#Stephanie Land

[i-am-the-page-turner]

"Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive" by Stephanie Land & Barbara Ehrenreich

"Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive" is a compelling narrative authored by Stephanie Land, chronicling her experience as a struggling single mother working as a maid. Set against the backdrop of America's working poor, Land vividly portrays the challenges and indignities faced by those living on the margins. Through her candid storytelling, readers are immersed in the grueling realities of low-wage work, grappling with poverty, and navigating the welfare system. Land's determination to provide for her daughter drives her to endure long hours, low pay, and exploitative working conditions, offering a poignant commentary on the societal structures that perpetuate inequality. Collaborating with renowned journalist Barbara Ehrenreich, Land's memoir not only sheds light on her personal journey but also serves as a powerful critique of the broader issues of economic disparity and social injustice. With empathy and resilience, Land's narrative resonates deeply, prompting readers to reconsider the value of labor and the plight of those often overlooked in society. Through her narrative, Land advocates for greater awareness and empathy towards the struggles of the working poor, ultimately inspiring conversations about systemic change and the pursuit of dignity for all.

[triforcevillains]

Maid (2021)

Eine amerikanische Netflix-Miniserie, die auf Stephanie Lands Roman ,, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive" aus dem Jahr 2019 basiert. Alexs Leben ist nie einfach gewesen, da die Ehe ihrer Eltern von Gewalt geprägt worden ist. Alexs Mutter gerät nach ihrer Scheidung in eine Lebenskrise. Sie vermacht ihrem eigentümlichen Freund ihr Haus, während sie nun in einem Van am Rande der Stadt lebt und sich nun voll und ganz ihrer Kunst und ihrem Drogenkonsum widmet. Alex Vater lebt mit seiner neuen Familie fernab von seiner ältesten Tochter. Alex gerät früh in eine Beziehung, die der Ehe ihrer Eltern sehr nahe kommt. Alexs Freund Sean terrorisiert seine Freundin und ihre gemeinsame Tochter Maddy auf täglicher Basis mit seinen spontanen Wutausbrüchen und seinem Alkoholkonsum.

Eines Nachts beschließt sie, ihrem Elend zu entkommen: Sie packt ihre Sachen, nimmt ihre Tochter und verlässt Sean, während er noch schläft. Was nun beginnt, ist ein ewiges Pendeln zwischen zeitweiligen Unterkünften in Frauenhäusern und bei Freunden, Putzjobs und Seans bösartigen Versuchen, sie und Maddy mithilfe seiner Anwälten zurückzugewinnen. Das Putzen sichert ihren Lebensunterhalt und ist ein gefundenes Futter für ihren seelischen Zusammenbruch, sei es durch ihre schwierigen Kunden oder die körperliche Belastung.

Ihrer Tochter zuliebe gibt Alex nie auf und macht wieder, egal, wie aussichtslos die Situation scheint, in der sie sich befindet. (7/10)

[thedvwalkingwounded]

*GASP!* My Favorite Author Read My Book Review!

My Fave Author Thanked the Blog Book Review! Please Like, Follow, and Share.

[dia-jeo]

"Being poor, living in poverty, seemed a lot like probation-the crime being a lack of means to survive..."

[calamityandme]

I have been finding comfort in listening to audiobooks from the library.

I just finished Maid by Stephanie Land. It was a sad book but I relate to it a lot right now.

I’m not a single mom but I am in a two person household and barely getting by. On Medicaid. Trying to survive lol.

I want to read the second book

[clairettaa]

5 jews (in a room bitching) !

[based-bobcat]

Remember when Batman used to solve regular murders? Remember when Batman was fallible and could be beaten by a gunshot?

DC's writers don't.

I don't know if it's because writers only really write for trades more, but ever since new 52 every writer wants to be the O'Neil/Morrison and make it more epic than the last. I've lost count how many fucking times Gotham has been taken over and/or destroyed these last 5 years, but the fact that I lost count says something. There have been no civilian characters introduced since Tamaki's promising, but kind of mediocre, go at TEC.

They take his money away 'to go back to his roots' (laughable as Bruce has never been without his fortune), and sure you finally get him interacting with regular joes again, only for it not even mattering since he's gotten gear stashed everywhere anyway, not to mention that the next writer to throw it all into the garbage like a meal they don't like.

They reveal Batman's identity as if they're handing out pamphlets for a local political party; Including to Gordon, to Penguin, to Harvey Dent, to fucking Joker, but there is no consequence to that since Bruce's out-of-mask life isn't even a thing that exists anymore. When was the last time he interacted with someone who didn't end up clashing with/meeting with Batman? I sure as fuck can't remember it.

I had hope for Zdarsky's run, since his Daredevil run was a nice street-level romp. (At the beginning anyway, christ did he lose the plot in the end) but he writes stuff like;

That's just sad. Joker and Batman are not Gods or powerful beings like Clark or J'onn.

Th-they're just normal men.

And at the same time you have more and more influences that come from Wayne Family Adventures, which I like don't get me wrong, but these watered down fanficified versions of the Batfam is not what I want to read about when I open up a comic book. Just try reading Taylor's Nightwing without falling asleep and you'll get me.

I like these kinds of things as fan-art or fun covers, but not in my mainline comics.

The Batfamily used to be made up of people with the same goals, but with different approaches, ideals and moral boundaries. Which caused a lot of friction. (Barb and Bruce really, REALLY did not like each other during the early 2000s and that's putting it mildly. And they were co-parenting a suicidal gremlin at that time) They all respected each other, sure, but I can't see any of the family even slightly considering moving in with Bruce. Especially Dick, Barbara and Steph.

All this to say that I'm a boomer and miss the old days.

[the-spaced-out-ace]

Damn Mariah why are you so good at pulling pretty bitches who wear green

[junimo-hexed]

I miss them so much, they were such good friends...

[phantobats]

For the BatFam prompt/plot:

AU where the BatSiblings/BatKids are complete strangers stuck sitting next to each other on a 16-hour long flight ✈️

High Altitude Hijinks: (longer version available on AO3.)

The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, buzzing like a swarm of angry bees as flight attendants zipped down the aisle, securing the last of the carry-ons. Jason slouched in his cramped seat, casting a disdainful glance at the kid beside him, who looked like he might wage war against the next flight attendant to offer him complimentary peanuts. Seriously, how could a child wield a pencil with such intent while drawing?

“Hey, little man,” Jason muttered, trying to muster a smile that came off more like a grimace. “You know we’re all in the same boat here, right? Might as well talk.”

“Why would I engage in small talk? It serves me no purpose,” the boy shot back, his nose wrinkling in disdain as he turned away. Jason rolled his eyes so hard he thought he might strain something. Great. This was shaping up to be a long, torturous flight.

“Talk about spoiled,” he grumbled under his breath, leaning back and shutting his eyes. Maybe if he pretended hard enough, he could will himself into a better scenario—like being anywhere else.

Suddenly, an arm shot out from behind him, intercepting the pencil that had been aimed straight for Jason’s leg. “Damian,” a voice hissed, and Jason whipped around, wide-eyed at the scowling kid now being restrained by some well-meaning adult.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jason snapped, sitting up straighter and turning to face the savior of his potential death by stationery. “What the hell is wrong with him?” he repeated, pointing at the miniature menace beside him.

The man with black hair and bright blue eyes smiled wearily, as if he was used to dealing with this chaos. “He’s had a tough upbringing, is all.” Familiar, but Jason couldn’t quite place him. Or wait-

“Hey, aren’t you—?” Jason started, but was interrupted by the kid next to the man, who was struggling with a massive tome titled Advanced Tactics for the Elite.

“What, is he pissed off he has to share a plane with lowly peasants?” the teen quipped, glancing at Jason with an eyebrow raised before diving back into his book like it was a lifeboat.

A snarl erupted from Damian, and Jason decided it was best not to poke the bear.

“Tim, don’t be condescending,” the older guy sighed, turning back to Jason. “Sorry about that, man. Damian promised me he’d behave.”

“You’re Dick Grayson-Wayne, aren’t you?” Jason asked, finally connecting the dots. “And that’s Damian Wayne, no?”

Dick’s cheeks flushed as he scratched the back of his neck like a kid caught sneaking cookies. “Uh, yeah. Guilty as charged.”

“Why in the ever-loving hell are you both on a commercial airplane?” Jason asked incredulously, genuinely baffled by the sight of two Gotham elite among the commoners.

“Listen—” Dick began, only to be interrupted.

“Because Father has already taken the private jet to Rome. We would have flown with the second one if it weren’t for Drake convincing Grayson to reduce our carbon footprint,” Damian hissed, brandishing another pencil menacingly at Tim - where did he even pull this one out from? - who had finally looked up from his book.

Tim shrugged, unfazed. “It’s important to suppress our need for convenience for the greater good, especially when it means that less greenhouse gas is destroying the ozone layer. You know, the thing literally keeping us alive.”

As the two continued their fighting, Dick turned to Jason. “So, you’re from Park Row, aren’t you?”

Across the aisle, a blonde girl was animatedly chatting with a red-haired woman, while a black-haired girl quietly observed, her expression calm and curious.

“How’d you know?” Jason asked, feigning surprise.

“You’ve got a thick accent, my friend. I’m assuming Cooke Avenue?” Dick replied with a teasing grin.

Jason groaned and slid down in his seat, feeling all too exposed. “Don’t even mention it.”

Just then, the blonde girl perked up, her eyes sparkling like she’d just discovered a hidden treasure. “Wait, did someone say Cooke Avenue?” She turned to Jason, her finger pointing dramatically. “I’m from there too! And I recognize you—you're Jason, right? The mechanic who fixed Barbara’s wheelchair!”

Jason’s eyes widened in recognition. “Barbara? The librarian from the Gotham Public Library?”

“That's me!” Barbara smiled, waving from behind the blonde girl, her bright demeanor matching her auburn hair. “You did a fantastic job. It’s still running like a dream.”

“Really? That’s awesome!” Jason said, his earlier gloom lifting like the cabin altitude. “I remember fixing it so you could get around easily. How’s it been treating you?”

“Great! I’ve been able to keep it in perfect shape, thanks to you,” Barbara replied, her smile radiating warmth.

“I’m glad I was able to help. If it starts giving you trouble again, you know where to find me.” Jason returned her smile, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment.

Meanwhile, the blonde girl seemed to have lost interest in him, her eyes now glued to Dick, who had the charming smile of a guy who knew exactly how to work a crowd.

“Holy shit, that’s Dick Grayson!” she whisper-screamed, practically vibrating with excitement. Dick burst into laughter while Damian and Tim groaned in perfect synchrony.

“Yes, that’s me. What are your names, ladies?” Dick asked, flashing a smile that could probably launch a thousand ships.

The blonde girl jolted at being addressed, clearly still reeling from the realization that Dick Grayson was talking to her. “I’m Stephanie!” she exclaimed, pointing dramatically at the girl beside her. “That’s Cassandra. The three of us are on a girl’s trip to Rome!”

Cassandra and Barbara nodded along, and Jason noticed Cassandra seemed to be signing something in sign language.

Dick lit up at the sight. “It’s nice to meet you too, Cass and Steph! I can call you that, right? Also, you’ll have to excuse me; my sign language is rusty.”

“Yeah, you totally can! And don’t worry, Cass doesn’t know all too much either. She usually writes down her responses, but right now, she’s too lazy to grab her notebook.” Jason could definitely relate to that level of chill.

“Oh, sorry if this is insensitive, but I thought most deaf people have a good understanding of sign language?” Dick asked, genuinely curious.

“Cass isn’t deaf; she’s mute. Selectively, might I add,” Barbara corrected gently, and Cassandra nodded along.

Tim raised an eyebrow, his expression turning puzzled. “Why?”

A moment of silence hung in the air as everyone processed the question. Then, both Dick and Damian exclaimed in unison.

“Tim, you can’t just ask people why they’re mute!” Dick said, a mixture of panic and amusement washing over his face.

“Drake, you imbecile! I cannot believe you told me I was terrible at social interactions!” Damian added, sounding more offended than Cassandra looked, who was regarding them with a bemused expression.

The girls erupted into laughter, their giggles filling the cabin. Jason sighed, shaking his head. This was definitely going to be a long flight, but at least it was shaping up to be an entertaining one.

[heir-of-the-chair]

See I love Pete and Steph and they work so well together because they are the only normal people in all of Hatchetfield

[caliphoria17]

This shot leaves me breathless every. single. time.

Aaliyah Amrohi, what a vision.

[echosbento]

My boyfriend and I were talking about how each of the batfam make a good allegory for different queer orientations so y'all getting the list <3

Bruce: closeted homosexuality, despite the skin tight leather I actually did wind out settling on the idea that Batman is the het masking and Bruce is the true queer self

Dick: out/open homosexuality

Cass: aromantic allosexuality or transgender

Jason: demisexuality

Tim: bisexuality

Steph: pansexuality

Damian: aromantic asexuality

Duke: heteroromantic asexuality

Note this does NOT equate to my actual headcanons for their orientations, that's in the tags, it's about the way I associate their stories with the way people see and/or experience different queer/lgbt+ orientations. Reblog with your own thoughts on how you think their stories could be allegories for diff queer identities if you want! If you're cooler than me you could put some reasonings, instead of just the horrifying realization that they might've been right when they said Batman was the hetero to Bruce's homo

[fictionadventurer]

The worst part about reading in a genre where you have low expectations (in this case, Christian historical fiction) is that when a book impresses you, you have no idea if it's actually good or if you're just overly impressed because it was a fraction of a degree better than the usual garbage.