Comics Wrap-Up - My Fangirling Heart Is Singing Right Now!

 

It's Thursday, I'm tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - My Heart Is Broken...

 

Warning: pet death

One of my cats died this week.

My beautiful boy had a seizure in my arms, and never fully came back. We had to take him down the vets to ease his journey.

Comics Wrap-Up - I Can Already Tell

 

It's Thursday, I have had a truly awful week, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - It's OK (Just Keep Going)

 

The world is a total mess, but it's OK, just keep going.

There's war and floods and famine and disease, but it's OK, just keep going.

The things that bump in the night are real, but it's OK, just keep going.

Friday Fics Fix - Most Of You Aren't Gonna Read This

 

'He feels faint himself, his head swimming with a startling lack of oxygen. Stars peek through the leaves ahead, and he turns his eyes upwards, counting them over and over again.'

Never have I been tested so much by my 'if it's well-written, I must rec' rule...

...I genuinely didn't know whether to rec this fic.

Comics Wrap-Up - Iconic and Irreplaceable

 

It's Thursday, I am freaking tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness.

Month In Review(s) - March 2024

 

March wasn't great.

Not terrible - but then, the bar for terrible is pretty high (or low, depending on your perspective, I guess,) at this point - but not great.

Basically: my mental health sucks at the moment.

Nerd Church - Can Books 'Talk' To Us?

 

Do you think that books can send us messages?

I've been re-reading Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl -

so that I can finally move on to the second book in the series with some sort of familiarity with these characters because my brain is swiss cheese

- and I'd forgotten that there was a scene, in the library, where the books are 'talking' to the main character.

Friday Fics Fix - The Nature Of The Void

'He grieves quietly.

The world is ending in three days; actually, truly ending.

Odd, how it feels like his already has.'

 

This is well-written, and you know we have a rule around these parts - if I find a well-written fic, I have to rec. it.

So - here we are! Rec'ing the fic.

Comics Wrap-Up - Was Not Expecting That!

 

It's Thursday, it's somehow April, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: How Do You Assess Your Own Writing?

 

Can someone tell me how to assess your own writing?

Because I am not good at judging the quality of the stuff I write!

Friday Fics Fix - We'll Soldier On Regardless

"Jesus Buck," Sam says, "I leave for three days. Three days, and I come back to find you half dead in our kitchen."

 

Hopefully by the time this post goes up, AO3 will be back online.

AO3, for those unfamiliar, is the primary place for fanfiction on the internet - it's the most user-friendly, covers the broadest range of fandoms, and has the most people (as far as I can tell,) actively uploading fanfiction.

It's also where I read 99% of my fanfiction - because of said user-friendliness, and also because I can download to my e-reader - and so 99.99% of my fic recs are from AO3.

Comics Wrap-Up - Heroic But Edgy

 

It's Thursday, it hasn't been a great week for me, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Participation Trophies Were Never The Problem

...Some hard truths from one of those pesky millennials

I know you wouldn’t expect any less from a millennial but:

The participation trophies were never the problem.

Friday Fics Fix - Four Fun Fanfics

 

Fanfiction can open your mind to new perspectives, ideas, styles, explore ideas and characters and art forms...

...or it can 'just' be a lot of fun. (Which is pretty impressive in and of itself.)

So I figured I'd give you four fun fanfics to enjoy (because I'm nice like that.)

As always with these rec lists, please check the original rec'ing post for spoiler status and Content Warnings.

Because this is me doing the rec'ing - it's entirely possible that even the fun fics need Content Warnings 😅

Comics Wrap-Up - Particular Points

It's Thursday, I'm tired, this is Dora Reads - so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Should We Judge Older Books By Modern Standards?

 

Warning: this post discusses racism, ableism, and general prejudice, including reference to dehumanising language and slurs

I've been re-reading* The Princess Diaries for a while now.

For those not aware: this was a massively popular YA series by Meg Cabot from the early 00s where a New York teenager named Mia Thermopolis finds out she's actually the Princess of Genovia. (As you do.)

There also 2 films starring Anne Hathaway, which are fun, but don't really match the tone of the books.

*Well, re-reading the first couple and reading the rest for the first time 😅

Friday Fics Fix - Bittersweet Loki

 

'It was impossible.

Well.

Don’t let that stop you, O. B. had said.'

I kind of love this fic.

I mean... obviously, because I'm rec'ing, and, also obviously, I tend to say that a lot. But... yeah. 

Comics Wrap-Up - Vaguely Sketched

 

It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness! (Woo!)

Month In Review(s) - February 2024

 

February for yours truly wasn't too bad.

...It wasn't great either, tbh. But it's still one of the better months I've had lately, so I'll take it!

Nerd Church - Short Story: Everyone Is Born With A Void

This story was originally published on the Promptly Written publication on Medium, in response to the following prompt from Ravyne Hawke:


Write a story around the following:

— a bottomless pit
— a moment of despair
— a hopeful or hopeless outcome

Warning: this story contains injury imagery, including acid burns, and also centres on mental health issues (depression,) and hopelessness.

Everyone Is Born With A Void

This is Emmeline's.

Friday Fics Fix - Hargreeves(eses) In Their Feelings

 

'Diego throws the knife with a grunt of frustration. It lands perfectly positioned in the wall.

“Good job,” Luther says dryly. “You killed the wallpaper.”'

One of the extremely few issues I have with The Umbrella Academy (TUA) is that the Hargreeves siblings are so emotionally constipated that we never get to bathe in the angst with them.

Like - I'm talking 'Gerard Way in the video for Ghost of You' style angst-bathing. We don't get much of that, and my emo goblin spaghetti brain would very much like that. *nods sagely*

Comics Wrap-Up - Probably Not A Shock

 

It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Practice Runs and Prototypes

We're so used to seeing our media as the finished product that we rarely think about the component parts...

...the drafts. The demos. The practice runs and prototypes. 

Comics Wrap-Up - In Any Given Situation

 

It's Thursday, it's a leap day, this is Dora Reads - let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - The Writer Diaries: Writing vs *Writing*

 

In my head, there's a difference between writing and *Writing.*

Like, I'm one of those people who thinks that all writing is writing, and I will take that to whatever bank and/or government authority you want me to.

I mean it - I will back you up 100%. All writing is writing.

All writing is writing.

Writing this blogpost is writing. Writing a tweet is writing. Writing a to-do list is writing.

It's all physically (or digitally in some cases, I guess,) writing. 

And all of it works on your skills with words - don't ever let anyone tell you different, m'k? Gatekeepers can get all the way in the bin. *nods sagely*

Friday Fics Fix - Bucky's Uncertain Ordeal

 

'At first he couldn't hear the voice, he couldn't hear anything. But gradually he became aware of it, coming and going in bursts. He tried to grasp it, hold on to it, but it kept slipping away.

"Bucky? Can you hear me? Can you breathe for me?"'

When there's gaps in the canon, what's fanfic to do but to, y'know, step in...?

Like, when Avengers: Endgame leaves everyone in a nebulous situation, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) picks up after all the messy logistical stuff has already been dealt with and the brainwashed supersoldier assassin has already been pardoned.

...None of this is spoiler-y, since you can pretty much assume this from the trailer for TFATWS. #Don'tComeForMe

(Fandom notes:

Canon is the 'official' stuff in the book/film/whatever.)

Comics Wrap-Up - Calm Down, Rewind

 

It's Thursday, I'm tired, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Month In Review(s) - December 2023 + January 2024

 

And 2023 is OUT OF HERE!!!!

And thank whoever's listening for that.

Because, in case you weren't aware, my 2023 effing sucked.

Nerd Church - I Seem To Be Watching More True Crime...

Warning: This post references true crime and murder, and discusses mental health problems - especially Anxiety.

Disclaimer time: I am not any type of psychological, medical, or scientific expert. I'm a chick with a blog, nothing more, nothing less.

Wild-child that I am, of an evening I like to get myself a snack, and a glass of diet coke, and watch TV for a while.

Lately that's meant, more often than not, true crime.

Because there's nothing more calming than some grisly murder before bed.

Friday Fics Fix - Angry Flirting With Sam and Bucky

“Find the front door,” Bucky snapped when Sam’s eyes went to the window again. He smashed someone’s head down on the banister with enough force to crack either bone or wood. “I’m not jumping through glass.”

So, we're talking The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) again today... well, kind of.

Strictly speaking we're talking the nebulous period between Winter Soldier and Civil War where Sam was looking for Bucky on Steve's behalf, and Bucky was happily living his post-Hydra best life - as in, the one where he got to buy plums in goddamn peace!

...But it's got a TFATWS vibe, and both lead characters, so that's what we're calling it.

Comics Wrap-Up - Inappropriate For Family Viewing

 

It's February, it's 2024 out there, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Short Story: Living the Dream

So this is another instalment of my 'Snapshots of Anna Sinclair' series from Medium.

If you want to see the first one - New Money - on Dora Reads, then you can do so here.

Hope you enjoy!

Warning: brief references to domestic violence and prison

Living the Dream

Good morning, Anna Sinclair

Image by Marco Wolff from Pixabay

Friday Fics Fix - 4 Fics Where The Author Got Really Creative

 

You know I love, love, love it when fic authors get creative!

Isn't there something just so beautiful about taking that source material and just running with it?! Like it's not bound by the confines of the material that created it? Like it has a life and an essence that goes beyond one single medium?

Living art, dearest nerdlets. Living art.

So this week I have 4 fics for you where the fic author has gotten impressively creative!

As always with my fic-rec lists, please check the original rec'ing post - which will be linked - for Content Warnings and spoiler status.

Comics Wrap-Up - Weaving, Not Sewing

 

It's Thursday, the 21st Century is exhausting, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Is Karma Real?

...Because if so, I think she’s taken some time off

Friday Fics Fix - Cue Hargreeves Family Freakout

 

'“You told me not to lie,” Klaus snaps at him, wiggling his fingers in Ben’s direction. “Zip it, Casper.”'

I haven't rec'd a The Umbrella Academy (TUA) fic in a while.

Aside from rec-lists, I haven't rec'd TUA since September.

...That's probably a record for me.

Comics Wrap-Up - The Blue Cube Thingy

 

It's Thursday, it's February, this is Dora Reads, so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Genocide Is Bad, Actually

Warning: this post talks about sensitive topics, including the current conflict in the Middle East, genocide, and the Holocaust

It was Holocaust Memorial Day yesterday (27th January) and one thing needs to be said to honour that: genocide is bad.

No matter who the intended victims are, no matter who the perpetrators are, genocide is bad.

Friday Fics Fix - We All Know Where This Is Going

 

 

'It’s just that Bucky has spent his entire life trying to fulfill obligations — for the war, for Steve, for HYDRA — and now that he feels like he can make his own choices, he doesn’t know what to do.'

Bucky's bored.

He's really bored. Like - he needs hobbies. Badly. Preferrably ones with minimal interactions with people because are so... people-y.

Same, Bucky. Same. People are too people-y.

Comics Wrap-Up - A Massive Talent

 

It's Thursday, January is a long month, let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Beautiful Failure

Warning: some discussion of Anxiety and Depression, brief ref. to abusive friendship

I'm not a fan of failing.

And I know, I know, all the dude-bros and productivity coaches and all that will be like, 'failure is a stepping stone to success!' or some sh**, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't like failing.

I mean, no-one likes failing, if we're being perfectly honest.

I, especially, don't like being Wrong (yes, with the capital W,) - my Anxiety and Depression (more of those capital letters,) tend to latch onto being Wrong and run with it.

Friday Fics Fix - Doctor Who and Self-Care, Because Why Not?

 

'Knock, knock, knock on the door. Three times, not four, and the door isn’t blue. It’s red, glittering in baubles of sunlight cast over its fresh coat of paint. The Doctor is safe.'

 

So far, I'm loving the way Dr Who is headed with Russell T. Davies back at the helm.

Side-note: Welsh people (which Russell T Davies is,) say Dave-iss, not Daveys. Please, for the love of God, respect that. (And check out this Legends of Tomorrow clip for pronounciation, complete with accent.)

Also, Welsh people with common surnames will use middle initials or names to distinguish themselves from other people with the same name. Don't miss out the initials/names when talking about them, please and thank you.

Comics Wrap-Up - We're Out Here Pretending

It's Thursday, I am writing most of this post one-handed because my cat won't let me stop holding him - apologies in advance for any typos; let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Nerd Church - Putting Self-Care At The Top Of My To-Do List

I've had to remind myself so many times, over the years, that it's best to take things one step at a time.

...That I only have two hands.

...That I actually get more done when I relax.

And yet... it's still so hard to do.

Friday Fics Fix - FrostIron, AKA: No-One Can Say I'm Inconsistent

 

'"What's the matter, Cap?" Tony replied absentmindedly, an arm wrapped firmly around the god's torso to steady him. "Never been to a frat party?"'

 

Let's start this year how we mean to continue - with some angsty FrostIron! 😅

...No-one can say I'm inconsistent, tbh.

(Fandom notes:

FrostIron is a romantic and/or sexual relationship between Marvel's Loki and Iron Man Tony Stark. It works and I will go down with this ship.

Ship is a relationship - geddit?)

Comics Wrap-Up - Baron Something-or-Other

It's Thursday, it is 2024 and this year better behave I swear, and this is Dora Reads - so let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

The Bookish Diversity Link List 2024

 

Your resource for all things bookish diversity is back! 

Welcome to the 9th (Hell yeah!) Bookish Diversity Link List, 2024.

Given how bad my 2023 was, I'm happy I managed to keep last year's list going. 

I still think there's need for a resource which points to cool and good quality diverse bookish things - even if I sometimes struggle to add as much to it as I'd like.

Looking at the world as a whole, I'd say we def. need to keep championing the marginalised and diverse communities and voices wherever possible. Because garbage fire. 😅

So, here I am, once again, doing my small bit to keep things moving forward. I hope you find it useful.

Poetry: Free Verse

Originally published in the Medium Publication 'The Brain Is A Noodle' for the writing prompt 'write the poetry that’s in your heart, break the rules, be yourself (wait, this sounds like Ms. Frizzle’s line, oops! She’s an iconic inspiration for us all.)' set by the lovely Lucy Dan.

I decided to fill the prompt by writing an unedited poem - the only things I changed from the first draft were formatting and typos.

...You can tell that it really is unedited because even now, over a year later, I want to remove the line 'Oh burgeoning soul' 😅

Month(s) in Review(s) - October + November 2023

 

Yes, this post covers two months.

No, I have not done that before.

But I was already pretty busy/lacking in time in October, and then November...

Well, my criteria for a 'good month' in the hellstorm of 2023 is one where no-one I care about (human or animal,) dies, almost dies, or has a life-changing diagnosis.