frayadjacent | Reading

Last Books post of the year. I know there are still a couple days left, but after I finished my most recent book I decided to take a short break and start fresh on January 1st. No unfinished books hanging on from 2025. Also, I stopped because I reached exactly 100 books! Which was a surprise to me. The last time I had 100+ books was in 2017, and that was because a large chunk of them was Doctor Who novels, which are fast reads.

I'm not sure how I got to 100 this year. Maybe because I made it a goal to read more mystery/thriller books this year, and they are generally shorter and faster-paced than my usual science fiction and fantasy? Also I think getting into the habit of reading a little before bed every night instead of playing on my phone (as well as starting to put a dent into the stack of unread books I own) helped that along. I kind of failed at listening to many audiobooks this year compared to last year, so they're a minor contribution to the overall count. And I do count DNFs, which some people will claim is cheating, but who cares? There's no prize for reaching a certain number. I suppose if I was claiming I read 100 books and half or more of them were DNFs, you might have an argument, but I only had eight DNFs total this whole year. I have a personal rule that I need to have read at least 25% of a book before counting it; there are some DNFs I quit only a couple chapters in because I could tell from the beginning it was not for me, and those I don't count. I think there was only one book this year that fell into that category, and it is not included in any of my book posts or the overall count.

I might do awards this year? I know I said that last year and never did, but I can try again.

Previous books posts:
Books 1-9 (January)
Books 10-15 (February)
Books 16-24 (March)
Books 25-33 (April)
Books 34-41 (May)
Books 42-49 (June)
Books 50-58 (July)
Books 59-67 (August)
Books 68-89 (September/October/November)

( 90. Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey - 3 stars )

( 91. H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton - 2 stars )

( 92. Codex by Lev Grossman - 2.5 stars )

( 93. This Great Hemisphere by Mateo Askaripour - 3 stars )

( 94. Brutes by Dizz Tate - 2 stars )

( 95. Bag of Bones by Stephen King - 2 stars )

( 96. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager - 3.5 stars )

( 97. American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson - 3 stars )

( 98. Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow - 2 stars )

( 99. The Emperor's Railroad by Guy Haley - 2 stars )

( 100. The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later by The Tectonic Theater Project - 3 stars )

goodbyebird in

spankulert

01-04 stranger things
05-08 good trouble
09-15 wheel of time
16-16 babylon 5
17-25 comics
26-28 pluribus
29-41 interview with the vampire

( I am the rest you have been longing for. )

Current Music: Shannon Lay - I See the Moon

yourlibrarian in

tv_talk

Laptop-TV combo with DVDs on top and smartphone on the desk

Are there shows that you’ve noticed have had a revival on social media or fan spaces in the last few years? Are there any you're glad to see coming back?

luzula

Becoming a Supple Leopard: the ultimate guide to resolving pain, preventing injury and optimizing athletic performance by Kelly Starrett (2015)
This book has changed my life. I know I sound like I'm doing a paid promotion or like someone who's joined some weird cult, and I know the book has kind of a silly title, but it's true. My mind is blown.

The thing is, I've had problems with stiffness and muscle ache for years. I've been trying to deal with it by exercise and stretching, but while exercise is obviously good for a whole host of reasons, it doesn't solve the problem of stiffness/muscle ache. And stretching doesn't do much, either. I've also gone to a massage therapist, which does partly help, but it's temporary and also costs a lot of money. And while the guy is much better in the practical application of massage than others I've gone to, and I like him, still I'm reluctant to keep going to him because he does do some things with a large application of force and I doubt his medical judgment (to say the least). In the last few years he has begun to spout conspiracy theories about vaccines and only drinks warm water because, as a man, he needs the yang energy.

Anyway, I figured the stiffness and muscle ache was just middle age and at bottom I just had to suck it up. Turns out THERE ARE EFFECTIVE TOOLS TO ADDRESS THIS THAT I NEVER KNEW ABOUT! Also they're cheap and I can apply them myself! I honestly feel like someone prone to headaches who has just, at the age of 46, discovered the existence of painkillers. But better, because this isn't a drug.

( Read more... )

selenak

Darth Real Life is still on my heels, but:

Katabasis - R.F. Kuang

Two different and both clever and sensitive explorations of what the aftermath of the novel might have been like for Alice and Peter:

The Next Step

The Raven's Paradox

The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle

In that clear unpeopled space: the Unicorn's long way to her forest. Has the poetry, the beauty and the character growth of the book.

Lord of the Flies - Willliam Golding

I Remember (Don't Worry) : in which Ralph encounters Jack years post novel. Disturbing in the way the book is, yet with some glimpse of hope.

Penny Dreadful

mimics the lampllight's struggle with the dawn: After a night of victory, Vanessa and Hecate, separately, search for their footing. Missing scene from the second season's finale, with both women and Malcolm expertly drawn.

The Radiant Emperor Series - Shelley Parker-Chan

The Calligraphy of Disgrace: in which we get another take on these novels' entertainingly screwed up soulmates relationship, with an AU twist.

Frederician Historical Fiction

Five times Amalie saw Luise, and one time Luisa saw Amalie: in which the "Five Things" format is expertly used to portray the relationship between the Melanie Wilkes of the Hohenzollern court and her sharp-tongued sister-in-law.

Courting the Chamberlain : in which we find out how Frederick the Great's lover got married to the resourceful Caroline Daum.

The Ring of the Nibelung - Wagner

Loyalty only to me: Hagen learns many lessons from his father over the years.

Some Desperate Glory - Emily Tesh

Again two different takes on a novel's aftermath, the first focused on Magnus, the other on Avi, which also doubles a great take on his development across several timelines.

Some Desperate Hope

Salvation from falling into the sea of misguidances

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Location: Bad Wiessee

lilly_the_kid

This year I made 3 vids. That's fewer than ever before. But it was a year, so, yeah.

Tango & Cash
It's All Coming Back To Me Now ~ the flesh and the fantasies, all coming back to me

L.A. Confidential
Los Ageless ~ in Los Ageless the mothers milk their young

Deadpool & Wolverine
Something Good ~ something tells me I'm into something good

My favorite vid this year
All of them, really.

Least favorite vid
None really, I'm happy with them all.

Most successful
I think, all festivids recips liked their vid.

Vid most under-appreciated by the universe in my opinion
None, I think, they were all well liked.

Most Fun Vid
It's All Coming Back To Me Now was a lot of fun to make, it cracked me up! The silly action stuff, the over the top use of music. Loved it!

Video with the single sexiest moment
It's All Coming Back To Me Now probably. But also, every time Deadpool and Wolverine "fought".

Hardest Vid to Make
All of them in a way. It's getting harder each year to actually sit down and vid. Maybe it's my attention span or concentration skills, I don't know. But it's been getting harder lately.

Most unintentionally telling vid
At this point it's all intentional :D Gotta pick It's All Coming Back To Me Now!!

Past years:

Meme 2024
Meme 2023
Meme 2022
Meme 2021
Meme 2020
Meme 2019
Meme 2018
Meme 2017
Meme 2016
Meme 2015
Meme 2014
Meme 2013
Meme 2012
Meme 2011
Meme 2010

silveradept

It's December Days time again. This year, I have decided that I'm going to talk about skills and applications thereof, if for no other reason than because I am prone to both the fixed mindset and the downplaying of any skills that I might have obtained as not "real" skills because they do not fit some form of ideal.

( 29: w00t )

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: Infinte Rivals - The 13th Struggle (Luxord)

tinny

characters20in20 has loosened its rules so you can now also icon multiple characters from the same show. I claimed Nie Jiuluo from Love on the Turquoise Land for round 20, but for the category set I went with five different characters just because I thought it would be more fun. :D Oh, and the vampire queen got the red/green octopus.

( 20 Turquoise Land icons )

Every single comment is treasured. All icons shareable! Concrit welcome. Check out my resource post for makers of textures and brushes I use.

Previous icon posts:

mific in

fancake

Fandom: Heated Rivalry
Characters/Pairings: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Yuna Hollander/David Hollander
Rating: Teen
Length: 1443
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: toomuchplor on AO3
Themes: canon LGBTQ+ characters, Family, Established relationship, Missing scene

Summary:
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. ~ Thoreau
Or;
What happened when Yuna and Shane were talking.

Reccer's Notes:
I wanted this scene when I watched episode 6, and toomuchplor wrote it! This is what happens between Ilya and David when Shane is outside talking with Yuna. It's also about David observing how in love Shane and Ilya are, and about David and Yuna gradually getting to grips with all the revelations. It's wonderfully written, and just exactly what I'd hoped someone would write. Also, toomuchplor is in the vortex!! *excited noises* (this is plor's 3rd HR fic).

Fanwork Links: Keep Pace

22degreehalo in

fancake

Fandom: Night at the Museum
Pairings/Characters: Jedediah/Octavius
Rating: T
Length: 15,551
Creator Links:

flowerdeluce
Theme: Amnesty, (Five) Things, Essential Starter Recs, Friends to Lovers, Heists & Capers, Just Plain Fun, Magic, Research, Slow Burn, Uncommon Settings, Working Together, Worldbuilding

Summary: After discovering how lucrative ‘publicity stunts’ are for the museum, McPhee organises a series of art exhibitions in the museum’s gallery. The installations are refreshed weekly, leaving Jed and Octavius only brief windows of time to explore each one.

Reccer's Notes: An absolutely gorgeous fic which integrates real-world museum exhibits; they all sounded so unique and fascinating it made me want to visit my own local museum, too!! The slow build up of the boys' relationship is also just delightful as they explore these new worlds and the many other ways the museum's magic animates each unique exhibit.

Fanwork Links: On Every Horizon

22degreehalo in

fancake

Fandom: The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System
Pairings/Characters: Luo Binghe/Shen Qingqiu
Rating: M
Length: 33,372
Creator Links:

ratjamtime1EndRacismintheOTW1
Theme: Amnesty, (Not Really) Unrequited Love, Casefic, Character Development, Clones & Doppelgangers, Favorite Fanworks, Fix-it, Identity Porn, Loyalty Kink, Secret Identity Reveal, Spells & Curses, Trauma & Recovery

Summary: Luo Binghe is setting the beginning foundations of his attempt to prove himself the righteous cultivator Shen Qingqiu could welcome back to his side (and possibly love but let's not get ahead of ourselves here) when he hears his master's life is in peril. He leaps at the chance to prove his goodness and worth to his master.

Luo Binghe learns his master is not the man he thought he was.

AKA

Shen 'Airplane wrote this for an orgy wife plot/love confession but I'll be damned before I do anything like THAT' Qingqiu vs Luo 'If it were not for Shizun, I'd kill everyone on this mountain and then myself' Binghe, FIGHT

Reccer's Notes: Out of all the 'Binghe fights the System and finds out Shen Qingqiu's true identity' fics out there (and there will never be enough to satiate my cravings), this one is my favourite. Please don't be turned off by the grammar: this is such a perfect dissection of the many different parts of Shen Qingqiu slash Shen Yuan, following Binghe through a series of important memories as he pieces together the truth and reaches the core of the rift between he and his Shizun. It just feels so perfectly... conclusive: when it ended all I could do is sit back and bask in the satisfaction because it felt like such a perfect ending for them both!!

Fanwork Links: Peel You Open (Like A Flower, Or An Onion)

22degreehalo in

fancake

Fandom: The West Wing
Pairings/Characters: Sam Seaborn/Josh Lyman-focus; also includes Sam/OMC, Josh/Amy and Josh/Donna
Rating: E
Length: 347,597 overall
Creator Links:

jaegecko
Theme: Amnesty, Ambiguous Relationships, Backstory, Character Development, Epic Works, Fandom Classics, Getting Back Together, Missing Scenes, Mutual Pining, Politics, Research, Series

Summary: The Turningverse is a series of stories that interweave with both canon "West Wing" episodes and each other. Each one is self-contained, so feel free to begin anywhere you feel moved to do so.

Reccer's Notes: THE big Sam/Josh fic, and it earns all of its accolades! The author is incredibly knowledgeable about the day-to-day realities of political campaigners and White House staffers, flawlessly interspersing their own original scenes with canon. And the central relationship is so perfectly, tragically flawed: two men who are intrinsically drawn to one another, struggling to overcome the lack of privacy inherent to their position, burgeoning resentment, and some of the most heart-breakingly realistic internalised homophobia I've read in a long time. And that's not to mention the fic's version of Lisa, Sam's initial fiance, who becomes a very important character just as flawed and with just as complicated a relationship with Sam and Josh as they have with another. I devoured these fics and never wanted to stop!

However, be aware that the final fic of the series (the intended second-last part) was never fully completed. As a result, the series never reached the point where the couple gets back together for good. I recommend ending with 'Interlude for two voices' if you can't bear that; I sure stayed there for a while until I could bring myself to go on! :')

Fanwork Links: The Turning universe

siria

( My fic year in review: Biosphere, Doctor Who, ER, Fire Country, Interview with the Vampire, The Newsreader, A Nice Indian Boy, The Old Guard, The Pitt, Stargate Atlantis, Superman )

Added up, that gives me:

Word Count: 163,779
Fandoms: 11
Stories: 56

This is one of my all-time most prolific writing years, both in terms of total word count and in the fact that I averaged just over a fic a week. I guess vampires + doctors = inspiration. Who knew?

( My most average fics on AO3: word count, hits, kudos, bookmarks )

caramarie

So I was going along, ( and now I am on the Romance Route )

goodbyebird

+ I thiiiink I'm up to date on my comment replies? My inbox turned into a right mess with all the holiday emails thrown in, sorry if I've skipped over you.

+ Tis the time for End of Year Lists, and I enjoyed Every Sapphic Book I Read This Year by

Lesbiature.

+ I actually spotted the Beehive Books illuminated version of Carmilla in a local bookshop! I didn't know their fancy editions were becoming that widespread. I backed their very first kickstarter back in the day, happy to see they've expanded. Their editions are works of art. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for a sale so I can snap it up.

+ Finally installed Vegas Pro 22 I got from Humble Bundle, and there were separate ticky boxes for Vegas Pro and Deep Learning Model. I'm assuming that's their AI bullshit? If so, GOOD. Maybe I'll venture into discord again, most vidders have abandoned ship here and I'll very likely be in need of moral support. These gay vampires won't leave me alone and I may just have to do something about it. (this is 98% likely to never result in a finished vid, my track record is very conclusive)

+ Big shoutout to

lgbtrainbow for letting me do one icon at a time. Such a fun but also easy way to go about iconning. Though I now have three colors laying in wait for when they come back around lol. I am ready to pounce. Please join us and icon All The Gays.
(I may actually have an icon post before the year ends whee)

In the meantime I've written up not one but two tutorials based on earlier PSDs, because once again I'm having to re-learn how to make icons 🫠

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Rec-cember Day 29
Stranger Things
love is a battle i can win by

palmviolet (24,653 words). Christmas 1994. Nancy faces her fears. The sense of found family and friendship in this <3 (also another Christmas fic yay)
She taps the end of her ballpoint on her lip and looks idly around the terminal. The bank of seats she’s sitting on is empty. But as she watches, actually, someone comes down to sit a few seats away from her. It’s a woman, short-haired, in men’s trousers and a collared shirt. She’s got sharp eyes and freckles dusted over her cheeks; the shirt, open at the throat, shows off the hint of warm brown collarbones.

She doesn’t sit for long. Soon enough she spots someone entering the terminal and she jumps to her feet, the sort of raw delight emanating off her that’s hard to look at. She rushes forward and embraces the person. Another woman. And it’s 1994, and the world’s come a long way, but not long enough for them to kiss here in public, but Nancy can tell that they want to. She can just tell. And she doesn’t know where this sense came from, where she learned it or when. How does she know? How does she know that’s what they want to do?

Not because she’s felt that way herself. She remembers the few times she and Jonathan were apart for any length of time, the way she’d feel itchy and unsettled the whole duration and yet still strangely reluctant to see him return. She wouldn’t kiss him in the airport, though she’d kiss back if he kissed her. It was a problem of knowing neither how to live with him nor how to live without him; it was a problem they all experienced with each other, moving away from New Hawkins in dribs and drabs as they did. Joyce calling Jonathan four times a day and forgetting the time difference, waking them just as they went to bed. Nancy doing the same to Mike and Holly, just in the mornings.

She checks her watch. It’s eleven twenty-eight; she puts her notebook away and gets her things together, passing the two women on her way out, and she has to avert her eyes. She can’t look at them. Her cheeks are furiously hot.

goodbyebird in

spankulert

( As opposed to the previous tutorial, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted this icon to do. )

Current Music: IDLES - Model Village

goodbyebird in

spankulert

( Where I clearly didn't have a good idea of where I was going. )

xkcd_feed

https://xkcd.com/3187/

1,300,000-1,400,000 ft: Ask a crew member to show you how to use the ISS food warmer.

https://xkcd.com/3187/

luzula

Day 28: Busy with family; alibi sentence. How about you?

Tally:
( Read more... )
Day 28:

luzula,

china_shop,

badly_knitted,

trobadora,

brithistorian,

goddess47,

sanguinity,

sylvanwitch,

chestnut_pod,

cornerofmadness,

garonne,

brithistorian,

Day 29:

luzula,

china_shop,

garonne,

brithistorian,

laurajv

(the time was neither wrong nor right) (962 words) by Laura JV
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: The Original Series
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: James T. Kirk/Spock, James T. Kirk & Spock
Characters: James T. Kirk, Spock (Star Trek)
Additional Tags: Post-Episode: s03e12 Plato's Stepchildren (Star Trek: The Original Series), T'hy'la (Star Trek), Kolinahr (Star Trek)
Summary:

Four years and two hundred seventy-six days into the five-year mission, Spock initiates a conversation.

Profile

fray-adjacent

September 2025

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
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Page Summary

kay_brooke - December 2025 Books
goodbyebird in spankulert - #120
yourlibrarian in tv_talk - TV Tuesday: Should Auld Acquaintance
luzula - Learning more things I didn't know that I didn't know
selenak - Yuletide Recs 2
lilly_the_kid - End Of Year Vidding Meme
silveradept - December Days 02025 #29: w00t
tinny - 20 Turquoise Land icons for characters20in20
mific in fancake - Heated Rivalry: Keep Pace by toomuchplor
22degreehalo in fancake - NATM: On Every Horizon by flowerdeluce
22degreehalo in fancake - SVSSS: Peel You Open (Like A Flower, Or An Onion) by ratjamtime1EndRacismintheOTW1
22degreehalo in fancake - The Turning Universe by Jae Gecko
siria - 2573 / Fic Year in Review, 2025
caramarie - A different Hundred Line route
goodbyebird - (no subject)
goodbyebird in spankulert - Tutorial #10
goodbyebird in spankulert - Tutorial #9
xkcd_feed - High Altitude Cooking Instructions
luzula - Write every day: Day 29
laurajv - FIC: (the time was neither wrong nor right)

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Style: Energy Drink for Funky Circles by ninetydegrees
Resources: Techno Beat

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