Comics Wrap-Up - If This Is What You Want Then Fire At Will

I'm writing this week's wrap-up with the flu. So if I say things that don't make any sense, just smile and pat me on the head, k? 😉

Micropoetry - January 2018

Yes, it's half-way through February. But when has that ever stopped me from doing a Micropoetry wrap-up? 😎

Here, then, is the Micropoetry I wrote in January:

(Quick warning: the one for 22nd January came out as more of a downer than I intended!)

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.

Friday Fics Fix - Dumbledore is Gay. Dumbledore is Gay. Dumbledore. Is. Gay. Deal With It.

You may or may not know that the chance has once again been lost to allow the Harry Potter universe's Albus Dumbledore to BE gay on-screen.

Why is that important when J K Rowling has already said (over ten years ago,) that Prof. Dumbledore is a gay dude? Because word-of-God/author is not the same as on-screen canonisation (official-ness.) It comes across as queer-baiting. At best.

Comics Wrap-Up - They Say We Are What We Are

Due to some American football hijinks, we got an Avengers: Infinity War trailer this week.

I can't help but feel that we've had more in past years. But if a random-a** sport wants to give me superheroes, I'm fine with it! ;)

(And yes, it is American football - real football is played with a round ball and two nets #JustSaying. Also, I was a fantastic goalie as a kid. #TrueStory.)

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 😅

Nerd Church - Hatred Has No Place Here

Darren Osborne - the man who drove a truck into a group of innocent Muslim mosque-goers last year - won't be coming out of jail any time soon. As it should be.

This was a terrorist act. The sentencing took that into consideration. (Though the press could make this clearer, tbh.)

It was a vile, terrorist, murder. As a Welshwoman and a white British chick, I can only apologise again for this horrendous act.

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.

Comics Wrap-Up - I'm Not a Perfect Person

A bunch of Marvel movie stuff for you this week, my nerdlets - check it out:

Review Time! - Goodnight, Boy by Nikki Sheehan

Title: Goodnight, Boy

Author: Nikki Sheehan

Genre: Kids (Middle Grade/MG,) Young Adult*, Contemporary**

*YA crossover appeal

**ish

Amazon: UK - USA

Nerd Church - The Problem With the NHS

The problem with the NHS is not a problem with the NHS.

And with that bombshell, I should probably explain to my international nerdlets (and I will never get over the fact that I even have international nerdlets,) just what it is that I'm talking about.

The NHS is the National Health Service - set up so that everyone in the UK has access to state-run, FREE, healthcare. (Set up by a Welshman. #JustSaying.)

Friday Fics Fix - Why So Sirius?

(Apologies for the title-pun. Couldn't resist 😅)

If there's one fandom that always goes above and beyond, it's the Potterheads.

Yes, those fans of Harry Potter can always be counted on to take even the smallest of details from the books and run with them - to the extent that there are now fully-established fandoms within the fandom.

(Is that like fandom-ception or something?! So much meta.)

Quick warning: this post may contain some very mild Harry Potter spoilers.

Comics Wrap-Up - Vying For Attention From a Girl

Welcome to this week's comics wrap-up! This is another one of those times where all the stuff I have to give you falls under the 'other stuff' category.

Dammit Loki, I know this is your fault! ;)

O.O  *fans self*
(Via Giphy)

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.

Friday Fics Fix - Use Your Head

This week's fic made me metaphorically punch the air. Because dudes - yes!

This fic is one of those which you don't need to be all that familiar with the fandom itself to enjoy - which is good because it's from the re-booted MacGyver fandom, which is kind of smaller than most fandoms.

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

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.

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?!)

*Ha, shelf? Books? Hehe! XD

Nerd Church - Yes, We Damn Well Need Fair Reviews

To my non-blogging readers (hi! don't leave! I neeeed you!!! 😉 Lol) and also my blogging readers who haven't seen the ripples on bookish Twitter lately, let me explain something:

There seems to be an attitude, at the moment, for authors to defame, abuse, harass, and denounce, book bloggers for giving them 'bad' reviews.

Now, I'm not going to go into the semantics and the 'he said, she said' of the thing. But I am going to make some comments regarding fair and critical reviews.

Because this isn't something that's new. It happens.

Unfortunately, it seems to be happening with increasing frequency, but that's another matter.

Those of us involved in the Diversity Movement are probably the least surprised. Diverse reviewers tend to be the first in the metaphorical firing-lines.

Friday Fics Fix - Combined Forces

Here we are then, in 2018! And it's time for the first Friday Fics Fix of the year!

In case you don't know (because the internet has a short memory, and also you might be new to Dora Reads - in which case, welcome! Please stay! Lol,) Friday Fics Fix is a weekly post where I recommend (or 'rec') a piece of fanfiction.

Basically, I started this post series because fanfiction totally counts as reading! And it should be completely counted as such! #EffTheSnobs





So with that established, let's take a look at this week's rec!

OK, I have some Star Wars for you this week - which I haven't done before, because while I like Star Wars, it's not like my be-all-and-end-all. And I know people take Star Wars pretty seriously!

Comics Wrap-Up - The Revolution Will Be Live

Here it is, all bright and shiny and new - my first comics wrap-up of 2018! Enjoy! 😄

Nerd Church - 5 Things I Learned From Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff (Without Reading a Word)

'Oh scream, America, scream. Believe what you see. From Heroes and Cons.'

We are in the middle of the 21st Century Breakdown.

Unfortunately, I don't think Green Day meant their apocalyptic concept-album to be an instruction manual. *laughs slightly hysterically*

Month in Review(s) - December 2017

Decemmmmberrrr!!!!!!!!! Wooo!!! XD (Yes, it's January - but let's face it, I never wrap-up on time.)

OK, so December for me was actually super-super-hectic, but it came with Christmas at the end, so I really can't be mad at it! Lol.

(I love Christmas. Sooooo much!!!! 😁 )

2018 Fanfiction Reading Challenge Sign-Up

The Challenge

The Bookish Diversity Link List 2018

Here we go again! My link list of diverse bookish things for 2018.

Just like with the original link list, it'll start small and continue to grow throughout the year.

This year my aim is to get at least one link for EVERY category - so if you can help out, check out the info. below!

Nerd Church - 17 Becomes 18

So 2017 is ending. We tried, but in the end it followed 2016 into the sh**-pile of history.

But that doesn't mean we should give up on 2018. Because 2018 can do better. 2018 can pick itself up, dust itself off, and prove that doom and gloom isn't inevitable.

Review Time! - Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Title: Juliet Takes a Breath

Author: Gabby Rivera

Genre: New Adult/NA,* Contemporary**, LGBTQ+ (and polyamory; with F/F)

*crossover appeal with older Young Adult/YA
**ish

Amazon: UK - USA

Nerd Church - The Gift of Christmas

Christmas is awesome. Christmas is love and hope.

I'm not gonna get all made-for-TV-movie on your butts, but whether you celebrate Christmas or not, there's something exceptionally beautiful about a time of the year dedicated to love, hope, kindness, and joy.

The world that we live in needs more things like that.

Review! - Did You See Melody? by Sophie Hannah

Title: Did You See Melody?

Author: Sophie Hannah

Genre: contemporary, crime

Amazon: UK - USA

Micropoetry - November 2017

Yes, I know, I know, November seems like a distant memory by this point.

I was busy, ok? (Like, reeeeeeallly busy!) So I haven't had chance to finish up this post 'til now.

But that's ok - the poetry's still the same! XD

Here it is, hope you like it:

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?"

Friday Fics Fix - Festive F/F!

I actually really liked this week's fic (well... obviously... since I'm recommending it... but you know what I mean!)

Sometimes a fic comes along at just the right moment - I mean, who doesn't need something short, sweet, and warming right now?!

Comics Wrap-Up - Twas the Li'l Wrap-Up Before Christmas

Argh, how did this week's comics update creep on me like this?! Lol ;)

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 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*)

Comics Wrap-Up - Short 'n' Sweet

OK, so, I haven't had much time for the comics-y-ness this week, because I'm suuuuper busy (that's a type of super, after all! Lol,) so I just have a few fun things in the 'Other Stuff' category.

(And, as always, I blame Loki for there only being 'other stuff.')

Month in Review(s) - November 2017

November was one of those super-busy months where I barely had time to think!

As such, guys, I apologise if I've been a little more AWOL than usual.

I haven't had much chance to be social and all that - so, hi! I am still here! XD

Nerd Church - Break the Effing Cycle

I'm pi**ed off. I'm really pi**ed off. Because the only bank branch, of any type, left in my town, is set to close.

Why should that pi** me off? It's only a bank, right?

Have you lived in a poor area? Because I f**king do.

And when things leave, they don't come back. When things leave, they take jobs, money, chances...

When things leave, they take hope with them.

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!

Comics Wrap-Up - I'm Calling You From The Future

Film Trailers

OH MY FRICKING GOD - AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR TRAILER!!!!!

LOKI AND BUCKY BARNES ARE IN THE SAME MOVIE!!!! THIS IS NOT AN EVER-LOVING DRILL!!!!!!

JKRIUGH;OENBKMG;HMTPR6[HIJGFKM!!!!!!!!! *screams in fangirl* 

Oh my God, they better not mess that sh** up dammit!!!!!

Mini-Review! - The Wooden Heart by Daniel Abrahams

Title: The Wooden Heart

Author: Daniel Abrahams

Genre: short story/novella, contemporary, horror*, fantasy* (*ish) 

Amazon: UK - USA