#fanfic reading challenge 2023

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - October 🎃

Hello friends! I hope your Halloween was spectacular. I counted 6 little Wednesday Addams' last night so that was fun. More kids came to the door than last year, but we still have two huge bowls of candy left over. This is what we get for building a house in a new development without many children yet. More candy for me.

Anyway - only two more months of the 2023 @fanfic-reading-challenge. I'm sure @juuls will have rules for next year's challenge up soon. It's always exciting for me to get a new clean spreadsheet because I'm a nerd who loves spreadsheets. If you're looking for a something to challenge yourself with next year, I highly recommend joining in on the fic reading fun!

–*–

October 2023

What can I say about this month? Hrm. I read this mega long story with 70 chapters and 330k words and I didn't love it enough to recommend it. That's always a bummer. But I did reread a bunch of stories I loved from earlier in the year. I also posted my first couple podfics. They were so fun to do and I hope my extremely Canadian accent doesn't take people out of the story. Ha Ha.

Anyway, I’ve gathered a couple recs. I hope you enjoy them. 💖

–*–

Be Kind, Rewind by @ozmathegreatand (Wenvier - T 8/8) Notes: A Groundhog Day Curse fic. I've reread this eight times. It's clever and I get more out of it each time I read it. SUPER good. Definitely going to be a forever favourite kind read. I will recommend this fic to everyone over and over again until I'm not on tumblr anymore. I love it.

–*–

put your lips close to mine, as long as they don't touch by @percyjacksonfan3 (Eddie/Chrissy - E 10/10) Notes: A fix-it AU where Chrissy doesn't die and she and Eddie try and figure out what the hell is going on with her. And with them. I LOVE canon fix-its. This fandom needs them especially. You'll really love this Chrissy too. She's the sweetest.

–*–

Endless Interruptions by @sunshinebunnie (Fez/Lexi - E 1/1) Notes: The 2 times Fezco gets interrupted trying to get Lexi off in public, and the 1 time he finally succeeds. Because who doesn't like the idea of Fez trying to do right by Lexi? You'll be screaming at the interruptions by the end, I promise. lol.

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - September🍂

Hello friends! I hope you've had a wonderful September. We've started my daughter's senior year with her choosing to join the high school football team instead of the soccer team (to the shock of everyone - including her soccer coach). Therefore, we've been spending every Friday night at the field - and she scored a touchdown in her first game - so that's exciting.

My 2023 @fanfic-reading-challenge is nearly complete. The challenge has various completion levels - and if you're looking for something to help motivate you to read new things or expand your range - or even if you just want to challenge yourself, you should join us. You don't have to wait until the new year to start - and there are a bunch of us on the Discord server and it's a really nice and encouraging place to be.

–*–

September 2023

I read 58 new stories this month - and nearly 300 chapters. I'm closing in on 17 million words, so my year-long goal of 20 million words still isn't out of the realm of possibility. I also did a few podfic recordings... and was highly critical of all of them so I didn't post them. Maybe after I get more practise. lol.

Anyway, I’ve gathered a couple recs. I hope you enjoy them. 💖

–*–

before i knew which life was mine (3 fic series) by @smc-27 (Harry/Allie - The Society)  Summary: She’s got this weird feeling that everything with him is so natural and normal that there’s no way to imagine them not eventually ending up friends. Which is a fucked up thought, because prior to all this, all they had ever shared were barbs back and forth, or her calling him out on being a jerk to her sister. Notes: Okay - so this series is three separate fics that feel like they're unconnected - but really they are completely connected. They're like different dimensions or universes where Harry and Allie were friends (and they don't stay just friends). These are the "other worlds".

–*–

The Percy/Jenna Anon Collection by Anonymous (Percy/Jenna - RPF - All E) Fic 1 - Howlin’ For You - A night of drunken UNO leads to explicit actions between two friends who have been secretly sleeping together. Fic 2 - Lonely Boy - A surprise visit between two friends, a phone call, and a splash of angst. And sex. Fic 3 - Gold on the Ceiling - When Jenna tells Percy it’s over she’s not sure what that means for either of them. And she doesn’t even begin to understand the gravity of her choice until she’s forced to put work on hold for the actor’s strike. Has she even been living? Or merely existing.. Light angst, heavy sex? But it’s introspective? Notes: Okay - so RPF isn't for everyone. It is for me though. This series was written by the same Anon author (it's very clear that it's the same author) - I don't know who it is, but they deserve a huge cookie. I cried during the third one. And then had to fan myself. It's an odd conundrum. The writing is amazing. I would read a million more stories by this author - rpf or fandom or whatever. If I can only figure out who they are. 😉

–*–

three conversations about one thing by @imreallyloveleee (Bughead - T)  Summary: He’d known there would be consequences when he made this decision. But he hadn’t realized how quickly they might steamroll right over him. (Jughead & Veronica & Cheryl & Betty & memories of the future. Set post-7x19.) Notes: An absolutely lovely post-script on the final season of Riverdale.

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - August ⚔️🛡️

Hello friends! Autumn is my favourite time of year because the weather is lovely and there is no snow yet - unfortunately it doesn't last long here but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. I hope you're able to find things that make you happy!

I've had quite a few new followers, so I'll explain what this is. I participate in the @fanfic-reading-challenge every year and once a month, I share my reading progress and give a few fic recs that I particularly enjoyed this month. The challenge has various completion levels - and if you're looking for something to help motivate you to read new things or expand your range - or even if you just want to challenge yourself, you should come take a look. You don't have to wait until the new year to start - and there are a bunch of us on the Discord server (none of whom read any of the pairings/fandoms that I read btw😂) and it's a really nice and encouraging place to be.

August 2023

I read lots of really great stories this month - lots of Fexi at the beginning of the month and then I slid into reading a bunch of GoT fic because we're rewatching the whole series with our daughter (she's a big Tyrion fan). I finally cracked 15 million words read and with a few months to go I'm hoping my year-long goal of 20 million won't be out of the realm of possibility - so go me!

I’ve also gathered a couple recs. I hope you enjoy them. If you have favourites that you'd like to suggest to me (or if you've written and want a guaranteed review) - please hit me with the link. 💖

–*–

Three Weeks, Ten States, and One Million Reasons to Fall for You by @leftennant (Darcy/Bucky - E 14/14)  Summary: When Darcy considers all the things she never planned to do, going on a ten state road trip with the Winter Soldier ranks right up there with jumping off the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier sans parachute. Falling for said Winter Soldier somewhere between New York and New Orleans? Never. Gonna. Happen. Probably, at least. I mean, he is pretty damn sexy when he's not glaring at her. Whatever. She's only in it for the taser batons. Notes: Who doesn't love a Road Trip fic? It felt summery. And it's funny - Steve and Natasha also feature and they are adorable.

–*–

(please) be my baby by @myztify (Fez/Lexi - E 4/4)  Summary: Wanted: California farmer(s) willing to take part in journalistic research. Looking to understand a day in the life of California’s farmers. Possible two week placement on a farm. Please contact lexihoward@ buzzfeed.com for further details. or: journalist lexi stays with farmer fezco for two weeks to write an article and maybe fall in love Notes: This was exactly the amount of fluff that I needed after last month's horrible news. Fez is a farmer! And Lexi is so cute in this. Read it right now - you won't regret it.

–*–

Though Lovers Be Lost, Love Shall Not by @middleagedresidentofriverdale (Bughead - E 1/1)  Summary: A meditation on love and the end of life as they sit in the park on the last day of Betty's life. Notes: The perfect post-finale epilogue. I don't generally consider the last three seasons canon (Riverdale ended in 4x16 with a future of Yale and pizza and mysteries to me) - but if we have to deal with the mess that they gave us - at least there are fic writers who write amazing and glorious stories for all of us. Love this - and I love all of you, friends. 💛💙

–*–

See you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - July🌞

Hello friends! July passed in the blink of an eye. I'm definitely not looking forward to the end of summer (because it snows like 9 months of the year where I live and I just want to freaking enjoy my back-yard okay!?) Anyway - I hope you've all been enjoying the sunshine.

As far as the @fanfic-reading-challenge goes- I’m 5 tasks away from finishing the whole thing - (4 of which I can’t finish until December) so that’s neat. Gotta get up to 15 million words and then I'll just be waiting to finish the monthly tasks. This month I got to help Juulna sort out next year's list of tasks though and that was a super fun time.

July 2023

As you can see, I read lots of really great stories this month. I reread a lot of fic and then double read fics too - there isn't a lot of new content for Wenvier so I reread over and over again. It's never a bad time to reread. I also read a Needle Bughead story that I'd held off on because of the tags - but it was wonderful - as all of her stories are. I'm glad I came back to that one. And given the circumstances, I think I'm going to deep dive into some Fexi favourites this week - so if you have any suggestions, please send them my way. 💔

As always - I’ve gathered a couple recs but I'm going to put them under the cut to save your dashboard. I hope you enjoy them.

–*–

Dear Annabel Lee by @ozmathegreatand (Wenvier - T 6/6)  Summary: Wherein Wednesday is forced to Cyrano her own love story when she is tasked to take up the mantle of Annabel Lee, the school newsletter's biweekly advice column, and receives a letter from Xavier asking for advice on how to get over her. Notes: It's always a special treat when someone gifts you a fic. BUT it's even more special when the fic is as fun and lovely as this one. Wednesday is forced to be an advice columnist and Xavier unknowingly bears is soul to her. It's funny and sweet and yet still perfectly in character. It's wonderful. Read and Review. Do it! 😉

–*–

–*–

Xavier Knows Wednesday Loves Him (series) by Agmo (Wenvier - T/E 4 fics) 

Summary: Xavier keeps a running list in a notebook in his desk drawer.

Notes: This story started out with one story with bullet points of how Xavier knew Wednesday Loved him - then expanded into this SUPER cute fic with a chapter for each one of those points (but the chapters are sometimes only a few lines long). Then there are a couple more one-shots to really flesh out some of the bigger points. And each and every one of them was delightful. All told, the series of 4 stories is only 20,000 words, so it's not long but it's wonderful and funny and touching and perfect. Give it a try!

Starving Faithful by @shesonlylittle (Fez/Lexi- E 1/1)  Summary: In most respects, he’s a nineteen year old. With the glaring exception that he can feel where his wings have been clipped— and that he can nudge the material world a little, here and there, from time to time.  He has childhood memories, a normal human’s wants and desires, but he also knows he’s got a divine mission. And that he has it because he fucked up somehow. Ash was supposed to be his redemption. He was supposed to watch over him, keep him safe.  -- or: Fallen Angel Fez has one last shot at redemption, his new charge Lexi Howard. Guardian Angels probably shouldn't be down bad for the humans in their safekeeping, though. Notes: I have a lot of feelings right now. After yesterday's news - the first thing I did was go find and read a Fexi fic to calm my broken heart. This one is SO good. Fez is SO well written. And there is a lot of neat religiosity that fits with him too. It hurts to read because we've lost Angus - but it has a happy ending and it's beautiful. So you should read it too!

–*–

See you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - June

Hello friends! I hope your June was beautiful and full of things that made you happy. My mom came to visit for a week. It was nice to have her here, but we were not sad that her visit came to an end. We also took our kids to see Blink-182 last night and it was amazing. We've now seen them three times and they do not disappoint! 🐰

As far as the @fanfic-reading-challenge - I'm 10 tasks away from finishing the whole thing - (4 of which I can't finish until December) so that's neat. Do any of you have a suggestion for a fic where someone is writing or has written fanfiction? (That's the only task I still need help with because the rest are number related). Hit me up if you have suggestions. :)

June 2023

Anyway - I read lots of really great stories this month. 6 new pairings. 36 new authors. As always - I've gathered a couple recs for you! Try these - I hope you enjoy them. 🖤🖤

--*--

You've Got to Know When to Hold'em by @irollforinitiative (TedBecca - E 12/12) Notes: A post-series fix-it fic that gets Ted and Rebecca together, gets Roy and Keeley back together in the background, and gives Ted the happy ending he deserved surrounded by the family he built.

A Solitary Raven by Agmo (Wenvier - T 10/10) Notes: This is a canon-divergent fic, where Xavier is able to slide into Wednesday's first vision with Goody Addams when she tells her that Ravens must be alone... and he calls bullshit. This is ABSOLUTELY wonderful and the character growth is *chef's kiss*

--*--

Anyway - I'm happy you're here! I hope your summer is glorious! See you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading - and Happy Canada Day!! 🍁🤍🍁

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - May 🏉

Hello friends! I hope you had a lovely May! Aside from our ABYSMAL provincial election (Boo Hiss!) and the northern forest fires that made the local air quality the worst in the world (for a couple of days anyway) - things here have been pretty decent. Rugby season was a success, and my Bethy added a second Provincials title to her name (two days after her 17th birthday)! If you're following my Insta, you can see her making tries in eye-black and tackling down girls 4 inches taller than she is. It's been a really fun season.

Unsurprisingly, I wasn't able to read quite as much as I did last month, but I'm only 16 tasks away from finishing the whole @fanfic-reading-challenge - so that's neat. Some of those are monthly and I can't complete them until December - so I'm going to sit back and chill and just re-read stuff that I like.

May 2023

This month felt less successful than last - but we also weren't down with the cold-from-hell anymore either so there was a bit less time for reading. There were also several shows I watch that ended this week - so I was watching stuff instead.

You know what is interesting? When you find a show you like so much on it's own that you don't really see out fic for it. Strange. I wonder if this is how "normal" people are - you know the ones (they say they are the ones without hyperfixations but I've BEEN to a hockey game and I know non-fic reading hyperfixations when I see them). ANYWAY - I've read a few Ted Lasso fics but haven't really sought any out. I might after the finale now though - but not because I'm searching for fixing, but because I'm not ready to say goodbye to everyone yet. I see you out there with your Midge/Lenny fics and your Succession fics - and I love you all for continuing to make art once the inspiration has concluded. You guys rock!

Anyway for my recs for you! Try these - you might enjoy them. 🖤🖤

--*--

Be Kind, Rewind by @ozmathegreatand (Wenvier - T 8/8)

Notes: A Groundhog Day Curse fic. I've reread this five times. It's clever and I get more out of it each time I read it. SUPER good.

Fratellino by @loflight501 (Andy/Booker - E 1/1)

Notes: The Old Guard is a comfort movie for me. I've never sought out fic before - but this was SUPER good. Post canon. Delightful.

Sinclair-Mackenzie by BIFF1 (Mac/Dick- M 18/18)

Notes: Sincerely, my favourite Veronica Mars fic on the planet. I reread it often and it makes my heart happy. It's not all fluff and rainbows - but it deals with Mac's birth swap (by way of her brother marrying her sister lol) and the Cassidy feelings - and it's features Noir writer Logan writing long distance love letters to Veronica through his novels.

All Creatures Great and Small by @middleagedresidentofriverdale (Bughead - T 6/6)

Notes: This might be the cutest animal rescue story since I fell in love with a pangolin. This was really sweet and true to character and a wonderful AU. It was so lovely and was exactly what I needed this month. 💙💛

--*--

--*--

ANYWAY - you all know this by now - but I'm always looking for new fic recs, so if you have any stories you think I'll love (whether you wrote them or your friend wrote them or you came upon them accidentally), please drop me a line or send me a dm. I've found SO many awesome fics through recommendations from others. I'll read almost any pairing and any fandom. Shoot me a link!🖤

Anyway - I'm happy you're here! I hope you have a wonderful June and I'll see you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - April 🌷

It's finally hammock weather in Western Canada, folks! And we've been enjoying watching the hockey playoffs from the patio entertainment area we set up once the snow melted - well, I don't know if the word "enjoying" should be used when the team we hate most in the world is moving on to the 2nd round - but it's been exciting anyway.

We've also been sick at our house for most of the month but we're finally starting to come out of it. My Bethy still sounds like Miley Cyrus when she talks - but other than some low-key coughs, she's no longer down with a fever, so we're happy about that.

Continuing along - it's rugby season - so that means a lot of driving to away games to cheer on the Spartans (which means a LOT of reading). I've read more this month than I have ever read. I was also really focused on finishing up the 'extreme' tasks at the @fanfic-reading-challenge - and I finished a few days ago. I'll keep going until I've completed all the tasks in the challenge but I can do that over the course of the rest of the year. 🎉

Below the cut are my stats and some fun fic recs for you. Enjoy!

April 2023

So as you can see, this month I read 2.3 million words, cracking over 7 mill total - and read 922 chapters (of various lengths), and 107 full (and sometimes long) stories. I was working on some fandom challenges and let me tell you - it was harder than it looked!

As for my recs for you! Try these - you might enjoy them. 🖤🖤

--*--

Wonderwall by junkpuppet225 (Carmy/OC - M 11/11)

Summary: Carmy meets Mia at a Al-Anon meeting. She’s going through a similar situation and they become friends. Can he get out of his own head long enough to embrace the feelings he’s starting to have for her or will living in his brothers shadow cause him to miss out on a chance at love? Carmy/OC

Why you should read: THE BEAR FANFICTION! I'm not a Carmy/Sydney fangirl and that is what this fandom is saturated with, so I was HAPPY to find that someone wrote a story where Carmy meets a girl at an meeting and they just GET each other. And neither one is a perfect human - she doesn't SAVE him from himself or anything. They just bear each other's burdens and are THERE for eachother. This is just gorgeous.

--*--

Hello, Sunshine by Wonderlandleighleigh (Lenny/Midge - M 20/20)

Summary: It's June of 1962, and to celebrate being a year clean, Lenny rents a little house in Malibu, inviting Midge to join him.

Why you should read: I got back on my nonsense with the season premiere of TMMM and since I got 3 minutes of Lenny and now have to wait like 8 episodes to see him again, I thought I'd reread old favourites. This one is set post S4 sometime in the future - when Lenny has been in rehab and wants to make things right with Midge. It's SO good and captures their characters perfectly and makes me want to sit on the beach with good friends (and a handsome Jewish comic).

--*--

Love in the Time of Quarantine by @melanoradrood (Neville/Pansy - E 5/5)

Summary: a case study on what happens when a bratty sub spends eighteen months in quarantine and gets so desperate she will have sex with the shy boy from boarding school that promises her orgasms. aka muggle panville tinder au during the great panini

Why you should read: FIRSTLY - Neville is one of my most favourite characters in all of Potterdom and I wanted him to be happy almost from the very first moment we met him. Secondly - it's funny. Hot and funny and sweet. I mean, Neville wants to save her dying(dead) plants that happened to be in the back of her tinder pictures. He's a delight. And this fic is also a delight. You should read it!

--*--

The Raven - For the Rare and Radiant Maiden Series by @drollicpixiefanfic (Wenvier - E 3 fics)

Summary: Xavier Thorpe didn’t exactly expect Wednesday to use the cell phone he purchased for her. It was a ridiculous idea, a whim, a fancy. But something had compelled him to try. So, it was with some shock, two weeks into their break from Nevermore, that Xavier’s phone buzzed on his nightstand.

Why you should read: I'm certain I rec'd this before - but now there is a third story that came out this month (and IT IS AMAZING) - so I could just rec that third story, or I could link you to the whole thing and make you reread it (just like I did). Post season 1 - kinky hot but super tender as well. Funny. Just lovely. and I'm never going to complain about a Xavier PoV. He's my fave. Read this one - if you're not into Wenvier yet, make this your first foray. Come ship with me!

--*--

ANYWAY - I'm always looking for new fic recommendations, so if you have any stories you think I'll love (whether you wrote them or your friend wrote them or you came upon them accidentally), please drop me a line or send me a dm. I've found SO many awesome fics through recommendations from others. I'll read almost any pairing and any fandom. Shoot me a link!🖤

(lastly- I'm a little bit in love with this gif of Xavier waving - and I've been purposely flooding my dashboard with Percy for reasons - so the wave might become a theme for my year - have you seen my new tumblr layout? I'm kinda in love with it. SO pretty).

Anyway -👋🏼 Hiya -I'm happy you're here! I hope you have a wonderful May and I'll see you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - March🍀

Can you believe it's already April!? Crazy. Though you'd never know it here though, because my backyard still looks like Hoth. It's horrific. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow too. I just want to sit in my hammock.😢

Anyway, I hope you've all been doing well. MotherMaple (who just had a birthday btw🥳) recently came down with covid for the second time - so if you know her and love her, if you could please send her positive healing vibes, I would appreciate it (as her bestie who worries - I'm a worrier). Thank you!

Moving along -- our most exciting news this month was that my beautiful and talented daughter and her basketball team won Provincials (essentially our "State" Tournament). Go Spartans! The first time in our High School's history! I've blurred out the faces of the other girls to show you below - but here's a fun piece of trivia: two of the girls (the redhead and the brunette just to the right of my Bethy) were the girls who dressed up with her for Halloween 2017 as Betty, Veronica, and Cheryl - Mr. Aguirre-Sacasa even retweeted their photo back in the day. I'm so glad they're still all friends (though they're all smarter than I am because none of them still watch Rvd)

Okay - so getting back on track - as all of you should know by now, I'm a regular participant (and low-key assistant) at the @fanfic-reading-challenge - additionally, for the last couple of years, I've been tracking all the fic I read and I've reported back here once a month with some stats and some recs, and a little bit of boring stuff about my life. That's what this post is.

Below the cut are my March stats and some fun fic recs. I read nearly 2 million words this month - over 550 chapters (of various lengths), and 178 stories. I've been tackling the challenge tasks and am nearly done the 'extreme' mode. I'm still struggling with a few of the categories, but I think my goal this year is not only to complete the Regular/Hard/Extreme modes - but to complete every task. I'm at 212/309 so there is still some work to do.

March 2023

As for my recs for you! Try these - you might enjoy them. They are Wavier because that's what I've mostly been reading - and if you've never read the pairing before, let one of them be your first foray if you are on the fence. Don't be on the fence. Come ship with me! 🖤🖤

--*--

An Unkindness by Agmo (Wavier - E 3/3)

Summary: Finding out that he is Wednesday Addams' soulmate goes about as well for Xavier as anything involving Wednesday Addams does.

Why you should read: Soulmates are my jam. This was originally a one-shot and even though my heart kinda ripped out of my chest where they ended it, the author surprised us with two extra chapters - AND IT WAS AMAZING. There is so much growth. Soulmates are my favourite when it's not a given that everything will turn out. Characters are still beings with agency. This story has room for this growth - and I could not recommend it more. Probably one of my favourites of the year so far.

--*--

For the Rare and Radiant Maiden by @drollicpixiefanfic (Wavier - E 6/6)

Summary: Xavier Thorpe didn’t exactly expect Wednesday to use the cell phone he purchased for her. It was a ridiculous idea, a whim, a fancy. But something had compelled him to try. So, it was with some shock, two weeks into their break from Nevermore, that Xavier’s phone buzzed on his nightstand. In which, Wednesday discovers her cell phone camera, though only filtered through a black and white lens and Xavier finds himself even more under her spell as a darker side of him begins to seep through his well maintained façade.

Why you should read: I'm always a fan of a good Post S1 fic and if you can give it to me in a Xavier pov then I'm probably going to love you forever. This one was really really fun - deals with Wednesday's stalker - and has a bit of that Dark!Xavier that Ajax mentioned in S1.

--*--

In the night, I dream of woe so true by @sebikitcat (Wavier - G 7/7)

Summary: “Wednesday? What are you doing in my art studio?” It’s a stupid question, she decides. “What are you doing in my dream?” A more relevant counter. “Your dream? I thought this was my dream. Wait, are we dreaming?” Or the one where Wednesday finds herself unwittingly sharing dreams with Xavier over break. Fluff ensues.

Why you should read: SHARED DREAMING! And it's SO FLUFFY - it's the epitome of Agnes Gru squishing her fluffy unicorn. I love it.

--*--

dark doo wop (series) by @donutcats (Wavier- G - 3 fics)

Summary: It’s the way she texts him first, only a few short days after everyone has cleared out of Nevermore; and really he wasn’t even expecting that. It was meant to be a joke, adding his number and saying he’d settle for a text. But there it is. A new text from Wednesday Addams.  A simple picture of a dark and eerie fatalistic painting torn to shreds. ‘I believe some paintings are improved by the act of destroying them,’ reads the text sent directly after the picture, ‘which you should definitely take note of.’ 

Why you should read: Again - I LOVE post S1 fics where we get to speculate how Wednesday navigates modern technology and communication with Xavier. The stories are short so you can read them all in one go. Do it!

ANYWAY - I'm always looking for new fic recommendations, so if you have any stories you think I'll love (whether you wrote them or your friend wrote them or you came upon them accidentally), please drop me a line or send me a dm. I've found SO many awesome fics through recommendations from others. I'll read almost any pairing and any fandom. Shoot me a link!🖤

(lastly- I'm a little bit in love with this gif of Xavier waving - and I've been purposely flooding my dashboard with Percy for reasons - so the wave might become a theme for my year).

Anyway -👋🏼 Hiya -I'm happy you're here! I hope you have a wonderful April and I'll see you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - February ❤️

HELLO everyone! I hope you had a wonderful February! It was a short month so there were slightly fewer stories to read and there was this ghost show that came out (you might have seen it flood your dash) that needed to be binged over and over again so we get a season two - but I still found moments to curl up with some favourite fics and I hope you did too! I was pretty focused on crossing off fic challenge tasks so I felt less enjoyment in my reading as usual. I hope this next month will be better.

Throughout February, I had a surprisingly large number of new followers (a substantial number of whom are not bots - shocking, right?!) and though I'm not sure how you all found me, I'm thrilled to have you here (and happy to see that you're real people and not bots).

As most of you know, I'm a regular participant (and low-key assistant) at the @fanfic-reading-challenge - additionally, for the last couple of years, I've been tracking all the fic I read and I've reported back here once a month with some stats and some recs, and a little bit of boring stuff about my life. (Or not boring - like traipsing after my daughter and her basketball team as they work their way to Provincials - their record is 22-4 so it's a possibility! Go Spartans!)

ANYWAY - I'm always looking for new fic recommendations, so if you have any stories you think I'll love, please drop me a line or send me a dm. Almost any pairing and any fandom. Shoot me a link!🖤

February 2023

As I said above, I've been plugging along on the @fanfic-reading-challenge. This month I've cracked 3million words and completed 143/309 tasks which means I've completed the "Regular" mode of the challenge. I'm working on the "Hard" mode so I need to do some searching for fics with minorities. Do you have favourite stories with minorities in them? Most of my fandoms appear to be a little lacking in that department - or at least I never think about it (like Inej is a woc - but I forgot about that until right this second). Anyway - I need to branch out - so any suggestions would be great!

As for my recs for you! Let's look at what I did read this month that you might enjoy. Try these:

--*--

Violent Delights by @ozmathegreatand (Wenvier - M 4/4)

Summary: Romeo and Juliet is far from her favorite Shakespeare play. (That honor goes to Titus Andronicus, of course.) But the crypt scene is achingly romantic, particularly the part where Juliet stabs herself. Few of the Bard’s heroines subject themselves to such violence in the name of passion. She wonders what practical effects the drama department has access to and imagines the torrent of blood she could rig.

Why you should read: Valentine's Day. Romeo and Juliet is being performed by the drama department and Romeo Xavier's costars keep meeting untimely ends. SUPER jealous (and hilarious) Wednesday. Mutual Pining. Shenanigans. This is Super Hilarious.

--*--

What Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me Want You More by sciencefantasy93 (Lucy/Lockwood - E 8/8)

Summary: It was all her fault. All her fault. He was losing his damn mind, and it was all because of her. One move, one second, one heartbeat, and his world crumbled apart like a warm cookie.

Or: Lockwood realizes he's attracted to Lucy, which sets in motion a chain reaction of events as he and Lucy try to take the next step without actually talking about their feelings.

Why you should read: The first steamy Locklyle fic that I've ever read and it did NOT disappoint. Very VERY in character - but also hot? Super good.

--*--

Chrissy and Eddie’s Infinite Mixtape by @little-scribblers-heart (Hellcheer - E 26/26)

Summary: Eddie was right when he told the Hellfire kids that there's no shame in running, which is why he takes a running leap to grab for the floating cheerleader in his living room.

OR: Chrissy lives and fixes what the Duffers broke.

Come for the canon-close Season 4 rewrite, stay for the explanatory chapter notes and the healing.

Why you should read: Epic in scale. Well researched and emotional without being sappy and trite. I should have known it would be amazing because it was a rec from my girl @feelavalanche - who has NEVER steered me wrong in over 10 years of fandom friendship. There is even a chapter named after David Bowie. See - you need to read this.

--*--

Hope is a Waking Dream by @writeradamanteve (Lucy/Lockwood - M 1/1)

Summary: Nightmares, dreams, it was all part of the agent package. Oh, and tea. Always tea.

Why you should read: FIRSTLY (and I shouldn't have to say this to long time followers) - It's adamanteve. You should read it because she wrote it - that should be good enough. Everything she writes is amazing. But then. SOFTNESS. The characterizations are THEM. Their mannerisms are real and their voices are beyond perfection. Comfort and lovely and wonderful. Read it!

ALSO - as I said last month, you should read and then subscribe to the_retro_witch's entire Sweet Nightmare series. It's a post-canon universe where after Crackstone's defeat, Wednesday and Xavier get together before they leave school and now it's grown into this amazing saga with mystery-solving soulmates and psychic and witchy amazingness. The other characters are developed and the plots are rich and fun. It updates pretty darn regularly and every word is a delight. Honestly. Read the series, you won't regret it. Let it be your first foray into Wenvier if you are on the fence. Don't be on the fence. Come ship with me! 🖤🖤

(lastly- I'm a little bit in love with this gif of Xavier waving - and I've been purposely flooding my dashboard with Percy for reasons - so the wave might become a theme for my year).

Anyway -👋🏼 Hiya -I'm happy you're here! I hope you have a wonderful March and I'll see you back here in a few weeks! Happy reading! 🖤

[jandjsalmon]

2023 FFRC - January

HELLO everyone! It's a new year and a new @fanfic-reading-challenge - I hope you've all had an awesome January! Despite it being the absolute worst time to go on vacation for me (work-wise), we spent a week in San Francisco for our anniversary. It was gorgeous. Pictures don't even do it justice (but here are a few 😊)

Anyway - For the new folks (those of you who are not bots) who started following me in the last week - in case you were wondering what this post is - I'm a regular participant (and low-key helper) at the @fanfic-reading-challenge - and I also track all the fic I read each year. For the last couple of years, I've reported back here once a month with some stats and some recs, and a little bit of boring stuff about my life. So, that's what this post is about. Happy you're here! Welcome!🖤

January 2023

Okay okay. SO going into this challenge, I thought it would be a few months before I started reading things twice BUT there is an amazing fic that just LIVES in my brain and I read it earlier in the month - and then reread it again a few days ago. I'm counting it twice and I honestly think everyone should read it (clearly - because I think I've rec'd it twice on my blog already and it just came out). It's beautiful. weird, but fucking beautiful (you, wanting me) by @victimofthemusic (Wednesday/Xavier -T 1/1) Definitely worth my first "double read" of the year. 🖤

As for the challenge! It's a new sheet of fun and challenging tasks. I've only completed 44/309 thus far but that doesn't seem too bad considering I'm only a month in.

Okay - what did I read this month that you might enjoy?! Try these:

The News Article Significance by DefyGravity18 (Sheldon/Penny - M 42/42)

Summary: When I was eighteen years old, I made a decision. I was not going to live the same life that my sister was living, or that my mother had been living, or even my Gran. So, after one semester of community college, I decided that Omaha just wasn't going to cut it for me. I packed my clothes, took the remaining money I had from graduation, got into my shitty red Volkswagen and left Nebraska for good.

Penny knows what she wants in life. At least, she used to. Howard and Bernadette's wedding sets off a series of events which will change her life forever. Plans change and Penny will have to learn the hard way how to adapt.

Why you should read: Okay - so I'm an unapologetic Shenny girl when it comes to The Big Bang Theory. But I like when EVERYONE is happy and the characters are all given just great arcs in this one. It starts at a wedding and the pacing is great and believable. There is mention of domestic abuse a bit (not our mains) - so if that's something you're sensitive about, be aware. I really just love Shenny fic where both are supportive and live their best lives. This is one of those. Definitely a happy ending for EVERYONE.

--*--

Fresh Blood by @ozmathegreatand (Wednesday/Xavier - M 2/2)

Summary: Xavier Thorpe’s eyes have not left her face. The high of the kill is wearing off, but he doesn’t seem fazed, not in the way a normal person would be. The blood staining his face highlights the plane of bone, the shape of his skull perfectly. She wonders what sort of monster she is prepared to open her heart to. “Will you pay me court?” she asks, interrupting his thoughts.

He stares at her. “Miss Addams,” he says at last – because of course he’s guessed who she is – “I would love to.” He smiles at her, the boyish charm in contrast is as jarring as it is swoon-worthy. Disgusting. Wednesday loves it at once.

Why you should read: OH MY GOSH. It's SOO dark. I'm in love with it. There is cannibalism. There are ghosts. There is absolute devotion (think like Gomez - but taller and slimmer). It's delicious. (ha ha. Sorry - that was a little on the nose, considering).

--*--

ALSO - you should read the_retro_witch's entire Sweet Nightmare series. It's a post-canon universe where after Crackstone's defeat, Wednesday and Xavier get together before they leave school and now it's grown into this amazing saga with mystery-solving soulmates and psychic and witchy amazingness. The other characters are developed and the plots are rich and fun. It updates pretty darn regularly and every word is a delight. Honestly. Read the series, you won't regret it. Let it be your first foray into Wenvier if you are on the fence. Don't be on the fence. Come ship with me! 🖤🖤

ANYWAY - sending you all warm hugs and hope for a wonderful February. Love love love to you all! 🖤❤️