Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Author on LJ:
Author Website: http://www.squidge.org/~flamingo/starskyhutchslash/Alexis/AlexisRogers.htm

Why this must be read:
Every relationship has its own special holidays and anniversaries, though sometimes they're trade-offs for the sadness and disappointments life throws your way. Starsky and Hutch are no exception, and Hutch explains why Ground Hog Day is cause for celebration when so much else in the world leaves him bitter and disillusioned. This is a short, sweet story that tells a lot on a few words, and offers a wonderful glimpse into the mind of Hutch.

February 2nd

Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: John
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author's Website: Unknown

Why this must be read:

A while ago, a challenge was presented by sunshinercj for authors to write a story around the idea that Aeryn perished on Dam Ba Da instead of John. 

This is Angel's answer to that challenge.  Written from a second person POV, the POV of the John left on Moya, this is some real painful stuff.  I think I had to stop midway through when I first read it to calm myself down because this was hurt and hurt bad.  Both John's make an appearance, both mourning for the loss of the woman they both love.  One is grieving for love lost and one is grieving for a lost love that never was.  There's anger, bitterness, and resentment and absolutely no resolution.  The open ended conclusion is what makes this so hard.  You know that those two men cannot live together no matter how much they say they can. 

The death of John in the series was hard enough but this story makes you actually think it might be the better solution than to have Aeryn die and leave two men without that one thing that tends to keep them sane.

Not Real

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI
Pairing: Muraki/Hisoka
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Petals and Thorns
Why this must be read:

Not a take on the Muraki/Hisoka relationship you usually see, probably because it is so scarily plausible. Set after the King of Swords arc, this story postulates just how much Muraki might still be a part of Hisoka, and how, against his will, Hisoka might want it that way. Non-con.

Blood Moon

Fandom: X-MEN MOVIEVERSE
Pairing: Bobby/Rogue, hints at Scott/Jean and Logan/Jean
Author on LJ: jordannamorgan
Author Website:. Jordanna.net

Why this must be read: Because Jordanna takes a plot that's been done more than once -- a late-night talk in the kitchen between Bobby and Logan following the events of X2 -- and creates a note-perfect story that feels as if it were a woefully deleted scene. Unlike in some stories, here Bobby gives Logan the same respect as shown in the movie, balanced with the right amount of understanding for his feelings over the loss of Jean and just a hint of jealousy over his connection with Rogue. And maybe it's just me, but I love that last line. ;)

Insomnia

Fandom: YAMI NO MATSUEI
Pairing: Watari and 003 *gen*
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: seems to be gone, ff.net profile here
Why this must be read:

There's always room for a feel-good story in the dark world of YnM fandom, especially when it has an adorable little owl inside :) An "oldie" but a goodie, this fic is lighthearted without being "cutesey", sweet without being saccharine. The story of how Watari and 003 came to be ... this fic has Watari being his wonderfully complex, honest, caring and cheerful self. Lots of details about his background, his personality, his powers and their evolution, pleasantly written with such an easy, flowing style that you sit down to read and don't notice the time going by. This story will make you go "awwwwwwwww" and wish for an 003 (or maybe a Watari) of your very own. Psssst, now you can pre-order the YnM graphic novels translated into English from amazon.com :-D

Fledgelings

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: primarily Jack-centric gen; background Jack/Laura Bristow
Author on LJ: bishclone
Author’s Website: Dumb Show
Why this must be read:

This is one of the first Jack pieces I found when dipping my toe in the Alias fandom, and it is still one of my favourites (along with nanda’s lockdown, and Elizabeth’s ____, both previously rec’ed). This is a wonderful portrayl of Jack--layered, but not always deep and meaningful in his actions. This is Jack, as himself, as a husband, a friend, and a father.

This story is also full of *history,* the world as it (seemed to be) was, spanning the length of Jack’s career with the CIA and SD-6. A fascinating look at a fascinating character.

There were a certain number of assumptions that accompanied Jack Bristow.

  Stuffed shirt. (From the kid who delivered his newspaper)

  Cute Old Man. (Landlady, arguably older than he was, failed actress)

  Distant father (Francie, that friend of Sydney's, her teachers, her friends)

  Gruff (the bank teller)

  He has a box beneath his bed full of the detritus of his life, faded photographs and crumpled ticket stumps.

  Most days, he wished those assumptions were all that was true about him.

The House that Jack Built

Fandom: ALIAS
Pairing: Katya/OMC, Katya/Jack, Irina/Jack
Author on LJ: yahtzee63
Author’s Website: Yahtzee!
Why this must be read:

Katya was an intriguing character, but not much was done to explain her motivation in season three. Yahtzee took up Katya after her first appearance in canon, and created a backstory for her, as well as fleshing out her connection to Irina, and her feelings towards Jack. Despite the pairings listed above, this piece is about *Katya* more than it is about any particular pairing.

Silence is Irina's shield, her armor, her sword. Katya sympathizes with this, even envies it. She thinks her sister holds onto her silence because it is the only thing the world will never have the power to take away. Irina doesn't let herself feel the pain of what she's lost -- or, at any rate, has become very good at not letting it show. But sometimes Katya's heart is torn thinking of all her little sister has lost.

Yes, torn -- like paper, like rags, like anything insubstantial, cast-aside. Katya feels it beating within her chest, imagines the fragile tissues fluttering like rosepetals with every pulse. She's watched a man's heart stop before, so she knows what a heart looks like when it's been destroyed -- a shivering thing, shrouded in a lace of vessels, fading from the color of blood to the color of death. That's what it sometimes feels like when she thinks about Irina, and Sydney, and Jack.

Other times, when she thinks about Jack, it isn't pain for her sister she feels. But that's what Katya prefers to dwell on. Pain is sometimes the better alternative.

Safecracker

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: no pairing - GEN
Author on LJ: don't know, maybe
Author Website: Stories by Arianna
Why this must be read:

One intelligent and intriguing without being too out there Shaman!Blair story. Post TSbBS, it features Blair's journey: from not taking the badge Major Crime offered to becoming what Incacha saw.

Nicely written, Blair centric story.

In plain sight

Comments always welcome

Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie
Author on LJ: unknown
Why this must be read: Another common "Hornblower" story is the on-shore First Time Story. This is a charming, lovely interpretation of this. There are some slightly perfervid parts that feel off to me, but in general this is a lovely example of a typical type of story in this fandom.

( Excerpt --  )

Midsummer Night's Dream

======

Pleased to have been at the tiller of the "Hornblower" Crack-Jollyboat for the month of July! I hope you all enjoyed the overview of the various types of stories in this fandom and my examples for each. If you were unfamiliar with "Hornblower," I hope the stories I've recced have piqued your interest and encouraged you to check out the overview in crack_van.

*hands the tiller off to the next person*

*doffs bicorne*

On behalf of His Majesty's Navy, it's been a pleasure being your temporary navigator! Rule Britannia, and God Save the King!

crack_van needs August reccers in the following fandoms: Alias, Oz, Pirates of the Carribean and The O.C.

The following fandoms are set for August, but currently have no volunteers for September and beyond: Hornblower, Man from UNCLE, Starsky & Hutch, The Professionals, The West Wing, Queer as Folk and X-Men Franchise (the current Comicverse and Movieverse categories are now merged and you can rec in either, or both).

Please go HERE to help out!

Thanks, all!

Fandom: X-MEN COMICVERSE
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: miss_porcupine
Author Website: The DMZ

Why this must be read:

Domenika is probably best known for her strong plot-driven epics, but I think this slice of life story is my favourite of her Ultimate X-Men tales. Piotr Rasputin takes the train from Westchester to New York City for the day and communes with the city. It's a simple idea, but what makes the story really special is the author's wonderful sense of geography - you can practically smell and taste the metropolis.

Peter's quiet but deep insight into is team-mates is also well-drawn, and it's nice to see their personalties expressed with a consistency and clarity that was sadly lacking in canon at the time.

Dasyatidae

Fandom: STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
Pairing: Too many to mention
Author on LJ: Not that I know
Author Website: Not that I know of
Why this must be read:

Sometimes you read stories for the plot, or the characterisation, or the humour, or sometimes you just have to embrace your shallowness and read them for the sex.

I think when I first found this series I started in the middle with Garak's Revenge since I'd just discovered Garak/Bashir and was reading all the stories I could find about them. That one and its successor was actually a little more brutal than I usually like, but the great thing about these stories is that if you don't like one sex scene, another will be along in a couple of pages.

When I explain that the first story starts with Odo going to Dr Bashir for some medical advice about male genitalia in preparation for his date with Lwaxana Troi, I think that swiftly encapsulates the style of the piece. There is a modicum of plot, but it doesn't get in the way of getting everyone naked as rapidly and as often as possible. The relationships include male/male, male/female, female/female, Odo (who's kind of indecisive about gender), threesomes, foursomes, and I think if my memory serves me right a fivesome. For keen DS9 fanfic readers, if I say that even Benjamin Sisko manages to have some, you'll realise what a rare and unique piece this is.

Friendly Advice and its sequels Garak's Revenge and Cardassian Lessons