Track 9: Favorites of 2020

Welcome to episode nine of the Mixtape Book Club Podcast!

Do you love Supernatural? Are you a fan of Dean and Castiel, and their relationship? Do you enjoy reading Destiel fanfiction? This is the podcast for you!

In this episode, Ellen and Mal take a look back at 2020 and recommend some of their favorite reads of the year.

You can find our Mixtape Book Club Ao3 collection here, containing the stories we’ve discussed on the podcast so far.

A transcript is available for this episode.

A warning: Adult themes and swear words are mentioned in this podcast.

Featured fics

These fics were Ellen’s and Mal’s favourite reads of the year, not including those already discussed in previous episodes.

Enchanted Ink by Castielslostwings
36,339 words, E, with art by Gio

In a world where an artist’s magic brings tattoos to life, ink-gone-wrong can spell lasting heartache for those unlucky enough to experience it. Jaded and cynical on both life and love, Castiel’s about to find out that even the most deeply-etched scars can be transformed into something beautiful when the right person is holding the pen.

South Side Swing series by tiamatv
75,859 words, E

Dean knows he’s distracted. He’s the street boss of the Chicago Outfit, and he really can’t afford to not have his head in the game. He’s here to meet the damned Bratva who’s been running around his city for the past week, and if he fucks this up Bobby will kill him. Well, if this job doesn’t do it first.

If only he could keep his mind off the hot accountant from last night.

The Smell Before the Rain by jscribbles
73,212, E, Graphic violence and non-con

Jack’s corpse is still smouldering in the graveyard dirt, still half-held in Castiel’s arms when Chuck decides he’s done with the Winchesters and Co. ruining his plotlines. As a punishment, he throws them into a Godless universe he’d long-since abandoned where Team Free Will encounter familiar faces they never thought they’d see again.

While the world appears the same at first, that impression is short-lived. Angels fight masked militias in the streets, Castiel falls ill with a fevered sickness that only Dean’s touch can soothe, and the whole world operates under a biological class system that baffles its newest arrivals. When Castiel is kidnapped by alpha angels seeking to repopulate heaven, Dean and Sam must team up with the inhabitants of this new world to save their angel from a Heaven that’s been closed and sealed for nearly eleven years.

A fic where Team Free Will unknowingly get thrown into A/B/O-verse. Canon-compliant, post-season 14 finale.

Sympathy for the Devil by followyourenergy

Dean needed money for his sick brother’s medication. After trying everything else he could think of, the peasant had only one solution left: face the kingdom’s fearsome dragon, The Devil, who lived with his riches on top of the castle of the beloved late prince, Castiel. He knows he is in for a losing battle, but he must do everything he can.

But the Devil surprises him, and through mutual kindness, the two strike up a friendship, one that leads to great and beautiful things.

Memories Bring Back Memories (Bring Back You) by sobsicles
66,660 words, E, for SPN MBB, with art by Gio

When he wakes, he has no idea who he is. Not his name, what he looks like, or why he’s flat on his back, staring up at the stars littering the night sky.

The first thing he learns about himself is that he has shitty instincts, especially if his first one is to protect the blue-eyed man currently stabbing someone in the face.

Or, the story where two strangers can’t agree on much and know even less, but they’re both fairly certain that they’re in love.

Hunters’ Caress by Ltleflrt
161,095 words, E, graphic violence

Castiel Jameson won’t rest until the outlaw who murdered his brother faces justice, and Dean Winchester is the only man alive who can help him track the villain down. Some say Winchester is a cold-blooded killer himself; others say he’d been wronged his whole life. All Castiel knows is that the desire glinting in Dean’s green eyes is even more dangerous than he is. Castiel fights to keep his mind on business, but during the long nights on the trail with the dangerously handsome hunter he finds himself dreaming of yielding to Dean’s illicit kisses and losing himself in lawless passion.

Dean Winchester is about to hang when Castiel saves his neck with his crazy plan. But dying might be better than spending day and night playing nursemaid to such an infuriating city slicker. He appreciates the stubborn detective’s desire for justice, but he’d appreciate Cas a lot more if he’d stop being a lawman long enough to just be a man. He certainly has all the right equipment. Dean aches to run his fingers through Castiel’s dark hair, yearns to know how Castiel’s golden skin will feel against him. And before the coming of the next dawn, Dean vows to teach him the pleasures and sweet rewards of a Hunter’s Caress.

Other links

Mal’s other favorite reads for the year included:

Some of Ellen’s other favorite reads of the year included:

What was your favorite read this year? Please let us know, we’d love to hear from you!

Our intro music is “Angel with a Shotgun” by The Cab, arranged by Ellen.


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