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Family Don't End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives
How a Show, and the Support of Its Fandom, Changed—and Saved—Lives
Supernatural, a three-time People’s Choice Award winner for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show and Tumblr’s 2015 Most Reblogged “Live Action TV,” has made a name for itself by supporting and encouraging its fans to “always keep fighting,” and a memorable line from early in the show’s run, “Family don’t end with blood,” became an inspiring mantra for many who found community in the fandom.
In 25 powerful chapters written by Supernatural’s actors and fans, including series lead Jared Padalecki, plus special messages from Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Mark Sheppard, Family Don’t End with Cast and Fans On How Supernatural Has Changed Lives examines the far reach of the show’s impact for more than a decade. Supernatural has inspired fans to change their lives, from getting “sober for Sam” to escaping a cult to pursuing life-long dreams. But fans aren’t the only ones who have been changed. The actors who bring the show to life have also found, in the show and its community, inspiration, courage, and the strength to keep going when life seemed too hard.
Including essays and special messages from Supernatural ’s
Jared Padelecki (“Sam Winchester”)Jensen Ackles (“Dean Winchester”)Misha Collins (“Castiel”)Mark Sheppard (“Crowley”)Jim Beaver (“Bobby Singer”)Ruth Connell (“Rowena MacLeod”)Osric Chau (“Kevin Tran”)Rob Benedict (“Chuck Shurley aka God”)Kim Rhodes (“Sheriff Jody Mills”)Briana Buckmaster (“Sheriff Donna Hanscum”)Matt Cohen (“Young John Winchester”)Gil McKinney (“Henry Winchester”)Rachel Miner (“Meg Masters”)Collected and edited by Lynn S. Zubernis, a clinical psychologist, professor, and passionate Supernatural fangirl, Family Don’t End with Blood provides an insightful and often uplifting look into the way international fan communities become powerful, positive forces in the lives of so many.
In keeping with the show’s message to “always keep fighting,” a portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to RANDOM ACTS, a nonprofit founded by Misha Collins, and AT TITUDES IN REVERSE, whose mission is to educate young people about mental health and suicide prevention.
Supernatural, a three-time People’s Choice Award winner for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show and Tumblr’s 2015 Most Reblogged “Live Action TV,” has made a name for itself by supporting and encouraging its fans to “always keep fighting,” and a memorable line from early in the show’s run, “Family don’t end with blood,” became an inspiring mantra for many who found community in the fandom.
In 25 powerful chapters written by Supernatural’s actors and fans, including series lead Jared Padalecki, plus special messages from Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Mark Sheppard, Family Don’t End with Cast and Fans On How Supernatural Has Changed Lives examines the far reach of the show’s impact for more than a decade. Supernatural has inspired fans to change their lives, from getting “sober for Sam” to escaping a cult to pursuing life-long dreams. But fans aren’t the only ones who have been changed. The actors who bring the show to life have also found, in the show and its community, inspiration, courage, and the strength to keep going when life seemed too hard.
Including essays and special messages from Supernatural ’s
Jared Padelecki (“Sam Winchester”)Jensen Ackles (“Dean Winchester”)Misha Collins (“Castiel”)Mark Sheppard (“Crowley”)Jim Beaver (“Bobby Singer”)Ruth Connell (“Rowena MacLeod”)Osric Chau (“Kevin Tran”)Rob Benedict (“Chuck Shurley aka God”)Kim Rhodes (“Sheriff Jody Mills”)Briana Buckmaster (“Sheriff Donna Hanscum”)Matt Cohen (“Young John Winchester”)Gil McKinney (“Henry Winchester”)Rachel Miner (“Meg Masters”)Collected and edited by Lynn S. Zubernis, a clinical psychologist, professor, and passionate Supernatural fangirl, Family Don’t End with Blood provides an insightful and often uplifting look into the way international fan communities become powerful, positive forces in the lives of so many.
In keeping with the show’s message to “always keep fighting,” a portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to RANDOM ACTS, a nonprofit founded by Misha Collins, and AT TITUDES IN REVERSE, whose mission is to educate young people about mental health and suicide prevention.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
293 people are currently reading
3119 people want to read
About the author
Lynn S. Zubernis
11 books157 followersClinical psychologist, Professor at West Chester University - and passionate fangirl! Fan psychology and the benefits of fandom are my research interest, Supernatural is my forever favorite show and The Boys (and Gen V) are my current favorites. When I'm passionate about something, I love writing/editing books about it, which explains the six books on Supernatural (the most recent two including the show's actors' unique perspectives) and the new book on The Boys (with chapters from psychologists, sociologists, media experts and journalists that take a deep dive into the show's fascinating characters, plus exclusive interviews with the talented actors who bring them to life).
If you're passionate about being a fan or some of the best shows out there, dig in!
If you're passionate about being a fan or some of the best shows out there, dig in!
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August 1, 2021
Thank you guys for everything! Thank you guys for the charities and help you still do…
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 14, 2021
I hadn't much of a clue what this one was about, just that it was a book concerning the TV series 'Supernatural' which is my all time favourite series.
It's mostly stories from cast, crew and fans.
It flows very well and I enjoyed every chapter, I was good to read about their experiences and get to know their thoughts on it all.
Me? I'm happy to be part of the best 'Fandom'
An excellent book for a fan's shelf, and well worth the money.
Later assbutts! ;)
It's mostly stories from cast, crew and fans.
It flows very well and I enjoyed every chapter, I was good to read about their experiences and get to know their thoughts on it all.
Me? I'm happy to be part of the best 'Fandom'
An excellent book for a fan's shelf, and well worth the money.
Later assbutts! ;)
May 17, 2017
'Family Don't End With Blood' is a book about the Supernatural fandom, or as we like to refer to it, the SPN Family. The book is a compilation of letters, stories, and photos from fans, cast, and crew of the TV show Supernatural about how the show has impacted their lives. It's edited by Lynn Zubernis, who I've been talking to recently and who I'm happy to say will be appearing on my YouTube channel on Friday May 26 to talk about the book.
Reading stories from the cast and from fellow fans like me made me feel incredibly proud to be a part of this fandom. My whole life I've felt nervous to tell people how much TV shows, books, movies and fandoms mean to me, because I'm afraid they won't get it. I'm afraid they'll think it's childish or silly or stupid. That fear is based on past experiences, with peers my age and older adults, who looked down on the content I enjoy. This book showed me that I have nothing to be ashamed of. My love for this TV show about two brothers fighting evil is just as valid as someone else's love for classic literature.
The stories in FDEWB were relatable to a point where I cried because I felt so lucky to have found a fandom that gets it, and a cast that cares so much about the people who support them. Jared Padalecki's essay about his struggle with mental illness, and how the fandom has helped him through it, made me look at myself differently, and touched me in a way that I can't fully explain.
I can't describe how happy I am that this book exists. The Supernatural family truly is incredible and I'm so glad that I found them, and that they have found me in return.
Reading stories from the cast and from fellow fans like me made me feel incredibly proud to be a part of this fandom. My whole life I've felt nervous to tell people how much TV shows, books, movies and fandoms mean to me, because I'm afraid they won't get it. I'm afraid they'll think it's childish or silly or stupid. That fear is based on past experiences, with peers my age and older adults, who looked down on the content I enjoy. This book showed me that I have nothing to be ashamed of. My love for this TV show about two brothers fighting evil is just as valid as someone else's love for classic literature.
The stories in FDEWB were relatable to a point where I cried because I felt so lucky to have found a fandom that gets it, and a cast that cares so much about the people who support them. Jared Padalecki's essay about his struggle with mental illness, and how the fandom has helped him through it, made me look at myself differently, and touched me in a way that I can't fully explain.
I can't describe how happy I am that this book exists. The Supernatural family truly is incredible and I'm so glad that I found them, and that they have found me in return.
June 20, 2023
Be warned: this isn´t a review for my Goodreads friends; this is a review for the SPNFamily… and for me, so I can put my thoughts in order.
I read through Family Don´t End With Blood with a heart full of love, a smile on my face and tears filling my eyes (and, sometimes, tears all over my cheeks). For those who didn´t care about my warning and are still reading this, it´s a book where fans and cast of the show Supernatural share their stories about how the show and the fandom changed their lives. And it is breathtaking.
I have to admit that not every story reached my heart, but those were the minority. Most of them got me emotional to the point that I had to close the book because the tears wouldn´t let me go on. And I´m talking mostly about what the fans had to say; their stories were so brave and vulnerable and full of heart that, despite I couldn´t always relate to their specific struggles, I wanted to reach out to them and tell them that they are not alone; that we are all in this together (whatever this may be).
Kristin Ludwig, Hallie Bingaman, Breda Waite, Burner Cade. This are some of the fans that share their stories and that deeply moved me; perhaps they broke my heart with their courage and their openness (is that how you spell it?), but it was worth it. I think it was one of them who wrote:
Take it one day at a time, one hour a time, one minute at a time if you have to. Keep pushing forward, just focusing on today, and do the best you can to keep yourself happy and healthy. Take Jared´s campaign to heart, and always keep fighting.
Ouch! That hit home. Tears all over the place…
For me, the most important part of FDEWB is that this isn´t about the cast and what they say. Don´t get me wrong, some of them wrote so meaningful essays (and I´ll get to that in a minute), but the fans warmed my heart with what they had to say. Because I´m also on this side of the fence, I´m a fan myself, and, as all of you, I too have my own demons to battle. So yeah, I relate to the fan´s stories and I´m damn proud of them. Lynn did a hell of a job putting this book together, and if I ever have the chance, I hope to thank her in person. I only wish we could know the fan´s Twitter accounts (or e-mails or whatever) so we could reach out to them and tell them how their courage affected us. Because I know I speak on behalf of everyone of us when I say that we are SO PROUD OF THEM!
About the cast… yeah, some of them also had so significant things to say! For me, it was Osric, Matt, Rob. And Jared. Always Jared. But I´ll talk about Jared at the end.
There are hundreds, even thousands of people, who readily say no to things. You can´t be one of those people.
Those were Osric´s words, and they hit me deeply. My name starts with a “No” and I´ve always joked that it was a warning of what my life had to be like. I don´t know if I always say no to things, but I do know that I feel compelled to, and that I have to struggle to say yes to many things: adventures, happiness, opportunities. I´ll think about these words and try not to be “one of those people”, I´ll do my best, I promise.
Matt said something that also resonated with me:
The funniest part about all of it is that none of the fans ever knew they were making me the man I always wanted to be.
They truly admit (proudly, non-the-less) that the fandom changed their lives too. For the best. And here I thought that we were just part of their obligations and not making a difference to them; that maybe we annoyed them with our passion. I´m glad I was wrong. :)
Jared is our soul.
He may draw strength from us, from our love and support, but I don´t know if he is aware of just how much strength we draw from him. Every one of us. He saved so many lives, whether he knew it or not, and despite that, he is afraid to let us down because sometimes he can fall too. Because he´s only human and he struggles and he hurts. You can´t let us down, Jared; you are our hero. And I´m not talking about Sam (even though God knows we are fucking proud of him too), but you. Alright? And we got your back.
We get scared (at least I know I do) every time that he goes off the grid for more than a couple of weeks. I worry that his demons caught up to him again, and that he may be having a hell of a hard time finding peace and solace. But he´s strong, and even though sometimes he doubts and stumbles and falls (because hey, we all do), he´s the strongest of us all. And I´m so fucking proud of him. We may be part of your dysfunctional family, Jared, but you are certainly part of ours too.
Keep letting your light shine. I will do the same. And keep fighting. Always Keep Fighting.
That´s what all of us repeat to ourselves over and over again when we are struggling (many times we repeat it out loud, some other times we write it on our bodies, like he did on his arm when he broke. “I broke. Plain and simple. I. Broke.”). And we say it proud and loud, and it fucking helps every time. I know it does, the AKF phrase and what it means got me through a lot this past year, so I know what I´m talking about.
So thank you, Jared. Truly, you changed our lives and you gave us hope.
My god, I went on and on with this endless review. Perhaps I should have used only gifs to express myself (Chuck knows Supernatural has a gif for everything!). So, SPNFamily, if you are willing to take an emotional ride, pick up this book and dive in. You will laugh and you will cry, and when you finish it there will be a smile on your face and a certainty: you are not alone.
AKF, guys. Love y’all.
I read through Family Don´t End With Blood with a heart full of love, a smile on my face and tears filling my eyes (and, sometimes, tears all over my cheeks). For those who didn´t care about my warning and are still reading this, it´s a book where fans and cast of the show Supernatural share their stories about how the show and the fandom changed their lives. And it is breathtaking.
I have to admit that not every story reached my heart, but those were the minority. Most of them got me emotional to the point that I had to close the book because the tears wouldn´t let me go on. And I´m talking mostly about what the fans had to say; their stories were so brave and vulnerable and full of heart that, despite I couldn´t always relate to their specific struggles, I wanted to reach out to them and tell them that they are not alone; that we are all in this together (whatever this may be).
Kristin Ludwig, Hallie Bingaman, Breda Waite, Burner Cade. This are some of the fans that share their stories and that deeply moved me; perhaps they broke my heart with their courage and their openness (is that how you spell it?), but it was worth it. I think it was one of them who wrote:
Take it one day at a time, one hour a time, one minute at a time if you have to. Keep pushing forward, just focusing on today, and do the best you can to keep yourself happy and healthy. Take Jared´s campaign to heart, and always keep fighting.
Ouch! That hit home. Tears all over the place…
For me, the most important part of FDEWB is that this isn´t about the cast and what they say. Don´t get me wrong, some of them wrote so meaningful essays (and I´ll get to that in a minute), but the fans warmed my heart with what they had to say. Because I´m also on this side of the fence, I´m a fan myself, and, as all of you, I too have my own demons to battle. So yeah, I relate to the fan´s stories and I´m damn proud of them. Lynn did a hell of a job putting this book together, and if I ever have the chance, I hope to thank her in person. I only wish we could know the fan´s Twitter accounts (or e-mails or whatever) so we could reach out to them and tell them how their courage affected us. Because I know I speak on behalf of everyone of us when I say that we are SO PROUD OF THEM!
About the cast… yeah, some of them also had so significant things to say! For me, it was Osric, Matt, Rob. And Jared. Always Jared. But I´ll talk about Jared at the end.
There are hundreds, even thousands of people, who readily say no to things. You can´t be one of those people.
Those were Osric´s words, and they hit me deeply. My name starts with a “No” and I´ve always joked that it was a warning of what my life had to be like. I don´t know if I always say no to things, but I do know that I feel compelled to, and that I have to struggle to say yes to many things: adventures, happiness, opportunities. I´ll think about these words and try not to be “one of those people”, I´ll do my best, I promise.
Matt said something that also resonated with me:
The funniest part about all of it is that none of the fans ever knew they were making me the man I always wanted to be.
They truly admit (proudly, non-the-less) that the fandom changed their lives too. For the best. And here I thought that we were just part of their obligations and not making a difference to them; that maybe we annoyed them with our passion. I´m glad I was wrong. :)
Jared is our soul.
He may draw strength from us, from our love and support, but I don´t know if he is aware of just how much strength we draw from him. Every one of us. He saved so many lives, whether he knew it or not, and despite that, he is afraid to let us down because sometimes he can fall too. Because he´s only human and he struggles and he hurts. You can´t let us down, Jared; you are our hero. And I´m not talking about Sam (even though God knows we are fucking proud of him too), but you. Alright? And we got your back.
We get scared (at least I know I do) every time that he goes off the grid for more than a couple of weeks. I worry that his demons caught up to him again, and that he may be having a hell of a hard time finding peace and solace. But he´s strong, and even though sometimes he doubts and stumbles and falls (because hey, we all do), he´s the strongest of us all. And I´m so fucking proud of him. We may be part of your dysfunctional family, Jared, but you are certainly part of ours too.
Keep letting your light shine. I will do the same. And keep fighting. Always Keep Fighting.
That´s what all of us repeat to ourselves over and over again when we are struggling (many times we repeat it out loud, some other times we write it on our bodies, like he did on his arm when he broke. “I broke. Plain and simple. I. Broke.”). And we say it proud and loud, and it fucking helps every time. I know it does, the AKF phrase and what it means got me through a lot this past year, so I know what I´m talking about.
So thank you, Jared. Truly, you changed our lives and you gave us hope.
My god, I went on and on with this endless review. Perhaps I should have used only gifs to express myself (Chuck knows Supernatural has a gif for everything!). So, SPNFamily, if you are willing to take an emotional ride, pick up this book and dive in. You will laugh and you will cry, and when you finish it there will be a smile on your face and a certainty: you are not alone.
AKF, guys. Love y’all.
December 6, 2017
I adore the show, Supernatural. I first starting watching to fill a Buffy sized hole, and then realized how special the show was, by its own right. Sam, Dean, Castiel, Bobby ... all incredible characters with an incredible bond. That said, I'm not a super fan. I don't connect with other fans on the internet, or attend cons. I have one IRL friend who watches Supernatural; everyone else thinks I'm kind of weird for watching (isn't it a gory show? Or a show for teenagers?) it, much less enjoying it.
So I was a little intimated by this book at first, with all its talk of cons and fan fiction. I dragged my feet a bit, put it down to read other things, picked it up again. But I connected with the book, hard, when the essays started getting personal. Fans' struggles with depression, alcoholism, even cancer were made bearable by the show and the casts' incredible commitment to helping others. Misha Collins' Random Acts (of kindness), and Jared's Always Keep Fighting campaigns feel truly heartfelt. You know how sometimes celebrities do "good things" because they think it'll be positive for their images? The folks from SPN are not those people. They're up front about their own battles, and extremely supportive of their fan community. Jared's essay at the end of the book even made me tear up a bit.
I already know Supernatural is a special show, but this book is a great reminder of why.
So I was a little intimated by this book at first, with all its talk of cons and fan fiction. I dragged my feet a bit, put it down to read other things, picked it up again. But I connected with the book, hard, when the essays started getting personal. Fans' struggles with depression, alcoholism, even cancer were made bearable by the show and the casts' incredible commitment to helping others. Misha Collins' Random Acts (of kindness), and Jared's Always Keep Fighting campaigns feel truly heartfelt. You know how sometimes celebrities do "good things" because they think it'll be positive for their images? The folks from SPN are not those people. They're up front about their own battles, and extremely supportive of their fan community. Jared's essay at the end of the book even made me tear up a bit.
I already know Supernatural is a special show, but this book is a great reminder of why.
May 21, 2017
When one thinks of Supernatural or the SPN Family that has formed around it, many thoughts can come to mind. No matter your thoughts or opinions on various seasons, characters, storylines, or more, it is the fandom community that has really and truly made this show special. The television series may be the common bond that drew every fan or cast member providing a story in this book together, but it is the bonds of humanity that really keep them together for life. Supernatural, as a television series, has changed lives. It has provided inspiration, escapism, and good storytelling that allows us to face our own inner demons. It has given us a chance to see the world differently, awakening passions in us that we may not have realized we possessed.
What we find in Family Don't End With Blood is the essence of the show and the fandom that surrounds it distilled to its very best. It gives us a real glimpse and a real understanding as to why so many fans have lasted with the series for well over a decade. It explores the beautiful relationships that the cast has built first as fellow cast members and through the convention circuit that has formed around the series. We have stories of triumph and defeat, hope and despair, joy and sorrow, and everything in between. We have people at their highest and their lowest---sometimes all within the same essay. Many of the esssays discuss the reasons why the show drew them in and kept them there---and why the fandom that they found is the real reason they stayed. It's a snapshot of what the power of our combined goodness and humanity can really bring to the world---a hopeful glimpse of what the world could really be if we simply got out of our own way and accepted one another who we really are---warts and all.
There are some essays, on a personal level, that really stick out to me from this book. Some are by cast, some are by fan, but all of them are by SPN Family---my family by choice. Some of them I know well and some I've never heard of before. Some are close friends. Others are cast that I admire. Those essays that stuck out to me most are: The Road So Far by Laurena Aker, Wayward AF by Kim Rhodes, Stroke of Luck by Rob Benedict, Choosing Life by Burner Cade, and What Does the Fandom Mean to Me by Jared Padalecki. Each one has equal value in my mind for various reasons. The sheer honesty, the emotion, the courage, the triumph over tragedy, the commitment to making the world better no matter the struggle---all these things stick out in each of these essays---as they do in all of them in this book.
I want to call out two by the cast and two by fans in this list in particular: Stroke of Luck by Rob Benedict and What Does Fandom Mean to Me by Jared Padalecki. I also want to call out Laurena Aker's piece and Burner Cade's.
First, Rob Benedict. His piece was powerful and personal for me. My mother had a stroke at a very young age in a time before the life saving medicine that prevented the most damage. She has had the mark of that stroke on her since the last 70s. Reading about Rob's story and how tramatic it was and how much more it could have been drew me closer to Rob instantly. He was candid, real, and fearless in telling us the truth unblemished. I felt so compelled that once I finished the book I told my mother immediately that one essay in it had been written for HER. Rob's piece captured what happened to her and yet it captured what could have been had the medicine been there. It is a powerful story that shows that despite the darkest hours of our lives, there is hope. I want to thank Rob for that personally. I think it's imperative that his story and my mother's show the world true courage.
Second, Jared's story broke my heart. I found myself nodding and smiling in teh beginning, sharing in that 80s child experience that we both share. The joy at following those cartoons (I am gleeful that we both watched He-Man) and the journey he took to acting at such an early age struck me. I recognized in him the sheer drive to be responsible for everything---the fear of letting anyone down and trying to push myself when I probably shouldn't. My heart ached for him as he talked about his struggle to just keep pushing. While some may disparage his honesty because of his status as a lead on a TV show, his candidness gave me a glimpse into some of my own struggle---one that we share in a way but never the same way. His breaking point and the struggle he endured while in its midst shocked me and made me feel deeply for him. The fact that he had come so close to doing something that could never be undone is astonishinng. Even more so, however, is his willingness to get back up and keep fighting anyways. By the end, I felt that I really understand now why he dubbed us SPN Family. We helped him and gave him the space he needed when he needed it most--only to welcome him back after. His courage is a powerful reminder.
I call out Laurena Aker's essay because she's a personal friend of mine and I am so proud of her story. She captured what some of my own feelings about being a fan mean. While I've never been a corporate person or in a big time career---or a mother---as she is, I relate to her struggle to accept her fannish ways. I recognize that confusion and the joy at finally accepting what it means and how it can cause one to take risks. I feel, as I transition slowly into my next career, that I'm following a bit in her footsteps. I'm hoping that I will be half as successful.
And finally, Burner Cade's story resonated because I can relate to feeling trapped. I feel that way a lot these days and I know that there's hope even when it seems darkest. Burner was brave to put this out there---and tell us how powerful our show and fandom truly can be. Her ability to fight back against the darkest of moments and find a reason to continue---no matter what anyone might think of it---shows real strength that I hope to rely on in my own struggles. I hope to find inspiration when I need it most in this particular essay. I thank her for reminding me that when I don't want to fight any more that there is something worth fighting for---that only the best things are worth that effort.
The other essays are just as powerful. They stand as a testament to our very best---not just of SPN Family but of humanity. Mark Sheppard reminds us to never give up---even when this time we live in seems darkest. Matt Cohen tells us to be ourselves. We hear about how fandom has built a mighty and powerful community that gives us all a refuge. I think we all may need it now more than ever---even if someday the show may end, I pray that we'll always have that fandom to turn tow when we need that inspiration.
I want to thank Lynn Zubernis for putting this book together. It is a love letter to my fandom and it reminds me that I belong to a select but large SPN Family. It means more than you'll ever know.
What we find in Family Don't End With Blood is the essence of the show and the fandom that surrounds it distilled to its very best. It gives us a real glimpse and a real understanding as to why so many fans have lasted with the series for well over a decade. It explores the beautiful relationships that the cast has built first as fellow cast members and through the convention circuit that has formed around the series. We have stories of triumph and defeat, hope and despair, joy and sorrow, and everything in between. We have people at their highest and their lowest---sometimes all within the same essay. Many of the esssays discuss the reasons why the show drew them in and kept them there---and why the fandom that they found is the real reason they stayed. It's a snapshot of what the power of our combined goodness and humanity can really bring to the world---a hopeful glimpse of what the world could really be if we simply got out of our own way and accepted one another who we really are---warts and all.
There are some essays, on a personal level, that really stick out to me from this book. Some are by cast, some are by fan, but all of them are by SPN Family---my family by choice. Some of them I know well and some I've never heard of before. Some are close friends. Others are cast that I admire. Those essays that stuck out to me most are: The Road So Far by Laurena Aker, Wayward AF by Kim Rhodes, Stroke of Luck by Rob Benedict, Choosing Life by Burner Cade, and What Does the Fandom Mean to Me by Jared Padalecki. Each one has equal value in my mind for various reasons. The sheer honesty, the emotion, the courage, the triumph over tragedy, the commitment to making the world better no matter the struggle---all these things stick out in each of these essays---as they do in all of them in this book.
I want to call out two by the cast and two by fans in this list in particular: Stroke of Luck by Rob Benedict and What Does Fandom Mean to Me by Jared Padalecki. I also want to call out Laurena Aker's piece and Burner Cade's.
First, Rob Benedict. His piece was powerful and personal for me. My mother had a stroke at a very young age in a time before the life saving medicine that prevented the most damage. She has had the mark of that stroke on her since the last 70s. Reading about Rob's story and how tramatic it was and how much more it could have been drew me closer to Rob instantly. He was candid, real, and fearless in telling us the truth unblemished. I felt so compelled that once I finished the book I told my mother immediately that one essay in it had been written for HER. Rob's piece captured what happened to her and yet it captured what could have been had the medicine been there. It is a powerful story that shows that despite the darkest hours of our lives, there is hope. I want to thank Rob for that personally. I think it's imperative that his story and my mother's show the world true courage.
Second, Jared's story broke my heart. I found myself nodding and smiling in teh beginning, sharing in that 80s child experience that we both share. The joy at following those cartoons (I am gleeful that we both watched He-Man) and the journey he took to acting at such an early age struck me. I recognized in him the sheer drive to be responsible for everything---the fear of letting anyone down and trying to push myself when I probably shouldn't. My heart ached for him as he talked about his struggle to just keep pushing. While some may disparage his honesty because of his status as a lead on a TV show, his candidness gave me a glimpse into some of my own struggle---one that we share in a way but never the same way. His breaking point and the struggle he endured while in its midst shocked me and made me feel deeply for him. The fact that he had come so close to doing something that could never be undone is astonishinng. Even more so, however, is his willingness to get back up and keep fighting anyways. By the end, I felt that I really understand now why he dubbed us SPN Family. We helped him and gave him the space he needed when he needed it most--only to welcome him back after. His courage is a powerful reminder.
I call out Laurena Aker's essay because she's a personal friend of mine and I am so proud of her story. She captured what some of my own feelings about being a fan mean. While I've never been a corporate person or in a big time career---or a mother---as she is, I relate to her struggle to accept her fannish ways. I recognize that confusion and the joy at finally accepting what it means and how it can cause one to take risks. I feel, as I transition slowly into my next career, that I'm following a bit in her footsteps. I'm hoping that I will be half as successful.
And finally, Burner Cade's story resonated because I can relate to feeling trapped. I feel that way a lot these days and I know that there's hope even when it seems darkest. Burner was brave to put this out there---and tell us how powerful our show and fandom truly can be. Her ability to fight back against the darkest of moments and find a reason to continue---no matter what anyone might think of it---shows real strength that I hope to rely on in my own struggles. I hope to find inspiration when I need it most in this particular essay. I thank her for reminding me that when I don't want to fight any more that there is something worth fighting for---that only the best things are worth that effort.
The other essays are just as powerful. They stand as a testament to our very best---not just of SPN Family but of humanity. Mark Sheppard reminds us to never give up---even when this time we live in seems darkest. Matt Cohen tells us to be ourselves. We hear about how fandom has built a mighty and powerful community that gives us all a refuge. I think we all may need it now more than ever---even if someday the show may end, I pray that we'll always have that fandom to turn tow when we need that inspiration.
I want to thank Lynn Zubernis for putting this book together. It is a love letter to my fandom and it reminds me that I belong to a select but large SPN Family. It means more than you'll ever know.
July 31, 2020
Un must read pour les fans de la série. Il y a des textes magnifiques et puissants qui m’ont fait pleuré 😭. Je recommande chaudement !
July 7, 2017
My favorite essays were those from Rob Benedict and Jared Padalecki.
November 22, 2019
Pour quelqu’un à qui Supernatural a tant apporté dans sa vie, ce recueil de témoignages m’a bouleversé et réchauffé le cœur. Plein de force et d’optimisme, il m’a convaincu que la SPNFamily est et restera pour toujours un fandom fort et inclusif qui a sauvé des milliers de vies.
Read
June 8, 2021please, Jared Padalecki, I have a family
July 1, 2024
Lowkey read this book a while ago after my second convention and back then I didn’t have Goodreads so I just thought I’d put this as “read” now since I remember lol.
It’s amazing and so heartfelt and wonderfully done with each chapter being someone else of a completely different background putting their story out into the world and how this one small show from CW has changed their life in some shape or form. No wonder this show has the gathering it does.
At the con I got this book at, we went to a Mark Shepherd panel and typically he gets sarcastic and shamelessly harsh but it’s in a “I care I’m just blatantly sarcastic” way. Before he went into that, he made sure the whole audience knew that if there’s anywhere to break down, have a panic attack, freak out, or experience an episode, it would be in that room, despite the hundreds of people there. No one would judge, laugh, or stand by and watch. Everyone in that room would do something to help if they could.
This fandom really is a big family and this book does great at encompassing it. I spoke to the author and she held an amazing passion for the creation of this book and the other ones similar to it that she’s written. It paid off nicely, I can tell.
It’s amazing and so heartfelt and wonderfully done with each chapter being someone else of a completely different background putting their story out into the world and how this one small show from CW has changed their life in some shape or form. No wonder this show has the gathering it does.
At the con I got this book at, we went to a Mark Shepherd panel and typically he gets sarcastic and shamelessly harsh but it’s in a “I care I’m just blatantly sarcastic” way. Before he went into that, he made sure the whole audience knew that if there’s anywhere to break down, have a panic attack, freak out, or experience an episode, it would be in that room, despite the hundreds of people there. No one would judge, laugh, or stand by and watch. Everyone in that room would do something to help if they could.
This fandom really is a big family and this book does great at encompassing it. I spoke to the author and she held an amazing passion for the creation of this book and the other ones similar to it that she’s written. It paid off nicely, I can tell.
August 17, 2020
4.5⭐️
If you are a fan of Supernatural I think you’ll like this. If you are part of the fandom of supernatural I think you will love this! We get testimonies from both diehard fans and some of the cast thats lives were changed from supernatural and by the looks of it everyone that was a part of supernatural either acting directing writing creating any single part of creating the show, their life was changed. And seeing their lives changed for the better and the good that came out of it the good that came out of such a monster filled show but also a show filled with family and friendship and protection. I really enjoyed this.
If you are a fan of Supernatural I think you’ll like this. If you are part of the fandom of supernatural I think you will love this! We get testimonies from both diehard fans and some of the cast thats lives were changed from supernatural and by the looks of it everyone that was a part of supernatural either acting directing writing creating any single part of creating the show, their life was changed. And seeing their lives changed for the better and the good that came out of it the good that came out of such a monster filled show but also a show filled with family and friendship and protection. I really enjoyed this.
March 30, 2021
Rating: I Loved it🥰🤩
2021's ATY in 52 books: 29. A book that you consider comfort reading
I'm a huge fan of Supernatural, I haven't had the fortune to go to a convention but I've seen plenty on youtube, I consider myself to be very knowledgable about the show and the cast, specially J2, Misha and Mark Sheppard, so I was very surprised to learn new interesting and compelling stories of the cast, crew and fandom.
If you're a fan I highly recommend it.
2021's ATY in 52 books: 29. A book that you consider comfort reading
I'm a huge fan of Supernatural, I haven't had the fortune to go to a convention but I've seen plenty on youtube, I consider myself to be very knowledgable about the show and the cast, specially J2, Misha and Mark Sheppard, so I was very surprised to learn new interesting and compelling stories of the cast, crew and fandom.
If you're a fan I highly recommend it.
June 5, 2020
As a fan of Supernatural, this is a must read .
December 22, 2020
"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!
July 16, 2017
Having already experienced the positive life-changing effects of FANDOM (as opposed to just being a fan of something), I didn't need convincing that it provided "Identity development, belonging, validation. A support system, intellectual stimulation, creativity." I knew you could form deep real friendships with people you only see at conventions or meet-ups or even people have never met in real life. I knew people who met and fell in love through fandoms or who uprooted their lives to pursue a truer self in another part of the country. So that aspect of this book wasn't new to me. What was a surprise to me was that the Fandom (us) had something meaningful to offer its 'stars' on a deeply personal level. That those 'idols' feel inspired by us as much as we do by them.
I may fan of many things but, up to recently, I have only claimed citizenship in two Fandoms: where I have forged relationships online and gone on to meet those online folks in real life. (You all know who you are!) I guess I will be adding a third: Supernatural.
I may fan of many things but, up to recently, I have only claimed citizenship in two Fandoms: where I have forged relationships online and gone on to meet those online folks in real life. (You all know who you are!) I guess I will be adding a third: Supernatural.
August 20, 2019
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. ❤
November 22, 2020
Before I start with the review, I will be honest, I absolutely love the show. I've been a fan ever since I was flicking through the channels looking for something to watch and saw some episodes from Season 3 - I was hooked. I quickly purchased the previous 2 seasons and blew through them, and I have been an avid watcher for the next 12 seasons.
This book sees fans and members of the cast and crew write about their experiences with Supernatural and the fandom. The biggest thing I noticed was how much the show and the fans have changed the lives of the actors themselves. It was levelling to read about their struggles with confidence, and mental health, and to realise that the SPN fandom truly is a two-way support system. SPNFamily has also raised a lot of awareness and funds for different causes and have truly made a difference. Saying that, there are some toxic aspects to the fandom and I think that this needs to be addressed more. Personally, I think this is a book that it's best to dip in and out of over a week or two rather than reading it straight through, otherwise the stories can begin to merge into one.
This book sees fans and members of the cast and crew write about their experiences with Supernatural and the fandom. The biggest thing I noticed was how much the show and the fans have changed the lives of the actors themselves. It was levelling to read about their struggles with confidence, and mental health, and to realise that the SPN fandom truly is a two-way support system. SPNFamily has also raised a lot of awareness and funds for different causes and have truly made a difference. Saying that, there are some toxic aspects to the fandom and I think that this needs to be addressed more. Personally, I think this is a book that it's best to dip in and out of over a week or two rather than reading it straight through, otherwise the stories can begin to merge into one.
February 26, 2018
I had waited 9 months to read this book but it was definitely worth the wait as it shared stories about how actors had gone though Mental & Physical Boundaries with the support of the SPNFamily & how fans had made new friends & followed their dreams because of the bond of the Winchesters & the actors themselves.
July 30, 2021
As someone who is fighting against A brain tumour and depression, I mainly bought this book for Jared's essay about how the fans of Supernatural helped him with his own struggles with depression.
However I actually loved all of the essays and even cried through A lot of this book, and still loved every moment. The SPN Family helps me to "Always Keep Fighting". This is now one of my favourite books.
However I actually loved all of the essays and even cried through A lot of this book, and still loved every moment. The SPN Family helps me to "Always Keep Fighting". This is now one of my favourite books.
September 12, 2025
Review soon!
April 8, 2018
Once again, I find it hard to write and critic people's personal experiences and that is what this book is. Each essay, whether from a cast member or an individual in the fandom, in a dive into a very personal and sometimes uncomfortable part of someone's life. I personally have been a fan of Supernatural since highschool, when I watched it to impress a guy I liked. While my interest in the series waxes and wanes, usually because of the particular overarching plot, there is still a huge fondness and overall enjoyment I get out of watching the Winchester and Company fight evil. What I didn't expect is for this book to make me so emotional. While I didn't break down crying, there were a few times where I felt that little catch in your breath when emotion hits. The weird part is that I can't even tell you what it was that made me feel that way, while I have been a long time fan of the show, I have not really interacted a lot with the SPNFamily as it's called, I have never been to a convention, and I sure as hell have never so much as gotten a liked tweet from a member of the cast. I'm not sure what it was about all these stories, maybe the fact that they did come from a place of raw emotion, that got to me, but it did. This novel is a great little look into how entertainment, not just Supernatural, can be a reasons for people to keep going, to find comfort when the real world just doesn't provide any, and more than anything to give hope. As someone who met two of her best friend through fandom (Kpop of all things, but I converted them to Supernatural) I know the power and effect it can have on someone's life. This novel is about the human condition and it does so rather beautifully and with a good dash of humor.
November 25, 2017
Family Don't End with Blood is a collection of heartfelt essays about how one television show has changed the lives of viewers, and members of the cast. Some of the stories are joyful celebrations of fandom and learning to express enjoyment of perhaps less-than-mainstream entertainment. Others are frank descriptions of the way Supernatural helped them through traumatic experiences or illnesses.
As a relatively new fan of Supernatural, I wasn't aware of some of the cast stories. Rob Benedict's story about his terrifying stroke experience particularly moved me, and while I knew that Jared Padalecki had been getting through depression and anxiety in the past, his eloquent essay was a revealing window into how even celebrities need to focus on their own mental health sometimes.
I haven't (yet) been to a convention purely for one fandom, but I can relate to finding a bunch of close friends through fan groups and shared excitement. The pop culture expos we have here in Brisbane have opened up a world of pure enjoyment to me, and I've met some great people who love to fangirl about the same stuff as I do. Allowing myself to reveal my geeky side to others has always been pretty nerve-wracking, but I really wish I'd done it a lot earlier, because I'm having the time of my life now, at a time when I have the minimal time to actually engage in any of these things!
Anyway, enough rambling. If you're a Supernatural fan, you'll love this book. If not, you should really start watching - you've got twelve and a half seasons to catch up on!
As a relatively new fan of Supernatural, I wasn't aware of some of the cast stories. Rob Benedict's story about his terrifying stroke experience particularly moved me, and while I knew that Jared Padalecki had been getting through depression and anxiety in the past, his eloquent essay was a revealing window into how even celebrities need to focus on their own mental health sometimes.
I haven't (yet) been to a convention purely for one fandom, but I can relate to finding a bunch of close friends through fan groups and shared excitement. The pop culture expos we have here in Brisbane have opened up a world of pure enjoyment to me, and I've met some great people who love to fangirl about the same stuff as I do. Allowing myself to reveal my geeky side to others has always been pretty nerve-wracking, but I really wish I'd done it a lot earlier, because I'm having the time of my life now, at a time when I have the minimal time to actually engage in any of these things!
Anyway, enough rambling. If you're a Supernatural fan, you'll love this book. If not, you should really start watching - you've got twelve and a half seasons to catch up on!
December 15, 2017
"Family don't end with blood" was given to me as a present from a close friend of mine: since I had been binge-watching Supernatural for fan-fiction reasons and got so immerse in the show, she thought it was a good idea for my birthday present. How true! This lovely volume is not just about Supernatural, it's about how passion for something creative, fun and entertaining can help you cope with the bad things in your life, inspire you, make you better, kinder and happier. Being a nerd all my life I know a lot of this, and at the same time I can feel ashamed, shy, unworthy, silly, pathetic. This book reminded me I am not, that if something makes you feel better, you should embrace it, no matter how stupid it might seem to people who clearly don't deserve your attention or love. I was mesmerised by the stories and moved by them, I was so happy that fans, cast and crew alike channelled the love they have for this entertainment product to do real good, to do charity and help people. Jared Padalecki was the greatest surprise, and I will follow his struggle with a renewed respect.
I highly recommend this book!
I highly recommend this book!
June 13, 2017
This book is so good! If you love supernatural and you love the fandom you should read this book!
June 21, 2017
It has some definite low points but, truthfully, there were very few chapters that didn't have tears pouring down my face.
July 28, 2017
http://jennys-buecherkiste.blogspot.d...
Rezension:
Ich weiß nicht, wo ich anfangen soll. Dieses Buch war gleichzeitig genial und anstrengend. Anfangs war ich skeptisch, ob es für mich mehr als eine Informationsquelle sein würde, weil Supernatural mein Leben nicht wesentlich verändert hat. Jetzt kann ich sagen, dass das Buch mich sehr berührt hat. Mehrfach kamen mir die Tränen, das erste Mal auf Seite 10 – im Vorwort! Endgültig vorbei war es dann bei Jareds Kapitel. Da habe ich wirklich Rotz und Wasser geheult. Neben der Traurigkeit hat das Buch jedoch auch Liebe, Stärke und Zuversicht angesprochen. Jedes Mal, wenn die Kraft unserer Gemeinschaft beschrieben wurde, hatte ich Gänsehaut. Das Buch ist wirklich sehr emotional, ohne dabei dauerhaft auf die Stimmung zu drücken.
Besonders gefallen hat mir, dass da Buch von Anfang an die Liebe, die Gemeinschaft und die Begeisterung perfekt eingefangen hat. Mit diesen Aspekten, der Bewegung und der Macht des Fandoms, konnte ich mich identifizieren. Immer, wenn diese Aspekte beschrieben wurden, dachte ich: „Ja! Genau so!“ Das hat das Buch für mich lesenswert gemacht, obwohl ich persönlich mich mit den Monstern und Dämonen der verschiedenen Autoren nicht identifizieren kann. Obwohl ich keine psychische Störung habe, in einer liebevollen Familie aufgewachsen bin und all meinen Träumen nachjagen kann, habe ich mich trotzdem mit den Berichten verbunden gefühlt. Das bedeutet, dass das Buch nicht nur Hoffnungsträger für alle Fans mit harten Kämpfen sein kann, sondern auch allen anderen das Gefühl gibt, durch und durch verstanden zu werden. Es ist damit absolut empfehlenswert für jeden Fan der Serie.
Neben all der Genialität war das Buch allerdings auch anstrengend zu lesen, nicht nur emotional, sondern auch kognitiv. Da ich Biografien normalerweise nicht lese und dieses Buch im Grunde ja nichts anderes ist als ein Zusammenschnitt aus 25 Biografien, war es mir unmöglich, es an einem Stück zu lesen. Irgendwann konnte ich den Autoren einfach nicht mehr die Aufmerksamkeit entgegen bringen, die ihre Berichte verdient haben. Das liegt auch mit daran, dass obwohl es um Süchte, Ängste, Schüchternheit, Depressionen, Aufopferung für andere, Sekten und noch viele weitere Dinge geht, grundsätzlich alle Personen dasselbe gesagt haben. Für ebenfalls Betroffene mag es wichtig sein, sich nicht allein zu fühlen, aber für mich waren die Detail der persönlichen Schicksale zu weit weg als dass ich sie 25x hintereinander hätte lesen können. Deshalb musste ich das Buch in vielen kleinen Stücken lesen, obwohl ich trotzdem neugierig war, was die folgenden Personen zu berichten hatten. Meine Aufmerksamkeit hat es einfach nicht hergegeben, mehr als drei Kapitel am Stück zu lesen.
Fazit:
Ich war skeptisch bezüglich des Buches, weil Supernatural mein Leben nicht verändert hat und ich auch kein Ultra-Fangirl bin. Im Nachhinein finde ich es empfehlenswert für jeden Fan der Serie. Es fängt die Stimmung und die Gemeinschaft perfekt ein, unabhängig von den Einzelschicksalen. Außerdem ist es wahnsinnig emotional. Ich habe Bestärkung genauso verspürt wie ich hemmungslos geheult habe. Da das Buch wie ein Zusammenschnitt aus 25 sehr ähnlichen Biografien ist, war die Kapazitätsgrenze meiner Aufmerksamkeit aber leider ziemlich schnell erreicht, sodass ich es in vielen kleinen Stücken lesen musste. „Family don't end with blood“ bekommt daher vier Schreibfedern von mir.
Rezension:
Ich weiß nicht, wo ich anfangen soll. Dieses Buch war gleichzeitig genial und anstrengend. Anfangs war ich skeptisch, ob es für mich mehr als eine Informationsquelle sein würde, weil Supernatural mein Leben nicht wesentlich verändert hat. Jetzt kann ich sagen, dass das Buch mich sehr berührt hat. Mehrfach kamen mir die Tränen, das erste Mal auf Seite 10 – im Vorwort! Endgültig vorbei war es dann bei Jareds Kapitel. Da habe ich wirklich Rotz und Wasser geheult. Neben der Traurigkeit hat das Buch jedoch auch Liebe, Stärke und Zuversicht angesprochen. Jedes Mal, wenn die Kraft unserer Gemeinschaft beschrieben wurde, hatte ich Gänsehaut. Das Buch ist wirklich sehr emotional, ohne dabei dauerhaft auf die Stimmung zu drücken.
Besonders gefallen hat mir, dass da Buch von Anfang an die Liebe, die Gemeinschaft und die Begeisterung perfekt eingefangen hat. Mit diesen Aspekten, der Bewegung und der Macht des Fandoms, konnte ich mich identifizieren. Immer, wenn diese Aspekte beschrieben wurden, dachte ich: „Ja! Genau so!“ Das hat das Buch für mich lesenswert gemacht, obwohl ich persönlich mich mit den Monstern und Dämonen der verschiedenen Autoren nicht identifizieren kann. Obwohl ich keine psychische Störung habe, in einer liebevollen Familie aufgewachsen bin und all meinen Träumen nachjagen kann, habe ich mich trotzdem mit den Berichten verbunden gefühlt. Das bedeutet, dass das Buch nicht nur Hoffnungsträger für alle Fans mit harten Kämpfen sein kann, sondern auch allen anderen das Gefühl gibt, durch und durch verstanden zu werden. Es ist damit absolut empfehlenswert für jeden Fan der Serie.
Neben all der Genialität war das Buch allerdings auch anstrengend zu lesen, nicht nur emotional, sondern auch kognitiv. Da ich Biografien normalerweise nicht lese und dieses Buch im Grunde ja nichts anderes ist als ein Zusammenschnitt aus 25 Biografien, war es mir unmöglich, es an einem Stück zu lesen. Irgendwann konnte ich den Autoren einfach nicht mehr die Aufmerksamkeit entgegen bringen, die ihre Berichte verdient haben. Das liegt auch mit daran, dass obwohl es um Süchte, Ängste, Schüchternheit, Depressionen, Aufopferung für andere, Sekten und noch viele weitere Dinge geht, grundsätzlich alle Personen dasselbe gesagt haben. Für ebenfalls Betroffene mag es wichtig sein, sich nicht allein zu fühlen, aber für mich waren die Detail der persönlichen Schicksale zu weit weg als dass ich sie 25x hintereinander hätte lesen können. Deshalb musste ich das Buch in vielen kleinen Stücken lesen, obwohl ich trotzdem neugierig war, was die folgenden Personen zu berichten hatten. Meine Aufmerksamkeit hat es einfach nicht hergegeben, mehr als drei Kapitel am Stück zu lesen.
Fazit:
Ich war skeptisch bezüglich des Buches, weil Supernatural mein Leben nicht verändert hat und ich auch kein Ultra-Fangirl bin. Im Nachhinein finde ich es empfehlenswert für jeden Fan der Serie. Es fängt die Stimmung und die Gemeinschaft perfekt ein, unabhängig von den Einzelschicksalen. Außerdem ist es wahnsinnig emotional. Ich habe Bestärkung genauso verspürt wie ich hemmungslos geheult habe. Da das Buch wie ein Zusammenschnitt aus 25 sehr ähnlichen Biografien ist, war die Kapazitätsgrenze meiner Aufmerksamkeit aber leider ziemlich schnell erreicht, sodass ich es in vielen kleinen Stücken lesen musste. „Family don't end with blood“ bekommt daher vier Schreibfedern von mir.
October 29, 2017
This book had a lot of really inspiring stories in it. I found out I was like Osric Chau when I was at school as we were both really shy, didn't like to be center of attention and stayed at the back of the group when mixing with friends. Hallie's story was really inspiring aswell after her battle with alcoholism and how her life has been since she met Jared. She gives him each sober chip she receives and Jared keeps them in his bedside drawer which is very sweet.
Jensen was very shy and didn't want to be the centre of attention when he did his first convention. Now he is basically the life and soul of the conventions along with Jared, who was the same when he did his first convention. I loved reading about Jared's battle aswell with anxiety and depression. Him having to cancel two conventions he was supposed to attend was a bit sad for the fans attending but good for him as it meant he got to go home to be with his family and get fighting fit again mentally.
This whole book has been inspirational and will continue to inspire fans who watch and love the show Supernatural. Like Jared says 'Always Keep Fighting'.
Jensen was very shy and didn't want to be the centre of attention when he did his first convention. Now he is basically the life and soul of the conventions along with Jared, who was the same when he did his first convention. I loved reading about Jared's battle aswell with anxiety and depression. Him having to cancel two conventions he was supposed to attend was a bit sad for the fans attending but good for him as it meant he got to go home to be with his family and get fighting fit again mentally.
This whole book has been inspirational and will continue to inspire fans who watch and love the show Supernatural. Like Jared says 'Always Keep Fighting'.
July 1, 2024
I don’t really have much to say. I started this book a while back, around the last three months of last year, and I’ve been reading it for quite a while. But still, no matter how long it took me to read it, it really impacted me.
The cast and fans of Supernatural have changed lives, and truly, have changed mine. Before my first convention, I was in a bad spot, dealing with dark thoughts and crushing guilt and self-loathing. This book, and meeting the cast and fandom, helped me push through that (though it took a long time, and TONS of help from my loving family and wonderful friends) and find a way to see the bright side.
EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER was heartfelt and well-written, and highlighted a lot of things people would never talk about in public. Specifically personal things. As someone who struggled from many things, and is still struggling, I respect each and every person who has put their story out there for the world to see.
I loved this book, I love the show, the cast, and the family that the fandom has become. Thank you, SPNFamily!
The cast and fans of Supernatural have changed lives, and truly, have changed mine. Before my first convention, I was in a bad spot, dealing with dark thoughts and crushing guilt and self-loathing. This book, and meeting the cast and fandom, helped me push through that (though it took a long time, and TONS of help from my loving family and wonderful friends) and find a way to see the bright side.
EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER was heartfelt and well-written, and highlighted a lot of things people would never talk about in public. Specifically personal things. As someone who struggled from many things, and is still struggling, I respect each and every person who has put their story out there for the world to see.
I loved this book, I love the show, the cast, and the family that the fandom has become. Thank you, SPNFamily!
June 6, 2017
I highly recommend this book for any member of the Supernatural fandom, whether they are new to the show or have been around from the very beginning. These stories inside from both fans and cast members talk about how the show has impacted them in a positive direction and has encouraged them to take action for the greater good. This show and this fandom, known as the Supernatural Family has encouraged so many to make changes in their lives and has allowed them to feel brave even in their darkest of hours.
This book is extremely heartwarming and some stories are truly unforgettable. I look forward to reading more books about this show as I have gained an even further respect for it than I already had.
This book is extremely heartwarming and some stories are truly unforgettable. I look forward to reading more books about this show as I have gained an even further respect for it than I already had.
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