#threads || w. simon hawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

starter for @thesimonhawthorne

location: downtown kismet harbor

Margaret was walking with Taylor along the streets of downtown Kismet Harbor when her daughter took off. As she were about to scold her for running off, though she were nine years old, she spotted the person that her daughter was running off to. Her brother, Simon. Margaret pushed a smile onto her lips, one that only felt a little forced as she quickened her pace to meet her daughter at Simon, "I'm guessing she's already begged you to join us for lunch?" Margaret joked, her daughter grinning at the both of them to confirm her suspicions.

[danaxallenlopez]

starter for @thesimonhawthorne

location: hawaii beach vacation

Joining Julian and Haven for Haven's birthday was not exactly something that most people would have done. However, Dana was not like most people. Her friendship with Julian was arguably one of the most important things in her life, second to her sisters, of course, therefore, Haven was up there as well. Though she was without someone to travel with in a romantic way, she was grateful for the company of the Hawthorne brother, Simon. Their previous relationship had not stood in the way of their current friendship and it meant that she wouldn't constantly feel like a third wheel if she was around Haven and Julian. "I appreciate you," she smiled at Simon, slinging her beach bag over her shoulder, "I was honestly a little worried I was going to have to sit on the beach all alone this whole time," in which she would have done without complaint. It was Hawaii after all, "we can pretty much do our own thing if you're up for it. The last thing I want is to intrude on them, even if they say we aren't."

[genovevaxmarrero]

starter for @thesimonhawthorne

location: rapple raiders, elevated escapades

"You're sure this is safe?" Genoveva looked over at Simon before her eyes scanned the height of the wall. When she had agreed to join Simon for the elevated escapades outing, she didn't take into account that she'd really have to climb the wall. She was hoping that she'd be long forgotten but there were encouraging words from members that had her standing at the front of the wall, next to Simon.

[aaronstveit]

read in 2023!

i did a reading thread last year and really enjoyed it so i am doing another one this year!! as always, you can find me on goodreads and my askbox is always open!

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book by J.R.R. Tolkien (★★★★☆)

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo* (★★★★★)

Beowulf by Unknown, translated by Seamus Heaney (★★★★☆)

The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Lee (★★★★☆)

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (★★★★★)

Her Body and Other Parties: Stories by Carmen Maria Machado (★★★★☆)

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (★★★★★)

The Shadow of Kyoshi by F.C. Lee (★★★★☆)

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (★★★★★)

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson (★★☆☆☆)

Sharks in the Rivers by Ada Limón (★★★☆☆)

Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang (★★★★★)

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (★★★★★)

Paper Girls, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

Paper Girls, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

There Are Trans People Here by H. Melt (★★★★★)

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson (★★★★☆)

Paper Girls, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

Paper Girls, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (★★★★☆)

Paper Girls, Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (★★☆☆☆)

Paper Girls, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, and Matt Wilson (★★★☆☆)

The Princess Bride by William Goldman (★★★★☆)

Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (★★★★★)

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid* (★★★★★)

Goldie Vance, Volume 1 by Hope Larson, Brittney Williams

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White (★★★★☆)

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (★★★★☆)

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (★★★☆☆)

Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis (★★★★★)

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (★★★☆☆)

Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr. (★★☆☆☆)

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (★★★★★)

Going Dark by Melissa de la Cruz (★★★☆☆)

Working 9 to 5: A Women's Movement, a Labor Union, and the Iconic Movie by Ellen Cassedy (★★★★☆)

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

The Waste Land and Other Poems by T.S. Eliot

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley (★★★★☆)

Hollow by Shannon Watters, Branden Boyer-White, and Berenice Nelle (★★★★☆)

Heavy Vinyl, Volume 1: Riot on the Radio by Nina Vakueva and Carly Usdin (★★★★☆)

Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado (★★★☆☆)

Heavy Vinyl, Volume 2: Y2K-O! by Nina Vakueva and Carly Usdin (★★★★☆)

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (★★★★☆)

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★)

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (★★★★★)

The Backstagers, Vol 1: Rebels Without Applause by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, and Walter Baiamonte (★★★☆☆)

The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (★★★★☆)

The Backstagers, Vol 2: The Show Must Go On by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, and Walter Baiamonte (★★★☆☆)

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (★★★★☆)

Happy Place by Emily Henry (★★★★★)

After Dark with Roxie Clark by Brooke Lauren Davis (★★★☆☆)

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones (★★★☆☆)

Lord of the Flies by William Golding (★★★★☆)

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy (★★★★☆)

Built From the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, America’s Black Wall Street by Victor Luckerson (★★★★★)

Cheer Up!: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier, Oscar O. Jupiter, and Val Wise (★★★★★)

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by assorted authors, edited by Saundra Mitchell (★★★★☆)

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher** (★★★★☆)

St. Juniper's Folly by Alex Crespo** (★★★★★)

The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan** (★★☆☆☆)

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (★★★★★)

Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould** (★★★★☆)

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass** (★★★★★)

Princess Princess Ever After by Kay O’Neill (★★★☆☆)

Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis** (★★★☆☆)

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron (★★★☆☆)

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (★★★★☆)

Devotions by Mary Oliver (★★★★★)

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan* (★★★★☆)

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan* (★★★★☆)

The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan* (★★★★★)

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (★★★★★)

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (★★★★★)

Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñoz** (★★★★☆)

The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan (★★★★☆)

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (★★★★★)

All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord (★★★★★)

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (★★★★☆)

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee (★★★☆☆)

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (★★★★☆)

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Joseph Andrew White (★★★★★)

Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

M Is for Monster by Talia Dutton (★★★★☆)

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (★★★★★)

Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories by assorted authors, edited by Yamile Saied Méndez and Amparo Ortiz (★★★★☆)

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall (★★★★☆)

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (★★★★★)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins* (★★★★★)

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston (★★★★☆)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins* (★★★★★)

The October Country by Ray Bradbury (★★★★☆)

Hamlet by William Shakespeare (★★★★☆)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving (★★★★☆)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins* (★★★★★)

The Appeal by Janice Hallett (★★★★☆)

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (★★★★☆)

The Carrying: Poems by Ada Limón (★★★★★)

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi (★★★★★)

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (★★★★★)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins* (★★★★★)

Know My Name by Chanel Miller (★★★★★)

Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd (★★★★★)

Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler (★★★★☆)

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith* (★★★★★)

The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson (★★★★★)

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On by Franny Choi (★★★★★)

The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith (★★★★☆)

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally** (★★★★☆)

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher (★★★★☆)

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (★★★★☆)

Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson (★★★★☆)

Pageboy by Elliot Page (★★★★★)

All This and Snoopy, Too by Charles M. Schultz (★★★★☆)

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (★★★★☆)

Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter (★★★★☆)

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill** (★★☆☆☆)

Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente (★★★★☆)

The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (★★★★☆)

Spell on Wheels Vol. 1 by Kate Leth, Megan Levens, and Marissa Louise (★★★★☆)

Spell on Wheels Vol. 2: Just to Get to You by Kate Leth, Megan Levens, and Marissa Louise (★★★★☆)

Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis (★★★★☆)

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler (★★★★☆)

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (★★★★☆)

So Far So Good: Final Poems: 2014 - 2018 by Ursula K. Le Guin (★★★★☆)

Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict (★☆☆☆☆)

Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon (★★★★☆)

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (★★★★★)

The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani (★★★★☆)

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson (★★★★☆)

The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

The Twenty-Ninth Year by Hala Alyan (★★★☆☆)

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger (★★★☆☆)

Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia (★★★★☆)

An asterisk (*) indicates a reread. A double asterisk (**) indicates an ARC.

[danaxallenlopez]

starter for @thesimonhawthorne

location: kinsellas vineyard

Dana loved wine month in Kismet Harbor, at least when she and Julian were not out on their travels for his job. With some downtime, the brunette found herself at one of the local wineries and was getting a glass of wine when she saw someone else. "Simon!" Dana called out, waving him down as she approached with her glass of wine. "I didn't know you were coming out here today, or else I would have suggested we ride together. Unless you're meeting someone and I'm totally interrupting."

[danaxallenlopez]

starter for @thesimonhawthorne

location: the coffee carousel

Dana had some free time and she usually used it to caffeinate herself. Typically, she relied on the constant running of her mind when she was getting things together for Julian and his races but right now, her mind was much quieter and thus requiring a bit of a boost. "She had just grabbed her coffee and was going to take it to go when she spotted a familiar Hawthorne sitting at one of the tables. "Hey, stranger," she felt like she hadn't seen much of Simon since the Hawaii trip.

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I'm glad you like it," at least both of her siblings were seemingly happy in their career choices while Margaret continued to try to go above and beyond for a father that would never see her as capable of running the business. "It's the second weekend in November," she told Simon with a smile, "Thank you," she smile at her younger brother, sitting down next to her daughter, "How are other things with you? Besides work." @thesimonhawthorne

Simon couldn't help but smile at the little girl's clearly annoyed expression as she tried putting her hair back in place. "Sounds good," he agreed with a nod, starting to walk towards the place. "I really am," he said, genuine. "It's definitely different, can't lie about that, but I like it." So far, regrets wasn't on the list of things he'd gained by switching jobs. "Oh! When is that?" he asked. They quickly made it to the bistro and found a table. "On me, it's been a while." @margaretxhawthorne

[danaxallenlopez]

"Ah, I knew that I could count on you." Turning off was not a skillset that Dana really had. She was always on. And even though she was on vacation, she still had a hard time really embracing it. However, she was grateful for Simon's company, because at least she wouldn't be stuck in her own thoughts, alone. "Ah, I knew there was a reason I was glad you came on this trip," she teased him right back, "I am looking forward to some beach magic and not to mention, Hawaii beaches." She grinned, "not that I don't love Kismet beaches." Dana laughed softly, "I wonder if we will get to see any dolphins or something from the shoreline." @thesimonhawthorne

"And sounds like a plan then," he replied with a nod. The day was indeed just beginning, but it was good to have some kind of destination, even if they were to end up there only hours from now. "I agree." While Simon wasn't a man to deny himself a vacation now and then, but lately, trying to get that damn promotion, he'd had a hard time fully disconnecting. There were worst things than to answer phone calls on a beach but it was nice to have a break, even if some work found its way on his digital desk. However, he had no problem enjoying a break when one was offered to him. Simon smirked as they walked. "Struggling to relax, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you ease into it. The beach has a way of working its magic—and if not, I’m sure we can find other ways to keep you entertained." He nudged her playfully. @danaxallenlopez

[danaxallenlopez]

"I have to agree with you there," Dana smiled at Simon in return. They were in fact far from being stranded, that was for certain. "I am not going to turn down a beach bar," she told Simon, "that sounds like a perfect end to a day if you ask me." Though their day was just beginning as they were to head to the beach. Dana walked alongside Simon, "I honestly have to say I am excited to get a bit of vacation time," during the busy season, it wasn't often that Dana had much down time and if she did, it were closer to the middle of the night when all her tasks for the day were done and she was ahead on everything else. "I almost am not sure I am going to know what to do with myself. I don't know how to be anything other than a busy bee." @thesimonhawthorne

He simply smiled, it wasn't a subject they were going to disagree on. Were the roles reserved, he was sure Haven and Julian would've done the same thing. He wasn't sure he'd have been friends with Dana had she not been employed by his brother, not that long after their break up, but he was glad they did. Especially now that they were spending a lot more time together at work, and well, seemingly outside of it too. "At least the morning," he agreed. He had no intention of hurrying up so it might take a big chunk of the day anyway. "That's true, we are, after all, far from being stranded." He grabbed his sunglasses on the way out and made sure he had his phone and wallet and got out. He then pondered on Dana's question. He'd never been a planner on vacation, so he shrugged. "I heard there's a good beach bar not too far from here. It'd be a nice way to end the day, a few cocktails and the beach." @danaxallenlopez

[danaxallenlopez]

"Ah, I'm happy to help," she told Simon, "I could absolutely do this job in my sleep and I think that I have at some point." Not only was Dana coordinating everything during race season for Julian, she was for his role in the family business and not to mention his daily life. Now, with the engagement, Dana knew that she'd be coordinating a lot more in addition to the expansion of the family between him and Haven. Dana was truly thrilled for the both of them, but she felt like she was missing out in her own life and what it could be. "By next race season you won't need my help at all." @thesimonhawthorne

"Glad to hear it," he said with a soft smile. He was also enjoying having periods that were a little calmer. At his old job, down periods barely happened, if ever, and while he liked taking vacations, he didn't take them as much as he could have. "An adjustement period was needed for sure but we're at the very least nearing the end of it. Thanks by the way," he said, looking at her, "I don't know if I'd gotten the ropes this fast without your help." Rare admission from Simon but still true. @danaxallenlopez

[danaxallenlopez]

"I'm glad things aren't too bad right now," she knew that it could certainly be a lot worse for the both of them. Dana was trying to look at things with a lighter feeling as to not let herself get down too far. "The event is pretty nice, I can't say it will be as nice as Julian's birthday," she teased, having been known for throwing quite the party for Julian every year, "but it will do." She joked with Simon, nudging him gently. "I will see you there, yeah?" Dana questioned with the raise of her brow, "I've actually got to see about getting some of this wine." @thesimonhawthorne

END.

"Less exhausting, I don't know," he replied with a shrug, "but it is nice sometimes." He didn't really adhere all that much to the image of the laidback Aussie, but maybe it was his time in France that taught him how easy it was to complain about everything. Even though Simon would probably call it being realistic. He smiled back at her comments. "It is, isn't it?" he replied with a chuckle. "Well, what can I say, things aren't too bad right now." He punctuated his words with another shrug. "And the event is pretty nice." @danaxallenlopez

[margaretxhawthorne]

"See, even your uncle Simon knows I'm right," she reached out to gently ruffle her daughter's hair with a bright smile. "Great," she nodded her head, "we can go to the bistro," she suggested to Simon as it was just a few doors down on the street that they were on in downtown Kismet Harbor. "How are you liking the job with Julian?" She questioned her brother. The two were gone quite a lot for his races. "I'm good," which wasn't a lie per say, "Taylor's got a school play coming up so we've been practicing a lot for that, too." @thesimonhawthorne

"Don't do that, your mom is right," he replied at his niece's eyeroll, although he was amused by her reaction. "Let's go for lunch then." He nodded before asking her where they wanted to go. It was true that they didn't get to see each other very much. They'd already been both pretty busy when he had his old job but now, following Julian to races meant he spent less time in town. "I'm doing alright. Quite busy too if I'm honest. How are you?" @margaretxhawthorne

[danaxallenlopez]

"Mm, yes you are absolutely right," Dana agreed with Simon, a nod of head following her words. Conversation with Simon had a level of banter that the brunette could appreciate considering their past history. In a few instances, she found herself friends with her exes and Simon's friendship had come more naturally over the years. "I don't know about the whole day," she laughed softly, "but yes, you read my mind." As much as Dana adored both Julian and had quickly grown a soft spot for Haven, it would be much easier for everyone involved if they didn't pretend they wanted Simon and Dana to spend the whole day with them. "We will have more fun," it was easy to agree to that sentiment. "I think so," she peeked into her beach bag that was slung over her shoulder, "at least if I forget something, I doubt there is a shortage of shops in the area." Dana grinned at him, moving towards the exit, "Is there anything you wanted to do today?" @thesimonhawthorne

He met Dana’s smile with one of his own, a lazy, relaxed grin. “They deserve it and I mean, it’s practically our duty as the selfless, considerate people that we are.” he said, the words easy, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to be bantering with his ex-girlfriend on a boat in paradise. Julian did deserve it, after everything. He genuinely liked Haven, which wasn't a small feat as he rarely liked his brother's girlfriends. “Well, it sounds like you have the day planned out already," he replied with a smile. "Can't promise about the turtles, but we can always try." He straightened up, ready to go. "Shall we go before they realise what we're up to? They won't miss us and I'd rather avoid the fake back and forth of them pretending they'd rather we stay," He shrugged. "We'll have more fun anyway than if we stayed in their way." There was a brief pause where he considered saying more, but instead, he just smiled at her. "Got everything?" @danaxallenlopez

[danaxallenlopez]

"Oh, absolutely," she laughed with a nod of her head, "life certainly is far from perfect." Perfect did not exist, though some people had a hard time wrapping their heads around that concept. "I find it's less exhausting to find the positives in things." She told Simon, "Constantly complaining or seeing the cup half empty wears on me a lot more, personally," she knew that it wasn't the same for everyone. "It's nice to see you seeing the positive side of things, though." Dana commented with a smile pushing the corners of her lips upward. @thesimonhawthorne

"I know you do," he said with a chuckle. He was well aware that he was really busy as they both had jobs that took a huge chunk of their time. "I guess you can always find something to complain about if you dig deep enough," he replied with a shrug, knowing it probably wouldn't take him very long to come up with something. "But you do have to see the positives in things sometimes too." He almost frowned, as this didn't exactly fit his vision of things most days, but he was surprised to find that he meant it. @danaxallenlopez

[danaxallenlopez]

She smiled at Simon as he closed the laptop in front of him. "I'm doing well," she told him, pulling out the chair and taking a seat in it, "Enjoying the bit of down time," though Dana was not without work, she wasn't constantly running around at the moment. "What about you? Adjusting more to the job?" Dana questioned him, curious to how he was enjoying the change in career choices after the last few months. @thesimonhawthorne

Before switching jobs, Simon rarely sat down at coffee shops. He was mostly there on his way to the bank and he left with a to-go cup. Now, since a lot of his work was done online, through emails and calls, much more than before, he did sometimes enjoy getting out and working in a café. It proved to be at least interesting, and he did so during this new long break, which, although put some halt on the race weekends, didn't mean he didn't have anything to do. "Oh hey you," he replied to Dana with a smile, closing the laptop that was in front of him. "How are you doing?" he asked. @danaxallenlopez

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I don't," she smiled at Simon as he said that he would have to accept. "She's been wanting to see you for some time but I told her school comes first." In which prompted a playful eye roll from her daughter. "But since we ran into you by chance, I'd love to get lunch." She stated to her younger brother. It had been some time since she had really seen him or Julian. "How have you been? I know we haven't seen each other in a while. Dad has me busy," not that it would pay off in her favor at all. @thesimonhawthorne

On a simple walk, Simon had been a little surprised to see a little kid running towards him. He'd annoyed at first, as he usually was at people who let their kids run around in crowded places. Then, he'd been a little scared that it was his daughter, but he finally smiled as he recognised his niece. He hugged her and smiled at his sister when he arrived. "It was inevitable," he replied with a smile. "I don't have anything planned, so if you don't, I guess I have to accept." @margaretxhawthorne