Fandom: CSI
Pairing: Grissom/Sara
Author on LJ: always_winter
Author Website: http://www.geocities.com/ofmoonbeams/

Why this must be read:

"Dying is easy. Comedy is hard."
--Apocryphal Shakespearean actor

The above statement is especially true when it comes to writing fics based on shows that don't tend towards comedy in the first place. Yes, various CSI episodes might have funny moments and snerk-worthy dialogue, but unlike (for example) The X Files, the show hasn't aired an episode that was deliberately comedic from beginning to end. That makes it much harder for an author to find and sustain a comic tone that doesn't create a fingernails-on-a-chalkboard cognitive dissonance.

Wintertime took a big risk with this story, which has a scenario (a game of Truth or Dare) that has produced cringe-worthy results when used by other writers. It works, though, mostly because even with some slight comic exaggeration, everyone stays very much in character. In fact, a lot of the funny comes from simple observations of what the characters are like:

When Greg wanted something, he looked needy. When Catherine wanted something, she looked dangerous, as if she might hold you down and force you to give it to her.

In addition, Wintertime has created a wonderful narrative voice for Grissom, who has apparently created a whole set of rules for how to preserve his privacy and maintain that infamous emotional distance:

A never-fail rule for dealing with CSI personnel - - if you send a plant to a young woman and tell her that she makes you notice beauty, then be prepared to deal with everyone thinking that you harbor a deep-seated romantic love for her. Also, be prepared to be annoyed when you realize that they’re right, and you’re an idiot.

Then, there are the bits with the security cameras, the Jenga game, Warrick's Grissom impression, the various acts of petty revenge...

Oh, heck with it. Go. Read. Enjoy.

Also, laugh while you can, because we're heading into much darker territory with the next couple of recs.

How to Have a Social Life Without Really Trying

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: None
Author on LJ: jacquez/sorcerers_app
Author Website: devilmonkey: laura jv's fannish home

Why this must be read:
I'm going to rec this even though many people have read it already and the series is a WIP because this first part is complete and is a satisfying story on its own, deserving of a Crack Van rec as a fandom classic. (The first couple of chapters of the second year were reposted a few months ago, so this series hasn't been abandoned.)

This long, detailed Snape POV story of Harry's first year as a Defense Against the Dark Arts apprentice is a fabulous read. Snape isn't nice, and Harry isn't having an easy time of it with Snape as his Master. Voldemort and the Death Eaters are still causing trouble the year after Harry finishes Hogwarts. The amount of magical and wizarding world detail in this story makes me squee with fannish joy, and I love Laura's Snape, rough edges and all.

This short scene posted on LJ will give you a taste of the relationships in the series without spoiling anything.

Read and agree to the distribution license first. Then go to The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

A reminder: tomorrow is the 15th of the month and that means Crack Van Collisions, a.k.a. cross-over day.

Drivers, you may rec one fic that crosses over your fandom with another (no, this does not count against your maximum). Please post crossovers in the following format:

Subject: Fandom/Fandom (Rating)

Title: Title by Author
Pairing: (no abbreviations, please)
Author on LJ:
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

(link to story)

Thanks, all!

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Neville Longbottom/Theodore Nott overall
Author on LJ: hackthis
Author Website: dysFUNctional

Why this must be read:
Zahra has written lots of lovely Neville-centric stories as well as some fine Harry/Draco, but I like The Thousandth Man-verse the best.

These stories take us into minor character Theodore Nott's head as he navigates his way to adulthood. The characterization is original yet fits into the HPverse, and I like the distinctively Slytherin take on life and love. The entire series is utterly charming, Nott in particular.

In chronological order:

Dance with Them What Brung You (NC-17) Note: This one's Theodore Nott/Draco Malfoy; the rest are Theo/Neville.
Don’t Be Shallow (PG-13)
Dearth (G)
The Coast Is Never Clear (NC-17)
You and Me See How We Are (G)
The Thin Green Line (NC-17) (Read the comments for a Blaise/Theo conversation)
The Weight (NC-17) War-time futurefic for this 'verse
My Weakness is None of Your Business Theodore Nott/Various

The Cast of the Thousandth Man-verse (Click image once it's loaded to enlarge.)

Ok, so my semagic is fucked up. Is that something people know about? I've been gone a while.

Fandom: The Faculty
Pairing: Zeke/Casey/Delilah
Author Website: http://www.waxjism.org/pickle/
Author on LJ: wax_jism


The Fic in this fandom. Most small fandoms have those. This one is actually good. It's more fucked up, wicked, broken, and complex than the movie by far. Instead of the still-born parody of the film, here we have real life characters in a dark world.

This is a novella, and if you have any exams, drug deals, or court dates in the next couple days, don't start reading it now.


http://www.waxjism.org/pickle/stories/void.html

P.S. Sorry I'm so late.

Fandom: SPORTS NIGHT
Pairing: Dan/Rebecca
Author on LJ: phoebesmum
Author Website:
Why this must be read:

Rebecca Wells is one of those characters that you want to hate for what she did to Danny, but can't quite bring yourself to truly dislike because just about everyone knows what it's like to be torn between two loves. And when she broke up with him to try and salvage her marriage to Steve Sisko, you get the feeling that as much as her leaving hurt Dan, she too was feeling more than little pain. Which is why it would have been so very hard for her to go see Dan after she was finally, properly divorced. Because how do you try and start over again with someone you should never have left in the first place?

( Read more... )

Blues in the Night

I warned you all that I'd be reccing a few fics by this author this month. This is the one I've been dying to rec, and now that it's no longer a WIP, here we go.

Fandom: CSI
Pairing: Grissom/Sara
Author on LJ: always_winter
Author Website: http://www.geocities.com/ofmoonbeams/

Why this must be read:

Hold on
Hold on to yourself
for this is gonna hurt like hell.
--Sara MacLachlan, "Hold On"

That's the epigram for this 40+ chapter fic, and it serves as fair warning. Or, as the author herself says about the characters: "Some won't make it out unscathed. Some won't make it out at all."

"All Fall Down" is one of the darkest, most painful CSI fics I have ever read. How dark? How painful? Well, imagine for a moment that Jerry Bruckheimer decided one day to turn over creative control of the show. To Tim Minear. That about sums it up.

( Minor spoilers within )

If you are only going to read one of the fics I recommend this month, make it this one. It's gonna hurt like hell, but you'll be glad you read it.

All Fall Down