Comics Wrap-Up - I'm Not What You Think You See

Girl power, Queer power, and a butt-tonne of comics-y goodness! It's Thursday, and it's time for superheroes!

Month in Review(s) - August 2019

August was not as hot here in the UK!!!!! 

Thank whatever deity, divine power, or cosmic entity that may be listening!

Don't get me wrong, there were still days which were officially too hot. But there were less of them. *sighs happily*

Unfortunately, I spent most of August with a cold.

Because I'm one of those people who will catch every virus imaginable after a galandular-fever-like illness screwed my immune system over when I was 16. Good times.

Friday Fics Fix - Something Followed

'He can feel something else coming through, something uninvited.'

I love horror.

...You may or may not have noticed.

Generally speaking, the less-realistic and more fake-looking the horror is, the more I'm freaked out.

There are some notable exceptions (Pet Sematary *shudders*) but overall, the more realistic and convincing the horror is, the more I'm like: meh, it's a ghost.


Related Reading: Nerd Church - My Real-Life Ghost Stories

Comics Wrap-Up - And Just Don't Tell The World That You're... Sh!

It's Thursday. And not all heroes wear capes. (Comics still rock though.)

Comics Wrap-Up - Troubled Love and High-Speed Noise

It's Thursday. I have no idea how we got so far through the week. Let's get some superhero-y goodness!

Review Time! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Watersnakes by Tony Sandoval

Title: Watersnakes

Author: Tony Sandoval

Genres: Graphic Novel, Fantasy*, Young Adult, Magic Realism, LGBTQ+ (F/F), Horror*, Ghost Story* (*ish) 

Amazon: UK – USA

Comics Wrap-Up - Girls Get Up Early and Stay Out Late

It's Thursday! The day that comes after Wednesday and before Friday!

It also means superheroes and comics-y goodness here on Dora Reads! 😀

Friday Fics Fix - Change Is The Only Constant

'“You have three sisters today,” said Klaus with a mouthful of dry cereal, a box of Cheerios in hand.

“Okay,” said Five, before going back to whatever he was doing.

“..That’s it? No signature snarky response from ol’ Número Cinco?"'

One of the many reasons I love my Queer Umbrella Academy Queen, Klaus Hargreeves, is that the TV version of his character in particular gives Queer folks the perfect space to explore ourselves.

Klaus wears skirts and feather boas.

He loves make-up and unicorns and high heels and the colour pink and women and men.

He rocks. Out loud.

Comics Wrap-Up - It's A Beautiful Thing When Boy Meets Boy

It's Thursday, and that means it's time for superheroes and all the comics-y goodness! Woo! 😀

Month in Review(s) - July 2019

July was too goddamned hot.

I'm not built for anything past 23C, and it hit, like 31C.

I know to some of you who live in hotter places than the UK, that's nothing but... it's really not nothing to us!

I'm not a nice person when I'm hot - I'm grumpy af and just want to make the world suffer.

Also, I live in Wales. Summer is traditionally one big rain shower - WTAF with this heat?!

Friday Fics Fix - Rub-a-Dub

'Draco may have screamed (in a very manly and authoritative way, he later insisted to Harry) when he saw the state of the bathroom.'

Sometimes, with fanfiction, you only have two choices: fun and fluffy... or things you can't unsee.

I mean, I don't make the rules, I just read the fics.

Comics Wrap-Up - Blonde Hair Blowin' in the Summer Wind

It's Thursday, and I've got a butt-tonne of strong female heroes, awesome TV shows, and general comics-related goodness! 😃

Nerd Church - My New Self-Care Strategy

(Warning: this post discusses low self-esteem and Depression)


I have a plan!


My plan is this: to treat myself BETTER than I think I deserve.


'Hang on Cee!' I hear you cry (well, I don't but it's a structural narrative device,) 'What the hell are you talking about?!'

Let's rewind.

Friday Fics Fix - Twists and Turns

'Trying to talk to Five is like talking to a brick wall that thinks it’s smarter than you and disappears as soon as it gets bored, which is quickly.'

Let's visit The Umbrella Academy!

(I will never tire of this show.)

Comics Wrap-Up - God is a Woman

Once a year, there is the event of all comics-y-ness - San Diego Comic Con (SDCC).

Unfortunately, most of us can't sell our souls to get to SDCC...

...but fortunately, the trailers the big companies release there trickle out over the next couple of weeks, and the big announcements are pretty much immediate!

Nerd Church - Casual Homophobia: A Thousand Cuts

(Warning: this post discusses several instances of homophobia, and the feelings caused.)

I use the term homophobia here as a catch-all for all types of bigotry against LGBTQ+ people.



When I was very, very, small, someone I love - an adult - said something that stuck a tiny dagger into my heart.

They said, "...it shows being Gay as something natural. Which it's not."

And a teeny-tiny voice in my small child brain said, 'But what about me?' and then I stamped it down very, very, hard.

Partly because I didn't know what I meant. What about me? What was I?

Well, if straight was the natural... then I was straight? Right?

Friday Fics Fix - 3-For-1 Boarding-School Special

I normally recommend one fic a week in these posts. This week, I'm gonna rec three.

Why? Because I can't choose between them.

And now I've given up trying - I'm just gonna give 'em to you, with a bit of info about each!

Month in Review(s) - June 2019

June kind of flew by!

Partly because I was super-busy! Which is also why I (once again) posted less here than I wanted to.

I did manage to post a review though! Woo! I can still call myself a book blog! (Lol.) 😅

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: Turns Out, People Are Interested

I've never really had much confidence in my writing.

Like, objectively I know that people read this blog but... it always surprises (and delights,) me when someone comments, shares, etc. (Hint hint. Lol.)

Likewise, I'm always on edge about the fiction I write - it can't be something someone'd be interested in reading, right?

At the same time, not writing would be like not breathing. Unthinkable.

It's literally who I am - I breathe. I read. I write.

Friday Fics Fix - Fish Tanks and Music Boxes

'Usually when her parents send her out to play (she always has to be sent) she divides her time between flower-picking (or drawing) and observing the other kids, pretending to be Jane Goodall.'

I love Agents of SHIELD - in particular I love Fitz and Simmons (known as FitzSimmons).

This is partly because they're smart, partly because they're sweet, and partly because they're British but NOT the villains!