Podcast appearances and mentions of scott fitzgerald

Join me (Anna Stone) and guest host Emma Kirst as we break down F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and the 2013 film adaptation. In this episode, we consider why this story is considered a classic, debate the merits of the creative choices in this film adaptation, and Emma does not cast Pedro Pascal as Jay Gatsby. Follow on Instagram @stonestoptensEmail stonestoptens@gmail.com KeywordsThe Great Gatsby, classic literature, film adaptation, wealth, obsession, love, themes, character analysis, visual storytelling, symbolism Gatsby, vulnerability, obsession, cast, class disparities, Tom Buchanan, visuals, cinematic choices, best and worst aspects Gatsby, character analysis, costume design, book to movie, soundtrack, modern casting, literary discussion

With only five weeks left in this year-long journey, I can feel the end approaching—less like a high-wire act and more like gathering momentum toward something unknown. Week 47 of Ted Gioia's Immersive Humanities course explores twentieth-century American fiction through short stories and novel excerpts, revealing a distinctly American voice: sharp dialogue, vivid settings, and an experimental edge.O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi” (1906): A charming story of love and sacrifice.F. Scott Fitzgerald, “A Diamond as Big as the Ritz” (1922): Wealth, excess, and a surprising twist.Ernest Hemingway, “The Killers” (1927): Sparse, tension-filled dialogue.William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury (1929, excerpt): Challenging, with shifting time and perspective.Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (1947, excerpt): A powerful sense of invisibility and identity.Shirley Jackson, “The Lottery” (1948): Disturbing and unforgettable.Flannery O'Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” (1955): A Southern Gothic tale with shocking turns.Together, these works feel spacious, restless, and distinctly American—and they remind me how much more willing I am now to embrace difficult, even strange, books.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for a little Magical Realism.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month ImmersiveHumanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTThe complete list of Crack the Book Episodes: https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2rTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

From acclaimed historian and author of the “marvelous” (The New York Times Book Review) The Last American Aristocrat comes a captivating new biography of Teddy Roosevelt, exploring the life of America's 26th president and his pivotal role in shaping the dawn of the American Century.Theodore Roosevelt was one of America's most fascinating presidents—a complex man both publicly and privately. In this sweeping biography, historian David S. Brown takes us on an electrifying journey through Theodore Roosevelt's life—from his privileged New York upbringing to his transformative presidency that reshaped America's role on the global stage.In the Arena vividly brings Roosevelt to life as a man of striking contradictions: a rugged outdoorsman with a love for books, a war hero who earned a Nobel Peace Prize, and a larger-than-life figure whose energy seemed boundless. Through compelling storytelling and meticulous research, Brown explores the pivotal moments that forged Roosevelt's indomitable spirit, from battling childhood asthma to witnessing the deaths of both his mother and his wife on the same day, to wrangling cattle in the West and preserving 150 million acres of national land.Challenging traditional views, In the Arena offers a fresh perspective on Roosevelt's groundbreaking political legacy, including his Square Deal policies that laid the groundwork for modern social welfare programs. It also unpacks his bold foreign policy, which expanded America's global influence and set the stage for its rise as a world power. Brown argues that Roosevelt's charisma and performative presidency helped bridge the old Victorian values with the new industrial age, capturing the attention of the middle-class and making him a leader that the people loved.Drawing comparisons to works like David McCullough's Mornings on Horseback, Brown's narrative stands out for its rich detail and sharp insights. More than just an account of a presidency—it's an exploration of a life lived on the edge of greatness and is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand this critical period of American history.ABOUT THE AUTHORDavid S. Brown teaches history at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. He is the author of eight books, including In the Arena: Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace, and Revolution; A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War; The First Populist: The Defiant Life of Andrew Jackson; The Last American Aristocrat: The Brilliant Life and Improbable Education of Henry Adams; and biographies of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Richard Hofstadter.#speakingofwriterspodcast #authorpodcast #theodoreroosevelt#americanpresidents

What does it truly take to launch a phenomenon? Most authors dream of hitting the bestseller list, but today's guest, Tim Grahl, flips that goal on its head. He's revealing the counterintuitive truth about enduring book success, explaining why chasing a fleeting "bestseller" title might actually hinder your book's long-term impact. If your vision for your book extends beyond a single week of sales to creating a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with essential strategies. Learn why "readers" trump "sales" and how to engineer word-of-mouth that propels your book for years, not just days. Prepare to redefine what a successful book launch truly means.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 Book launch definitions and timelines00:03:34 Redefining "bestselling" beyond the lists00:08:33 The one thing and Atomic Habits approaches00:11:35 Tim's three categories for launching a book00:14:05 Leveraging influencer networks as the biggest lever00:19:07 Influencer promotion strategies00:21:09 Getting fans to buy: creating scarcity00:24:28 The most impactful book bonuses00:28:55 Getting fans to share (the least impactful strategy)00:31:11 Why direct advertising isn't profitable for books00:34:40 The 10,000 reader rule for long-term success00:42:41 Engineering word of mouth00:46:28 Getting free copies into the hands of readers00:50:55 Identifying and reaching relevant tribes00:52:26 Tim's resources for authorsIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Tim:Story Grid: https://www.storygrid.comBook Launch: https://booklaunch.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryGridX: https://x.com/storygridTim's latest book: https://www.storygrid.com/product/the-shitheadFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comThe Perennial Bestseller by Ryan Holiday: https://ryanholiday.net/the-perennial-bestsellerThe One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan: https://www.the1thing.com/the-bookAtomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsThe War of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-artGreat Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Gatsby-F-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/0743273567Tribes by Seth Godin: https://www.sethgodin.com/books/tribesHighlights:01:38 – Why a book launch should last two years05:34 – Selling a high volume doesn't always mean long-term success13:11 – The 95/5 principle of book marketing23:06 – The most effective and least effective bonuses34:40 – The 10,000 reader rule explained43:19 – Give away as many copies as possible48:56 – Creative ways to get your book into readers' hands

Scott Fitzgerald brings you a headline-making development in one global industry and new momentum in one of Kentucky's signature sectors both raise bigger questions about influence, growth, and long-term stability. We explore what's underneath it all on this edition of "Kentucky Focus with Scott Fitzgerald"

Si un clásico es el libro que se puede releer constantemente, sin perder el encanto de la primera vez, según Italo Calvino, es para él también algo más: es la obra que puede "esconderse en los repliegues de la memoria y mimetizarse con el inconsciente colectivo e individual". Es algo que se revela y rebela siempre como algo novedoso, hasta el punto de que "no puede serte indiferente". No hay duda de que este es el caso de la novela corta que ahora cumple cien años: "El gran Gatsby" (1925). Para muchos, la obra de Scott Fitzgerald es "la gran novela americana", la expresión que desde Henry James en una carta a un hispanista, novelista y crítico en 1880 llamado William Dean Howells, utiliza para describir la búsqueda de un relato que retrate el alma de Estados Unidos. La perspectiva es la de los ojos del cartel que muestra la mirada divina para el personaje de Wilson en "El Grant Gatsby", que todo lo ve y ante el cual, ninguno es verdaderamente una "buena persona". Escuchamos fragmentos del libro leído por Eugenio Barona y la versión doblada al castellano de la película del británico Jack Clayton, protagonizada por Robert Redford en 1974, que sigue más fielmente el texto en el guion de Coppola. La música instrumental que acompaña los comentarios de José de Segovia es de la banda sonora de Craig Armstrong para la libre adaptación que hizo el australiano Baz Luhrman con Leonardo DiCaprio en 2013, cuyo parecido con el relato original es mera coincidencia. Las canciones son un tema de jazz que compuso en 1929 Andy Razaf con Fats Weller (Ain´t Misbehavin´), popularizado por Louis Armstrong en la versión que escuchamos de 1944, junto a la composición de la londinense Florence Welch con su Machine para la película de Luhrmann en 2013 (Over The Love). El diseño sonoro y la realización técnica es de Daniel Panduro.

A version of this essay was published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/shadow-warrior-the-epstein-files-expose-elite-depravity-13975791.htmlI am not going to get into the political aspects of the infamous Epstein Files, nor so much into the morality thereof, but what amazes me is the fact that everyone seems shocked at the kinds of things that apparently went on in Epstein Island and elsewhere in his empire.I have long thought of the Epstein Files (and earlier Watergate, Wikileaks, Cablegate, even the silly Steele Dossier) as a mere sideshow, entertaining but hardly earth-shattering. To be candid, what they reveal is what we already knew: politicians and the rich are different from you and me, as Jay Gatsby might say. Yes, they can be vile monsters and get away with it.F. Scott Fitzgerald describes how extreme wealth fosters a sense of superiority, cynicism, carelessness with consequences, and emotional insulation: all qualities that make the rich operate by different rules, often viewing themselves as exempt from ordinary accountability. Extreme wealth provides insurance, or insulation, against consequences.We were warned with graphic images in cinema: “Eyes Wide Shut” by Stanley Kubrick was a revelation. It fits strikingly into the context of Fitzgerald's “the rich are different” and the Epstein files, a cinematic bridge between literary critique and real-world revelations of predatory privilege.In Kubrick's world of orgies where masked super-elites play, the victims are from lower strata (they are treated as disposable), while the elite retreat into impunity. The film was prescient about how money, secrecy, and impunity create inevitable nexuses of abuse. There was a dramatic and possibly relevant video of a young Mexican model, distraught, screaming, “They are eating babies!”, after attending one of the Epstein parties. She was, it is said, arrested, and ‘disappeared', and was never seen again.Yet, it is “Salo: The 120 Days of Sodom” that I am most reminded of. This is quite possibly the most disturbing film ever made, at least among those that I have seen. Only “In the Realm of the Senses”, by Nagisa Oshima, a staggering tale of sexual obsession, comes close in shock value. A couple are caught up in a vortex or vicious cycle of increasingly dangerous sexual behavior. The unsimulated, explicit sex scenes in fact produce not prurience, but horror in the viewer.The film's intensity peaks with its violent conclusion, where the female protagonist strangles her lover to death during erotic asphyxiation and then castrates his corpse, carrying the severed penis with her, blending extreme eroticism with graphic mutilation and murder in a way that challenged societal taboos on sex, obsession, and violence. Tellingly, it is based on a real-life story, but then it is a private tale, not one that involved powerful, public, men.“Salo”, by Pier Paolo Pasolini, is a loose adaptation of the Marquis de Sade's 1785 novel “The 120 Days of Sodom”, relocated to the final days of Mussolini's fascist Republic of Salo (1943–1945) in northern Italy. Four powerful libertines: a Duke (nobility), Bishop (church), Magistrate (law/state), and President (finance/capital) are the protagonists.They kidnap 18 young victims (mostly teenagers) and subject them to escalating cycles of sexual torture, degradation, humiliation, and murder in a remote villa. I remember the horrifying close-up of a young man's eye being plucked out.This isn't mere shock exploitation; Pasolini uses de Sade's framework as a scorching allegory for:* Absolute power corrupting absolutely, where the elite treat bodies (especially vulnerable young ones) as disposable objects for consumption and control.* Fascism as the ultimate expression of capitalist/consumerist nihilism. The libertines embody the “anarchy of power” in a permissive, totalitarian system where rules exist only to protect the perpetrators.* Moral detachment and cynicism: the rich aren't just wealthier; they're philosophically and emotionally severed from humanity, viewing others as means to gratification without consequence.Is this how powerful men are? Is this how those with absolute power, especially men, have always acted? Or is it culture-specific? That's a good question. But are elites generally debauched, depraved, and dissolute?There are several unconfirmed rumors that many of the rich and famous were associated with Epstein. But a certain royal was drummed out of the family and lost all his privileges for his (confirmed) participation in Epstein orgies. Others include captains of industry and political bigwigs, including US Presidents, a major leftist ideologue, and a film director.So it was apparently the in-thing in the US, sort of like the most sought-after restaurant in New York City, where the hoi-polloi were strictly excluded. This, in a country that allegedly finds its moral compass in the Puritans, people who were so religious that even Britain couldn't stand them. And has been accused of being into moralization, not into morals.As of now, if you ignore the extreme claims (cannibalism) it is clear that the following happened:* Recruitment and grooming of underage girls* Sexual assault on minors* Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material* Trafficking across State and International BordersFrankly, this is probably just business as usual in many elite circles. If you have immunity, you tend to be very naughty. I expect this, too, will blow over, and public attention will move on. The apparent fact that many in political power in the US are part of the Epstein network is neither here nor there. This may be the way all powerful men work. Sad, but true.895 words, Feb 2, 2026 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe

What makes something stand out? What pushes people to choose one thing over another? This week on Kentucky Focus, Scott Fitzgerald takes a look at what's shaping our decisions &  attention in today's marketplace with two guests who are well in the know into what we're thinking.

DEFENDANT: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald EVIDENCE: Manos Special Edition Great Gatsby Sauvignon Blanc SCENE OF THE CRIME: Long Island -- Hey friend — come sit with us for a cozy, messy chat where wine and soup fuel a no-holds-barred re-read of The Great Gatsby. We get personal, a little loopy, and deeply into the weeds about Gatsby's tragic love, Tom's grossness, Daisy's contradictions, and whether Nick was totally in love with his neighbor. Spoiler: feelings are messy and rich people are worse. Pop a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, lean back, and let us walk you through art-deco bottles, literary gossip, and cheating scandals — plus a surprisingly earnest defense of hand-painted wine labels. We talk Fitzgerald's life (and terrible choices), Zelda's shadow, speculative queer readings, and how the book manages to feel both glamorous and kind of rotten all at once. No fake facts here (well, maybe a few), lots of laughs, and zero pretension — just two pals getting hungry, distracted by soup, and falling down rabbit holes about vintage covers, terrible men, and whether Gatsby's mansion was modeled on a castle. Bring snacks, or don't — we'll probably eat them anyway. You're invited, old sport.

WMAL GUEST: REP. SCOTT FITZGERALD (R-WI) on his exchange with former Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding his selection process and ties to Biden DOJ officials SOCIAL MEDIA: @RepFitzgerald WEBSITE: Fitzgerald.House.gov Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, January 23, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: SCOTT FITZGERALD: The Wisconsin Representative joins to discuss his confrontation with Jack Smith over the former special counsel's appointment. VIRGINIA INSANITY: Democrat Del. Marcia Price claims Republicans will bring back slavery without redistricting, stating, "some of us would be in chains." TAX HIKE: Analyzing HB 979 and HB 378, which could combine to give Virginia a staggering 13.8% top tax rate. SNOW TALK: Final thoughts on the looming winter storm and grocery store chaos before the weekend. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, January 23, 2026 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Romantic poet Byron (1788-1824) was more than just the scandal-ridden celebrity who was famously dubbed "mad, bad, and dangerous to know"--he was also a restless seeker of an identity to match his personal and artistic sensibilities. In this episode, Jacke talks to Byron scholar Jonathan Gross about his book The European Byron: Mobility, Cosmopolitanism, and Chameleon Poetry, which explores Byron's literary disguises, borrowings, and transformations, inspired by wide variety of European writers. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the ancient underpinnings of F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous creation, as he explores The Great Gatsby as the #3 Greatest Book of All Time. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Act soon - there are limited spots available! The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Help support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday's "Dan O'Donnell Show," the anti-capitalist Right of First Refusal bill is finally, officially dead in Wisconsin. Plus, big interviews with Eric Toney and Congressman Scott Fitzgerald, Talk Radio Roulette, and a fierce competition for Unhinged Liberal of the Year (So Far).

My guest today is Reid Moon, who left a conventional life behind to chase something far rarer than money: literary immortality.From The Great Gatsby to James Joyce, from forgotten manuscripts to books that have passed through the hands of history's giants, Reid has built a life around tracking down objects that carry human obsession, genius, tragedy, and belief inside their pages.We talk about why some stories survive while others disappear, why a dust jacket can be worth more than the text itself, why provenance matters, and how owning a book once held by its author can feel eerily intimate.This isn't just a conversation about rare books. It's about timeless stories, the strange afterlives of great writers, and what it says about us that we're still chasing meaning through ink, paper, and memory.LinksReid's YouTubeHOW IT FALLS APART | Audio ExperienceHow It Falls Apart book out now

The short story is a truly American invention, refined by legendary authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and even Stephen King. In honor of these authors—and in light of the American public's notoriously short attention span—we will explore the many varied short stories of Pittsburgh sports, from triumphant to tragic to obscure. So gather up your Adderall and Ritalin and indulge your inner ADHD as we recall the many short stories found throughout the history of Pittsburgh sports.Get our Steelers-Ravens book here! E-Book | HardcoverConnect with the show:Visit us on the webFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram

Things turn topsy-turvy when a prodigy from Princeton falls for a spirited dancer in spite of himself. F. Scott Fitzgerald, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.   Welcome to this VINTAGE episode of The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.     We have so many fun titles planned for 2026, and we want you on our team to help us out. I'll be sending a survey out at the beginning of the year with a list of potential titles for us to produce on the podcast and otherwise. We want you to help us decide! If you're a subscribing member of the Audiobook Library Card, you're all set up to receive the survey. If you're not, you can sign up for our newsletter, or make any purchase at the website: classictalesaudiobooks.com. 2026 is going to be a crackerjack year, and we want every title to be just right. Please lend us a hand and join our team.   Go to audiobooklibrarycard.com or follow the link in the show notes.     And now, Head and Shoulders, by F. Scott Fitzgerald       Follow this link to get The Audiobook Library Card for $9.99/month       Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:       Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:     Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:     Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

F.Scott Fitzgerald

When a book publisher asked Wesley to write an introduction for a new edition of “The Great Gatsby,” he was confused. So many people had already written about F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel since it was first published in 1925. What could he add? And why him?But eventually, he realized he does in fact have a special relationship with this book. He has read it in three different phases of life, and each time, it seemed profound in an entirely new way.So in the final week of the book's 100th anniversary, Wesley talks to the novelist Min Jin Lee and Gilbert Cruz, editor of The New York Times Book Review, about why all three of them have found themselves in a decades-long relationship with this book.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher.

Am 21.12.1940 stirbt F. Scott Fitzgerald, im Alter von 44 Jahren. Erst posthum erlangt er Weltruhm mit seinem Roman "The Great Gatsby" - ein Klassiker des "Jazz Age". Von Andrea Klasen.

Elf on a Shelf: Part 1 Her stalker wasn't who she thought he was; Based on a post by LingeringAfterthought, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Honey smiled at the long line of children waiting to see Santa, flipping her phone from Google Translate back to see the information of the next little girl in line, who was looking up at her somberly with large liquid brown eyes. In her small face was a familiar mixture of fear and hope. Wonder; it was wonder in her eyes, Honey thought. Unlike the tired and jaded adults, dutifully shifting their weight from foot to foot, holding overstuffed shopping bags and all the coats of their kids as they distracted themselves on their phones, the children got more and more excited as they drew near the man in the furry red suit with white trim. Honey loved working with the children; because like them, she sometimes could still see the magic. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Norman shift uncomfortably in the painted plywood throne made for him to sit with the children and discuss their good behavior and of the wishes that they hoped would come true. Even at age 62, Norman still saw the magic with his merry bright blue eyes, but it faded when his prostate pained him. When the photographer got the shot the parent wanted, Honey walked to where most of the long line could see her as Norman flashed her a look of worshipful gratitude. The adults' faces immediately fell, knowing what was coming. "I'm afraid Santa needs to take a quick break because apparently the reindeer have begun arguing again!" Norman put his gloved hands up to his real beard, pulled a comically dismayed face, jumped up from his throne, and ran off toward the restrooms. Honey shook her head mournfully and continued, "The reindeer were all practicing their Christmas carols when Comet and Cupid couldn't decide how many times Santa checks his list in Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Does anyone here remember how it goes?" she asked, scanning the line for people game enough to help. Honey scampered back and forth along the line trying to choose among the eager volunteers, her white-trimmed, pink fur skirt flaring out around her thighs, her long legs clad in sparkly curly-toed ruby slippers and candy cane swirl stockings catching the eyes of several fathers. Suddenly, she gasped listening carefully to her headset, "Nina?" she called out. "Comet and Cupid say they will only stop arguing if 'Nina' gives the answer. Is there a 'Nina' here today? Nina?" Honey looked around at the crowd carefully until the little girl with the big brown eyes, who had been quietly waiting 57 minutes in line, gathered the courage to raise her hand. "Oh! Are you Nina?" she asked, running over and crouching down near the girl. "We just adopted her; she only speaks Portuguese," the weary woman holding her hand said quietly. Honey gasped and smiled widely, "Voc fala portugu s Nina? Maravilhosa!" she said, watching the little girl's eyes brighten excitedly. "Voc pode me dizer quantas vezes o Papai Noel verifica sua lista?" she asked, holding her microphone out to the little girl. "Duas vezes!" Nina said confidently into the mic. Honey listened carefully to her headset, concentrating, "'Duas vezes' it is! They've stopped arguing!" she announced. "But now, they want us all to sing the song in Portuguese! Nina, voc vai me ajudar a ensin -los a m sica?" she asked. Nina nodded and slowly she and Honey taught the familiar song to the crowd in a new language. As always, a hush came on the crowd when Honey began to sing. Heads raised up from forgotten phones. Vague smiles drifted onto the turning heads of passers-by in the mall as they paused in their frenetic search for gifts. It wasn't so much that Honey's voice was beautiful, though it certainly was. It was more that when Honey sang, it seemed to make the things that didn't really matter melt away. To those that believed in such things, Honey's voice was magic. When she sang, people held their breath and didn't even miss the air. Honey closed her eyes as she sang next to Nina. It was a newly acquired habit. Though she had been taught to let her eyes slowly drift over the audience, letting them make a connection with each person as she sang, she didn't do that anymore. She knew he was out there. She felt his presence frequently as she worked, but it was only when she sang that he came out into the open. She couldn't hold her voice steady when she saw him watching her, so she closed her eyes and let the magic continue for the crowd. When the song ended, Honey opened her eyes as the crowd cheered, finding his powerful form immediately as if she had been commanded to look at him. Zach. He had changed a lot in the year since he brought his sister's children through the long Santa line, drawing her almost too-large dark blue eyes to him then, as easily as he did now. After bringing his nieces and nephews through the line, he'd gone home and brought all his neighbors' kids to see Santa in five more trips, watching her the entire time. He looked at her as if he'd never seen anything like her in the world, like he couldn't believe she was real. She had loved feeling his eyes on her then, hearing his voice. She had wanted to climb up in his lap, feel his large arms curled around her, whisper to him about how good she had been that year, and of how much she hoped he would make her wishes come true. Of course, all that was before he'd told her he wanted to kill her. Zach's face looked leaner now, though his body seemed even larger, if such a thing was possible. His brooding, deep-set eyes were not merry, as they had been when children climbed his tree-like body in her line last year. They weren't nervously soft and adoring of every part of her, as they had been at their candle-lit dinner. His eyes weren't rageful or insane as you might expect from someone visiting their object of murderous hate, but rather; they were tortured, trapped. Pain and quiet desperation had taken up restless residence in the windows to his soul. Honey knew she shouldn't look at him so much, but she just wished she could understand what she had done wrong. Once the line of children and parents had cleared, it was long past the official closing time. Honey cleaned up the display and prepared it for the next day while Norman took one last lingering trip to the restroom. Her phone showed numerous messages from work friends from her other job asking where she was. The firm had planned a Christmas party at Gatsby's, a gorgeous club worthy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's glamorous hero. It was also the place where Zach had taken her on their first and last date. The Gatsby's waiter had looked stunned and confused when she shakily ordered herself an "angel shot," the code-phrase used to quietly ask bartenders or wait staff for help when you felt threatened, but after his initial shock, the waiter immediately escorted her secretly to a taxi waiting outside before Zach returned to the table. Gatsby's had saved her life; but she didn't want to go back there. After avoiding call after call from Zach, she finally answered and politely asked him never to call her again. To her surprise, he didn't. He never spoke to her again. Unless she sang, she never even saw him, but she felt his presence almost everywhere. It felt like she was haunted by him; haunted by something wonderful and magical that, inexplicably, went horribly wrong. Her phone buzzed again, the display showing that the firm's senior partner wanted to FaceTime her. Steeling herself, she answered. "Honey Lane where in the hell; oh my god lookit you!" Aaron Timberman held the phone high above his head with his long ex-basketball-player arms and Honey saw a crowd of her co-workers crowd into the picture behind him. "Um, hi sir. Sorry I'm late to;" "You're an elf!" "Um, yeah. It's a volunteer thing;" "Wait, wait, wait; you have the shoes? You know, with the; toes?" he slurred, motioning his finger in a spiral motion. Honey bit her lips and tilted the camera down her body, showing her entire costume, tilting her foot to show off the curled toe. "I'm sorry it got late tonight, but I'll be there as soon as I can get home and get changed;" Timberman looked around at the crowd surrounding him, "Guys, do we wanna see Honey Lane here at the party in some boring old Anne Klein shit, or do we want the elf?" he yelled, pointing at the screen. Behind him, almost a dozen of her co-workers began chanting "Elf, Elf, Elf, Elf!" "Get yer ass over here, Elf," Timberman ordered, poking at his screen several times before effectively ending the call. A few minutes later, Norman finally came back from the restroom and gave Honey a ride over to Gatsby's in his red SUV bedecked with a bumper sticker that read, "My other car's a SLEIGH!" Honey hopped out after getting bits of advice from Norman that would have been appropriate several decades ago. With flaming cheeks, she brushed the furry white pompom from her hat out of her face and told the smirking ma tre d which party she wanted, sighing when he grinned widely and escorted her through the middle of the main dining area, much to her horror. When the doors to the party room opened and she was greeted by another round of "Elf, Elf, Elf, Elf," she didn't feel much better. She was starving, so she headed over to the buffet and began loading up a plate with delicious-looking things on ice in shot glasses, impaled on sticks, or immersed in flames. She just spied a quiet table in a dark corner and was winding her way toward it to it to scarf down her only food since breakfast before she could be drawn into a drunken debate. That was the plan, anyway. "Hunnybaby! Lookit you! C'mon we gotta dance!" Lee James slurred to her fur-trimmed tits. With a sigh, she smiled and laid her plate down on a nearby table, promising to herself that she would eat right after enduring a dance with the favored junior partner. Unfortunately, after Lee angled her awkwardly around the dance floor, they'd drawn so much attention that everyone wanted to get pics of themselves toasting and dancing with the Christmas elf. At some point, she found herself in Timberman's arms with a glass of champagne in her hand. "Um; what?" she said, almost asking herself how she had gotten there. "I said you look lovely, tonight, Honey. Much better than in a shawl and sheath dress," he said, quickly twirling her around as they reached the edge of the dance floor. "Twirling makes my skirt go up; I'm dizzy," she murmured. A familiar dark figure flashed in the background and disappeared as Timberman turned her again. She looked around, trying to find the figure again, but she couldn't see him anywhere. Why was he there? Had she been singing again? "Well, I'll make sure nobody twirls you, my dear," he said, twirling her and smiling as her skirt flew up her long candy-cane striped legs. "The wives wouldn't like it." "I like your wife's dress Mr. Timberman; looks warm. It covers her ass when she sits, too," she slurred, frowning in confusion at the dark red drink in her hand now. Zach was frowning, and then he just looked blurry again as she swirled around. Maybe swirling made it harder for him to kill her. Why did he want to kill her? It just wasn't fair. Timberman leaned down and dipped her, "I'll make sure to give her your compliments. You know, if you like what wives wear, you should consider getting married. Lee is quite taken with you, you know," he said, stroking his hand against the soft pink velvet of her dress. Honey found herself drifting away and wandering inside her head again, thinking about Lee; he was handsome in an overly-polished way, said funny things, but they always sounded a little mean, like he wanted to be the only one laughing; and he also took her away from the food plate that just floated by on a table. It was still full. She should have eaten that food. What time was it? "He likes my boobs; and he doesn't want to kill me," she agreed eventually, surprised to find that Timberman was gone and she was dancing with Lee James again. "Well, I can't blame him for that; they're fucking perfect; just like everything else. I'm gonna come on them after you suck me off; he murmured, pulling her closer against him. "Let me take you home, Honey; penthouse view of the city; "Umm; no, that's not home; I live in the; railroad place; with the trains?" Honey explained, pointing in what she thought was the direction of the Lowertown Commons. Why did every guy think she lived with them tonight? "Sounds charming, Eliza Doolittle; you should trade up. You don't know how much I'd love twist your arms back and fuck this ass wide open over my balcony tonight," he said, reaching his hand under her skirt and greedily squeezing her bottom. "You'd like that, wouldn't you Honey? I can tell; Lee whispered, his cologne invading her head and making her queasy. "I feel sick; Honey whimpered and staggered away, trying to find the quiet table where the food was that would make her less drunk. The dance floor was confusing, though, always turning around and thumping and flashing. She leaned against a pillar until she got a better sense of where she was. She liked the pillar. It was big and strong; and it stroked her hair. "Honey; wake up, Honey. Open your mouth. You need to take these," the vaguely familiar voice said, cutting through the sleep that had been blocking out some of the pain she felt everywhere. She obediently opened her mouth and the hand put two caplets on her tongue. A water bottle squirted a little cool liquid into her mouth until she moaned and sucked harder, desperate for more. "Not too much. Wait until you can hold that down. I'll give you more in a bit. You don't want that IV back, do you?" "Nuh" Honey groaned. She hated needles. Sure, just about every part of her body hurt more than a needle did, right now, but somehow needle pain felt personal. Like with Zach. He didn't seem like someone who went around wanting to choke everybody; just her. She was nobody special; just a simple girl who kept lawyers organized and tried to be nice. Then, someone wonderful like Zach thought she needed to die. That hurt. Something about her made him go from being tender and intensely loving to someone who; it just didn't make sense. What did she do? Mercifully, sleep faded the pain and clouded her thoughts. Voices below her intruded into a wonderful dream where she was bouncing on clouds. Though not in the same room, the voices seemed strangely clear. "I can't; Terry, she cries when I do that," the pills voice said, making her eyes fly open. She knew that voice. She hadn't heard it for a year, but she would never forget it. Her body reacted with a confused mix of emotions, her cheeks flushing and adrenaline searing a path all through her at the same time. "That's because it hurts her. You know what hurts more? Bedsores. Man up. Use the pillows to prop her weight against the parts that aren't hurt on whichever side. It's either this, or she goes back to the hospital, and I have it on good authority you won't be allowed to visit after what happened." "She was screaming; Zach gritted. "Yeah, well they were putting her shoulder back in. People scream. That still doesn't excuse what you did. Since when did you become such a pussy about pain?" Terry asked. "since her." "oh my god." "Shut up," Zach grunted. "Oh my god; "Yeah, that's not shutting up." "The great Z-dog has been taken down;" "Shut up, maggot, it's not like that. I'm just taking care of h;" "By a little bitty pink Christmas elf; Terry laughed. There was a scuffling sound and then a loud whoomp and a forceful exhalation of air. "So, I turn her every few hours until she can do it for herself?" Zach asked, casually. "Yes, sir," Terry choked. "Anything else?" "Clear liquids until she can hold stuff down. Talk to her. Ask her questions. If she seems disoriented or part of her face goes slack, she goes back to the hospital. Don't fuck around." "Got it. Are you squared away, or do we need to discuss this further?" "Squared away, sir," Terry choked, then gasped in relief, panting faintly. "Jesus Christ, you haven't lost your touch. We on for the hump tomorrow at 0 500?" "No. I'm gonna stick close here until she's;" "Got it. Hey, maybe they have those Baby Bjorn things in elf-size. Then, you could just strap her onto your ba; ow! ow! ow, ow, ow!" "You weren't particularly attached to the rest of that sentence, were you, maggot?" Zach growled. "Sir, no sir; Terry squeaked. "I didn't think so. You'll be back here Wednesday," Zach stated, more as an order than a question. "Yeah, if you want me to. Honestly, right now she just needs rest and TLC more than a medic. That stands for 'tender loving care' by the way, not;" "You were just going," Zach said, as the voices moved to another end of the room below her. "Hey, you wanna know what makes an elf's toes curl up like tha;" Terry asked, his question cut off by the slamming of the door. Honey listened, trembling and terrified as Zach paced the floor below her. Though his voice hadn't changed, he sounded nothing like the man that had wooed her so tenderly a year ago. He sounded dangerous, brutal even. He definitely sounded like the kind of person that went around wanting to choke everyone, she thought, strangely relieved that her heartbreak felt a little less personal. How could she have been so wrong in her impression of him? She looked around the room, understanding now how the voices had reached her so easily. She was in an open industrial loft bedroom that opened onto the main floor below. Looking around, she realized she must be in Zach's huge bed, though if the crisply made side next to her was any indication, he hadn't been sleeping in it with her. Looking down her body, she gasped quietly. Her left arm was in a sling strapped to her chest, her legs were covered in bruises, and the right leg that was being stabbed with an invisible knife right now, was wrapped up in an air cast boot. What had happened to her? The last thing she remembered was feeling sick as she tried to get away from Lee's groping hands on the dance floor. After that; nothing. How did she get here? A beeping noise sounded below and Zach walked across the room to what sounded like a kitchen. The sound of water being poured into a cup, the ringing of a spoon stirring it, a pill bottle being opened. Honey shivered, realizing he was probably coming up to her, soon. She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing, feigning sleep. Steps ascending to the loft bedroom. Ankle stabbing, stab, stab, stab, stab with every panicked heartbeat. A tray went down on the nightstand next to her. A chair across the room was lifted and set down by the bed. Honey told herself to breathe slowly, willing the tears welling behind her lids not to leak out of her eyes. He would leave her alone if she was sleeping, wouldn't he? "You're not sleeping," Zach's voice stated, quietly, and her stomach clenched in fear. "You've been waking up for these pills every four hours like a junkie. I know you don't want to talk to me, Honey, but until you're squared away, you're gonna have to. So, cut the crap, open your eyes, and let's get this done." Honey opened her eyes to see his grim face looking down at her. With one blink, large tears rolled down her pale cheeks, and Zach's jaw set angrily. Sitting down in the chair, he put his elbows on his knees and leaned his massive shoulders forward, looking at her. His hands looked like they could crush rocks as he gripped them together. "Let's get some things straight. I don't know what you think you know about me, but acting like I'm some kind of psycho is pretty shitty. You want nothing of me, that's fine, but you're hurt because you screamed and flung yourself down some stairs rather than let me help you to an Uber. You're staying here until you're well, because some shithead at that party gave you enough roofies to be in a coma for almost 3 days and I'm not dragging my ass to that rat trap of yours in the Commons every day to make sure they don't come back while you're weak. Are we clear?" he asked. Honey swallowed and nodded, wincing at the pain in her neck and head. That just seemed to make Zach angrier. "While you are here, you will do as you're told. You will eat what you get, and you will not complain. You see these, here?" he said, holding up the magic caplets that made everything better. "These are the last ones you're getting. I'm switching you to ibuprofen and Tylenol because, unchecked, this Sackler shit will fuck you up for good and that's not happening on my watch. Do you understand?" he asked. "Yes," Honey whispered. At the sound of her voice, Zach's mouth twitched, but at least he didn't look as angry as when she'd nodded and winced. "You will follow your doctor's orders to the last goddamn word. You will rest. You will do your therapy. You will let me help you and you will ask me for what you need because I am not a fucking mind reader. And so help me, if you do anything stupid like get out of that bed without me here to help you, or push yourself away from me like you did at Gatsby's, or any other drama shit that hurts even one hair on that head again, I will personally make you regret you were ever born." "Yes, Zach," Honey breathed, confused. Two more tears rolled down her cheeks. Without thinking, she leaned over to wipe them off on her shoulder and cried out in pain. Zach squeezed his clenched hands together and several of his knuckles cracked. "You don't use my name. You don't get to use my name. You're not getting under my skin again, you hear me?" Zach growled, using his rough knuckle to wipe her tears. "Orders a fucking angel shot in my own fucking club; fuck you. I don't have a name, you don't have a name. You're nothing to me. Understand?" "Yes, sir," she whispered. Honey leaned forward and took the last spoonful of broth into her mouth and swallowed, looking longingly at the noodles at the bottom of the cup. Zach caught a drop of broth at the bottom of her lower lip with the spoon and returned it to her mouth. "No," he said, seeing where her eyes lingered. "I can do it," she pleaded. "Please; I haven't had anything solid since; how long has it been?" "I said, no. You throw up on another pair of my skivvies and I'll be doing laundry twice a week," Zach said, dabbing her mouth with a paper towel. "Why do I have to wear your boxer briefs anyway? They feel weird. They have this hole-flap thing; and there are some places that aren't supposed to feel a breeze," Honey said, lifting the blanket to look down at his underwear loosely covering her hips. "Are you complaining?" he asked quietly. Honey's eyes darted quickly to his face, "No sir," she murmured, looking down at her lap. "I just thought if I had some of my things here, you wouldn't have to do the laundry so much." "I'll worry about what I have to do, Honey," he said, unthinkingly using her name. Startled, she looked up to see his eyes wandering over her, his massive t-shirt sleeves going down past her elbows. She felt ridiculous and disheveled, but something about the way he looked at her made her hold her breath. Then, without another word, he slurped the noodles out of the cup and took the tray downstairs. After that, the two settled into a quiet routine of him feeding her, giving her medicine, and watching her sleep most of the day. She would sometimes awaken to the soft repetitive sounds of him running on a treadmill, or the clinking of him lifting weights downstairs where she couldn't see him. Then, he would go to the bathroom and shower. After his shower, he came upstairs again in his towel and took some clothes from his dresser before going back downstairs to change. Honey found herself looking forward to those few seconds each day, watching his droplet-covered torso twist as he leaned over his dresser. He frowned as he flipped through his carefully folded underwear. "You wearing the grey ones?" he asked, not looking at her. Honey peeked under the covers, "Um, yes sir," she replied. "I'm supposed to wear the grey ones today," he grumbled to himself. Honey didn't say anything. Zach was the one who picked out which underwear she wore today. He was the one who looked away while he painstakingly slipped the old ones off her hips and pulled the new ones over her boot and up her legs until her bottom was covered again. There was nothing about her life that wasn't chosen and executed by him. If he wasn't happy about the color of his underwear, that was his fault. Still, Zach kept rummaging around in his underwear drawer as if another crisply folded grey pair would somehow magically appear. Finally, rather than offend him by laughing, Honey spoke, "Um; you know, if they're clean, I could wear the pair I had on when I went to the hospital and you could have these. It would get you back on schedule; Zach lifted his head from the drawer and glared at her, as if he thought she was making fun of him. Honey held carefully still and shrugged her uninjured limb. She wasn't making fun, she just wanted to help. The movement caused the huge neckline to gape over to the side, revealing her bare shoulder. She waited as Zach stared impassively at her, the vein at his neck throbbing. After a long moment, he walked over and stood next to her, the tuck of his towel right next to her face. With every breath, she inhaled the scent of his wet body and the bar soap he used. A rivulet of water painstakingly slid from his chest and down his abdomen, until finally disappearing into the tightly twisted white cotton. Honey glanced up to see that he had been reading her face as she watched the droplet's progress. With a shaking breath, she blushed and pulled the covers higher with her good arm. With a twist of his mouth, Zach pulled the neckline back over her shoulder again and quickly left the room. That night, after leaving her with a video baby monitor watching her on the nightstand, Zach returned with a bag of her underwear and some of her nightgowns. After watching her excitedly sort through them, Zach pushed them aside and sat on the edge of the bed. "There were a bunch of boxes with tags on them in your living room. What's that about?" he asked. Honey's eyes dropped, "Oh; that's the charity gift thing for kids. You sign up and get them something they wished for and wrap it up so they can have something under the tree, when they wouldn't have something otherwise. It's nice, you know? I signed up for a bunch and I was supposed to wrap them and get them back to the law firm, but I guess; sorry kids," she trailed off. Looking furious, yet carefully impassive at the same time, Zach cursed under his breath and left again, returning with the packages and a huge stack of unused Styrofoam clamshells from Gatsby's, and dumped them on the bed next to her. For the next few hours, they "wrapped" the presents, Zach carefully fitting items into an appropriate-sized takeout box, and Honey trying to make them pretty with ribbons. As she watched him work, occasionally cursing under his breath, she found herself smiling at his frowning face when he was strategizing how to fit a basketball into three disassembled clamshells. "What are you laughing at?" he said, glaring when he caught her at it. "I wasn't laughing. I was smiling." "Why were you smiling, then?" he asked. "I guess; I just like you; sir," she said, glancing over at him. Honey saw a hopeful softness steal into Zach's eyes until he forcibly wrestled it down and a look of hooded sarcasm shaded them. "Yeah, well; fool me once," he sneered. Angry, Honey closed her eyes, blocking him out the only way she could. "You know, that's; that's not fair. Not after what you said; you scared me!" she said, frustrated that, once again, tears were rolling down her cheeks. Zach choked out a mirthless laugh, "I scared you? What did I say, Honey? What did I fucking say? God! I was on eggshells all night trying not to fuck it up with you and then you just; why? Those creeps you were dancing with at that party, those fucking 'nice guys' that drugged you, they were saying shit that made my skin crawl! I didn't even kiss you! I couldn't! I could barely breathe just for looking at you on our date; you looked just like a fucking angel. What did I say, Honey? What did I say?" Honey reached over and grabbed her phone, flipping through her photo album to a screenshot taken shortly before she blocked his number. "You didn't say it; you texted it. I remember watching you leave for the restroom thinking I'd met the love of my life and then you sent me this; she said, handing her phone to him. Zach took the phone, his face going from an angry red to pale horror in a matter of seconds. "This; this; he gasped, "I didn't; send this; to you; he said, shaking his head. "Whoever had your phone did, sir!" she said, emphasizing the last word, making him wince. "I spent the last year thinking you wanted to do that to me; to kill me. Every time I felt you watching me, every crowd I saw you show up in, every dark room I had to go into, that's what I thought about. I thought that a man I was head over heels about; that I could be so wrong about him. So, excuse me for thinking I liked you, sir. I promise it won't ever happen again!" Honey cried herself to sleep that night, refusing to speak to, or even look at Zach again. When she awoke, the bedroom was empty, and a glass of water and a pain pill were waiting on the nightstand. After swallowing the pill, she stared at the ceiling, furious. She didn't want to be there anymore, to be helpless and dependent on him, to obey all his stupid rules. He didn't deserve to take care of her. So, she tightened the straps on her boot and increased the air pressure to hold her broken ankle tightly enough to walk without her crutches. Then, she took off Zach's t-shirt, pulled on her elf dress, and called herself an Uber. It was when she saw the anticipated arrival time of 8 minutes that she realized her mistake. There was no way for her to get down from the loft and out of the apartment quietly in that amount of time. If she used the crutches, she would be able to descend the stairs quickly enough, but they made such a distinctive clicking racket that they would surely wake up her gorilla-like guard. If she hopped down the stairs on her good foot, it might have worked, but her good arm was on the opposite side and she kept losing her balance. Eventually she decided on the most painful course, of going down on her good and bad legs, using her good arm for support. Her boot thunked horribly the first few times, until she got the hang of it and could place it more quietly on the next step and then hop her good foot down to support it before the scream inside her could escape her lips. By the time she reached the bottom, though, she was shaking with pain and exhausted. Curiosity forced her to look around the rest of the apartment as she caught her breath, sitting on the bottom step. It was clean and unmistakably masculine. Exercise equipment took up a lot of the space not already claimed by a leather couch and TV arrangement. Zach lay on the couch, made up with sheets to act as a bed, his feet sticking out over the arm, his hand tucked under the back of his head, his chest rising and falling under the rumpled sheet. If she wasn't so angry, she'd find him handsome; or maybe he still was handsome, she thought grudgingly, closing her eyes miserably and looking away. Why couldn't he be ugly? Life wasn't fair. Uber. Right. Screwing up her courage for what was ahead, she stood and slowly hobbled across the hardwood floor, agonizing over every painful thump and noisy squeak until she finally reached the door. She unlocked the five locks on his large door, each of them being well-oiled and working perfectly. She expected no less of her anal-retentive, grey-skivvies-on-Tuesdays captor. Finally, she tugged open the heavy door to find endless flights of icy steel-mesh stairs leading all the way down to the street where her Uber was waiting. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me; she cried, breaking down into tears. A strong arm slid down around her waist and mercifully shifted her weight off her throbbing foot, "I know. It sucks. You should try it with a rucksack full of bricks," Zach said, leaning his head down and breathing into her hair. "I want to go home," she whispered. "Let me take care of you; please," Zach murmured into the top of her head, "I; it was my fault this happened to you. I scared you, I know that now; but, please believe me that I would never want to hurt or frighten you like that." "It wasn't just that text," she said, pulling her head away and looking up at him angrily. "All year, I never had a moment's peace. Even when I couldn't see you, I could feel you waiting in the quiet or dark places. Even if you weren't there;" "I was there," he confessed. "I was always there. I didn't understand what had gone wrong. You didn't want to talk to me, and the world just didn't make sense to me unless I knew where you were, what you were doing; unless I knew you were safe." "Maybe you knew I was safe, but I didn't! I thought I'd done something; that somehow I deserved to have this beautiful, scary monster hunting me. I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd done to destroy something that was so; wonderful." "You didn't do anything, Honey. Nothing at all. You were perfect. You were so perfect that I couldn't keep; you didn't do anything wrong. I never meant to send you that message; please, please believe me." "Why did you send it?" she asked, finally looking up into his eyes. The dark blue liquid pools of her eyes turned violet in the moonlight, and Zach felt a tightening in his chest. "I; I can't tell you that; but it was never meant for you." "You mean, you meant to send that message to someone else? To hurt them like that?" "Honey, I; Zach said, looking around, unable to meet her eyes, "Please, I can't; you wouldn't understand; my life isn't like that anymore." "I want to go home, Zach; please," she whispered. Zach closed his eyes for a long moment before he swallowed and nodded, looking like he was in more pain than she was. "I'll take you home tomorrow, okay? Or Terry will, if you don't want me to. He'll check the place out, make sure you're set up and safe there. You're tired, you're hurting, and your Uber's gone, now. Let me take you back upstairs and you can go in the morning. Please." At that moment, a throb of pain shot through her entire leg, and as angry as Honey was, she knew she couldn't face her empty apartment without a few more hours of rest. "Okay," she whispered. To be continued in part 2, Based on a post by Lingering Afterthought, in 3 parts, for Literotica.

It was published 100 years ago, but The Great Gatsby continues to resonate with readers. WSHU's Book Critic Joan Baum reread F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel of the Jazz Age. Joan finds that the beauty of the language and the stark themes have deepened with the passage of time.

This year marks 100 years since F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby was first published. And it turns out that it took a while for the novel to catch on in the United States, where it is now considered a classic. This hour, we revisit the novel and its cultural impact. GUESTS: Rob Kyff: Teacher and author of Gatsby’s Secrets. He also writes a nationally syndicated column on language Maureen Corrigan: Book critic for NPR's Fresh Air, and a Distinguished Professor of the Practice in Literary Criticism at Georgetown University. She is the author of So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came To Be and Why It Endures Sara Chase: Actress who created the role of Myrtle Wilson in the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on April 17, 2025. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready to reboot your relationship? Grab our brand new workbook, "The Relationship Reboot Workbook," for practical tools to assess, reset, and strengthen your connection. Get it hereIn this episode, we dive into a wild Uber ride conversation that sparked a profound insight: We often don't want others' opinions—we just want our own echoed back. This leads us to explore why tolerating discomfort is the real "muscle" every couple needs to build for lasting intimacy. Forget fancy skills; it's about sitting with unease, ditching losing strategies like needing to be right, and moving through the three stages of relationships—from infatuation to power struggles to true interdependence. We share real examples, self-reflection questions, and tips on accepting influence for deeper connection.Key Takeaways- The Uber Wisdom: We crave validation over true understanding, especially in relationships.- The #1 "Skill": It's not communication—it's strengthening your ability to handle discomfort without defensiveness or shutdown.- Relationship Stages (per Terry Real): Stage 1: Love without Knowledge (infatuation bliss). Stage 2: Knowledge without Love (power struggles and losing strategies). Stage 3: Love with Knowledge (interdependence and real intimacy).- Losing Strategies to Avoid: Needing to be right, control, retaliation, withdrawal.- The Opposite: Accepting Influence: Hold opposing ideas (à la F. Scott Fitzgerald), treat info as data, and stay flexible.- Self-Reflection Questions: Use these to spot your patterns and grow.Resources Mentioned:"The Relationship Reboot Workbook," for practical tools to assess, reset, and strengthen your connection. Get it here "Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship" by Terry Real: A must-read for navigating power struggles and building interdependence. Available on Amazon. Connect with UsVisit our website: (https://masteryourmarriage.us/)Follow us on Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/masteryourmarriage)Join us on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/MasterYourMarriage/)If this episode resonated, please leave a 5-star review, share it with a friend, and remember:It's the small things, done often, that create the biggest impact.

Variety on a WednesdayFirst, a look at the events of the day.Then, The Big Show starring Tallulah Bankhead,  originally broadcast December 10, 1950, 75 years ago.  Tallulah and Charles Boyer appear in, "All The Sad Young Men," by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Joe Bushkin plays his own composition, "Portrait Of Tallulah."  Clifton Webb, Jimmy Durante, and Imogene Coca are featured.  Followed by The Chase and Sanborn Hour starring Rudy Vallee, originally broadcast December 10, 1939, 86 years ago. Edgar Bergen is out sick! Charlie McCarthy reports on his condition from his bedside at St. Vincent's Hospital, Los Angeles. Guest Joan Blondell and Fred MacKaye appear in "After The Party's Gone," by Winston Miller and Michael Jackson. Vera Vague complains that Chivalry is dead. Bergen does two routines from the hospital. Charlie's Christmas shopping service is broke. Lansing Hatfield also appears.  Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast December 10, 1947, 78 years ago, The Joyous News. Breaking the BIG news to Poppa David. Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree star.Thanks to Bill B. for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamCheck out Professor Bees Digestive Aid at profbees.com and use my promo code WYATT to save 10% when you order! If you like what we do here, visit our friend Jay at http://radio.macinmind.com for great old-time radio shows 24 hours a day

In Ep. 212, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books start wrapping up 2025 with the first of the two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2025 Superlatives. In this episode, they share their picks for over 25 superlative categories, including Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025, The Book That Made Us Furious, Most Underrated Gem, Too Dark Even for Me, and so much more! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Our best books of the year from over 25 categories, including: My First 5-Star 2025 Release of the Year Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025 The Book That Made Us Furious Most Underrated Gem Most Perplexing Book Best Book to Be Made into a Reality Series Too Dark Even for Me Most Crushingly Depressing Book I Loved Best Horror Book in the Victorian-Feminist-Gory Category The Crime Novel That Hit Me Hardest Emotionally 2025 Superlatives [7:32] Sarah Penitence by Kristin Koval (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:58] What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[12:38] Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (2025)| Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:22]  Maggie; a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:43]  The Slip by Lucas Schaefer (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:25]  Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:22]  The Dinner Party by Viola Van de Sandt (2025)  | Amazon | Bookshop.org[29:25]  Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:35] When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (US release 2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:37]  Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:30] What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:53] Dream State by Eric Puchner (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:52] Heart the Lover by Lily King (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:06] The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:38] Awake by Jen Hatmaker (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:07] Catherine What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[9:58] The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[14:37] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [21:31] Murderland by Caroline Fraser (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:53] Heart, Be At Peace by Donal Ryan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:07] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:13] Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:31] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:12] Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:45] Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, 2) by Laini Taylor (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:40] Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:39] Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:31] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:18] Other Books Mentioned Defending Jacob by William Landay (2012) [8:59]  All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay (2023) [9:00] Pretty Things by Janelle Brown (2020) [10:40]  I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (2016) [30:25]  The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan (2012) [33:08] Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (2025) [45:20]  The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange (2023) [45:39]  Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1934) [46:13] The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller (2021) [48:34] Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler (2013) [48:35]   Writers and Lovers by Lily King (2020) [51:32]

Send us a textWelcome to the first episode of our special Holiday Season, "The Great American Authors", Bob Dole's series will return in January 2026. In this episode we welcome you to our series, an introduce you to our host, Randal Wallace's,  English teacher Mother, Gloria Bulmer. She was also a writer and as part of a writing class, had some of her writing published in only one book by Coastal Carolina University, as part of a writing class in 1983, also one of her short stories won an award. Our host has that award hanging at his home. This series is dedicated to his mothers memory. Her influence led to the selection of the very first author to be profiled in our series, F. Scott Fitzgerald, my mother's favorite author. Fitzgerald wrote essays, short stories, and several novels: "This Side of Paradise", "The Beautiful and Damned,"" The Diamond as Big as The Ritz" ,"  Tender is the Night', "The Last Tycoon", and his biggest one of all "The Great Gatsby" which ironically flopped when it first came out in 1925.  The Great Gatsby was one of many books given to soldiers during Word War 2, to help keep them occupied, that led to a resurgence of Fitzgerald's writings. All that success coming, long after he had died. Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul , Minnesota, and we will take you there to hear about his early life story, then we will meet Zelda Sayre, whom he met while serving in his Army days in Alabama. They had one of those renown love affairs and it was her denial of his marriage proposal that spurred his first literary success. He had a surge of success before his writing stopped being popular, the money dried up, and he headed to Hollywood to be a screenwriter. His wife became ill and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and he battled alcoholism. It was a tough life but a glamorous one. We will cover it all and listen in on the descriptions of the Jazz Age which formed the foundation of much of his writings, especially "The Great Gatsby." Throughout the series we will also give you lists of writing tips for each of the authors covered, so if you have any aspiring authors in your family, this series, which will have 16 episodes, may be something you want to let them know to tune in for over the holidays.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

In this Sports Geek Throwback episode, Sean Callanan interviews Scott Fitzgerald. They discussed fan experience and stadium tech redevelopment. Show notes - https://sportsgeekhq.com/stadium-tech-fan-experience-redevelopment-scott-fitzgerald

Today: Author Allyson Reedy chats with Colorado Sun reporter Kevin Simpson about her new F. Scott Fitzgerald-inspired book, "Mrs. Wilson's Affair".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby, said that "Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind." When we think of the Mission of God the Father to Redeem and Re-Create a Family of his own for a future Glory, it was through the impassioned work of His Son, the Lord Jesus, that it was put into effect. And when it came down to ensuring that Mission would endure whilst he sat down at the right hand of the Throne of Glory, what was on his mind? What did he use as the vehicle for that effect? His Church! Sometimes, we see The Church as pedestrian, sectarian, and just a religious expression, and forget it's chief purpose, our Glorious, Normie, Purpose! Listen in on this deep dive into the mission - YOUR mission - given to us by Jesus!▶️ Nate's Message on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ytp4e3df

W tym odcinku „Raportu o książkach” zapraszam na drugą odsłonę dyptyku amerykańskiego – opowieść o Wielkim Gatsbym, a właściwie powinnam powiedzieć „Tym Wielkim Gatsbym”, bo taki właśnie tytuł nosi nowy przekład najsłynniejszego dzieła Francisa Scotta Fitzgeralda.Wielki Gatsby to jedna z najbardziej obecnych w popkulturze postaci literackich. Ale czy ta ogromna popularność bohatera Fitzgeralda przyczyniła się do powszechnego rozumienia tej wielowymiarowej, zagadkowej powieści? Powieści, która – mimo że objętościowo skromna – swoim rozmachem literackim prowokuje ciągle nowe odczytania.Żadna z postaci „Tego Wielkiego Gatsby'ego” nie daje się łatwo rozszyfrować. Zagadkowy narrator prowadzi czytelnika na granice świata rzeczywistości i nierzeczywistości.To powieść o Ameryce lat 20. ubiegłego wieku, o wielkich marzeniach i wielkich aspiracjach. O świecie, w którym rządzą pieniądze, ale nie każdy pieniądz jest przepustką do amerykańskiego snu. Bo wbrew deklaracjom Ojców Założycieli w Ameryce wolność i równość darowane są tylko wybrańcom.A może „Ten Wielki Gatsby” nie jest powieścią tylko o Ameryce? Być może najważniejsze proroctwo Fitzgeralda dotyczy piekła, które miało rozpętać się w Europie w trzeciej i czwartej dekadzie XX wieku?Gatsby opowiada też ponadczasową historię o pragnieniu miłości i próbie odzyskania przeszłości, a także o wielkiej samotności.Fitzgerald to postać złożona i bardzo niejednoznaczna. Pytanie: czy tropy biograficzne powinny komplikować odczytanie jego literackiego dzieła?Prowadzenie: Agata KasprolewiczGość: Maciej ŚwierkockiKsiążka: „Ten Wielki Gatsby” F. Scott Fitzgerald / przekład: Maciej Świerkocki / Wydawnictwo Officyna---------------------------------------------Raport o stanie świata to audycja, która istnieje dzięki naszym Patronom, dołącz się do zbiórki ➡️ ⁠https://patronite.pl/DariuszRosiak⁠Subskrybuj newsletter Raportu o stanie świata ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠➡️ ⁠https://dariuszrosiak.substack.com⁠Koszulki i kubki Raportu ➡️ ⁠https://patronite-sklep.pl/kolekcja/raport-o-stanie-swiata/⁠ [Autopromocja]

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Roaring 20s novelist, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.”Well, yes… they're rich!But maybe you're doing pretty well these days, counting yourself among the rich. That's charming, but let's check the latest wealth indicator: Do you have a “private concierge?” You might live in a megahouse, have a maid and a nanny, travel First Class – but having a private concierge is what separates you commonplace millionaires from the filthy rich.What do these personal servants actually do? “We fix problems,” says one owner of a boutique firm that offers “hyper-personalization” services to select clients worldwide. Want to get a table tonight at a fully-booked restaurant in Paris? Don't call the restaurant – call your fixer, gets it done. If you're going to a formal ceremony in Hong Kong but – OMG you left your tuxedo back home in Oshkosh. Your concierge will find a courier to deliver it on time.In addition to dealing with such upper-class urgencies, these “lifestyle managers” also relieve the überrich of having to cope with everyday details of real life. No need to call a plumber, plan a birthday party, shop for basics, and such – that's why you pay about $75,000 a year to have your own handler. They've become such a must-have emblem of luxury that even Chase Bank and American Express now offer concierges to their high-end clients.What's at work here is a decadent ethic of royal entitlement. It's a grandiose (and socially-destructive) assumption of superiority by the filthy rich – who misinterpret their wealth as worthiness. Oh, and we common taxpayers get to subsidize these personal concierges.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

‘Salem's Lot is FIFTY years old this month. Hellfire, how did that happen? We're gonna celebrate the bloodsucking and small town shenanigans for all they are worth!!   But some of you know that the Lot sits just to one side of the Path of the Beam – so this is also a key zig in our endless zagging towards The Dark Tower. You may just not know why yet? And neither does Chris, so no one tell him.   So in this two-fer episode we honour a true horror classic of 20th century literature, and we inch one step closer to the nexus of all things. Efficient!   Enjoy.   Other books mentioned: “Jerusalem's Lot” and “One For the Road,” both in Night Shift (1978), by Stephen King Shitshow (2025), by Chris Panatier The Rats (1974), by James Herbert Dracula (1898), by Bram Stoker The Great Gatsby (1925), by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Harvest Home (1973), by Thomas Tryon   As mentioned – here is my Vulture list of the Best Horror Books of 2025 (so far).   Support Talking Scared on Patreon   Check out the Talking Scared Merch line – at VoidMerch   Come talk books on Bluesky @talkscaredpod.bsky.social on Instagram/Threads, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald.Follow along as Bree shares her passion for books, audiobooks, and bringing stories to life in these classic novel audiobooks. Busy schedule? Each episode is just one chapter, or bite of a classic novel, play or short story, which means you can fit in your reading goals while getting ready for work, bed, or on your commute.Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTokFollow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Kaplan's Plot by Jason Diamond is a riveting read where home, past and present collide in one gripping family mystery. Jason joins us to talk about releasing his debut novel, haunting the narrative, Chicago, empathy, redemption and more with cohost Isabelle McConville. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Isabelle McConville and mixed by Harry Liang.                     New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app. Featured Books (Episode): Kaplan's Plot by Jason Diamond The Sprawl by Jason Diamond Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond On Writing by Stephen King It by Stephen King White Teeth by Zadie Smith The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 1000 Words by Jami Attenberg The Ecstasy of Influence by Jonathan Lethem  

Today, Alicia has the sad tale of the King and Queen of the Jazz Age, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. Though they never divorced, the story is a great illustration of the reality that some marriages don't work, and a lot of people would be better off ending a marriage rather than staying in it. That's what Alicia wishes that Zelda had decided, dancing away from their doomed marriage a century ago instead of disappearing into it. Want early, ad-free episodes, regular Dumpster Dives, bonus divorces, limited series, Zoom hangouts, and more? Join us at patreon.com/trashydivorces! Want a personalized message for someone in your life? Check us out on Cameo! To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, Alicia has the sad tale of the King and Queen of the Jazz Age, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. Though they never divorced, the story is a great illustration of the reality that some marriages don't work, and a lot of people would be better off ending a marriage rather than staying in it. That's what Alicia wishes that Zelda had decided, dancing away from their doomed marriage a century ago instead of disappearing into it. Want early, ad-free episodes, regular Dumpster Dives, bonus divorces, limited series, Zoom hangouts, and more? Join us at patreon.com/trashydivorces! Want a personalized message for someone in your life? Check us out on Cameo! To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like golf, this is definitely the episode of The Big Four for you! Edith Cummings is the gal in our spotlight in this episode, and she led quite a life. Edith was one of the premier amateur golfers during the Jazz Age popularly known as the Fairway Flapper. Not only that, but Edith Cummings was also the inspiration for the character Jordan Baker in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It truly does all connect. Click here to save 20% annually on Patreon!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you like golf, this is definitely the episode of The Big Four for you! Edith Cummings is the gal in our spotlight in this episode, and she led quite a life. Edith was one of the premier amateur golfers during the Jazz Age popularly known as the Fairway Flapper. Not only that, but Edith Cummings was also the inspiration for the character Jordan Baker in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It truly does all connect. Click here to save 20% annually on Patreon!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She's had a love-hate relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald since she was a teenager. And she's now written a wonderful new take on The Great Gatsby, reimagining the story with a cast of the Black elite in post-war Los Angeles.