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.

Nerd Church - Caffeinated Current Events: We're Really F**ked (Like, More Than We Were Before)

I'm full of coffee, so let's try to figure out the state of the UK, shall we?

I don't know if you've been paying attention to UK politics lately, but it basically goes a little something like this:

Our Prime Minister is somehow Boris Johnson. 

Because we apparently haven't suffered enough yet.

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.)

Friday Fics Fix - Ghosting Through

'Twitching his fingers before scrunching the light grey fabric up in his fingers. The small motion making his fingers ache and nearly all of his joints pop. Speaking with his voice coming out harsh and scratchy, “now where?”.'

Sometimes you just come across something fresh and interesting and... you have to read the thing.

This fic is the thing. I had to read it.




OK, I've talked about Danny Phantom and my UNDYING LOVE for that cartoon before now.

Via Giphy

But if you're not aware of it:

Basically, this kid is half-ghost (yes, that's a thing, just go with it,) and fights bad ghosts; his parents are ghost hunters and don't know he's half-ghost because they're both oblivious and a li'l incompetent.

...But they have moments of brilliance that always seem to negatively affect Danny. Because typical 00's cartoon parents.

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

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.com (USA.) I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Title: Watersnakes

Author: Tony Sandoval

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

Buy Now USA

Nerd Church - Escapism, Reality, the Power of Stories, and Brigsby Bear

Films, books, media, stories.

They’re how we talk, communicate, connect with each other, with the world around us, and how we understand ourselves. 

At least, that’s true for me, maybe it’s not for you.

Or maybe you just think it’s not the way it is for you 😉

...when I was making the graphic I somehow wrote 'realism' instead of reality but *shrugs* same diff I suppose! 😅

There’s an amazing, adorable, and, in places, heart-breaking, film called Brigsby Bear.

I love it.

It’s one of those films which rips your heart out, hands it to you, and then is like ‘look! This is what your heart looks like! Look at all the blood and gunk and stuff!’ (Metaphorically, of course.) 

It’s hard to talk about Brigsby Bear without either a) getting spoiler-y, or b) descending into fangirling to such an extent that all I’m doing is making a series of inarticulate noises.

Friday Fics Fix - Crows and Culture

“You are the only raven-man?” 

“To my knowledge,” Diaval said. “Though most of the ravens I meet don’t believe me when I say I am sometimes human.”

I LOVE Maleficent.

It's an amazing movie, and I am super-super excited for Maleficent 2!

And only like, 70-75% of my love for Maleficent has to do with how stunningly attractive Angelia Jolie is in the title role! 😅

Via Giphy

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! 😀

Micropoetry - June + July 2019

Yes, I still write Micropoetry!

Shocking, right?

Sorry that the Micropoetry's been a little thin on the ground as of late, but *shrugs* sometimes it just goes like that.

Still, I've got two pieces of Micropoetry - one from June, one from July - for ya, so hopefully you'll like it!

As always, the poetry itself is in the alt-text for those using screen-readers, with / marks showing line-breaks.

Nerd Church - You're Capable (I Promise)

There will be times in your life, dearest nerdlets, when you feel like you're not capable of understanding something, or learning to do something, or actually goddamn doing the thing - whatever the thing may be.

But you ARE capable!

I know, I know - so easy to say.

(Except it's not - for me, it's def. not.)

Image by Shahid Abdullah from Pixabay

I love bad puns in visual form, ok? 😅 I couldn't resist.

I don't mean that all you have to do is decide you wanna be a rock star, and then, if you want it bad enough, it'll magically happen.

Life doesn't work like that.

If you don't play any instruments, you won't wake up tomorrow as a rock star. Simple as.

But that doesn't mean you're incapable of being a rock star. It'll take a lot of work, a lot of luck, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but you can do it.

...Or it might still not happen.

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! 😀

Nerd Church - America, You Got a Problem With Guns

(Warning: this post discusses the El Paso and Dayton shootings, and the American gun culture)

I'm sure this has been said time and time again.

While people are still out there dying, I will add my voice to that, time and time again.

America has a gun problem.

Friday Fics Fix - A Little Messed Up (In the Best of Ways)

'His coat came back, sooner or later. Wasn't sure. The time kept slipping between his fingers like loose sand, pillowing at his feet, in his ears. "-job, Sherlock; you did good," John was murmuring...'

Praise whoever may be out there listening that good quality fanfiction exists!

Really! It's out there! I'VE SEEN IT!!!!

*Ahem*

...I love well-written, nuanced, character-exploring, theme-exploring fanfiction. (You may have noticed.)

Comics Wrap-Up - You Know I Like It Loud

It's Thursday, it's comics time! 

This week it's all 'Other Stuff' - so, as we all know, it's Loki's fault!

Via Giphy

Month in Review(s) - July 2019

July was too goddamned hot.

I spelled Gorffennaf wrong in the graphic - oops! 😅

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?!

Nerd Church - Do We REALLY Value the ART?

I love Fine Art, and have done since I was a teensy babbi.

(Which slightly confused my parents who were expecting a child rather than an art, music, and literature lover, but anyways...)

I'm not so much of a fan of Modern Art, though, 'cos it tends to be either ugly or pretentious af - or sometimes both. Lol.

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

**This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.com (US). I earn a commission from qualifying purchases**

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

Fanfiction Reading Challenge 2019 Update #1

I figured I’d do an update for the 2019 Fanfiction Reading Challenge!

I originally planned on writing and posting this update waaaayyy before now - but life, the universe, and everything got in the goddamned way! Lol.

This challenge is hosted by the lovely Carrie @ Cat on the Bookshelf, and I picked option 2 – which is a list of types of fics.

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 - Trump Is A Racist, and Other Obvious Things That Still Have To Be Said

(Warning: this post discusses all things Trump, inc. racism, bigotry, and alleged sexual assault, inc. Jeffrey Epstein and paedophilia)


Trump is a racist.

He is a sexist, a homophobe, an ableist, a transphobe, an Islamophobe.

Trump is pretty much any kind of bigot or general a**hole you can think of.

I don't know why people are still surprised, but some people seem to be.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Friday Fics Fix - Death Can't Stop a Jedi... From Pranking

'"In the meantime, I'm going to annoy our son back into the Light," Han said with restored good cheer.

"That's not how it works," Leia said.

"Has anyone tried?"'

Sometimes, I just love the randomness of fanfiction.

Like, if you hype up Hollywood writers on a lot of coffee, deprive them of sleep, and then give them action figures to play with, you get fanfic authors.

And that, my dearest nerdlets, is just one of the many beautiful things about the internet.

So this fic is based on the modern Star Wars films, and has a butt-tonne of SPOILERS, ok? Ok.

Comics Wrap-Up - You're the Perfect Distraction

You know what Thursday means? Superhero-y comics-y goodness! Woo!

Everything this week falls into the 'Other Stuff' category - which, as always, is Loki's fault.

It's also kind of superhero-adjacent, because that's just the way the cards fall sometimes *shrugs*

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!

Comics Wrap-Up - They Say That A Hero Could Save Us

It's Thursday! And this week's comics wrap-up is full of Spider-Man! Woo!

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!

Comics Wrap-Up - I Painted Your Room At Midnight

It's Thursday, I'm not sure which way is up any more - but let's get some comics-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Women In Danger Vs Men Inconvenienced: Discussing The Boris Johnson & Mark Field Stories

(Warning: this post discusses assault against women and domestic violence against women. It contains a news video where assault is shown in the thumbnail.)


British politicians don't have the best track record with women lately.

If you're not aware (I know a lot of you are international - and I utterly adore you!) we've had two serious incidents involving British politicians and women over the last few weeks.

Both incidents involved aggression. One definitely involved violence.

Both politicians were male Conservatives.

Make of that what you will. I just submit it to the jury m'lud.

(Brit slang notes: m'lud is a shortening of 'my Lord,' which is what you're supposed to say to judges etc. M'lud is also used sarcastically. Because British.)

Friday Fics Fix - Murder House Party!

“You guys seem really chill about all this,” observed Ben. “By this point most people are running around screaming.”

“Occupational hazard,” said Klaus.

“I’ve lost a lot of blood,” said Diego. “I’m just accepting everything at face value right now.”

If there's one thing that Netflix has got me obsessed with as much as Umbrella Academy, it's American Horror Story.

(Only on season 2 #NoSpoilersPlease!)

Comics Wrap-Up - An Angel in the Cruelest of Worlds

**This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.com (US). I earn commission from qualifying purchases.**

Comics Wrap-Up is back from it's break, and as full of comics-y, superhero-y, stuff as ever!

Nerd Church - Anxiety: Worrying About Sh** I Actually Don't Care About

(Warning: this post discusses Anxiety (which you probably figured out) and Depression)


If you're worried about paying the bills when you've got no money in the bank, that's logical.

Likewise, worrying about a friend who's been going through a tough time, or feeling anxious before you give a speech, is totally understandable.

Anxiety, though?

Anxiety blows the normal sh** out of proportion, while adding some completely illogical sh** t'boot.

Mini-Review! - Dat's Love and Other Stories by Leonora Brito

**This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.com (US). I earn commission from qualifying purchases**

Title: Dat's Love and Other Stories

(Also published as 'Selected Stories)

Author: Leonora Brito

Genres: Anthology, Short Stories, Contemporary(-ish,) Historical Fiction

Buy now on Amazon.com

Nerd Church - 5 Super-Dads (And 5 Who Aren't So Super)

(This post may have some mild spoilers for various superhero-y dealies.)


Let's have some fun this Father's Day, shall we?

Superhero media is a hazardous place to be a father...

...Either you or your kid keeps getting kidnapped and you have to save each other...

...someone changes the timeline and suddenly you've accidentally poofed your child out of existence...

...your kids get ret-conned for film license purposes so that they're no longer your kids...

...they turn out to be super-villains even though you thought they were dead...

It ain't easy!

Friday Fics Fix - Blasting Off Again!

'"Only I've been looking back towards where the front door is and it's not there," Brock said.

"What?!" Ash and Misty yelped.

"Why didn't you tell us?!" Misty cried.'

I was a 90s kid (and I do mean 'kid,' I was v. smol!) so inevitably I watched the hell out of the original Pokémon TV series.

It was weird, random, probably a little bit cliché... and pretty much every kid watched it!

Comics Wrap-Up - We Are The Jack-O-Lanterns In July, Setting Fire to the Sky

Firstly: this is the 1000TH PUBLISHED POST ON THIS BLOG! Woooo!!!! 💪💖

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled dose of comics-y-ness:

Lots of Marvel stuff, most of it marvellously hilarious, for ya this week my nerdlets!

So let's get this metaphorical show on the road!

Nerd Church - 9 Things I Learnt From the Chernobyl TV Series

The last episode of the Sky/HBO dramatisation of the Chernobyl disaster aired last Tuesday.

When I was a kid, Chernobyl was the reason people couldn't sell their livestock.

I live over 1000 miles away from the site of the Chernobyl disaster. I was born years after the explosion.

But when I was a kid, Chernobyl was the reason people couldn't sell their livestock.

The restrictions on sheep farmers were only lifted in 2012.

Friday Fics Fix - How They Swing

'"Ryan and I are the best couple," he said.

Tommy held up a fist to bump. "Sell it, man. It would be hilarious if you won." Chad left him hanging with his hand in the air'

High School Musical 2.

You all familiar? It's the one with the golf club and swimming pool and all that.