#as well as hypnotize people into reading the awesome books I've read

[malfromtheblue]

of course hon!! i see you've started reblogging things; that's awesome! 💕

fantastic genres!! anything in particular that you've read or been reading lately that you've enjoyed?

that is so sick, tbqh! rock music is such a classic, it's hard to find someone who doesn't like it. have you ever listened to sleeping at last? it's more soft and slow, and some of the songs don't have vocals. i wish i could hear you play your guitar, i bet it's awesome.

those girls are bonkers, hon. people and their biases are so 🙄 anyone can write smut! imagine if only certain people could write specific genres. that would be remarkably boring. i bet your writing is awesome; it's fun to dabble in different styles! i need to get back to writing poetry and short stories myself. i've burnt out on working on my original works.

poetry is especially important to have that raw emotion in it. if we aren't pouring our hearts out in each stanza, then it's not going to leave a lasting impact.

even the most basic of tea preferences are important! tea can really soothe a person, even if it's just one cup. i don't think i've ever put honey in my tea, though. maybe just once? usually, i'm a sucker for some cane sugar when i want a sweeter cup.

a tea date sounds so cute!! especially as we move towards cooler weather. i hope you have the opportunity to do so in the near future 🥰

- 🐰

lemme just say it makes me SO happy to have someone who relates to me! ive always been into The Maze Runner. Newt was my mate, rooted for him till he died. Then i rooted for Minho and was thrilled when Teresa died (she was annoyin, okay?). that's a series that ill never get sick of! i just started readin the Percy Jackson series. its okay, i dont quite see all the fuss about it? maybe it gets better further in. there was one book that i haven't read in the longest. called, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane. it was from a series. that was the only book i had and i read it over and over. also, The spiderwick chronicles is an amazing series too! its also a movie

Rock music is good, i agree. i dont think ive heard of Sleeping At Last, but ill check em out for you, darlin!

poetry is quite literally my way of life? people tend to get freaked out when they see me?? i either get compliments or complaints. in the UK people kinda shyed away from me cuz i wear eyeliner and am more what would be called 'punk'. but people here are pretty cut throat. some old man said that i was the child of Satan since i dressed like a demon? but a girl that same day said i had a "sexy slut waist"? and an old french lady called me "Yeux de sirène" or what she said was Mermaid Eyes. she said i could hypnotize anyone because my eyes are a really light blue. what i was getting at with this is, no one expects me to be as down to earth as i am? possibly because of my looks?

now, mind you im not necessarily a nature person but if im spendin time outside its because im readin, writin, or takin care of my plants! and or of course, drinkin tea like a good UKnian.

m really excited to be able to go on a tea date as well! i think its a cute idea and it would be perfect for a first date. even if im obsessing about her, i want my Doll to feel as though it isn't going too fast. even if my mind is sputtering wildly, i want to try and go slow... dont wanna freak her out? m sure ya understand, Bunny anon?

~Mal 💕

[wearethekat]

June Book Reviews

Winterkeep: sequel to Graceling and Bitterblue. A prickly girl in a difficult situation, who’s strongly hinted at being ace. I liked catching up with Bitterblue, who has recovered nicely from everything she’s gone through. also, this introduces a new steampunk continent. but the big draw here was the telepathic fox, who had his own POV chapters. hilariously and believably a fox.

Igniting Darkness: catching up on an old series, featuring medieval France and Brittany where the old gods are real. plus, assassin nuns. I’m still very fond of these, and LaFevers does a solid job in writing a believably Not Modern teenager voice.

King of Scars: some further reading after watching the Shadow and Bone TV series. you know, it was very unfair of me to critique the characters for failing to shoot Cape Man in the head despite numerous openings. the man has proved remarkably hard to get rid of. this was good, but it only reminded me how much more I liked Bardugo’s Ninth House, which was absolutely genius. I want the sequel now. (it ended on a cliffhanger. evil.)

Britannia Mews: read this on recommendation from Jo Walton’s blog. it was described as a “furrowed middlebrow novel.” this is more or less accurate. but it’s weirdly compelling after the MC makes her first catastrophic mistake and grows up a little. of course, it’s about Class as only a 1940s British novel can be. however, Sharp doesn’t really cohere the narrative into a proper novel. It follows the life of one family, with all the messy ends implied in that, and doesn’t really satisfyingly conclude. but apparently this was somewhat of an exception for the author, and her other books are witty. I will be reading more of these.

Miss Lacey’s Last Fling: reread. Traditional Regency romance about a young woman who goes to Town and has a great deal of fun. very good, but still not Heyer.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting: perfect. genius. beautiful. (also, gay). I was up until 2:30 reading this, which was painful the next day at work, but I did not regret it! this is the perfect Regency I was looking for, with bonus meditations on the bogusness of class and the entire concept of “fortune hunting.” I love KJ Charles. can’t wait for her upcoming Will and Kim novel.

One Last Stop: this was actually a bit of a disappointment after all the hype. It was a sweet romance, but the book lagged, with large stretches where nothing seemed to happen. what this really needed was a strong secondary plot, like the politics in Red White and Royal Blue. plus, the fantasy elements weren’t that well fleshed out. still a solid novel and a worthwhile read, though.

Aunt Maria: reread. this is one of the weird DWJ books, about a girl’s great-aunt (actually I think Aunt Maria is some sort of in-law, but I forget) who is toxically abusive and has a strange and sinister hold over the town of Cranbury. gosh, this was a very odd book, but the prose was absolutely perfect, like all DWJ books.

The Twisted Ones: one of T. Kingfisher’s (Ursula Vernon) horror books. this was genuinely scary, but not nearly as much as her second horror book, The Hollow Places. it’s something in that we get an explanation in this book for the horror elements, which immediately makes them less scary. Ursula Vernon has a real talent for horror, even in her supposedly fluffy fantasy romances.

Forget This Ever Happened: read this one because I loved another book by the author, which featured PIRATES. and swashbuckling, a very competent lady, and the assassin-sent-to-kill-you-becomes-part-of-your-found-family. this book did not contain pirates, and instead had a disturbing Midwestern town. this was fundamentally disappointing. the sapphic romance was very sweet, though. 

Fireheart Tiger: this was at the beginning of the month, so I don’t remember terribly much. Vietnam-flavored novella with a sapphic lady. I rather liked this book. I’ll probably go read more books by this author.

Empress of Forever: SF novel with nearly magic-level tech. I didn’t like this book that much. it was worth reading, but I just didn’t click with the characters.

The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet: I loved this book. I can’t remember why I didn’t pick up this series earlier. soothing SF novel with found family, focusing more on cool aliens and interpersonal relationships that Big Drama. this is SF with a close focus, rather than a big intergalactic war. I will absolutely be tracking down and reading the rest of the series. 

[jonesywrites]

Hey, I love your writing! I think I've consumed everything at this point. Do you have any favorite stories you can recommend? I may have blasted through all the fic updates of my own faves and just looking to see if people are reading stuff I might have missed. Looking forward to your next updates! No pressure!

Anon!

First, I am so very sorry it’s taken me so damn long to answer this. 

I actually did answer it - I wrote a very long, very beautifully gif’d post and then accidentally scrolled left on this stupid macbook and I lost the entire fucking thing and I wanted to throw my laptop out of the window.

::calming breaths::

Let us pray that doesn’t happen again this time (I am a klutz, so it’s a definite possibility). Secondly, I decided that now is the perfect time to recreate this answer because a) there are some goddamned talented ass writers out there killing the game rn, b) there are also haters out there trying to steal our joy rn and not only is it not going to work, I think now is a good time to spread the love as far and wide through Richonne as possible, so reblog the shit out of this and get reading if you haven’t already and c) I don’t have time to write the way I want at the moment so I hope this makes up for it.

I also really really need a list I can return to b/c I signed up to read a lot and am still verrry slowly getting through it.

So! Here goes…

Current Favorite Richonne fics…!

1. Round After Round by @nattah-gudgrrl

ZA Canon - Rick and Michonne after 6x10, being domestic and sexy af, round after round.

Holy crap, Anon. I was hooked from the first few words. I’m not finished yet, but this is incredibly sexy and beautifully well-written. Nattah’s writing is hypnotic and poetic. She drops precious gems throughout each chapter with her words, the way she phrases things is so original and addictive. Rick and Michonne are pitch perfect, but so is everyone else (and she’s hilarious, btw). She includes music to score her amazing writing, and trust me, listening to her suggested tracks while reading will only suck you deeper into the tantalizing atmosphere she’s created with these two. AND THE SMUT. HOLY SHIT. Prepare yourself. I love opening up to a chapter and letting myself fall. I almost feel like I need to smoke a joint, turn out the lights, and close my door reading this, no joke. (no seriously, i’m not joking, be alone b/c you will feel thangs down there)

2. Musings of Rick Grimes by @nyese3529

NonZA AU - Rick as a NYC photographer slowly falling head over heels for a charismatic college student Michonne as she becomes his muse.

OKAY. I’m not sure anything I say here will do this amazing piece of fanfiction justice. I’m not even caught up, but the chapters I have read so far are PURE FIRE. Nyese is a master at unfolding a real, atmospheric, moody, sexy, intense, and totally riveting Rick and Michonne for us to fall in love with from the start. Rick’s attraction to Michonne leaps off the page, as does she. She is so damn cute and sexy and seeing her through Rick’s eyes the way Nyese has written them is just to die for. Nyese also NAILS New York City life, especially as a southern transplant and artist (I feel you Rick) AND as a young, gifted black woman looking to make a difference while everyone else covets her light (I feel you Michonne). It’s a beautiful read, and I encourage you to ASAP. The smut is off the chain, as in every fucking moment of it had me squirming around wishing I had me a Rick Grimes here in NYC damn you Nyese you’ve ruined me!

3. The Art of Control by @avintagekiss24

NonZA AU - Rick as a sexy, wealthy contractor Dom and Michonne the comic book shop/cafe owner as his sub in Atlanta (bonus: featuring probably the best version of Maggie I have ever read)

GOTDAMN. Let me tell you something. THIS IS THE SEXIEST RICK GRIMES OF ALL TIME FOR ME. Every fucking word Miss Kiss wrote for him to utter had my panties wet and my brow sweating, do you hear me? This fic is hot as fuck. Even before Rick Grimes shows up in the story, I was feeling hot and bothered about his mere existence, just like Michonne. The way Miss Kiss writes the buildup throughout their relationship is simply riveting. She’s a very visual writer, just like Nyese, so I can see, taste, feel, and ground myself in this stunning world of money, undeniable attraction and absolutely delicious sex. AND DID I MENTION HER MAGGIE IS SEXY AF, FUNNY AF, NAUGHTY AF, AND GODDAMN IT I WOULD SO BE HER PLAYTHING?? The plot is really good, too, like really good. Screw 50 Shades of Garbage. Miss Kiss’s sub!Michonne and Dom!Rick Grimes are what you want, what you need, what you deserve. Go forth, and savor every moment of this. In fact, I need to catch up, myself. Hell yeah.

4. Sirens of the ZA, by @isisnicole

ZA AU - Michonne and her two sisters, fierce, trained fighters, find and protect Carl. Richonne begins to develop once Carl is finally reunited with Rick three years later.

Sigh, I love this fic. Miss Isis hooked me with her stellar opening, and the plot just got more and more compelling the more I read. Carl is still very Carl, but he’s got that “loved, protected, and taught to survive by three amazing black women” vibe to him that makes my heart melt. Ila, Luna, and especially Michonne are just everything in this. EVERYTHING. Their relationship is tight af, they keep it real, they are badass warriors (trained, medal-winning warriors, mind) and even though your heart yearns for Rick and Carl to reunite and for Richonne to soar, you cannot help but fall in love with the family dynamic that Miss Isis has written for them with Carl. The tension between Rick and Michonne is even more intense in this than in canon when they first meet, I’d say, but deliciously so. And once they both start to realize the business, it’s time to pull out the popcorn because the buildup is sooooo good. And did I mention an alive Shane and Merle, also written so well you kinda sorta forget they didn’t make it in canon? Yeah. Read this.

5. Red Dirt Road by @siancore

NonZA AU - Young!Richonne in southern af King County, Georgia, teenagers that fall in love one summer along a red, dirt road.

Honestly, this fic is just perfect. The world is real. I can smell the dirt. I can feel the heat. Rick in this is juuuuuuuust….! He’s everything we think of when we think of a teenaged Rick (but not underage of course). Kind, responsible, stoic, patient, respectful, and sexy. Michonne is a vessel for us all, transporting us back in time to when we went to our grandmama’s house and she bossed us while loving us like nobody else could. The whole gang is there and they’re all written to perfection, especially Shane. He’s as shady and selfish and yet completely charismatic as you’d expect a young Shane to be. The story is so sweet and the pacing is comfortable, fun, and easy, just like those summers we spent messing around with our friends, falling in love, learning to drive, staying out after curfew. I adore Sian’s writing and this is by far my all-time favorite of hers right now. It’s a must, must read! 

To Continue Reading, So Help Me…!

1. HALO, by leeeel

Holy smokes. I have only read chapter one so far and it is absolutely amazing. AMAZING. I reeeeaalllyy need to get back into this one. Rick and Michonne meet under dire circumstances, and the mystery begins. The writing transports you, and I actually got chills reading this. CHILLS.

2. Deception by @severelybabykryptonite

YO. I HIGH KEY LOVE “THE BODYGUARD” AND THIS IS THE RICHONNE VERSION AND IT IS EVERYTHING. Rick as a no-nonsense bodyguard to Michonne’s sexy, vulnerable star is a dream come true. I really need to catch up on this one, it’s just so good and it’s visual and it makes my geeky movie+Richonne loving heart soar. 

3. The Day I Met You, by @chezza3009

I almost don’t know how to describe this one. It’s dark. It’s riveting. It’s nothing like I’ve ever read in Richonne before. Rick and Michonne in the aftermath of an affair that leaves Michonne devastated and Rick a mess. I don’t recognize this version of Michonne or Rick, but then I need to continue reading. What I’ve read so far makes me very, very intrigued by this story. And it shall have my undivided attention ASAP.

4. The Beginning, by @vegasloversteel

Once again, Vegaslover has an uncanny ability to hook you with great story telling, dialogue that flows like “how is she doing this??” and chemistry between Rick and Michonne that vibrates off the page. Richonne is hot hot hot in this. Set in their college years with a great plot and fun with all your faves. Gotta catch up!

5. Palm Trees, by @cake-by-thepound

I AM SO UPSET I CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE JUICY FIC TALK GOING ON ABOUT THIS STORY RN. Arrrrgggh the spoilers I’ve seen alone are killing me not so softly. I just loooove the way Cake writes Richonne’s worlds. Rich, grounded, dramatic but in a real, honest-to-goodness “that could totally happen to me” way that makes me want to stand up and cheer. I know this is going to be a beautiful ride, so far everything I’ve read is perfection, as usual, so I’m really looking forward to the day I am finally caught up and I can (too late, of course) dip into the forums and be like “GURL. BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT PART WHEN…” 

You Thought I Was Done? LOL.

These are the stories I haven’t gotten to yet, but that are also on my list. I’ve heard nothing but good things and I am hoping to get to them soon!

Right Where We’re Supposed to Be by @tigerwalk3 - I’ve read her mini-fic Sparklers and I cannot wait to dive into this one. Her characterization alone is amazing, and the way she puts phrases and details together makes me low key jealous.

Honey Bees by @cranesinthe-sky - I don’t get enough Michonne and Judith in my fandom diet and I’ve heard some really awesome things about this one. I’ve heard nothing but praise for Lady Cranes’ writing, so I’m excited!

The TWD Chronicles by @yellehughes - I read Yelle’s Richonne Secret Fantasy fic and loved it, and I actually feel rather ashamed that I haven’t gone back to dive into this epic Olympian take on Richonne!! Allow me to correct this, with the quickness. 

The Hunter of Screams, by @codename-me - I started this, and holy crap is it amazing so far. Like me, Lady Codename has a thing for sci-fi and fantasy, and her writing is rich and detailed and visual, which totally turns me on. 

The End of Wanting, by @glowysweetfab​ - I have started this, and love this period AU, it’s immersive and the plot is so interesting I’m not even all that fussed to get to the romance bits (well that’s a lie, of course I’m trolling for smut but I’m really enjoying the ride).

Honestly, there are so many more stories I have favorited/followed that it would take me all night to list them all here. But I will do more posts like these as I finish fics and move on to others, it’s important to me to show the same support for all of these amazingly talented writers that they have shown to me, and to spread as much positivity as possible because they deserve it. 

This fandom is chock a block full of major talent, huge hearts, astonishing intellect, and abundant passion. No one can deny that, and anyone who does is lying. 

READ AND WRITE ON, RICHONNERS!!!!

Thanks for the ask, Anon! 

-Kendra

P.S. I promise I will get back to updating as soon as I can. I’m in the middle of preparing myself to move across the country and transition to a new career. But my beloved fics are always on my mind, and boy do I have such glorious Richonne in store for you! Thanks for sticking with me! I promise you won’t regret adding a few of these ladies to your reading list, either, if you haven’t already.