Fandom: SUPERNATURAL
Pairing: [gen] Dean & Sam
Length: 36,000 words
Author on LJ: smilla02
Author Website: smilla02's master fic list.

Why this must be read: Smilla is known for two things that she does very well – characterization and exceptional writing – and her 2008 big bang contain both in spades. While most longer fics do weave together an A and B storyline this is not quite what happens here. There is a case that the Brothers Winchesters must solve but there is also Dean coming back from hell. The two braid together tightly to form a seamless story that shows us the fraternal bond and love between two very dysfunctional men. It is tested and tested and tested again – Smilla writes very close to canon. However, why this is a must read story is because of the world-building and prose. The intense characters drive the plot into a world of dust and grime where nothing is quite as it seems because it feels quite timeless. For all of the ash and mud, the prose is evocative and clear; there is not one extraneous word in the entire novella. This is the fic I keep coming back to and finding another theme, another turn of phrase that makes me smile in awe. This is the Sam and Dean case fic that is second to none.

Ten in One

Fandom: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (NEW)
Pairing: N/A
Length: oneshot
Author on LJ: rayruz
Author Website: Fanfic master list
Why this must be read:

Kara and Helo have an incredibly understated relationship on the show, with only a few scenes and lines given that are meant to show their friendship—and yet it's strong enough that every portion of fandom recognizes what they have. It's something special, a deep friendship that doesn't take over their lives but is just there. And this fic goes into, not only the beginnings of that friendship, but implicitly why it stayed in place through the entire series.

( Excerpt from fic )

Bad Reputation

Fandom: FIREFLY
Pairing: Jayne/OMCs
Length: 6,109 words
Author on LJ: ana_grrl
Author Website: her site's down, so it's just her lj now
Why this must be read: Pre-series, Jayne got himself a job as the muscle at a house full of boywhores. Ana's famous for doing amazing voices for all the characters of Firefly, but she has the most marked affinity for Jayne. This story is a shining example of her stunning Jayne voice. This fic adds lots of depth and richness to Jayne's backstory, and explains a great deal about how canon Jayne came to be the way he is. Be sure to note the link to part two at the end of part one.

( read an excerpt )

Sexing, Thieving, Lying, Stabbing: Who's to Know, with Whores?

Fandom: STAR WARS
Pairing: Anakin/Obi-Wan, mentions of Anakin/Padmé
Length: 1,344
Author on LJ: [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read:

Because this author perfectly executes the characterization of an Obi-Wan Kenobi, who could possibly fall to the dark side. Anakin's anger and despair over potentially losing his Master is very well done; as is Obi-Wan's subtle manipulation of his Padawan, using the hard truths of their relationship and Anakin's love as an effective weapon to make Anakin fall with him.

( Excerpt )

I, Myself, In You, Together

Fandom: STAR TREK RPF
Pairing: Chris Pine/Karl Urban
Length: 3,775 for this part
Author on LJ: thalialunacy 
Author Website:  same as her LJ I suppose
Why this must be read:

Although Pinto was the front-runner as the pairing of choice after Startrek came out, it's hardly the only awesome pairing the fandom has. Karl/Chris (Urbine) make a strong showing. 
This is one of the best.  Karl's upset, and Chris decides the best way to cheer him up is with beer pong. An, absolutely, flat out hilarious fic. Excellent interaction between the characters, awesome dialogue, and oh yeah, um HOT sex.  Plus, we all liked it so much, she wrote MORE.

( short snippet )

The Old Man and the Frat Boy links to the story, which can be read as a one-shot, but it does continue for a few more chapters after that and you should definitely read all of them

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Tony/Ziva, ensemble
Length: ~12k
Author on LJ: ygrawn
Author Website: Masterlist
Why this must be read:

This is a totally charming Tony/Ziva fic that utilizes the rest of the cast to comedic and/or poignant effect. Ygrawn is a tremendous writer and she paints a fantastic portrait of what a Tony/Ziva relationship might actually look like. This is a hugely enjoyable read!


( Excerpt )

Perspective

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Tony/McGee
Length: 6,300k
Author on LJ: catwalksalone
Author Website: First we show up, then we see what happens
Why this must be read:

I love this fic because Tony and Tim are absolutely charming as a couple while retaining their essential canon characterizations. Um, plus, it's funny!

How can you resist this exchange?
"Ow!" he yelps, totally unprepared for the shoulder punch McGee lands on him. "You're an idiot," he snaps, snatching his hand away and using it for its primary headslapping purpose.

"Your mom's an idiot." McGee returns the headslap.

"My mom's dead," Tony volleys with headslap number two.

"So's your face."

Here, have a longer excerpt, if you're not convinced that this is the funniest Tony/Tim fic you've never read:

( Excerpt )

Let's do the show right. Here!

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: gen
Length: 130,011
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Worfe's FFN profile
Why this must be read: Time travel is yet another Harry Potter trope. Whether it is to the 1940s so that a character may interact with Tom Riddle before he becomes Voldemort, or, as is more common, to the 1970s, so that Harry can meet James and Lily, time travel is a popular type of story within the Harry Potter fanfic community. So what makes Timely Errors worth reading? For one, it is a discrete story with a beginning and an end. It is also well-written, something that can be pretty surprising when it comes to this genre of fic. Harry is sent back in time because of Binns. Yep, that's right: the ghost of a History teacher sends Harry (and others) careening through time. Harry is just lucky enough to visit the 1970s. Humorous at times and poignant at others, Worfe lets Harry meet his parents and his friends while letting him keep his secrets. More than that, we see how Harry's presence has an effect on others, even Voldemort. As a bit of caution, this doesn't follow canon strictly, so Harry is more powerful than he is in the books. But he also uses his time in the 1970s to get to know his parents and his parent's friends. And in the end, that is what this story does: it let Harry meet his parents and get to know them in a way he wouldn't have else wise, while also setting the foundation for future events.

( snippet )



Timely Errors can be found here

Worfe has written a few ficlets to answer some loose ends from Timely Errors here

Fandom: STARGATE: ATLANTIS
Pairing: pre-slash McKay/Sheppard
Length: 5,444 words
Author on LJ: rageprufrock
Author Website: glitterati

Why this must be read:

This fic is just lovely. The prose is poetic and paints such beautiful images so that you can see the memories as clear as Rodney must be able to, playing out on the Ancient screens. Rodney's devotion to John shines as brilliantly as the scientist does in John's memories. Sweet with a happy ending.

( Mini Teaser )

A Slightly Different Quality of Light