Captain's Yule Log, Stardate 12-28-12

remember this when you are queen
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
Snow White took the throne. But there are many ways of being a woman with power, and it takes more time to be recognized as a true ruler.

This fixed every single problem I had with the movie - and actually doesn't need the movie at all to work as a brilliantly realized feminist take on what it is to be a queen (and a role model!) and to use the tools available to you in every way you can. It gave me fucking ::chills!::

Time in a Klein Bottle Back to the Future (Movies)
Just as Marty was ready to head out the door, he stopped, thinking about that day five years ago. They had tripped through the future and the past, and he couldn't help but remember everything that could have-- no, everything that really did go wrong. He tore off a page of printer paper and scribbled a note to Jennifer. He left it on his desk, but with any luck, he'd be back before anyone knew he was gone. Unless something went wrong, of course, and then he wouldn't be back at all.

A rather charming little gen piece about sciency bro-times in 1945. For the record, when I read this it had 88 hits. (g)

A Perfect Sonnet
My So-Called Life
Five inopportune moments, plus one that's worth waiting for.

Thoughtful, hopeful, bittersweet and kind-hearted, just like the show.

A Touch of Frost
Black Books
In which Black Books gets festive, everyone gets drunk, and Manny gets Snowman's Nipple.

A perfect Black Books Christmas for anyone who was hoping for a karate sabre-wielding octopus
this year.

I'll Break My Staff, I'll Drown My Book
The Changeover - Margaret Mahy
Twelve years later it's Jacko's turn. Laura and Sorensen have carved out a nice little life for themselves, and baby brother Jacko's having nightmares that are true dreams. But Jacko wants no part of what Laura became.

Mahy died this year, but Yuletide holds a breath of her still in this very fine story.

interlude

Seriously, I'm reading the randomly generated ones in any fandoms I even recognize, and I haven't found a clunker yet. YULETIDE, how can you be made of so much win, and better every year???

Captain's Yule Log, Stardate 12-28-12 PT II

starting out on a journey
Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle
Shmendrick the Magician makes amends.

As delicate and practical and joyous as the book could be. A story as incandescent, perfect and rare as a unicorn. I worry that this will be overlooked because the author somehow placed her notes in the summary section and the title's not much to go on, but sincerely, this is a classic.

Legacy
Slings & Arrows
Geoffrey and Jack's friendship over the years.

A story with enveloping charm, as rich as the show itself, and as kind. I can't say I ever had any thoughts about Jack and Geoffrey remaining in contact in any way, but this sort of "kid brother makes good and calls his big bro for advice" is pitch perfect, with thoughtful details right down to the removable thrust. Just fucking DAZZLING stuff, long and immersive with glorious voices. Read it this very moment!