Reading

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Podfic Recs

Hello 👋 I just discovered this community via holiday_wishes and can't wait to have more voices to put in my ear because of it! I thought a fun first post here could be crossposting my most recent podfic recs collected as part of

rec_cember. I hope they're of interest! :)

Fandoms with podfic recs: Star Trek: TNG (Movies and TV), Independence Day (Movies), What We Do in the Shadows (TV), Severance, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Jennifer's Body

( Podfics under here... )

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[MULTIFANDOM] - CANDY HEARTS EXCHANGE

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FIC: Ghost Valley (NC17 SLASH) by Tarlan - Word of Honor

Title: Ghost Valley
Author: Tarlan (

tarlanx)
Fandom: Word of Honor (TV 2021)
MAIN Pairing/Characters: Wen Kexing/Zhou Zishu, Ye Baiyi
MINOR Pairing/Characters: Gu Xiang/Cao Weining, Zhang Chengling, Jing Beiyuan, Wu Xi, Luo Fumeng
Rating/Category: NC17 SLASH
Word Count: 19180
Summary: Finally putting the ghosts of the past to rest had freed Wen Kexing in a manner he had never truly expected. For the first time he looked out across Ghost Valley and no longer saw a pitiful realm of criminals and monsters in human guises but real people who had no place else to go.

Content Notes: Written for IetjeSiobhan for

ficinabox 2025.

On AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/72633681

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FIC: Caught in a Trap - Boya/Qingming, The Yin-yang Master: Dream of Eternity by Tarlan

Title: Caught in a Trap
Author: Tarlan (

tarlanx)
Fandom: Yin Yáng Shi | The Yin-yang Master (Movies - Guo Jingming)
Pairing/Characters: Bo Ya/Qing Ming
Rating/Category: PG13 SLASH
Word Count: 2971
Summary: In a bid to stay away from the Yin Yang Temple, Qingming took on many demon hunts. If he should happen to entice Boya to join him then that was just two masters working well together. What he never expected was the attack that came in the middle of the night.

Content Notes: Written for kaitou for

ficinabox 2025

On AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/73031071

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type: fanfiction

FIC: Blink of an Eye (Fangs of Fortune) by Tarlan

Title: Blink of an Eye
Author: Tarlan (

tarlanx)
Fandom: Fangs of Fortune (TV)
Pairing/Characters: Li Lun/Zhao Yuanzhou | Zhu Yan and Li Lun/Zhao Yuanzhou | Zhu Yan/Zhuo Yichen
Rating/Category: PG13 SLASH
Word Count: 1623
Summary: Before he had his first sentient thought he was drawn to the Pagoda tree.

Content Notes: Written for acernor for

ficinabox 2025

On AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/71386931

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Inkingitout: 2026 writing challenge and support

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Holiday drama

1. Dear Eric: My daughter-in-law decided a few years back to have a Friendsgiving dinner which she hosts a couple of weekends before Thanksgiving. She invites her family (as her mom has never done Thanksgiving) and then a bunch of her and my son's friends.

In my mind I know this shouldn't bother me, but it does. I waited my "turn" growing up and having a family and to be the one to host Thanksgiving (my parents have both passed as has my husband's mom) and now I have my own grandchildren. We still do the whole Thanksgiving dinner, but I don't feel it is as special as it was because now everyone has already had the traditional Thanksgiving meal that previously we only had that one time a year.

She always says “oh y’all are welcome to come, too,” but I just can't get into it and feel resentment that I waited all the years to be the grandma to host the meal and now it is like feeding everyone leftovers. Can you give me another way to look at this or some advice that will make me not as resentful about it?

– Leftovers Anyone?

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2. Dear Annie: Christmas at my parents' house used to feel magical, but lately it feels like I'm walking into a performance review. My older brother's new hobby is "radical honesty," and apparently the holidays are his favorite time to practice. Last year, as we decorated the tree, he announced that my handmade ornaments looked "like a Pinterest fail" and suggested I "sit out the creative parts" of Christmas.

He says he's only being truthful and that any discomfort is "my issue to examine." My parents beg me not to make waves because he's "working on himself," but his self-work is coming at my expense.

I don't want to blow up Christmas, but I also don't want another holiday spent swallowing my feelings while he unloads his. How do I keep the peace without letting his "honesty" ruin the season? -- Silent Night No More

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weekly chat

Weekly Chat

The weekly chat posts are intended for just that, chatting among each other. What are you currently watching? Reading? What actor/idol are you currently following? What are you looking forward to? Are you busy writing, creating art? Or did you have no time at all for anything, and are bemoaning that fact?

Whatever it is, talk to us about it here. Tell us what you liked or didn't like, and if you want to talk about spoilery things, please hide them under either of these codes:
or

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METAL GEAR SOLID EXCHANGE - MGSX - SIGNUPS OPEN

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So much estrangement

1. Dear Eric: I (64) have a sibling from whom I distance myself, but he (77) keeps poking the bear. We have never been close, and I have no desire to tolerate his insults.

He always had digs, nasty comments, insults. I would walk away and avoid him until he left. As years went by, I avoided him, but our mom would always insist on a family dinner. Now he was good at saving face, no comments when mom or other family members were around but the moment we were stuck in the same room, insults flew.

I was a constant support for my mom until she passed. I figured I was done with him, too. Well now he’s trying to reach out to me. I have responded with “not gonna happen” and I wrote out all the grievances with details. Now he's been whining to my other brother (70) that I'm mean to him and does not understand why I hate him. Brother #2 had no idea this was happening in my life. I explained to #2 and gave a few excerpts, ones that really hurt. How can I get past this?

– No Longer Insulted

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*********

2. Dear Eric: Twenty years ago, my husband’s brother and his wife let us know they were going no contact with us. They said it was permanent. When we asked the reasons, we heard we are insensitive and had hurt their feelings beyond repair.

They stopped contact between us and their 3-year-old son and their baby at that time. They said contact with us would damage their children. Attempts to apologize to them for offenses we barely understand didn’t work.

Five years ago, at a family wedding, my brother-in-law spoke with my husband but snubbed me to my face. He wouldn’t even say hello. Now another family wedding is scheduled next year. I have developed close relationships with others in the extended family but dread dealing with these relatives again. I’m thinking of simply saying hello if I see them and letting it go at that. Any advice will be taken to heart, I am struggling and it’s a year away.

– Contact with No Contact

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*********

3. Dear Eric: My son is turning 40 on December 22. My husband and I are at a quandary as to how to celebrate him.

There have been issues between my husband and him over things from his childhood. We did a special trip for his older brother when he turned 40 and would like to do something special for this son's 40th as well.

Our daughter-in-law has made special plans for him and we are not included. I understand that, but I need some ideas as to how to celebrate this extra special year without rocking the boat.

I love my son with all my heart, as I do all my children, and want his 40th birthday to be memorable in a positive way. Any suggestions?

– Mom Who Wants to Celebrate

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4. Dear Eric: I've just turned 40 this past year. The last 15 years I was in a horrible drug addiction. I lied and hurt and did terrible things to a lot of people, especially my family.

About eight years ago they officially disowned me. Understandable.

I've cleaned up and got my act together six years ago. At first, I tried to force my way back into their lives, which all refuted. I lashed out, said horrible things and stopped trying to be in their lives. My mom will stop by on my birthday for 10 minutes or so and drop a card off at Christmas. As for my two older brothers and my father, it’s radio silence.

I guess what I'm asking is, what do I do to fix this and fast, as I said I've turned 40 this year, my parents are both 70. Time is running out, and I couldn't imagine living my life without some kind of acceptance from my father. Or knowing he did or does love me.

My heart breaks at the thought, but this is a real pickle. How can I fix a problem when the ones I need to fix it with won't talk to me? Do I just keep ignoring their existence and put on this façade that I don’t care to my wife and 4-year-old son? What picture am I painting to my son, as he's been guilty by association you could say as he has never spent time with his grandparents or uncles or even my nieces and nephews?

– Discombobulated

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5. Dear Annie: Almost 15 years ago, my older sister removed me from her life after a series of messy arguments. At the time, she just stopped taking my calls and waited for me to leave family functions before going. She told our three siblings and mother that she didn't want me in her life. She likely gave them reasons but never allowed anyone to tell me.

When she ghosted me, I was heartbroken. I bugged everyone for years, asking how she was, crying about how much I missed her. I made many attempts to reconnect that were met with silence or warnings from family that she was still angry at me, but no one could ever say for what.

A few times, she asked our oldest sister to bring my kids for her to see them without me or my husband. My husband refused because he has never met her. I agreed with him.

Recently, I came to the conclusion that my sister removing me from her life was a blessing. She was toxic, and our relationship is a long history of cruelty on her part and a lack of boundaries mixed with codependency on mine. I told our oldest sister just that.

Mere days after that conversation with my oldest sister, my estranged sister messaged my teenage children on social media. She told them she was their aunt and that just because she and I don't get along doesn't mean she shouldn't have a relationship with them.

I responded by telling her she made the choice 15 years ago that we aren't family, that it was a blessing and she needs to leave my kids alone. Then I blocked her on their accounts.

She responded by sending my husband -- who she's never met or spoken to -- a message for me and then blocking him. Her argument was that I had played the victim for 15 years, that I was hateful and didn't support her. She said that I was using my kids as leverage. She called me toxic and stated that she was disappointed I didn't make any efforts to know her kids. She also stated repeatedly that I had been talking badly about her to everyone during the last 15 years.

I am very confused at this point. I don't know what she's been told for 15 years about what I've said because no one has told me anything. If I am toxic, why would she want me to have a relationship with her kids?

I believe I'm doing the right thing by keeping my teenagers away from her because I know how she treated me throughout our childhood and young adult years. She is not a safe person.

My siblings, their spouses and kids all seem to love her and have great relationships with her. It feels like most of the time, though, that if I don't reach out to them, I don't hear from them at all.

I'm now questioning if I should remove my three siblings from my life, too, as it sounds like they have been telling her I'm saying things. They've also been completely complacent in her alienation of me. -- Confused in Kansas

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Two weeks to signups!

Believe it or not, we are only two weeks out from the start of Purimgifts signups! It'll be here before you know it!

Purimgifts is an annual all-fandoms-welcome fanfic & podfic exchange with a side helping of art, focused on characters who are at least one of WOMEN, JEWISH, or PERSECUTED BY EVIL VIZIERS.

SIGNUPS & NOMINATIONS 2-9 Jan (anywhere in the world)
DEADLINE 23 Feb (anywhere in the world)
REVEALS 2-4 March
Find us on Dreamwidth, Livejournal, tumblr, and the Archive of Our Own.

The Friday FIve for 19 December 2025

1. What is one thing about you that you hate?

2. What is one thing about you that you love?

3. If you had to change one thing about you what would it be and why?

4. What is one word that you would use to define yourself?

5. Imagine what you would look like in a perfect world...what do you look like?

Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.

If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!

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Horror podcasts/audiobooks I like

Hello!
This is a long overdue post I needed to make. Like the rest of you, I enjoy listening to a good book or review! I'm here to post a few things I enjoy and think are worth a shot.

SomeOrdinaryGamers' Haunted Gaming series. These are the videos that got me into creepypastas, specifically the gaming ones, but Mutahar (the youtuber) picked some good non gaming creepypastas too. Unfortunately he stopped this series many years ago and these days does a lot of drama content 🙄 But I still reccomend them because they are fun.

Ones I personally enjoy include but are not limited to:
Necrosleep
Anansi's Goatman Story
Glitch: Final Days
Talking Angela
Hunie Pop Newly Single
...I have a lot more I could post here, my gosh.
Triggers abound:
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(Srry I forgot to put in the tws)

I also started listening to Pseudopod, which is also about horror stories. These ones are interesting as they're done by prominent professionals.
I don't really have a favorite, but I do think Connecting Door is pretty memorable.

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review: Parkdale Haunt

Parkdale Haunt is an award-winning horror fiction podcast about friendship, ghosts, cults, family, and the nightmare that is real estate in Toronto.

When Judith Antoni’s best friend, Claire Sterback, takes off without warning, it’s up to her and her friend Owen to work backwards and figure out what happened to her. Claire had come into possession of a house in the Parkdale neighbourhood, left to her by a long lost relative, but not long after she started going to the house, things began to get weird. She became irritable and erratic, not to mention her sudden sleepwalking and mumbling in dead languages. Is it the stress of the house? The anxiety caused by her flailing relationship? Or does it have anything to do with the creepy writing on the walls in the basement? Either way, something is wrong, and no one is safe in that house…

This was a pretty good show. It's three seasons long, filled with terrible, supernatural happenings, possession, body horror, and friendship. The production quality is very good and the writing is excellent (I really enjoyed the witty bantering especially between Judith and Owen). The first season is mostly your usual haunted house horror that takes a turn for the worse, the second season is haunting in a more literal sense (CW for the whole season: gaslighting, victim blaming), and the third season is just full-on apocalypse town. A word of warning: the sound effects go to the extreme here and can be hard for more sensitive listeners.

(FYI: the feed is named "WOODBINE" due to the new show from the same creators)

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Good Job: My coworker’s emotional support animal is causing me emotional distress!

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quick rec wednesday

Quick Rec Wednesday

Rec time! Did you read/watch/listen to something you really liked and would love other people to know about, too? Don't have the time or energy to make a full promo post, or think such a small thing doesn't merit a separate entry?

Here's your chance to share with the class! Just drop a comment with a link and maybe a couple of words in description. No need to overthink things, it can be as simple as Loved this! or OMG, look at that!. (You don't need to keep it short, though, write as much as you want.)

Check out the previous entries, too!

Current Mood: busy

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Signup Post: Fannish 50 in 2026

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(no subject)

Dear Care and Feeding,

I’m dreading having to have a talk with my husband, “Winston,” and our 30-year-old son, “Nick.” Nick moved in with us a year ago. The move was necessary to get him out of a dangerous relationship, and Winston agreed beforehand, although he implied he expected it to be a temporary situation. Now my husband has built up resentment against Nick over the last year because he hasn’t taken steps to move out. But I understand why Nick hasn’t moved out: We live in a resort area, where rent is atrociously high and places to rent are scarce.

Nick works about 60 hours a week at a decent-paying job, so he isn’t home much. He contributes to household expenses, brings home food from work, helps take care of pets, and if asked, will generally help out with other things. Could he do more? Of course, he could, but he’s not trashing the house, taking drugs, playing loud music at all hours, or being rude and disrespectful.

Here’s the things Winston resents: He and Nick’s dog hate each other, and the dog barks at Winn when he passes Nick’s room. The dog is old and grouchy, and was abused by Nick’s former roommate. Nick works late and comes home around midnight, which disturbs Winston’s sleep. Nick is forgetful (ADHD) and often needs reminders to complete tasks, but Winston thinks he should only have to say something once.

This all leads to Winston being resentful and snippy, which makes Nick defensive, and then we have a big blow-up where both say hurtful things. These blow-ups have led to Nick trying to leave in the middle of the night after being in an accident (on crutches, no car, and no phone, near freezing outside). I’ve had to physically step between them and tell Winn to back off and shut up to keep it from getting physical.

My husband now deals with all of this by not making any requests directly to Nick (he asks me to tell him), and venting to me, which makes me feel like I’m constantly caught in the middle (suggesting he talk directly to Nick would lead to more blow ups). But, I understand Winston’s frustration. This is not what we planned for retirement! However, there’s no way I could be content knowing my son was living in subpar housing or with dangerous, untrustworthy people like he was before he moved in with us.

I need to get these two to get along. Nick needs to step up a bit more, and Winston needs to be more patient and understanding—before I go crazy or he blows up again and Nick ends up walking out and living in his car. Where do I go from here?

—In the Middle and on Eggshells

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Multifandom Exchange: Traumatic Experiences

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(no subject)

Dear Prudence,

My sister and I are identical twins, but we grew up terrorizing each other. I was the girly girl, while she was on her way to a PhD in preschool. I had a learning disorder, and my sister would constantly correct people and say she wasn’t the ”stupid” one—I was.

My sister started the college track in ninth grade while I went to a middling school. Our parents did their best to treat us equally and celebrate our accomplishments, but you really can’t compare taking a beauty school test to getting a master’s at 21. I will admit I gave as good as I could get. If my sister were the smart one, I was the pretty one, which was stupid, as we were identical twins. I want to say we settled down and grew up to be close, but that would be a lie.

When I got married and was obsessed with all the details, our cousin jokingly called me a bridezilla, and my sister cut her off. She told her this was my big day, and it wasn’t like I accomplished anything else worth noting. This wasn’t the first or last time my sister said stuff like this. I have been married for 15 years and have two beautiful children. We used IVF and have a few embryos still left frozen.

My husband and I were debating whether to have a third child when my sister bulldozed in. She was ready to be a mom, had everything planned out, saved, and sorted, except her eggs weren’t viable. So the completely obvious solution was to give her our embryos!

We refused, and my sister threw a fit. I was apparently stealing her only chance to be a mother, and worse, my parents are on her side. They think that giving her the embryos costs us “nothing,” and we already have children, so I was denying my sister out of pure spite. I don’t know how I would feel if my sister bothered to ask rather than make a demand, but it was a demand and one that isn’t happening. My problem is that I am very afraid it might permanently poison my relationship with my parents. We were supposed to travel to their place for Christmas, but after all this, I am afraid to. Help!

—Twin Trouble

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