Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
Pairing: Athena/Helo
Length: about 1600
Author on LJ: apparently doesn't have an LJ? kaynara
Author Website: on ff.net
Why this must be read: This is both sweet and disturbing; an unapologetic look at Sharon Agathon and how she perceives the other women who wear her face. It's also a fantastic exploration of her ties to Karl and Hera, her roles as partner and mother. Not a perfect story--I had a little trouble with the flashback being written in the same tense as the rest of the story--but interesting and worth reading.

There Are Many Copies

Fandom: NEWSIES
Pairing: Spot/Race
Length: one-shot
Author on LJ: cymbalism219
Author Website: Refuge Profile
Why this must be read: One of the things I love about Newsies fandom is that Modern Day AUs are as much a part of it as 1899 fic. There's something about taking the characters and putting them in situations that you couldn't get in 1899 that I love, especially when you get to see the original characters shine through as well.

Cymbalism wrote a great Meet the Family fic, and her Spot voice is excellent. Of course, her writing is always excellent, so that isn't a surprise. I love her Spot and Race in this, and even though it is an updated setting, you still see so much of the characters in them.

( excerpt )

Christmas in Killarney

Fandom: STAR WARS [AU]
Pairing: -
Length: 1,741
Author on LJ: vega_ofthe_lyre
Author Website: star wars fanfiction @ vega_writes 
Why this must be read: Fandom seems to be a bit ambivalent towards Ahsoka Tano. Half the time she's portrayed as a clichéd Mary Sue, brilliantly fighting off the forces of evil in nothing more than a tube top (why, George, why?). The other half of the time, she is seen as having repressed sexual feelings towards Anakin, who, despite having a pregnant wife who he ends up committing mass genocide for, enters into an illogical, slightly creepy relationship with her (14 and 21? Anyone?) without any consequences. Granted, she's a relatively new character as far as canon goes -- we've only got one season of Clone Wars and the movie to go on -- and so fandom has a bit of leeway as to how to go about characterising her. But when it comes to serious, well-thought-out genifc about Ahsoka Tano's time as Anakin Skywalker's Padawan, there's next to nothing. Admittedly, it doesn't seem like a teenage Padawan with a Valley Girl accent (again: why, George, why?) is exactly serious introspection material, but there you go.

vega_ofthe_lyre has written a simply gorgeous fic detailing Ahsoka's reaction to her time training with Anakin, and in relatively few words provides an exceptional insight into not only Ahsoka's mind, but also her Master's. In The Night Descending, we see the hypocrisy of Anakin's actions in training Ahsoka -- lecturing her for recklessness and anger, of all things, come on -- but we also see what could, in a parallel universe, have been a friendship. The Night Descending reminds us of the fact that Anakin is an abnormally young Knight (going by the logic that he never took his Trials and that Obi-Wan was Knighted at 25, and only because of exceptional circumstances), and certainly not experienced or balanced enough to take on responsibility for the fourteen-year-old Ahsoka. vega_ofthe_lyre subconsciously reminds us of the fact that Anakin and Ahsoka's relationship is, and will always be, defined by war -- but apart from the angst, there is also bittersweet friendship there, one that really defines exactly what Ahsoka may become to Anakin. And the ending is fitting, no matter how harsh it may be.

And of course, the writing is gorgeous.

(Okay, so I said I was reccing humour. I lied.)

The Night Descending @ vega_writes 

Fandom: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Pairing: Chris/Buck rest of 7
Length: Longish approx. 60,000 words
Author on LJ: Individually maybe?
Author Website: This is the only story that I know of by this group
Why this must be read:

This story is one of the funniest of the ATF stories I've ever read and it is the only one that I know of that was written by this group of writers. Each of these authors is a treat but together they created a hilarious story. It is one of my favorites and has the most unique reason I've ever seen for having the guys all pretending to be gay. It isn't just another Chris and Buck story either, Ezra is particularly wonderful, but all the guys are in the story. Some of my favorite scenes are the ones where the guys have to take part in some of those horrible workshop role playing games. You will roll on the floor.

Room Keys to Paradise

Fandom: POPSLASH
Pairing: AJ/Brian
Length: short story
Author on LJ: cjmarlowe
Author Website: The Studio
Why this must be read: Nick Carter can do algebra! Who knew? Just kidding! This is one of the most adorable stories I have ever read. Set in the early days of Backstreet, when young Brian and AJ both find significant others, things get shaken up in the Backstreet camp. Eventually Brian and AJ find each other, and Nick just wants things to get back to normal.

I am particularly fond of stories where the main plotline is portrayed from an outside perspective, oftentimes calling into question the narrator's own perception, and this is a classic example. Through Nick's eyes we see the exploits of the rest of the Boys, but his naiveté keeps him from seeing what everyone else can see. Brian and AJ's fumbling toward a relationship is adorable, as well as creating the perfect environment for Nick's own growing up. Lots of great dialogue and interaction among all five of them, and just all-around fun.

Law of Averages

Fandom: Firefly
Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee
Length: 7,158
Author on LJ: unkown

Why this must be read There's a crack in the bulkhead between Jayne and Kaylee's rooms. At first Kaylee just listens to Jayne sleeping, but then sex gets in the way and things change. The author depicts the loneliness of the black and the change in emotions between Jayne and Kaylee beautifully. Especially considering that much of the interaction between the two is conducted with a wall dividing them. This was one of the first Jaylee fics I ever read and is what sold me on the pairing. Jayne is sexy, a little bit dim, and a touch amoral and Kaylee is earthy, practical and sweet.

( Excerpt )

Slim as dimes