The True Deadly Sins

The true deadly sins

Lust

Not a sin- feeling sexual attraction, sex with consenting partners, masturbation, consuming pornographic media, having several sexual partners, sex before mariage. IT’S A SIN WHEN- the person projects lust onto an unwilling recipient person and does not take into account their wants or consent. Rape, harassment, sexual assault, catcalling, dick pics.

Gluttony

Not a sin- food, enjoying food, cooking, eating sweets, eating meat. In the larger sense, accumulating material things you enjoy, like books or collectibles or whatever.  IT’S A SIN WHEN- It deprives other people of what they need.

Envy

Not a sin: Wanting things you see other people have, like money, power, fame. IT’S A SIN WHEN: This is how you define people, and stop respecting them as humans. It’s a sin when you use them for what they have and what they can bring you.

Greed

Not a sin: Wanting financial security, working hard for the things you want.  IT’S A SIN WHEN: Your own financial growth depends on keeping other people impoverished and suffering.

Pride

Not a sin: Being proud of your accomplishments, liking your looks, dressing up IT’S A SIN WHEN: It stops you from accepting your faults and seeing how you can be wrong, not admitting that you can better yourself. 

Wrath

Not a sin: Righteous anger at situations, being mistreated, seeing other people suffer, at the injustice of the world. Self-defense. Revolution.  IT’S A SIN WHEN: Violence towards defenceless people, hitting your partner or your kids,.  Violence fuelled by intolerance and bigotry. 

Sloth

Not a sin: Resting. Sleeping. Taking a day or a year off. Being unproductive. Playing videogames. IT’S A SIN WHEN: You stay inactive when action is required. When people need you and you’d rather do nothing.

I have 4 books that I really want to write a review for, because oh goD so good, but i lack the energy, so i’m doing it here:

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (out on October 4th) - 5/5⭐

* cult-like community exiles all 16 year old girls away for year to essentially "release their magic into the wild and come back purified” * it’s so, SO powerful and haunting - you genuinely spend more than half a book questioning whether there’s a supernatural element or not * it’s reminiscent of Lord of the Flies and The Handmaid’s Tale, with a powerful social commentary on society, misogyny and feminism * very dark, violent, but absolutely gripping… I couldn’t put it down

Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall (out on September 24th) 5/5⭐

* protagonist’s sister disappears in search of a road that is supposed to lead to the ghost of a girl who disappeared years ago * hands down, the best horror book I’ve ever read * Wizard of Oz meets Silent Hill meets Blair Witch Project * incredibly well written, dark, with gorgeous and creepy imagery * very spooky, very creepy, very haunting * it’s genuinely such a wild ride, but I enjoyed every second of it

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware 4/5⭐

* woman is hired as a live-in nanny for a family living in a remote house; weird stuff starts happening * as someone who didn’t enjoy the only other book I’ve read by Ruth Ware, The Lying Game, I went into this with hella low expectations * but oh my god, I loved every second on this * the ending left me flabbergasted, like, genuinely, what the fuck * it’s very well crafted, and it keeps you guessing right until the ending * i loved the fact that you can’t tell if it’s a thriller or a horror/ghost story* * very engaging, such a page turner

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (out on January 28th 2020) 5/5⭐

* fifteen year old girl begins affair with a teacher 27 years her senior * this was probably the hardest, most disturbing book I’ve ever read in my entire life and I genuinely got drunk trying to get through parts of it * trigger warnings for a plethora of things, including sexual abuse, pedophilia * however, it’s such an important book, because it explores the damaging mental, emotional, psychological effects of the abuse that the protagonist suffers, along with issues of consent, victimization, manipulation and the #metoo movement * there’s absolutely no sugar coating anything, the relationship isn’t romanticised at all and the focus is very clear on showing exactly how the protagonist was groomed by her predator * it’s NOT an easy book to read, I can’t stress this enough, but it’s a powerhouse of a novel and one that, if you do read it, will remain with you for a long time * the writing is absolutely phenomenal, it’s uncompromising and it packs one hell of a punch

Let me know if you’re interested in reading any of these! 😊 

WLW Fanfic Masterpost

Over 2016 this small side blog received a lot of asks inquiring into some good stories to read, so here’s a (rather paltry but hey!) assortment of some fanfics I’d recommend, sorted by pairings! (Also, all of these fics are rated M, apologies for those who are put off by this.) I’ll add to this as time goes on! (Also, again, another side note, many of these I simply ripped out of my story folder, so apologies if the descriptions are a bit vague. It’s been months, if not years since I last saw some of these.)

Bellamione:

-Dark Effects: Complete, it’s been forever since I read this, but I remember this is one of the ones where Hermione sides with Bellatrix in a darker manner. 

-Timeless Longing: Complete, Hermione is sent back in time via a time turner and meets a younger Bellatrix. This is one of the softer fics in this fandom, I suppose. 

-Twin Dragon Heartstrings: Complete, no abuse, Hermione and Bellatrix become a couple very early on. One of the softer and smuttier fics in this fandom.

Bellice:

-What Goes Up: Complete, a personal favourite, there’s not much to say other than that. Healthy progression, albeit a bit quickly, decent plot and lots of AngstTM contrasted by lots of fluff. Worth the read.

-Mesmeric Stranger: Complete, 93 chapters of Bellice. The chapters aren’t too long, so it’s not an absolutely arduous read if you have the time. 

Bubbline:

-Our Perfect Disease: Incomplete, You know how I said we’ve all been disapointed by an author at some point or another? This is why. Amazing story, scattered but progressive plot, and doubtful to ever resume. 

Faberry:

-Better Where it’s Wetter: Complete, I couldn’t make these titles up if I tried. Very, very, very, exceedingly dramatic. Rachel and Quinn go on a LGBT oriented cruise with Rachel’s fathers, and Quinn questions the hell out of her sexuality. Fluff ensues. 

-Defining Happiness: Complete, this won’t be for everyone as there’s a gp in it, however if you overlook that bit, the plot itself is wonderful. The angst/fluff burn is worth the ride.

-I Got Lucky: Complete, focuses on Quinn and Rachel as adults, married, and with children. Goes on to give their kids, who are now in high school, back stories, which might not sound like everyone’s interest, but let me tell you, it’s stellar.

-I’m Getting Older Too!: Complete, sequel to “I Got Lucky”. Just as wonderful as it’s predecessor.

Gelphie:

-Not Completely, Altogether Here: Complete, wonderful, a personal fav. Glinda is essentially a ghost, and Elphaba is the only one who can see her. Heavy with plot and angst, the fluff and smut is well earned.

-Eternity Effect: Complete, sequel to “Not Completely, Altogether Here”, this fic is just as good as it’s prior. 

Keffy:

-99 Problems: Complete, if I had to choose a favourite story, it’d be this. This story is a companion piece to it’s peer, “I Hold a Force I Can’t Contain”, and both run on the same timeline (IHFICC is Naomily, and definitely worth looking into, however 99 Problems is by far preferential imo). A bit edgy at times, it discusses the depth of Effy’s mental health and how Katie stabilizes her. Not the easiest read, however it’s more than worth the trek. About 1/3 through the story the plot lightens and things become easier. I also highly recommend anything else written by the author, HyperFitched.

Kigo:

-Tangled Up in Green: Complete, beginning is a bit fast. Kim is impregnated by Shego from a battle (the process is rather obscure as it happens via a joy buzzer, like a gag prank, but looking past that) the story is worth it. Lots of action and drama +angst/fluff, the story is worth reading if you’re okay with the underlying pregnancy theme.

Malora:

-Her Truest Desire: Complete, smut. There’s no other plot, it’s just very good smut. 

-Peccatum in Carne: Complete, Maleficent is a Latin teacher and Aurora longs to be with her. When they finally get together, drama ensues as Aurora’s father is a rather horrid man. Fluff and angst, smut too.

-Trials and Turbulence: Complete, warning for slight aggression from one of Aurora’s advisors. Everything turns out fine, however, as Maleficent saves the day like always. Aurora turns to Mal when she’s required to marry, and they find a way around it. Easy to read as there’s only 29 chapters, and each one is rather short. 

Reysma:

-Flagrant Foul: Complete, smut. Very, very good. College AU.

-Remaining Human: Complete, smut. Discusses a bit, however, how Rey and Phasma bond to each other and win the other’s trust and love. Fluff, worth the read.

Shepsoni (F Shepard/Liara):

-A Gift for You My Commander: Incomplete, wonderful writing, however sadly abandoned. Still, however, this is one of the few fics I’d recommend that isn’t finished. Female Shepard survives the Reapers and the ending of ME3 and goes on to have a life with Liara. The whole thing is essentially smut and fluff, it’s lovely.

Wayhaught:

-Open Range Hearts: Complete, Nicole is a ranch hand and Waverly owns the ranch with her sister, Wynonna.

Sometimes I tear up and my hair raises on end (in goosebumps, in an awed, pleasant way) when I think about how the life of one man, J.R.R. Tolkien, and his desire to write and share with the world all the lessons he'd learn, all his beliefs and faith in love, to hope in uncertain times, to healing, that he weaved all this beautiful tales bigger then himself, timeless and true, that would outlast his dying breath and breathe ever after for him, in his name, has touched so many. Continues to.

Sometimes I think about how, almost 100 years later, hundreds of millions of us, countless people, are still learning from his life's work, are still touched and moved by his art, are creating and carrying on his legacy, imbued in our own life experiences;

Sometimes I think about how our stories for his world evolve as our world evolves, will always. Sometimes I think about the power of his heart, of his loving intentions, that he has healed so many people and I think about how he's just a regular guy.

J.R.R. Tolkien was just a regular human being. For all the wonder that he created and shared, in spirit he is truly no different then you or me. He had a calling and he answered to it, and we all are born with that same great potential, if only we have intention, if only we act on that intention, and if only we act in love.

No matter the form, create. That's Tolkien's biggest takeaway for me. To just create, create because you can't not, create because your are driven to, because it fulfills you, releases you. Because it touches you and moves you, because it makes you happy, makes you feel. We are all born creators of our own stories, and we are all born equal in capability to be great authors, and craft beautiful ones.

Invader zim - The trial

( unreleased episode 2012 )

It’s really sad to know that I will never experience as much euphoria as I did when I first listened to Touch-Tone Telephone