#year of reading challenge 2025

[book-lore]

Who's up for a reading challenge for 2025? There are many out there but this is one that I designed specifically to help me, and whoever would like to join me, in getting to read those books I have in my own collection or my local library. This was inspired by a friend talking about how the major publishing companies were often putting out so many books that independent authors often get buried in their wake. Personally, I think this isn't helped by the constant "haul" nature of how many of us hoard books. There's nothing wrong with buying books at all, but often I'm seeing a lot of people buying so many books and reading so few. This isn't meant to be an exercise in shame because I am just as likely to pick up another book as the next person but I would like a reason and a bit of a fun exercise in engaging with my own collection with a little more intention. So this brings me to the Year of Reading Challenge! I'm posting the guide for the squares below so if you are so inclined, feel free to join!

The Challenges:

Centre square is Get or Renew Your Library Card.  The remaining 24 challenges are: 

Numbers Game: Read a full series by the same author(s) in 2025.  Series can be as short as two books, or as long as you want.  If you are a masochist, try the Discworld series, but for all other mortals, choose as you see fit.  Series doesn’t have to be complete, so GOT is fine. 

Mine: Read at least 3 books on your shelf.  These should be books you’ve owned for at least a year.  If you actually read everything you buy, these can be library books. 

Getting To It: Clear at least 2 books off your TBR.  Has to have been on the list for at least six months. 

Nostalgia: Either re-read an old favorite, or read something that reminds you of something you enjoyed. 

Who Are You Again? Choose a book that you’ve forgotten why you put it on your TBR to read. 

Summer: Read a book that reminds you of summer when you were a kid.  Can be a re-read of an old favorite or a book that incorporates something that says summer time to you. 

Winter: Read a wintery or holiday story that you’ve been meaning to get to.  Choose something different than you usually read every year. 

Spring: Budding talent – read a book from an indie author, either one you love or a new to you talent. 

Autumn: Where Tropes go to Die – Read a genre blend that takes common tropes and familiar themes and puts a different spin on them. 

Impulse Buy: You’ve done it.  I’ve done it.  Just read it now. 

Thumbs Up: Read something that has been recommended to you by someone you know. 

Ouch: Read or re-read something that gives you emotional damage.  We all need a good cry sometimes. 

Fluff: Sometimes you just want to feel good.  Read a book that feels like curling up in a large, warm blanket. 

Switcheroo: Is Fiction your life?  Let’s find one non-fiction book you might like.  Are you someone who only reads non-fiction?  Let’s try the land of make believe for one book. 

Thicccc: Stop letting that big book on your shelf bully and intimidate you.  Pick it up and let it know who bought/borrowed it. 

Compact: Sometimes a book doesn’t have to be long to pack a punch.  Read a book that crams as much story as possible into a punishingly small page count. 

Young at Heart: We’re all adults here but sometimes we don’t want to be.  Read a children’s book from any age category. 

Second Date: Find a book on your shelf or from your library that wasn’t your cup of tea.  Give it a second try to impress you this time around. 

Influencer Glamour: You know that book you bought because everyone you know or everyone online said it was the best book in existence, and this is totally different from all the other times another book was the best one they’ve encountered.  Let’s read it and find out if the hype was worth the price tag. 

Perspective is Key: Have you noticed that all the authors you read tend to look the same or have the same background?  Time to get out of your bubble and try reading at least one book from an author who has at least three key differences from your favorite ones. 

Judge by the Cover: We all do it, so let’s just give in to it.  Find at least one book from your own collection or the library where you are intrigued by the cover alone.  Don’t read the synopsis, just dive in. 

Hear Me Out: Audiobooks count as reading.  Better yet, you can read and do other things, like drive or go to the gym or other activities that you can’t do with a physical book.  Listen to at least one audiobook. 

The Book was Better: Find a movie or series that was based on a book and find out if the book really was better after all.  This can include books that have been optioned for adaptation and no, it doesn’t matter if they are languishing in development hell. 

Pulp: It’s trash, they say.  It might be, but it might also be treasure.  Try out a genre of book that gets picked on and see for yourself.  If you are already a pulp reader, it’s time to break out the big guns and get to the stuff that scares off literary critics in the first page. 

Enjoy and happy reading!

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge

Welcome to another year of the Fanfic Reading Challenge (FRC)!

I won't bore you with the history of the challenge, this year, but I will welcome you to check out past posts that do explain some of it, as well as include a brief overview of what, exactly, this challenge is, though it does change year to year. (Essentially you read fics to complete goals and win bragging points and an artsy badge.)

This year is especially different, as I had the extreme pleasure of having @noxsoulmate as a partner in crime in keeping me hostage on track to completing this year's FRC. Another valued member of the mod team is @jandjsalmon and speaks for all of us if you need questions answered!

As for the challenge....

This is, indeed, a challenge. Of course.

First of all... you must obviously read fanfiction. As if you don't already!

You also need to download and make your own copy of the spreadsheet, which can be found here, as well as below in the important links section.

To participate in the challenge, you read fics that match the tasks in the challenge. An example of a task can be: "read a fic with a title containing the word purple in it." Should be easy! Of course, there are harder ones.

Which is why there are different modes of challenge to the FRC. These are as follows:

Participation (Complete 1 task)

Regular Mode (Complete 80 tasks)

Hard Mode (Complete 150 tasks)

Extreme Mode (Complete 220 tasks)

Complete (Complete 250 tasks)

The challenge lasts from January 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025.

There are badges that go with the modes completed, and even a secret 6th badge that will be fairly obvious if you look at the spreadsheet! Doesn't mean it'll be easy to complete though. *smirks* (Blame Noxy)

Most important of all: this challenge operates on the honour system. We don't check your work, or your reading logs (see below), so I mean, I guess if you want to be slippery with the rules, you do you, and that's on your conscience, but honestly it's so much fun to see how much you can get done by following the letter of the law/tasks! You can be slippery even with following the tasks fully. It's great fun. ;D

I think that's enough for an intro, really, maybe too much.

Important Links and Reading Logs/Trackers

As there is a component of the FRC that includes tracking numbers of words read, most of us use a reading log/tracker to keep count of how many fics we read, including data such as words, of course, chapters, month completed, ship, author, title, fandom, link to the fic, and such. It's a great place to mark what fics you want to read in the future as well!

This year we have FOUR trackers on offer, quite different from one another, so take a look, play around with them and check out their "intros", and choose according to what you think will work best for you!

Fic Tracking Sheets

Juulna's 2025 Reading Log

Noxy's 2025 Reading Log

2025 Jandy's Fic Tracker

Taru's Fic Tracker 2025

Discord

We have a blast on Discord. From general chatter to sharing pet pics to being there for each other during the tough times to forming lasting friendships and making friendships you’d never make in a ship- or fandom-specific Discord, to asking for help ‘rolling the dice’ (pick a number between 1-10!) to choose the next fic to read, to finding some of the really challenging task fills in fandoms people might not have ever read but are willing to try, or finding fandoms someone has never read and is very tentative about stepping out of their box, but they’re being 100% supported and know they don’t need to complete the fic for it to count for the task, stepping out of their comfort zone… we’ve formed a very odd group of, if not friends, then companions (but there are definite friendships that have formed!! Just ask the people who have started watching NHL and NFL together in our off topic channel!).

In any case, our Discord is not necessary, but it is a worthy and tactical element to completing many of the tasks of this challenge. 💙

And.... without further ado....!

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge! (link)

There is an info/rules page as the first sheet on the spreadsheet that should fill in any further questions you have. It also has more contact info than just this page if you have any further questions and perhaps need a more immediate answer for your needs.

*Occasionally you will run into something that looks like an error, and it may in fact be one! Let us know if you see it. It's hard not to make a mistake on as large a spreadsheet as this.*

Please, first of all, have fun and just read fanfiction that you enjoy! I (Juulna) did that last year and didn't even come close to completing the entire challenge, and I still had a blast because I was enjoying what I was reading and rereading. Others took the challenge right to the completed end. Others forgot about it halfway through but still had fun, and some even went back and filled in the sheet for a really good showing! The challenge is what you make of it, what you want from it. So... just have fun. Read fic. Smile. Enjoy. :)

Second of all... well, we would love if you signal boost this post!!!!

Third of all, we do have our pinned post that includes a link to this page and that will include a link to our Discord and all our trackers as well, including past links for memento and informative purposes.

Thank you, and a blessed 2025 to all!

[moyazaika]

will you appear again before Christmas?🥲

YES HI!!!! WOWEE sorry for being away longer than i intended! estranged family member showed up on my front door after 18 yeARS of no contact?!?!? went to bali and lost my pasSPORT?!?!?! failed my driver's TEST!?!?!?!

#life

[here-queer-and-really-werid]

Please recommend any book to read in 2025 please

I've decided to set a New Year’s resolution/challenge – I'm going to try to read more often (or rather read at all), and I would love to hear some book suggestions/recommendations.

All suggests and generes are welcome

Not strictly for the new year

————————————————————————————————————————

Title:

Author:

Genre:

[childofsquidward]

Books I Read In 2022 (and by read I mean actually liked)

Delilah Green Doesn't Care (Bright Falls #1) by Ashley Herring Blake

“My whole life, this is what I’ve wanted. A best friend. Someone who gets me, who accepts me. Someone who fights like hell to get me to see that they love me. Someone who lets me love them back. Someone who’s so goddamn beautiful, she makes my toes curl. Someone who calls me on my bullshit. Someone who makes me laugh. Someone who makes me look at her like this and looks at me the same way. Someone who… who’s my home.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.75 STARS)

This is one of those “5 stars is a feeling” type of books where you think about it constantly, it’s one of your all-time favourite books, but it’s just so hard to put into words what you like about it and why you love it so much in the first place. There’s just something so captivating about Ashley Herring Blake’s writing that it’s hard to critically analyze the book unless you’ve read it a few times, but I’m going to try to say something beyond “I love this book so much!”. (I’ve only been able to read it once, despite how much I love it. It’s never available at the library and it’s always out of stock at every bookstore I check.) 

I think that the book did a really good job of developing Claire and Delilah’s relationships beyond the one they share with each other. Claire’s dynamic with her ex and her daughter Ruby are super fleshed out. Her friendship with Iris and Astrid both as a trio and individually were really well done, especially when we get to see how Delilah is integrated into it, knowing their past. I also love how Delilah’s relationship with Ruby was written throughout the book. Delilah and Ruby’s bond is very special to me because, in books with a single-parent trope, you rarely get to see older kids like Ruby so to have this moody pre-teen and have her get so attached to Delilah because they’re just so similar and understand each other in a way that they’ve been so desperate for other people to be able to do - I just get very emotional every time I think of these two. Ruby was never Claire’s daughter to Delilah - she was a Delilah from the past that adult!Delilah wanted to protect and support in every scene they had because she’d gone through something similar, and didn’t have anyone in her corner.

My favourite quotes from the book:

“Delilah spent her entire drive back to Bright Falls with a sapphic fantasy audibook blasting in her ears.” // mushroom spinach pizza - Delilah is me coded!

“-her heart felt larger in her chest, more tender, like a sunburn that screamed at the slightest touch.”

“This, though. This… embrace. From an almost-teenager, no less, and everyone knew almost-teenagers hated everyone. It took the breath out of her. Literally, for a few seconds as Ruby rested her head against Delilah’s chest, arms tight around her waist, she couldn’t find enough air, her eyes stinging with a swell of sudden tears. But then she moved her arms around Ruby, pressed her cheek to the top of her hair. She exhaled what felt like a decade’s worth of anxiety, and accepted the girl’s love.

“Claire felt an ache in her throat, watching her daughter reach out into the world and have the world… reach back.”

“Shit. Maybe this was the first time she’d ever felt this seen. Or, no, not this exact moment, but every tiny moment with Claire since she’d been back in Bright Falls - talking with Claire at the bookstore, lying with her in bed at Blue Lily, listening to her talk about her worries over Josh, telling her about Jax, watching how Claire’s eyes literally sparkled when she talked about Ruby. Hell, even letting the woman unknowingly hit on her at Stella’s. Then last night, her skin, her body, her touch. Just sex that suddenly felt like anything but.”

Also, I swear this book actually made me cry because my playlist did not get the memo. x

[bookthorns]

100 Graphics in a Year Reading Challenge 📚🔖💯 | 2025

Hey friends, welcome to or welcome back to my blog! Back in October I was going over the number of graphics I’d read and was disturbed to see that despite hosting the graphicsathon readathon multiple times this year, I had only read 43 graphics in total. This honestly kind of baffled me as I definitely assumed I’d read a whole lot more than that, so for 2025 I’m challenging myself and all of you…

[n1pp]

25 Questions for a Fresh Start

Reflect and take the next step toward your goals!

1. What are my top three priorities for 2025?

2. What is one habit I want to create this year?

3. What personal qualities do I want to develop?

4. What will success look like for me in 2025?

5. What is one bold goal I've been hesitant to pursue?

6. How will I take care of my mental and physical health this year?

7. What do I need to let go of to move forward?

8. Who in my life supports my growth and goals?

9. How can I add more joy and fun to my daily life?

10. What financial goal do I want to achieve by the end of the year?

11. What new skill will I commit to learning in 2025?

12. How will I organize my time to stay productive and balanced?

13. What motivates me to reach my goals?

14. How will i track my progress and celebrate small wins?

15. What does my ideal work-life balance look like?

16. What experiences or adventures do I want to have in 2025?

17. How can I be more present and mindful in my daily routine?

18. What will I stop doing that no longer serves me?

19. What is one relationship I want to improve this year?

20. How can I contribute more to my community or causes I care about?

21. What are three books I want to read for self-growth?

22. What limiting belief do I need to challenge and overcome in 2025?

23. How will I make time for rest and self-care throughout the year?

24. What is one risk I'm willing to take for personal growth?

25. What legacy do I want to build or continue this year?

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

2025 book bingo time 📚

want a completely arbitrary set of reading goals for 2025? want to try something new in your literary diet but don't know where to start? just like a challenge for the sake of a challenge? just love a good game of bingo?

boy do I have something for you!

for anyone planning to participate, please know that I LOVE attention and talking about books, so I would be STOKED to be tagged on any and all updates about what you're reading or planning to read. I'm so, so excited to see all the different ways these prompts get filled, especially if and when they bring people away from the kinds of things they normally read. not to mention snag some new reading recs myself, hopefully!

and of course, I want to know whenever somebody gets a bingo - and ESPECIALLY if somebody fills the whole board! I don't have any prizes for you, but I can offer a sense of accomplishment :)

note that this is designed to be played as 1 book = 1 space, so even if you read, say, a fantasy graphic novel published in 1923 from an indie publisher that has a bat on the cover, you'd only cross off one space. I'm not a cop and I'm not in charge of what you read, so if it sparks more joy to check off multiple spaces per book then go nuts, but I am throwing that disclaimer out there.

EDIT: the 2025 book bingo challenge is now also on storygraph, thanks to @obi-wann-cannoli!

wondering what some of these spaces mean? seeking a couple recommendations to get you started? no idea what a zine even is, let alone how to make one? worry not! I have a guide to all 25 prompts, including recommendations + an example of what I'll be reading throughout the year to fulfill each space. read on beneath the cut!

Literary Fiction: I find that a lot of people are reluctant to check out literary fiction, as it’s often written off as not being about anything but adultery and divorce. If this is you, I implore you to take a chance, acknowledge that adultery and divorce are compelling sometimes, and also remember that lit fic has a lot more to offer than that. At Writer’s Digest, Michael Woodson describes literary fiction as “less of a genre than a category,” which “focuses on style, character, and theme over plot.” My recommendations include Raven Leilani’s Luster, Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, and Melissa Broder’s Milk Fed. 

I’ll be reading: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

2. Short Story Collection: You know, a bunch of short stories together in one book? It doesn’t get much more self-explanatory than that. Could be a collection of stories by a single author or an anthology—it’s up to you! I recommend checking out Mariana Enríquez’s The Dangers of Smoking in Bed (translated by Megan McDowell), Nalo Hopkinson’s Falling in Love With Hominids, and Kim Fu’s Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century. 

I’ll be reading: Your Utopia by Bora Chung and translated by Anton Hur 

3. A Sequel: It could be one that you’ve been meaning to get around to, one that’s not releasing until 2025, or the sequel to something you read to cross off another space on this very bingo sheet!

I’ll be reading: Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao, sequel to 2021’s Iron Widow 

4. Childhood Favorite: Go back and read a book you loved as a child, tween, or teen! There’s no wrong answer here; anything from a YA novel to a picture book would be just lovely, and I can’t wait to see what people pick for this option! I’m not sure which of my old favorites I’ll be revisiting yet—should I go for the warm and fuzzy Casson Family series, or straight towards the mindfucky sci-fi of Interstellar Piggy? Or maybe I’ll go see how Artemis Fowl holds up...

5. 20th Century Speculative Fiction: For those not familiar with the term, speculative fiction can encapsulate science fiction, fantasy, and anything else that falls into the unreal. You’re spoiled for iconic choices here: the 20th century gave us Le Guin’s Left Hand of Darkness, Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Kindred, L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, the beginning of Pratchett’s Discworld series, Diana Wynne Jones’ Howls’ Moving Castle, and countless others.

I’ll be reading: Dawn by Octavia E. Butler, love of my literary life 💜

6. Fantasy: Fantasy comes in a thousand different shades, from contemporary urban wizards with day jobs at the office to high fantasy spellslingers chasing dragons away from castles. Some examples I’ve adored are N.K. Jemisin’s The Killing Moon, C.L. Polk’s Witchmark, Fonda Lee’s Jade City, and Nghi Vo’s Empress of Salt and Fortune.

I’ll be reading: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty  

7. Published Before 1950: This one could not be more straightforward if I tried. You have all of human history (or at least, all the parts that have surviving literature), just not the last 75 years. Dig deep! 

I’ll be reading: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1938 

8. Independent Publisher: Did you guys know that just five publishing companies (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Book Group) are responsible for 80% of books published in the US each year, and 25% of books globally? Break away from the big five and see what some small presses are putting out! If you need some ideas about where to start, check out this list of nearly 300 independent publishers with notes on what kind of books they put out!

I’ll be reading: Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translated by Lin King, from Graywolf Press

9. Graphic Novel/Comic Book/Manga: Despite my personal obsession with Batman, the world of comic books is sooo much wider than Gotham City—or anything else that DC and Marvel have to offer. If superheroes aren’t your speed, check out the Southern gothic of Carmen Maria Machado and Dani Strips’ comic The Low, Low Woods, splash around in Kat Leyh’s graphic novel Thirsty Mermaids, or stop waiting for a new season of Dungeon Meshi and go read Ryoko Kui’s manga, translated to English by Taylor Engel. 

I’ll be reading: The Fade, by Aabria Iyengar and Mari Costa

10. Animal on the Cover: Yes, yes, don’t judge a book by its cover—but do go find one with a critter on the cover and give it a read! Absolutely no other requirements here, get silly with it.

I’ll be reading: Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

11. Set in a Country You Have Never Visited: Fiction or nonfiction, doesn’t matter so long as it gives you a little glimpse of a country you’ve never visited in real life. If you’ve somehow visited every country currently recognized in the world, then I guess you get to go read something set in space.

I’ll be reading: A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon and Kim Sanho, translated by Anton Hur 

12. Science Fiction: A genre just as diverse as fantasy, with a little something for everybody! I recommend Becky Chambers’ Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet for those who want to kiss an alien in the stars and Jessamine Chan’s The School for Good Mothers for those who want a surveillance state dystopia that hits much closer to home.  

I’ll be reading: Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase

13. 2025 Debut Author: Read a book by someone who’s releasing their first book in 2025. Fic or nonfic, any genre, no further requirements. Not quite a free space, but pretty close!

I’ll be reading: Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani, coming out March 11

14. Memoir: Per Wikipedia, a memoir is “any nonfiction narrative writing based on the author’s personal memories.” Some are funny, some are heartbreaking, some are both! I recommend Carman Maria Machado’s In the Dream House and Roxane Gay’s Hunger, because I tend to lean heartbreaking! 

I’ll be reading: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Again, I like heartbreaking!

15. Read a Zine, Make a Zine: Not familiar with zines? No problem! Check out some of these digital archives for inspiration, and then craft your own zine with this simple guide (or do it your own way, I’m not in charge of you). 

Internet Archives: https://archive.org/details/zines

Gay Zine Archive Project: https://gittings.qzap.org/ 

POC Zine Project: https://poczineproject.tumblr.com/ 

Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/collections/zine-web-archive/ 

16. Essay Collection: Like a short story collection, but it’s nonfiction now. Some of my favorites include Samantha Irby’s We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, Elaine Castillo’s How to Read Now, Aimee Nezhukhumatathil’s World of Wonders, and Cathy Park Hong’s Minor Feelings.

I’ll be reading: A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib 

17. 2024 Award Winner: What award? Any award you like! And boy, there are tons to pick from. Any book that won any award in the year 2024 is free game. If you need some places to start looking, check out some of these:

Lambda Literary Awards, for excellence in LGBT literature: https://lambdaliterary.org/awards__trashed/2024-winners/ 

The Alex Awards, for adult books with crossover appeal for teen readers: https://www.ala.org/yalsa/alex-awards 

Ignyte Awards, celebrating diversity in speculative fiction: https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/2024-results/  

Women's Prize for Fiction (self explanatory) https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens-prize-for-fiction/

Others: https://www.bookbrowse.com/awards/ 

I’ll be reading: Biography of X by Catherine Lacey, winner of the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction

18. Nonfiction: Learn Something New: I know very little about archaeology, anthropology, or any other fields that involve studying ancient cities, but Annalee Newitz’s Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age was some of the most fun I had with nonfiction in 2024, because every page brought a brand new discovery. For 2025, find a nonfiction book about a topic you don’t know ANYTHING about, and learn something new!

I’ll be reading: Cooling the Tropics: Ice, Indigeneity, and Hawaiian Refreshment by Hi’ilei Julia Kawehipuaakahaopulani Hobart

19. Social Justice & Activism: Read a book about a social issue, the history of an activist movement, or brush up on a guiding philosophy or ideology. Arm yourself with knowledge, besties, because I have a feeling we’re going to need it! if you need a good place to start, why not try Angela Davis' Race, Women & Class, Mariame Kaba's We Do This 'Til We Free Us, or Molly Smith and Juno Mac's Revolting Prostitutes?

I’ll be reading: White Feminism: From Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind by Koa Beck

20. Romance Novel: Listen to me. Fucking listen to me. I mean a ROMANCE. NOVEL. Not a novel that incidentally has a romance in it. Romance novel, motherfucker. Go check out the romance section and have some whimsy as two people fall in love through the most contrived series of events ever conceived. If you really need a romance that makes you feel smart (that’s still sexy and messy as hell), try Akwaeke Emezi’s You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty.

I’ll be reading: Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasche  

21. Read and Make a Recipe: Could be a cookbook, could be a recipe you yoinked from the New York Times, could be something your grandparents lovingly wrote down by hand. Could be as complex or as simple as you like, just make something tasty! Some cookbooks I’ve enjoyed are Sohla El-Waylly’s Start Here, Dan Pashman’s Mission Impastable, and John Wang and Storm Garner’s The World Eats Here.

22. Horror: Slashers, zombies, haunted houses, creeping paranoia, you name it! It’s time to get spooky and scary with all kinds of things going bump in the night. Maybe this is the year to finally keep up with Dracula Daily? Not for me, I'm not doing that, but you could!

I’ll be reading: I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

23. Published in the Aughts: A throwback, but not too far back. Read something published between 2000 and 2009. Maybe it’s time to finally get into Twilight? (For legal reasons, that’s a joke.)

I’ll be reading: The Sluts by Dennis Cooper, published in 2004

24. Historical Fiction: You know, fiction that takes place in a bygone era! Please remember, this isn’t just about reading a book that’s old; we have a separate prompt for that! This is about reading something that takes place in the past relative to the time it was written. Pride and Prejudice is historical to us, but was contemporary when Austen wrote it. Think of Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half, Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, or history + a bit of fantasy in book's like R.F. Kuang's Babel.

I’ll be reading: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Bookseller or Librarian Recommendation: This one is fun, and something I always like to do when I’m travelling and visiting a new bookstore. Ask a bookseller or librarian to recommend something they’ve liked, and check it out! If going in person isn’t feasible, many bookstores and libraries have staff picks on their websites, and the Indie Next List is a monthly list of independent booksellers’ favorite new releases. 

I’ll be reading: The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich, which I bought at Erdrich’s bookstore, Birchbark Books, this summer :)

lastly: tagging people who asked to be tagged to make sure they didn't miss this! @thebisexualwreckoning @perfunctoryperfusions @reallyinkyhands come get your bingo sheet!

[microcosmtoxin]

ok: let me be very REALISTIC about project 2025. if youre on the same page that project 2025 is insane and would have massive implications for your life, and you're worried, read this post.

important considerations

the "project 2025" for trumps last term only had about 2/3rds pass rate, and was much less extreme than the current agenda

after the last trump administration, or during, a good chunk of the most extreme was undone or overturned by the courts or legislature (paris accords, trans kids in sports)

organizations like the aclu have already committed to continuing their work of the first trump administration, where they alone entered 434 legal challenges and overturned some of trumps most extreme policies (muslim ban, family separation)

lets also not forget the shadow of the last 8 years of the republican party, their extremist infighting cost them tons of priorities when they had majorities

do not forget trump is also spectacular at alienating his competent aides and replacing them with more loyal, but much less experienced and competent staff

what i want you to take away

it is beyond reasonable to be afraid, confused, and angry. life will change for the worse in america.

you should be preparing plans for your safety with your doctors, family, and friends. explore your healthcare, housing, education, and employment options to the fullest extent

it is very unlikely that project 2025, especially its most extremist plans, will be implemented in their entirety. no government is a perfect law passing machine. advocacy groups are laying down and dying until 2028.

take a deep breath, make some appointments, and take care of yourself

[the-tarot-witch22]

Your Next Glow Up! - Pick a pile

Pile 1/ Pile 2/ Pile 3

My Paid Readings | My insta | My year goal post | Giveaway

Liked my blog or readings? Tip me!

Hello everyone ! This is my another pick a pile or pac reading so please be kind and leave comment or reblog, and let me know if it resonated with you!

Note : This is a general reading or collective reading. It may or may not resonate with you. Please take what resonates and leave what doesn't. And it's totally okay if our energies aren't aligned!

How to pick : Take a deep breath and choose a pile which you feel most connected to! You can choose more than one pile, it just means both pile have messages for you!

I worked really hard on this pile please show some love by leaving comments, likes and reblogs!

Pile 1:

(The cards I got for you - 3 of cups, 7 of wands, and page of cups)

Okay so the very first thing i feel and heard is celebration and wedding/engagement or just something celebratory, that's when you will get a glow up, I also feel when the glow up happens, you will be so happy and content with in your life, for some of you it could be graduation too, I also feel as much as you had like to glow up physically for you guys i see emotional glow up, physically yes, but the way you will glow up "mentally and emotionally" is just amazing, I also feel some of you could be recovering from working very hard, which has left you certainly drained and very much crushed, but i see it getting better, I feel you will get a chance to relax, and not be productive and being in your own energy, so I had say you will know so take that chance, I also feel there might be a new crush/love interest which will help you glow up, you know when you are in love you just glow naturally that type of thing, and i also see you putting effort not only in your appearance, but inner conflicts too, it won't be at all superficial but much more deeper, and it will stay with you, and i see this glow up happening in upcoming years like 2025, you might turn age of 24, 20's or in your 30's, it will be very natural, and i see lots of self pampering and giggles, which is just amazing, I also feel in this time you will recover from your trauma or past. I also see your personality being much more confident, and less anxiety which is a bonus, all i feel is you guys will be doing good, everything you have suffered it will get better~ Not only that i see academic or professional glow up, like you manifesting and getting good grades , you wanting the job and getting it, which goes with i heard celebrations.

That's all pile 1, I love that all i see and feel is growth here, couldn't be more happier for you, you deserve it~

Pile 2:

(The cards I got for you - 5 of cups, 2 of swords and 2 of cups)

Okay so the very first thing I feel and heard is when you glow up next, you would be going through something a transformation or an awakening. I feel that will be really hard on you, and you will just ask universe, or question it, like what have we done to deserve this?. I feel it won't be easy, like the timing, but the way i see it, it will be a blessing for you because the way you will be becoming your best version and glowing up, is just amazing! alright let's dive deeper, what i feel here is when you glow up next is you will be going through a breakup of friendship/relationship/ or a loss of something might be you would be leaving behind things, which will be hard for you because i sense this pile might like to stay in their comfort zone, I also feel the next glow up will come with challenges, i see you getting through them, but i see you become hot ass version of your own self, like yes I freaking know my worth I also feel. It will bring you a sense of balance in your life with some peace, you will be able to have clear thoughts, without not feeling everything is a burden. I also feel there will be a period of darkness for you which will turn into something beautiful later. I also see you making some decisions, cutting people which are not serving you, or bringing you down. Which will naturally lead to peaceful situation and you feeling better about it. I also feel you guys are just not good at decision making lmao, like you don't know you cant trust yourselves, and this is for some of you not everyone! I also feel, there will be choice you would have to make for your own mental peace, and i see you being confused, but in the end you will have to go with your gut, because only that way i see you having a beautiful future. trust yourself is really a theme here, I feel you guys might have Capricorn/ Aquarius and Gemini/Libra as your sun/ moon / rising! I also feel you will have someone a friend/partner/or your parent especially mom, to help you guide right way, and you working on their advise and them bringing out best in you! You will definitely have big glow up in your mindset and physical self~ I also feel some of you might join gym/yoga or do it at home, or get in habit of it, thought i should mention what i was getting!

Okay so pile 2, that's all i got for you~, honestly as it may seem hard at first, with time, i see t getting easier and better for you!

Pile 3:

(The cards got for you - The magician, the sun and the king of cups)

Okay so pile 3, the very first thing i feel and hear for your pile is your next glow up will be mind-blowing, like you won't be recognizing yourself anymore such growth, in every way possible. I also feel this pile might be a overthinker or a creative mind, just random messages i have been getting, anyhow let's dive deeper! I feel your next glow up will be you finding your potential, in career way, or even you might tap into your divine feminine energy, i see this pile is very feminine yet you might also be trying to balance your masculine side of yourself which is just beautiful! I also feel, you guys would be making the best of what you have like not dwelling in future anymore, or trying to live in a moment, this glow up will bring you much needed life changes, you guys can check pile 1, i feel there might be messages for you there, I also feel you guys will glow up financially like the situation will be improving, things will be much easier, the rocky situation has passed, I also feel and heard "no more challenges, if there are it will be easier for you", I also feel you will be improving the way you communicate with others~ , not only this but i see infinite happiness, and so much growth and prosperity for you, I also feel the self growth and realization will go crazy~ (in a good way) I also feel some of you guys could seem very innocent , but you aren't your guides were like add that part, they are being funny rn hehe, Okay so I also feel this group might not show their emotions very effectively so i feel it will get better too! The zodiac signs for you guys are Sagittarius/taurus/Pisces/Scorpio in big 3 or 6!

Alright! Pile 3 that's all i got for you, i love how many positive messages i got for you and you deserve that! you got this my babies~

Thank you for stopping by! Take care and remember you are loved <3

[potofsoup]

i love your fourth of july comics every year but this years feels extremely optimistic about biden’s abilities in the face of him letting roe get overturned and funding a gen*cide at worst or letting it happen at best by taking the bare minimum of regulatory action… i mean can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands? and how do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?

Hihi! Thank you for reading and enjoying my July 4th comics every year! I am in a non-US airport en route to a month-long trip in a place with sketchy internet, so sorry in advance for sloppiness in my response (and potentially going radio silent).

But:

I don't think he "let" Roe get overturned, since that was the Supreme Court's overwhelming conservative majority, which really started with Mitch McConnell refusing to approve Obama's appointee and forcing it into a 2016 election issue. The fact that Trump got to appoint 3 Supreme Court Justices is what got us here.

Re: Biden and the Israel/Hamas war ... on the one hand, there's definitely more that he could have done, but on the other hand, they are a whole other country over there. It's Hamas that initiated the Oct 7 attacks and took the hostages. It's Netanyahu and his right-wing government who decided to retaliate to such extreme extent. Biden can talk about how he would really like Netanyahu to stop fighting and step down, but at the end of the day that's not his call, any more than he can stop the Sudan fighting that is near-genocidal either.

So, to come to your question #1: "Can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands"?

For me, it's a resounding YES. Guyz, he has passed so much good domestic policies. My spouse works in green energy and the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act halved his anxiety and gave him legitimate hope. The tumblr post I linked to in my comic has links to many of the other great things that Biden has done. Tbh I voted for him in 2020 because "a moldy onion is still better than Trump", and I've been pleasantly surprised. Like how he tried to cancel student loans, the Supreme Court overturned it, and then he came back 6 months later with a different way to do it that didn't lead to a court challenge.

Is he perfect? Hell no. There's tons of stuff that I wish he did more about, or he went further on, but also he's just one guy heading one branch of government who is heading into an election year. (Just like FDR promising not joining WWII, while behind the scenes doing all the Lend-Lease Act stuff). And "the people" have lots of demands, many of them conflicting.

I'd also like to push at the unspoken part of your question... "Can he really be trusted to do the right thing..." compared to whom? Because right now the answer is "compared to Trump." And compared to Trump... I don't even trust Trump to respect the results of a legitimate election. Heck, he might just take his favorite state secrets, sell them to the highest bidder (or just show them off to someone for funzies), and then claim Presidential immunity. A decent Democrat who got stuff done vs someone who probably wants to pardon himself and all his friends and do Project 2025 stuff is not even on the same level. (Do I wish that there was a viable Democratic alternative to Biden? Sure! But who?) Heck, at this point -- imagine if it's Kamala Harris vs. Trump. Who would you vote for?

As for your question #2: "How do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?"

We don't. But also what can we do besides showing up to vote?

Actually, I need bullet points for this:

The 2022 midterm elections brought in fewer-than-expected election-deniers into crucial electoral offices at the state level, which means that hopefully most state electoral boards will continue to have integrity

Yes, voting is harder but at least we can still vote. So it's about getting out there and getting your vote counted. For some states, it involves waiting in 8 hour lines. For some states, it involves bringing 2 forms of ID. Document. Track. Make sure it's dropped off in a real ballot box and not a fake one. Don't believe messaging that the voting is happening on a different day or location, etc.

A 50.1% majority is easily challenged. A 55% majority, less so. Which means getting people out to vote.

The more people know about and think about the reality of a second Trump term (versus being disappointed by a Biden term), the more they will be motivated to vote against Trump.

Finally, let's be real here: I'm braced for a 2nd Trump term. That said:

I'm still going to go and vote for Biden, because the only way to prevent a 2nd Trump term is to vote.

A Trump term where either the House or Senate is controlled by the Democrats will be *very* different from a clean Republican sweep.

Even with a clean Republican sweep on the federal level, States have so much more power now, and voting the state level stuff will help shore up Democratic goals for the future. States get to draw voting districts however they want. States get to decide on abortion policies. If you live in a deep Red state, there still might be things to vote for that make it easier to live in now, and turn it purple a few elections down the line.

So at the end of the day, it's "Vote AND". Vote and keep living your best life. Vote and tell others about Project 2025. Vote and have hope. Even if Trump wins, at least you'll have voted against him. Vote and stay to build up a progressive wave for the next election.

[grantmentis]

PWHL 2024-2025 Primer

It's that time of year again folks. PWHL starts on November 30th.

The sections of this primer are: What is the PWHL, Where can I watch, Rules/League Structure, Official league pages, journalists to follow, and an introduction to each team (what they did last year, who's on the team, notable players, you should root for them if you..)

What is the PWHL?

The Professional Women's Hockey League was created in 2023 and launched in January 2024. It is currently the sole professional women's hockey league in North America.

Heading into the 2024-2025 season, the PWHL has six teams: The Toronto Sceptres, Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, New York Sires, Montréal Victoire, and Ottawa Charge. Each team plays 30 regular season games per team. You can find the full season schedule here.

Where can I watch?

Disclaimer; We don't have an official 100% confirmation on the American and non-North American ones yet, just reports from journalists who I do deem trustworthy. I will edit any changes and highlight them in bold if necessary.

On Television/Streaming

Canadian fans will have games on TSN and its affiliates (such as TSN+) primarily, with select games on CBC and Prime video.

French broadcasts of Montreal games can be found on RDS (18), Radio-Canada (6) on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV

Full streaming/television schedule for Canada

All fans not in Canada are available to stream on the PWHL Youtube regardless of location (so if you're "in market" there's no black outs like there is NHL games)

UPDATE: SOME games are now on Twitch instead of YouTube for non Canadian viewers, which can be accessed on the PWHL.com

Last year regional games were held on: Bally Sports North in Minnesota, NESN/NESN+ in Boston, MSG/MSG+ in New York, Sportnet Pittsburgh has carried select games. Not 100% confirmed this will be the case last year. Even if your regional sports network carries it, however, you should be able to access it on Youtube in America

In Person

Toronto and New York (sort of) have new locations this year

Toronto Scepters play at Coca-Cola Coliseum

Ottawa Charge play at TD Place

Montréal Victoire play at Place Bell

Boston Fleet play at Tsongas Center (Lowell, MA)

Minnesota Frost play at Xcel Energy Center

New York Sirens will play at Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)

There are also many neutral site games this year including Detroit, Quebec City, Raleigh, Vancouver, Denver, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Seattle that you can read about here

What are the rules? The League Structures?

Who makes the playoffs and what do they look like?

Please keep in mind that with such a young league, it's possible this will be tinkered with.

Each game is worth three points: 3 for a regulation win, 2 for an overtime win, and 1 for an overtime loss

Last year, the PWHL had 4 of the 6 teams make the playoffs. The number one seed got to choose their opponent between the third and fourth seed.

All series were best of five series, the two semi finals and then the finals.

Rules

If you are an NHL fan looking to jump in, here are the differences in the PWHL. The rulebook is also here.

Bodychecking is allowed in the PWHL, so long as it is done in an attempt to play the puck or gain possession. While women's hockey has always been physical, bodychecking at this level is fairly new, the SDHL in Sweden started to allow it just in 2021 and then the PWHL last year, so refs and players are adjusting in how they're going to draw the line between legal and illegal. This is also not the case in international competition, so it is a little different than the olympics or worlds if you are used to watching those.

The PWHL has a "jailbreak rule" which means that if you are shorthanded and score, the penalty ends.

In shootouts, a player can go as many times as they'd like.

New this year is the "No Escape" rule where players of a penalized team are required to stay on the ice to start the penalty kill.

Coaches can challenge delay of game puck over glass penalties.

Hits to the head, headbutting, and grabbing an opponents helmet strap, throat protector, or hair is an automatic major penalty and game misconduct.

What are the official social media pages? Who are good people to follow?

Official league pages:

PWHL: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

There's also a unofficial bluesky bot that re-posts all of the PWHL X content

Sceptres: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

Fleet: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

Victoire: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

Frost: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

Sirens: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

Charge: Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok / Youtube / Website

News and Journalists:

This is not a comprehensive list, just a starter pack! feel free to add any recommendations in the comments.

Kyle Cushman: Works for the score, covers the whole league (as well as some nhl), keeps public statistical information. The Score author page / Twitter / Bluesky

The Ice Garden: Long time women's hockey publication. I'd also recommend going through their contributor/author page and following them individually! Website / Twitter / Bluesky

Hailey Salvian: Long time reporter for the Athletic for women's hockey Twitter

Kenzie Lalonde: TSN reporter based in Montreal covering PWHL among others, also does play by play Twitter

Rick Menning: Local reporter for the Sirens Twitter

Kelsea Durham: Local reporter for the Boston Fleet for Inside the Rink Linktree

Christine Roger: French-Canadian reporter, who posts in French, mainly about Montreal Twitter

PWHL Report: Content aggregator for if you don't want to follow a bunch individually and really the only one i've seen post stuff to Instagram Twitter / Instagram

Who are the Boston Fleet?

The Boston Fleet were last years runner up in the league.

Their roster can be viewed here, with updates to be expected in the next few days as training camp cuts and contract being signed, the waiver period starting for teams to sign players that got cut from other teams training camps, and final rosters are made.

Notable players: Hilary Knight (captain), Aerin Frankel (Star goalie), Alina Müller (Swiss hockey star), Hannah Bilka (first round pick this last draft.)

You should root for this team if: You like defense-first hockey, strong New England college hockey connections, rooting for the youngest ice hockey player to win an olympic medal (Alina Müller), a player who got a custom outfit for pride night (Jamie Lee Rattray), Jewish hockey icons (Aerin Fankel), and players who are also podcasters and make a lot of tiktoks (Lexi Adzija and Taylor Girard)

Who are the Montréal Victoire?

The Montréal Victoire finished second in the standings last year, where

Live roster viewable here with expected updates the next few days

Notable players: Marie Philip-Poulin, Laura Stacey, Erin Ambrose, Ann-Renée Desbiens (all four are long time Team Canada legends), Lina Ljungblom (young Swedish superstar), Mikyla Grant Mentis and Kennedy Marchmand (both former PHF MVPs)

You should root for this team if: You love two way defensive minded centers, rooting for the league favorite, star players who are married to each other (Poulin and Stacey), short defenders (5'1 Amanda Boulier and 5'2 Cayla Barnes), post game victory dances, I dont even know how to describe this but heres grant mentis and Lásková watching golf i have to put it here

Who are the Toronto Sceptres?

The Sceptres were the first place team in the PWHL last year.

Roster here, once again will change this week

Notable players: Natalie Spooner (league MVP and long time team Canada player), Sarah Nurse (Olympic record holder for points and top scorer), Julia Gosling (first round pick), CJ Jackson (backup goaltender, social media darling, and LGBT activist), Renata Fast (top defender for both PWHL and Team Canada)

You should root for this team if you: love all the Team Canada players who grew up outside Quebec and also the coaches (all but three players are Canadian and many have played internationally for Canada, the coaching/management also largely from team canada and shares stylistic similarities), are interested in Nursey Nights (Sarah Nurse's collaboration with Black Girl Hockey Club during Toronto Sceptres games!), want to root for the other league favorites, love noted pancake enthusiasts (Kali Flanagan), or if you're more on the savory side, love a hot dog enthusiast (CJ)

Who are the Ottawa Charge?

The Ottawa Charge finished fifth in the league last season

Roster here with updates to come

Notable players: Brianne Jenner (team Canada and captain of Ottawa), Emily Clark (top scorer), Kateřina Mrázová (top scorer and Czech national team icon), Danielle Serdachny (second overall pick), Ronja Savolainen (Finnish national team mainstay and SDHL icon)

You should root for this team if you: Have an interest in Czech players (Mrázová, Vanišová, Tejralová), you like podcasting players (but gay this time), enjoy a team that regularly updates their youtube channel and does a fan fest and has some of the best player created content, like a team that is not afraid to make bold roster moves

Who are the Minnesota Frost?

The Minnesota Frost are your inaugural PWHL champions!

Here is a live, updating roster

Notable players: Kendall Coyne (Captain, Team USA), Taylor Heise (last years #1 overall pick and one of the leagues scorer), Grace Zumwinkle (also a top scorer), Nicole Hensley (star goalie and also Team USA starting goaltender typically), Michela Cava (extensive experience as top player in PHF, SDHL, and Russia.)

You should root for this team if you: Have a lot of midwest pride and like teams in the WCHA, value speed when watching hockey, like players with unconventional paths to stardom (Hensley, who played at Lindenwood in college and made team USA only after college finished), want to root for the ultimate playoff sicko (Michela Cava, who has 4 championships across four leagues, two finals MVPs, and is over a point per game combining all playoffs), like franchise cornerstones who are besties and call each other 'the dog to their cat" and vice versa (Heise and Zumwinkle)

Who are the New York Sirens?

The New York Sirens finished last in the PWHL last year

Roster with updates to come

Notable players: Abby Roque, Alex Carpenter (both team usa and PWHL top scorers), Corinne Schroeder (had the best goaltending season in PHF history in 2023 and followed it up by having one of the best PWHL seasons despite a tough workload), Sarah Fillier (first overall pick this year, team Canada star), Maja Nylén Persson (round two pick, SDHL best defender of the year last year, team Sweden's #1 defender), Noora Tulus (finnish national team star and one of the best SDHL players of all time.)

You should root for this team if you: want to see a team really build itself up from the ground floor, as theres a lot of roster turnover this year and a new coaching staff, with a lot of exciting draftees. like a team that has a little more physicality/grit. want to maximize the number of crossovers with other professional sports teams possible, like the nickname pizza rats. Want to enjoy some of the best mic'd up content (Roque)

[pucksandpower]

Charles Leclerc x CEO!Reader - Social Media AU

Formula 1 News: Everything We Know About Arnault Racing So Far

The team is owned by LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods company, and is named after the prominent Arnault family, which includes LVMH’s chief operating officer Y/N Arnault, wife of Charles Leclerc. Y/N is the youngest daughter of Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man, and is said to be his favored successor.

They are expected to benefit from the extensive resources and expertise of LVMH which boasts a diverse portfolio of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Moët & Chandon, TAG Heuer, and Tiffany & Co. These assets could potentially provide Arnault Racing with a competitive edge on and off the track in a sport heavily reliant on business dealings.

As with any new team, Arnault Racing will face numerous challenges including building a strong technical staff, securing talented drivers, and establishing partnerships with sponsors and suppliers. However, the backing of LVMH’s vast resources and the Arnault family’s commitment to success bode well for their prospects.

While no official announcement has been made regarding Charles Leclerc’s involvement with Arnault Racing, his familial connection to the team coupled with his recent decision to step away from Scuderia Ferrari has fueled rumors and heightened interest in whether he will be part of Arnault Racing’s driver lineup … (Read more)

Press Conference of Arnault Racing CEO, Y/N Arnault, and Team Principal, Sebastian Vettel

REPORT Arnault Racing snags Adrian Newey: CEO Y/N Arnault says “whatever arbitrary figure you have in your head, triple it and that’s how much we offered him” (Aug 2023)

NEWS Red Bull loses LVMH-owned sponsor TAG Heuer as entry of Arnault Racing brings new conflict of interest (Dec 2023)

UPDATE A weekend of team bonding on the beach after the car launch? Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher talk about flourishing environment at Arnault Racing (Feb 2024)

FEATURE What to expect from Arnault Racing — data from preseason testing explained (Feb 2024)

REPORT Podiums and points: a strong start to the season for newcomers Arnault Racing (Mar 2024)

FEATURE The Prince that was promised: Charles Leclerc triumphs in Monaco (May 2024)

UPDATE Who are the ‘losers’ and ‘winners’ halfway through the season? Arnault closes in on Red Bull as Ferrari falls behind (Jul 2024)

FEATURE What could have been — Arnault’s Charles Leclerc tops the podium in Monza as Tifosi look on (Sep 2024)

NEWS Red Bull’s reign continues as Arnault brings home historic P2 in both the Drivers’ and Contructors’ championship during debut season (Nov 2024)

REPORT Arnault promises more competitive 2025 season following already impressive first year on the grid (Jan 2025)

“We find ourselves at the edge of our seats here in Abu Dhabi. It all comes down to this final lap of the season and the battle for the World Championship has reached its peak! Charles Leclerc of Arnault and Max Verstappen of Red Bull are locked in a fierce duel for the ultimate prize.”

“This is the moment every racing fan has been waiting for. The atmosphere here is electric and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Leclerc and Verstappen have been pushing the absolute limits of their cars and their skills throughout this intense race.”

“They certainly have. Both drivers have showcased their exceptional talent and determination all season long. It’s a clash of titans, and now, as they approach the final corners, it’s do-or-die time.”

“Leclerc has been holding onto the lead for the majority of this race but Verstappen is focused in his pursuit. The Dutchman is determined to wrestle this championship away from Leclerc’s grasp.”

“The tension is palpable here as they enter the final sector. Leclerc seems to be holding his ground but Verstappen is right on his tail, looking for the slightest opportunity to strike!”

“This is nail-biting stuff. The championship hangs in the balance as they approach the final turn. Leclerc takes a defensive line but Verstappen moves to the inside. He’s desperately trying to overtake!”

“Verstappen is side-by-side with Leclerc! They’re wheel-to-wheel! What an incredible battle! They both accelerate out of the corner …”

“They’re neck and neck! It’s an all-out sprint to the checkered flag. Who will emerge victorious?”

“Leclerc finds another gear! He edges ahead of Verstappen!”

“It’s a photo finish! They cross the line. And ... it’s Charles Leclerc! Charles Leclerc has done it! Charles Leclerc is the World Champion!”

“What an incredible end to the season. Charles Leclerc and Arnault Racing have taken the championship title in a heart-stopping finale!”

“This is the stuff of legends. Leclerc has proven himself a champion through and through today. The emotion in the Arnault Racing garage is indescribable!”

“What an amazing moment for Leclerc and his team. This race will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to Charles Leclerc! Congratulations to Arnault Racing!”

y/narnault

Liked by charles_leclerc, arnaultracing, and 938,572 others

y/narnault ✨ Abu Dhabi, 2017 ✨

A chance encounter in the paddock with a hotshot young driver sent us both sprawling to the ground and ignited a spark that changed our lives forever. Our love story began in Yas Marina as Charles celebrated the end of the season after winning the F2 championship. Little did we know that this would be the start of a remarkable journey, both on and off the track

Fast forward to ...

✨ Abu Dhabi, 2025 ✨

As the CEO of Arnault Racing, it fills my heart with immense pride to witness our immensely talented driver win a much deserved World Drivers' Championship. As the wife of Charles Leclerc, it makes me even prouder to see the most amazing person I know finally be granted the fruit of his labors. There has been no sweeter feeling than chasing our dreams hand-in-hand

Eight years later, in Yas Marina once again, our journey came full circle. Our love, like a well-oiled machine, has only grown stronger with each challenge we faced. Working together as a team, we transformed dreams into reality and surpassed every limit. The joy of victory, the adrenaline of the race — it all pales in comparison to the love and support we share

To our extraordinary team at Arnault Racing, thank you for your relentless commitment and tireless efforts. Each one of you has played a vital role in making history this season and we truly could not have done it without you

Charles, my champion, you continue to inspire me every day with your talent, dedication, and resilient spirit. The road here has not always been easy but I am thankful for every obstacle we faced because they made us grow as people and as partners in both love and racing. We have weathered the storms and celebrated the triumphs. The countless hours of hard work, sacrifice, and pouring over data for so long that we forgot the cookies burning in the oven brought us to this extraordinary moment of victory. But beyond the increasingly crowded trophy cases and roaring crowds, it is our love that always shines the brightest. No matter where we may have placed in the standings, I was always content in knowing that we are P1 on the podium of life — and now we stand on top of both together

This chapter is just beginning. There are still many races left to win, many trophies left to raise, and many championships left to clinch

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charles_leclerc From the moment we met, you have seen me not just as a driver or public figure but as a person with hopes, dreams, and flaws. You have been there for me through the setbacks and the victories and your faith in me never has wavered. Your belief in me pushed me to be the best version of myself and I will spend the rest of our lives eternally grateful for being sent such an angel. Our victories are not only measured by the number of trophies or the applause of the crowds but in the quiet moments we get to bask in the life we built together. Our love has always been the beacon that guides me, even in the darkest of times. It is the constant reminder that no matter where we stand in the standings, we have each other to lean on. I have no doubt that it is because of you that I stand here today. You are my pillar of strength, my constant motivation, and my rock. Without your love and support, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, mon amour, for believing in me, for supporting me, and for always standing by my side. It is fate that brought us together and destiny that irreversibly wove our hearts into one

f1wagupdates you two are singlehandedly keeping my belief in true love alive

formulanone how are they still in the honeymoon phase after eight years together and i can’t even get a text back?

arnaultracing there are power couples and then there is THE power couple 🤩

GQ France: An Interview with 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Charles Leclerc

charles_leclerc and y/narnault

Liked by arnaultracing, pierregasly, and 1,854,632 others

charles_leclerc Baby Leclerc will make their F1 debut in August 🍼

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pierregasly hmmm i wonder what happened a little over nine months before the due date?

mickschumacher no wonder we couldn’t find them during the championship party 😳

arnaultracing a championship baby for our champions 🏆

lovelyleclerc oh to be reincarnated as their baby

leclercbabe it’s really getting gifted godly genes, money, and talent 😭

princecharles is it bad that i’m jealous of a baby that hasn’t even been born yet?

[thatgirlguidess]

Here’s a list of meaningful activities to make December productive and set the tone for a successful 2025:

1. Reflect on 2024

• Assess Goals: Review what you achieved this year and areas for improvement.

• Gratitude List: Write down things you’re grateful for.

• Lessons Learned: Identify challenges you faced and how they helped you grow.

2. Set Goals for 2025

• Personal Goals: Focus on self-care, habits, or skills you want to develop.

• Professional Goals: Define your career or academic aspirations.

• Break Down Goals: Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.

3. Declutter and Organize

• Physical Space: Clean your home, wardrobe, and workspace. Donate items you don’t need.

• Digital Space: Organize files, delete unnecessary emails, and declutter your social media.

4. Create a Vision Board

Visualize your 2025 goals using pictures, words, and affirmations to keep you inspired.

5. Financial Planning

• Budget Review: Analyze your 2024 spending and set a budget for 2025.

• Savings Goals: Establish clear savings targets.

• Invest: Research opportunities to grow your wealth.

6. Develop Better Habits

• Start waking up earlier.

• Read at least one book that inspires you.

• Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling.

7. Nurture Relationships

• Reconnect with loved ones.

• Express gratitude to mentors or those who supported you.

8. Focus on Health

• Begin a fitness routine or challenge.

• Experiment with healthy recipes to reset after holiday indulgence.

9. Learn Something New

• Take an online course or workshop related to your interests or career.

• Learn a skill that complements your personal or professional goals.

10. Give Back

• Volunteer for a cause or help someone in need.

11. Journal Your Intentions

Write down what you want to achieve and the mindset you need to cultivate for 2025.

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

♡︎𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓐 𝓟𝓲𝓵𝓮: 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓛𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓘𝓷 2025♡︎

Disclaimer: 2025 is going to be an intense year. When you open your reading, please don’t expect it to be entirely positive. We will be entering a nine-year cycle, which brings a significant focus on endings and resolution. Many past issues from the last four, five, six, or even ten years will resurface. This includes personal, social, and global concerns that have remained unresolved.Expect to see a resurgence of social and activist issues, challenges with the law, and government-related problems. Long-standing societal struggles will come back into focus. On a personal level, there will be a notable increase in breakups and divorces as people confront unresolved dynamics in their relationships. Situations that have been unclear for years will finally come full circle, and hidden truths may come to light, offering long-awaited clarity. This will not be an easy year for many of us. It’s important to understand that this isn’t just about negativity; it’s about depth and transformation. For many, this will be a time of purging old patterns, renewing perspectives, and creating space for new growth. The energy of 2025 demands that we face these challenges head-on so we can reach a more evolved state. Globally, it will be a year of heightened awareness around major issues, as events and revelations push humanity to reassess and adapt. This year will be wild, chaotic, and full of change, but it will also offer opportunities for meaningful renewal and progress if we’re willing to engage with its lessons.

𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟏

In 2025, the year will be centered on sociability, relationships, and social movement. It will be a time of connection, celebration, and bonding with others. You’ll find yourself rejoicing with friends, meeting new ones, or spending more time with those you already have. You’ll be in many social situations, not just surrounded by people but genuinely having fun and enjoying yourself.

This year, you’ll be engaging in outings, spending time outdoors in nature, and celebrating milestones such as baby showers, weddings, and birthday parties. Family will play a significant role, both your family of origin and, if you’re a parent, the family you’ve created. You’ll likely focus on strengthening your home life, bringing your family together, or even creating a family. For some, this could mean planning for pregnancy or expanding your family.

Parents will find themselves doing more with their children, creating meaningful experiences together. If you’re not in a relationship, 2025 holds the potential for new romantic connections. You may meet someone through friends or while socializing, and these relationships could progress quickly. Engagements or serious commitments may happen within months of meeting someone.

Relationships this year will have depth and emotional richness. This could lead to moving in with a partner, getting engaged, or even getting married. Relationships are placed on a pedestal, and they’ll be a major focus for you in 2025.

Interestingly, for some, an ex may return, offering an opportunity to deepen your bond. Past conflicts or ego battles could give way to peace and emotional reconnection. Similarly, family members or friends with whom you’ve had disagreements may also return, bringing a sense of togetherness and reconciliation. It will be a time of healing old wounds, letting go of ego, and fostering an agape love—a love that seeks connection and peace.

While your relationships flourish, other areas of your life—such as career, school, or daily routines—may face challenges. You might encounter delays in completing projects, missed deadlines, or setbacks in work or academic goals. Progress in these areas could feel slow or stagnant, which may leave you feeling frustrated or out of balance.

Physical energy may also be a challenge, and health struggles could arise, impacting your ability to stay motivated and productive. Financial issues may surface as well, whether through overspending or a lack of sufficient income. You may find it difficult to budget effectively, leading to stress around money matters.

Legal matters could also pose challenges, with potential delays or unfavorable rulings. This could leave you feeling as though life is unfair or that obstacles are constantly in your path. Fear and overthinking may also hold you back from taking decisive action, further contributing to a sense of stagnation.

There’s a possibility that you might need to take a break from work, school, or other responsibilities due to circumstances beyond your control, such as health or financial struggles. Some may find themselves unemployed for a time, taking a pause in their studies, or unable to afford a semester in school.

While 2025 will be a year of blossoming relationships and emotional growth, it will also be marked by delays, setbacks, and stagnation in practical aspects of your life. Your relationships will bring joy, connection, and healing, but challenges in career, finances, and personal progress may require patience and resilience.

Pile 2

This year will be one of immense growth for you. It’s a year where you will step outside your comfort zone, abandon your usual routines, and embrace significant changes. This will be a period of substantial spiritual growth, as well as development in how you take action in the world and choose to live your life. Your creativity will flourish, and you’ll grow in how you pursue your passions and ambitions. Resilience will become your strong suit as you continually push forward, regaining energy and momentum despite challenges.

By the end of 2025, you’ll likely feel like you’ve grown more in this single year than most people grow in five. It will be a busy, monumental year filled with new beginnings. You might travel, relocate, or completely pivot from your current plans. It’s a year of major transformation and self-discovery.

However, the year won’t be without its difficulties. You’ll face challenges in a romantic relationship that feels toxic and unfulfilling. This connection seems to lack healthy communication, and there’s a pervasive sense of tension between you and this person. Conversations may feel surface-level, with neither of you truly understanding or hearing the other. Problems—both obvious and underlying—will strain the relationship.

Despite the difficulties, it appears that neither of you can let go. The relationship feels heavy and burdensome, yet there’s a persistent attachment. Throughout the year, there will be periods where you or the other person decides to walk away to focus on self-love and personal growth. However, even during these breaks, the connection remains intact, pulling you both back into the cycle.

This on-again, off-again dynamic will grow predictable. You might break up for a few weeks or months, only to find yourselves back together. The relationship may feel stagnant, but there’s an underlying divine connection that makes it difficult to fully sever ties. Both of you might hope that time apart will lead to healing and a healthier reunion, but the lack of true reflection and balance in your lives prevents lasting progress.

When you step away from the relationship, your life may become overwhelming. You’ll be “booked and busy,” with little time to truly focus on yourself. Responsibilities will pile up, whether they’re work-related, financial, or personal. You may find yourself working overtime, juggling multiple projects, or taking on extra hours to make ends meet. If you have children, they will demand much of your time and energy.

There’s also a possibility of financial struggles. Overspending, perhaps as a form of retail therapy to cope with emotional stress, could lead to debt. This financial pressure may further add to your stress, leaving you feeling ungrounded and out of balance. The lack of time for self-care, such as journaling, meditating, or healing, could lead you back to the relationship, seeking comfort in the familiar—even if it’s unhealthy.

The year may also involve struggles with maintaining your home or possessions. You might experience issues such as car troubles, broken appliances, or unexpected repair costs. Burnout is a significant possibility, especially if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities like work, school, and family. This lack of balance could prevent you from enjoying life’s simple pleasures or making steady progress toward your goals.

For some of you, this challenging relationship might not even be with a committed partner but someone whose energy heavily impacts your emotional state. Regardless of the nature of the connection, the relationship will weigh on you, making it hard to fully move forward.

Ultimately, 2025 will be a year of profound growth and learning. While you’ll face challenges in relationships, finances, and personal stability, these experiences will teach you resilience and push you toward deeper self-awareness. Despite the struggles, the growth you achieve this year will set the foundation for a stronger, more grounded version of yourself in the future.

Pile 3

This year, I see significant growth in terms of your personal projects. If you’ve been working on hobbies or creative endeavors, they are going to take off and pivot into something meaningful. Many of you will discover a new hobby that becomes a big focus this year.

I also see you spending a lot of time outdoors during the warmer months, truly enjoying yourself in nature. Leisure and relaxation will be key themes for you.

For some of you, this year marks a major milestone in motherhood. You may become pregnant or give birth, stepping into a new phase of life. Congratulations to those of you welcoming this beautiful change!

Some of you will also be buying a home, renovating your space, or completely transforming the style of your home or room. I also sense fashion and aesthetic changes—many of you will explore new styles and embrace a fresh look.

Mothers may find themselves adapting to new approaches to parenthood. For example, some of you will experience the transition of sending your kids to school for the first time, bringing a new dynamic to your life.

There’s also a strong focus on personal appearance and beauty. Some of you will delve into makeup and beauty, perhaps even starting a YouTube channel or creating content related to these interests. Many of you will experience a glow-up—those wanting to gain weight will achieve a curvier figure, while those aiming to lose weight will see progress through consistent effort.

This year will be action-oriented and filled with opportunities to pursue dreams you’ve always envisioned.

I sense that some of you will face health challenges this year, possibly related to burnout or hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS or endometriosis. Others might deal with recurring illnesses or mental health struggles, including depression and feelings of isolation.

This year will call for deep introspection. Many of you will seek out spiritual guidance or take steps toward mental health care, such as attending therapy or pursuing mindfulness practices like meditation. Some of you may explore religion more deeply or attend spiritual retreats to reconnect with yourselves.

Periods of burnout and exhaustion will push you to take breaks for emotional and mental wellness. You may feel overwhelmed and drained by life’s demands, which will require you to prioritize rest and self-care.

For some, this year will involve leaving behind a job, school, a church, or an organization that no longer serves your well-being. Lingering issues from last year may continue to resurface, urging you to seek independence and emotional balance.

There will be periods where life feels repetitive or stagnant, with a focus on routines that lack variety. Some of you may retreat into isolation to heal old traumas and confront unresolved pain. This isolation could be self-imposed or a result of being physically unwell, such as being hospitalized.

For mothers, the demands of pregnancy or parenting may lead to emotional and physical exhaustion. You may find yourself protecting your energy by setting boundaries and withdrawing from others.

Issues with a father figure or baby father may also arise. There could be tension, control issues, or a lack of growth in the relationship, leading to feelings of frustration or stagnancy.

The beginning of the year may feel energetic and action-packed as you tackle projects and new endeavors. However, by mid-year, there’s a shift toward stillness and introspection. You’ll find yourself needing to slow down, rest, and focus on internal healing.

There’s a strong emphasis on catching up on sleep, meditating, and clearing your mind. While this may feel like a pause, it’s actually a necessary phase for rejuvenation.

This year holds both challenges and opportunities for growth. While you may face obstacles, the introspection and spiritual healing you embark on will help you regain balance and prepare for a brighter future.

Pile 4:

For pile number four, let’s start with the positives of 2025 and then move on to some of the more challenging aspects of your year.

In 2025, I see you traveling and exploring new places. You’ll be switching things up, experiencing versatility, and embracing a sense of adventure and zest for life. This year brings expansion, with opportunities related to work, school, or hobbies—allowing you to focus on your craft or interests. Growth is a key theme for you, as you’ll be learning a lot and accumulating wisdom.

You won’t be idle; instead, you’ll take charge of your life, making decisive choices and taking intentional action toward your goals. There will be bursts of high, intense energy, driving your ambition to seize the opportunities that come your way. You’ll act swiftly and won’t let anyone stop you from achieving what you want.

Importantly, you’ll balance this high-energy drive with moments of self-reflection and rest. You’ll know when to rein it in, focus inward, and reassess your plans. This balance between action and introspection will help you make more calculated moves and ensure that your progress is sustainable.

There will be times when you feel stuck, as if nothing is moving forward. You might feel like the past is lingering, with unresolved issues carrying over into the present. You could experience moments where you feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick, encountering obstacles and challenges that slow down your progress.

One significant theme is the need to let go of something that no longer serves you. For some, this could be a job you know you’ve outgrown but are hesitant to leave. For others, it may involve unhealthy habits or lingering situations from the past.

Some of you might struggle with burnout due to overworking or not addressing physical or mental health issues until they reach a critical point. This could lead to forced downtime, such as needing medical care or being unable to work. There’s a risk of neglecting self-care and overindulging as a coping mechanism, which could result in weight gain or financial stress.

Financial challenges may arise, with late bills, debt, or difficulty managing responsibilities. Some of you might find yourself in situations where, despite trying your hardest, you fall into difficult circumstances. Job seekers might face delays or ghosting from potential employers, while those hoping for financial windfalls, like lottery winnings, are unlikely to find success.

Relationships, whether romantic or platonic, may also be strained. Past dramas could resurface, creating tension. In new relationships, misunderstandings or conflicts may emerge, leading to frustration. Some friendships or romantic connections might end unexpectedly, leaving you feeling isolated or unsure about whom to trust.

In terms of mental health, some of you may feel moody, reclusive, or overwhelmed, preferring to isolate yourselves rather than engage with others. You might find it hard to reach out or maintain consistency in your relationships, leading to moments of ghosting or pulling back from people.

This inconsistency may also manifest in your work and personal goals. Progress might feel slow at times, with a lack of forward movement. If you’re trying to pivot in your career, success will take time and perseverance. You may face periods of stress, questioning how to make ends meet, or feeling stuck in a rut.

Despite these challenges, there’s a silver lining. These obstacles will ultimately push you to take action and make changes in your life. You’ll grow tired of stagnation and decide to take the reins, reclaiming control over your circumstances. Through determination and effort, you’ll break out of this rut and embrace opportunities for growth, travel, and self-improvement.

By the end of the year, you may look back and recognize the growth and resilience you’ve gained through these experiences. While 2025 will have its ups and downs, the lessons and wisdom you accumulate will set the stage for future success.

♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎ ♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎ ♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎

[200-word-rpgs]

Tumblr 200 Word RPGs

This is a sideblog for the informal 200-word RPG jams organised by @prokopetz each November.

Next Event

2025's event will run from from 2025-11-01 through 2025-11-30; a link to the submission thread will be placed here while the event is active.

Past Events

2024 – Tumblr thread | Offsite archive (forthcoming) 2023 – Tumblr thread | Offsite archive 2022 – Tumblr thread | Offsite archive

Submission Guidelines

Each entry should be a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer. Coming in lower is fine, though you're welcome to try to hit 200 words exactly if you want an extra challenge.

This is an informal game jam; entries are not curated or judged, no eligibility rules are enforced, no winners are chosen, and the organising parties explicitly refuse to define the terms "word" or "RPG". If you wish to participate, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: If you're unfamiliar with 200-word RPGs, read a bunch of previous years' entries (linked above), or browse the 200 Word RPG Challenge archives at https://200wordrpg.github.io/ to get in the proper headspace. (Note: this blog is not affiliated with the 200 Word RPG Challenge; its archives are provided for reference only.)

Step 2: Write your own 200-word RPG. If you're not sure of your word count, you can use the counter at https://200wordrpg.github.io/wordcount to check. If you disagree with how this tool defines "word", feel free to use a different counting method – adherence to the word limit is on the honour system anyway.

Step 3: Reblog the current event's main post (linked above when an event is active) and append your 200-word RPG in the reblog. Please do not submit your entry as a reblog to the post you are reading right now.

Step 4 (optional): If you wish to provide any author's notes on your entry, please place them under a "Read More" break to make it clear which part of the post is the game and which part is commentary.

Step 5 (optional): Indicate in your post whether you're okay with having your 200-word RPG archived off-site for posterity – if you don't say anything one way or the other, we'll assume the answer is "no". Please state this separately from any more general discussion of sharing or remixing permissions; don't make us guess!

Note: In previous years, we'd requested that folks refrain from discussing entries on the submission thread in order to avoid making them hard to find. Since we have a dedicated sideblog this year, that request is not being made this time around.