah, Mary Anne ain't one to test."

"I get it. Wasn't tryin' to start no shit, man. Just lookin' for you. Wanted to talk… that's all."

"Get in," Donnie said.

He tapped a key fob, and the SUV opened up. Damian placed his bag in the back passenger seat and then climbed into the front.

Adonis took on a jovial air as they rode down the street. Damian knew it was all for show. Something about the way he reacted to his sister driving him there revealed they were never that tight. Adonis being an outside oops baby probably had a lot to do with that.

Damien tapped his thigh in time with the Hip Hop Donnie blasted through his speakers. The man had it all. Family. Fame. Money.

Damian wanted a piece for himself. Donnie promised him so much for taking the fall from their past. It was time for him to pay up.

They pulled in front of a neighborhood food joint, and Damian stepped out, stretching his arms. Donnie peeped the ankle monitor but said nothing to him about it. A sense of nervous fear crept into the champ's eyes as he regarded the size of Damian's body. Damian ignored it and concentrated on his goal for the moment. Get into Donnie's good graces so they could bond together again.

Donnie glanced at his cell phone and took a call outside near the entrance.

"Athena… yeah… I'm with him now…"

Damian turned away to give the man privacy, but he smiled hearing Athena's name spoken. He focused on the money in his bag that Mary Anne gave him. He could buy Athena a gracious gift for hooking him up. What could a woman like her, who had everything, want from a guy like him as a thank you?

A grim expression came over Donnie's face, but he fixed it quickly as he handed his cell to Damian.

"Hello?" Damian said.

"Glad you found him. Does he look the same as you remembered?"

Damian turned his back on Donnie.

"He does. He didn't recognize me, though," Damian said.

"Do you have a cell phone yet?" she asked.

"I have one—"

"Give me your number," she said.

"323-555-5655," he said.

"I'll call you later to see how everything went. Adonis can be… interesting. Bye."

Damian handed the cell back to Donnie and followed him into the restaurant. The sound of Athena's voice enthralled him. He floated all the way to the booth to eat with her brother.

Chapter 2 HERE.

[ghaniblue]

Red, White & Royal Blue recs, all Alex/Henry. I've been doing nothing but read rwrb fic all week. I'm obsessed with the damn movie. All recs are using book canon as the starting point. All fics are 50k+ and explicit.

If you have any recs, please share!

the poem you make of me by @omgcmere (91k, explicit)

Charming, happy-making AU

Henry writes gay erotic poetry (enough said)

check out the author if you're into explicit sub!Alex fics

After being discovered on Instagram as a teenager, Alex Diaz is thriving as a social media influencer and model who just landed a high profile, high fashion contract with Calvin Klein. Alex can get any girl he wants, and he’s loving it. Meanwhile, British poet Henry Fox has just arrived in L.A. to kick off a North American tour promoting his new, steamy book of gay erotic poetry, and he’s attracting a lot of attention.

Bad blood is immediately sparked between them when Henry blows Alex off at their first meeting. Several tabloid rumors and an Instagram tantrum later, Alex and Henry are reluctantly thrust together to make nice, resulting in a grudging friendship and a magnetism between them that Alex can't explain. Why is Henry's poetry making Alex feel like this? And just what is it about Henry Fox that gets to him so much?

all that glitters (is not gold) by @indomitable-love (112k, explicit)

(book)canon-compliant, post canon, established relationship, Alex focused

Sensitive exploration of mental health issues

Alex Claremont-Diaz has it all. His mom won the election, he’s got the perfect boyfriend. He gets to love Henry out loud. Everything is great. Perfect.

Except for the itch under his skin every time he goes outside, and the tightness in his chest when he goes online, and the fact that he can’t fucking sleep.

But it's fine. He's fine. Really.

—-

Or: after the emails, Alex Claremont-Diaz isn’t fine.

(our last summer) memories that remain by bleedingballroomfloor (91k, explicit)

AU, getting back together, dual timelines

love the setting and watching them fall in love twice over

Fresh out of law school and fresh out of a relationship, what Alex Claremont-Diaz needs is a goddamn vacation. He plans to spend his summer on a small island off the coast of Wales, three months of peace and relaxation and figuring out what the hell he actually wants to do with his life. But all that is thrown out the window when he runs into his ex-fling, Henry Fox, who just so happens to be running the hotel he's staying in for the next three months.

Four years prior, Henry Fox meets the most beautiful boy he's ever seen at an NYU party: Alex Claremont-Diaz. Henry soon finds himself whisked away to Texas with Alex, a summer full of poetry and skinny dipping and stolen kisses, and everything is perfect. Almost too perfect for a summer fling. Yet Henry can't stop himself from falling in love with Alex, falling for the lake house and everything Alex loves, even when he knows it's too good to last.

Two summers, two places of falling in love, one filled with memories of the last. It leaves Alex and Henry wondering: is this summer truly going to be their last one together?

With so much of my heart (that none is left to protest) by @kiwiana-writes (WIP 14/17, 56k, explicit)

Work in progress, AU, getting together

love the structure and Rafael Luna's role in this, hits a lot of the emotional beats of the book (without the outing)

Alex is a former child star struggling to make the transition into being seen as a serious actor. He jumps at an opportunity to perform on stage in the UK, seeing it as a way to break free from the typecasting and show what he can really do. But he wasn’t prepared to star alongside someone he hates.

//

Henry is a recent theatre graduate who accepts an amazing role in a queer reimagining of Much Ado About Nothing. And then it turns out his co-star is none other than the man he’s been hopelessly pining after for years—even though Henry made a terrible first impression when they met.

//

It’s… well, it’s practically Shakespearean.

>> more rwrb recs <<

[harley-kwinn]

Cheater

word count: 1k

warnings: language, mentions of cheating, (poor) description of unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!)

pairing: alexander skarsgård x fem!reader

author's note: wrote this during work today so sorry for grammar & spelling mistakes, also english isn’t my first language <3 it was originally planned as part of a fanfic that’s why third person and in places description of the appearance was used…hope you enjoy it tho!

Lost in thought, she turned the ring studded with small diamonds between her slender fingers. The weight of it too heavy to bear.

Her amber eyes caught the soft sparkle as the first sunbeams of the day broke inside the stones.

The promise she had made 5 years ago was tied to it and yet it threatened to break more and more with every minute spent with him.

A wave of guilt crushed upon her as she grabbed onto the piece of jewellery. Her husband did not deserve to be betrayed by her like that. He had been nothing but faithful and loving towards her, yet she had lost her heart to this intoxicating man still asleep in the bedroom of the chic L.A. apartment they had spent the night in together.

The soft material of his Armani shirt he had worn last night, clung to her silhouette as she shifted on the toilet seat she was sitting on.

She buried her nose in the clean white fabric breathing in his familiar scent, feeling it blur her mind as the mix of his cologne and sweat filled her nostrils.

Turning her head back to the wall mirror opposite her, she looked at her reflection. Makeup smeared, swollen lips, hair undone and dark circles gave away the short night she's had. If she closed her eyes, she would be able to feel his slender fingers brush over her bare skin and his lips kissing her until she was breathless.

She wondered, if he was worth it all.

The woman did let her gaze linger a moment longer upon her reflection before laying her eyes upon the man on the bed. A soft smile broke from her lips at his sight. His short blonde hair, which had been neatly slicked back the night before, was now a mess while his scruff was almost too long to call it a designer stubble. Resting on his stomach gave her a perfect view on his defined back while his muscular arms rested under the pillow on his side of the bed.

She watched him a few more minutes before deciding to join him and quietly stood up making her way towards the chair her coat was placed on. Slipping the ring back into its pocket, she stepped over the cloth-littered floor and slipped back under the covers. Alex shifted softly, making the sheets fall dangerously low down his hips. He opened his eyes slowly before his baby blue orbs observed her.

"Good morning, beautiful.", his voice was still hoarse and full of sleep. Cracking a smile at her, she couldn't resist to let her hand brush over the side of his face. The soft stubble tickled on her palm.

"Good morning, sunshine.", she whispered before pressing a kiss against his tender lips.

All of the sudden he grabbed her by the hips and began tickling her. She squealed in shock before letting out a laugh.

"Alex, please. You're much stronger than me.", a giggled followed as she squirmed under his grip. The white linen sheet slipped from his body as he rolled on top of her, exposing him completely bare to her.

"Oh, am I?", he teased flashing his pearly whites before attacking her neck with featherlight kisses. It only resulted in her laughing breathlessly while still trying to wriggle out off his grip.

"Alex, please... I c-can't breathe...", she whined desperately gasping for air. Alex stopped his attack.

"Better?", he asked, the Swedish accent slipping through for a moment. After she reassured him that she was okay, he changed their position and made her sit on top of him. Starting to fumble impatiently on the buttons to remove his shirt off her body, she felt him harden between her legs. The familiar pull in her abdomen returned as she pushed his hands away and freed herself off the fabric. As soon as the expensive material had slid down her arms, she positioned herself above him and carefully sank down his length. The sensation of him entering her made both of them moan out loud.

"God, you're gorgeous.", Alex praised her as she was riding him. Her small, round breasts softly bouncing in the rhythm of the speed she had picked up. He sat up before cupping one of her breasts with his right hand and sucking on her light brown pointy nipple causing her head to fall back in ecstasy. His left hand brushed over her stomach down to the heat between her legs where he found the swollen knob between her folds and began stroking her just the way she liked.

"A-Alex, fuck. I'm close.", she moaned with closed eyes while holding onto him tightly. He supported her with his right hand around her waist as he picked up the pace and thrusted faster into her.

That's when she knew he was worth it all.

He was the high she was missing in her marriage and so desperately needed.

He pressed his forehead against her chest while digging his hand around her waist deeper into her soft skin, making sure he'd leave marks.

"B-babe...", she moaned out loud scratching her nails up his back. Shortly before her orgasm would crash upon her, his phone rang.

"Leave it.", he panted begging her to keep going. She kept holding tightly onto him as she let her gaze wander to the screen of the mobile phone. Like a threatening warning her name lit up on the screen. Alexa.

"Leave it...please.", Alex begged her once again before she pushed him off her.

The high she had been chasing was letting her fall heedlessly back to reality.

"Answer the call." She got up, immediately missing the sensation of him filling her out.

"I'm sorry.", Alex apologised quietly before reaching to pick up his phone.

She waved his apology off as she turned her back on him while quickly picking up the black lace thong and his shirt as she quickly dressed before leaving him some privacy.

Tears prickled in her eyes when she shut the bedroom door and made her way towards the kitchen. Slowly but surely she left the bubble she had been living in only mere moments ago.

He wasn't worth it all, was he?

[seph7]

J.T. Walsh is great at being a villain

Actor is ubiquitous as the bad guy in ''The Client,'' ''Nixon,'' ''A Few Good Men,'' and more

ByKate Meyers

Published on August 23, 1996

First, you recognize his face. Then you think: bad guy. If you’ve seen The Grifters, A Few Good Men, The Client, Outbreak, Nixon, or Executive Decision, then you’ve seen J.T. Walsh portraying, in his words, ”ethically challenged” individuals. Not that it bothers him. ”It’s better than doing the ‘he went thataway’ roles,” he says. His characters, which tend to be middle-aged buttoned-down authority figures, drip with what he calls ”a little juice.”

Hard-pressed to think of a nice guy he’s played, Walsh, 52, easily recalls the lowest — the porn producer having an affair with his daughter in 1991’s Defenseless. Represented on video this week by the thrillers Black Day Blue Night and Sacred Cargo and in September by the indie comedy The Low Life, Walsh says he has no problem accepting low-profile projects. ”My motto has always been, Do whatever comes next,” he laughs.

Born in San Francisco, Walsh was raised in Germany, where his father served in the military. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Walsh worked for a decade as, by turns, a teacher, salesman, journalist, restaurant manager, and social worker. But those became just day jobs when, at 31, the self-proclaimed hippie began acting in regional East Coast theaters. In 1974, Walsh hung out at the Theater at St. Clement’s in New York City, where he met an unknown playwright named David Mamet. Cast in the role of Bobby in American Buffalo, he made $100 for the six-week run. Ten years later, Mamet picked Walsh for the Broadway production of Glengarry Glen Ross, which was ”the pop” that got him into the movies. Walsh moved to L.A., where he’s been evil ever since.

Married briefly in his 20s, the unattached Walsh (”Who wants to go out with the bad guy?”) lives in the San Fernando Valley with his 22-year-old son, John. He’s currently playing — surprise — a morally ambiguous Navy colonel on NBC’s sci-fi drama Dark Skies. ”As an actor he conveys the attitude of the guy you call if you need a job done,” says Bryce Zabel, the show’s executive producer. ”You wouldn’t want to ask him how he got it done, but you’d call him.”

”Sure, I want bigger parts,” Walsh says. ”I call Sharon Stone and say: ‘Gimme a break. I just wanna make love to you.’ She doesn’t get back to me.”

[musicmags]

[dracowillhearaboutthis]

9 favourite books

Thanks to @gwiazdziarka for tagging me ♡ As you did, I will randomly pick some books to talk about instead of picking obvious faves. I think it would be boring to hear me sing the praises of Red, White and Royal Blue and as much as they've been and always will be relevant to me personally despite the black hole of a human being the author turned out to be, no one wants to hear me talk about the Harry Potter series... So, basically, I'm leaving out those who might either be obvious or might get me hate comments lol bc I've been there, done that and I'm not in the mood.

So here are 9 other books/series' that I really enjoyed reading and want to pass on.

1. The Game Changer Series by Rachel Reid, especially Heated Rivalry and The Long Game

Shane and Ilya are one of these ships that have completely consumed me at multiple points in the past few years and I keep coming back to these books. I'm not into all of the books of the series equally, but Shane and Ilya just have my heart. Their love story is the perfect mix of pining and love and tenderness and devotion that I'm into.

2. Play It Again by Aidan Wayne

This is a bit of a comfort read to me. It's about 2 content creators falling in love long distance, one blind, one ace, and I think the portrayal of their relationship is really tender and lovely and sweet.

3. The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

I really adored this portrayal of a trans love story in high school and all the insecurities that come with it.

4. Running with Lions by Julian Winters

Julian Winters is one of those authors I always check out, and this is my favourite novel of his ♡ As an ex-football fan, something about it hit home.

5. Accidentally Perfect by Elizabeth Stevens

One of the rare hetero romances - or novels with girl characters as mains in general - that I really enjoyed. I often find it hard to read girls as main characters without being annoyed at their portrayal. It's a pet peeve of mine. This hit all the right buttons.

6. The Husband Gambit by L.A. Witt

Fake marriage trope executed beautifully. What can I say? I'm weak.

7. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Absolutely loved the world building behind this one. Fantasy + queer romance? Hell yes!

8. Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa

Loved the depiction of falling in love long-distance and finally getting your happily ever after.

9. If this gets out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich

Okay, I struggled what to put last. I know I could have gone with another Julian Winters or another guilty pleasure hockey romance, but that would have been boring. And between all my other guilty pleasure books, this might be the one to get me the least side eyes.

I know it technically reads like a fanfiction. But I'm a fanfiction writer and I don’t consider this to be a bad thing? 🤷‍♀️ I know it had it's down moments, but it really had me hooked, and that's what matters.

Don't know who already did this so I'm only tagging @acrazyworldofdreams

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (1-7 Jan 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰 2022 Holiday Epilogues (Cat Sebastian) - all the previous years' holiday epilogues + new story for 2022

🥰👂‍ The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (The Lord of the Rings #0) (J.R.R. Tolkien, author; Andy Serkis, narrator) - Serkis is a great narrator, full-stop but he does a very good McKellen Gandalf voice and then, of course, he IS Gollum (which I totally didn't even think about until he did the voice!)

😊 Burns Like a Gin (And I Like It) (Ennaess) - 51K, Geraskier - pt 2 of Might Ignite It - very hot series but of course these two can't do anything without some tasty angst LOL

🙂 Star Star (poorlittlegreenie) - 93K, steddie modern fake dating AU

🥰 Are You Flagging? (soidade) - 40K, steddie, canon-divergent AU - very enjoyable with the key tags being: Friends to Lovers, idiots to lovers, Bisexual Disaster Steve Harrington

🥰 After the click of the shutting (aesc, pearl_o) - (pt 3 of a series) 96K, cherik age-difference AU, really loved how this dug into how they have to work to make their broken edges fit together

💖💖 +270K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

Caleb Murphy Gets a Hug (Dira Sudis (dsudis)) - The Cabots series [Cat Sebastian]: Peter Cabot/Caleb Murphy, 2.3K - Yuletide 2022

Save the Date (Nabielka) - The Cabots series [Cat Sebastian]: Peter Cabot/Caleb Murphy, 1.3K - Yuletide 2022

Lifting (Spatz) - Sins of the Cities Series & Lilywhite Boys Series [KJ Charles]: Sukey & Emma, Justin Lazarus & Susan Lazarus, 1.8K - Yuletide 2022

a map of everyone who loves you (phonemicengineer) - Stranger Things: Steddie, 7K - gorgeous soulmark/soulflowers AU, tender and lovely

The Alexandrian Solution (Bexless) - Teen Wolf: Sterek, 5K - reread of a classic forever fave, still absolutely hilarious

Some Things Cosmic (stereobone) - Stranger Things: Steddie, 12K - a dream-sharing fix it fic, loved it

fate's in my hands (wearing_tearing) - Stranger Things: Steddie, 3.4K - very short but cute soulmark fic!

we miss being ruffians - Chapter 20: try to keep my skeletons in (napricot) - MCU: Stucky, 8K - this continues to be one of my fave series!!!!!

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Leverage: Redemption - s2, e8-9

Julie and The Phantoms - s1, e1-9

Hot Ones - Neil Patrick Harris Needs Magic to Escape Spicy Wings

Glass Onion

Uncoupled - s1, e1-2

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Our Opinions Are Correct - The Incredibly Strange Career of Anne Rice

Big Gay Fiction Podcast - Ep 411: From Hockey Fan to Hockey Romance Collaboration with L.A. Witt and Anna Zabo

It's Been a Minute - Millennials in Hollywood are making parents apologize on-screen

Vibe Check - A Test of the Emergency Rhythm Section

Switched on Pop - ICYMI 90s Music Canon

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Plant

Ologies with Alie Ward - Oneirology (DREAMS) with G. William Domhoff

Shedunnit Book Club - Book Club: Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

Renegades: Born in the USA - Our Unlikely Friendship

Into It - 2023 is the Year of Hollywood in Recession

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Medical Clowning Program

Off Menu - Ep 91: Joel Kim Booster

Our Opinions Are Correct - Encore Episode: Has JK Rowling destroyed Harry Potter fandom?

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Campfire Classics

Julie and The Phantoms (Season 1 soundtrack)

I'm Blue, Skies [Cheyenne Jackson]

Renaissance [Cheyenne Jackson]

Presenting Bonnie Raitt

By Women, For Women

Rockin' Around the Living Room

Endless R&B Throwbacks

This Is How We Do It: '90s R&B Party

[cangelgifs]

Fic rec’s of cangel where spike & cordy basically become besties?

I love cangel fics where Spike has a big role and/or is friends with Cordy. We totally need more fics like this.

A Bolt from the Blue by Katrina Rating: Author doesn’t say but probably no more than Teen & Up. Summary: Spike and Cordelia strike sparks off each other, opening the eyes of Angel to his true feelings.

hello, i'm talking to you by buries Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Cordelia and Spike’s prank war takes a casualty.

A call of heart by Bl4ckHunter Rating: General Audiences Summary: One-shot story. After the birth of Jasmine, Cordelia is trapped in a void between life and death and finds a way back with a help from an unexpected source.

Bad Timing by Kelly22 Rating: PG-13 Summary: This story is set a little after Cordy comes back from vacation with Groo, except in my AU world, there was no bad father-devouring-son prophecy and no babies growing up in hell dimensions. So people still like Wesley and I guess Holtz and Justine ran off to the mid-west together, because they certainly aren’t rearing their ugly heads in MY story. The scoobies come to L.A.

Also Ran by Liraze Rating: PG Summary: The not-so-original vampire-with-a-soul and the cheerleader-turned-vision girl flirt, snark, and discover they have a few things in common.

Baby, I'm Back! by Dock Rating: R Content: C/A, C/Aus, C&S (friendship) Summary: Wolfram and Hart have found a way to unleash Angelus. The Fang Gang struggle to bring back his soul. Warning: This is a Cangelus story - however, it is not a dark fic. It's fluffy cangelus where he falls in love with Cordy. There is a graphic attempted rape of Cordy by two random vampires, though, (Angelus saves her), so if that sounds triggering to you, please don't read this. That being said, this fic is rife with great CS bonding and friendship.

This one doesn't quite fit your ask, it's a C/A/S shipping fic, but I'll include it in case it interests anyone. Kindred's by Psychofilly Rating: R for some language Content: C/A/S Summary: An unexpected phone call, leads to Cordelia learning some truth's about herself, while helping a fellow kindred spirit.

[mcgnagallsarmy]

Spuffy style Reading Challenge - #12: This or That

1 - This: A fic that was published in 2022 or That: A fic you meant to read in 2021

What a Way to Ride by Eurydice [PG-13]

When Oz goes missing, Buffy is forced to take a road trip with Spike to figure out what happened. Set after Something Blue but before Hush.

or

Gray by Dusty [Adult Only]

Nothing was black and white, not even the wedding.

2 - This: Read a multiple genre romance fic or That: Cozy up and re-read a favourite fic

Almost Paradise by Holly [NC-17]

When presented with the opportunity to magically alter the world she lives in, Buffy knows there are a lot of very good reasons why she shouldn't seize it, but figures things can't get worse. She's wrong.

or

A Different Kind of Hell by OffYourBird [NC-17]

Jumping through Glory's tower portal, Buffy and Spike find themselves in a hell dimension they never expected. One that looks suspiciously like 1880's London. Will they find a way back home? Will the truth behind William the Bloody at last make itself known? Will Buffy ever stop butchering the Queen's English? Join them and find out. Starts off at the end of "The Gift."

3 - This: A fic written by a European author or That: Close your eyes and pick at random from any bookshelf that you or another person own

Naked by The Danish Bird [NC-17]

Her mom is out of the woods, her boyfriend is nice and attentive, the witches are working on some spell to confine Glory for a little while. Things should be looking up, really. But why has Riley slipped out of bed in the middle of the night? And why is Spike, of all annoying people, suddenly there, in her room, refusing to leave? And why are they suddenly stuck there together, on her bed? Buffy could really do with some witchy help right about now...and clothes, clothes would be of the good!

or

Forward to Time Past by Unbridled_Brunette [NC-17]

The victim of a spell gone awry, Buffy finds herself trapped in Victorian London, where she meets a man that is surprisingly familiar to her.

4 - This: Read a historical fiction or non-fiction story or That: Read a futuristic science fiction/fantasy fic

Only Time Will Tell by Grief Counseling [NC-17]

Buffy, Giles, and the rest of the Scoobies are living in London a year after the collapse of the Hellmouth. They are faced with an interesting mission to save the world: they must retrieve an artifact that was destroyed over a hundred years ago. The catch? Buffy must travel back in time to the exact location that Spike lived before he was turned to obtain the artifact. The pain of seeing him again after losing him, even in human form, might prove to be too much. Or it might be exactly what a grieving slayer needs.

or

Harnessing Sunlight by sandy_s [PG-13]

A few years post-NFA. The good guys did not prevail in the fight in L.A. The world is overrun by demons and the humans are underground. Spike and Buffy are on a mission for the future of mankind.

5 -  This: A fic that features mental health issues/awareness or That: A fic from a female author that has more than 10 stories published

The Writing on the Wall by Holly [NC-17]

There was no body to bury. There was no funeral. There was nothing but the three rules and the knowledge that a thousand years of torment was nothing compared to a world without her in it. Spike embarks on a journey through the Gates of Hell to rescue the one he loves, but in order to save her, he must risk losing himself.

or

A Warm Welcome by MaggieLaFey [NC-17]

Nineteen days after “Chosen”, Spike is spit out of the amulet in Angel’s office, and two months later he becomes corporeal. It takes him longer yet to find the courage to contact a certain slayer, who won’t be too happy about the wait. But will she forgive him and use this opportunity to finally start something new?

6 - This: A fic by an author with 5 or less stories published or That: A story with 3 or 4 people on the banner

(Unintended) You Could Be by ashcrashed [NC-17]

No, she hadn’t lost her mind. Because the reasons that made Spike the actual worst also made him the right one for the job.

or

Switch by Holly [NC-17]

Following Tutor, Quake, and Blow. Sure, Buffy's propositioned him before, but never in public. Too much risk of discovery and all that. Something’s not right, and Spike’s determined to find out what. Even if he hates her. Which he does.

7 - This: A fic about a character with disability or That: A fic set at or featuring a wedding

The Silence by DragonLdy [NC-17]

There must be balance. When Buffy is resuscitated she comes back deaf. How will her new condition affect her friendships and relationships with others including a certain bleach blonde vampire?

or

A Different Kind of Wedding by OffYourBird [NC-17]

A panicked vampire, a shocked Angel, and smutty goodness, oh my! It sounds like a different kind of wedding is on the horizon. Join Liz and Elly in this fluffy one-shot of their wedding and vow renewal, set in the Jumpverse (beginning with A Different Kind of Hell).

8 - This: A fic with a one word title or That: A story by an author you’ve never read

Dreamer by Gort [NC-17]

Buffy might dream of a normal college life but she got stuck with an annoying vampire instead. Spike’s found the Gem of Amara, but he won’t kill her and has taken to lurking around campus. Things go from bad to worse when they’re both captured by The Initiative and Maggie Walsh takes a special interest. Is Buffy crazy for relying on a vampire to help her put a stop to the professor’s genetic experiments, or is she discovering that normal might be overrated? Begins at Harsh Light of Day before going AU.

or

Help Wanted by Baphrosia [PG-13]

When Buffy tells Spike in 'Lovers Walk' that he tends to cause trouble, she's not just referring to his Sunnydale antics. There was also that time she ran into him in Los Angeles. Set one week post-Acathla.

9 - This: Read the LAST story in a series or That: A fic that is a fairy tale retelling

Bitten by Holly [NC-17]

He’d told her that she would beg for it.

or

Little Red Riding Hood & The Big Bad Wolf by Twinkles [R]

A fairy-tale, of sorts. Buffy gets her little red riding hood costume at Ethan's instead of the Victorian dress.

10 - This: A fic with orange or purple on the banner or That: A fic that is as spooky as you can handle

Timelines,Schmimelines by bookishy [NC-17]

When Buffy’s sent back to her first year of college to retrieve an artifact for the future, she ends up on the day of the first inaugural Christmas Party at Casa del Xander. Or, time travel meets its greatest match, and that match is alcohol.

or

Dark by honeygirl51885 [Adult Only]

Anything you imagine in your mind is always ten times worse than reality. Buffy and Spike are on a routine patrol when a mind-controlling demon attacks and sends them hurtling through a world of torture, pain, and suffering. Will they be able to escape their mental prison? Or, will they succumb to the dark?

11 - This: Read a fic that a family member, friend or someone you admire has recommended or That: A fic with a 5 or 6 word title

Meet Me at Midnight by Dusty [NC-17]

A story about the stolen midnight hours of season seven.

or

A Better Way to Go by kats_meow [NC-17]

It's Buffy's twenty-first birthday - you know, the one she was supposed to be conveniently dead for - and some smartass has left a crumpled up poem on her porch. Is it trash, a wish, or a chance for something better?

12 - This: A Christmas themed fic or That: Poetry

Christmas Eve by Dusty [NC-17]

Fluffy, sexy fun times on the most magical night of the year!

or

Poetry by William Pratt - VERSUS by SPIKE by MissLuci [R]

Present day - happily married and mated for years, Buffy and Spike move into a new place. As Buffy is putting things away, she finds a small journal. Opening it up, she’s surprised to discover it’s a collection of poetry, written by Spike, before and after he was turned. Buffy is intrigued and she begins to read, reflecting on their life as each poem unfolds. -  A story in three parts.

[lboogie1906]

Vernee Christell Watson-Johnson (born September 28, 1949) is an actress, author, and acting coach. She is known for her recurring roles as Vernajean Williams on Welcome Back, Kotter, and Viola "Vy" Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She is often featured in guest or recurring roles as a nurse. She is currently playing Gloria Tyler (the head nurse) on Bob Hearts Abishola. She was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from Cathedral High School and New York University with a major in drama. She began her professional career at age 17 with the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble in Manhattan and would tour with the group for 5 years. She played Blue's love interest in the film Trick Baby. She was a regular cast member of Foley Square as Denise Willums. She played a small role on Sister, Sister and as the mayor's secretary, Lucille Banks, on Carter Country. She had a recurring role as "Birdie" on The Young and the Restless. She appeared in the film Christmas with the Kranks. She has made appearances in episodes of television shows such as The Love Boat, Hill Street Blues, Married... with Children, L.A. Law, Suddenly Susan, Dharma & Greg, The X-Files, ER, Days of Our Lives, Malcolm in the Middle, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Desperate Housewives, Ghost Whisperer, Benson, The Big Bang Theory, Good Times, Dexter, Two and a Half Men, Southland, Criminal Minds, A.N.T. Farm, What's Happening!!, Young Sheldon, Jessie, Mike and Molly, and several other series. She has been tied to roles in shows such as Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Laff-A-Lympics, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Animaniacs, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Batman Beyond, as well as The Ant Bully, and several video games related to these productions. She lent her voice to the show Baby Talk, where she was the voice of baby Danielle. She had roles in Antwone Fisher, The Celestine Prophecy, and Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties. She was cast as Stella Henry on General Hospital. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series. #africanhistory365 #africanexellence https://www.instagram.com/p/CjDBzUkuexp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[daughterofhecata]

I did both @batmanisagatewaydrug‘s and @macrolit‘s Reading Bingos this year - was aiming for blackouts on both, didn‘t manage it for macrolit’s, but I did get a couple bingos.

Titles for each under the cut, full reading list here.

batmanisagatewaydrug:

translated book: Jonathan L. Howard: Johannes Cabal #1. Seelenfänger. [org. title: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer]

graphic novel: Vincent Burmeister, David Schraven: Unter Krähen. Aus dem Inneren der Republik. [no english title]

nonfiction: Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, Jekatyerina Dunajeva: Re-Thinking Roma Resistance throughout History: Recounting Stories of Strength and Bravery.

sequel: Luke Arnold: Fetch Phillips Archives #3. One Foot in the Fade.

poetry collection: Rainer Maria Rilke: Gedichte [herausgegeben vom Hamburger Lesehefte Verlag]

published before 2010: Faye Kellerman: Die Schwingen des Todes [org. title: Stone Kiss]

memoir: Theodor Michael: Deutsch Sein und Schwarz Dazu. Erinnerungen eines Afro-Deutschen. [engl. title: Black German. An Afro-German Life in the Twentieth Century.]

oldest on TBR: Anne Frank: Tagebuch der Anne Frank. 14. Juni 1942 bis 1. August 1944. [org. title: Het Achterhuis/engl. title: The Diary of a Young Girl]

author from a different country: Alexander Wolkow: Zauberland-Reihe #1. Der Zauberer der Smaragdenstadt. [org. title: Волшебник изумрудного города/engl. title: The Wizard of the Emerald City]

romance: Iny Lorentz: Die Feuerbraut [no english title i could find]

essay collection: Scaachi Koul: One Day We‘ll All Be Dead And None Of This Will Matter.

fantasy: Austin Chant: Peter Darling

novella: Maria Konopnicka: Der Danziger Mendel [org. title: Mendel Gdański/no english title]

debut author: Xiran Jay Zhao: Iron Widow

ghosts or monsters: Jennifer Giesbrecht: The Monster of Elendhaven

short stories: Hendrik Buchna, Marco Sonnleitner, u.a.: Die Drei ??? und der Zeitgeist [no english title; collection of short stories in the german continuation of Robert Arthur’s Three Investigators stories]

banned book: Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird

one word title: K. Ancrum: Darling

published before 2000: Josef Bor: Theresienstädter Requiem [org. title: Terezínské Rekviem/engl. title: The Terezín Requiem]

2022 release: Jonathan Kellerman: City of the Dead. An Alex Delaware Novel.

literary fiction: Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar / Jack Kerouac: On The Road (I’m pretty sure at least one of them qualifies)

YA: Jonathan Stroud: Bartimäus #1. Das Amulett von Samarkand. [org. title: The Bartimaeus Trilogy #1. The Amulet of Samarkand.]

reread: Franz Kafka: Das Urteil [engl. title: The Judgement]

400+ pages: James Ellroy: L.A. Confidential. Stadt der Teufel. [org. title: L.A. Confidential]

macrolit:

Classic Author A/B/C: -

Gothic Fiction: -

Fan Fiction: [no specific work]

published between 1960-1990: Václav Havel: Vernissage [org. title: Vernisáž/engl. title: Unveilling]

Classic Author P/Q/R: Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar

Biography or Non-Fiction: Justin Fenton: We Own This City. A True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption.

Classic Author S/T/U: -

Young Adult: Christina Henry: Lost Boy

Classic Author G/H/I: -

Detective, Horror or Suspense: Tess Gerritsen: Die Chirurgin. [org. title: The Surgeon]

Philosophy or Literary Criticism: Judith Butler: Gender Trouble. Feminism and the Subversion of Identity.

Classic Author M/N/O: -

Harlem Renaissance: -

Published between 1990-2022: Ocean Vuong: On Earth We‘re Briefly Gorgeous

Book of Short Stories:  Don Winslow: Broken

published between 1920-1960: Jerzy Andrzejewski: Warschauer Karwoche [org. title: Wielki tydzień/engl. title: Holy Week]

Classic Author D/E/F: Leslie Feinberg: Stone Butch Blues

Children‘s Literature: [any one of the twenty Three Investigator‘s books I read this year]

Poetry or Play: Bożena Keff: Ein Stück über Mutter und Vaterland [org. title: Utwór o Matce i Ojczyźnie/engl. title: A Piece about Mother and Fatherland]

Graphic Novel: Elfriede Jelinek, Nicolas Mahler: Der fremde! störenfried der ruhe eines sommerabends der ruhe eines friedhofs. [no english title]

Classic Author J/K/L: Jack Kerouac: On The Road

Essays or Satire: Scaachi Koul: One Day We‘ll All Be Dead And None Of This Will Matter.

Published before 1920: Maria Konopnicka: Der Danziger Mendel [org. title: Mendel Gdański/no english title]

Classic Author V/W/X/Y/Z: Jiří Weil: Leben mit dem Stern [org. title: Život s hvězdou/engl. title: Life With A Star]