'For Klaus, there are – approximately – seven million people crammed into this slumber party, most of them screaming at the top of their lungs'
I read a lot of Umbrella Academy fanfiction, like a butt-tonne.
So yes, this week's fic rec is once again an Umbrella Academy fic.
It's Thursday, we all need a break from doom-scrolling (or, at least I do!) so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
(Warning: scratch the surface of Disney films, and there can be some very dark things underneath, so this post discusses: forced marriage, including to underage girls; murder; the fur industry; genocide.
There may also be SPOILERS for Disney films.)
Think of a Disney villain - there are a few great ones, right?
And I'm sure that we all have our faves, our least faves, our problematic faves.
And a Disney villain, at least traditionally in their animated movies, is as cut-and-dry good-vs-evil as you can get.
But I've noticed something lately - the motivations of Disney's female villains are a lot different to the male ones.
Quick Note: Yes, I'm using male and female as gendered terms synonymous with men and women, on account of social and practical interchangeability.
'Across the top of the control panel, the AI’s official designation read: Security and Hazard Emergency Response LOCK (S.H.E.R.LOCK)'
You know I love originality in fanfiction dearest nerdlets.
And I have some more of it for you this week!
It's Thursday, the world continues to be a weird and wonderful place, let's get some superhero-y, comics-y goodness!
(Warning: as you can probably tell, this post is about Coronavirus/Covid 19.
It also references: anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theories, general 2020-ness, mental health problems, Trump, discrimination, ableism, systemic racism, and other systemic discrimination)
"My grandparents lived through the First World War and the Spanish Flu and all that," my mam said, "it's weird - they never talked about it much."
"Well," I said, "imagine explaining 2020, and the pandemic, to someone who's not even born yet. How could you even begin to make them understand?"
If a child asked, decades from now, 'what happened in 2020 and 2021? How did so many people die of Covid?' - what would you answer?
Where would we start? With the fires and the floods and World War Three trending at the beginning of 2020?
Or would we just jump straight into the Lockdowns, the social distancing, masks, Covid testing, the race for a vaccine...?
'Bucky sucks in a crushed breath. Orange-black and pinned like butterfly wings.'
This fic is so beautifully written.
And you should all know by now that when I find a beautifully written fic, I'm gonna rec it!
It's Thursday, it's March, let's enjoy some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19 and mental health problems)
We are two months into 2021. Just two months.
I have nearly lost my Nan twice so far in 2021.
Covid (which she had in January) has been so damaging to her health... it's awful.
If you're one of the people who thinks it's not that bad, or it's a hoax, or it somehow doesn't apply to you, then you can fuck off.
And yes, it kills me to write swear words without *s, but I'm leaving it in.
(Warning: this post discusses the details of a real-life crime, as such it contains details of murder, drugging, and a serial killer)
'...“But when he doesn’t show up for pancakes it's good practice to make sure he hasn’t fallen down a manhole or something,”
Klaus resists the urge to hiss.'
You know I love novel (or novella) length fanfiction.
The beautiful dedication that it takes to write a piece like this always makes me smile.
It's Thursday, it's February 2021, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
Why are popular films, and popular media in general, somehow seen as unworthy?
Who decides what counts as Art anyways?
Cos being asked to locate the grand-high judge of all things artsy films would
not have me running to call Martin Scorsese (...who would totally take my
call, because let's face it, I'm awesome and stubborn as a mule persistent.)
In a pretentious burst of overly-descriptive prose, Martin Scorsese's essay in Harper's Magazine was published this week to the irritation of many fans of superhero blockbusters and popular films.
Why?
Well, Scorsese previously ran his mouth about Marvel movies in 2019, and it seems that even in this current piece about the artsy Italian director Federico Fellini, he couldn't resist some entitled barbs at films that people actually like watching.
It's titled, 'Il Maestro: Federico Fellini and the lost magic of cinema' because... why not? I guess?
* = commission link
'The massive box of 64 crayons calls to me, every one of them waiting to be picked and pressed to a page. (I could have gone for the box of 120, but that seemed like too much.)'
This week's fic is from a fandom that is super-popular, but also not especially well-known outside its core fanbase.
...which is why I'm going to do a very brief explanation of Carry On* aka the Simon Snowverse just so's we're all on the same page.
(I realise that a lot of die-hard fans are probably screaming that how could anyone not know about Simon Snow?! But we do not gatekeep here at Dora Reads, dearest nerdlets.)
(Fandom notes:
gatekeeping - also a non-fandom term, when used in fandom this typically takes the form of 'you're not a real fan of [insert fandom or genre or author, etc.] unless you've [insert arbitrary benchmark]')
It's Thursday, somehow it's only February, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
Everything is once again in the 'other stuff' category (dammit Loki!)
(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19)
On a personal level, January sucked. Bad.
My beautiful Nan got Covid, and combined with her other health problems, despite the fact that she had very few symptoms, we nearly lost her.
There are very few things more distressing than watching someone you love slowly fade away via video link.
Honestly? If you're STILL not taking Coronavirus seriously, you can fuck the hell off.
And, dearest nerdlets, you know how upset I have to be to swear without censoring myself.
I really wanna delete a few letters and add *s, but I'm not gonna, cos despite the fact that I'm a nice well-brought-up Welsh girl, that's how annoyed I am, and how much you suck if you're one of the selfish people who still isn't taking precautions.
The only Valentine I've ever actually received was when I was five or six years old.
It was on the back of half a birthday card, which I still oh-so-clearly remember the flowers on, and I believe was written in red pencil.
It was definitely some form of pencil - maybe my brain just made up the red part, I dunno.
'Klaus pushed down the nagging thought that maybe he was scared of judgement from Ben, if he let him in.'
Some fics are beautiful.
Maybe not because of how they're written - although there are beautifully written fics, of course, and I always highlight them to you, dearest nerdlets, when I come across them - but because of what they are.
This week's fic is beautiful, because of what it is.
This week's fic is an arm around the shoulders of Queer readers - this fic says it's OK, just to be you.
It's Thursday, the world is a weird and wonderful place, let's get some comics-y, superhero-y goodness!
(Warning: as you can probably tell, this post is about Depression. It also includes brief references to ableism, suicidal thoughts, suicidality, and passive suicidality.)
Disclaimer time!
I am not a mental health or medical professional.
I am someone with personal experience of Depression and Anxiety, and this post is based on my own experiences only.
Mental health problems are intensely personal and therefore have a range of complex, varied, and valid experiences.
If you need help - PLEASE seek help. Getting in touch with a doctor or other help is scary, but so totally worth it - YOU are worth it. Please take care.
If you're in the UK or ROI, you can talk to The Samaritans about anything at any time. Check out their contact details here.
If you're not in the UK or ROI, you can check out this list of international suicide helplines.
'Klaus also had a tattoo on his arm of an umbrella inside of a circle. That image was the symbol of the Umbrella Academy, a group that had caused a whole lot of dissension among the Avengers.'
It's Thursday, it's February, let's get some comics-y, superhero-y goodness!
This week's is unintentionally super-queer (ha, super 😎) and is once again all in the 'Other Stuff' category (#BlameLoki).
(Warning: this post references Coronavirus/Covid 19. It also talks about sleep problems a lot, but you probably guessed that.)
I go through periods of having trouble sleeping through one thing and another, and with Covid Lockdowns very much in place, it wouldn't surprise me if other people are also having trouble dropping off.
(Ironically my main sleep problem right now has four paws, a tail, and wants to play at 3 in the morning.)
So, while there may be a variety of factors that might stop you from getting to sleep, and any number of things to help you actually fall asleep, I thought I'd let you in on my simple trick for nodding off.
'“Oh, you’re going to be a regular bag of charms, aren’t you?” Mycroft goaded.
“Oh, shut up Mycroft!” Sherlock yelled back.'
It's 2021, who knows what's coming next? Let's get some comics-y, superhero-y goodness!
Everything's in the 'Other Stuff' category again #BlameLoki
(Warning: this post references Covid 19/Coronavirus, and the UK's institutional Transphobia)
I know this wrap-up is epically late.
Honestly, I considered combining it with January's 'Month in Review(s)' post, but I figure if 2021 is also going to be a sh**-show, it may as well be its own sh**-show, independent of the remnants of 2020.
So let's keep this super-brief because December 2020 was like forever ago!
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, especially Depression and Anxiety, and the Covid 19/Coronavirus pandemic)
I've always been an artsy, craftsy, sort of person.
I'm one of these people who can never name their hobbies when asked, but actually has somehow accumulated so many hobbies that she can't physically fit them all in to her timetable.
(Part of the solution to that is to make some of your hobbies into your employment, but that brings its own challenges.)
And most of those hobbies are creative in some way.
So yeah, I'm a big fan of the arts and crafts!
'Klaus had been… animate when describing each of his siblings.'
OK, OK - I know, OK? I know.
...I rec'd an Umbrella Academy fic last week. I know.
I usually try to leave at least one week in between rec'ing fics from the same fandom (no, really, I do.)
It's Thursday, it's 2021, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
Everything I have for you this week is in the 'Other Stuff' category. #IBlameLoki
There's a couple of random things about writing that I've realised lately while working on my Work-In-Progress (WIP.)
I dunno whether this is me becoming more self-aware of my patchwork writing process -
(I write in snippets and then attempt to stick them together... with varying results)
- or whether everyone knows/has realised these things and I'm just now catching up (let me know!), but I figure'd I'd blog about them anywho! 😅
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, as well as referencing abuse by parents.)
'Klaus blinked slowly, then nodded. “Yeah, what can I say? Some people just can’t accept that they’re f**king DEAD!”'
Now that I've finally finished watching Series 2 of The Umbrella Academy, it is of course time for some TUA fanfiction!
I'm Umbrella Academy trash, and proud of it! 😂😎
It's Thursday, 2021 has had a bumpy start, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
(Warning: this post talks about Covid 19/Coronavirus, and the political situation in the US)
Dear 2021,
You've had a rocky start, but that's OK.
You inherited a global pandemic and a facist US president - and it's gonna take a while for you to fix that, we know.
I blame 2016, that year was a bad influence on everyone. The years after struggled to bring hope.
Then when 2020 came along... well, I guess you know about that already.
'“I mean,” Clint cuts back in, “better safe than sorry. If it is a ghost, shouldn't you get the Tower blessed or cleansed or whatever?”'
Avengers! Ghosts! Buzzfeed Unsolved!
...To be honest, if that hasn't hooked you I don't know what I can say to convince you to read this week's fic.
If you're intrigued, read on fair nerdlets!
If not, go!
Go now and frolic in peace!
(...I think I'm gonna be like this for the entire post. Just as a warning! The first week of 2021 has picked up where 2020 left off and I wasn't exactly normal to begin with 😅)
It's 2021, all the UK home nations are in Lockdown, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness, and try to forget 2020 ever happened!
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, specifically Depression and Anxiety, and references Covid and the dumpster fire of 2020)
For those unaware: there is a website called Goodreads. It's like social media for books, basically.
(Before you ask, my Goodreads account is private.)
And every year it encourages people to set a target number of books to read that year - the Goodreads (GR) challenge.
(It would be cynical to point out that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, and therefore may have a monetary incentive for encouraging people to consume vast quantities of book.
Corporations can create unintended social benefits - in this case encouraging literacy - despite what their motives may or may not be.)
* = commission link
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Title: Some Places More Than Others*
Author: Renée Watson
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Middle Grade/MG (Kids)
(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, Covid 19/Coronavirus, and Transphobia)
November saw some rays of sunshine breaking through the end of 2020.
Biden won.
Hope of a Covid vaccine became more real.
As for me, well, I've had some ups-and-downs.
News of local people dying of and/or being ill with Covid. A firebreak Lockdown. The continued anti-Welsh sentiment in the press...
And then there's the Amazon Associate issue *sigh*
I can't go into it, because I've appealed the decision, but after some problems in November, I lost my UK Associateship in the first few days of December. That's all I can really say for now.
But it had me super stressy for a bit 😣 still kinda stressy now tbh.
Damn Anxiety always blows this kind of sh** out of proportion.
Update, 8th December:
Please DO NOT use my links to purchase from Amazon UK - my Associate account for the UK was unfairly closed, and Amazon UK will no longer pay me for any purchases made with them.
I will slowly be removing the UK links from 1000+ posts, but it's gonna take a while.
(Warning: As you can probably tell from the title, this post is about Covid 19/Coronavirus)
Christmas in 2020 is gonna be weird. I think we all know that.
I think, if those of us who celebrate go into it trying to make the best of things, it's gonna be better than complaining about the things we can't do.
(Although, a notable exception is the British tradition of enjoying a good moan about everything - but the key to that is you have to really enjoy it. Otherwise it doesn't count 😉)
At the same time, if you're not feeling it this year - if you're sad, or angry, or any combination of things - then that's OK too.
You feel how you feel, and feeling guilty that you don't feel how you 'should' at Christmas is only gonna make you feel worse.
I realise that that's something of a paradox - make the best of things and look on the bright-side, but also accept it if you feel cruddy and don't put too much pressure on yourself - but I'm a walking contradiction kinda gal 😅
It's December in a matter of days, which means that Friday Fics Fix will be going on its annual Christmas holiday.
...So what better opportunity to look back on the fics that've really stood out to me in 2020?
(Don't answer that. It's rhetorical. I'm gonna do it anyway. 😎)
2020 has been 2020.
So, I've totally been reading a butt-tonne of fanfiction as self-care.
Because fanfiction is excellent for all the self-care purposes - whether you need deep and angsty, or sweet and fluffy, or you want to fulfil some very um, specific, tastes: fanfiction has it all!
(I don't judge. But if I never read another pumpkin sex fic, it'll be too soon. And yes, it happened again in October - how do they keep finding me?!)
It's Thursday. Let's get some awesome-sauce comics-y, superhero-y goodness!
(Warning: I briefly discuss mental health problems in this post - it's not graphic, and is written about in the context of self-care and healthy work/life boundaries)
A lot more people are working, at least in part, from home this year - on account of 2020 and all the Lockdowns and everything 2020-ish.
I've actually worked from home for several years, and it's got a ton of advantages - but you also have to be careful to set work/life boundaries -
- especially if, like me, part or all of your income is coming from things which were once solely hobbies - it tends to blur the lines.
Disclaimer: This is the bit where I remind you that I'm not any type of mental health or medical professional.
Neither am I some kind of life or productivity coach (that would be scary!)
I only have first-hand experience of Depression/Anxiety, and using self-care to support myself - and hopefully my experiences can help other people.
'Peter didn’t remind Mr. Stark of their plans, not after lunch, not after dinner and not when they were all sitting (or rather lying) in front of the TV later that evening.'
***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US***
Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.
It's Thursday, I'm tired, let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!
Once again everything is in the 'other stuff' category - blame Loki. Always blame Loki.
There is Micropoetry! Woo!
...The October pieces were kind of written in a weird headspace so... sorry about that!
The September one is a Haiku because apparently in 2020 I write Haikus! (Seriously, I think I've written more Haikus this year than I ever have before.)
It was also one of those things which just kinda pop into my head, and then won't leave me alone until I do something with them 😅 #WriterProblems
As always, the poetry is in the alt-text of the images for those of you using screen readers, with / marks showing line breaks.
(Warning: This post discusses various elements of 2020, including but not limited to - Covid 19/Coronavirus, the US presidential elections, racism and police brutality.)
***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US***
Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.
Whew! It's been a year, right?
And it's not over yet (though hopefully our supply of Bad News has dwindled sufficiently.)
Over the course of this year, two of my (many - when I love something, I love it!) favourite albums of all time have kind of become my soundtrack to whatever the f**k has been going with 2020.
'The street is just as empty as it’s been all night. “Meow.” And then an orange paw is patting at his boot.'
Anyone who knows anything about Netflix's The Umbrella Academy (TUA) knows that Diego Hargreeves is stabby on the outside and super-soft on the inside.
He also loves his mam - you gotta love a vigilante bad-a** who loves his mam, ok?
There's a reason he has been memed as a baby duck with a knife. That's it. That's the entire character.
It's Thursday. It's 2020. Let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
Everything is once again in the 'other stuff' category for which we will #BlameLoki (with good reason, this time!)
Everything is also really Queer this week - which, of course, I'm here for. And that's also partly Loki's fault 😉
***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US***
Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.
