We have one quick query about a nomination for "Don Armstrong" under Nancy Drew - Carolyn Keene. Could the nominator share more information about where this character appears in the canon? We're having a bit of trouble verifying they exist. Thank you!
Sign-ups are still ongoing and will remain open until Monday, August 11 @ 11:59pm Eastern Daylight time (Countdown). Once that deadline has passed, we will have a 12-hour grace period during which you can request changes to your signup.
Not much to report here today. I only went out for one walk, and here's a photo from it. This was in the evening, hence the low sun. It's a field on the edge of Bewdley that's well known locally as it's conserved in a low-tech fashion to encourage wildlife. Those ancient trees are the cherries -- they no longer produce fruit, but they're the last remnants of the orchards that used to cover this area a century ago, before modern suburban development. (Just behind me is a housing estate.) Under the trees is a long-abandoned tractor. Also, we could do with some rain.
Azure Jane Lunatic (Azz) 🌺 (azurelunatic) wrote2025-08-0803:44 pm
Is it a spoiler to state the PREMISE of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, which is revealed 80 pages in but is treated as a secret by the jacket copy?
Technically yes, but the book is 20 years old and it's common knowledge now. 27 (54.0%)
I'm not familiar with the book. 16 (32.0%)
Is it a spoiler to state the GENRE of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, which is discernible neither from the jacket copy nor from where it was shelved in my library?
Here in the U. S., many regions (including where I live) are experiencing 100°+(F) temperatures. For that reason, this week's prompt is: Cold Pond.
You have until midnight your time on Friday, August 15, to answer this prompt. Please post your fills of the prompt as separate entries to the community (i.e. not replies to this entry), tagged with the prompt tag. You may post multiple standalone drabbles per entry in addition to drabble sequences and series.
As a reminder, this community has no official presence elsewhere. You are encouraged to share the prompt on social media, if you so desire. It may take me a bit to create the AO3 collection, so please be patient.
Also, I'm going to go ahead and drop a link to the prompt suggestions post here. New suggestions are always, always welcome.
Fandom: Silmarillion Pairings/Characters: Luthien/Maedhros Rating: teen Length: 66k Creator Links:SpaceWall Theme: marriage of convenience, old fandoms, small fandoms, book fandoms, rare pairings, AU (fork in the road), pretend couple
Summary: Centuries after the arrival of the Noldor and the Teleri in Beleriand, a celebration of Morgoth’s defeat brings the Crown Princess of Doriath and the Crown Prince of the Noldor together. To save this newborn peace from their respective fathers, they’ll do whatever it takes. Including... getting married?
Meanwhile, Lord Fingon of Himring faces the monumental task of healing Morgoth’s ills.
--
They regarded each other with quiet understanding, all the vast majesty of their respective lineages rendered unimportant by the connection between them. Music wound through the trees; harp and flute, surely joyous in context, sounded lonely in their solitude.
Reccer's Notes: Fëanor is a very complex character in the Silmarillion, who both has reasons for what he does and also does some terrible things. Fanon tends to sympathize with him, and also make him a good father to compensate for his other issues. SpaceWall takes the opposite track, leaning into his selfishness, his arrogance, and his suspiciousness. And then asks, if he had survived on Beleriand, what would have happened? If Fëanor, brilliant and terrible, were in command of the Noldor? Some things are better, some things are worse, (and Thingol is still Thingol), and so at a crucial juncture Maedhros and Luthien step forward to try and prevent disaster and war between the Noldor and Sindarin. And, in the process, they both learn a great deal.
1) Take some obscure actress and start posting about her 2) Create an artificial controversy around her 3) Have loads of folks fume about it on both sides 4) Generate online buzz 5) Profit! And she's not even exceptionally pretty!
Things to do Have tea with Egyptian friend to exchange stuff (Sunday night?) (postponed) buy some groceries and work snacks from Aldi get cash / deposit a check pick up my laundry buy gas (for the car) Ask neighbor if he will help clear the plants out of my alley and backyard (in exchange for cash) gardening! (there still are some plants not in proper pots) Keep sewing my red SCA dress package up the dried herbs so you can harvest more herbs to dry package up craft swap things to mail to people! new: put away the groceries new: put away the dishes new: put away the laundry
Things to cook/eat Clear room to put pickled things in the refrigerator eat pickles? start another jar of cucumber pickles Do I want to try making cabbage kimchi? (not with this cabbage - use a fresher one) marinate tofu for dinners (try making spicy tofu with the chinese soybean paste in the sauce) eat butternut squash! make paste to take to work for some book repairs!
Fandom: Pride and Prejudice Pairings/Characters: Kitty Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy Rating: 106k Length: teen Creator Links:Shem Theme: marriage of conveneince, rare pairings, old fandoms, book fandoms, epic works, novel-length, AU, happy endings,
Summary: The day after the Netherfield Ball, a simple walk through the countryside has wide reaching consequences for Mr Darcy and a certain young lady from Longbourn.
Reccer's Notes: This is such an engaging look at a very different pairing and what might have been. It's long, plotty, with lots of good character work and a great slow burn.
Apple CEO Tim Cook presented Trump With a glass statue with a gold base, gets tariff break.
I really hope Timmy Boy wasn't stupid and the base is actually gold plated. He could probably afford to give tRump real gold but what's the point? tRump could turn around and pull the tariff break at any time.
So I guess bribery is completely legal now - if yo9're bribing tRump.
I hope tRump does pull the tariff break. They're both assholes.
Anyways, older Apple desktops and laptops work great with Linux or with Open Core Legacy Patcher. Work was tossing out 15 old Macbook Pro laptops (mostly from the 2010- 2012) and I resurrected 8 of them with more RAM, SSD hard drives and Open Core Legacy Patcher. The others were too damaged to waste my time on. I donated 7 of them to my church. They're a little pokey but for cruising the web, office stuff and other light usage they're just fine.
Luna's appetite has been a bit poor lately. It got real bad the last few days and getting her to eat was a bit of a struggle, offering her food again and again after several little breaks. (For practical reasons who are stripy and voracious, we can't allow Luna to just have food available always for grazing) It has been to the point where I have started to prepare myself that we might be approaching the end. She is 14 after all. Not very old, but definitely not young either and with vulnerable kidneys.
Today she delivered an enormous hairball.
No wonder she had trouble eating with that inside her. I wouldn't say her appetite was fully returned this evening, but she did eat half again as much as she did this morning.
She's due a vet visit soon for kidney and oral status, so we'll bring it up then. I should like her to reach at least 16, but am still prepared this may not be possible.
Still, she ate a LOT this evening. More, actually, than her usual portion. I think she's allowed to feel a bit stuffed now.
I wrote a bit ago about how my computer is acting up, and having looked into it, it seems to just be a problem endemic to the Ryzen 5800 processor series--which is what I have, of course. There's a ton of threads about it with people's problems and solutions and so far I have two problems:
Screen turns back and the fans spin up: The one person I found with an actual diagnosis said this is related to the graphics card overvolting, so I downloaded MSI Afterburner and limited it to 90% of normal maximum voltage since it's not like I play Crysis on max on this machine anyway. It hasn't happened since but it only happens once every few weeks so no way to tell if it's actually fixed.
Spontaneous restarts during idle: Everyone seems to agree this is a problem with one or more of the cores undervolting, hence why it only happens during idle periods. There are a ton of solutions posted out there and I did try one that worked for a while (setting the power plan to high performance--I have a desktop, it's always plugged in anyway), but recently it started happening again. While investigating possible solutions, I saw people mentioning their BIOS version and thought, huh, I should look into that too and it turned out that the BIOS I have is version 303 and dated to 2021 (a year before I bought this computer). We're now up to 307 released this year. Well, the BIOS is partially responsible for controlling core voltage so updating certainly isn't going to make it worse, so I updated. It's been a couple days and I haven't had any spontaneous restarts yet, but we'll see if I need to keep looking. Everything I found online seemed to indicate this is a problem that gets solved different ways for different people because computers are notoriously finicky, so I might be back to the well.
All I can really say is, though, I have never previously had this degree of difficulty with a computer. I took a chance on AMD and boy have I had nothing but problems. Never again.
Annoyance the Second:
So yesterday I went into to buy Laila's medicine for the month as I do when she runs out and it came to this princely sum of three-hundred and twenty US American dollars, of which one single medication was $300. I asked the person at the counter what was going on, and she said that the manufacturer has coupons but I need to call my insurance. So I call my insurance and they tell me I need to call the manufacturer, and also that the insurance has a different price scale based on supply (a 43-day supply, like we got, is more than twice as expensive as a 30-day supply). So I call the manufacturer and can't get a hold of them since it's after 9 p.m., so I try again this morning. The main number you're ""supposed"" to call sends me in circles until the machine hangs up (and later, I learn, does exactly the same thing to the pharmacist when she calls them), so I call a different number and actually get a hold of someone and they tell me that they don't deal with customers at all, the entire thing is handled between pharmacists and the manufacturer. So I go into the pharmacist again, and she has also been on the phone, and the only thing she can say is that maybe the coupon was already applied but it ran out, citing the transaction in June where we were only charged $167 on a $300 expense, and that may be possible--I went back and checked and we were previously charged $55.03 for a for a $159 expense. Which is all well and good I guess, since we're almost at the spending limit for Laila's health insurance for the year, but still.
Well, the doctor wants to take her off two of those medications, and if she responds well, that will vastly reduce our monthly bill. I can only hope, becuase I'd rather not spend $300 a month for one medication on top of the other medical expenses we have. And this is with good insurance!
(That's a lie, America does not have good health insurance, only health insurance that is less bad ).
Last night I started feeling a bit odd at 9 p.m. or so, like I had a frog in my throat, so I assumed I was going to come down with the cold that first Laila and then sashagee had. But then in the middle of the night, I started sweating profusely and my stomach started gurgling, and, well. I thought it was something I had eaten, maybe the sandwich I bought at the work canteen, but the next morning when I woke up after having called off work--sashagee having kindly let me sleep in for a couple hours--it turned out that both she and Laila were also feeling bad in the exact same way. And the air outside was bad, so we didn't go anywhere, we didn't do anything, we just sat around in the morning and Laila watched Bluey and we mostly avoided eating anything. And then by the afternoon, we were basically back to normal again with only a bit of lingering bleh feeling.
I only write about this because it came on all of us nearly at the same time. Usually Laila gets sick first, then sashagee, and then me (and not always me). This time it was sashagee, then Laila, then me, and all within hours of each other. And then gone again by the next day.
I bet we have a lot more of this to look forward to when Laila starts school in a couple weeks(!).
RECOMMENDED: The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken is $3.99! (Or free with KU!) This was my one pick for hilarious reading in our Ready Set Go. I also gave this an A-. Seriously, it’s so much fun:
The Blacksmith Queen is a bloody, feminist romp that exudes girl power in all forms, and I’m envious of its fantasy girl squad.
When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken.
The Old King Is Dead
With the demise of the Old King, there’s a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king’s sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it’s all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.
Luckily, Keeley doesn’t have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned…
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay is $1.99! I’m only seeing the sale at Amazon, but hopefully it’ll be price-matched. The heroine is a librarian, who gets the opportunity to help her favorite author with writer’s block.
When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books, from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading.
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.
When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran’s heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.
The Groom List by Ella Quinn is $2.99! This one, as of right now, is also another Amazon-only discount. This is book three in The Worthington Brides historical romance series.
In a Season filled with surprises, the irrepressible Worthingtons welcome thrilling new love matches into their lively extended family . . .
Intelligent. Kind. Must like children. Passable looks. A man of means. Must make us laugh . . .
For Lady Alice Carpenter, these are some of the “musts” on the checklist for eligible bachelors compiled with her sisters as they husband-hunt among the ton. Yet when she encounters a striking nobleman on her morning ride in Hyde Park, Alice soon tallies another list of first impressions . . .
Shallow. Flirtatious. Without seriousness of purpose. Impossible to avoid . . .
Gifford, the Marquis of St. Albans, must wed in order to wrest his estate from his controlling father. How hard could it be to snag a suitable match? Waltzing with lovely Lady Alice at the Season’s whirl of balls and soirees however, defies Giff’s expectations: his dance moves are smooth but their small talk is excruciating—he offers up gossip sheet tidbits while she interrogates him on his charitable works—or lack thereof!
Charming. Amusing. Irresistible . . . A disastrous idea?
Alice is willing to entertain the possibility that there is more to the man than meets the eye—though what meets the eye is quite attractive. But when Giff’s true character is tested, she realizes it takes more than a list to reveal the heart of a worthy and honorable gentleman . . .
All the Kings Men bundle by Kennedy Ryan is $2.51 at Amazon and $2.99 elsewhere! This collects the first two book in the All the King’s Men series, which follows the same couple. There’s also a bonus epilogue.
From beloved, RITA-award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes her gripping All the King’s Men duology.
The Kingmaker
In a world of haves and have-nots, Maxim Cade’s family and their oil empire have it all…and he wants nothing to do with it. At odds with his mogul father, he’s determined to build his own empire, even if it means traveling far from home, painted as the black sheep.
Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of Maxim’s rules. At a protest for the oil pipeline that threatens to mar her ancestral land forever, they meet in a flurry of stars and sparks, and that one moment changes everything. But Maxim’s family is the one stealing from hers, and his father is the man she hates most. He has to lie in order to have her once, and despite the truth, he’ll do anything to keep her.
Even though Lennix tries to hate Maxim, too, their hearts are pointed in the same direction. The inexorable pull between them, across miles and years, will not be denied.
And neither will Maxim.
The Rebel King
Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of Lennix Hunter’s body and heart, she had other plans. They were fast-burning fascination and combustible chemistry, the son of an oil baron and the Apache daughter at war with his family, but she trusted him, and he turned out to be a thief who stole her love.
Still, if what they had was a lie, why had it felt so real?
Now, the man she swore to hate is about to have it all, and he wants Lennix at his side. But when the two of them are forced to face the unthinkable, their rocky foundation is tested, as is the invisible thread that seems to wind their fates together. As they navigate a treacherous political landscape in their quest for justice, Maxim and Lennix soon learn that power is a game, and they are merely the pawns and players. Facing insurmountable odds, will they win the world, or will they lose it all?
If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section with exclusive content and events.
Everything you’re used to seeing at the Hot Pink Palace that is Smart Bitches Trashy Books will remain free as always, because we remain committed to fostering community among brilliant readers who love romance.
That's right, folks: the day you've been waiting for is finally here. All those hours of planning, long nights of anticipation, and stockpiling of Lactaid pills will finally pay off, because today...is Cheesecake Wreck Day.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Jem," you're thinking - because you frequently get me mixed up with the 80s cartoon rocker - "Jem, how is it even possible to Wreck a cheese cake?"
Why, like this, my adorably confused reader:
[singing] "This-is-how-we-do-it!"
Aww, I see this was taken on my birthday, Mike & Angie. Well, thanks for the thought and all, but that drippy brown splotch has just reminded me: I...uh...don't eat drippy brown splotches. Sorry.
So that's a traditional cheesecake Wreck, but what if I told you it gets even Wreckier?
BEHOLD, THE WEDDING CHEESE CAKE WRECK!!!
Yes, my dear Wreckies, I'm afraid it's true: that is a "cake" made entirely of cheese. And not a sweet cream cheese, either - oh no. I'm talkin' the stuff that gets described with words like "sharp," "green veining," and "stinky feet." And it's a wedding cake.
I wish I could say this is a one-time fluke, but unfortunately wedding cheese "cakes" are a growing trend. They're not in addition to the traditional cake, either; they're in place of it. Meaning there is no actual wedding cake at these weddings - just cheese. Cheese! As if that's an acceptable substitute!
What happened to the time-tested wedding arrangement? You know, the one where we bring expensive linens, crystal, and espresso-makers in exchange for a free meal, a little boozy dancing, and a slice of gorgeously decorated, oh-so-scrumptious cake?
Frankly, it only adds insult to injury when someone tries to "pretty" these things up, too:
Fake flowers and ribbon pinned (yes, pinned) into cheese wheels does not an elegant "cake" make.
Still, nothing's as bad as combining cake, cheese, and a pork pie all into a single display:
The question is, can you tell which layer is which?
Cass J., Anony M., Stella P., & Second Anony., I Camembert it; all the Gouda puns Havarti been used!
*****
P.S. If you also enjoy cheesy puns, then BRIE-HOLD!
Fandom: The Queen's Gambit (TV) Pairings/Characters: Beth Harmon/Benny Watts Rating: Explicit Length: 138,010 words Creator Links:paperclipbitch Theme: marriage of convenience, future fic, slow burn, mutual pining, exes to friends to spouses to lovers, chess
Summary: “Don’t think of it as marriage,” Benny tells her. “Think of it as castling.”
Beth raises an eyebrow. “Am I the king or the rook in this analogy?”
Reccer's Notes: An amazing post-canon fic where Beth, frustrated by the period-typical sexism she keeps facing, marries Benny for convenience and now they’re stuck in a fake relationship full of unresolved tension, mutual pining, and all their messy issues (addiction, gambling, competitiveness). It’s smart, emotional, and so compelling. I loved every moment <3
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