Hi, I’m arsenicjade, and I’m going to be reccing The Hunger Games as a small fandom this month. This overview is largely book focused, as my recs will be, as well. The links at the bottom are lacking, so if you know of any good fannish resources, please comment to let me know and I will add! Very excited to be getting this fandom off the ground!

( Characters )

( Plot )

( Fantastic Sites )

Fandom: THE HUNGER GAMES
Pairing: none
Length: ~43k
Author on LJ: deathmallow
Author Website: AO3 page
Why this must be read:

Because it's pretty much the most brilliant construction of Haymitch's backstory in the universe, and it is so, so much more. Deathmallow goes back to the year after Haymitch's victory and very subtly threads the undercurrents of a rebellion already beginning into Haymitch's tale. She also shows us what it means to be a victor, a mentor, and the lone person who has to go back to his District with two dead tributes every year.

She's writing a sequel dealing with the 3rd Quarter Quell that's already over 130k. I am waiting until it is done, but I am so excited I can't EVEN.

Without the sequel, though, this story is exceptional on its own, stark, cutting and somehow, underneath it all, sweet.

( Exerpt: )

Nowhere to Stand and Now Nowhere to Hide

Hello! My name is Larky, and this month I will be introducing you all to the wonderful world of Super Junior fanfiction!

Super Junior is a 15-person South Korean boy band, part of the "Korean wave" or "K-pop" music phenomenon. It was created in 2005 by SM Entertainment, and its members are a bunch of lovable, talented goofballs. Although Super Junior is a boy band, it's not considered a "bandom;" instead, it's usually called "k-pop RPF."

I plan to post three times a week, although I don't have a stricter posting schedule than that. Sometimes I'll post three days in a row, sometimes it will be more spaced out.

Let's begin with a rec for today!

--

Fandom: SUPER JUNIOR
Pairing: Kyuhyun/Zhou Mi
Length: ~4,000 words
Author on LJ: grisclair
Author Website: fumerie
Why this must be read: I always rec this fic first, because this is the fic that finally got me interested in Super Junior fandom (after months of my friend trying to lure me in). It's an excellent introduction to one of the most important aspects of super junior/k-pop fandom—how the entertainment companies produce an idol's "image," including their pairing assignments. This fic is a discussion of "what's real" in k-pop fandom, and the side of it that we don't always get to see. On a technical level, this fic has subtle character interplay and character growth, and tight, excellent writing.

In it for the show, baby.

So, you're into Hockey now? No, you're not, you say?.... Not yet, my friend, not yet.

Fandom: HOCKEY RPF
Pairing: Brent Seabroock & Duncan Keith friendship, Brent Seabroock/OMC
Length: 4,572 words
Author on LJ: notamagnet
Author Website: on AO3

Why this must be read: Because it's about dedication and friendship and acceptance. And if the You Can Play Project has taught us something then that that's what hockey players are all about (apart from crazy beards and an overwhelming need to win).
Bonus: YCPP participant Duncan Keith


Reader, maybe you have never read a story in Hockey RPF before. Or maybe you have read a few and so far Patrick Kane was in all of them. Or maybe you're already deeply into your first reading rush and everything is new and shiny and exciting and you need more...

This month will be dedicated to you.

To all the Hockey veterans out there: You most likely know all these stories. Heck, you probably wrote them. Just sit back and enjoy, have a drink, re-read an old favorite.

Just one thing: I won't rec Tazer/Kaner (well, maybe two or so, but that's not the point). I love them, but they're not what this month will be about. My goal is to show how gloriously diverse and creative this fandom is, how talented the writers are, and how funny and tragic and amazing the stories that they write.


We start with one of my favorite gen stories ever and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried actual-honest-to-god-real-salty tears when I first read it.

How much would you sacrifice to reach your dreams? Intimicy, closeness, love. But can you live without a true friend?
This story deals with homophobia in sports and dedication and it does it in a quiet, sad way that breaks my heart.



So, Brent is gay and in the closet. But then there's this guy in Columbus (of all places). He'll have this one date, just this one, it can't hurt ... and then Duncs figures things out and I started crying. Read it. I promise you a happy ending.


( hockey or love )

our hears sing less

If you liked it, give the author some love, okay?

Happy June, S&H fans! My name is Angel, and I'll be your driver this month. Starsky refused me the keys to the Torino - seeing as this my first time behind the wheel - so we're cruising in the Squash. I look forward to sharing some of my favorite stories by some of my favorite authors! So, please - climb in (carefully - and watch the junk in the backseat) - buckle your seatbelt, and let's head to the land of some great stories!

___
Fandom: STARSKY & HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch
Length: About 400 words
Author on LJ: hardboiledbaby
Author Website: http://www.starskyhutcharchive.net/viewuser.php?uid=145 
Why this must be read: hardboiledbaby is an extraordinarily talented storyteller. She also has a feel for the boys - their hearts and their bodies, their souls and their secrets - that touches my happy or angsty place every single time. Her celebration of these boys rings out like a chorus of the most perfect notes.

In this little jewel, the boys discover themselves in new ways...and, to quote Baby, "just like that...they were fuck buddies."

This is a lovely story to start the summer - a way to heat you up and cool you down - and to bask in a healthy dose of love. Enjoy!

Fuck Buddies

Hello, my name is cloudtrader and I'll be driving two vans again this month (really, people, go sign up for a chance to drive the van -- Doctor Who drivers are particularly needed!). I will be recommending stories for a nice little fandom you may have heard of called Xena: Warrior Princess (and Hercules, too, don't worry). This was my first online fandom, starting back in 1995 and wow, it's been awhile! The van is old and a bit decrepit, so help me out, please, and point me towards any stories you think must be recommended. And enjoy!

(PS: ALL of Xena: Warrior Princess and MOST of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys are available Watch-It-Now on Netflix, FYI!)

Fandom: XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS & HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
Pairing: none (mind the goat)
Length: 690 words
Author on LJ: mythdefied
Author Website: Story Guide, Paradox
Why this must be read:
Let's start out the Herc & Xena recs RIGHT, with some hardcore crack and wacky godly hijinks! :D

This little gem of a story makes me giggle, because it could have been taken straight from either show, with a pissy Ares, a pissed-off Aphrodite, a bitchy Discord, and Strife there to stir the pot. Just a little something from one of the fandom's best authors to whet your appetite.

A Hairy Situation by Mythdefied

Fandom: HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
Pairing: none
Length: 3,800 words
Author on LJ: roga
Author Website: List of Fics
Why this must be read:
Because this is incredibly witty, as well as funny, and absolutely PERFECT. A grave new threat has reared its ugly head in Ancient Greece, and Hercules and Iolaus are asked to defeat the dreaded... Face Scroll! It's a social network, doncha know.

I Friend You, You Friend Him by roga

Hello, I'm coricomile and I'll be driving the bandom van this month. Patrick Stump is my much under-appreciated OTC, so expect to see a lot of him.

Fandom: BANDOM
Pairing: Patrick Stump/Pete Wentz
Length: Short
Author on LJ: violin_road
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read: The thing about bb!Patrick fic is that it's so full of awkwardness and shyness and the coming of age realization that he's completely, totally in love with his best friend. And, in some, there's surprise first time bondage with an N64 controller. violin_road has the voices down completely right, and the porn is still awkward and adorable and totally, totally beleivable.


Lace Up Your Skates Real Good