Fandom: FARSCAPE
Pairing: Brief references to John/Aeryn and possibly uc Stark/Aeryn, but otherwise none.
Author on LJ: ianmcin
Author Website: None that I know of.
Why this must be read: When three of our heroes manage to get themselves inadvertently committed to a mental institution -- kind of understandably, really -- it's up to Farscape's resident genuine crazy person to get them out again. The result is an all-around delight of a story, featuring some splendid dark humor reminiscent of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but in a highly original and entirely Farscapean style.

( an excerpt )

Vulpine

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: true_brit aka "Britwizz", aka "Nik Ditty"
Author Website: Her stories are archived at Kassidy's Gen Fansite, and Kassidy's Slash Fansite.

Why this must be read:

In the story summary Nik writes:

Samuel Johnson said, "The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time."
Except, of course, when it is, and doesn't.

Hutch is dying. The only thing that makes it bearable is the fact that this story is a missing scene from the episode "Survival" and as readers we know perfectly well that he does not, in fact, die.
But Hutch doesn't know that, and he comes awfully darn close.

Nik takes us into Hutch's head and lets us share his thoughts as he lies pinned under his car at the bottom of a canyon. It's not a pretty place, but it's wryly funny, and heartbreaking, and lyrical.

( Excerpt )

Belly Up

Fandom: QUEER AS FOLK: US
Pairing: Ben/Michael
Author on LJ: silverkit
Author Website: none, but here are her memories
Why this must be read:

Don't run screaming. This might be one of the most perfect fics I have ever read in this fandom. The characterizations are possibly even better than the creators', and the subject is so imaginative. I'll just quote for you her summary and A/N:

Summary: Have you ever suddenly realized you forgot to do something really, really, really just ridiculously important?
Author's Note: All I know is that my mother would have murdered me.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I always wanted to see more of Ben's family, and, well, this fic doesn't really give that to us. It gives us something So. Much. Better.

From the opening lines, I was laughing 'til my sides split. Give it a read. You'll be so, so glad that you did.

Memory Lapse

Fandom: LOTRIPS
Pairing: Elijah Wood/Orlando Bloom
Author on LJ: amatia
Author Website: archeronia.org
Why this must be read: There's something so enjoyable about AUs set in college, and this one has Elijah as a lecturer stuggling against ageism, and Orlando as an under-achieving student. Delightful.

Stellar

Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: Illya Kuryakin/OFC
Author on LJ: lcorn
Author Website: Observations

Why this must be read:
An entertaining and incisive take on the U.N.C.L.E. universe from the viewpoint of a female agent. She and Napoleon are posing as a swinging jetset couple on vacation, while Illya accompanies them as back-up. Surely every fan's dream...or is it? Napoleon is charming and flirtatious yet doesn't trust her with the nitty-gritty espionage work, but he's a welcome relief to Illya's impenetrable aloofness.

However, an embarrassing mix-up results in Illya being mistaken for the 'husband.' Is Illya capable of swinging? Our female agent has doubts, but Napoleon is cheerfully upbeat about Illya's ability to deliver. Even so, can a convincing chemistry be manufactured in time to fool the enemy? And what to do with it when the assignment is over?

Readers worried about Mary Sue traits should relax - Bev proves to be a character with wit and insight, but not annoyingly so. Her observations about being a female in a male-dominated profession has resonance today, and her gradual awareness of Illya's considerable appeal will be heartening to the Illya fans out there. The depiction of the friendship between Napoleon and Illya is an added bonus - though it's not the main theme, it's a reassuring anchor to canon.

Such Friendly People/Partners

Fandom: STAR WARS
Pairing: Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan
Author on LJ: pen_and_umbra
Author Website: Masterlist of Stories
Why this must be read: Anything by Penumbra is gold, but this remains my favorite Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan of all time. It is quiet, powerful, beautiful, and speaks of the depth of emotion, an unspoken intensity between them. Few fics actually make me believe in this couple like this did. The setting and tone is perfect, believable, and touching. The ending is fulfilling and just right. A haunting, bittersweet story where every word matters; Penumbra is a mistress of prose.

( excerpt )

Mastered by Mortal Men

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: Ronon/Teyla
Author on LJ: hth_the_first
Author Website: fierce flawless
Why this must by read:

It's easy to characterise Ronon as nothing but a tough guy with little in the way of personality. Luckily, Hth doesn't do that here. Even better than the Ronon/Teyla, which is nice but not key to the fic, is the exploration of each of the characters and how they fit (or otherwise) into Atlantis. There's a couple of places I laughed out loud, too *g*

The Bee-Charmer

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Remus/Sirius
Author on LJ: setissma
Author Website: Stories at Skyehawke
Why this must be read:

Oh my god, I love this story. I *love* this story. It takes place in that post-Hogwarts Marauders era, which I enjoy so much because stories at that time have a happy glow to them, usually, that is a welcome relief from the dark thoughts and emotions the deaths of James and Lily Potter caused, and everything beyond that point.

Remus has to go away for the summer. He wants to take something of his friends with him--so he takes their handwriting.

So it is only natural that when he has to go to Romania for the summer - Romania! - and can take no one with him, he takes handwriting instead. He takes the term notes of Sirius's he has saved every year from the fire, hidden in the bottom of his trunk, he takes the clumsy poems James sent him, once, for reassurance. He takes summer letters from Peter, wedding lists from Lily, saved Christmas cards from all the years he has been at Hogwarts, letters of recommendation from his professors. Towards the end, when he is packing his trunk, he grows so desperate for the security blanket he has forged from ink and parchment that he takes everything he can find; grocery lists and scribbled notes, even James's half-worked crossword puzzles.

Written By Hand