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nancygillianmvp · 1 year

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i love him on purpose

1,756 words. rated t. summary: After a long week, Carlos plans a cozy date night of reading and comfort food for his husband.

Living in the heart of downtown, most things are within walking distance of Carlos, and TK’s loft, including some of the best queer nightlife Austin has to offer, TK’s favourite Chinese takeout place, a Trader Joe’s and a great bookstore.

Unlike most of the bookstores in the area, this one isn’t a chain but a little independent place with a coffee shop that makes some of the best coffee in the city. As it’s only half a block from their apartment, TK and Carlos are frequent visitors.

When Carlos stops to pick up an iced latte on the way home from picking up groceries, he has an idea.

It’s been a long week in the Reyes-Strand household, and the majority of Carlos’s opportunities to see his husband have been passing greetings as they head in and out the door for their shifts on opposite schedules and a few shared lunches at the firehouse—all of which ended up interrupted by calls.

But they both have the next two days off together, and Carlos’ shift ends earlier than TK’s, so he makes plans for a date night while waiting for his coffee.

They’ve both been working overtime since the wedding and the honeymoon to make up for the time off, so a date night is more than overdue. After a long week, Carlos has just the thing in mind for date night. Nothing fancy; after the week they’ve had, Carlos figures a quiet night is just what they need.

When he gets home, Carlos thumbs through the recipe folder on the counter until he finds what he’s looking for—a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe he’s made before with TK’s help. Carlos has always preferred the freedom and art of cooking over the exact science of baking. Still, cookies have always been one of TK’s go-to comfort foods—it’s not unusual to find him baking cookies at odd hours if he’s had a hard shift or wants to feel closer to his mom—cookies and Chinese takeout.

keep reading on ao3 or under the cut

By the time the cookies go into the oven, Carlos has flour in his hair—though he couldn’t possibly tell you how it ended up there—the kitchen is a mess. TK is due home in twenty minutes, which Carlos hopes will be enough time to clean up and have the whole apartment smelling like freshly baked cookies.

As Carlos takes the cookies out of the oven, TK texts to say a call ran over and he’ll be a little late. Carlos finishes the last of his washing up, and although they’re still hot, he can’t help but sample one of the cookies before settling into the couch with a magazine. Of course, it’s nothing like the cookies TK makes with Gwyn’s secret recipe—nothing will ever compare to those—but they’re perfectly crisp with a soft, chewy interior and chocolate that melts in his mouth. If nothing else, they’re made with love and make the apartment smell inviting.

“Hi, husband,” TK says as he walks into the apartment, throws his keys in the bowl on the end table and shrugs off his backpack. “It smells incredible in here, Carlos.”

“Hey, babe. How was your shift?” Carlos asks, standing and leaning against the arm of the sofa to greet him.

TK leans in to hug Carlos, momentarily burying his face in his neck. “Long. How was yours?”

“Uneventful.”

“Where is this delicious smell coming from?” TK asks.

“I made you cookies.” He says and watches his husband’s expression soften.

“You made me cookies?”

“It’s nothing special, just chocolate chip.”

“Nothing special? Taking the time to make me cookies is special, babe.” TK says, planting a kiss on Carlos’ cheek and crossing to the kitchen. “Thank you.”

Carlos stays resting against the back of the sofa as TK crosses the room and hops up to sit on the kitchen counter beside the rack of cookies.

“So what’s the occasion? I haven’t forgotten an anniversary—at least I hope I haven’t—and it’s not my birthday, so what’s the occasion?” TK asks as he takes a bite of the cookie in his hand. “Babe, these are delicious.” He says through a mouthful.

“No occasion. I don’t need a reason to spoil my husband, and besides, we’re overdue a date night.”

“I don’t know if I’m up for a date night, baby. It’s been such a long week. I was hoping we could just chill at home tonight.” TK says, and Carlos gets it; he feels the same, which is precisely why he planned a lowkey night in, not a night out.

“Who says a date night can’t be chilling?”

“What have you got planned?”

“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you,” Carlos tells him with a wink.

“Do I get a hint?” He pouts, but Carlos shakes his head, his curls bouncing as he does so and plants a kiss on his forehead.

“No hints, babe. Grab your coat.”

TK hops down from the counter, grabbing a second cookie, “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

It’s a crisp fall afternoon, and the leaves crunch beneath their feet as they walk half a block to their destination, hand in hand.

“Are we going for coffee?” TK asks as Carlos stops outside the bookstore & coffee shop.

Carlos shakes his head. “We’re here to buy each other books, and then we’re going home to read and order Chinese for dinner.”

“So I get to pick your book?” TK asks.

Carlos nods. “And I’ll be picking one for you. Meet you outside when we’re done?”

TK steps inside and starts searching the aisles for the perfect book. On the other hand, Carlos already knows exactly what book to pick for TK and only takes a few minutes to collect the pink paperback he had in mind from a display of queer book recommendations put together by the staff.

He’s not waiting outside long before TK appears, grinning and holding a paper bag.

“It’s about a handsome Texan who falls in love with an even more handsome outsider. I thought you might relate,” TK says with a flirtatious wink as he pulls a familiar pink paperback out of the bag and presents it to his husband.

“That’s funny because I thought you—a handsome outsider—might relate to a book about falling in love with an even more handsome Texan.” Carlos laughs as he takes out the same pink paperback from his own bag, a copy of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

“We’re definitely on the same page today,” TK says, taking Carlos’ hand in his own to walk back to the apartment.

“Must be why we make such a good team.”

When they get back to the apartment, TK kicks off his shoes and changes into a soft pink hoodie, Carlos sets out tea and cookies on the coffee table, and they settle in to read. They start out at opposite ends of the couch. Carlos is wearing his reading glasses and maintaining impeccable posture as he sits up straight against the back of the sofa, while TK is curled with his knees up to his chest in the corner of the chaise, book in one hand and a cookie in the other.

After about half an hour, Carlos looks up from his book to see TK seemingly zoned out. His gaze is fixed above the book in his hands. “Why aren’t you reading your book?”

“I prefer watching you read,” TK says, dog-earing the book—earning a wince from Carlos—and placing it on the couch beside him, “I could watch you read all day. You look so peaceful, and you’re so damn sexy in those glasses.”

“Shut up,” Carlos responds playfully.

“You love me.”

“That I do.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Carlos replies, putting a bookmark in and closing his book.

They order Chinese and eat on the couch when it arrives, discussing what they’ve read and how Carlos can’t get over the similarities between TK and Alex Claremont Diaz so far. When TK clears away the takeout containers and puts the leftovers in the fridge, Carlos picks up his book to resume reading but is soon interrupted by TK planting himself right beside him, resting back against his chest.

“Read to me?” He asks, relaxing further into him and looking up at him with those green eyes softened into an expression Carlos finds damn near impossible to say no to.

Carlos nods and wraps his arms and the book around his shoulders. “Where were you up to?”

“Chapter two,” TK responds, and Carlos starts reading.

By the time Carlos starts reading chapter three aloud, TK looks like he might have fallen asleep, but he insists he wasn’t.

“I was just closing my eyes and enjoying the story. Your voice is so soothing. This was exactly what I needed tonight, babe. Thank you.” TK says, turning to kiss him.

Several hours later, Carlos is once again sure TK is falling asleep on his chest, so he closes the book softly and starts to take off his glasses.

“One more page?” TK asks, opening his eyes to look up at him.

Carlos can’t resist that look, “One more page.”

Later that night, as the moonlight peeks through the curtains, Carlos lies awake, enveloped in his husband’s comforting embrace. Like most nights, TK drifted off quickly while Carlos lies awake with the world's weight on his shoulders. Some nights, even being wrapped in his husband’s arms isn’t enough to quieten his anxieties.

As if he can sense how Carlos feels, TK, now awake, whispers to him. “He’s like you, you know.”

“Who?”

“Henry.”

Carlos is surprised at first, but for the most part, he understands the comparison other than one huge point of difference. “Yeah, maybe, except for the fact he’s a prince .”

“You’re a prince too, my very own personal prince charming,” Though he can’t see TK’s face, Carlos knows he’s grinning after delivering such a cheesy line.

“You are so cheesy,”

“But you love me,”

“I do,” Carlos says; he loves TK more than he ever felt possible or than he ever thought he could allow himself to. He thinks over a quote from the book that reminds him so much of his own relationship, ‘I love him on purpose,’ because despite everything in his own past, in TK’s past, he loves TK— all of TK—on purpose. So he whispers back to his husband, “I love you on purpose.”

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i-am-the-entertainer · 2 months

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Tick, Tick... Boom! Filming Locations

Some people have too much time on their hands. I am one of those people.

One of the things I love about Tick, Tick... Boom is the obvious affection the filmmakers have for the NYC theater scene, an affection shared with the film's subject Jonathan Larson. To that end, I recently decided to try to identify some of the filming locations in the film.

One thing that was extremely helpful in this process was the "special thanks" list in the film's credits, which names a lot of the orgs that were used in location shooting and from which I was able to make some really good guesswork.

Note that this is mainly for location shoots. Things like the recreated Moondance Diner, which was done on a set, are not included in this.

508 Greenwich Street - Jonathan's apartment

(from MWhiteShelley on Twitter/X) This is probably the most obvious location: Jonathan Larson's actual address. While interiors of the apartment itself were filmed on a set in a soundstage, it is obvious on viewing the film that there was some location shooting at the building, most prominently in "No More" when Jonathan and Michael enter and climb the stairs.

The Underground Theater at Abrons Arts Center - The musical theater workshop scene

(from their website) You'll probably recognize this brutalist theater from the Stephen Sondheim workshop scene (which, according to this video, was one of the last scenes shot) – it also briefly appears a few shots earlier in the scene where Ira Weitzman is observing Jonathan rehearsing. The Abrons Arts Center is located in the Lower East Side and is part of the Henry Street Settlement.

The Strand Bookstore - "30/90" and Sextet

(From an article by The Guardian, photo by Bruce yuanye Bi/Alamy) The Strand is instantly recognizable to New Yorkers, maybe less-so for others unless you've visited as a tourist. It's a giant independent bookstore located two blocks from Union Square. Prominently featured in "30/90" and visited by Jonathan during the "Sextet Montage" where he tries to sell some of his records.

Teatro LATEA at the Clemente - Susan's dance recital

(from their Instagram) This one was a little harder, because obviously it's just a black box theater and how many of those are there in NYC? What clued me in was 1) the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center, where Teatro LATEA is located, is thanked in the credits and 2) those chairs (a little bit more obvious in this photo). I've seen and worked a fair number of shows in that theater, and as soon as I noticed the very distinctive chairs for Susan's dance recital I was able to look more closely at the scene and immediately could map out the layout of Teatro Latea.

The Delacorte Theater - "Why"

Another easily recognizable location for locals, the Delacorte is the amphitheater where Jonathan sneaks in and sings "Why". It doesn't get named in the film but it does in the stage version.

Hunter College's Thomas Hunter Hall Sixth Floor North Dance Studio - The Superbia workshop

(from Facebook) This was, without question, the hardest location to find. In the film it's identified as being in the Theater District, specifically at Playwrights Horizons (an Untapped Cities article about filming locations even claims this, and uh, basically gets everything wrong). However, if you've ever been to the modern Playwrights Horizons, it looks very different, both on the inside and the outside, and while they do have rehearsal spaces in a slightly less-remodeled building on Lafayette Street, none of the spaces there look like that. The reference to Hunter College in the credits narrowed it down, and then it was just a matter of finding photos of the studios (this gallery of recent restoration work shows the different angles that you will recognize from the movie), discovering an architectural plan of some planned renovations in the building, and then looking out the windows of the building and comparing it to Google Maps street view to figure out which side of the building it was on.

...I have waaaaay too much time on my hands.

I do want to point out, Thomas Hunter Hall is actually located on Lexington Avenue between 68th and 69th, quite a few blocks northeast from the Theater District depicted in the film.

New York Theatre Workshop - The framing scenes

(from a New York Theatre Guide article) The real Jonathan Larson's artistic home, where he performed both Rent and the original version of tick, tick... BOOM! thirty years ago. Both the theater's exterior (at the start of "Louder Than Words") and interior (the tick, tick... BOOM! performance scenes) feature prominently in the movie.

Fun fact: when they were shooting the film in March, they originally planned to film the NYTW scenes inside a recreated set because there was a show playing at the theater at the time (though not referenced in the linked video, I happen to know that the show was Endlings by Celine Song, the writer/director of the recent Oscar contender Past Lives) but when filming restarted the theater was available again because of the shutdown.

Any other locations you recognized that I didn't include? Let me know! Currently trying to figure out where Michael's apartment building (Victory Towers) was located – the scene in the car leading to the arrival at teh building makes me think it's somewhere near Central Park, but that footage could also have been filmed separately.

#tick tick boom #broadway #jonathan larson #rent #film

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jackspanto · 3 months

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The Strand in 1938. The location was 103 East 9th Street, which is half a block east of Book Row (Fourth Avenue) between 3rd Ave and 4th Ave on the North Side of the street. New York Times called the Strand "the undisputed king of the city's independent bookstores."

#Strand book store #favorite

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ebookporn · 1 year

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Desperate Writer Query Template*

Can I bribe you with coffee and the promise of a prize-winning book?

by R.L. Maizes

Esteemed Agent,

I’m seeking representation for my [300,000-word rhyming memoir / novel-in-grocery-coupons / famous literary graves calendar**] which is a cross between [Maid and Green Eggs and Ham / a bag of Halloween candy and that novel-in-texts you just sold / an apple watch and a mortuary pamphlet]. I was referred to you by [my cousin, who babysits your three incorr—admirably independent children / a writer you represented until you discovered his historical novel was actually The Diary of Anais Nin / Stephen King, if by referred you mean escorted off his property by security]. I thought of you for said [memoir / novel / calendar] because [I once saw someone who looked like you reading Angela’s Ashes in the Strand / you represent authors? / given the direction of publishing, I figured you’d get excited about something featuring famous authors, even dead ones].

Slogging away in this hair shirt they call a profession for fifteen years, I’ve racked up some impressive publishing credentials: [My work has appeared in the literary magazines Wish We Could Pay You and About To Fold and are forthcoming (I think) in Didn’t We Ghost You? and on my memaw’s PC / Last time I was querying, my prose poem “Shoot Me Now” went viral on TikTok / My Writer Affirmation Calendar sold out after Christo used the entire run to wrap a bookstore in an installation titled, “Despair”].

(Describe your memoir’s arc here. If it has no arc, use lyrics to an Adele song.) / (Describe your novel’s plot here. If it has no plot—wait, your MFA cost more than the Hope Diamond, and your novel has no plot?) / (Describe calendar images here. There’s no way you’ll be able to license those photos, but first things first.)

I look forward to hearing from you [in a few years when technology changes have rendered my manuscript file inaccessible / after I’ve given up and painstakingly published the book in a series of sand paintings / Is tomorrow good for you? I’ve canceled all my appointments and await your call]. Below, I have pasted [the first ten verses / a bunch of coupons (still good at most Super Targets) / last month, just ignore my ovulation schedule]. I know the likelihood is that [the last time you checked this email account was 2015 / you’ve switched from agenting to a more lucrative career as a farrier / you’re looking for books you have a hope of actually selling], but should you desire further materials, I would be happy send the entire manuscript via [drunk texts / Instacart delivery / a file form you specifically said not to use].

Yours truly,

A Desperate Querying Writer

*From the people who brought you the Desperate Writer Novel Template, the Desperate Writer Novel Synopsis Template, and the Overwhelmed Agent Rejection Letter Template. Purchase all three and receive the book How To Stage a Writer Intervention for free.

**I’m also working on a Graves of Obscure Writers Desk Calendar and an Urns of Writers Who Never Published at All Wall Calendar.

#authors #writers #writing #writers community #book publishers #literary agent #editors

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newmannoble · 2 months

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Bookworms Delight: A List of Must-Visit Bookshops Around the World

Bookworm’s Delight: A List of Must-Visit Bookshops Around the World https://ift.tt/jm49VBf There are few greater pleasures for bibliophiles than wandering through the aisles of a well-curated bookshop, inhaling the intoxicating scent of ink and paper, and discovering literary treasures. From historic bookstores with centuries of tradition to quirky independent shops with unique charm, the world has many bookish havens waiting to be explored. Here’s a list of must-visit bookshops worldwide that will delight any book lover. Shakespeare and Company – Paris, France: Nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, Shakespeare and Company is an iconic English-language bookstore that has been a haven for writers and readers for nearly a century. El Ateneo Grand Splendid – Buenos Aires, Argentina: Once a grand theater, El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires has been transformed into one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. Visitors can peruse books on ornate balconies, sit in plush theater seats, and enjoy the breathtaking architecture. Daunt Books – London, UK: Daunt Books in London is a destination for travelers and book enthusiasts seeking a curated selection of travel literature and guides. Its oak galleries and skylights create a serene atmosphere perfect for exploring books about far-flung destinations. Strand Bookstore – New York City, USA: The Strand is a New York City institution that boasts “18 miles of books.” This iconic bookshop offers new and used books and has been a haven for book lovers, celebrities, and writers for generations. Libreria Acqua Alta – Venice, Italy: Venice’s Libreria Acqua Alta, meaning “bookstore of high water,” has a unique approach to dealing with the city’s frequent flooding. Books are stored in bathtubs, gondolas, and waterproof containers, creating a whimsical and slightly surreal atmosphere that’s a must-see for visitors. Atlantis Books – Santorini, Greece: Perched on the cliffs of the stunning Greek island of Santorini, Atlantis Books is a paradise for readers with a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea. Powell’s Books – Portland, USA: Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world and a beloved institution. It’s easy to get lost among its color-coded rooms, each dedicated to a different genre. Hatchards – London, UK: Founded in 1797, Hatchards is one of the oldest bookshops in the world and holds the prestigious title of London’s oldest bookshop. It boasts a rich history, a royal warrant, and a selection of books that cater to diverse tastes. Ler Devagar – Lisbon, Portugal: Located in a former printing press factory in Lisbon’s LX Factory, Ler Devagar is a mecca for book lovers. The shop features a massive hanging book sculpture, vintage printing presses, and a peaceful reading area. Livraria Lello – Porto, Portugal: Often called one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Livraria Lello in Porto is renowned for its ornate neo-Gothic architecture, intricately carved wooden staircases, and stained glass windows. These bookshops are not just places to buy books; they are destinations in themselves, offering unique atmospheres, historical significance, and a sense of wonder that makes them a joy to visit for any bookworm. via Noble Newman | Pittsburgh Writer https://noblenewman.com February 13, 2024 at 10:45AM

#Noble Newman | Pittsburgh Writer

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taruntravell · 7 months

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Culture of New York City - Music, Art, Dance and More

New York City is a cultural hub known for its rich and diverse artistic heritage. It has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries, and this diversity is reflected in its music, art, dance, and more. Here's an overview of the cultural scene in New York City:

Music:

Jazz: New York City played a pivotal role in the development of jazz, particularly in the Harlem neighborhood. The city has iconic jazz clubs like the Apollo Theater, Blue Note, and Village Vanguard where legendary musicians have performed.

Hip-Hop: The Bronx is often considered the birthplace of hip-hop, and the genre has deep roots in NYC. You can explore hip-hop history at the Bronx Museum and various hip-hop tours throughout the city.

Classical: The city is home to renowned classical music institutions like the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and Carnegie Hall.

Rock and Pop: NYC has been a hub for rock and pop music, with famous venues like Madison Square Garden, the Bowery Ballroom, and the Apollo Theater hosting both emerging and established artists.

Art:

Museums: New York City boasts some of the world's most famous art museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Galleries: Chelsea is known for its concentration of contemporary art galleries, while the Lower East Side is home to smaller, cutting-edge galleries.

Street Art: Graffiti and street art have a strong presence in NYC, with neighborhoods like Bushwick and Williamsburg in Brooklyn featuring vibrant murals and installations.

Dance:

Ballet: The New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre are two renowned ballet companies based in the city, with performances at Lincoln Center.

Modern Dance: The city has a thriving modern dance scene with venues like The Joyce Theater hosting innovative and experimental performances.

Broadway: NYC's Broadway district is synonymous with musical theater. It's home to famous theaters like the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where you can catch world-class productions.

Literature:

Bookstores: Independent bookstores like The Strand and Housing Works Bookstore Cafe are iconic literary destinations.

Authors: Many famous authors have called NYC home, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger, and Edith Wharton. You can explore literary history in various neighborhoods, like the West Village.

Film and Theater:

Broadway: In addition to musicals, Broadway hosts a wide range of theatrical productions, including dramas and comedies.

Film Festivals: NYC hosts several film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, attracting filmmakers and cinephiles from around the world.

Cuisine:

Diverse Food Scene: NYC's diverse population contributes to a vibrant culinary scene, with a wide range of international cuisines available, from street food vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Food Markets: Places like Chelsea Market and Smorgasburg offer a variety of food options in a bustling market setting.

New York City's culture is constantly evolving and adapting to the influences of its residents and the global community. It remains a beacon for artists, musicians, and creators from all walks of life, making it a cultural epicenter with something to offer everyone.

#New York City

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otherpplnation · 11 months

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838. Ivy Pochoda

Ivy Pochoda is the author of the novel Sing Her Down, available from MCD Books.

Pochoda's other books include the acclaimed novels Wonder Valley, Visitation Street, and These Women. She won the 2018 Strand Critics Award for Best Novel and the Prix Page/America in France, and has been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Edgar Award, the Macavity Award, and the International Thriller Writers Award. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications.

***

Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly literary podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers.

Available where podcasts are available: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, etc.

Subscribe to Brad Listi’s email newsletter.

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Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

www.otherppl.com

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shegottosayit · 21 days

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“Soon it will be on the shelves of the Strand” my heart oh my god! Yes give them all the love! (an independent bookstore in nyc still alive and thriving)

#ripley

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wildfl0wr · 2 years

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strand bookstore, august 2021

#august #Summertime #film is not dead #shot on film #film photography #35 mm #olympus stylus epic #fujifilm #bookstore #Aesthetic #film camera #booksarelife #nyc #New York City #Strand Bookstore #independent bookstores #i

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therainbowfishy · 4 years

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Doodles from the Strand, part 1

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freebooter4ever · 3 years

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YUP YUP YUP LOOK AT THIS BULLSHIT gawd. thank goodness my aunt moved out of nyc to be a beekeeper so the likelihood of me ever going back there or to the strand again is zero \o/

#If you are gonna be an independent bookstore BE one not a corporation #Lilydash liveblog #The strand advertisement killed the movie ending for me #Also the douche never became undouchey

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whilereadingandwalking · 6 years

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Happy Independent Bookstore Day!

I’m stuck inside in an editing class all day, but today I’m honoring some of my favorite independent bookstores across the world, the events they host, and the amazing people who run them and keep them going. Take a moment today to support an independent bookstore, online or in person!

Bookstores pictured:

57th Street Books (Hyde Park, Chicago)

Word on the Water (Regent’s Canal London)

Talking Leaves Books (Buffalo, New York)

Open Books (West Loop, Chicago)

Persephone Books (London)

Seminary Coop (Hyde Park, Chicago)

The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles)

Volumes Bookcafé (Wicker Park, Chicago)

Women and Children First (Andersonville, Chicago)

The Strand Bookstore (NYC)

#independent bookstores #chicago bookstores #independent bookstore day #57th street books #persephone books #seminary coop #volumes bookcafé #women and children first #the strand #the last bookstore #talking leaves #word on the water #all mine #bookstores

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brovvn-bear · 6 years

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#Strand #Independent Bookstore #Books

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kaibacorpintern · 3 years

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Q: where do they go for Rival Date #1 👀??? (And the inevitable #2?)

okay I am a BIG fan of rival extremely slow burn friends-to-lovers. so I like thinking about them post-canon post-DSOD etc. and Yuugi has slowly been coaxing Kaiba out of his shell, inviting him out for dinner and game night and such, like it's all very casual on both sides and it's mostly Yuugi being like "hey I'm here for you if you want it" and Kaiba like "yeah I'm ready to do this now" but long story short they're strictly friends and settle into a routine of like, going to the arcade every week after work to just blow off steam and have a good time.

Of course Kaiba starts looking forward to these outings way too much, like he's excited to see Yuugi every week, and why shouldn't he?! Yuugi is smart, Yuugi is a challenge to beat, Yuugi is good-looking, Yuugi doesn't always understand but makes a strong and sincere effort to do so and that is so important and makes Kaiba feel so comfortable around him oh SHIT IT'S A CRUSH!!!!! and meanwhile Yuugi is like "Kaiba is so interesting and thoughtful and has biceps hand-crafted by god, but why would he be interested in me? I am just a Yuugi" so they are just DDR-ing in the neon dark of an arcade fuming with mutual pining. Date #1 is when they make eye contact mid-racing game and they're a little drunk so the blushes come easily and they just know. They See. They Feel the Way The Other One Feels. Somewhere between the clattering of a pin ball machine and the zombie shooter game Kaiba, ever forward, makes the first move (nudging a strand of hair out of the way of Yuugi's eyes) and Yuugi, always ready to throw himself at people in the name of justice and/or love, counters by grabbing his collar and pulling him down for a smooch. First Date: complete, level passed, high score!!

The second date is still the arcade but they're betting kisses on every game and nervously wondering if they should hold each other's hands or not, but the THIRD date is a local café + independent bookstore where Yuugi dumps an ever-growing stack of SFF into Kaiba's arms, and Kaiba, being Kaiba, reads all of them and sends him essay-length texts with his reviews, because them having the same taste in books is a cherished headcanon.

#rivalshipping #THANKS LOL. READ [REDACTED] NOW

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glamrockmonarch · 3 years

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The Land That Our Grandchildren Knew (B!Reader x Brian May)

THIS WORK IS PART OF THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE

Requested: NO

Type: SFW, FLUFF ?, ANGST.

Summary: A little glance at life back to normal after Brian and B!Reader get over the cheating scandal.

Warnings: None.

A/N: So this came out of nowhere in my mind. I have struggled with being creative for a while and I just do not know why(?) but here we are! I hope someone out there enjoys reading this one.

*For anyone who does not remember (lol it has been a while): B!Reader (often B!R) is "Brian!Reader", and R!Reader (or R!R) is "Roger!Reader".

“The one thing he did not know was how much I loved him. In a previous life, in a time when things were so much more complicated. When war was splitting us apart and leaving us breathless. Motionless in a world of aggressive turmoil. There was little we could do when everything was amiss. All around us things were blowing up, giving in upon themselves the buildings fell, and the cities died along with their lights and spectacles.

“The love I grew and nurtured for him was the last reminding power of the old Earth, scattered through the cosmos like dust as I searched for him in a ridiculous journey. I did not meet a king in a tiny planet, and I never saw a rose grow on the dry lands of the foreign space countries. We had each other but time made it so that I was here today while he was here yesterday. Today was never ours, today was a promise we believed and ate up and followed with blind eyes until the moment when the sound of truth, deafening and cruel, locked us out of each other’s life. And still, forever, my love for him is true and enduring. Out there, I know he will feel my presence in the air, see me in the clouds, savour me in the smell of rain and grass. He will miss me when the night is cold, and the sound of wind reminds him of my voice… Yes, he will be empty when he hears the silence, the way I will always feel too when I look back at Earth and regret every second spent away from the one who called me Venus.”

The crowd claps and smiles and I see the people in the front look at the books in their hands with expressions of confusion and deep thought. A good reason to write something is to make people wonder, so for B!Reader this one was a success. She had taken so long to finish the manuscript, not that she was being lazy; with the scandal of Brian cheating and the twins taking sides, it was hard to focus on this. This book was not what she intended on writing when she began doing research for it. It started with the Irish War of Independence, she went around Britain meeting historians with much better understanding and knowledge on the topic. It soon turned upside down when the news appeared on every single form of media… Brian’s stunt. She would call it what it was now; he had cheated.

It was hard to get over it. B!Reader took time off with her mother in Scotland, she had taken the kids with her, much to Brian’s displeasure, but he was in no position to complain. When she came back home, she was still defeated by the details. Brian’s lame explanation sounded more like an excuse but even she had to admit that her husband did not have the best track record when it came to women. She was probably the one he had been the most loyal to at that point – even when he had cheated on her once.

So, she tried. They sought professional help. A therapist. First couple’s therapy, and then one-on-one sessions alone. She hated every second of it, which could not have been fun to hear for their therapist. Nothing seemed to be helping, in fact B!Reader talked to a lawyer in secret… but her career was also on the line at that point, and she was desperate for ideas, desperate to reconnect with the only man she ever truly and completely loved. Her manager had the idea, “read some of Brian’s stuff, maybe ask him about his PhD work, maybe he will inspire you and if he doesn’t at least you will have spoken to each other… it’s worth a try”. And so B!R did that, although not in the way her manager had meant. She was stirring her on the direction of reading some of his lyrics not his space dust thesis… Nevertheless, the story began there.

B!R could not understand much, and she wound up spending a lot of time talking about physics and space with her husband. Brian was a patient teacher, she already knew that, but it was now being confirmed to her. He was also happy to be able to go on and on for hours, the topics where his cup of tea, and they had numerous cups of tea too while B!R took notes and began toying with a historical fantasy mix for her next book.

Today she was reading from her favourite chapter in the book. It had been a massive hit; one she could not quite understand. If she was being honest, the book was more like therapy for her than her actual therapy sessions had been. She cried while writing it and poured a lot of emotion into it, which she rarely did. Her writing had always been more …impersonal, presented almost as a sort of biography of fictional characters rather than real moving parts of the imaginary world they were living in.

She had never written such an odd story before, with time skips and a weird space journey concepts implanted in the middle of 1920 Ireland.

“You did great, mum.” A proud Fred wrapped his arm around her middle.

Even though the teen boy was still that, a teenager, he managed to already stand a couple centimetres taller than his own mother.

“Thank you love, did you get anything of that?” She wondered, wrapping her arm around him in the familiar way a mother does.

Arm around his shoulder, soft play of the tender fingers on the dark curls on the back of the head of her “little boy”.

“Nothing at all,” he smiled and shrugged, honesty dripping in shameless glee from his tone. “But that’s the cool part, I don’t think anyone gets it.” The younger of the twins looked at his mother up and down in her bright blue dress. “Except Dad. Was that the point?”

B!Reader looked at her son and inhaled a deep long breath, which she held for a moment. Her brows furrowed and her mouth moved like that of a fish.

“Maybe.” She conceded.

“Hey mum, would you sign my book?” Harry interrupted, bringing along Jazz and a peculiarly uninterested Max.

Harry gave his mother a wide smile and put a copy of her own book in her hands.

“For Harry, please.”

“Dork,” Max rolled his eyes.

He was the only one to admit he had not finished the book yet the previous weekend when Fred mentioned his mother was doing a reading at a local bookstore while they sat by the Taylor’s pool. And he rushed to get through it. Max was not dumb, and he managed to grasp some of the concepts in the complicated plot, although he did not let on to any of his friends.

“Loved the wormhole bits Mrs May.” Max said once Harry had his signed copy reading for Harry with Love. “That dark hole and the speed of dark and light near the end were mind-blowing. I never thought of you as a fantasy writer!”

B!Reader nodded and blushed at the compliments. Max was a lot like Roger in that he did know how to make a girl blush with what appeared to be little effort.

“I am glad you liked it,” she said, a trace of pride in her voice.

“I really wish Darragh and Conor had ended up together,” Jazz voiced from around Harry’s tall lean and awkward teen figure. “They were obviously meant for each other.”

Fred had been in tears when he read the ending of the book. Of course, he would have hoped for his mother’s first queer paring to end together but what that did was echoing life.

“You have to be the eighth person who’s said that to me today.”

R!Reader, Roger and Brian were in a conversation of their own next to the long table B!Reader was about to sit before to meet some fans and sign as many copies of her book as time allowed.

She eyed the silver hair on her husband’s hair, she had been discreet when describing Darragh in her book. A tall, talented, middle-aged, idealist Irish man. A man born in a difficult time. A man who fell in love by mistake, with Conor. A young man described often as immature, who enjoyed a quiet life on board of a spaceship when he got caught up in a black hole and wound up going back hundreds of years and miles into the past. Conor had almost been killed in his attempts of helping his beloved Darragh in fighting what he considered to be hiswar. The battles gave their relationship meaning, although it was never spoken about between them. The adoration was always palpable and present to the last page. Down to the moment when Conor acknowledges that his lover cannot come with him once he finds the way back into his ship, and then it turns into a matter of will. Darragh is revealed to have a similar story, only that… he was left stranded in 1905 with no way back to his ship. “The voice of Venus” was really a metaphor for B!Reader. A complicated one, as her feelings were when she had to love the man who broke her heart. She felt lost the way Conor felt, but she could tell Brian had been lost for a while before the entire ordeal – defeated in the same manner as Darragh. And it was fitting, he was older, he was educated. He should have known better than to play in the physics lab with those dangerous materials. Brian should have known better than to play with that old woman. Conor could have turned his back on Darragh, he knew he was of no help now that he was so invested in the past – now their present. He knew Darragh and himself would never be able to be together if he stayed and they would most likely get killed if they marched on. So B!Reader made them split. She was about to leave Brian when she started writing her book, so it made sense. And when she realised, she did not want to end her marriage, she still wrote it that way because this was the ending she had seen coming for herself before – one she fortunately managed to evade, which still was the ending for many couples.

B!Reader watched the teens as they began discussing the book, Max and Jazz were defending the plot, Fred joined in and the three of them seemed to be getting passionate about proving Harry wrong. The eldest of the group was stubborn about his stance on Conor being right to leave Darragh.

His mother could not help but remember that same stubbornness from the first few weeks after the story broke. Harry had been the one to take it the hardest. When they packed for Scotland, she had to stop him from shattering his project guitar, the yellow guitar he and Brian had been working on for a while. “I don’t want it! I do not want anything from him! He is a liar!” He had yelled, with the side of his face still reddened from a slap he received from Brian. She still could not believe she managed to stay impartial at that moment after the mess that had happened in the kitchen when Harry insulted his father – earning a slap from him.

“It’s alright,” B!Reader placed her arm around the twins’ shoulders. “Conor had to go back anyway. He had a family in the spaceship.”

“What?” Jazz was the first one to open her mouth.

With a laugh, the young writer looked at the confused faces around her. “He could never stay…” She shrugged.

Harry’s expression flashed with a difficult emotion, which both Jazz and his mother noticed.

The short girl flipped her long blonde hair and checked the time on her phone, “no wonder I’m hungry! Who’s coming?” Her blue eyes searched around in an almost innocent manner.

“You got to be joking, we JUST ate.”

Max stepped back from his sister and Fred followed, “sorry, I told dad I’d get lunch with him.”

Blue eyes flipped onto Harry’s figure. B!Reader gave him a squeeze and let go, the sigh he let out being enough of an answer for Jazz to show a large smile, reaching out to grab his hand and pull her to her side. It almost seemed a pass of the baton.

The boy walked taller than Jazz and still, it looked like he was the smaller child. She was sure they had been doing a good job as parents, although that slipdid a number on Harry. The curly haired boy pulled the glass door open and let Jazz go first, only to have her childishly cling on to his arm once they were outside, a smile breaking his serious expression when his young friend told him something – they were too far for B!Reader to make out what Jazz said.

“Where are those two going?” Brian walked up to her.

He had a cardboard cup of coffee in his hand, which he offered to her. With a mumble she took it and had a testing sip – it was too bitter, but it would do. “Nando’s. Probably.” She gave her husband a soft smile.

Brian nodded in silence, a reflective look on his face.

“He needs some time, Bri.” She guessed what he was thinking about.

“It’s been a year,” he said with caution.

“He is getting over it, love.” She took a step closer to Brian and whispered, “he’s picked up the guitar again.” They shared a look before someone called for B!Reader and she left her husband with a peck on the cheek.

#original timeline #about the original timeline #b!reader x brian may #b!reader #brian may #present day!brian may

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