Family Don't End with Blood

Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives

By: Lynn S. Zubernis

Narrated by: Graham Halstead, Gabra Zackman

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 Blood: 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.

©2017 Lynn Zubernis (P)2018 Tantor

supernatural is amazing

loved it a lot I'm in love with supernatural and having it read to me is awesome

I wasn’t expecting this.

Before knowing everything about this book, I just saw the cover and said I need to listen everything about supernatural. I’m always about but yet I’ve never got to go to any conventions, mainly because of cost.
I knew I wasn’t alone in the love of supernatural But the way people came to know the show the cast and crew where their life was that when they stumbled upon this show and how it changed them, like it changed me In a way that it’s really encouraging you to try the unknown.

Wonderful Must Read For All Supernatural Fans!

What a beautifully emotional journey this book took me on! As a fan since the beginning and still I remain, I literally had tears flowing, sometimes laughter and felt uplifted and a sense of connectivity as fans cast and crew shared their stories some not unlike my own... It was a joy to listen to and one that will stick with me for awhile to come... Supernatural has and still does get me through some tough times and the SPN Family is my Tribe...I was so sad that it came to an end but this book reminded me that Family Don't End...

What oh What?!!!

I know it’s not the first book written but I must say I am both jealous and extremely happy to have found this book. I am a middle aged woman who was at first reluctant to watch this show because I had hoped the network would have picked up The Charmed Sons (a spin off from Charmed). But once I gave it a chance, I was hooked from the very first episode. I had received my share of chuckles and eye rolls when I was really into Charmed that I didn’t make too much of big deal from Supernatural. I eventually told my son because the relationship between the brothers was so similar to the relationship between two of my sons. The more I watched the more I wanted to know about it. I never searched for the fandom because being the responsible person for my entire family was a huge commitment plus my boys were all traveling with karate competition. Money was tight and making any convention would have been selfish of me. Fast forward a few years, I’m finally an empty nester and I know I can never go back in time. I always wanted to be a writer and I would have loved to have been a part of this. My personal inside voice has its own mantra that I try not to let anyone hear but it screams loudly “you are not enough”.

Listening to this helped me to know that I am not alone, and that regardless of my age, I should follow and do whatever drives me to happiness. Thank you and if it’s not too late, I would love to have the writers reach out so I feel a little more normal. Whatever that is. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough to let you know how much this book affected me.

like a love letter

it was like a love letter to the supernatural community! it was truly amazing to read listen to it!

Surprisingly Poignant

I recently finished watching the entire series of Supernatural on Netflix. I had put off finishing Supernatural because I didn’t want the show to end. I started watching it only five years ago and only after a friend said she was surprised that I had never seen it since I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and X-Files. I decided to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did. I fell in love with the characters and their dedication to their friends, family, and mission (i.e., saving people, hunting things, the family business). I admired Sam and Dean Winchester’s ability to keep going even when they got knocked down many, many times, and their ability to forgive and to fight for those they cared about. I really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Sam and Dean Winchester just yet. As a result, I started looking for books that would continue my connection to these characters. I was drawn to this book because I thought it would help me understand why this show resonated so strongly with me. I was looking forward to reading the essays by the actors and other creative forces behind the show. I didn’t think the essays by the fans would really interest me and that I would probably just plow through those essays to get to the “good” stuff by Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and others in the cast and crew. To be honest, I went into this book with a judgmental heart about the world of fandom, thinking that diehard fans were obsessives with whom I had a little in common. I was so wrong. The essays that stuck with me the most were the ones written by fans of the show. Their writing was excellent, and I could see myself reflected in many of their experiences and self-perceptions. I learned that people of diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ages are drawn to Supernatural for a variety of reasons. I learned that those associated with the show, either through the fandom or professionally, seem to be genuinely caring people whom I’d like to know personally. I understood better why Sam and Dean Winchester seem so real to me even though they are fictional characters. This was a really wonderful book, and I’m so thankful to all of the brave Supernatural fans, as well as the cast and crew, who shared their personal stories. I felt like each person was talking directly to me, and I was surprised how quickly this book seemed to fly by. I might even find myself at a Supernatural convention someday as a proud fan.

A must for any Supernatural fan!

This book hits the heart of all that Supernatural is and means to its fans and the cast/crew. Filled with laughs and tears, honesty and determination. Highly recommend.

Hits home

This was wonderful. It exemplifies just how much the SPN Family means to everyone involved. How many people that are still here because they felt heard/seen in the characters or by the actors themselves. How many lives were made better because this show exists.

Family Don't End with Blood

Very heartfelt and amazing book. Emotional true stories shared that truly touched my heart. Looking forward to the next book. Truly LOVED IT!

Wow!

This book was like a big warm hug. I felt every word. My life is better because of this show and cast.