#king charles inheritance

[europesroyalsjewels]

Irish Blossom Brooch ♕ King Charles III

[peppered-ronis]

thats not leaking blood the colours are just a little stylized 😭 i cant be the only person who genuinely likes that portrait

I said if u squint it looks that way, I understand that it's not the intention bud. And ur probably not the only one but it's certainly a niche opinion. Like I've been racking my brain to think of reasons the artist might want to make it look like he was painting on a meat canvas and none of them are particularly flattering to ol king chuck. The artist wanted the military uniform to fade into the background to bring the man himself into better focus and humanise him. Which. yeah trying to cover over their violent history by humanising themselves is certainly what the royal family are going for these days so shoutout to the artist for getting the assignment ig lmao. And the one fucking incongruous butterfly that was apparently Charles' idea really gets me

Anyway no royal portrait was gonna work for me, in the same way that I'd be pissed if my landlord was like "hey look what I spent ur rent money on" and it was a fuckin statue of themselves, yk? Royal portraits in general are flimsy fuckin propaganda that waste our damn money, and this one is no different to me, it's just a more self-serving version

[wonder-worker]

A.J Pollard’s biography on Edward IV was so cringe lol (generic; minor but frustrating inaccuracies; intensely judgmental at times and oddly dismissive at others while never considering the broader context; entirely diminished and trivialized Elizabeth Woodville as both queen and wife of his main subject in the name of "defending" her; created a false dichotomy between Edward and Henry VII’s styles of ruling and lauded the latter at the former’s expense even though Henry literally followed Edward’s example for the very things Pollard was criticizing Edward for; had a downright nonsensical and thoroughly misleading conclusion about Edward’s legacy & Richard’s usurpation that was based entirely on hindsight, Pollard's own assumptions, and the complete downplaying Richard’s agency and actions to emphasize what Pollard wrongly and misleadingly claimed were Edward's so-called 'failings', etc, etc)

I wanted to buy his book on Henry V but after reading this shitshow and the synopsis of that book, im guessing it's going to be 10x worse, so...no thanks

[onetwistedmiracle]

I think the amazing thing about this portrait of Charles is that he is not only portrayed here as awash in the blood of his inherited and dying Empire, but that the King and his Queen love this thing.

It's the most masterful protest of all.

The painter says see here, the King is steeped in other people's blood. And the King says oh look, how marvelous, I look wonderful, do I not? All ruddy and strong, awash in the blood of my inherited and dying Empire. Wait, what did I just say?

The Emperor has no clothes (except those that are dripping.) And this thing will hang up, pride of place, official and sanctioned and approved.

i cant get over the king charles portrait. they made that thing to age in his place. that painting hangs in the house of a too-friendly family you find in the post apocalyptic wasteland who inexplicably has a ready supply of fresh meat. if mario jumped into that painting he wouldn't find a charming platformer he would be flayed and hanged like a medieval criminal by an unseeable force in a droning red void. that painting is a color blindness test for people who work in IT but believe in the divine right of kings. that painting is going to weep the sequel to blood. after he dies charles is gonna crawl outta that thing like sadako.

[fleshwizard]

Dragons & Folklore de France

Translation below

The Tarasque dwells in the waters of the Rhone river near the town of Tarascon, where it devours travelers and destroys dikes and dams to flood the Camargue. Saint Martha chained it, and the people of Tarascon killed it.

The ruins of the amphitheaters of Metz were infested by hundreds of snakes. The largest of them, the Graoully, had a venomous breath, a mouth bigger than its body and devoured men. Saint Clement chased it away into the Seille River.

King of serpents, the Basilisk takes many forms throughout history and appears in many tales. One of them takes place at the Gate of Saint-Eloi in Bordeaux, known today for its Big Bell, where a well was occupied by a Basilisk. It petrified with its gaze anyone who went there to fetch water. It was defeated by a man returning from the Egyptian crusade, who petrified the beast with its own gaze using a mirail (mirror).

The Cocatrix is born from a rooster's egg incubated by a toad. The egg has magical properties but must not be broken. People who cross its gaze die immediatly.

Made of wicker and covered in flowers, the Grand Bailla wanders the streets of Reims three days a year and feeds on gold and sweets. It was banished by Archbishop Charles Maurice le Tellier.

The Grand'Goule haunts the marshes of Poitou, the waters of the Clain and the flooded cellars of the abbey of Sainte Croix. It feeds on nuns and casse-museaux (snout-breakers, cakes). Saint Radegonde chased it away with holy water.

In the rivers of the Jura and the Alps there is a group of diverse dragons, the Vouivres. They are generally flying serpents covered in fire and guardians of treasures. Many have for a single eye a gigantic carbuncle with extraordinary powers, desired by those in search of wealth and power.

Hidden in the caves and cliffs of la Pointe du Roux near La Rochelle, the Rô Beast traps and devours travelers in the coastal marshes. It was impaled by seven heroic pagans from the seas.

Mythical dragon of the Basque Country, Herensuge gave birth to the Sun and the Moon, swallowed all of Creation in ten days then regurgitated it in flames. Now asleep in the mountains, it sucks up flocks and shepherds in his sleep. When it wakes up, it will destroy the world in flames and blood. (illustration)

Durandal is the mythical sword that Charlemagne gave to the knight Roland. Some claim that it was inherited from Hector, the warrior of the Trojan War. At war with the Saracens in the Pyrenées, Roland wanted to break the sword so that it would not fall into the hands of the enemy but Durandal split the mountain. So he threw the sword, which went to stick miles away, in the rock of the town of Rocamadour.

The belief in the Tooth Fairy is widespread in several countries in Europe, and is sometimes amalgamated with La Petite Souris (little mouse). It exchanges baby teeth for money. No one knows what it does with all these teeth.

The Camecruse is a bogeyman that haunts the moors and marshes of Gascony. It is agile, can jump and hide in the night to better devour lost children. No one knows exactly how it feeds.

The caves under the hill of the town of Hastingues are home to Lou Carcolh, a monstrous snail, long, slimy and hairy. Its shell is as big as a house. With the help of its tentacles, it grips people to devour them.

The Questing Beast is hunted by kings and heroes in Arthurian legends. It symbolizes evil, incest, violence and chaos, and takes it name from the loud noises that come out of its stomach, similar to the barking of dozens of dogs.

The fairy Mélusine, cursed princess of Albania, was condemned to change into a snake below the waist every Saturday. She married Raymondin de Lusignan with whom they had 10 prodigious children. But Raymondin broke his promise never to see Mélusine on Saturday : he surprised her in her monstrous form, and she left her family forever.

[tragedy-machine]

Royalty au where both Edwin and Charles are princes of rivaling countries

They first meet in peaceful times though, and start to spend every summer together, becoming quick friends

Edwin confines in Charles that his family hates him for being "weak" and mistreats him since, as the 2nd son, he doesn't matter to them, and Charles tells Edwin about his father

They both are just 16, when the war begins, and they're forced to stay away for four years

And then one day, even though the Rowlands are close to prevailing, Richard Rowland is slain in battle and Charles inherits the throne

He sends for King Edmund Payne to discuss a peace treaty

He'll end the war and spare the Payne kingdom under one condition

"Whatever do you wish for, Your Majesty?" Edmund Payne asks, seething, but unable to refuse and risk losing what's left of his war-stricken kingdom.

"Him." The room falls silent as Charles' raised finger lands unmistakably on Edwin.

They haven't spoken in years, but Charles doubts Edwin's relationship with his family has improved over that time period. They haven't seen each other since they were 16, but Charles still loves Edwin just as he did back then.

Edmund almost happily accepts and sends Edwin over. When Charles and Edwin are alone for the first time that evening, Charles rushes to apologize for taking the decision out of Edwin's hands and for treating Edwin like a thing to be exchanged and-

But Edwin doesn't let him finish. Instead, he flings his arms around Charles’ neck and kisses his husband-to-be soundly.

[chock-and-bates]

hiiiii! i saw someone send in a scenario they imagined for "roar of the fire" and realised i wanted to get my two cents in as well lol. if like, there was a plot to poison max and charles found out about it, and it was backed by former supporters of ferrari or something, how would he deal with the dilemma? how is he feeling? because i imagine he won't abandon the man that's dicking him down on the regular and also giving him some measure of power, but i also imagine that it won't be easy for him to just let go of his past especially if he's not like, in love with him yet.

you sent me on a little 1.4k word adventure today, anon.

there actually is a scene somewhat similar to this situation in the outline, but it's quite spoilery, so i wrote a little side story instead :)

roar of the fire ficlet under the cut. (rated t)

It’s a seemingly dull day in court when Charles receives the unexpected guest.

He’s lounging in the corner of the Great Hall, playing a game of chess with Ollie while Lando drapes himself on the chair next to him, moaning about how bored he is. It’s tedious, as is the way Lord Russell is glaring at Charles from across the hall, standing at attention near where Max sits on the throne, who is looking quite bored himself as he listens to yet another dispute between Sir Alonso and Sir Lawson. 

Lord Russell should be glad Charles excused himself, he thought to himself as he captured Ollie’s rook. If he was a part of the discussions he would be tempted to tell Max he should just stick the knights in the stocks and only release them when they’ve resolved their endless feud themselves. George would be sure to love that-

“Oh, who do we have here,” Lando’s sudden purr breaks Charles out of his musings, and he looks up to see a surprisingly familiar face.

“Lord Giovinazzi and his lovely wife would like to say hello,” Lando continues, sitting up to primp himself as the lord and his lady approach.

Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles had known each other for years, growing up together in Ferrari’s court until he left some years ago when he married the eldest daughter of a Sauber duke, inheriting some land in the process.

Charles frowns slightly as they come closer, fighting back the usual shame that rises when someone from his past sees him in his new life…

But Antonio keeps his face neutral, the perfect lord as he and his wife offer their congratulations on his marriage and his coronation, with his wife simpering over Charles’ jewels while Lando shamelessly flirts with the both of them.

There is nothing untowards, nothing to arise Sir Albon’s concern where he watches from his spot behind Charles and his lords, nothing for Lando to go gossiping about, nothing to draw Max’s ire as he repeatedly glances over at them.

But when Antonio takes his hand before giving a low bow to bid goodbye, Charles quickly understands the facade when he feels the lord slip a small scroll of parchment into his fingers.

Clever man.

Charles keeps his own mask on, giving no indication that anything has transpired as the couple takes their leave and Charles discreetly slips the scroll up his sleeve.

* * *

A few hours later, when he finally has time for himself, Charles is frozen, still as a statue as he stares at the small message in his hand.

There are only a few hurried sentences scribbled onto the small paper, but it is more than enough.

It is well known the hatred you carry for your brutal husband. Lord Giovinazzi, Lord Zhou, and Lord Fuoco would like to offer you deliverance. With your help, we can slip wolf’s bane to the lion, and seize on the chaos that follows.

You could save Ferrari, Il Predestinato. Fulfill the prophecy.

Send someone you trust to the North Tower at midnight for instructions.

A plot… a plot to poison the king.

Charles re-reads the short message again and again and again, stumbling to a chair as he feels his knees go weak.

The three lords are already in the castle for the banquet in four days’ time. All three are former members of the Ferrari Court, ones who clearly have ambitions to return. Charles knows them, worked with them, fought with them-

And now they ask him to help them poison his husband, and they do so by invoking the fucking prophecy.

Save Ferrari…

Head spinning, Charles tries to think clearly, but it’s useless. His head is a maelstrom of screaming thoughts and images flashing by:

He could return home- Ferrari betrayed him- Blood on his hands- Ollie would go to the Tower at midnight, no questions- Giovinazzi’s blank face- Charles and Fuoco swimming in the sea as children- Chaos at court, screams and accusations- Sitting on Ferrari’s throne- Betrayal, betrayal, betrayal- Zhou and him in the training yard- Sitting on Red Bull’s throne- He could burn for this- Seeing his family once more- A destroyed countryside- Everyone would be suspicious- Sebastian’s proud smile- Lord Horner’s angry glare- His crown, heavy on his head- The prophecy- Crying out as his face is pushed into the sheets, Max pounding into him from behind- Max chasing him through the halls- Max’s gentle hand on his face- Their blades clashing- A tight grip on his waist- Max’s cruel laugh- His husband’s face while he slept…

Without even coming to a conscious decision, Charles' body makes up his mind for him, springing to his feet and racing to throw open his chamber doors.

“Alex! Get me Sir Riccardio. Now.”

* * *

Hours later, Charles sits in his window sill, staring up at the moon and trying not to think about all that has happened today.

Until the doors to his chamber slam open, the dramatics tearing Charles away from the night sky and his meditation.

Max strides into the bedchamber, looking a little… frenzied. His clothes are askew, as though he rushed here, and there’s a wild look on his face that makes Charles’ stomach swoop.

“Daniel told me,” Max says breathlessly, heading towards Charles with a purpose.

Scowling, Charles quickly turns away, looking back to the moon, “And what did you do to them?”

“They’re in the dungeons, choking on the wolf’s bane they meant for me.”

His eyes fall shut, a flare of pain passing through him at the thought of his old Ferrari men dying in the dark dungeons. Gritting his teeth, he tries to push the thoughts away.

Surprisingly, his husband’s hands on him help the matters along, as Max insistently tugs him down off the sill despite Charles' indignant protests, wrapping him up tightly in his arms.

“You saved my life,” Max sounds utterly awed.

Squirming against his hold, Charles glowers, refusing to look at him, “Hardly. It was clearly a sloppy excuse of a plot. They never would have succeeded.”

“You don’t know that,” his husband’s hand comes up to his cheek, firmly turning Charles' head to face him, to see what he would rather avoid. Those blue eyes are burn into his, a wonderstruck look glinting in his expression, “Why did you give the note to Daniel? Why did you not at least wait to see if they would succeed?”

Pinned in place by his husband’s arms and gaze both, Charles feels something rabid trying to break out of his chest, the confusing emotions of the past few hours overcoming him.

“I didn’t do it for you,” he snarls at Max, “I did it because I could not stand the thought of some half-rate former Ferrari idiots tossing the realm into chaos.”

“Is that so,” Max breathes, leaning closer, his eyes drifting down to Charles' lips.

“Obviously.” 

“I don’t think I believe you, sweeting.”

Before Charles can retort, Max’s mouth crushes down onto him in a hungry, relentless kiss. Caught up in a daze as his mouth is claimed, Charles only vaguely realizes Max is forcing him backwards until his back is suddenly flat against his bed, his husband quickly and eagerly climbing on top of him.

“Let me thank you anyway,” Max says, straddling Charles as he quickly begins undressing himself, stripping off his belt and doublet as Charles watches, “No matter the reason- you still may have saved my life.”

“You’re impossible,” Charles snaps at his husband, even as his gaze travels along the skin that is being revealed. As Max is preoccupied with unlacing his breeches, Charles’ hand drifts up, thoughtlessly, to trace one of his husband’s many scars, the one on his chest that is much too close to his heart, courtesy of Sir Hamilton during the Mercedes War. 

Charles touches the mark with a frown, telling himself he only did so because it was a shame it had not been fatal.

Max pulls his hand away from his chest, raising it to his face to lay a soft kiss against his palm.

The tenderness jerks something inside of him, vicious and hot, and Charles pulls his hand away, only to fist it in his husband's hair to yank him down on top of him, ignoring Max’s pained grunt. He pulls their mouths back together in another kiss, rough and biting.

“I’m the only one who gets to kill you,” Charles hisses into his mouth, punctuating the statement with a sharp nip to Max’s lower lip, “Me. I’m the one who will take your life.”

It’s a ridiculous statement. If Charles ever killed the king it would be akin to signing his own death warrant, surrounded as he was in the lion’s den. Still, he says it, something underlying in the words ringing true… 

It makes Max moan, and he kisses his wife again as his hands fumble between them, grasping Charles night gown and tearing-

“I completely agree.”

[dostoyevsky-official]

this a view of someone who's ignored european developments since 2007, opting for a rosy, outdated view of european politics, i.e. the exact type of american committing the exact type of mistake i'm warning about.

to address this point by point: not only has inflation been a global issue, but the US has consistently enjoyed the lowest inflation of any developed economy. american CPI has remained below the british, polish, and eurozone average numbers. european economies have to deal with fallout from the russian invasion of ukraine that the us can ignore: notably, in energy prices, as the US became self-sufficient in energy (and never imported any from russia to begin with, something squeezing the german economy). america is also not hosting millions of ukrainian refugees.

when discussing european instutions—and "europe" in general—one has to be more specific. do you mean the overarching institutions of the EU, criticized for a democratic deficit that many have pinpointed as one source for euro-skepticism and the rise of the far right? the EU Council, widely ignored and headed by charles michel, an incompetent, blatant nepobaby appointment whom everyone grinds their teeth over? the EU parliament, recently filled with a fresh batch of far-right hooligans, which functions more or less as a rubber stamp for the commission? the EU commission itself, headed by VdL, the latest in a string of failed local politician commissioners (who remembers the alcoholic swindler juncker?) masquerading as technocrats? the ECB, which smothers the monetary (and through the maastricht criteria, the fiscal) policy of eurozone members, thereby fueling resentment, far-right movements, and economic disparity? and all of this held hostage by the veto of one orban or fico, —or the german supreme court, when it decides it's had enough with public investment. those institutions, which remain so opaque that even educated americans—and europeans—aren't entirely aware of their function?

or do we mean the institutions of individual countries, ranging from undemocratic autocracies like hungary to the fief of the jupiter king, who called elections in june, lost them, refused to nominate a prime minister from the winning coalition, didn't name any for over a month, and then appointed a rightwing politician from a party that scored dead last, sidestepping his own centrist party? the UK, where sir keir is handing out five years in jail time to climate protesters, raising tuition fees, relying on private investment companies, and through rachel reeves' plan to fix the alleged budget hole left by hunt before further investment, again enacting austerity? this is all front-page headline news from the last half year.

european countries indeed have cheaper healthcare costs, better pensions, and other public goods that the united states does not. when considering "quality of life," remember, however, that most european countries have unemployment rates considered astronomic in america, especially for under-35s:

to focus again and again on european social democracy is to ignore that it has been steadily eroded since the end of the cold war and especially since the great recession by neoliberal political forces that crush the left and open the door for the far right. in the most blatant example, beside's macron's legislative politricks, the IMF-ECB-EC troika cut off euro cash liquidity flow to greece when syriza was trying to undo austerity under varoufakis. the greek collapse consigned a generation to economic failure, killed seniors, and curtailed possibilities for the youth. this erosion happened even in the nordic model, long imagined by americans as nothing short of a utopia:

In part due to the scrapping of wealth and inheritance taxes and a lower corporate tax than both the U.S. and European averages, Sweden has one of the most unequal distributions of wealth in the world today: on a level with Bahrain and Oman, and worse than the United States. Perhaps most dispiriting for Sanders, Sweden also now hosts the highest proportion of billionaires per capita in the world. Many of the country’s trademark social services are now provided by private firms. Its private schools even benefit from the same level of state subsidy as public schools—a voucher system far more radical than anything in the United States and that Democratic politicians would be crucified for advocating. Both here and there, right-leaning commentators in 2020 decried Sanders’s portrait as little more than what Johan Norberg, Swedish author of The Capitalist Manifesto, has called a 1970s “pipedream.” On this, Swedish observers on the left gloomily agree: despite official rhetoric, the “Nordic welfare model” is now more nostalgic myth than reality. (x)

to problematize further, there's an unadressed first world perspective: who's getting the good quality of life, why are the main economies of the EU so wealthy, and how does the EU continue to enrich itself? there are certainly many living outdoors today, drowning in the mediterranean, or dying of exposure in białowieża. fortress europe is a crime against humanity—and it doesn't beat back the far right. it weakens civic and human rights, undermines legal oversight, and criminalizes humanitarian engagement, allowing an authoritarian creep.

you shouldn't understand the political and the historical as a snapshot in time, but as a moving train. this is the state of europe today. all of the above is necessarily a simplification and an abbreviation, but there's a trajectory you can begin to trace out: given all of the above, where do you think europe is headed?

[livefastdriveyoung]

Every team has a first and second driver. It is just that not every driver fulfills the role in the same way.

At Aston Martin we know Fernando is driver one. He is the more experienced driver, and right from the mouth of Lawrence Stroll himself, was brought in to make Lance a better driver so he could one day be the first driver. He does media, he's funny, and he also clearly has a mentor/mentee relationship with Lance.

I call this the mentor/mentee set up

At Mercedes, we know that Lewis is Driver one. Based on titles certainly, age almost definitely, and also because he is Lewis Hamilton. Until February, and even after, when you think Mercedes, you think Lewis. He is their better driver. He won six championships with them. He's stayed longer than most drivers stay on the whole grid. It is his through blood, sweat, and tears. George is the prince, he's set to inherit, potentially (BTW TORGER, I would like a word), and has a lot to live up to. Comparisons are hard, especially when the first driver is Lewis. I think that it's a forced proximity set-up, but they are friendly. Mostly off the track because on track they do not have their greatest moments.

I call this the King/Heir Apparent set up

At Red Bull, we know that Max is Driver one. Aside from the championships, he is just too fast. Every time one of the other drivers who drove alongside him was brought up to Horner or Helmut (YIKES to both), they would compare where they raced to Max. It is unattainable, and isolating. Until Checo. Checo didn't think he was going to be able to drive after BWT. He didn't have a contract, he was a middle of the pack driver, Mexico's son, and his story was supposed to end there. The Red Bull contract was a dream, but for all of the weird behavior some of y'all have with him (again, he's had his problems but the racism and idiot syndrome some apply to him is also NOT OK) he's not an idiot. He knows he's on a limited contract, he knows he's no spring chicken. Hearing him talk about next year, he knows he's very likely out of a contract. But he doesn't let any of this impact his relationship with Max. They are teammates, Checo will do what is best for the team. Max's whole world is predominantly driving. Checo has more of a balance, and in some ways, allows Max to be young.

I call this the Sibling set up.

At Ferrari, Charles LeClerc is Driver one. He is il Predestinato, the second coming, Monaco's prince. He can do no wrong. Carlos Sainz is the second driver. In spite of the fact that he got dropped from the team, in spite of the fact that he has won them two races, he is the one that is being pushed out. But he and Charles are friends, and teammates. They've driven together for several years now. Ultimately, while Carlos has done most of the heavy lifting on his side of the garage in terms of strategy and driving, he is also the one who knows when to walk away from the fight, when to stop letting yourself get hurt by the team that should be defending you. For Charles, Ferrari is a promise to Jules, to his father, to himself. He cannot walk away. In some way, Carlos can. That's why he makes the good second driver. The second in command is the one that sees the whole picture, including the first in command, because they never look at themselves.

I call this the friends/us against the world set up.

At Mclaren, driver one is Lando Norris. An indefinite contract, the sponsors, the adoration, Lando is the golden child. But Oscar is too, sort of. They're both young, both incredibly talented. But they're young. They're doing this together. McLaren went from disaster to top of the pack last season, and they're both on this ride together. I think McLaren is going to do whatever it takes to get Lando his win, but then I think they'll split 50/50. What will happen then, I don't know.

I call this the to soon to tell set up

At Williams, Alex Albon is so clearly driver one. Last year, he scored the majority of the points, they signed him for an extended contract, and they're desperate to keep him for 2026, when the car is supposedly going to be insane. Logan is the second driver. Alex wants to be the mentor, and to some degree he is. But Logan's narrative from last season to this season has shifted dramatically. Less and less people want to see him gone, they like the American. Williams renewed him. Whether because of sponsorship or genuine interest in his improvement, I don't know. But, in the last two races, they have managed to tank Alex's reputation, and boost Logan's. You don't publicly destroy your second driver's confidence, and career potential so publicly and walk away clean. We've seen it with Red Bull and Pierre, and Alex. Both times, those two drivers walked away with insane support. Logan is now receiving the same, but I wonder if it is going to make a difference. I think that Logan talking about what is best for the team is what is keeping him going, but if you watched the newest Team Torque, you can see fatigue and some tension between him and Alex. I don't know if it is jet lag, or work, or stress, or damage to the relationship. But this is a driver relationship on a razor wire.

I call this the Icarus set up

At Alpine, it is Pierre. He gets away with murder, at least by the team. Esteban has certainly mellowed a little, but he calls Pierre out still. However, they are both miserable with the car this year, so I think they are probably commiserating. The fact they can work together after years of rivalry and blatant hurt between the two is interesting. I think that both of these men have racing above all on their heart, and they will do whatever it takes to stay there. So for now, they suffer in the car, and they are colleagues.

I call this the "there's no other choice" set up (aka forced proximity)l

At Visa CashApp, there's currently a power struggle. Daniel is Daniel. He's been second driver for a few years, he's been third driver. He's got the popularity, though it is waning, and more importantly, he's got Christian Horner's support. That, plus the fact that the team talks about Daniel's presence being about helping them improve, makes him sound like first driver. Except, Yuki has been First driver for years. He's the one who stayed through the revolving door of drivers. This is his team. Honda pays the majority of his salary. So when you bring someone in, someone who doesn't even want the seat as much as he wants the Red Bull seat, the seat that should be yours, you're not going to go down without a fight. It creates this weird tension, but then Daniel is like "I know how lucky I am to be here, I'm focused on driving here," and is already being threatened with losing the seat like Nyck was, and Yuki realizes he might never get the Red Bull seat. So you have these two guys who are fighting for the same thing, that doesn't want them.

I call this the Alone Together set up

At Sauber, it is Valtteri. He has won gps, he's former Mercedes, who used to come second usually only to Lewis. He's funny, older, a weirdo that people love and feel they know. Zhou is younger, he's dealing with the pressure of being China's only son, and the higher expectations of him. Valtteri helps keep him young and focused. He's been through the wringer, and he's teaching Zhou that it is not going to be what breaks you.

Also Mentor/Mentee except the mentors are nuts in a different way

I don't know what the hell is going on at Haas.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

I feel like this topic has been discussed to death, but it is still quite confusing to me. Do you think if, for example, the Oprah interview didn’t happen, would the BRF have allowed Harry and Meghan’s kids to have the prince and princess titles after Charles became king?

Correct me if my understanding/speculation is wrong, but it seems to me that the BRF intended Harry and Meghan to go the Edward and Sophie route (regarding their kids’ titles) even after the Queen’s death. And that’s what didn’t sit right with Harry and Meghan.

Do you think the brf should’ve carefully considered that a new mixed race member of the royal family (Archie) would’ve needed a different kind of support and protection? And imo, the BRF failed to a certain extent in handling the situation. I think their response was to treat Archie as they would’ve treated him if he was white (i.e. without special treatment as if he was just one of Edward and Sophie’s kids), but actually maybe they needed to be more sensitive. I think they failed to grasp the significance of a mixed race member of the royal family, and in that sense perhaps there is a hint of racism. Because obviously the situation blew up. It means there still cannot be mixed race members of the family without there being issues, which reflects a bit badly on the institution. I don’t mean they were obviously racist and discriminatory, but it’s their lack of action that makes them guilty. The issue of race will always be complicated, and the BRF failed to handle the situation with sensitivity.

Archie and Lili were always automatically entitled to HRH Prince/Princess titles. They just had to be grandchildren of the monarch first. That's guaranteed by the 1917 Letters Patent (LP), and there was never any indication by anyone anywhere that it wouldn't happen. The kids were always going to get the titles on Charles's ascension, no matter what, regardless of the Oprah interview.

It was suggested - by the Sussexes themselves in their own announcement of Archie's name when they said he would be known as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor instead of Earl of Dumbarton - that when the time came, they would decline the HRH Prince/Princess on the kids' behalves much like Edward and Sophie did.

Whether the kids had the title or not, whether they used them or not, isn't the controversy. The controversy is the 2012 LP, which solved a problem the 2011 Perth Agreement created with the 1917 LP.

First, the 1917 LP: Issued by George V, it restricts use of HRH Prince/Princess to the grandchildren of the reigning monarch and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

Second, the 2011 Perth Agreement: Made during the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia (hence the name), this is an agreement between all the countries of the Commonwealth that they would issue laws abolishing male primogeniture (men inherit before women; this is why Anne is #18 and behind Andrew and Edward despite being the second child) inheritance of the throne with absolute primogeniture (firstborn child inherits regardless of gender). In the UK, the 2011 Perth Agreement led to the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act which is the British law officially replacing male primogeniture with absolute primogeniture.

The Perth Agreement conflicts with the 1917 LP. Remember that the 1917 LP says the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. With the Perth Agreement in place (and eventually the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act), this means that if William's first child is a daughter (aka the future queen) and his second child is a son, the younger brother will outrank the the future queen until Charles becomes King. Meaning for however long it takes for Charles to accede, #4 will outrank #3 and in a system organized by primogeniture-based hierarchy...that's a problem. A big problem. It's like saying the Vice President is more important than the President.

Leading to the 2012 LP: Issued by Elizabeth II, it gives HRH Prince/Princess to all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. Meaning, only William's children get HRH Prince/Princess titles from birth and Harry's children have to wait until Charles becomes King. No one had a problem with that. Even the gossip/leaks from aristo circles hinted that Harry didn't have a problem with it.

Where the Oprah interview comes into play is that the Oprah interview was the first time it was confirmed and acknowledged that the Sussexes had a problem with the 1917 and 2012 LPs. As Meghan discussed, they felt that because The Queen issued the 2012 LP for William's children giving them HRH Prince/Princess from birth, The Queen should issue a new LP for Harry's children giving them HRH Prince/Princess from birth and justified it with racism-related safety/security concerns.

But here's the thing: First, HRH Prince/Princess titles is not what establishes the need for security. It's the threat to the person that establishes the need for security. Second, minor children inherit their parents' status. Meaning that even though the-future-child-now-known-as-Archie didn't have titles, he still had security through Harry's and Meghan's risk assessments and Harry's and Meghan's risk assessments would have been properly re-evaluated with Archie part of their family.

So when you say the BRF failed to handle this, are you then saying that you think The Queen should have issued a new LP to #7 in the Line of Succession granting that child the right to be titled HRH Prince/Princess from birth? Even though that child has a very insignificantly tiny chance of ever inheriting the throne? Even though the only justification for #7 to have those titles from birth is because he's of mixed racial status? Even though he was getting the titles anyway?

The only special treatment the BRF needed to provide was consideration for his personal security. Which they did. By following the parents' wishes to protect his privacy and limit and control the public's access to him. Are you saying the BRF should have overruled Harry and Meghan's wishes? And in what ways would overruling their wishes provide more security to Archie?

Because frankly, when you say "they failed to grasp the significance of a mixed race member of the royal family," it sounds like you expect the BRF to be parading Archie around to show him off. And that actually is kind of racist, because now they're treating him like the token person of color who's shoved to the front of every photograph to prove they're diverse and they can't be racist. Which actually is racist too.

So...what's the BRF supposed to do? They're racist if they treat Archie differently. They're racist if they treat Archie the same. What should they have done?

For me personally, speaking only for myself and no one else since you asked me what I think -- I think the BRF should strive for inclusion. Which is treating everyone fairly and equally. Meaning Archie doesn't get special treatment. He's afforded the same things everyone else got:

Titles upon becoming the grandchild of the reigning monarch,

Press releases and palace announcements of his birth,

Defense when the media was viciously cruel,

Security and status inherited from his parents,

A private, secure, and securely-protected home, and

His parents' wishes followed for how public or private he should be.

And that's what the BRF provided.

The only special treatment provided here was special treatment for William's family. That's because the succession to the crown was involved. Which is part of the problem with monarchy; the first gets everything at everyone else's expense. Harry, for the longest time, has been lumped in as part of the first even though he's actually part of the 'everyone else.' And IMO, that's the real mistake here: Harry should have been recategorized to 'everyone else' years before he actually was, like when he finished Sandhurst in 2005 or when he turned 25 (2009), not when he was 33 and getting engaged in 2017. Because had Harry been rightfully 'everyone else'-d for a decade-plus without having been part of the Cambridge unit and before he married or had a child, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation today.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Character development for A Princess goes to Crown Princess goes to A Queen or/ An Empress? What aspect that I need to show, and what do I need to make it appear more?

Writing Notes: Princess to Queen

Definitions

Princess

a female member of a royal family; especially: a daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen

the wife of a prince

Crown Princess

the wife of a crown prince (i.e., a male heir apparent to a crown or throne)

a princess who is expected to become queen when the current king or queen dies

Queen

a woman who rules a country and who usually inherits her position and rules for life

the wife of a king

Queen Regnant - a queen reigning in her own right

Queen Regent - a queen ruling in behalf of another or in her own right

Queen Consort - the wife of a reigning king

Queen Dowager - the widow of a king

Empress

a woman who rules an empire

the wife or widow of an emperor

Princess to Queen

A princess can become a queen regnant if she is the heir to the throne and inherits the title upon the death or abdication of the previous monarch.

A princess can become a queen consort by marrying a king.

Becoming an Empress

as Empress Regnant - a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire

as Empress Consort - wife of a reigning emperor

In the United Kingdom

Royal titles in the United Kingdom carry a rich tapestry of history, embodying centuries of tradition while adapting to the changing landscape of the modern world. The following delves into the structure of these titles, focusing on significant changes made during the 20th and 21st centuries, and how these rules affect current royals.

The Foundations: Letters Patent of 1917

The framework for today’s royal titles was significantly shaped by the Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917.

This document was pivotal in redefining who in the royal family would be styled with “His or Her Royal Highness” (HRH) and as a prince or princess.

Specifically, the 1917 Letters Patent restricted these styles to:

The sons and daughters of a sovereign.

The male-line grandchildren of a sovereign.

The eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

Extension by George VI in 1948

Understanding the implications of the existing rules as his family grew, King George VI issued a new Letters Patent in 1948 to extend the style of HRH and prince/princess to the children of the future queen, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II).

This was crucial as, without this adjustment, Princess Elizabeth’s children would not automatically have become princes or princesses because they were not male-line grandchildren of the monarch.

This ensured that Charles and Anne were born with princely status, despite being the female-line grandchildren of a monarch.

The Modern Adjustments: Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Update

Queen Elizabeth II’s update to the royal titles in 2012 before the birth of Prince William’s children was another significant modification.

The Letters Patent of 2012 decreed that all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales would hold the title of HRH and be styled as prince or princess, not just the eldest son.

This move was in anticipation of changes brought about by the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013, which ended the system of male primogeniture, ensuring that the firstborn child of the Prince of Wales, regardless of gender, would be the direct heir to the throne. Without this change, there could have been a situation where Prince William’s first child (and the heir to the throne) was a daughter who wasn’t a princess, whereas her eldest (but younger) brother would have been a prince.

Impact on Current Royals

Children of Princess Anne: When Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, he was offered an earldom but declined it. Consequently, their children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, were not born with any titles. This decision reflects Princess Anne’s preference for her children to have a more private life, albeit still active within the royal fold.

Children of Prince Edward: Initially, Prince Edward’s children were styled as children of an earl, despite his being a son of the sovereign. Recently, his son James assumed the courtesy title Earl of Wessex, when Prince Edward was created the Duke of Edinburgh. His daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, continued to use the same style as she did before her father became duke �� the style for the daughter of a duke being identical to that for the daughter of an earl.

Children of Prince Harry: When Archie and Lilibet were born, they were not entitled to princely status or HRH. They were great-grandchildren of the monarch and, despite the Queen’s adjustments in 2012, their cousins – George, Charlotte and Louis – were the only great-grandchildren of the monarch with those titles. When their grandfather became king, they became male-line grandchildren of a monarch and, hence, a prince and a princess. It took a while for those changes to be reflected on the royal family website. This presumably gave the royal household time to reflect on the effect of the children’s parents withdrawing from royal life and moving to the USA.

Special Titles: Prince of Wales and Princess Royal

Prince of Wales: Historically granted to the heir apparent, this title is not automatic and needs to be specifically bestowed by the monarch. Prince Charles was created Prince of Wales in 1958, though he had been the heir apparent since 1952. Prince William, on the other hand, received the title in 2022 – just a day after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Princess Royal: This title is reserved for the sovereign’s eldest daughter but is not automatically reassigned when the previous holder passes away or when a new eldest daughter is born. Queen Elizabeth II was never Princess Royal because her aunt, Princess Mary, held the title during her lifetime. Princess Anne currently holds this title, having received it in 1987.

The Fade of Titles: Distant Royals

As the royal family branches out, descendants become too distanced from the throne, removing their entitlement to HRH and princely status.

For example, the Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra all have princely status as male-line grandchildren of George V.

Their children are all great-grandchildren of a monarch and, therefore, do not all have royal styles or titles.

This reflects a natural trimming of the royal family tree, focusing the monarchy’s public role on those directly in line for succession.

As Character & Literary Tropes

"Princess Classic" Trope - General traits: Female; actual royalty, by birth or marriage, or Adopted into Royalty; she is innocence personified.

"Honorary Princess" Trope - Some ladies are princesses because they were born to a king and queen. Others are because they're married to a prince. Or maybe a sovereign adopted them. And then there is this girl (no matter if she has a wealthy way of life or not), who is called a princess because… Well, the reasons vary. Maybe she's self-proclaimed. Maybe she gained a throne.

"Royal Blood" Trope - Only the person who's really got it is suitable for the throne.

"Adopted into Royalty" Trope - Conventionally, being a King, Queen, Prince or Princess requires you to be born as one, Royal Blood is valuable after all, and as far as most monarchs are concerned, they have to make sure their bloodline keeps going if they want their kingdoms to last. But when you're this character, it's another story. Maybe you got a father who was lucky enough to marry a queen, maybe you reported and helped stop a coup attempt and the royal family saw adopting you as a way of thanking you, maybe you're already of some position and are adopted into the family as political fodder, or maybe you just befriended a prince and he liked you enough that he came to his father and begged him (if not outright demanded) you get adopted into the royal family so you and he could spend more time together. However it happened, you're suddenly now at the top of the food chain of society.

"Rags to Royalty" Trope - Cinderella Style: A commoner by birth, or with only minor ties to nobility. Nonetheless, through hard work, perseverance, and the help of some musical animals, she'll swoop into the ball and make the prince her husband. Snow White Style: Legitimately royalty, but forced into hiding to escape those who plot against her or because she cannot act as she needs to as long as she is seen as royal. Usually part of a Fish out of Water plot as she tries to hide her royalty and fake being a commoner. May have to prove birthright with bizarre tests or special trinkets only the legitimate Princess would have. Sleeping Beauty Style: Like the Snow White, she's royalty and forced into hiding for protection. Unlike the Snow White, she has no idea she has a Secret Legacy and is actually royalty. The Hard Way: Becoming royalty by going through such intermediate stages as "mercenary", "field commander", "warlord" and finally "conqueror," and most likely marrying a princess along the way, either becoming the ruler of the kingdom or The High Queen's consort. It never appeared in fairy tales, but is very common in heroic epics. Naturally, this is a predominantly male path.

"The High Queen" Trope - A woman of wealth, power, and near-impossible beauty. She always has a calm demeanor and regal bearing. This is what the Princess Classic wants to be when they grow up.

"The Empress" Trope - The female counterpart of The Emperor, historically, they outranked Kings, so when you need an authority figure to convey the highest possible power and rank, you can't get any higher than making them The Emperor/Empress (unless you go to The Pope, or into the otherworldly realms). An Empress is likely to be depicted more sympathetically than an Emperor. Less sympathetic female rulers are more often queens.

"The Usurper" Trope - Someone who becomes a ruler by intentionally taking out their rivals (usually via underhanded and illegal means).

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

In summary, it's usually through birthright or marriage, or (more commonly in fiction) being "adopted" into the royal family, or usurping the throne. You can find more information and examples in the sources. Hope this helps with your writing!

[europesroyalsjewels]

Jewelers & Silversmiths of Great Britain Brooch ♕ King Charles III

[venussaidso]

master gaslighters

Another Magha detail about Emily Nelson, from A Simple Favour, aside from her secretive/concealing nature, is her plan to get insurance 💵 after faking her death, her con-artistry supporting the purpose of Magha nakshatra.

Magha is associated with death and ancestors. It especially represents the receiving of blessings, wealth or assets from the dead. Her scheme and trickery is an inauthentic expression of this, and in the end, she fails.

Ketu can take everything away from even its natives, as she loses all the wealth and life she's built for herself by the end of the film.

But it's very interesting that in Another Simple Favour (2025), the synopsis describes her getting married to a rich Italian businessman, who is played by the Purva Bhadrapada Moon native Michele Morrone. This is probably after she gets out of prison, and is likely with him solely for his wealth to find her power again.

Typical Jupiter-Ketu.

Another scene, in the first film, where Anna Kendrick's character, Stephanie, visits a painter who was obsessed with Emily, it reveals Emily's lack of identity.

The reveal of her different names, and her personality being described differently implies that. Also the fact that she's literally a pathological liar... it reminded me of the series Inventing Anna, where the Ketu native, Anna Sorokin, is said to be described very differently by the multiple people who knew her. And it's revealed that she is also a pathological liar as well.

Just like Emily Nelson, Anna Sorokin conned simply for 💵.

And just like Emily, as indicated in the second film of A Simple Favour, Anna is reinstating herself in the socialite/wealthy circles.

It's very interesting that these Ketuvians scam with the purpose of their nakshatras. As Emily Nelson fakes her death to receive wealth (Magha), Anna Sorokin fakes being an heiress to scam money out of socialites (Ashwini).

I have already given fictional examples of Ketuvians being heiresses/being related to royalty (or something of significant legacy).

Even Ashwini Moons Cate Blanchett and Ingrid Bergman played heiresses, in the films Oscar and Lucinda & Gaslight (respectively).

For example, Nicola Peltz Beckham is a real billionaire heiress, and she has Ashwini Moon. And Hannah Bronfman, with Mula Moon, is another billionaire heiress. This makes sense as Ketu, especially through Magha, signifies receiving assets or inheriting titles etc. So it's very interesting that when it comes to Ketu scammers, money, titles, and assets are consistently the focus.

In Thor (2011), Loki literally scams Thor for the end goal of ruling. He triggers Thor's arrogance and subtly pushes him to storm Jotunheim and make war with its people, which gave Odin the perfect excuse to strip Thor of his power and banish him. Loki needed Thor out of the way to get the title of King of Asgard, and everything was going to plan.

When Loki visits Thor on Earth, he presents himself as a sorrowful brother who cannot help him return, further ensuring Thor stays powerless etc. — all classic con artist behaviour which involve exploiting trust, creating false narratives, and deceiving multiple parties for one's own gain (draining others in the process). Actually insane how I rewatched the movie and literally gagged. Ketu men are the most classic gaslighters and they play these archetypes so well when they're actors too. In the 1944 film Gaslight, Magha Sun Charles Boyer plays a husband who psychologically drives his wife insane which makes her have a nervous breakdown.

He schemes even further when he finds out that she's worth so much wealth. Now he wants to get rid of her in order to claim her wealth, same way Loki wanted to get rid of Thor to claim the throne.

Ketu being associated with the psyche, the subconscious mind, makes sense of this nature to understand exactly how to push someone's buttons psychologically and get them to do exactly what you want them to do (hence, the spellbound effect which is associated with vampires and cult leaders).

So when this scene came, it blew me because Loki has been psychologically pushing Thor into the very actions that fit his schemes and then he made him believe everything was his fault and then abandoned him to claim his "inheritance". So even though he grew up into wealth and royalty, it's still giving sneaky male gold-digger vibes.

[winterhalters]

K I N G S I D E, a tale of seven kings

first season 1514-1520. Claude and François finally get married, a vacant seat for Mary Tudor, Louise of Savoy's stubborness to keep her son in check. A new King arises, the New Order, François' quest for glory in Italy. Another crown, another campaign.

second season 1522-1530. The inheritance dispute that leads Bourbon to treason. The pursuit of the italian dream, Claude dies, all is lost in Pavia. Süleyman and the unthinkable alliance, captivity in Spain. The Ottoman fleet. Royal depression. The inheritance dispute that led Bourbon to treason. The ladies' peace, Henry VIII flinching, a price for two princes, a New wife for the King.

third season 1531-1537. Louise dies, tensions between François and Marguerite. The wedding of Catherine and Henri. The rise of Pisseleu, the battle at Court between Charles and Henri and their people. War between Diane and Montmorency. Placards and the anti-heterics frenzy, another war in Italy. Wedding and death of Madeleine.

fourth season 1539-1547. Mending tensions between France and Spain. A very stubborn niece. All eyes on Henri and Catherine's sterile womb. Death of Charles. The duel in Jarnac. The King is dead, long live. Diane de Poitier's absolute triumph over Anne de Pisseleu. The Guises make their move.

fifth season 1553-1559. Diane of France's not so typical royal wedding. Catherine giving birth to the twins, Chenonceau goes to Diane, the cordial hate between the two. Rohan VS Nemours. Montmorency mess and a remarriage for Diane of France. The death of Henri, everything falls down.

sixth season 1560-1564. François II barely hanging on, Catherine's almost giving up, Elisabeth married off, the Guise family's counterpower, Montemorency's political exile, the Amboise conspiracy, preparations for the grand tour.

seventh season 1565-1572. The end of the grand tour, encounter between the royal family and Elisabeth, queen of Spain. The rise of Charles IX, a new queen, Marie Touchet and her bastard boys. Catherine's plans to get a match for Marguerite. Rising tensions between Charles and Henri after Jarnac and Montcontour. Marguerite's nuptials amidst tensions and Coligny's attempted murder.

eighth season 1572-1575. Coligny and the Protestant leaders rallying the troops. The Saint Barthelemew Massacre and the promise of Marguerite to never forgive her family. Catherine finds out Anjou's possible involvement. A new king for Poland. Marguerite's toubled married life. Death of Charles IX. Henri's escape from Poland and slow return to France.

nineth season 1581-1584. Catherine's illusions shatter. New King, no heir. Marguerite returns to Paris. Louise shows some spine against the King's favorites. Quarelling with Anjou, tensions with Elizabethan England, Anjou's election and subsequent death and Catherine's anger. The Guise family veering off the road.

tenth season 1585-1589. The mounting war of the three Henris. All eyes on King Henri who has no sons, Catherine's political exile, the slow burning of the last Valois children. Hunting down Marguerite from stronghold to stronghold, ending with her house arrest in Usson. Assassination of the Guise brothers, the death of Catherine, Henri III breaks down in Diane's arms. Marguerite in exile, Diane the only "true" daughter of Catherine's, as she sets out to (successfully) pacify the kingdom on her own.

[frozen-waters]

modern rdr hcs

• when Sean gets up to go to the bathroom at night he doesn't turn on any lights and just stumbles around in the darkness

• Karen is a nail tech

• I know I said in my johnigail hcs that John would work at an auto shop but I’m starting to like the idea of him being a carpenter yk

• at cookouts Pearson is on grill duty and Sadie walks past him and critiques how he’s grilling the hamburger meat

• Mary-Beth is an Animal Crossing fan and plays with Tilly and Kieran

• Javier does that five second pause anytime he starts recording something

• Miss Grimshaw was Tilly's foster mom

• Tilly did soccer throughout school and Arthur was the official chauffeur for getting her to and from practice

• Mary-Beth always sleeps with two blankets and one big comforter and a heating pad

• the scariest movie Hosea ever watched was Jaws

• Mary-Beth and Karen buy vapes for each other and constantly switch with one another

• the bluetooth in Karens car can never work properly

• Mary-Beth fucking loves Chappell Roan

• Sean collects Burger King crowns

• Arthur grills his hot dogs, Charles boils them, John microwaves them

• Micah is under house arrest a lot

• Uncle sells fireworks

• Molly has a drivers license but never drives

• Molly also dressed kinda like Heather Mason from silent hill when she was a teenager

• John exclusively listens to Rob Zombie and Colter Wall

• Sadie does the bikini top + swim trunks combo

• Sean just normally wears swim trunks as normal shorts all year round

• -> Sean is also an avid flip-flop wearer and if hes not wearing those hes wearing some ratty old shoes

• Mary-Beth’s biggest fashion icon next to Chappell Roan is Draculaura from monster high and Daphne from scooby doo

• Sean has one of those little hula dancers on his dashboard

• Mary-Beth played volleyball in high school

• Karen does her makeup in the car

• the thing that keeps Mary-Beth up at night besides social media is her watching Shark Week

• Isaac has an unreasonably high score in subway surfers

• Charles has an old Sarabi dog named Taima (🤯)that he takes almost everywhere

• Lenny and Hosea do puzzles together

• the Marston daughter has those rubber band rainbow loom bracelets halfway up her forearms

• the Marston daughter also inherited Abigail's, Tilly's, and Mary-Beth's old Barbie dolls

[ed-recoverry]

List of free audiobooks on YouTube for anyone interested

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Alice in Wonderland

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H P Lovecraft

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The Village by Caroline Mitchell

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (fuck JKR)

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Upside Down by Danielle Steel

The Fiancée by Kate White

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Theif

Accidentally Married by Victoria E. Lieske

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

The Collector (book one) by Nora Roberts

The Lies I Told by Mary Burton

Dead Man’s Mirror by Agatha Christie

The Hobbit

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey

The Good Neighbour by R J Parker

The Island House by Elana Johnson

Desperation by Stephan King

The Healing Summer by Heather B. Moore

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt

To Be Claimed by Willow Winter

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The Inn by James Patterson

Wonder by R J Palacio

Faking It With The Billionaire by Willow Fox

The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom

The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum

The Catcher in the Rye

The Lottery Winner by Mary Higgins Clark

Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean

Death of a Nurse by M C Beaton

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare

Frozen Betrayal by Clive Cussler

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Line of Fire by R J Patterson

Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen

The Remnant by Tim LaHaye

The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Payment in Kind by J A Jance

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A Marriage of Anything but Convenience by Victorine E. Lieske

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Inheritance Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Kama Sutra by Mallanaga Vatsyayana

The Wisdom of Father Brown by G K Chesterton

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Robin Hood by J Walker McSpadden

The Poor Traveller by Charles Dickens

Days on the Road: Crossing the Plains in 1865 by Sarah Raymond Herndon

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Atomic Habits by James Clear

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Man After Man

Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Charlotte’s Web

Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie

Out of Silent Planet by C S Lewis

The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton

The Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harai

Hamlet by Shakespeare