2010 FIC REC POST

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

Hey all! ^_^

Next Monday nominations will begin in earnest, but for now, I'm here to poke everyone and ask have you been reading...? ^__^ For those of us who fell behind on our reading, it can be quite overwhelming. Believe me, I'm right there with you. Sometimes I don't even know where to begin. So in an attempt to help each other out, let's have a BIG OLD RECCOMENDATION POST!

Is there a story you read this past year that you absolutely loved? One you kept coming back to or maybe just recently discovered that is an absolute must read? Maybe there's a story with a pithy amount of comments that you don't understand why more people didn't find and gush over? Tell us!

Share with us the stories that it would be an absolute crime for us not to peruse before nominations begin. It's a great way to get some lesser known stories a little recognition and it would make a good starting point for anyone doing catch up reading.

But don't just give us an author and title; tell us why you loved these story. What emotions did they evoke in you? What technical aspects wowed you? Why should we be reading them, too?

As a reminder, here's The list of stories eligible for nomination. and The proposed 2010 nominations categories for perusal.

Thanks, everyone! :D

Comments

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

I want to start off my touting one of my absolute favorites from the past year (past two years, actually ^_^), Goblover's Help is Round the Corner. I mentioned this one last year, too, but it's totally worth a second mention. She completed the story this year, and it continued to enthrall me right to the very end.

To summarize without giving but so much away, the story revolves around the aftermath of a character's death. Around analyzing the moments that led up to it, how the others do or do not move on from it, and generally the big ball of fucked up that makes up our cast. It's a dark tale with absolutely amazing characterizations and beautifully disturbing imagery. What impresses me the most, I think, is how well it tells the story of the dead man. He may be gone, but he's still a constant presence, and both the telling of his story and his characterization really shine.

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

Ditto the above, Goblover is amazing. I adored that story and will throw out another recommendation for her "Miasma". It's not often a fanfic can make me cry, but whoa...

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

Yay! Fic rec time! A couple to start off... I will undoubtedly be back with more...

"The It Factor" by Aang. She took a pairing that I don't think I've ever even thought of before (Greg/Brad) and made it believable and touching. She made me want to read more. They totally work in this story.

"Memorial South Park" by Clayangel. I adore this story. I think it's one of her best. A very different universe for Ryan, Colin, and Greg in which they're fucked up and lonely, and how their lives change when their paths happen to converge. Contains Clay's trademark dark yet hot sex :)

"Halloween Hassle" by Rycolfan. Complete awesomeness with the guys as ghost hunters/vampire slayers. Who you gonna call??

"Italy" by Charminglygawky. A very atmospheric setting with a wonderful portrayal of Greg/Jeff.

"Snapshots" by Almost Julie. I say this all the time, I consider her portrayal of Greg/Clive cannon. Once again she knocked this pairing out of the park.

And those were just off the top of my head! Lots of great stuff this year.

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

Dude, I just read Miasma. Why does Goblover like to break us so? D: And thanks for the rec. ^_^

[almostjulie.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

And seconding "Memorial South Park." It's gritty and wonderful.

[rycolfan.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thanks for the rec, Sun. ^_^

There have been so many wonderful fics this year, but these stood out for me...

"Memorial South Park" by Clayangel - Anything from Clay is a treat, but this fic is awesome...so dark and gritty.

"Autumn" by Sungreen70 - Her best fic, in my humble opinion. This is so beautifully written and continues to move me to tears every time I read it. Wonderful.

"Half Empty, Half Full" by Draconica_nova - I've grown to love the Brad/Chip pairing, and this is a very poignant glimpse at their complicated relationship.

"Asking Too Much" by Jie_jie - I love everything she writes, but this really hit the angsty nail on the head for me.

"Miasma" by Goblover - Another angsty rec, but this was just awesome. Wonderfully written, and completely heartbreaking.

That's it for now, but I may well be back with more. Hmm, I seem to have gone for all the angsty fics! XP

[draconica-nova.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the rec, lovely. So sweet of you. 8D x

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you for the rec! I am nodding my head in agreement to several of the ones you listed, and rushing off to read the ones I've missed.

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

Autumn was absolutely amazing. I remember her being concerned that the person she wrote it for wasn't going to like it, and I read it and was so absolutely blown away.

[jie-jie.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks hun! ^_^ You've gone all angsty with your recs, what's going on? ^_^

[draconica-nova.livejournal.com]

I do love this time of year ^__^ Time for my recs. *does silly rec dance*

"Phoenix" by pdglyph. It's a fantastic setting and atmosphere that completely takes you over. The characters are so believable and it's clear that so much thought has gone into the story. Also, the original character that's present is a likable, refreshing breath of air. It also includes one of the lesser-explored pairings of our fandom and is definitely worth a read. (:

"A Strange Escape" by charminglygawky. It's a great new take on the 'improv troupe on the road' idea and gives Colin in particular an entirely different background. I love how much this new background plays a significant part in the story and is definitely one to read if you like plot twists. ^v^

"Teatime for the Soul" by greenforgreen. This needs more attention, seriously. If, like me, you don't usually delve into the lives of the Whose Line ladies very much, then this is a nice little treat for you. I love how it's an interaction between two members of the WL family who most likely didn't meet in real life (Josie and Kathy Greenwood). The characterization of Kathy in particular makes for a great read. There is more emotion in this little piece than there is in a lot of series out there.

”Blueberry Pancakes” by sungreen70. Everyone seems to love this piece and it’s really not very difficult to see why. I’m just going to reiterate how awesome it is, though, because it really made an impression on me when I first read it. It’s just too damn pretty and heart wrenching. *flails happily*

This is tragically all I can think of right now, but I shall return later with more. I know there are dozens more in that list that I love, anyway. xD

[draconica-nova.livejournal.com]

OH. And I totally have to second "Miasma". *cries at the mere mention* ;__;

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed Blueberry Pancakes. I'll never understand why Chip/Jeff isn't more popular, but I adore them and really enjoyed writing that story. Off to read some of your recs that I missed!

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

What is the pairing in Phoenix? I was having a hard time determining that when I was making the list. I started that one, and it was so good, but I just didn't have the time to keep reading. I hope I get to that one soon.

I'm definitely going to have to delve into to some of these. They're the ones I've looked at and have been pulled toward, but just haven't gotten around to yet.

[greenforgreen.livejournal.com]

Awww thank you for the rec ^^

[jie-jie.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm a little late to the party! I love all of the fics rec'd so far, they all rock! ^_^

"A Spark" by song_for_drella - This is a really tragic piece which makes for a heart-wrenching read. It's focused on pre-WL Greg and his struggle to cope with life and alcoholism. I just love the kind of disjointed way it's written, you really feel like you're seeing flashes of Greg's struggle.

"Words Unspoken" by rycolfan - An angsty little one-shot in which Ryan pulls away from Colin. This is another one which really tugged at my heartstrings. I love the way that the supporting characters are written in this too, there's a level of friendship and protectiveness that just works really well.

"That Was The Week That Was" by Caedoodle - An AU in which Ryan is an orderly and Colin a doctor. This fic had me in fits of giggles the whole way through. There are some brilliant one-liners and the comic timing is great. Definitely worth a read!

"Darker Days" by Clay - A post-apocalyptic AU. It's only a short piece but there's a lot going on. The descriptions of both the landscape and the characters are brilliant and very intriguing. It's dark, gritty and really set my imagination going.

"Wrath and Emeralds" by draconica_nova. Ryan contracts a rare virus. I'm not usually a fan of werewolf fics but this one was just brilliantly written. Colin's dedication is heart-warming and I loved the contrast with Pat's reaction. I found this really gripping and exciting throughout.

Okay, that'll do for now. Am loving all this catch up reading, there really have been some great fics this year. Nominations are going to be so hard! :S

[rycolfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec, hun. *hugs* ^_^

[song-for-drella.livejournal.com]

Very belated OMGTHANKIES for the rec. ^_^

[draconica-nova.livejournal.com]

Ahh! Thankoo for rec'ing me! ^^ *cuddlecuddlecuddle*

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

Now that I've done some more reading, I have to come back with a few more recs that really impressed me.

Half Empty, Half Full by Draconica_Nova, a melancholy and sweet Chip/Brad story.

There was also Jie Jie's Untitled Greg/Ryan/Brad threesome. It was so light and fun, and just incredibly enjoyable.

For RyColfan, there's When Fate Intervenes, which was just a perfect story all around. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Very good.

And another one from her is All Good Things, a nice, angsty romantic drama that I really enjoyed.

Phoenix, too, blew me away. It's a bold one by PDGlyph, that touches on some tough issues, and keeps you enthralled with a fantastically detailed setting and fleshed out characters.

[rycolfan.livejournal.com]

Two recs?! Wow, that's a massive compliment. Thanks, Clay. *hugs you* ^_^

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

I'm back with more recs! First of all, another "ditto" for "When Fate Intervenes", by Rycolfan. It took me an embarrassingly long time to get around to starting it, but once I did I read all 37 chapters in the space of 3 days. It is THAT good.

Now for some more...

Dainty_Rouge - Bitter Nostalgia. A melancholy Ryan/Greg with a weary, burned out Ryan. It made me wince, but it is a great piece of writing.

Draconica_Nova - Our Broken Tourniquets. Great story from the POV of The Wives in which you see things from their side and ache for them.

Almostjulie - Collateral Damage. Just reread this last night and found myself blown away once again. An angsty Greg/Jeff with yet another excellent portrayal of a Wife, in this case Jen.

Jie Jie - Inhibitions Lost. A feel good Ryan/Colin with a startling confession made by Colin under the influence.

Hmm... can anyone throw out some suggestions for a good best kiss? So many great kisses, so hard to choose...

[clayangel.livejournal.com]

Not that this will help you, but my best kiss is the one in Blueberry Pancakes. ^_^ I still think that is just the best imagery.

[rycolfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sun! *hugs* ^_^

I had trouble with best kiss too. Can't honestly remember what I went for in the end. Not much help, I know! XP

[draconica-nova.livejournal.com]

I voted When Fate Intervenes for best kiss, the one where Ry and Col are under a tree in the park at night and it's raining. *swoooooon*

Thank you for the rec also, Suz. :P *hug!face*