#such a fun and exciting read! def recommend

[vinelark]

ALL timkon recs I BEG

hello hi! here are some of my favs! it got long so putting some under the cut

💄 Lipstick on the glass by @cairoscene read for timkon being soft and goofy and disgustingly in love, set in vague future college-y years with amazing core four dynamics too. cair is one of the funniest people to ever exist and we are so blessed that they decided to write some timkon. (also read for my own greatest contribution to literature, the fictional “jerry the void nexus” meme)

🎢 been a number and a name by @wynterstars i had SO MUCH FUN reading this one, a 90s comics-divergent AU where robin and superboy become friends—and crushes—when superboy is pretty new on the scene. feat. lex luthor being terrible, tim staging a rescue operation that at one point involves platform shoes and a blonde wig, spice girls references, and fantastic action sequences. it’s also a series, with an installment focusing on kon & clark, and a currently updating longfic sequel with SO MANY timkon identity shenanigans (my beloved) and kon feelings (also my beloved).

📸 the surveillance series by @smilebackwards i feel like i rec this all the time but it’s because it’s THAT GOOD. a tim-centric AU where tim joins the family late, but is still involved in bat business without the bats realizing. there’s some fun timkon identity shenanigans at the top, and some of my all-time favorite tim characterization (ruthless! lonely! brilliant!) plus a great tim & bruce arc, too.

🦉 Detours by miyaji_08 this is part 2 of a series and i def recommend reading the whole thing! a reverse robins + joker jr au that has lots of trauma and lots of healing, and in part 2 there’s timkon identity shenanigans that’s simultaneously enemies to lovers + And They Were Roommates. tim sure does run a gauntlet of horrors in this series, but it has so much healing and also one of my fav reverse robins concepts i’ve read so far.

📱 unfurl by @burins tim and kon might be dating, and there’s no kryptonian sex ed handy. bruce, being bruce, makes it his business, which means talking to clark and Realizing some things about his own feelings. superbat are billed first here, but i think timkon steal the show—i laughed out loud like five different times reading this. hilarious and sweet on all sides. (and if you like this, check out their timkon road trip fic!)

🌾 A Saturday Evening by malcyon in which tim visits the kent farm for family dinner with kon, feat. very sweet established relationship timkon and fun superfamily dynamics, and it touches on tim’s past grief over kon’s death (and complicated feelings post-undeath).

🤼‍♂️ Sore Loser by @hearteyeshayley kon learns that tim always let him win while sparring, and has to process that. this was such a fun exploration of tim’s prowess as a fighter—one who regularly has to go up against superpowered friends and foes alike—and also tim as a person who is always doing mental calculations about the people around him (in an endearing way). kon, too, got his time to shine and grow, and the ending was so smart and sweet.

🔮 Ascension by Violet_Witch an AU longfic where tim is a witchling and kon is a fallen angel who has (oops) just lost his wings. tim sets out to help get kon’s wings back, and there’s a ticking clock because angel wings are dangerous in the wrong hands—and tim has a big, horrible secret that’s about to come due. the plot/worldbuilding of this was WILDLY cool, and there was a big ol misunderstanding in the middle that had me clawing my face off (in a good way).

🌌 straight on ’til morning by merils kon vs. the terrifying ordeal of growing up, feat. sweet friends-to-lovers timkon and really thoughtful exploration of some of kon’s canon past relationships and their abusive dynamics. i haven’t finished this one yet but it’s been rec’d multiple times and i’m excited to dive back in (and it's recently complete!)—and what i have read so far gave me an amazing sequence of kon and dick interacting and dick’s big brother mode activating in an instant, which is something i now desperately need more of.

📧 aaaand would it even be a reclist by me if i didn’t include send to all by @cairoscene the absolute moment i find myself feeling down i go reread this and boom. i am instantly laughing again. timkon are just one part of a bat grab-bag here but they are so so funny and cute and in-character. maybe one day i’ll compile the timkon-centric sequel that exists in my head but for now i’ll just go reread this for the zillionth time.

okay yeah!! i’m probably missing so many good fics here because i constantly have like a zillion tabs open that i plan to read someday. also i reserve the right to reblog later like OH I FORGOT— but in the meanwhile, happy timkon reading!

[elposting]

Oh my gosh two days ago (sorry this took me so long to write up, I had to digest it all lol) I saw The View, Stephen Colbert, and All In- and I MET ANDREW AND JOSH!!!! I think this is going to be a long post but just stay with me here 😭😭

More below the cut as always!!!

1. Okay so first was The View- we had general tickets and stood outside from around 7:30 to 9ish I think? It was so cold 😭😭 thankfully the wind wasn’t too bad

We got inside and got seated and everything, here was my view:

We did two of those shopping segment things and got to go home with a bottle of olive oil imported from Greece and a silk washcloth!!

We had to have our phones off for a majority of the taping, so when it was a commercial break there was this hype lady to talk to the audience- her name was Regina

Anyways, so josh comes on and does his segment (and at the end they told us all we’re going home with a free copy of the book! So im thankful I didn’t already buy a copy lol I was thinking of it)

After his segment he begins talking to Whoopi Goldberg and then Regina is trying to find audience members to talk to and stuff lol

// Side note- I had made bracelets to give everyone! I ran out of time to make Josh a brand new bracelet so I took my book of arnold one I had made to take to BOM with me; here’s a pic:

So I raise my hand and im like “I have a bracelet for josh!!” And then Regina has me pass the bracelet down through the audience to her- Whoopi and josh are still talking, and one of the producers is right by them. Regina gives the producer the bracelet and is like talking to her but she’s still on the mic- then I start talking about how big of a BOM fan I am lol. I brought one of my programs with me so I held it up, along with my sharpie on it; she has me pass that down too!!

Then the producer gets Josh’s attention, and I’m standing up in the audience- I get to talk to him as the producer gives him the bracelet and program lol. My mom snuck her phone: here’s our interaction & transcript below 🫣🫣

Regina: Look, there’s Alaina.

Me: Hi!

Josh: Aw, I really feel like I’m at a Taylor Swift concert.

[Audience laughs]

A: I’m the biggest book of mormon fan…

Whoopi: Does Alaina know him?

JG: …well, I can tell…

[Audience laughs]

A: …I love you so much…

R: [something…] (to Whoopi) she gave him a bracelet!

View Ladies: Awwww!

R: We love that show.

Joy: Alaina, have you seen that show?

Alyssa: It’s so funny.

J: That show’s good. I’m recommending that show.

[I spell my name and Regina confirms it back to me lol]

A: I’m seeing it front row next Friday.

JG: I’m not in it anymore.

[audience laughs]

-end-

I know this reads like one of those imagines but I swear it’s not 😭🙏 that video is not ai 🤨🤨

I was going to tell him I was seeing andrew later that night lol but we walked off

Im ngl i didnt even realize the view ladies were talking to me I was just so focused on josh lmfao but writing out the transcript had me genuinely crying that whoopi goldberg asked if i (personally) knew josh gad

Anyway so he took my program back and then he signed it!!

(ignore andrew’s signature lol that’s from later 😅)

But he stole my sharpie so actually I can’t forgive him. #canceljoshgad

I was so happy he spelled my name right I was so happy lol

Then we left the view and they gave us our gifts yadayada

2. We went to Stephen colbert next- this is less exciting so im just gonna speedrun through lol

Stephen is very nice! He did a Q and A lol it was fun

Josh was the first guest and the segment was def longer than the view. This was cut from the final show but there was a part where they talked about josh interviewing the lord of the rings cast at some zoom thing 5 years ago? At least I think that’s what it was I don’t really remember

Josh thought he was bombing during the interview so I felt really bad lol, I didn’t think he was but he kept talking about how poorly he was doing. I didn’t think the audience was quiet but maybe it just wasn’t reaching the stage?

At the end of the interview he like stood up and leaned over to shake Stephen’s hand but his pants kind of fell down so everyone on my side could see his underwear so that was um interesting (it was firetruck red for anyone who cares??)

Anyway quick shout out to the guy who does stand up before colbert comes on to warm up the crowd, he’s so fantastic

3. (Ok to preface I had to rewrite this entire section because it deleted the first time so im probably gonna go kind of fast here) all in!

Lowkey the show itself was kind of boring and a little terrible but they all did so great in the show!! And our seats were so good too:

I could see andrew the clearest 🙏 i kind of had to move my head to see everyone else lol (he sat in the third chair from the left)

Getting out of the theater was so hard too 😭😭 i was like zigzagging through chairs to get to stage door early… and then even when I got there it was SO crowded🥲🥲 lowkey felt like i was in the hunger games /j thankfully a woman let me stand next to her🙏🙏

Nick came out first!! He’s the one i was most normal to bc he’s the only one I haven’t had a hyperfixation on lmaooo…🫣 he signed my playbill and took a pic with me 🙏

next lin came out!! I gave him the bracelet I made for him and he said thank you 🥲 he was super cute last night. I’ve been a fan of him foreverrrrrrrr so I was super super happy to meet him he was so nice. he also signed my hamilton playbill 🥲🩷

then aidy came out!! i love her sooooo much i started tearing up when i was talking to her lol, i gave her the bracelet i made for her and she was like “this is so cool thank you so much!!” she is/was like one of my favorite snl cast members and i was soooo excited to meet her she’s so pretty and ilhsm🩷🩷

last I saw andrew!! I was kind of distracted cause aidy was right next to me so I didn’t even process at first 😭😭

I gave him my bracelet and he said thanks!! then i told him i’d seen josh earlier and he says hi (which is a lie but whatever sue me lolol). he asked me where i’d seen him and i said the view and lssc. he signed my bom program too!!! that thing is now my most prized possession ngl lol🫣

he was kind of down the line atp but still kind of involved in the conversation with me, so i asked him if i could get a polaroid pic with him (mind you, this camera is my opp and has been giving me problems all day, and had to spend $11 at a duane reade to replace the batteries so i was a little bit nervous lol). the photo was a little awkward and i was really nervous because polaroid doesn’t take the best pics in the dark- thankfully the CAMERA WORKED!! and the pic printed

i asked him to sign it and he said he would, but he was back down the line at this point (and i was a little worried cause the last time i asked a celeb for a pic/autograph was dame judy dench and then she just walked away… i was less nervous abt andrew forgetting though because he’s like 40 and she was like 80). so, i went to the end of the line to try to meet him, but at the same time he walked back to my mom in line to look for me 😭so we missed each other and he went back inside

but! after they closed the stage door i talked to these two other guys and they told me everyone usually comes out the front, so my mom and i ran back through the hotel to get to the front 😭there were a bunch of people there though

like 20 mins later andrew came out and he recognized me and signed my polaroid and took another photo with me 🥹🥹 i was so so so grateful!! he is the sweetest and every time i look at the pic i cant believe its real lol😅😭

oh and then afterwards richard kind just walked up on the sidewalk lol??? i asked him to take a pic and he was like “sure! but then i am going to go upstairs to have champagne with my friends” he’s so cute lol, and then i saw him walking through the lobby in the hotel too lmao I waved to him he’s so cute and sweet🤭

i had the best day ever and everybody was so so so nice. gonna keep the signed polaroid in the back of my phone forever now 😭🙏🙏🩷

[namorthesubmariner]

HI HELLO SORRY TO BOTHER U but i have a question! How is Hulk and Namor's relationship portrayed throughout all the og Defenders books? ive kinda not read anything w Namor barring Hickmans avengers run where i ADORED him and im curious if they have a cool dynamic there because i love Hulk, Strange and Namor AND THEM HAVING A TEAM BOOK(S) IS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE BUT IM WORRIED THEYRE BAD AND OOC... SO IM ASKING THE EXPERT... PLZ GUIDE ME SENSEI.....

You aren't bothering me, love to help out with new readers if I can, and you never have to worry with The Defenders comics because they are very fun/silly and have heart, and crazy magic/supernatural adventures, and I love the Namor, and Hulk/Bruce Banner friendship so much. I keep planning to talk about it in more depth but I'm very excited for you to read!

The Defenders roster changes over time but its a good read for fans of adventures and a team of misfits who don't wanna work together but do, then they break up and leave and then get back together. lol. Marvel's The Defenders are often called Marvel's Non-Team because they just keep doing that! Like they go "well this adventure was nice/bad whatever and depending they either go "I never wanna see any of you again" or "until next time I need to rush back to my own life" and then they get pulled back together again.

Bruce/Hulk is one of the few people that Namor feels a kinship for, he views himself and Hulk as outsiders "monsters" and knows what it's like to be an outcast who is feared and hated. Namor is the one person who defended Hulk when the Illuminati decided to send Hulk into space.

Bruce and Namor's friendship in the comics is one of my favorite things, Hulk and Namor first meet in The Avengers (1963) #3 when Namor, upset and angry at the surface world, seeks an alliance with Hulk who recently left the Avengers to fight the Avengers and the surface world, they both seek to use each other and mistrust each other, but later on they form a friendship.

While things don't go to their plans there, the two do run into each other several times throughout the silver age either to team up or more likely to have a slug fest, there was a lot of The Hulk vs The Sub-Mariner fights because it was "Hulk is strongest on Land, and Namor is strongest in Water".

It was so great to see Immortal Hulk (2019) #26 reference their first meeting, but nearly 80 some years later, and you see Namor cooking his father's clam chowder recipe for Bruce.

So The Defenders actually starts off with The Titans Three, Namor is the founding member, he recruits Silver Surfer and Hulk to join him in a quest, but it only lasts a few issues and they break up.

Marvel decided something was missing so they created The Defenders with Doctor Strange as the leader, recruiting Namor, and then Hulk to aid him with his missions, and then Silver Surfer and Valkyrie fill out the rest of the core Defenders later, which the roster changes over time but they were the start.

Namor in this age isn't like Hickman's Namor, which was a very bleak look/hard time for the character. In this era Namor is more of a hot headed noble prince than a man who is desperate at the end of the world. Strange is very fun as the leader, and the dynamic of the team is very entertaining.

For new readers I would recommend you read The Defenders: Marvel Masterworks because it collects those early Titans Three issues, the issues of defenders in marvel feature before they are given their own solo title and it also collects the original run of The Defenders comics.

One of my fave moments in the early comics between Hulk and Namor is how Hulk doesn't know how to help a friend because he never had friends before Namor.

But I do have @defenders-source blog which I was supposed to use to archive my reread of the comics, but for now just has some art and stuff, when I get more time I will be posting there again.

Here is Strange, Namor, and Valkyrie talking about why they formed The Defenders

I will definitely talk more about Namor's friendships with Strange and Hulk and others in their own separate posts, but I really love The Defenders alot and hope you enjoy them. I put together a little reading list for you

The Defenders: Marvel Masterworks - Collects beginning origins and classic Defenders comics - my fave run, I love it.

Defenders (2001) - I was not a fan of the art of this series and tbh it just distracts me so much that I have a hard time remembering anything except "why do they look like that" lol, it was weird.

The Order (2002) - when the Defenders go evil

Defenders (2005) - funniest Defenders comic, Strange drags Namor along on an adventure and Hulk gets laid

Fear Itself: The Deep (2013) - more of a Strange and Namor team up

Defenders (2012) - has old and new members mixed in

Defenders: The Best Defense - is made up of 5 comics, the first four feature Namor, Strange, Hulk, and Silver Surfer as solo comics before they team up in the last comic, its not my fave series because we don't get a lot of time of them together, and I consider Valkyrie a core member so I don't like them leaving her out of it, but I can't recall if she was dead in the comics at the time or not. The first four can kinda be read in any order: Doctor Strange: The Best Defense Immortal Hulk: The Best Defense Silver Surfer: The Best Defense Namor: The Best Defense Defenders: The Best Defense

There have been other Defenders books, some that feature street level heroes or the newer one that had new members, but this is just a start for a new fan to check out. Also if you want every appearance of The Defenders check out their wiki.

Art by Jorge Molina

[myloveforhergoeson]

ash's december 2024 reading round up

find all the books and fics i read (or didn't read...) this month under the cut with a link to the synopsis and my reviews/ratings attached :)

this is just for fun! i'm not a professional, i just like to read <3

booklist:

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey (18+!)

review: ...mid as hell actually. and not technically a book, more of a novella, but the pacing was wayyy too quick regardless. i didn't really like either of the characters. i've been singing tessa's praises for the last year but honestly, her last few works have left me really disappointed :( don't even have the energy for a plot summary besides: single mom moves to a small town where the local single framer takes interest in her. maybe i just hate small-town romance. idk. skip this one

rating: 3/5 times i cringed at their "dirty talk"

2. Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (18+!)

review: ali hazelwood.... save me.... save me ali hazelwood....... literally anything i pick up by her (i think i only have one or two books out of her complete works i haven't read...) is a certified banger okay? a second chance... former childhood friends... forced proximity... best friend's brother... billionaire.......holiday romance novella......... oh my lord. the brilliant way this story was split between the past and present was so well put together, giving just enough information to understand the present while not enough to reveal any information about the past until the story had run it's course... augh... it's so masterfully written GOD. and the characters, jaime and marc were so wonderful. even in the short length of the story i really cared for them both and the pacing of their story was so pleasant! def would recommend if anyone is looking for a quick holiday read next holiday season!

rating: 4/5 times i had to figure out the settings of my new kindle during this read

did not reach my goal of 24 books this year :( trying again this year!

fic list:

i want to start this section with a preface: as i am learning i'm struggling with a gigantic bout of writer's block atm, i've found myself reading less fic as a result. this doesn't mean i support yalls works any less. it's my resolution this year to read as much as i can - fic or otherwise - so please give me some grace as i learn to love fic again! so proud of you all and your works. that's being said, here is my sad short list from december

assorted works of @icegirl2772

It's a Wonderful Life - Big Time Secret Santa 2024

We Do (But Friends Don't)

my friend..... kucy ship of all time, for one. but i LOVE the way you wrote the two of them as adults so much! so much of their character traits from the show still made it in, despite them being older. the way you constructed their relationship backstory fit so well too!... augh.... also the idea that they all own mansions next to each other when they grow up sent me bc of course they do.... THE ENGAGEMENT ALSO??? THE SCREAM I SCRUMPT!!!!!! it TRULY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE......! so sweet of you to write this for pearl and got to share it with all of us as well :)) <3 and the new chapter of we do but friend's don't had me kicking my feet and twirling my hair around my finger......... god i love jaelyn so fucking much......

2. assorted works of @naquey/@ithinkyouhealedmyheart

Ghostwriter Extras: Swim

Ghostwriter Ch 18-22

swim...... aguh........... aside from the main point, i think this story showed such depth to ronnie's character that i haven't yet seen in ghostwriter! the way you write emotion is so raw and real, the descriptions of her every thought and feeling really informs her decisions and it's so fascinating to see the way her mind works. it's the same in the main story, of course, which i love so dearly as well! ronnie and kurt's trouble in paradise is driving me crazy!! and your descriptions as ronnie is going through that is so interesting!! so excited to catch up and see what the gang is all up to :3 <3

3. assorted works of @partiallypearl/@praetoravila

All Over Again Ch 10

and when i was ten, you were my best friend

listen, i think about the first scene with olive and lexi like literally on the daily. the "i'm giving myself permission to have different options" line lexi shares has quite honestly entered my list of little mantras i tell myself when the going gets tough.... so impactful and so important and so wonderful of lexi to share with olive. changed my entire worldview for a second and many times afterward i stg.... so ty for that! and the way you write logan and camille (even if it's hard to see for a lomille shipper such as i....) is honestly what i imagine those two are like when the going gets tough. they're both so emotional and you capture that so well! even if this is a fight they don't come back from (and i hope bc im a bigger lolive shipper...) it is so true to them IMO!! but olive is driving me crazy trying to help fix it.... girl that's the love of your life leave it alone!!!!!!!!!! last few lines had me reeling. logan you perfect stupid genius idiot........ <3333!!! :) AND OF COURSE MY CHRISTMAS GIFT..... friend i cannot thank you enough. i know that kames is not ship you love, but the way you captured the boy's relationship was masterfully written. despite not knowing much canon info about their lives in minnesota, i think you did a wonderful job at displaying the dynamic between james and kendall. i'm also a sucker for multiple interpretations - so be it a platonic or romantic interaction, it was still something personal and hard to share, but james shared anyway... augh.... god i'm obsessed with them.thank you so much for the gift. you are always so sweet and kind to me and ily mwah!!!!

4. assorted works of @fiyero0533/@fiyero3305

I Gotta Get New Friends

first of all, any kidfic kills me, but there is something so special about baby btr..... i also love the logan is from texas agenda sm. sometimes fanon should be canon but i digress! the dialogue was so realistic to kiddos and i love the way kendall was wanting to help logan, even as a stranger! natural born leader forever. i would love to read about the four of them conducting science experiments from logans book or from bill nye lmaoooo! and everyone meeting as lunch augh!! "are you going to get injured again?" "probably!" took me outtt. and the END AUGHHHH god i love those four so much. such a sweet gift im so thrilled you got to share :3

[bludmd23]

HIII! I just found u and love your art of j'onn. so excited someone else sees how cutie pie he is. Do you have fave comic recs for him!? And... maybe clark too... 👀

Omg thank you so much!!!!!:DDDD he’s def the cutest green creature pie around here,,,,<333

i didn’t read much comics about Clark so unfortunately can’t recommend any, but my fav comic for j’onn is Martian manhunter 1988 (the four issue mini series)!! Its a backstory lore about j’onn around Justice League International (also very fun to read) time period, I really dig the art style for it, something abstract and elegant is very fitting for j’onn (and a beautifully written story) sooo if you want pls go check it out!!!!!! It’s pretty short!

Also Martian manhunter: identity is nice, art style’s pretty fun, I’ve heard ppl saying mm 1998 is good too but I haven’t read it so!!!

[joocomics]

OKAY FUN TIME!!!

THOUGHTS ON BEAUTIFUL MIND OH MY GOD i know u were VERY excited for bbb so like HOW DID U LIKE IT (+the rest of the album ofc!!!)

if i go track by track i want to shout out:

fight me - it feels so clinically xdh. like i would play this for someone to be like "this is their quintessential vibe"

beautiful life - dude FORGET IT how does one slay so hard ugh i love how they have so much variety and this song is so interesting and ITS 4 AND A HALF MINUTES

more than i like - all lowercase title? bro sign me up this is everything i dreamed fr fr i love love love this one

supernatural - close enough welcome back pluto I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ONE. SO DEARLY. IT MIGHT BE MY FAVE I JUST WANTED TO SHOUT IT OUT

i feel like it goes without saying that every single track was amazing and this album was no skips and i simply have to ask myself how does one band eat this hard every time 😔

anyway i hope you are having a happy album drop day and that it makes ur week lovely and bright 🫶🫶

YES BBB AGGHHSJS IT’S MY FAVE ONE like i just Knew right from the teasers that she’s gonna steal my heart and she did 🙂‍↕️ but i totally agree 1000% this album is No Skips so far xdiz haven’t done an album that has skips BUTT it’s still worth to mention. they always make smth for everyone their variety and creativity is crazy!!

ok so my little list goes like this:

bbb - FAVE my top number one if it wasn’t clear enough lol it’s playful it’s sexy THE BASS GOES HARD just the way i like it!! and the title is great lol when i read bitter but better i was like “this is my new life motto”

beautiful life - WHAT YOU SAID!!! it slays SO hard in every single aspect possible def deserves to be close to bbb for me (also why did the fight scene felt so real? oscar winning mv let’s go)

george the lobster - CHEFS KISS IT’S SO GOOD SO FUN it sounds like an anime opening and i love the vibes it’s giving perfect for spring in my opinion!!

fight me - YUPPPP idk how to explain it but i cannot imagine the album without this song; it’s the cherry on top and just wouldn’t hit the same at all if they haven’t added it on the track list

diamond - I NEED TO SEE MORE PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT THIS ONE DON’T WE HEAR THE DRUMS HELLOOOO

more than i like - SO FUN AND WHOLESOME IT MAKES ME WANNA WRITE ROMANCEEEE 🥰

personally, i rarely click with ballads like… there are few that i really really love and i never listen to cause they make me sad 😭 PLUTO is the ONLY ballad i play regularly! honestly no other ballad will top pluto for me this song is incredible and it will always have a special place in my heart. i’ve recommended it to ppl and i’ve played it to my family lol sooo since i’m not a ballad enthusiast it’s very hard for me to find one that will make me feel the way pluto does… pluto is exceptional (sorry didn’t mean to make a ted talk for pluto) with that being said, supernatural is beautiful but it’s not something i’d play anytime soon IT’S TOO SAD BRO 😔😔😔 how do you all do it

thank you bestie! i hope your week is going wonderfully and that the album brought you lots of positive vibes 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[brb-on-a-quest]

It's December 31, I should make reading goals but I'll be honest the only reason I read as much as I did is bc 48 hour train ride in the last week of December. I am running off sleep deprivation and too much caffeine but I don't wanna forget soooo it will be slapdash

@ramblings-of-lola if you were curious (did I miss yours going up? I'm so sorry it's been chaotic)

Death note vol 4 3/5- honestly struggling since L got offed. Like I still like it but the main dynamic I was interested in got burst and everything has been off from there. However, still overall enjoying the series and interested to see how stuff go down

The language of thorns - 5/5 grims fairy tale  perfect fun times. Upon reflection I think my particular favorites were kujo, gingerbread witch, and ulla.

Illuminae- this was more of a book that belongs in an art museum than in my house. Got it for dirt cheap at a library book sale at some booktubers recommendations (idr if it was positive or not, I think it was just different and I was excited for that). And it was very different (it's told through case reports, DMs, some diary entries, so not typical story format, however everything is still informal so it's not constant space jargon) and really refreshing wouldn't reread again, do want to try similar format. I apparently don't typically read a lot of sci-fi (still working through the Amish one) so good to have something diff.

Lockwood and Co the screaming staircase 2.5/5. I didn't want to give things this rating but as much as I loved all the worldbuilding the characters being so dumb really annoyed the hell out of me, even giving allowances due to age - if they have been professionally working with ghosts extermination I feel like a lot of things should've been avoided. Debating whether I continue reading the series or not bc on the one hand I want more ghostly worldbuilding stuffs on the other hand I don't care to read more with those protagonists.

Rebecca of sunnybrook farm (reread) 2.5/5. I wanted Anne of green gables vibes but didn't bring my copy with me so I chose this on kindle cuz free and this was AOGG you have in ur fridge when ur mom says you have AOGG at home. In some ways it literally was the same vibes which is what I wanted but overall characters were less compelling and seemingly had no life outside of Rebecca which I found distressingly annoying. Also everytime I read this I find the relationship arc between Adam Ladd and Rebecca to be extremely...eh(?/bad) bc I couldn't tell if author wants ppl to ship them together romantically or not. Either way def a product of its time, not my personal choice anymore AOGG supremacy.

[fatuismooches]

so i was thinking back to that post about pantalone getting the receipt of all the things dottore buys for fragile!reader. imagine pantalone, columbina, and maybe signora making elaborate plans to find out why on earth is dottore buying romance novels and tcg cards. their plans get increasingly ridiculous and the segments find it funny to see some of the most powerful people in teyvat kneeling on the ground and huddled up together, only the tops of their heads visible from behind the windows(or counter) of the lab. and when reader finds them while they're on their daily walk reader is all oh hey there :D

YESSSSS ily anon!! You know Pantalone would definitely get the others in on this... he is SELLING this story to them and gathering as much backup as he can (namely Columbina... I also hc she likes to make fun of Dottore lol) You can bet they are reading those romance novels to tease Dottore about later on lol (bina def recommends you some though)

The clones are having a field day with this whole situation. They can't blame the Harbingers though, you are so interesting and lovely... who wouldn't want to know you? Well, clearly their creator has a huge problem with the rest of the Fatui even knowing about their existence. He is adamant about them not speaking to you. Probably a mixture of it'll be a headache for him to deal with them *cough endless questions and teasing* and he's unsure if it'll cause stress to your health.

Dottore's lab is hella huge so on days you feel like being alone, you tend to go a good distance away from the center. So one day you see a few figures in the lab that you can't recognize you immediately get a bit on guard... and then you realize those are Dottore's co-workers, as he calls them. You sometimes caught a glimpse of them from far away, and Dottore always looked like was at this wit's end with them. Understandably you are rather excited to have some interaction with anyone that's not Dottore... and the Harbingers are just like 🧍‍♀️ when you start prattling on with them so causally

The funny part is that a while ago I began working on a fic with this same concept, called "The Doctor's Beloved" and I can say I have a lot of brainrot from it😭

Snippets from the fic:

The Fatui Harbingers were gathered together for a very important meeting. At least, that was what the ones who had bothered to come thought. Instead, they were greeted with that familiar, infuriating smile of the Ninth Harbinger.

“I, Pantalone, call this Fatui meeting to order.”

--

Columbina spoke up, draped over Arlecchino’s shoulder. “Ah~, I’ve seen them before. But I can never get a good glimpse of their face… they always cover their face with a veil, just like how the doctor never takes his mask off. I wonder how they look…”

“Dottore’s actually spending research funds on this [Name]?” Childe gaped. “That crazy guy hardly ever thinks about anything else besides his beloved research.”

“Perhaps there is a person who shares that spot with him,” a new voice joined the conversation. Pulcinella had now entered the room.

--

“I mean what I said.”

“So you’re saying that…” one voice began.

“This [Name] person…” another continued.

“Is Dottore’s lover?!” an exclamation echoed from a few throughout the room.

[inkymkk]

Hey, I'll be polite first obviously, how are you?

do you have some fanfics you like so much about Palletshipping?

I'm looking for recommendations to read :D thanks

I started reading a lot of their fanfics in 2014 in my own language (Brazilian Portuguese) but currently there aren't many stories lol but I wasn't much of a shipper, I just liked reading stories, I think I started to like it on the show more after rewaching OS...especially Jotho (it was from power and play - Blacky! Battle During a Dark Night!! I think, and Diamomd and Pearl when they appear for 2 episodes) Oh well, there's all of Kanto and Jotho in Portuguese by an old Fansub from 2006 until 2018, that even subtitled Black and White, but he didn't finish Battle Frontier (the only one, actually) so another Fansub is taking it to finish it.

Also, where in the anime did you start shipping them? If it's a separate post, can you send a link so if as not to repeat the question If you have already answered a similar question, but changed your mind about something or have something new, you can add it

This came out bigger than intended sorry lfmao.

A very interesting post about Zensho if you intend to read it unfortunately it is an almost lost media...It's very difficult to get a physical copy and the translation that is available is not accurate according to the translator himself but it's still fun to read (it's one of my favorites) It seems like a mix of fidelity to the Red and Blue games with elements from the main anime, but factual differences between the characters' stories. Mainly more stuff about Oak/Shigeru's family I think it could be incorporated into Gary's character or not, I think that's up to people.

I think Shigeru's jealous relationship over Satoshi winning multiple times is funny, but there's a good reason behind it and the conclusion is adorable so I'm okay with it.

I wish more people knew Zensho because their dynamic is precious to me.

Another huge text omg...Thanks for reading again

Good!

I actually don't read Palletshipping fanfics often or even..at all.., But I do reccomends finding some at AO3, good shit there, I've seen really good mandarin shigesato fics actually, can't remember who wrote it..

Story time, I used to be a Gousato shipper actually.. (but for some reason when I saw the episode where Gary was coming back I was so excited and shit, mind you, I've never watched much pokemon anime prior to this, And the only pokemon anime I watched clips of was XY and black and white and yet the episode Gary came back I was jumping up and down.) I was in a relationship with a Gou kin back then but ya know some things never last.. just this year! I started to realize how much I actually truly liked shigesato (new year new me I guess.) I've always had liked it during my gousato phase (infact if I never invited that Gou kinnie to a RP server I used to be in I think It would've been a shigesato simp earlier lmao.) and once me and that old Gou kinnie started falling out I started to consume for Gary content and watching the original gen 1 anime and... That's when my storage space died bc I started downloading full videos and images.. teehee

Also that's a shame, hope someone in the fandom could find a link or something for the manga, I haven't had the time to research or find it yet so.. also I'm def drawing all 3 Gary versions one day, with all the blues...or green..or..glue..hhheheheh.... I want KitKat

[mxtxfanatic]

Hello!

Thank you so much for introducing me to some of my favourite c-novels! I only got into them bc one of the drama adaptations was too confusing so I skipped onto the novel (it was "marriage of the di daughter") and then I read through other works of the same author and shen miao and jiang ruan became some of my fav fls (time travel/revenge stories are my guilty pleasure) and when I saw the same recommendation on your human promotes tag, I was pretty excited to find a fellow fan and all of your other recommendations -the ones I have read- are super good!

I did think of recommending "job of an imperial concubine" bc something about the fl just fooling everyone around her with her lover act was pretty fun to read but you probably read it before bc you had recommended the author's works.....and all the other novels I read were through your recs😅 so if I read anything new and interesting I will definitely recommend it to you.

And again I really enjoyed all the novel recs and the mxtx metas<3!!

You’re so welcome! Shen Miao has a special place in my heart as one of my all time fav cnovel protags. I’d been wanting to read other things by that author, but only Malicious Empress was complete so I’ve been holding off 😔 I haven’t read the novel you just rec’d, likely because it doesn’t have a complete translation either. I’ll be circling back to that author eventually tho, just cause they have soooo much they’ve written and I’ve def haven’t even gotten through all their fully translated works!

[foster-the-world]

Fun!

Oh Mary play was fun. Bizarre fun. Not sure it was my favorite but def some clever moments. My husband was a big fan.

A few years back I mentored one young mother through a very small nonprofit that helps former foster youth. Its basically two middle aged ladies who helped out a group of 8-10 former foster youth. They act as the informal support most people would receive from their family + recruit mentors. Anyway, they reached out today because one of the people in their current group has a ten year old whose struggling in school. Apparently her's in a not great school in the Bronx. Asked if I had any resources since we aren't that far. Neither of the group leaders have school aged kids. Wanted to know if a charter school would help him. So hard to know. If he's just having trouble because the schools not great then most charter schools will provide extra hours support to get him caught up. If he has a learning disability then most charter schools are going to counsel him out. They don't want kids who are going to bring down their test scores :( So depressing.

I tried to provide the DOE process of getting special need services but that takes months to even get an assessment spot. Compared to 99.9% of places there are a shit ton of resources. You can get literally hundred of thousands of dollars of services provided by the city. I know so many people who get over $200,000 of services per year free of charge from the city. Top notch/can't be better services. But its a fulltime job to figure it out and you've got to be first in line or its not happening. Or you need the cash to pay for assessments, etc that prove your kid needs these services. I have some friends that work in charter schools so if she's in the right neighborhood I can see if they still have room. I provided info on an organization that helps. But its all going to take so much time. For example today I've spent at least 2.5 hours researching, talking to other parents and texting with his providers. Its not an abnormal day. I'm not currently trying to chase down any new services. It just what is normal. I mean a little extra as its only the second week of school but still. I'm lucky I can do it at work/lunchtime. Anyway its all depressing. I don't know a solution. I'm thankful services are there but there has to be a better way.

I'm touring a school geared for ADHD kids next week. It would be for Kindergarten next year. Looks good for him. My only fear is they don't accept kids with behavior issues. He's a four year old boy with ADHD of course he has behavior issues. Why else would we be there? I assume they mean aggression? Going to find out. I read they require the kids to be medicated. I'm assuming that's for older kids. I can't imagine its a requirement for 5 year old. The APA doesn't even recommend until 6 unless there are extreme issues. We are unfortunately in the extreme issues territory hence looking for a school for kids with ADHD. I'm surprised private schools can make that requirement but I guess private schools can do whatever the hell they want. Seems fishy considering I'm sure every kid there has sued the city to have them foot the bill.

Baby boys doctor wants us to try Flovant to stop the asthma. Its the normal protocol. Not excited that some people have behavioral issues as a side effect. Not what my kid needs more of. Of course, as his doctor pointed out kids behavior gets much worse when they are feeling bad because of an asthma outbreak. Also, nervous because we are thinking of trying ADHD meds next month. I don't want to mix new things. Also, don't want to wait on the Flovant because Oct/Nov are his problem asthma months.

Feeling stronger about trying the ADHD meds. Every medical provider I've talked to has encouraged us to try. I know some people would take that as doctor's wanting a quick fix. I don't agree. I think they've seen it work from other kids and don't want our kids to suffer unnecessarily. Our ADHD parent coach- whose a big wig that's done a ton of published research on ADHD was very supportive of the idea.

Baby boy has also been using some language that is so sad. "My body feels wild. I can't stop it." "I'm mean to my friends. I don't know why." "I'm bad." He's only four. We don't use "bad" language. I don't want him thinking these things about himself. He has a really hard time controlling his body but he has the sweetest little heart.

Parent Teacher night for the girls. Excited to hear from Bee's teachers - as they are both new to the school. Bee had Rebel's teacher last year so that's not new.

The very kind teacher at the school who produces a morning announcement video created by/with the kids every morning announced she was pregnant today. I happened to be in the office. The kids were so excited. Very sweet.

[theinquisitxor]

January 2024 Reading Wrap

First wrap up of the new year! I read 8 books this month, and I'd say it was a strong reading month overall. I read some new releases, caught up or finished series, and read some good stuff! I read 6 fantasy books, 1 nonfiction, and 1 regular fiction. 6 books I read physical copies, and 2 audiobooks.

1.A Winter's Promise (Mirror Visitor Quartet 1) by Christelle Dabos. 3/5 stars. This is a book I've been wanting to read since before it was translated into English. This book didn't quite live up to the expectations I had of it, but I still overall enjoyed it. I plan to continue the series, possibly quarterly. Young adult fantasy.

2. A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft. 4.5/5 stars. Another great Allison Saft book, and this one is possibly my favorite so far. This is exactly my type of fantasy romance and I was very invested in reading this. It's about a young magical seamstress who is commissioned to make the royal wedding clothes for the kingdom's prince. Young adult fantasy.

3.Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard. 3/5 stars. This was a fun read, but not the most exciting or great as it had the potential to be. The story has a fun cast of characters, and enjoyable world, but not a whole lot happened in this book. I can def see Aveyard's LOTR inspirations in this. I plan on continuing this series soon.

4.The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake. 2/5 stars. This was a disappointing end to a series and was very lackluster and fell apart at the end. Disappointing because of how much I loved book 2. There were some redeeming moments, but much of this book felt unnecessary or frustrating. Adult fantasy.

5.Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 5/5 stars. This is a collection of essays by the author about the world around us, life, nature, and the way we interact with the world. Absolutely my new favorite thing and much of Kimmerer's teachings in the book resonate with me very deeply. Read on audio- which I highly recommend. Nature/essays.

6.Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde 2) by Heather Fawcett. 5/5 stars. This was just as good as book 1, and I loved the new adventure and learning more about fairies. Emily and Wendall are my favorite, and I can't wait to see how this series concludes.

7.Beartown (Beartown 1) by Fredrik Backman 4.5/5 stars. I read this book in less than 24 hours and it emotionally abused me throughout. I'm late to the game in regards to this book (no pun intended) but I'm glad I finally read it. Backman never disappoints, and I plan to continue the series soon. Fiction.

8. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known (Wayward Children 9) by Seanan McGuire. 4/5 stars. This felt like the continuation of Antsy's story from book 8, but with some of our main cast of characters on a new quest. Very enjoyable and another solid installment in the series. Is the last time we see the "main cast?". Read on audio. Fantasy.

That's it for January! I am currently reading my TBR Pick of the Month, The Throne of the Five Winds, but I am only still in the first half of the book, so I will have to finish it up for Feb. I also started a new nonfiction audiobook, but am still in the first half of that as well.

February TBR:

finish The Throne of the Five Winds by SC Emmett

Crescent City 3

Nonfiction Audiobook (finish)

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

What Feasts at Night by T Kingfisher

TBR Pick of the month

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (?)

[artsy-alice]

It has been 7 years but I am once again here to talk about Sparks.(lmao)

I can't even begin to comprehend just how much this single story has affected the entirety of my life. It impacted the way I've planned my future! It helped me and my friends make actionable plans for living together! Some of us already are and it has greatly improved our quality of life. I often find myself dancing and being reminded of this fic! And the scene where they're filming inside the apartment!! Levy and Gajeel's performance!! Juvia practicing on the roof top! The Broadway group's impromptu performance! All of these scenes are seared into my brain!! I keep recommending it to my friends even after all these years. This fic really gave me hope for a better future. One filled with found family and fun and support and ambition.

I'm not in the same fandoms as you anymore, but I still get excited to see your art cross my dash. I love the way your art flows and the colors you choose. You clearly love it and it's always there in your art.

All this to say: thank you. Thank you for creating art, and thank you for sharing it. Thank you.

ok, i held off replying to this multiple times because each time i just get overwhelmed and choked up and am at a loss on how to respond. but!! i can't just not do it, i'm finally doing it today!!

this comment means so much to me!! i'm always touched whenever someone from my ft fic writing days drop a message to just say they remembered something from my fics, or that they're re-reading, or just to check on me. it is A LOT. to know how much something i wrote means to someone else.

Sparks is special because it's my first long fic after WAY. i just quit my last job bc it wasn't making me happy anymore, i was taking a break to just make art at home, and i was making plans to find a job that suits me better. Sparks is personal bc i made an outline, and i stood by that outline until the end. it was def a challenge, but it was just SO FUN bc it's about art and dance and friendship and found family and music, things i love and everyone who followed the updates really gave me the space and support to just nerd out and make that AU as fun and carefree as it was. it's one of the most fun and satisfying fics to write, and a big part of it is you guys!!

i'm so glad to hear that you're in a good place in your life and you're in the company of friends. and YES i still smile whenever i see your username in my notifs leave a like on my posts or art, even tho they're not for the FT fandom anymore. it does mean a LOT lot to me. so thank YOU for that. ^-^)/

you're welcome! i still do love making and sharing art. i can't make as much these days anymore - irl stress & struggles in recent years have caught up to me so i'm taking a lot of breaks. AND i'm trying to be more forgiving of myself for taking those breaks more often. but it's always a pleasure to hear people still appreciate my stuff. and it always brings me one step closer to making art again.

[wowowwild]

I asked for 20 but I also want to ask about 21! I love fic recs.

21. Did you ever read fanfictions? Which one is your personal recommendation?

Sorry it took so long! It took me a while to get everything in order, but here it is.

So fun fact: Whenever I read a fic I love I book mark it with the note j'adore so I can read it again later. Some of them get this note preemptively. I also tend to go through a tag on ao3 in date posted ascending order so I start with the oldest and work my way forward so I don't potentially miss anything, but I haven't made it all the way through some tags that I would like to. If there's a fic you think I would like that's not on here, I probably just haven't gotten to it yet! (Most of the newer ones on here I found through Tumblr.)

Also! I'm pretty sure any of the ones that involve smut I have marked as such, but please check the tags on the actual fic before reading! I am not responsible for what content you choose to consume!

That being said, here is Ace's All Time Best Fic Rec List (AATBFRL for short):

Nobody Can Just Say What They Mean (Series)- The first fic is Narumitsu and the second is Klapollo and I think about them allllll the time, especially Things Are As They Are altered me on a microscopic level. Rocks are just rocks, you know? (Narumitsu, Klapollo)

undeniable you (the currents pulling me onward)- Idk what to say. Kristoph Gavin dies in prison and Klavier is suspect #1. Apollo flies back to defend him and yaoi happens. I'm a sucker for Klav getting all scrungled up.

fame vs infamy (the price of writing fanfic out of spite)- It's a crack fic. It's funny. 10/10 would recommend. (Klapollo)

The Definition Of Home- And there was only one bed?!?!?!?!?! What?!?!?!?! And there was a little angst in the bed?!?!?!?!?! Unbelievable. Actually the angst was on the couch, the bed made it better. (Klapollo)

13 Hours- This fic keeps popping up in my fever dreams. I'm not even kidding. I didn't have it bookmarked the first time around but when I found it again, I was like 'oh, I know this one! It haunts my dreams!' and immediately slapped a j'adore on it. Airport Klapollo getting together.

Dig Enough Graves- This one is still being put out, it's a Klapollo roleswap and I love it. I get so excited when I see it's updated. So many things are happening and we have clues and I'm gonna figure it out, ok? *boston accent* I'm sleuthin 'ere! (rated M for violence and sex reasons)

stop the presses (series)- V funny. Apollo works as a columnist and writes thirst essays about KlavGav and gets a date out of it. I am very impressed with the coding used to make this look the way it does.

And if my wishes could all come true- I have reread this one a couple times. I think about it a lot. It is genuinely so funny and makes me feel all sorts of things. I love pre-relationship klapollo divorce complete with alimony while they were not not dating but actually not dating, Apollo you can't just assume that.

Nothing Like This Feeling- Apollo top suregery fic with a dash of Klapollo!

Turnabout Dishwasher- For when you get the hankering for a 422.6k work of art. It's like three fics in one that happen concurrently, which doesn't sound like a description that makes sense unless you read it. There are so many characters here, and shipping is part of it but it's also a whole lot of everything else. These characters are actually living and you get to take a look see. (klapollo, blackmadhi, wrightworth, look just read the tags on the fic there's so much going on)

Such Terrible Tales- A gorgeous magic filled AU with a focus on the casts of aa5 and aa6 and fun cameos from Investigations (so far). This fic is still on going and I would def recommend reading it as it comes out! I love trying to figure out the lore and what will happen next! This fic kind of pulls me off my hinges lol. (blackmadhi)

You Wear Stripes, Too?- Apollo and Klav come out to each other as trans and nb respectively.

Things Best Shared- Klav teaches Apollo guitar.

For A Bad Time Call Simon Blackquill- Iconic blackmadhi fic. I think about it all the time. V funny fake dating au with bits of angst.

Last Resort- And they were roommates! Blackmadhi roommates with lots of healing and shenanigans.

Dating for a Turnabout- Narumitsu fake dating for a case. Larry is there doing Larry things. Franziska did it to them bc she is very smart and cool.

Vacation All I Ever Wanted- I think about this sooooooo much. Tagline: One condo. Six lawyers. Seven secret plans. What could possibly go wrong? (klapollo, narumitsu, athena blackquill and trucy are there)

Alternative Dispute Resolution- Apollo makes Klavier talk to Mr. Wright before they can start dating. It's awkward (and funny) and Trucy is a delight.

Turn(about) my words- The fic where I realized I instinctively start laughing when someone gets shot. He's fine. uhhh narumitsu, phoenix got shot of course bc why wouldn't he and found family stuff.

You're Alive (And that's the only thing that truly matters.)- Klavier gets poisoned and Edgeworth tells the nurses Apollo is his partner so he can get in to see him. Turns out I don't laugh at poisonings, only shootings.

Dog Days- Apollo and Trucy go to another Gavinners concert and Polly misinterprets everything all the time.

Reckless Endangerment- One of the funniest klapollo get togethers. Pollo insults him real good while he's standing behind him, klav thinks about going abroad to study, phoenix has prosecutor going abroad ptsd, apollo might actually be into the gavinners, or at least the titular member.

Good Advice- Klavier Gavin makes categorically bad decisions in the face of love. (klapollo)

Hot For Justice- klavgav gets a muse, guess who?

Rules for Dating a Rockstar Prosecutor- klapollo first date that literally everyone is more invested in than Apollo (until he actually goes).

The Things We Do For Gym Access- Fake dating so Apollo can use the gym at Klav's place until the one he normally goes to gets fixed. Except they're actually really into each other and it's killing me everyday it's killing me I'm dead I'm dying they're so dense and in love and can't figure out why they haven't been caught and it's bc they actually feel like that and on top of pretend dating are pretending to date each other to themselves just kiss istg. Rated Explicit for sexual reasons.

The Walk to Tomorrow- Narumitsu doing Narumitsu things.

Legal Partners- Oooooooo this one! I also think about this one a lot. Narumitsu and klapollo and everyone is idiots they're all idiots. Klav and Edgeworth make a stupid, stupid bet about who has the more meaningful connection with their preferred defense attorney. I love this type of fic.

Turnabout Rubesville- Edgeworth gets accused of murder in a small town bc he's a grump. Phoenix sorts it out.

You Ever Been In Love?- Everyone gets way too involved in making Wrightworth happen, and it goes horribly until it goes right.

Gravity- Rated Explicit for sex reasons. Tbh I really like the oc. She's real cool. def read the tags for trigger warnings. (klapollo)

The soul truth (and nothing but the truth)- Franmaya! There's some spirit medium shenanigans and Lang is a bro.

Exorcism- Klapollo AU aa4 rewrite Kitty is a doll I love her these boys are unhinged look they have a conspiracy closet ok? Rated E for sex reasons.

Play Your Cards Right- Narumitsu agree to go on a date and shake hands about it. Rated E for sex reasons.

Hostile Environments (Series)- Justquill Shenanigans

satisfaction brought him back- Justquill Simon gets turned into a cat. I love fics where someone gets turned into a cat. There aren't a lot but it is a trope I enjoy. I've def read this one a couple times.

Stripped- Klapollo impending. Apollo is also secretly a stripper. Idk if this fic will ever get finished but I liked everything in it.

Curiosity Created the Cat- Klapollo impending. Also not finished and maybe never will be and only 3 chapters but in this one Klav gets turned into a cat. I'm sorry.

if it's really me you seek- Klapollo. I'm just going to post the official summary bc I j'ador'ed it but I don't remember exactly which one this is: Or, when Apollo comes home from Khura'in only to learn that Prosecutor Gavin is avoiding him, the last thing he expected was for Gavin to offer to let Apollo stay at his house while he looks for a new apartment.

As of right now this is everything in my bookmarks that I've read, I think you can figure out my favorite ship lol.

[gafurtle]

Okay wow, the internet was not kidding, there are a LOT of Brandon Sanderson books! Where would you recommend starting? Do you have a particular favourite?

😃

Hey I’m glad you’re thinking about checking him out! I’d say there are four good “ins” that people cheerfully argue about.

I started with Way of Kings, first book of the Stormlight archive, which nobody recommends. It’s super long and the books only get longer as the series got on; it’s the magnum opus. But listen - I’m really glad I started there? It was the one everyone was always talking about on tumblr (I wanted to meet Kaladin dammit) and the book being really long and complicated wasn’t a roadblock for me personally. I love a complicated magic system and while all of the Easter eggs and cosmere-wide stuff went over my head, I didn’t know it was doing that so it didn’t bother me.

More people would suggest starting with Mistborn book 1, since that series is short and the first book in particular is a tight and exciting heist narrative. I think I personally benefited from reading that book second when I already had oodles of Sanderson good-will because it is def an earlier book and a little bit rough around the edges. I also personally get nervous when it’s a fantasy book about violence and oppression and slavery because I don’t want to read gratuitous violence against women and children - but for the record Sanderson also doesn’t revel in that and what is going on is largely off-screen. The magic system in Mistborn is GREAT and the characters are fun so it is a good read.

Or there are some really good stand-alones. Emperor’s Soul is a novella (gasp! Like Murderbot!) and it’s just….really good. The magic is amazing (Sanderson’s magic systems are always amazing), the plot, the characters, the philosophical ramifications … it’s about a forger who has to forge a human soul.

Finally, he just put out Tress of the Emerald Sea which is a standalone project inspired by the Princess Bride (what if Buttercup decided to rescue Wesley from the pirates?). I recently loaned this to a Sanderson-curious friend who reported that it took her a while to get past the…strong narrative voice but that was she got into it she couldn’t put it down and now she’s gonna get Mistborn. (The narrator is a character from other books who is certainly unique in his storytelling voice, but it is otherwise standalone).

Sorry this got so long! But I think these are all good depending on what kind of book you tend to like and also whether you’d like to try something shorter first to see if you like it before moving on.

[sostrangerous]

helloo!! how r you? I hope you're doing great. I never reached out to an author like this before, but I just felt the need to take the risk and let you know that I discovered fyck like two days ago by a recommendation on tw, and this was a fucking blessing. I already went through all of it and when I tell you it's one of the best fics I've ever read, like I wanted to kiss your brain the more I got into it.

I really loved the way you depicted the characters so real, like I could relate to each of them in some way and it made everything more fun and exciting to read, but at the same time feel for them like it was myself. Actually I was kind of going through a hard time at the moment and I cried in almost every chapter bc of mark's inner dialogue, I felt understood, so it was also a relief little ritual for myself, and I wanted to thank you for allowing me those moments through your work. I could feel content in that tiny world you created and shared with us.

So I wanted to write this little rant in appreciation of your talent and your work. Thank you for sharing it with us!!

Also, I don't mean to bother, but I wanted to ask if you're planning on finishing the fic someday, just to know if we may get to know what hyuck wrote in the gc because I'm actually fckin curious lol

<3

omg thank you so much <3 <3 <3 you're not the only person who has related to mark, ur def not alone in Getting It. im glad my weird brain has been able to connect w u and anyone else who relates to my fic

i do want to finish it :))) im just in a serious locked tf in period in my life, so i haven't been able to think about anything else. i have a plan and i will execute it... eventually. i hope i left it at a *decent* point though. like at least mark and jaemin have talked now, yeesh