smilebackwards

The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian. Whoo, everyone was really going through it in this one. I thought I might have more pre-knowledge of the events because this is the book the Master and Commander movie was apparently mostly based on but it really didn't follow that very much. Bring me another! (Officially halfway through the series.)

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. Add this to my large pile of 'I liked the writing. Overall didn't care for it that much'.

In television, I got a one month subscription for Paramount+ and I am that person that WILL make the price worth my while so I had planned several series to watch and clipped through them:

A Gentleman in Moscow (limited series): I read the book several years ago so I didn't remember a lot of plot details but I do remember that I found a lot of the charm to be the writing. Not that this wasn't charming too (despite being pretty bleak material about post-Revolution Russia)! I mean they cast Ewan McGregor as Alexander so charm was pretty well guaranteed. I enjoyed all the character relationships and particularly Glebnikov.

Ghosts US (season 3): I'm probably one of few people that like the US version more than the UK version of this show. They're both enjoyable but I find Mike on UK really annoying. US also has so much more drama lol. I will say, I can't believe ( spoilers )

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (seasons 1 & 2): I liked this a lot. Extremely fun shenanigans! Musical episode my beloved! The pacing, however, was...not great. Immediately throwing all the main characters tragic backstories out in the first like 3 episodes was so jarring to me.

Star Trek: Discovery (seasons 1 - 5): Officially calling this as my Star Trek show. Loved it. Watched all 5 seasons in like 2 weeks. I would die for everyone on the cast. Honestly this started so dark that I almost dropped it because I was promised Star Trek, which to me means found family in space, and the set up does NOT allow for that super quickly like on SNW, but this show rewarded me so well. Everyone worked for that found family.

I'm testing out Deep Space 9 right now. From my internet impressions this seems to be most people's favorite Trek and I don't dislike it but I'm not super into it so far and it has what I find to be weird like over-sexualization--though probably consistent with other 90s shows. To be seen whether I discontinue or change my tune.

My favorite fics of the past couple weeks.

Don't Stop Believing by kianspo - Star Trek Reboot, Kirk/Spock (with Pike/Spock and Uhura/Spock)
This is a longfic that I was following years ago on LJ and I'm pleased I now rediscovered the finished version on AO3. Spock is my favorite and this is a fantastic character piece in his POV. Extremely competent characters with low self-esteem who are oblivious to how others see them is a thing that I enjoy and this is that to the max.

Ins and Outs by misbegotten - Good Omens, Aziraphale/Crowley
Like the rest of fandom, I love the 6000 year slow burn of Crowley and Aziraphale. A lovely missing scene for the last episode with a lot of good lines. Crowley calls Aziraphale angel a lot and that's very important to me.

Watching Through Windows by helvetica_upstart - Schitt's Creek, David/Patrick
I love amnesia fic and I kind of especially love amnesia while in a relationship fic because you get a lot of angst and both established relationship and developing relationship stuff (See also, this amazing Les Mis Enjolras/Grantaire fic: The Five Year Plan by Neery). This is beautifully written.