Friday Fics Fix - A Blanket Cocoon

'Dave was probably never going to get answers out of Klaus, but for right now, he was the designated ‘Coax Hargreeves out for Meals’ guy, so he was going to do his job.'

In some ways, fanfolks are just gluttons for punishment - and I'm no different, really. I love me some angst!

Part of that is because I am an emo child to the end of eternity, and the gothicky and/or angsty stuff is always going to appeal to my sense of Drama.

But another part is that actually it's emotionally healthy to give yourself some space to explore your darker and more angsty feelings in a safe environment - such as through media.

(...I don't know whether that last sentence was really smart or really b*llsh**, but I'ma go with it!

And this is where I remind you that I'm not a mental health professional! Just a chick with personal experience of Depression and Anxiety.)

Friday Fics Fix - Pride Fics Fest: Fics With Trans+ Characters

It's another Friday in June my dearest nerdlets, which means that it's another instalment in my Pride Fics Fest - and this time we're gonna look at fics with Trans+ main characters.

Fanfiction is here to support our Trans and Non-Binary siblings!

Fanfiction can be a place where Trans+/NB+ people can find the kind of representation that is largely not present in mainstream media.

Comics Wrap-Up - Slowly Words Break Through, Walls Break Down

It's Thursday. Somehow it's still 2020. Let's get some comics-y goodness!

Once again this week is only the 'Other Stuff' category - for which, as is traditional, we will blame Loki.

Friday Fics Fix - Pride Fics Fest: Queer Canon!

Welcome back to Pride Fics Fest dearest nerdlets!

This week we're gonna look at those oh-so-amazing canonically Queer characters and relationships, and fanfiction that celebrates that.

For those who don't know, canon is the official stuff that's actually in the book or TV series or film or whatever, explicitly...

...as opposed to stuff where you have to scramble around in the sub-text, or stuff which fandom picks up and Queers all on its lonesome ;)

Let's start with the horror masterpiece I will never shut up about: 2009's unapologetically Queer Megan Fox film, Jennifer's Body.

In 2009, there was a girl named Jennifer Check, and in 2019 I rec'd Big Red by spheeris1 - a fic that is essentially a love letter to this under-appreciated film.

(Seriously, I'm never gonna shut up about this film! I love it so much!)

Comics Wrap-Up - Tell the Neighbours I'm Not Sorry If I'm Breaking Walls Down

It's Thursday. I think we could all still do with some heroes. Let's get that comics-y goodness!

And once again this week, everything is in the 'Other Stuff' category, for which we will blame Loki - as is traditional here on Dora Reads ;)

Friday Fics Fix - Pride Fics Fest: Bringing Subtext Into The Spotlight

June is Pride Month dearest nerdlets! 

So, since a lot of events have been cancelled this year (*whispers* I've never actually been to an event and that's OK! There's no checklist for Queer validation!) and fanfiction is, generally, Queer af, I figured I'd have my own li'l Pride Fics Fest!

This week, I'm looking at fics which take that Queer subtext (which ranges from slipping under the radar to just plain Queerbaiting,) and bring it to the forefront!

Because fanfiction, as mentioned, is hella Gay!

So, I've been mining my extensive fanfiction-related blogpost archive, to bring attention to the fics which bring attention to the subtext! :)

Friday Fics Fix - Wholesome Hargreeves Family Bonding!

'“We’re having a game night. A family game night. Because that’s what families do.” 

“It is?” Vanya asked. 

“Since when?” Five said at almost exactly the same time.'

I can't stay away from The Umbrella Academy for long - and neither do I want to!

There's a popular meme in the fandom of a family games night.

...That's because the idea of these dysfunctional and emotionally-stunted superheroes attempting to play Monopoly is...

...Well, amazing. Tbh.

Comics Wrap-Up - Children Behave, That's What They Say When We're Together

It's Thursday, the world keeps turning, and we could all do with some superheroes and comics!

Friday Fics Fix - The Fear of Jonathan Crane

 

(Warning: this post references child abuse and systemic child protection failings.)

 

'Jonathan held up his hands, retreating into his hood. Hide your face. It’s a monster.'

 

One of the most compelling and mature superhero shows of recent years is Gotham.

It's also one of the most under-rated, because people suck, and haters gonna hate. 

(Luckily, those of us who love this show know how goddamn awesome it is!)

Gotham is a Batman-prequel, showing the lives of many of the villains, and a few of the heroes, in the years between the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, and the time baby Bruce put on the Batman cowl.

It shows bad people doing good things, and good people doing bad things. Because life - especially in Gotham - is problematic and messy.

Comics Wrap-Up - Stealing Kisses From Your Missus, Does It Make You Freak Out?

It's Thursday, we're all still in need of some superheroes, so let's get some comics-y goodness!

And once again this week, everything I have for you is in the 'Other Stuff' category, for which we will blame Loki.

Friday Fics Fix - Some Happy Super-Sapphics For #LesbianVisibilityWeek

'“Nobody’s going to bother you if you’re sitting with us,” she promised. “I mean, they’ll probably say plenty, but Alex has this look that I swear could kill a man.”'

This week marks the first Lesbian Visibility Week an awesomely inclusive campaign to celebrate and support Queer people who ID as Lesbian, and Queer women in general.

So I figured fanfiction is Gay af, but also has some work to do when it comes to Queer girls (male Queer people and relationships tend to be written about more.)

So what better than to rec a fic this week which celebrates Lesbians and Queer girls?

Nerd Church - Oliver Queen, You Have Saved This Girl's Life

(Warning: this post discusses Depression and low self-esteem/self-worth, as well as referencing suicidal thoughts and feelings.)



Oliver Queen, you have saved this girl’s life.

People who’ve read this blog before will be aware that I credit a lot of things for saving my life – from fanfiction to meds, from blogging to Fall Out Boy. With what feels like millions of other things in between.

I mean all of it. Completely.

When Depression sinks it’s teeth in so deep that you think you are the worst creature to ever draw breath – that, in fact, you’re probably hogging oxygen from someone who deserves to breathe it more – you need more than just one thing to rescue you.

Friday Fics Fix - The Self-Care Fanfic Rec-List

Fanfiction is a fab form of self-care (which I know I've said more than once, but that's because it's true!)

And seeing as how:

a) we could all do with all the self-care we can get atm...

and b) I have written a lot of fanfiction posts over the years...




I figured I'd take a look over my blog archives, and select some of the most useful fics for self-care.

(Side-note: looking through my archive is super-weird!)

Nerd Church - Watching 'Orange Is The New Black' In Lockdown

(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19, and the UK Lockdown.)


You know all those shows that you just don't get around to for whatever reason? 

Orange Is The New Black was one of those for me.

So what better series to start when we can't go out, than one where they can't either, y'know? 

The UK is in Lockdown - we can only go out for specific reasons, which does currently include 1hr exercise, provided we practice social distancing, so we're better off than some.

Friday Fics Fix - Cops and Ghosties

'“I’m just saying if you’re so desperate to help people, you could have been a fireman. What they lack in brutality they make up for with sex appeal and basic levels of empathy.”

“Can’t stop murderers with a hose.”

“Not with that attitude.” Klaus shrugged...'

Confession time: I haven't finished reading this week's fic! *gasps*

#BadBookBlogger #FangirlingSins

In my defence, this b**ch is over 300 pages, and I'm on the last chapter!

But if I don't get this post written now, then I know it ain't gonna happen. (Your girl is gonna face-plant the laptop keyboard if she keeps this up. #RestAndRechargeTime)

Comics Wrap-Up - Take A Breath and Let the Rest Come Easy

It's Thursday, we could all do with some heroes, so let's get some comics-y goodness!

Comics Wrap-Up - And Did You Think This Fool Could Never Win?

It's Thursday, somehow it's still March, we're all still metaphorically standing - and I think we could all do with some superhero-y comic-y goodness!

Friday Fics Fix - With Grace

(Warning: this post discusses domestic and child abuse (physical and mental/emotional) throughout, and touches on issues such as addiction and substance abuse)

'...There are a lot of things in the children’s lives that are sub-optimal. She has to minimize the damage in whatever ways she is able.'

This post is gonna have SPOILERS for series 1 of Umbrella Academy, ok?

V. minor spoilers, but spoilers all the same. The fic itself has more spoilers.

Comics Wrap-Up - Take Any Moment, Any Time

It's Thursday, the world is a very strange place, let's get some comics-y goodness!

Comics Wrap-Up - Every Little Piece Pulls In Its Own Direction

It's Thursday. And Thursday means comics-y goodness here at Dora Reads!

This week's wrap-up is all stuff in the 'Other Stuff' category - for which we will, as always, blame Loki.