#Elsie Chapman

[lc-417]

Been rewatching one of my favourite shows from my childhood, Godzilla the Series. And as much as I love it just as it is, lately I find myself wishing that it had been created in the 2020s instead of the late 90s. Mostly because I've come to the conclusion that of all of the possible pairings in the show, the best ship is one that was never permitted: Elsie Chapman and Monique Dupre.

The more I think about it, the more I believe they would be perfect for each other. They're both brave, strong-willed women who need someone that can meet them at their level, both intellectually and physically. In the show, their proposed love-interests, Craven and Randy, seem more like lesser men pursuing women that are clearly out of their league, and only got with them by wearing them down with dogged persistence. Randy and Craven worship them as goddesses, but what they really need in a partner is someone who sees their flaws and challenges them to be at their best, which they already do as colleagues and could do even more as lovers.

I know some would say that they are clearly more rivals than anything, but I see evidence to the contrary. Elsie's sarcastic jabs and the way she always refers to Monique as "French Fry" strike me as more affectionate teasing, the kind people use when they're trying to hide the fact that they like someone. And Elsie is the only person (as far as I can tell) that Monique has never threatened to hurt, or actually hurt, despite Elsie's provocation. In fact, Elsie seems to be one of the few people Monique permits or initiates physical contact with where punching isn't involved.

And looking past the shields of sarcasm they put up, you'll see a pair that genuinely cares and looks out for each other. For instance, when Elsie was under alien mind-control, it was Monique that set her free.

And when Monique was nearly killed by a mutant armillaria, it was Elsie who tended to her (and you can't tell me there wasn't any tenderness in the gesture of gently sweeping Monique's hair out of her face).

I can think of a dozen other examples, but I'll leave it for interested parties to watch the show and judge for themselves.

Maybe it's just my wishful thinking, seeing love where only friendship exists. But ever since I got this idea in my head, I can't let it go. I want to see them as a couple so badly. Unfortunately, it will never be, since this show came out in a time where anyone who suggested having a same-sex pairing in a cartoon seen by children would have been burned as a witch.

Ah well, I guess that's what fanfiction is for.

[endlessly-ranting-antheia]

I don’t usually recommend books on here (because I haven’t really been reading for fun since I started college) but if you like the Percy Jackson series then you should check out A Thousand Beginnings and Endings.

It is a retelling of Asian myths and legends and it is exactly what I’ve been looking for since I plowed through the Percy Jackson series and it’s various sequels in middle school and high school. It is basically a bunch of short stories each followed by an explanation of the myth that they are based on.

I have tried plenty of books based on Greek myths that people have recommended saying that if I liked the Percy Jackson series I would like those books, but so far they have mostly been disappointing for me largely due to the authors writing voice or weak character work. I am loving a thousand beginnings and endings because the authors of that book do not have that problem. The characters are well written and the myths are incorporated naturally into the stories. Each story is only a few pages long but they draw you in and make you want to see what myth they adapt next. The main things that remind me of the Percy Jackson series in a thousand beginnings and endings are the authors’ writing voices and the respect that they have for the myths and cultures they are writing about. It is truly a fun read and you all should definitely check it out if you haven’t already

[sage-nebula]

Book Reviews: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings - Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman

Rating: 4/5

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is a short story anthology focusing on mythology from Asian (both East and South) cultures. Edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the short stories contained within are written by a variety of Asian authors from across the diaspora, compiling a broad mix of retellings of folktales for a modern audience.

I loved this collection. As someone who both appreciates a well-constructed short story anthology and someone who loves mythology of all kinds, this collection was right up my alley. Most of my knowledge of Asia is centered on Japan; since I was a young teen I've held a fascination with Japanese culture and history. While there is only one Japanese short story in this book, I honestly found myself a little bit glad for that. I got to learn folklore from many different cultures (Chinese, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, etc) and getting to expand my horizons that way was a definite treat. While some short stories were more to my taste than others, all that means is that I now also have a handful of new authors whose works I can check out, particularly since Oh and Chapman included short biographies of the authors at the back of the book, making it even easier to check out other things they've written.

If you have any interest in mythology, in various Asian cultures, or both, I highly recommend you check out this collection. It is excellent.

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Divided | Author: Elsie Chapman | Publisher: Random House (2014)

[artblooger19moon]

Godzilla The Series

September 12 1998 - April 22 2000

[scifipinups]

Vicki Lewis Godzilla (1998)

[readerbookclub]

Hello everyone! A new month is approaching so I'm back with another list. This time, it's a collection of fairytale retellings! Hope you like it :)

As always, please remember to vote using the link at the end of the post. And now, onto the books...

Bryony and Roses, by T. Kingfisher

Bryony and her sisters have come down in the world. Their merchant father died trying to reclaim his fortune and left them to eke out a living in a village far from their home in the city.

But when Bryony is caught in a snowstorm and takes refuge in an abandoned manor, she stumbles into a house full of dark enchantments. Is the Beast that lives there her captor, or a fellow prisoner? Is the house her enemy or her ally? And why are roses blooming out of season in the courtyard?

Armed only with gardening shears and her wits, Bryony must untangle the secrets of the house before she—or the Beast—are swallowed by them.

Deerskin, by Robin McKinley

As Princess Lissla Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her beauty she is the image of her dead mother, the queen. But this likeness forces her to flee from her father's lust and madness; and in the pain and horror of that flight she forgets who she is and what it is she flees from: forgets almost everything but the love and loyalty of her dog, Ash, who accompanies her. But a chance encounter on the road leads to a job in another king's kennels, where the prince finds himself falling in love with the new kennel maid . . . and one day he tells her of a princess named Lissla Lissar, who had a dog named Ash.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, Edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman

Sixteen extraordinary authors—including New York Times bestsellers Melissa de la Cruz, Renée Ahdieh, and Julie Kagawa—reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate. This exquisite paperback anthology includes an original bonus story from Ellen Oh. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called A Thousand Beginnings and Endings a “must-read.”

A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place.

Bestselling and award-winning authors explore the timeless themes of East and South Asian lore in sixteen original stories that will appeal to every reader. From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish.

All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella's Stepmother, by Danielle Teller

We all know the story of Cinderella. Or do we?

As rumors about the cruel upbringing of beautiful newlywed Princess Cinderella roil the kingdom, her stepmother, Agnes, a woman who knows all too well about hardship, privately records the true story. But what unfolds is not the princess's history. The tale Agnes recounts is her own.

A peasant born into serfdom, Agnes is separated from her family and forced into servitude as a laundress’s apprentice at Aviceford Manor when she is just ten years old. Alone, friendless, and burdened with a grueling workload, Agnes carves a place for herself in this cold place that is home to Sir Emont Vis-de-Loup, a melancholic and capricious drunkard.

Using her wits and ingenuity, Agnes eventually escapes and makes her way toward a hopeful future, serving as a housemaid for the powerful Abbess Elfilda. But life once again holds unexpected, sometimes heartbreaking twists that lead Agnes back to Aviceford Manor, where she becomes nursemaid to Ella, Emont's sensitive, otherworldly daughter. Though she cares for Ella, Agnes struggles to love this child, who in time becomes her stepdaughter and, ultimately, the celebrated princess who embodies all our unattainable fantasies.

Bitter Greens, by Kate Forsyth

The amazing power and truth of the Rapunzel fairy tale comes alive for the first time in this breathtaking tale of desire, black magic and the redemptive power of love

French novelist Charlotte-Rose de la Force has been banished from the court of Versailles by the Sun King, Louis XIV, after a series of scandalous love affairs. At the convent, she is comforted by an old nun, Sœur Seraphina, who tells her the tale of a young girl who, a hundred years earlier, is sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens...

After Margherita's father steals parsley from the walled garden of the courtesan Selena Leonelli, he is threatened with having both hands cut off, unless he and his wife relinquish their precious little girl. Selena is the famous red-haired muse of the artist Tiziano, first painted by him in 1512 and still inspiring him at the time of his death. She is at the center of Renaissance life in Venice, a world of beauty and danger, seduction and betrayal, love and superstition.

Locked away in a tower, Margherita sings in the hope that someone will hear her. One day, a young man does.

Vote for our next book here.

[fujitorafangirl]

20 keychains of my favorite op ships (not all at once!)comissioned from Etsy (a few to start with cause their now $30

Hancock and crocodile funko pops

Benn Beckman figure (the preorder one from www.Amazon.com)

Hungry hearts by Elsie Chapman/Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts/any romance book (no twilight please!)

A few more ringtones for my phone(least expensive thing on my list)

Stickers section

(Some from www.nominno.com

At least one of doodlebob

One of Benn Beckman from www.pixels.com)

Red hair pirates Jolly Roger backpack from www.redbubble.com

Phone case section

One of a Benn Beckman iPhone tough case (I’m getting an upgrade soon I think it’ll be in the 15th gen range cause I have model from 2 years ago) www.redbubble.com

That’s all I’m thinking what I want for my birthday so far

If youre wondering you really don’t have to buy me anything i have a lot of love for my followers anyway in other words idk why I put this on here

My birthday is 10/14

[servants-hall]

All Creatures Great and Small - 4x01 Synopsis

From Radio Times:

Episode 1: Broodiness

Summary

Return of the drama, starring Nicholas Ralph and Samuel West. It is Spring 1940, and without Tristan, Skeldale House is busier than ever. James and Helen dream about the future, hoping that he won't be called up. And a chance encounter with young lad, Wesley Binks, leaves James worrying if his dog, Duke, is being mistreated

Credits

Siegfried Farnon Samuel West Mrs Audrey Hall Anna Madeley James Herriot Nicholas Ralph Helen Herriot Rachel Shenton Richard Carmody James Anthony-Rose Mrs Pumphrey Patricia Hodge Gerald Hammond Will Thorp Richard Alderson Tony Pitts Jenny Alderson Imogen Clawson Wesley Binks Billy Hickey Clifford Slavens Paul Hilton Granny Binks Pam Shaw Miss Harbottle Neve McIntosh Mr Dakin James Bolam Joe Coney Paul Bazely Maggie Mollie Winnard Jack Dodson Mark Smalley Mrs Stokes Susan Hilton Anne Chapman Cleo Sylvestre Grace Chapman Cat Simmons Francois Joseph May Private Biggs Olly Rhodes Ned Clough Paul Copley Sid Crabtree Ryan Hawley Elsie Crabtree Chloe Harris Marie Crabtree Matilda Kent RSPCA Officer Susan-Jayne Robinson Delivery Man Keith Hyland Government Clerk Chris Coniston

Director Andy Hay Executive producer Melissa Gallant Executive producer Colin Callender Writer Jamie Crichton Executive producer Ben Vanstone Executive producer Louise Pedersen Executive producer David Swetman Producer Yvonne Francas

[coollovebibliophilethings]

Sugar and Spite by Rin Chupeco

Title: Sugar and SpiteAuthor: Rin ChupecoIn: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, FoodPace: MediumFormat: Short storyYear: 2019 There is something about the idea of magic being tied up in cooking that I’ve always enjoyed. I mean, cooking is, for me, an act of love and giving, and…

[rins-batcave]

tahnks for the tag @peapea-0405 and @afriendofblahaj!

3 Ships I like: idk lol

First Ship Ever: idk lol

Last Song You've Heard: Clueless - Beach Bunny

Favorite Childhood Book: All the Ways Home by Elsie Chapman, A boy is Not a bird by edeet ravel. I want to go home by gordan korman and from ant to eagle by alex lyttle

Currently Reading: When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

Currently Watching: XO Kitty. Idk how i feel about it

Currently Consuming: TEA

Currently Craving: hm idk

open tags!

9 Fandom Folks to Get to Know Better

TY for tagging @echo-coyote !!

3 Ships I like: TBH I’m not rly into shipping (aroace-spec) but I do specifically love seeing Bly/Aayla in my feed they just so cute!! I should draw them.

First Ship Ever: Never really had one to this day lol

Last Song You've Heard: Moon&Prince from the Katamari Damacy soundtrack

Favorite Childhood Book: I think the My Father’s Dragon books hold the most noistalgia for me 🥰 They’re still in my bookshelf.

Currently Reading: I'm finally reading Dark Disciple! And Walking Practice by Dolki Min. A Korean horror book about a shapeshifting alien who eats the people it matches with on tinder.

Currently Watching: Tim and Eric Super Awesome Show Great Job! and always running back through TBB and TCW casually. Thinking about starting Shogun soon tho? I also need to finish Rings of Power and Vox Machina. The Amazon ads are killing me tho.

Currently Consuming: Nothing I just woke up but will soon grab my water bottle.

Currently Craving: a chocolate croissant that is waiting for me in the kitchen 😳

NPT: @spicy-tomato-sauce @soularsss @collishere @stars-n-spice @noblelightfighter @electrikworm

(Apologies if ur already tagged I have been offline for a bit hehe)

[bookaddict24-7]

New Young Adult Releases Coming Out Today! (October 6th, 2020)

___

Note: Since so many release dates have been changed for various Young Adult novels, keep in mind that there might be some titles missing in this post.

Have I missed any new Young Adult releases? Have you added any of these books to your TBR? Let me know! ___

New Standalones/First in a Series:

Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao

The Code for Love & Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

I Hope You’re Listening by Tom Ryan

We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu

Forget this Ever Happened by Cassandra Rose Clarke

One Way or Another by Kara McDowell

Into the Real by Z. Brewer

Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf by Hayley Krischer

Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz

Dreamwalkers by Leslie Rush

A Royal Christmas Quandary by Samantha Hastings

Eventide by Sarah Goodman

Hush by Dylan Farrow

Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo & Daniel J. Zollinger

The Poppy & the Rose by Ashlee Cowles

Deepfake by Sarah Darer Littman

Girl On the Run by Abigail Johnson 

New Sequels: 

Kingdom of Sea & Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) by Mara Rutherford

The Shadow Mission (The Athena Protocol #2) by Shamim Sarif

Spell Starter (Caster #2) by Elsie Chapman 

___

Happy reading!

[sparrowshrike]

Godzilla: Crossroads AU

it’s bright sunny day in the Alaskan wilderness, it’s warm, the ice is melting and the ground is cracking. It wouldn’t seem like it, but today is the day that fates are sealed and lives are changed.

Simon “Jet” Jaeger had been in the Army for about 6 years, and for 4 of those he wasn’t on active duty. He never liked the military, but he was a military brat, it was practically inevitable. Simon tolerated it because it allowed him to fly, he was one of the best, he was even allowed to fly solo when numbers were important. His callsign, “Jet Jaguar” was given to him at boot camp, when he mispronounced his own last name in front of everyone. At first he disliked it, a reminder of his lack of fine motor control, but then he began to like it. He liked it so much, he made a logo for his helmet, of a Jaguar with jet’s on it’s hips. this was his fifth mission where a Titan or Kaiju was involved. but on his way to the deck, he was stopped by an African American man, somewhere in his twenties, wearing a blue jacket, and talking in what Simon believed to be a Hispanic accent.

“Hey Man, why you doin this?” The man asked 

“Because it’s my job?” Simon didn’t know how to answer the question, now that he thought about it, he really didn’t know what was going on.

“So it’s your job to hunt innocent giant lizards?!” The Man kept asking

“Innocent? I heard it attacked a cruise ship. also, who are you?”

“Randy, And the Lizard didn’t attack the ship, a turtle did!” Randy proclaimed, Simon was only told of a Lizard, a giant Komodo-Dragon-looking kaiju.

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for your turtle, but the Lizard is my mission.” Simon said plopping on his helmet and getting in his helicopter.

Sure enough, when Simon reached the hot zone, there was a Giant turtle(Later named Snapshell) fighting the Infamous Zilla Jr. and the Giant Lizard(dubbed by HEAT as Komodithrax). Randy was right, which meant something was up, Simon switched his comm to his commanders frequency to ask what the hell, but what he heard enraged him.

“-thrax is innocent, it’s the turtle you’re after!” A man that Simon hadn’t heard before said

“The Turtle? We don’t care about the cruise ship, we here for a weapon” His Lieutenant said, Simon became more confused, he didn’t see a weapon, and he wouldn’t be told to open fire if nukes were here, something smells, and it ain’t his boots.

“What weapon? there are no weapons!” The other man said

“That’s where you’re wrong Dr. Tatopoulos! That egg is the greatest potential weapon, once we modify it’s contents.” The Lieutenant said, locking onto the HEAT Copter, which Dr. Tatopoulos and his team was in. The Lieutenant fired, but Simon fired too, on a direct course with the Lt’s missiles. The Missiles collided, saving the HEAT team, but damaging the rotor’s of the heat copter. HEAT retreated, as the Lt spotted Komodithrax.

“I won’t let you do that Lieutenant!” Simon said flying in front of the other copter.

“If you don’t move I will shot you and then the mother, either way, I reestablish American superiority” The Lt shouted “Now move Sergeant!”

“You want me to Move? Fine! I’ll move!” Simon spun his copter around, hitting the Lt’s copter with his rotor, knock the Lt off course and grounding Simon.

The Kaiju’s battle had caused a crack in the ground to grow to the size of a canyon. Simon was able to land on side not full of gnashing maws and slashing claws. But he was still trapped in his cockpit, and a fire had started behind him. Simon had to think fast, he looked around frantically, eject was locked, and emergency hatch was crushed. Suddenly he noticed one of the brace pipes was broken on one side and torn on the other, with some prying he tore it off and smashed the windows and climbed out. Only to see Komodithrax and Snapshell take a dive off the cliff, with the egg on a minute behind, Simon ran to the midsection of the copter and unlocked the winch holding the ropes soldiers use to get to ground and ran. while running he hooked the clip at the end of the rope into his harness. The egg tumbled of the cliff and Simon jumped after it, he could hear the rope run against the sand and rock. He grabbed onto the egg and held it close, bracing it and himself for the sudden jerk to come.

Simon hung there for twenty minutes, and under him in the darkness, he could barley make out something moving. Simon tried wrap his legs around the egg so he could grab his flashlight. He accidently grabbed a flare and then dropped it. The glowing red light illuminated the bottom, he could see Komodithrax writhing in pain on top of a (Hopefully) dead Snapshell. She stopped writhing and looked at him, before growling and falling asleep. Simon would like to think that was a Thank You, but he wasn’t sure. Then he felt his rope tug and then rise, Someone was pulling him out! When he reached the top, he was met by Randy, a rotund man with a beard and ponytail, as well as a yellow robot that was actually pulling him up. Randy extended his hand, until he saw the egg in which, he and a woman in a jacket, picked it up instead. Simon was helped up by a man in a red jacket.

“That was some fancy flying” The man said

“Thanks. Dr. Tatopoulos, I presume?” Simon said extending his hand “Simon Jaeger, but you can call me Jet”

“Alright Jet. You’ve met Randy” Dr. Tatopoulos said, as Randy waved. “This is Mendel Craven” The rotund man nodded “Elsie Chapman” a redheaded woman with a green long sleeve shirt smiled “and Monique Dupre”

“Bonjour.” Monique said, “Nice to meet another honorable member of the armed forces” Monique extended her hand.

“Likewise” Simon said clasping it and nodding, this was nothing romantic just a sign of respect between warriors.

Another army helicopter landed nearby and The Lt and a older man wearing a flight suit exited.

Simon immediately stood at attention and saluted “Major Hicks.”

“At ease soldier.” Major Hicks said and then frowned “Technical Sergeant Simon Jaeger.”

“Yes Sir?” Simon was worried. During the last hour, he had just fired on military aircraft, disobey direct orders, and fired on a superior officer.

“Son, do you know what you have done today” Major Hicks asked, and Simon braced for a chewing out. “You have trusted your gut and shut down an unsanctioned mission, that would have cost hundreds of lives down the line.” Simon Beamed “However, you also destroyed hundreds of dollars worth of military aircraft”

“Not to mention fired on superior officer and disobeyed my orders!” the Lt chimed in.

“Shut it!” Major whirled towards the Lt “You are in deeper s#!+ than he is.” Major Hicks realigned himself “Ahem, as I was saying. you are to be honorably discharged at 800 hours, you will be allowed to keep your rank and your collage bills paid off. However you may never serve in the armed forces again, is this understood, Tech Sargent Jaeger?”

“Yes sir” Simon Saluted. “Then this is goodbye?”

Nick Tatopoulos walked forward. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, you flying and gut feeling could be of use to us, what to you say?”

“I have a feeling I’ll be more useful than you think.” Simon took Nick’s hand. “When can I start?”

“As soon as your out. Welcome to the Humanitarian Environmental Analysis Team, kid” 

Simon Jaeger:

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Dualed | Author: Elsie Chapman | Publisher: Random House (2013)

[good-books-to-read]

Title & Author: A thousand beginnings and endings by various authors edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman

Overall score: 73/100

Breakdown score:

Forbidden Fruit by Roshani Chokshi: 84/100

Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong: 80/100

Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee: 70/100

Still Star-Crossed by Sona Charaipotra: 66/100

The Counting of Vermillion Beads by Aliette De Bodard: 48/100

The Land of the Morning Calm by E. C. Myers: 83/100

The Smile by Aisha Saeed: 74/100

Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers by Preeti Chhibber: 75/100

Nothing Into All by Renée Ahdieh: 83/100

Spear Carrier by Rahul Kanakia: 30/100

Code of Honour by Melissa de la Cruz: 63/100

Bullet, Butterfly by Elsie Chapman: 90/100

Daughter of the Sun by Shveta Thakrar: 75/100

The Crimson Cloaks by Cindy Pon: 89/100

Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa: 85/100

Carp, Calculus, and the Leap of Faith by Ellen Oh: 70/100

Comments: I really enjoyed these Asian Myths and Legends, I adore retelling and culture, so getting my hand on this book was really exciting and it was as good as I hoped some I didn’t enjoy as much, but I still recommend it.

[ireadyabooks]

Spell Starter Excerpt

Every spell cast needs a starter.

The sequel to CASTER by Elsie Chapman!

Aza Wu now has magic back. But like all things in her life, it has come at a great cost. After winning the Tournament of Casters, Aza is able to pay off her parents' debt to Saint Willow. But the price of the gathered spell she used to strip Finch of his magic has put her permanently in the employ of the gang leader. And the magic that has been returned to her is not her own. Aza is forced to use this magic, stolen and unpredictable, to do Saint Willow's dirty work. But the gang leader is ambitious and power-obsessed, and she always seems to have a larger plan. Aza knows that if Saint Willow can benefit, it doesn't matter who gets hurt along the way. Forced into a dangerous new situation, Aza will have to reckon with the choices she's made and the unstable magic she wields. If she can find a way out of Saint Willow's hold, she just might survive. That is, if her casting doesn't finally consume her.

START READING: 

Spell Starter Excerpt by I Read YA

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