My Banu Nahida

curious to hear y'all's suggestions for the worst possible pasta shape

(Assume that "pasta" needs to be made of sheets or strands of dough with enough surface area relative to thickness so that they can be cooked.)

what liu qingge could say if he really wanted to hit binghe where it hurts

"I'm a top" "I'm a bottom" ok?? I'm the quiet you've been longing for??

when god closes a door you reach your little paws under it and go mrrwwaaaooow mmreeaaow

Whenever I visit a city, I try to find the weirdest little bookstore tucked away in it. Today I found a very weird one indeed.

The front door has a handwritten sign saying "Backpacks and large bags must be left at front desk." I walk in, and an 80-year-old man at an 80-year-old desk covered in Dr. Seuss books and angel statues immediately drawls, "Ignore the sign. I didn't make it. What're you lookin' for?"

Ancient Rome, of course. He moseys through an aisle that clearly predates wheelchair accessibility laws, and waves at a bookshelf labeled ANCIENT HISTORY, sandwiched between WIMMIN and SPARKLY THINGS.

On closer inspection, WIMMIN is actually the first of four book cases of women's history and biographies. There is no section for men's biographies. SPARKLY THINGS is jewelry, and conveniently located next to SCIENCE & HEAVY THINKING.

I select a useful-looking book from a surprisingly rich selection, then mosey on through the rest of the store, because you must mosey in a place so thoroughly Texan:

The Christian selection is vast. But our book seller also has a nice range of Jewish literature, Islamic texts in the original Arabic, East Asian religions, and FURRIN LANGUAGE textbooks.

I highlight the drawl out of love, not mocking. I have a drawl, and I think it's cool. (And also a little funny.) I was pleased to find a section on Black history, too.

Next to the Chronicles of Narnia we find MISC MILITARY, which features - what else? - guides for identifying aliens and practicing magic.

I joke, I joke - most of the store is perfectly well organized, and the family's World War I memorial and knick-knacks make it feel very personal and lived-in. And loved.

On the second floor we find history and geography for specific countries, such as the RUSSKIES, more philosophy, and genealogy CHESS.

Ah, the changing tastes of the American bookworm...Here we can also learn about SHOOTING BAMBI, STUFFING BAMBI, and HUNTIN.

And of course, the sign that made me realize I had to share this wonderful place with the rest of y'all, nestled between EDUCATIN CHILLERN and PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE:

As I check out, I'm menaced by a lasso on the wall:

"LARIAT: FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF PECOS BILL. HE TRIED TO DUKE IT OUT WITH THE BOOKSELLER AND THE REST IS HISTORY."

Anyway. If you're ever in Fort Worth, Texas, do give Barber's Book Store a look. And if you ain't in Fort Worth, check out your nearest indie bookstore anyway. They often have really unique selections, and a feeling of history and personality that you don't get anywhere else. Barber's had a lot more variety than I showed here, and it's 99 years old!

As for what I bought? I think it's going to be very interesting...

i love the magic in jonathan strange and mr norrell. no system, just mysticism, folklore, and nature. that kind of mystery and wonder is something i love in fantasy. don’t need intricate world building or detailed magic systems, give me the sense of wonder.

as a woman with elevated testosterone (pcos) who uses steroids (asthma inhalers) i must say i am feeling very cheated in the athletic prowess department. when is my dangerous masculine olympic level strength and speed supposed to kick in. do i need to go to professor x