#thread: melissa lin

[ayda--demir]

Location: The Barbican Centre Conservatory Who: @msmelissalin

It had been some time since she had see Ms. Lin, from their meeting at the coffee shop. Ayda was still uncertain how this was going to play out, but there was a political angle she wanted to lean towards, and part of her wondered if getting help from the devil herself would be in her favour.

"You look beautiful." The only compliment she would hand out. "Ready to see how this night turns out?"

[jordana-velasquez]

where: puerto escondido who: @msmelissalin

It was important for Jordana to maintain relationships with all of those superior than her. She had a reputation to uphold. Some time had passed since she had last spent time with Ms. Lin, and a dinner the two of them, plus the boys, in a place she knew they would be safe and have the private required, brought them to her boyfriends restaurant. This also allowed the Mateo, Adrian and Benjamin more room to leave the two of them alone to talk.

The best table was reserved for them, one of the quieter nights, that at six thirty sharp, in walked the three of them, Mateo coming out from the back. Jordana stood from her seat, a smile on her face. "It's good to see you Melissa." She met the woman half way, placing a kiss on each cheek.

"What would you like to drink?" Mateo asked, already knowing her drink.

Jordana led her over to their table, Mateo beating them, pulling out the seat for Melissa. Always a gentleman, and it was his boss too.

[david-pavoncello]

Who: @msmelissalin Where: Cafe in Camden When: Sept 30th, 2023

She was the last person he thought he'd run into. He wasn't going to be stupid and not to take advantage of the situation. It still amused him that Giordana took her dress at the party. She deserved what was coming her way. That was only the beginning.

The man slides into the seat across from her, leaning back with a shit eating grin plastered on his face. "Ah, you didn't lose your clothes this time. Might be wise, ya know, being back in the city and all." David let his Italian accent play heavy into his tone.

[ayda--demir]

"I know he did." She stated, only able to take so much when it came to what was said about Kerem. "I also understand why he did it. The conditions you set on us, the way we were treated, he wanted better for his people. Our people. I may not be part of it anymore, not in that way, but that is still my home and we are constantly looked down upon. One can only be pushed so far." She was an example of it, but her means was in another form. "We just chose two different ways to do that." Ayda didn't mean to speak to Melissa that way, but considering what may come between the pair, it was best to find her voice and boundaries. "My safety?" In this world, many did not seem to notice her, or if they did, it was to demean her, not to harm her. "And you think they'll come after me because of my friendship with him?"

"And your oldest friend just stood up with a huge red target on his back, and said...shoot here." Melissa said, the sigh on her lips wasn't heavy as she turned to face Ayda fully. "I didn't want to do this here, but it's more for your saftey." Because I need you alive for something, though she kept that tid bit of information to herself of course. "Although he can protect you, collateral damage is very much a thing in our world...and it'd be a sad waste of talent."

[thewingedwolf]

watched the new little mermaid and it’s cute, better than most of the other disney remakes except maleficent and the jungle book (like cinderella tier). the singing and acting is really good and transplanting it into the caribbean was done really well!! the outfits were really good, the cgi on ursula was damn amazing and part of your world was great as well. the added relationship between eric and his mother, and the kind of subtextual double meaning when eric, the white adopted son of a black caribbean islander, admits that the two worlds can’t ever meet, was kind of interesting, and there was something fun there about like, these two very similar multiracial societies who fear each other being lead by parents terrified that what befell their child’s parent will befall their child. also, while i still high key judge taking all the queerness out of the story (oh but making ursula a drag queen would have been homophobic, okay, so give ariel two dads then? there was a way to honor divine and howard without just excising them from the narrative!), but melissa mccarthy was damn funny and the vanessa actress was amazing, when she gets found out and she starts screaming with melissa’s voice? that’s cinema ❗️

but it made what sucked kinda stand out lol. the cgi on the fish and mermaids was distractingly bad, like “chris evans’ face on skinny steve’s body” kind of bad. the scuttlebutt song and the arrangement on kiss the girl was soooooo bad someone needs to tell lin manuel his head has gotten too big and he needs to actually try instead of just slapping random sounds together (encanto was so good!! why did this one sound so bad!!). and i am once again begging people to use light in their damn movies!! very frustrating that a studio that once would just invent new programs to do cgi and animation they had envisioned now just kind of half asses cgi like this…disappointing.

the only quibble story wise was that there was this kind of hanging thread of ursula being triton’s sister and eric’s mother fearing the sea gods, that are kind of dropped. like, javier bardem and Noma Dumezweni were kinda wasted emotionally. wanted the last scene where all the mermaids and people are at the shore watching ariel and eric leave to hit a little harder emotionally, and look a little cooler.

also, for all that i love eric bc he’s the only disney prince with a kill count, loved that they gave the kill shot to ariel lmao that’s my girl

[kerem-dogulu]

White Hot Fury || Self - Para

Setting: In Tandem with Nevra and Melissa’s thread HERE Mentions: @msmelissalin @erdogan-nevra @emine--yalaz  Triggers: THE DOG DIES 

The text from Melissa Lin that she was coming was one that Kerem had feared for so long. 

Something that he had been expecting for so long. He was still convinced that she was going to murder him - that she wanted to make it public so that everyone could see. Maybe he’d be lucky and it’d be quick. Maybe it’d make people want to fight them. But it hadn’t stopped him from doing what he figured would be his lasts. 

His last call to his mom - who insisted she was bringing over food for him and Emine that night because she knew that they weren’t feeding themselves properly. 

His last time messing with all of his sisters. 

His last time having coffee with his Dad - and while Kerem could tell that his father knew that something was going on (the older man had been in the game far too long to not know something was up even if he was retired) the two of them ignored it. To have a last moment of piece. 

His last time kissing Emine. 

His last time taking Spectre for a walk. He’d been at the park across from his flat when he saw the limo come up, and he figured that he would take the dog inside if he could. There was only one person who would come to Haringey in a limo and the least he could do was make sure that the dog didn’t have to witness whatever was about to go down. He figured he could get Emine to bring Spectre in - and he truly hoped that whatever was going to happen 

He had made up his mind a long time ago that he would die for Haringey. 

When Benjamin came up to him, it was everything that Kerem could do not to roll his eyes. He knew the type - the too violent, too psychotic, and yet still managed to be a lapdog type. He barely paid the man attention, his eyes fixed on the limo - on the woman............women inside of it. 

He had expected Melissa, but he hadn’t expected Nevra. His eyes narrowed at the sight of his ex-fiancée. 

It wasn’t that long ago that she was trying to talk him out of fight club, trying to say that she wanted him to stay safe. He had suspected at the time that she was just trying to play with his emotions, to bring him back to when they were together, to when she had him believing that she cared more about him, about their life in Haringey, than she did about money. But this only confirmed the suspicions that he had then - she had been trying to play him. And now here she was, sitting right next to Melissa Lin. Looking like she belonged there. 

Like she was the traitor that she continually proved herself to be. 

If Nevra wanted him to see her, he wasn’t going to give 

He saw the gun move, he prepared himself for the punishment that he knew was coming - but when the shot rang in his ears, it was the scream from Spectre that caught him by surprise. Death for himself? That he had expected to be a given. Death to his dog? That was an special type of evil that he truly didn’t think that the woman would have come up with. 

Clearly he had underestimated her. 

‘‘This is a message from Melissa.’‘ Benjamin’s words barely comprehended as Kerem was on his knees, nursing his dog as she slowly  ‘‘This was a warning. Double cross the Rutherford’s again, and it’ll cause for more meetings like this.’‘ 

He knew it was a warning, and Kerem was well aware that she meant it - he had seen it in her glare. But where Melissa probably thought it would subdue him - make him once again want to worship the slavery that she had “so graciously” allowed them - it did the opposite. His anger was going to be a part of him. 

It wasn’t just the Rutherfords who were going to pay now. It was Melissa. He was going to find a way to make her hurt the same way. 

Or die trying. 

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #23: November 27th - December 3rd

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from November 27 – December 3, 2022. Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing!

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

The December 20 prompts in 20 days are up on Tumblr.

@JessBakesCakes and @thefinestmuffin are hosting a fic reading challenge running through January 7, 2023. Details in this thread.

@flowersinapril_ posted a 30-Day Christmas Challenge with holiday prompts. 

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from November 27 - December 3.

Bradley Whitford posted a photo of his cat playing the piano.

Bradley Whitford posted a throwback photo of himself and Lin-Manuel Miranda two years ago.  

Marlee Matlin posted a video of herself on a Virgin Atlantic plane calling attention to the fact that the safety video was not captioned. 

Melissa Fitzgerald posted a photo of herself outside of the White House and a photo of a program showing that the event is the meeting between President Biden and French President Macron.  

Richard Schiff posted a photo of himself with castmates from The Good Doctor. 

Donna Moss Daily: November 27 | November 28 | November 29 | November 30 | December 1 | December 2 | December 3

Daily Josh Lyman: November 27 | November 28 | November 29 | November 30 | December 1 | December 2 | December 3

No Context BWhit: November 27 | November 28 | November 28 (2) | November 29 | November 29 (2) | November 30 |  November 30 (2) | December 1 | December 1 (2) | December 2 | December 3

@JanelMilfoney: November 27 | November 28 | November 29 | November 30 | November 30 (2) | November 30 (3) | December 1 | December 2 

Edits/Artwork:

#THEWESTWING is a comedy by jcshualyman [VIDEO EDIT]

#DONNAMOSS: i gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this by schwifts [VIDEO EDIT]

#DEADIRISHWRITERS: the First Lady just asked me to get boozy with her. You don't think I wanna write a book one day? by jenniferjoIie [VIDEO EDIT]

#JOSHDONNA: i’m unglued, thanks to you by schwifts [VIDEO EDIT]

#JOSHDONNA: you were my best nights and worst fights by JessBakesCakes [VIDEO EDIT]

Creator Spotlight:

Each week we ask a different fandom creator the same ten questions, as well as questions from you submitted on Twitter! This week our featured creator is @flowersinapril_ on Twitter (flowersinapril on AO3!). You can find the spotlight on Tumblr or on Twitter. 

This Week in Canon:

Welcome to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 2, Episode 9: Galileo aired on November 29, 2000.

Season 3, Episode 8: The Women of Qumar aired on November 28, 2001.

Season 4, Episode 10: Arctic Radar aired on November 27, 2002.

Season 5, Episode 9: Abu El Banat aired on December 3, 2003.

Season 6, Episode 7: A Change is Gonna Come aired on December 1, 2004.

Editor’s Choice: 

It was a hectic week, and we didn’t get to an Editor’s Choice round-up because we wanted to get the briefing out on Sunday like usual. We’ll be back with the regular feature next week!

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. If you are so inclined, please be sure to leave the authors some love in the form of kudos or comments. Be mindful of posted warnings/tags for each story.

Josh/Donna

Acadia by sunnyfreeze | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

20 Hours in America by pipisafoat | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Festive Drabbles 2022 by WitchyPrentiss | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

but as long as you love me so (the festive drabbles) by flowersinapril | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

The End of a Beginning by feloniousmonk | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

i'll make myself at home (and he'll want me to stay) by keepyourseats | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

How Will He Find Me by Shinyrosa | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

darling, so it goes (some things are meant to be) by mikaylawrites | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

promises by autumnalequinox | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

CJ/Donna

change like the sea by jazzjo for rearviewmirror| Rated G | C.J. Cregg/Donna Moss | Complete

days by jazzjo | Rated G | C.J. Cregg/Donna Moss | Complete

 Other Pairings/Gen Fic

If You Can’t Stand the Heat - 2 by Robyn [archived by westwingfancentral_archivist] | Rated G | Sam Seaborn, Josh Lyman | Complete

Where The Hell…? by dumbchemist | Rated T | No pairings listed | In progress 

Figures of Speech by Darsynia | Rated T | Toby Ziegler/Original Female Character | In progress 

A Different Life by PreppyPrincess5103 (Jag crossover) | Rated M | Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie/Sam Seaborn | In Progress

Wait For Me by imperfectirises | Rated M | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

Yesterday by marinascribbles | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Original Female Character(s) | In Progress

Physical Eloquence by Darsynia | Rated E | Toby Ziegler/Original Female Character | Complete

Traveling East by krazykitkat | Rated E | Danny Concannon/C.J. Cregg | Complete

 Multiple Pairings

too wise to woo peaceably by jazzjo | Rated G | C.J. Cregg/Andrea Wyatt, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | Complete

i feel like i might sink and drown and die (you're so gorgeous) by keepyourseats | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | Complete

Rumors and News by Shinyrosa (The Newsroom crossover) | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Will McAvoy/MacKenzie McHale | Complete

Just a Taste by kcat1971 | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Zoey Bartlet/Charlie Young, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn | Complete

Not Quite the Parent Trap by eowyn_of_rohan | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn | In Progress

A Silence Full of Sound by mandolinrains | Rated T | Leo McGarry/Original Female Character(s), Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Winter Drabbles by fleurfemme | Rated M | No Archive Warnings Apply | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler, Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler, Amy Gardner/Donna Moss, C. J. Cregg/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/C. J. Cregg | In Progress

No Corners to Hide In by Chinesepapercut | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Helen Santos/Matt Santos | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[drrutherford]

msmelissalin​:

‘‘The cheek of you, boy.’‘ She spat.

Gideon asking her why she couldn’t understand had her taking an instinctual step forward, things clutched in her hands thankfully while hands attempted to curl into fists. Melissa stared him, through flared nostrils she huffed. There had never been a moment where she’d been this angry with him, she didn’t believe. But right now, right here, she was sure that he could see it. She did not hide it, for a moment let it seeped out around her. She’d laid out her reasons for being angry and somehow it was still being made to look like it was her fault for being so god damn angry that she hadn’t been told. She could have possibly found out if they hadn’t fed her fucking lies in the first place.

She wanted to scream as much. But instead she stayed silent. She would not give him the benefit of watching her sadness any longer. In a moment, as she had done her whole life, he would be nothing more than someone she had to work with. Melissa was done with this whole caring malarkey. It cost too much of herself, and she was unwilling any longer.

‘‘Yes. Yes I am.’‘ 

His fathers motives had always been on Melissa’s agenda, she’d been privy to them. Until now. She was heading there next, and she would not be so kind. There was no doubt that this wasn’t the first domino to fall. Melisa knew how this played out, had seen it happen to so many people and the one thing she would not do was wait around for it to all burn around her, taking her down with it. She knew the signs of being jousted. So she turned on her heel, unbothered of his pleas. 

For a moment she almost hesitated by the door. However, she would not be weak. Those that acted as such were often those that ended up hurt or dead in the end. Instead she curled her free hand around the door and yanked it open before she left without looking back.

Good riddance. 

.

‘Don’t leave,’ he’d practically pleaded, and Melissa had looked at him with a hard glare before turning on her heel to do just that. He could still hear the echo of the door slamming in her wake, as his apartment returned to its native state of silence.

“Well, good... Fine.” Gideon grumbles to himself; a peevish, childish response to what feels oddly like rejection. You made her feel it first, some part of his mind argues in return. Stubbornly, he pushes away the accusation.

It’s not the same, he tells himself. It isn’t the same because he’d had no choice but to reject Mel’s supposedly filial feelings... No other choice since he couldn’t be sure that they were true. It isn’t the same as asking her to stay, to resolve things, only for her to storm out of his home after putting him in place like some naughty child.

He drops heavily back down on the sofa. But this time, he swings his legs up and lies horizontal on the cushy fabric instead, exhaustion seeping from his bones. All the while Melissa’s words swim through his head.

‘I would never harm you because you are your mother's child...’

'... I was made to feel like I didn’t fucking care.’

‘I trusted you, Gideon...’

The eldest Rutherford child screws his expression, features wound with confusion, frustration. Was it true?... Was anything that came out of Melissa’s mouth, true?... 

His eyes slip shut.

There’s only one person who might know the answer to that question, and that person is dead. Still, if he lays still enough he can just about feel her ghostly fingers threading through his hair; the same way she’d done so many times in his childhood after he’d woken from some awful nightmare. Tell me if you really trusted her... He wants to beg Cerys, wishing he knew beyond a doubt whether his adoptive mother had really been as close to Melissa Lin as the latter claimed. Tell me what to believe...

But that’s the thing about ghosts... They never do tell what you’re desperate to know.

With a sigh Gideon gets up again, abandoning the sofa in favour of finding his phone and texting Damon to let his brother know he’s still alive.

Funny then, that right now, that outcome feels so identical to its alternative.

— End.

[hollywoodfamerp]

 GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE... SOLD!

Hollywood Fame’s Date Auction this year raised a total of $2,999,000! The highest bidder in the auction went to Nick Robinson for his date with Awsten Knight! Nick donated a crushing $1,500,000.00 for his date! Congrats @notnickrobinson - you won an activity check pass!

Under the cut you will find the pairs from the date auction as well as the runner up (second highest bidder) for your celeb! Please keep in mind that if a celeb won more than one celeb in the auction, they were paired with whoever they paid the most for/bid for first making the runner up the actual winner for the date.

Please remember:

You have from today (May 3rd) until May 31st at 11:59pm EST to IM the main your date para/chatzy post when you post it on the dash or gif chat.

Whoever was being auctioned off - please send an IM to the person who won a date with you to plot! :)

Minimum for these threads are 6 replies. 

Please do not tag the main in these threads - just send it via IM so we can ensure we marked you off as complete since tumblr glitches so much with tags. 

Texts/tweets/photos will not count. 

If the person you have a date with leaves the roleplay/goes inactive - you will be excused from completing the thread. Just send us a message!

Alexis Kaufman and Harry Styles  Runner Up: Ronen Rubinstein

Awsten Knight and Nick Robinson  Runner Up: Namjoon Kim

Barbara Palvin and Namjoon Kim  Runner Up: Madelyn Cline

Glen Powell and Kendall Jenner  Runner Up: Sarah Shahi

Harry Kane and Ronen Rubinstein  Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes

Jason Momoa and Florence Pugh Runner Up: Ronen Rubinstein

Liam Hemsworth and Jasmine Tookes  Runner Up: Sarah Shahi

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Melissa Benoist (2nd Runner Up) Actual Winner: Ronen Rubinstein Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes

Lucy Hale and Tyler Hoechlin  Runner Up: Madelaine Petsch

Maia Mitchell and Elizabeth Olsen  Runner Up: Zoey Deutch

Miley Cyrus and Paul Rudd (3rd Runner Up) Actual Winner: Ronen Rubinstein Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes 2nd Runner Up: Melissa Benoist

Nick Jonas and Liam Payne  Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes

Oscar Isaac and Sarah Shahi  Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes

Sarah Hyland and Henry Cavill (3rd Runner Up) Actual Winner: Elizabeth Olsen Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes 2nd Runner Up: Melissa Benoist

Tom Payne and Josephine Skriver (3rd Runner Up) Actual Winner: Jasmine Tookes Runner Up: Paul Rudd 2nd Runner Up: Harry Styles

Valentina Zenere and Jacob Elordi Runner Up: Jasmine Tookes

[ayda--demir]

Who: @msmelissalin

Where: A cafe

Ayda was a little apprehensive meeting Melissa, but figured she'd give it a chance, seeing what might come from the meeting.

She arrives before her, hues sweeping around the room for any familiar faces before she finds a table off to the side for them. A leg crosses over the other, bouncing her knee in anticipation. Her head turns when the door opens, and in walks the familiar woman who she didn't quite know what wanted with her, a smile seeps on her lips.

Ayda stands when the Rutherford walks over.

"It's been awhile."

[becughmitchell]

melissa and lin-manuel are friends? omg

yeah! they’re always replying to each other’s tweets it’s cute

see this twitter thread for the purest gif war ever between these two kids

also

[david-pavoncello]

Who: @msmelissalin Where: Adri's Birthday Party Dubai

There were a few people that David would rather not run into and the one coming in his direction was one of them. Though, it was a peculiar predicament considering she was practically naked. Amber hues raking over the woman, waiting until she passed him to speak.

"I can appreciate a female's body, especially a beautiful one." His tone laced with sarcasm, though he could admit she did have a bangable body. His shoulder pushes off the wall, coming up behind her with a drink in hand.

"My only advice would be a paperbag over your head, so I can pretend it isn't the bitch that shot my brother." Malice in his voice.

[ayda--demir]

A lot of the categories were meant to rub people the wrong way and for once she was grateful to be on the lower end of the totem pole. "There has to be at least some you don't mind winning."

Ayda gave herself to her community without question. One might tell her to take better care of herself, but she welcomed the distraction, considering her world seemed to be always continuously falling into a black void. "It is nice to be appreciated." A small smile forms on her features.

Before she had time to comment on the desperate comment, her body was turning and a forced smile pulled on her lips when flashes from a camera appeared.

She waits until the photographer leaves. "The downside, being paraded around" Still taking her time to process this new chapter, which had been on the back burner since last weekend.

"I don't believe my nominations are quite up for celebrations, but appreciated all the same." and Melissa had felt the side eyes throughout the evening, keeping her chin up and shoulders drawn back as if it washed off her back like water against plastic. "Biggest heart is quite an accomplishment, although, a lot of the people around here wouldn't make it onto the list if their lives depended upon it."

Herself included.

"I don't tell my fashion secrets, Ayda. I have someone who sorts those kinds of things for me, anyway. If you're desperate call my secretary."

Slowly, she turned them both towards a cameraman passing by and smirked. "Smile, if we're going to get you into politics, you need to be seen with the right people."

The camera clicked three times in quick concession before it was over.

[bacchusvines]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

I do not believe I was tagged by anyone, so *BOOM* tagged myself.

1. Best book you’ve read so far this year? I read so many good books this year that it’s almost impossible to pick just one. But, I;m going to chose The War that Saved My Live by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year? I barely read sequels, my gods. Going back to the beginning of the year, Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin.

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to. Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia is the newest release I’m excited for.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.   Threads of Blue by Suzanne LeFleur and The War that I finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

5. Biggest disappointment I have 3. Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, and Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz. All were hyped, all promised really good things and all were huge letdowns.

6. biggest surprise Not Your Sidekick by C B Lee. I loved the representation and the action and all the amazing stories.

7. Favorite new author Allegedly by Tiffany D Jackson has written a story with so many who-dun-its that she is one of my many new faves.

8. Newest fictional crush Alexander Hamilton (From the Biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

9. Newest favorite character Julia from You’re Welcome Universe by Whitney Gardner.

10. Book that made you cry The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Not gonna lie, Starr’s emotions became my own.

11. Book that made you happy Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan. Amina is so passionate about her culture and I love her for everything she feels and does.

12. Most beautiful book you’ve acquired this year When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. That back cover, y’all. And the story writing and audio narration are beautiful.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year Eliza and Her Monsters, A List of Cages, How It Went Down, Orphan Island, The Sun is Also a Star, Ghost, and the Audio version of the Hate U Give (And add in Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the Universe audio, because I’m trash for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s voice)

14 Favourite Book Community Member 

Every person I tag: @blackgirlslit​ (both!) @youthbookreview​ @thereadingchallengechallenge​ @obviouslybooks​ @literary-lion​ @i-breathe-therefore-i-read​ @bookphile​

[david-pavoncello]

Who: @msmelissalin (before Etienne) Where: Bar

The Italian had a few informants lined around the city and when he heard that Ms. Lin was out drinking, he couldn’t help but find himself in the same establishment. There was some underlying hatred there for the woman, especially when it came to shooting his family. 

Stepping into the bar, dark amber hues scan the room before they land on her, and the entourage of bodyguards around. It didn’t stop him though. None paying attention to him, considering he didn’t look like the traditional Italian, he sat down beside her. 

“Seems we have a person in common.” His head turned to look at her, tapping his hand on the bar top to gain the bartenders attention. The loyalist glances away for a moment to place his order. “I’ll have a whiskey, per favore.”

“Where were we?” He turns back to the woman. 

[jordana-velasquez]

Jordana found great pleasure in attending performances and was rather fond of Opera. She was also one who liked to support small community based performing arts and convinced Mateo to attend with her. There was a small grumble, but not a lot of restraint against it.

He managed to get them two seats, sitting down, not really paying attention to the person beside her, scrolling through her phone to see if there were any messages that needed attention before the show began.

Melissa?

She twists her head to find Melissa Lin sitting beside her. "It's youth performing. I am sure they are all very talented. We are here to support them." It could go horribly wrong, but it didn't matter to Jordana. "It is almost three hours. There will be some intermissions." She knew how impatient the second in command could be and was curious to see how long she would last. "Are you enjoying the festival?" There was still ten minutes before it would start, Mateo giving them a glance before he looked down on at his phone.

FOR: @mobscene-starters WHERE: A Taste of the Opera (Saturday evening)

The murmuring of voices, the occasional rustle of programs, the sniffling — it was enough to have Melissa reminding herself to breathe in and out just as Carla instructed her all too often. She glanced around, unable to stop herself. Although coming here had been advised against, Melissa never chose to move her chess pieces by cowering away.

"I hope they're good," she said, lips pressing together in a thin line. Otherwise, it was a Saturday night wasted, and if there was one thing she absolutely hated — it was wasted time. There were reasons for her attendance, certain faces she wished to see, and certain people she wanted to talk to. "How long do you think it'll be?" Not caring to look who sat to her right, her eyes were directed at the stage. Waiting. She might've been one of the most impatient people on the planet. But she cared little of what others thought.