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dustedmagazine · 1 month

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Love Child — Never Meant To Be (1988-1993) (12XU)

Love Child brings the detuned roar of Dinosaur, the nervy agitation of the Feelies, the arch literacy of Pavement, the barbed sugar of the Throwing Muses, shifting sound and style from song to song. This compilation spans the brief career of the New York City noise-punk-lofi outfit, with cuts from a debut 7”, both early 1990s full-lengths and unreleased and radio tracks. It’s an absolute riot from start to finish, even if it’s hard to get a grip on what Love Child was at its core.

The band came together in the late 1980s, when Will Baum, Rebecca Odes and Alan Licht were still students at Vassar. Licht, of course, later made a name as a critic and noise-minimalist. His work with Love Child overlapped with Blue Humans and slightly preceded turns with Run On and the Pacific Ocean. His collaborations with Jandek and Loren Connors took place later, in the second half of the 1990s.

The earliest cuts here come from a 1990 single, the brash, ragged-bassed “Sofa” (memorialized here in Love Child’s only video) and the vaguely “Summertime Blues”-ish “Crocus” (with its indelible line, “My mom threw me out until I get some pants that fit/She just don’t approve of my strange kind of wit.” ) Both balance garage-rock minimalism with a bursts of noise. “Sofa” intersperses catchy, kicky girl-boy choruses with blasts of unfettered guitar squall.

The first full-length, Okay, came on Homestead in 1991. Its tracks take up a large portion of this compilation, which is fine because they bang pretty hard, especially the multi-voiced “Diane” and “Fortune Cookie” which blends the pure blasting amp noise of J. Mascis , the yelping angst of Television and the clanking post-punk bass sounds of, say, Gods Gift. But other cuts run towards jangle pop, notably “He’s So Sensitive” a lofi girl group garage rocker featuring Odes on lead vocal. The other album, Witchcraft, followed a year later, also on Homestead. It’s a bit smoother, a bit more melodic, a bit more reliant on Odes’ buzzy, dreamy vocals. “AAA/XXX” is almost dream pop, though sharp guitar slashes prop up the verse, while “Something Cruel” jangles lyrically for a seconds before cranking up to pogo speed.

Additional, previously unreleased material bookends the album. “Asking for It,” from a 1992 Peel Session comes first, layering bratty, confrontational punk on wild eruptions of near rockabilly guitar; an oozing, sludgy noise interval bisects the cut. “Greedy,” another song from the same session exults in feedback and loose harmonies, tough and vulnerable at the same time. There are also a couple of cuts from a KSPC show, including the dreaming, droning, guitar-led “All Is Loneliness” with its shades of VU. That track was recorded in 1993, near the end of this evanescent outfit’s run, and it hints at other directions that they might have taken if they had persisted. Still no use mourning what never happened. There’s plenty to celebrate here without it.

Jennifer Kelly

#love child #never meant to be #12xu #jennifer kelly #albumreview #dusted magazine #post-punk #lo-fi #new york city #alan licht #will baum #rebecca odes

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12xurecs · 2 months

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Love Child - "Asking For It" from 'Never Meant To Be : 1988-1993' out March 8

#love child #12XU #rebecca odes #alan licht #will baum #brendan o'malley #homestead records #trash flow records #Bandcamp

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heidismagblog · 7 months

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#spin #spin magazine #ad #cool shit #music merch #rebecca odes

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araekniarchive · 1 year

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aaa ok it says rqs are open so i’ll trust it

can you. this might be odd but can you do a web about california. good bad ugly weather history love sunshine winter storm fire california please

if not that’s totally cool & have a good night!!! ✨✨

The Eagles, Hotel California

Die Hard (1988) dir. John McTiernan

Mary Schmich, ‘Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young’ (also known as ‘Wear Sunscreen’) in the Chicago Tribune, June 1997

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Cavetown, Idea of Her

Janet Fitch, White Oleander

Rebecca Solnit

Joni Mitchell, California

Michael Connelly, The Brass Verdict

S. E. Hinton, Rumble Fish

The Neighbourhood, Sweater Weather

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nicollekidman · 11 months

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I’VE NEVER BEEN SO WRONG IN MY LIFE LMFAO

#rebecca welton im so fucking sory i stupid bitch would od that to you.#in WHAT WORLD

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theknightofivanhoe · 2 years

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Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe casting

Wilfred of Ivanhoe, The Disinherited Knight - Aidan Turner

Lady Rowena - Michelle Dockery

Cedric the Saxon - Sean Bean

Isaac of York - Oded Fehr

Rebecca of York - Gal Gadot

Prince John - Rafe Spall

Brian de-Bois Guilbert the Templar knight - Adam Driver

Reginald Front-de-Boeuf - Ray Stevenson

Maurice de Bracy - Dominic West

Wamba the Jester - Tom Hiddleston

Gurth the Swineherd - Stephen Hunter

Robin of Locksley - Dan Stevens

Original Song, Ivanhoe - Leslie Grace

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campirebites · 6 months

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Starting a commonplace book for kind of the first time. Starting with Rebecca, one of my favorite books of all time 💕

#I just realized I missed the last E in Manderley in my lettering explodes explodes explodes #Rebecca my beloved #last night I dreamt I went to manderley again <3 #the first line had me hooked the first time I read it the summer before 7th grade #avoids my life by throwing myself into tasks and hobbies lololol #this book always inspires me I’m trying to pay extra attention to setting to help me mold my setting in my head of my own book idea #and I’m loving how it’s looking ❤️#I’m actually starting from the back of my current writing notebook bc this notebook is so gigantic and I know I’ll want #a new writing notebook at some point I don’t think I’ll want to use it for more than one writing project so #I’m ok with this taking most od the pages in this book #Rebecca #daphne du maurier #camshitposts #commonplace book #commonplace journal

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bibuddie · 1 year

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BURZEK?????????

#rebecca rambles #chicago pd #chicago pd spoilers #oh i have DREAMED OD DAYS LIKE THESE

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shylesbiannerd · 2 years

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Happy Birthday!! I hope you enjoy it and spend quality time with your beloveds! 💗🎉

Thank you, Joie! 😃

Hi Joie! Hope you & your f/os have a good night & thank you for the ask! 😊💛

#ode-to-joie #rebecca's birthday 2022

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fuckyeahgoodomens · 6 months

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Hello, hello. How are you doing? First of all I want to say that totally Ioooove your blog, is amazing, funny and informative.

My question is, are you aware if the Good Omens audiobook (the full cast production) is the same as the original book but narrated by the series cast? Odes it have something el so, or less.

Cause I've been meaning to buy it, but where I live the taxes and everything makes it a little too expensive, and I want to know that is totally worth it before i decide.

Thank you for everything

Hugs and kisses from Uruguay ❤️❤️

Hiya! :) Thank youuu :)❤.

Yeah the full cast audiobook is the same as of content! :) - but only Michael and David are reprising their roles, the rest of the roles are narrated by different actors :).

Cast:

Narrator: Rebecca Front

Aziraphale: Michael Sheen 😇

Crowley: David Tennant 😈

Anathema Device: Katherine Kingsley

Newton Pulsifer: Arthur Darvill

Shadwell: Peter Forbes

Madame Tracy and Agnes Nutter: Gabrielle Glaister

Adam: Louis Davison

Pepper: Pixie Davies

Wensleydale: Chris Nelson

Brian: Ferdinand Frisby Williams

Ensemble: Adjoa Andoh, Allan Corduner, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Josh Hopkins, Lorelei King, Matt Reeves and Lemn Sissay

It is not available on an CD tho as far as I know, only in digital form. :)

Sending hiyas to Uruguay from The Czech Republic! :)

#ask

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sylvies-chen · 1 year

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TED LASSO 3.09 THOUGHTS

saw someone who got a screener say it was the best episode of the season and perhaps the best episode of the series and like… I AGREE VEHEMENTLY. THAT WAS AMAZINGGGGGGG

funniest line of the whole episode hands down was roy saying “all of you know my ass is not hairy but not one of you spoke up. and I will never forgive you.” like TELL ME WHY THEY TOOK IT SO SERIOUS LMFAOOOOO

this whole episode made my little queer heart burst with joy for my best gay welsh boy colin hughes!!! and trent being the proud mentor watching the whole team embrace colin and watching ted have the most beautiful response of saying they DO care and to celebrate this part of colin’s identity AHH I LOVE THIS FOUND FAMILY MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF

call your friends and let them know: ROY. KENT. IS BACK. he is baaaaaack bitches! the roy we know and love is working his way back! his press monologue was so good and it shows the kind of integrity and kindness he can have

speaking of roy: rebecca’s harangue calling out roy? OUTSTANDING. it was so warranted but you can tell it came from a place of love by that very earnest look she gave him at the end (mostly love for keeley, but out of love and respect for roy too in my opinion)

she also wants roykeeley back like the rest of us y’all trust 🙏🏻

ok but BI JAMIE LOWKEY CONFIRMED???

and in the same episode where I… admittedly… loved the vibes between jamie and sam… like it gave enemies/rivals to lovers the way sam flipped him off when he wanted to be captain and jamie cut him off in his speech and they just laughed about it like ooh their friendship is so good we love the growth but also… that was flirting tell me I’m wrong

this episode felt like an ode to isaac and colin’s friendship. it felt like the journey isaac needed to decide that like “yes. okay. I’m your protector now. I’m sorry I didn’t see this before. I’m sorry you felt you had to keep this from me. but no more.” and sure he’s still very much A Straight Man™️ about it, but he’s willing to unravel and to deconstruct that in order to be the best friend his best friend deserves. my heart. 🥹

NATE MADE A GOOD DECISION AND DITCHED RUPERT YESSSS BABY STEPS. Rupert’s really going for the isolation manipulation tactic like he is truly scum of the earth I want to smash his face in. but JADE IS DOING NATE SOOO MUCH GOOD like he’s finally got a support system that he doesn’t feel codependent on and also doesn’t need to share with a whole team, so he can feel more secure in who he is now!!

FINAL SCORE IS 10/10 I LOVED IT AND IT WAS SO GOOD my only complaint is that there are only 3 episodes left and it doesn’t feel like it but eh wtvr

#abby liveblogs #ted lasso spoilers #ted lasso #colin hughes #jamie tartt #isaac mcadoo #roy kent #rebecca welton

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12xurecs · 2 months

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Love Child - "Escalator" from 'Never Meant To Be : `1988-1993' out March 8

#love child #alan licht #rebecca odes #will baum #brendan o'malley #12XU #homestead records #Bandcamp

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focusfixated · 9 days

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fic rec: ted lasso

all the men and women merely players

rating: T // fandom: ted lasso // pairings: ted x trent, keeley x roy x jamie, nate x jade // length: 50.7k author: @laiqualaurelote tags: theatre, shakespeare, post-apocalypse

"So let me get this straight. You, an American whose career highlights consisted mainly of appearing on Saturday Night Live, decide in the wake of the apocalypse to lead a touring Shakespeare company across the ruins of England." "Oh, I know. Heck, I said as much to Rebecca when she suggested it. I said, 'You could fill two Internets with what I don’t know about directing Shakespeare.' And she said, 'Ted, the Internet doesn’t exist any more.'" Trent Crimm meets Ted Lasso by chance at a Shakespeare play. Five years and the end of the world later, they meet again at another. A Station Eleven post-apocalyptic theatre AU (no knowledge of Station Eleven necessary to read).

rec notes:

a post-apocalyptic ted lasso AU where the richmond players are a troupe of travelling shakespearean actors.

simply one of the best things i've read in a long time. it SO perfectly operates within its genre, one of those beautiful pieces of cross-referential AU fanfic, where there is both a deeply thoughtful blending of references, a wonderfully precise understanding of the characters from the original media, and highly-detailed worldbuilding of its own.

the author nails every character's cadence, the variety of voices, their styles of conversation. the descriptive narrative, is also excellent. achingly poetic, there is so much beauty, and so much compelling, grim horror, too. the happy moments are threaded with plenty of intense, sharply sad moments, but there is so much joy, such hope. it's an ode to art, and friendship, and community.

i had such an amazing time reading this story. it's such a brilliant idea, and its execution lives up to the concept. the amount of detail, research, reference, is evident in every chapter. and it's a wonderful tribute to the show, while also giving such a satisfying conclusion to so many story arcs that were left a little underserved in the series finale.

#fic rec post #ted lasso #ted x trent #keeley x roy x jamie #ted lasso fic rec #station eleven

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xmortuarykittyx · 5 months

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Ever Locked

Part 6: What More Could You Want?

Part 5: Now You Know From What

pairing: Older!Leon Kennedy x Ex!Coroner’s Assistant!Reader

warnings: masterbating, cowgirl, peepingtom!Leon, stalker!Leon, talks of drugging, talks of sex

Dead Dove Do Not Eat

extra: gonna shoot for once a week updates for as long as i have 10 hour shifts, im hoping in december they stop. i really can’t stand this job you guys and i feel like my writing reflects how little time i have but don’t give up on me! im not giving up and i really want to get immersed into this world im creating for Leon and Reader!

Everything. I couldn't tear her down, tell her about the horrendous creatures I saw that god awful night. She didn't realize how much danger she was in, those- those people- they didn't help any. Mary, Marie, Marina- whatever her name was, she was one of those people, watching as they ate. My pretty girl rolling her eyes as the blue haired girl spoke, pointing her fork at my sweet bunny. Sweet, saccharine bunny. She was so far but so close, it's like her scent intertwined with mine, keeping her just in my mind enough for my peace to stay fleeting.

The device sits on the desk, the dark hotel room, once again, a comfort for a passing moment. Ice tapping on the glass, a sound to break the stoic silence as the glass rolls on the edge of the glass, fingers directing the liquor to tip from side to side. Screen flashing as texts spiral in. 'Leon, you're a literal asshole. Rebecca's worried and least you could do was tell us why you're in Seattle fucking Washington. Can you not get a good feel of Washington in D.C.?.', a scoff came from the back of my throat, of course. He always thought i needed to be baby sat, needed someone watching my every move like a rat in a cage. D.S.O could survive a few days while i got my plan in place. The rim of the glass pressed to the scruffy part of my bottom lip, cold and smooth before i lift it higher, downing the liquid, feeling it burn the back of my throat as a moan left my lips.

Slipping my fingers under the device, flipping it open to show the keypad. Fingers typing quickly as the buzz filled my mind. Can't lose the confidence i had quickly built, by the time my fingers had finished the message, the feeling of untouchable power slipped away, before hitting the button to send it to the woman who threw my mind in a pandora's box of thoughts. The bubble stays for seconds, then minutes. Surely, she's seen it. She hadn't been too dismissive of my return. Answering my call and talking to me, almost edging me into a state of euphoria to know that maybe, just maybe, i'd dug myself into her brain enough to keep her baited.

Thoughts of hopping on my bike and barreling to the little home, pushing my way into the door way to find her... all prettied up for that damned boyfriend she had. My head lulled into the crook of my arm, the warmth of my own skin causing a flush to come across my cheeks, heating up the skin, flushing it, bending my back into an uncomfortable arch. Wondered what she felt like, if she was still embarrassed when she stopped nude, if she'd grown confidence and thought she was as beautiful as she always had been. I just wanted a taste, a lick of her delicate flesh, watching the skin as it dimpled under my fingers, causing her eyes to roll back and her words to become less than whispers. Her needy little moans cut off prematurely as i felt for more, pressing into the skin more as she whined.

With those questions came more, did she like the way he was with her? Was he soft and sweet on her, caressing her delicate skin with his tongue and grateful for every second he had the chance to touch her? He wouldn't have it long, not much longer and Od finally have the moment of weakness and snatch her away. Maybe drug her, maybe let her fight back. A pulling at the corner of my lips curled into a smirk, thinking of her holding up a knife and trying to stab at me, unlike the night she froze, staring from the corner of her doe eyes, watching a big bad wolf show its fangs so deathly close to the fragile bunny. To kiss death and fate so tenderly before succumbing to its hand- or in this case, a mug. The sound of her head cracking against the glass then floor rant through my mind. I couldn't help it, she was so... idiotic and pretty. A simple minded creature needing guidance in a world full of snakes and predators, looking for easy, pretty, temping prey.

My eyes flicker to the phone once more, expecting anything, something from the prey. Nothing, not a damn thing. No 'don't message me ever again's or 'im going to call the police, Leon's. Nothing. That, that made me feel a nasty pit in my stomach, the thoughts of driving over to their home and seeing for myself what had her so airheaded she couldn't reply to a message. Maybe even see how Ryland- Ryan- touched her, was he too delicate? Did he know that she does like it rough, at least a little? Was he too rough, leaving her nervous and frightened? The thought kind of turned him on, imagining how leaving him did nothing but potentially put you in another psycho's arms.

The thoughts became actions as the keys jingled from the grip i had on them, maybe i was still a bit more protective than i needed to be. This was for her safety, damnit. Nothing beat trying to keep those predators from her, than a predator himself. Every red light felt like it was hours long, leg bouncing, waiting for the light to change into that 'go' green. Eyes watching streetlights become blurs as the distance closes from between her and I. I can almost feel her, almost taste that sweet taste that only she can produce for my senses to take in.

My heart ramps up as i get to the small drive way, turning off the lights to my bike, parking up at the tip of the path. Couldn't let her get a peek, she knew too much. I liked to rush things, like letting her see me and talking to her, setting up what i wanted to be a comfort, letting her know i'm not angry at her for leaving me, she didn't have to stay with this guy anymore, now. Maybe it was the alcohol talking, as i feel the ground shift, legs nearly buckling as the only window with lights stemming from it, catch my attention. Guiding my wavering stance to push forwards, as my fingers wrap around the frame, it hits me. Seeping into my ears a soft 'Ah, ah, ah, Ry~', muffled by the wall separating us, her voice was so dirty, something enough to send me straight to hell for the things i think of her. A temptress shied away into a human body.

"Ryan~", my eyes snap up at her voice, my eyes nest pop out at the scene. "Yeah, did he make you feel this good? Bet he didn't.", Ryan's deep voice, echoing around the room as soft slaps of flesh on flesh sound out. His hands dug under her thighs as he assisted her in riding him. Keeping her pace for herself and him, watching his cock head nearly slip from her hole had my cock weeping. Her hair falling over that face, eyes closed and head back as she whined, crying silently as he abused her little cunt. How is wanted to just walk in there and force my way into those velvety walls and take what was and IS mine. Her whines were accompanied by a smack, landing on her ass as she bounced on him. "Dirty bitch- can't have me loving on you sweet and soft-", Ryan's head tilted back against the pillow, their black bed sheets all bunched up and messy. "Gotta be treated like some cheap slut.", he groaned as her hips bucked up. "Dirty bitch...", i couldn't help but repeat, seeing how her hips filled out in 7 years, watching her tits bounce and her arms tense as she struggled to keep herself upright on his cock. Her cunt- MY cunt- sucking him in with a squelching sound, her moans followed by a whimper as she lost her rhythm. "Good girl- fuck-!", his hands dig into the plump of her hip, "gonna snap my cock in half, pretty.", the huff of air falling from my nostrils fogged the glass as i hadn't realized i'd moved so close, watching as my girl, my bunny, came apart on another man's cock. It made me fucking sick.

My fingers came up, flipping the phone until it opened, scrolling to get to my camera before snapping a picture of Ryan, who now has moved to bend her over the bed, snapping his hips quickly into her. The picture was shitty quality, but it DEFINITELY got the point across as I hit the send button, patience is a virtue i never really had. Eager impatience, sheer excitement causing me to become annoying as a rookie. The muscles in my jaw ached, from biting back a moan as i palmed myself over my jeans, also aching from how tense i'd been while watching. The stiffness of my cock had be aching for some type of pleasure, pulling my jeans to my knees as i whip it out. Looking at it in the moon light, it was so flushed pink, begging to find a home in that pussy, eyes lingering on his hips as they lost themselves into a bliss, his bunny's face pressed into the mattress, just an opening from her eyes and he'd run. He felt his palm heating up as he pumped his aching cock, watching her lips part into a wince/moan. He felt his cock twitch, spilling white sticky ropes over a plant by the window. "Shit-", i hissed, realizing this is definitely evidence i was here, but it was meant to rain more tonight, he'd be fine. He always was.

Now she didn't care to look or open her eyes while her love was blowing back shot after back shot into her right pussy. Ryan's hand ran her back, easing her up into his chest. "Good girl, my good slut.", his hands brushed down her hair, comforting her after such a rough scene. I wanted to scream, that should be me, holding her in my arms, coaxing her into relaxation. I have a house, much bigger than this that she can have entirely to herself, one I built for her. She'd be so grateful if she'd just talk to me. Just let me "repair" the damage I'd caused. I wouldn't totally rush her, but imaging a world where she was swole, child on her hip and cheeks rosy from leaning over some food she'd been preparing, her eyes wide as I walk home and get to place a huge kiss on her lips, tasting the food on her lips, as she cooked his favorite meal.

My hand slowly pumped out the rest, watching as she reached up for her phone. Ryan holding into her as she grabbed it and yelped, she must've see the photo. The phone in his pockets dinging as he used his non cum covered hand struggling as to not drop the phone but as soon as he opens the device. Bunny's name, her contact completely, the same from 7 years ago as it flashed on the screen, he ducked, quickly, laying in a thorn bush. Damn Chris, always blowing up my fucking phone for some sort of reaching out to get me to come back or explain myself… how do i explain what i’m doing? "Fuck~", I whined, looking up as I saw my bunny close to the window looking off into the distance, looking for me as she buttoned up what looked like one of Ryan's shirts. It hurt... but what more could i want? what more could you want, bunny?

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convulsionofhonesty · 1 year

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top 10 books of 2022

i read 50 books this year and i’m going to share my top 10 and what i loved most about them (in no particular order)

1. writers & lovers by lily king - this book legitimately changed my life by reminding me of how desperate i am to lead a creative life. there are certain books that make you want to be a writer. this is one. featuring clean-cut, economical prose that gets straight to the point, and the point is diving into one of the most compelling characters i’ve had the honor to spend a story with. i read it twice this year because i will never be ready to part with this main character.

2. last night at the telegraph club by malinda lo - this was a reread for me and i appreciated it infinitely more the second time. the vividness of the writing strikes me as a particular triumph of this work. you can feel every emotion, see and hear every setting. that and a deeply engaging narrative make it one of those books that i continue to think about constantly.

3. crush by richard siken - my favorite poetry collection i have read, and reread, both within this year. he is one of those writers that reminds you how amazing it is to be a human that can feel and say so much. sharp images, glorious repitition, and stunning formatting that has inspired much of my own adventure into the world of unique poetic structure on the page.

4. homegoing by yaa gyasi - probably one of the most ingenious books i have ever read. to this day i fail to understand how it is possible to cover so much in so few pages and not leave the reader feeling like something is missing, but she certainly does it. sweeping multi-generational story where each chapter reads like both an exquisite short story that could stand on its own and a part of the richly woven whole. phenomenal novel that i wholeheartedly believe will be a classic in the future.

5. the idiot by elif batuman - another character that weaseled her way into my brain and has never left. a plotless, indulgent, meandering character study that struck such a cord with me. i read this at the exact right time in my life and for the week that i was making my way through it, there was no distinction between the narrator and myself in my mind. i don’t know how to explain this, but i was narrating my own life through this character’s eyes. captivating.

6. piranesi by susanna clarke - an exemplary work of fantasy that explores the nuances of knowledge and gratitude, balancing expertly between critiquing the pursuit of knowledge and power and exalting wonder, curiosity, and science. a book written in journal entries which flows perfectly and never feels choppy. leaves you thinking differently about the world.

7. open water by caleb azumah nelson - a short novella you can read in a day, and you will have to, as it is so enchanting and haunting that you cannot stop. it fully took over my mind until i finished it. it features second person narration which creates an unmatched level of closeness between reader and narrator. triumphantly evocative, intimate, and precise prose. the most poetic novel(la) i've had the pleasure of reading since on earth we're briefly gorgeous.

8. the great believers by rebecca makkai - the highlight of this book is the dense prose; every sentence feels perfectly chosen and hits you just as hard as the last. there is never a break, never a breather from the stunning writing. for that reason it is a slow book to move through, but in the best way. also accomplishes using dual pov/timelines in a way that does not detract from the fluidity of the work. very heavy subject matter but imbued with hope, gratitude, and affection.

9. the starless sea by erin morgenstern - prior to reading piranesi, this was my favorite fantasy read of the year. the world is so engrossing and the formatting of the novel is unique and inventive. vivid world builidng and a meandering, cris-crossing plot that enthralls from the beginning. an ode to humanity and the interconnectedness of the stories we tell.

10. babel by r.f. kuang - a lengthy novel that is well worth the time it takes, featuring a slate of morally ambiguous young people bumping up against the limits of their social power. similarly to piranesi, it embraces curiosity, drive, passion, and learning while chastising the intrenchment of power in academia. kuang cements herself as figurehead of the historical fantasy subgenre, tapping into its full potential.

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