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libraryofretellingsandstars's review against another edition
5.0
"The most startling revelation was when someone told me she watched the show mostly for the relationships, that she would watch Supernatural even if there weren't any monsters."
"Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives" by Lynn S. Zubernis is a collection of short stories by fans and the actors of Supernatural on how Supernatural isn't just a show and how it had an immense impact on their lives.
I would give "Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives" by Lynn S. Zubernis a 5-star review because 1; this novel is telling how Supernatural isn't just a show to us the SPN fam and how it affected everyone the actors and the fans who have watched this 2; reading these stories from the fans and actors of this show made me feel connected with the other fans and so proud of everyone and to be a part of the SPN fam who told their emotional stories in this novel 3; this novel is a collection of love, sadness any many more that you could feel while reading this 4; I would like to say thank you for this novel.
"Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives" by Lynn S. Zubernis is a collection of short stories by fans and the actors of Supernatural on how Supernatural isn't just a show and how it had an immense impact on their lives.
I would give "Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives" by Lynn S. Zubernis a 5-star review because 1; this novel is telling how Supernatural isn't just a show to us the SPN fam and how it affected everyone the actors and the fans who have watched this 2; reading these stories from the fans and actors of this show made me feel connected with the other fans and so proud of everyone and to be a part of the SPN fam who told their emotional stories in this novel 3; this novel is a collection of love, sadness any many more that you could feel while reading this 4; I would like to say thank you for this novel.
brittneyc91's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not one for reviews, I’ve never been good at writing them, but this book was so amazing!!! I’ve never had a book that spoke to me as much as “Family don’t end with blood”. I would definitely recommend this book!! Even if you are not a fan of Supernatural this book is great for anyone dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other disabilities. This book is a true reminder that you are not alone!! #AKF
books4days's review against another edition
3.0
My favorite essays were those from Rob Benedict and Jared Padalecki.
laurie_p's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly always thought I'd end up crying my way through this book (and not in a bad way, just in an "this is so beautiful, somebody hug me!" way). But the truth is that couldn't stop smiling instead, although I have to admit my eyes did start to water during two of the chapters. This isn't a book about how shitty life can be, why bad stuff happens to good people and all of that. In fact, it's quite the opposite. These stories, every single one of them, resonate with hope and joy. In this book, that one of the main actors requested a fan to put together, fifteen fans and fourteen cast/crew members tell you exactly what makes the SPNFamily such a unique phenomena. Every story is completely different and yet they're all about the same thing: how one TV show has made an enormous impact on the narrators' lives. If you're a part of the Supernatural fandom, you'll know exactly what they're talking of, and if not, this book is a great way to learn what this family is all about. Some of the stories are so easy to identify with that it should be almost scary but actually it's really comforting. All of them are real, heartfelt and beautiful in their vulnerability. That's where the power of this book is hidden. It's people opening up their hearts and allowing you a look inside. It takes a lot of courage to do something like that and the results are astonishing, truly inspirational and one of a kind.
As an SPNFamily member I can only summarize this book in a quote from the one and only Dean Winchester: I'm proud of us. ❤
As an SPNFamily member I can only summarize this book in a quote from the one and only Dean Winchester: I'm proud of us. ❤
anne_verhoef's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me cry, laugh and think all at the same time. It's a great read, especially for members of the Supernatural Family. Definitely worth reading.
nerds_reads_'s review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sophiaistari's review against another edition
3.0
"Family don´t end with blood" is a book that I owned for roughly four years but never actually read. I bought it because there was Supernatural written on it, featuring essays of Jensen and Jared themselves. It acually is a collection of essays written by cast and fans alike and aspires to give a rare look into the positive impact this series has had on their viewers lifes. Unfortunately I was not able to identify with any of the stories of the fans chosen to write about their lifechanging encounter with the Supernatural-Fandom. Maybe that is because they were all middleaged women with children and families while I myself discovered Supernatural during my Teenage-years, struggling with comparable mental issues but in a totally diffrent way. Also a lot of the essays were repetitive, written in such a similar tone that they were melting together.
I would have wished for more representation since the SPNFamily does not end with blood AND also does not end on the borders of the USA (I myself am from Germany). The Fandom is also not limited to those lucky enough to have met the cast or visit conventions three times a year. Unfortunately it sounded a lot like conventions are everything SPNFamily is about. Also I find it really questionable how all of the fans featured seem to put Misha, Jensen and mostly Jared on a pedestal and make them responsible for their mental health, as much as emotionally manipulating them into being concerned about their well-being...
Don´t get me wrong, I love the show and the actors. Supernatural had and still has a huge impact on my life, but this book did nothing for me.
The chapters written by cast and crew were wonderful though!
I would have wished for more representation since the SPNFamily does not end with blood AND also does not end on the borders of the USA (I myself am from Germany). The Fandom is also not limited to those lucky enough to have met the cast or visit conventions three times a year. Unfortunately it sounded a lot like conventions are everything SPNFamily is about. Also I find it really questionable how all of the fans featured seem to put Misha, Jensen and mostly Jared on a pedestal and make them responsible for their mental health, as much as emotionally manipulating them into being concerned about their well-being...
Don´t get me wrong, I love the show and the actors. Supernatural had and still has a huge impact on my life, but this book did nothing for me.
The chapters written by cast and crew were wonderful though!
jaybull's review
4.0
I read this book in basically two sittings, but only because I had to sleep.
Talking to people outside of the SPN Family, it's difficult to say why Supernatural is so important to me and why it fills many of the holes in my life. In part, the duration of the show has seen me through a complete change in my friend group, depression and anxiety that are always with me, and the death of my father, to name but a few. It quelled my loneliness when I was without any friends living nearby - I even had a dream one night where I was riding in the back of the Impala with Sam and Dean in the front seat, telling them how they were my best friends. My husband said, "Well, other than me, right now they kind of are your best friends." Very true at the time.
This book brought forth happy tears and tears of empathy as I read through the stories. The way fans' stories are woven with the stories from the actors on the show really illustrates the symbiotic nature of the relationship the fans have with the actors and the show in general.
I loved how many people found friendships through the SPN Family, but alas, most of them found these friendship at conventions I consider way to expensive to attend with what I make. It was a little encouraging to read about so many people overcoming so many obstacles, but I have to say many times reading about the conventions I thought, "Well, must be nice. Never going to be me unless some money miracle occurs." Totally envious of those who get to attend conventions - this book makes them sound amazing.
The take away from this book is that so many fans get so many different things from the show - these different moments of solidarity where they have watched the show or talked to other fans and found that they were not alone, not weird, not broken was very inspiring. Most of us out here with depression and anxiety love Jared because of his work in making us all feel like it's okay. AKF resonated loudly throughout many of the fan accounts. That said, I felt a little bad for Jensen reading this book, like, hey, I have depression and anxiety but I relate WAY more to Dean. Also, Jensen is this background figure of good in many of the stories.
Reading about the actors and how they felt (Kim Rhodes, I love you so much. SO MUCH) really helped bring home that we are all people, we all have our own journeys, our own problems, our own challenges, even those of us with beauty and acting talent have the same fears, feelings, and foibles as everyone else. The humanity the actors let shine through their essays was really wonderful.
Anyone who is a fan of the show I'd recommend this book to. I will warn you that I cried through much of it. Reading about Jared writing AKF all over his arm during a particularly bad plane ride had me crying in sympathy, but also feeling again like I wasn't alone. I remember writing stars all over my Keds in college because I needed something to keep me from melting down. I've talked often to my husband about getting an AKF tattoo, because sometimes the reminder helps.
The actors and the fans have done a lot of good in the world and reading this book shows just how much good there is out there because of the little show that could. I've never been great about articulating how much this show and this fandom have meant to me, but this book did an excellent job of illustrating it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby - you will cry, both in shared sorrow and shared triumph.
Talking to people outside of the SPN Family, it's difficult to say why Supernatural is so important to me and why it fills many of the holes in my life. In part, the duration of the show has seen me through a complete change in my friend group, depression and anxiety that are always with me, and the death of my father, to name but a few. It quelled my loneliness when I was without any friends living nearby - I even had a dream one night where I was riding in the back of the Impala with Sam and Dean in the front seat, telling them how they were my best friends. My husband said, "Well, other than me, right now they kind of are your best friends." Very true at the time.
This book brought forth happy tears and tears of empathy as I read through the stories. The way fans' stories are woven with the stories from the actors on the show really illustrates the symbiotic nature of the relationship the fans have with the actors and the show in general.
I loved how many people found friendships through the SPN Family, but alas, most of them found these friendship at conventions I consider way to expensive to attend with what I make. It was a little encouraging to read about so many people overcoming so many obstacles, but I have to say many times reading about the conventions I thought, "Well, must be nice. Never going to be me unless some money miracle occurs." Totally envious of those who get to attend conventions - this book makes them sound amazing.
The take away from this book is that so many fans get so many different things from the show - these different moments of solidarity where they have watched the show or talked to other fans and found that they were not alone, not weird, not broken was very inspiring. Most of us out here with depression and anxiety love Jared because of his work in making us all feel like it's okay. AKF resonated loudly throughout many of the fan accounts. That said, I felt a little bad for Jensen reading this book, like, hey, I have depression and anxiety but I relate WAY more to Dean. Also, Jensen is this background figure of good in many of the stories.
Reading about the actors and how they felt (Kim Rhodes, I love you so much. SO MUCH) really helped bring home that we are all people, we all have our own journeys, our own problems, our own challenges, even those of us with beauty and acting talent have the same fears, feelings, and foibles as everyone else. The humanity the actors let shine through their essays was really wonderful.
Anyone who is a fan of the show I'd recommend this book to. I will warn you that I cried through much of it. Reading about Jared writing AKF all over his arm during a particularly bad plane ride had me crying in sympathy, but also feeling again like I wasn't alone. I remember writing stars all over my Keds in college because I needed something to keep me from melting down. I've talked often to my husband about getting an AKF tattoo, because sometimes the reminder helps.
The actors and the fans have done a lot of good in the world and reading this book shows just how much good there is out there because of the little show that could. I've never been great about articulating how much this show and this fandom have meant to me, but this book did an excellent job of illustrating it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby - you will cry, both in shared sorrow and shared triumph.