Dora Reads is the book blog of a Bookish Rebel, supporting the Diversity Movement, bringing you Queer views and mental health advocacy, slipping in a lot of non-bookish content, and spreading reading to the goddamn world! :) (All posts may contain Amazon links, which are affiliate, unless marked otherwise. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. USA ONLY - please do not make UK purchases with my links)
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Sunday 20 May 2018
Nerd Church - The Basics of Self-Care
(Warning: this post includes frank discussions of a variety of mental health problems, including references to suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.)
May is Mental Health Month in the US, and 14th-20th May is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK.
You've probably heard, at some point in the course of your internetage, the phrase 'self-care.'
Hopefully, what you've heard has been positive. Unfortunately, you may have heard others mocking people who practice self-care, or calling it selfish.
Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is vital for everyone.
Just as everyone has both mental and physical health, though not necessarily mental or physical health *problems,* likewise everyone can (and should) practice self-care as a way of keeping yourself as happy and healthy as possible.
Disclaimer time: I am not a medical or mental health professional. I'm a blogger with personal experiences of mental health problems - OK? OK
Wednesday 25 April 2018
Really Mini-Reviews! - Riot Days by Maria Alyokhina and Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming
I don't read many memoirs.
When I do, they've got be that little bit unusual. That little bit extraordinary.
Friday 20 April 2018
Friday Fics Fix - Show Your Scars
Fanfiction's gonna change the wooooooooorld! XD
Cos fic authors - nerds, fangirls, fanboys, and non-binary fan folks - look at the stigma and the cr*p of previous generations, and say NO!
No to stigma on mental health. No to body image stigma. No to silence on sh** that hurts people!
*takes a deep breath*
Cos fic authors - nerds, fangirls, fanboys, and non-binary fan folks - look at the stigma and the cr*p of previous generations, and say NO!
No to stigma on mental health. No to body image stigma. No to silence on sh** that hurts people!
*takes a deep breath*
Tuesday 27 February 2018
Anxiety vs Blogger
(Warning: This post is about depression and Anxiety, and the demonstration of a negative thought spiral.)
First off: I'm OK. I've had a rough-ish few days (not too bad, but bad enough,) but I'm OK.
There is no need to worry about me.
Sometimes, much as blogging has saved my life, it can contribute negatively to my mental health.
I don't need to take an extended break - honestly, I'm fine. I love blogging just as much as I ever have, and, overall, it's good for me.
And the problem wasn't really blogging - it was the Anxiety.
But I did need to 'write it out.' This is the result of that.
Wednesday 21 February 2018
Mini-Review! - An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
Author: Roxane Gay
Verdict:
This book is an open wound.
It is raw. It is powerful. And, somehow, it finds a way to be beautiful.
Sunday 18 February 2018
Nerd Church - America, Don't Blame Mental Health Problems For Your Useless Laws
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, stigma, and gun violence including school shootings.)
America - what the actual f**k?
Look, I'm probably preaching to the choir here - but in case any of you out there are pro-killing-machines - let me explain some things:
America - what the actual f**k?
Look, I'm probably preaching to the choir here - but in case any of you out there are pro-killing-machines - let me explain some things:
- There are mental health problems all over the world
- School shootings aren't the norm in pretty much any country other than yours
- Your gun laws are the problem
Sunday 11 February 2018
Nerd Church - Rebel Valentine 2: Return of the Candy Hearts
(Yeah, no, I don't know where that post-title came from either! 😅)
Welcome to this year's coffee-fuelled, rule-breaking, kick-a** Valentine's Day* Nerd Church post!
(Those who read last year's post will know (sort of) what's ahead - those who didn't, hold on darlings, Cee's about to get on her soapbox, and possibly end up sharing TMI. But that's what she does.)
*Yes, I'm aware that it's not Valentine's Day until Wednesday. I'm doing my post now. Because I'm a rebel.
Welcome to this year's coffee-fuelled, rule-breaking, kick-a** Valentine's Day* Nerd Church post!
(Those who read last year's post will know (sort of) what's ahead - those who didn't, hold on darlings, Cee's about to get on her soapbox, and possibly end up sharing TMI. But that's what she does.)
*Yes, I'm aware that it's not Valentine's Day until Wednesday. I'm doing my post now. Because I'm a rebel.
Tuesday 6 February 2018
Month in Review(s) - January 2018
January felt like a month which put a rocket to my secret* blogging powers.
I don't know why, but I actually really liked the posts I wrote this month! And I'm (finally) beginning to get a handle on the whole 'juggling work, life, blogging, and miscellaneous other stuff' thing.
That said, I've probably just jinxed myself for the year ahead. My life tends to resemble an episode of Milo Murphy's Law sometimes 😅
Friday 2 February 2018
Friday Fics Fix - Everyone From Harry Potter Has Mental Health Problems, M'k?
You want some Harry Potter fanfiction discussing mental health problems? (Of course you do, is that even a question?!)*
This fic could be heavy sh** for some people, so be CAREFUL when reading my nerdlets.
Sunday 21 January 2018
Nerd Church - Cut Yourself Some Slack
I'm an impatient person. I want it done 600% right, and I want it done yesterday.
But I've had to learn that I can't work like that. I can only do what I can do, and it's much better to work slow and steady.
We have a tendency to go way easier on other people than we do on ourselves (me? talk about myself? Ha ha ha... look a distraction!!)
So I think it's time we reminded ourselves that it's ok to not do EVERYTHING - as long as you're doing something.
Thursday 18 January 2018
Comics Wrap-Up - And When Your Stitch Comes Loose
Here we are again, time for the nerdiness! 😀
Film Trailers
Another li'l Black Panther trailer for you my nerdlets! This is such a cool looking film!
Warning: flashing images
Wednesday 17 January 2018
2017's Top 4 Books (...In The Opinion of Yours Truly)
2017 can't be well and truly dusted off and put back on the shelf* without some input from your favourite Bookish Rebel (moi, ofc,) on the bestest books of the year.
*Ha, shelf? Books? Hehe! XD
This is TOTALLY MY OPINION ONLY.
Obviously, I can only pick from books I've read. And within that only books published in 2017.
Even given those rules, there's a bunch of books that I've read that I didn't include - THAT DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T LIKE THEM!!!!
This is basically a snapshot of the stand-outs. There were loooooads of other books I could've included - promise!
(My Anxiety kicks in when I think I might be leaving someone/something out that deserves recognition - does it show?!)
(My Anxiety kicks in when I think I might be leaving someone/something out that deserves recognition - does it show?!)
*Ha, shelf? Books? Hehe! XD
Labels:
contemporary,
disability,
diversity,
everyday life,
F/F,
fiction,
graphic novels,
kids,
LGBTQ+,
lists,
M/F,
M/M,
mental health,
new adult/na,
sexually fluid,
wrap-up,
ya
Sunday 17 December 2017
Nerd Church - How To Not Be a Jerk To Non-Drinking Guests
It's December - and nearly Christmas.
This is the time of year that's traditionally filled with party-goers, many of whom will be drinking. But not all.
As a member of the non-drinking group for the last several years, I can tell you that these reactions are fairly typical:
- "But... WHY?!"
- *Stares at me for at least a minute without blinking*
- "I could NEVER do that!"
- "Oh come on, have some fun!"
- "Are you SURE?"
- "Are you like *takes step backwards* religious or something?"
Sunday 10 December 2017
Nerd Church - 10 Self-Care Reminders For When You're Extra-Busy, or Working Extra-Hard
Yep, this is both a self-care exercise and a blogpost. THAT is multitasking 😎
So sometimes, when we're busy, we forget to take care of ourselves - especially mental-health-wise. I'm officially the world's worst for this - I overwork A LOT.
So, here's a few things I have to remind myself of - and I hope they help you too!
Friday 8 December 2017
Friday Fics Fix - Sleepy Stucky
OK, I know it was Stucky last week, but this is my blog dammit!
Plus I'm currently typing this in the spare quarter of an hour or so that I have free today, while playing my 'getting sh** done' playlist, which contains copious amounts of rock and heavy metal
(Because if anything can get me through this week, it's Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour! Lol, I'm so busy and so freaking tired! *laughs slightly hysterically*)
Friday 1 December 2017
Friday Fix Fics - Hate To Twist Your Mind
Fanfiction is hyped up on emotion.
No, really. I reckon that's why it's such good bibliotherapy - all the emotions are right there, on the ever-loving surface, just waiting to be processed.
We even invented 'all the feels!' as a catchphrase for pretty much all fandom, for God's sakes!
Wednesday 15 November 2017
Mini-Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill
Author: Kay O'Neill
Genre:
Kids/Middle Grade, Fantasy, LGBTQ+ (F/F; M/M)
Series: The Tea Dragon Society
Tuesday 24 October 2017
Release Day Review!!! - Strange Weather by Joe Hill
Author:
Joe Hill
Genre:
Novellas, Anthology, Horror
Release
Date: 24th October 2017
Premise:
Strange Weather is a collection of four novellas or short novels by writer Joe Hill.
Snapshot, Loaded, Aloft, and Rain are connected by bizarre weather events, providing a backdrop - or a catalyst - to the events which unfold.
Sunday 22 October 2017
Nerd Church - Recovery...?
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, especially depression and anxiety)
I've struggled with depression and anxiety for several years now.
I was ill for quite a while before I started this blog, and Dora Reads has been running, in one form or another, for nearly three years.
I've struggled with depression and anxiety for several years now.
I was ill for quite a while before I started this blog, and Dora Reads has been running, in one form or another, for nearly three years.
Sunday 8 October 2017
Nerd Church - Kids and Gender Equality
Recently I've seen two TV programmes which really hammered home how much we still need to improve on gender equality in the 21st Century.
The first was the BBC's 'No More Boys and Girls' where plans were put in place to counteract negative gender stereotyping in a class of seven and eight-ish year-olds*
*yes, 'ish' because I really can't remember. They were smol, ok?
The first was the BBC's 'No More Boys and Girls' where plans were put in place to counteract negative gender stereotyping in a class of seven and eight-ish year-olds*
*yes, 'ish' because I really can't remember. They were smol, ok?
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