Summer means...POSTING

[westernredcedar]

Hello anyone still out there!
*listens for echo*
It is my summer break from teaching, which means that I am...posting something. Woo! I actually am still here reading all the time, just lurking like a creepy little lurker rather than the grand participant I used to be. Oh well. Here's some stuff:

Fandom-wise, I have been all over the place recently. I was entrenched as a reader and fledgling writer in BBC Sherlock fandom for many months when RL totally derailed that direction. I still have most of the unfinished second chapter of the thing I was writing, and I dream of being able to complete it this summer...maybe? I simply cannot promise. Then I spent a sweet month or so just reading any decent The Voice RPF and thinking this was pretty odd, even for me (*ahem*, snegurochka_lee, recs further down, keep reading...). Now this summer has been entirely consumed by catching up on Avengers and the Marvel Universe movies and fic...damn, it has been a fun few weeks of cheesy superhero goodness. I saw The Avengers back when it came out last summer, but only just watched Thor and Captain America, and Iron Man still waits for me.

I also just enjoyed magnetic_pole's most recent round of lgbtq_recs and have a list of books to order when I finish making this post!

I thought maybe I'd rec a few things I've enjoyed? I don't know. I am confident everything I'm going to mention is a classic and super well known in their individual fandoms already, seeing how my search criteria on AO3 usually starts with "Kudos" or "Bookmarks." But who knows, and I want to make a record for myself as well, so here are some various recs of things that are generally from the above listed fandoms. Or something.


Avengers

In Avengers so far I'm pretty solidly interested in Steve/Tony stories, so most everything falls into that category, with all sorts of fab side-pairings to enjoy.

More Man Than You by ladygrey99 (with Mikey and tawg) (NC-17, Steve/many M and F people, Steve/Bucky, Steve/Howard, Steve/Tony, Pepper/Tony...and more! Watch the warnings.)

HISTORY NERDS, ALERT! Holy historical moly, this fic blew me away. It is a series, and the second part is still a WIP, so note that (I did not, and now I'm chewing my fingernails waiting for updates). However, the concept is brilliant. The first (complete) part chronicles Steve Rogers life in the 1930's as a bisexual young man trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in both before becoming a super-soldier and national icon, and after. The historical research and details are compelling and fascinating- I will be hard pressed to not think this is canon when I ever watch Captain America again. I know many of you enjoy reading fics where there is attention to what it meant to be queer in another time or in a specific culture, and this story delivers. The details about how Steve and Bucky deal with the Depression, Steve's exploration of the Greenwich Village scene, the bathhouses, the secret language, and how Howard Stark and the entire plot of the films fit into this history...seriously, it is exactly what I want in a fanfiction. Happy sigh. The second part (still WIP) is all about this Steve waking up in 2012 and dealing with becoming an Avenger, especially in regards to Howard's son...it's really clever and the author is very consistent and thorough in her characterization. Mmm, I want to read more! *refreshes for next update* You should note that the author has actually written extensive notes (Part 1 of the series) about her research and how she uses the language and mores of the time period, and my little history heart pitter-pattered even harder for that. Seriously, it's really really good, even whether or not you care one ounce about Captain America.

Team Building Activities by valtyr (Steve/Tony, Pepper/Tony)

Here is the posted summary of this charming fic, and frankly it is a perfect example of a brilliant and enticing summary. I kind of love the summary as much as the fic: "Fury's a beautiful princess. Clint's plotting a Communist revolution. Rhodey's not sexy. Wall-E's not a documentary. Clint's not gay but he does give a great blowjob. This fic is not an AU."
Yeah, all of that is true. This is a "how they got together" fic, but the best part is the wonderful depiction of the team, with all of the various issues, friendships, snarks, and relationships therein. Tony is utterly privileged and clueless in this one, to a hysterical level, and gets himself into all sorts of trouble because of it. Fun, sweet, funny, loved it.

Homefront by copperbadge (NC-17, Steve/Tony, watch the warnings)

I did a little dance when I figured out last week that copperbadge has been writing Avengers (lots of Avengers, again, I'm super late to the party) and I think this is my favorite one I've read. It is a hard read because it is all about grief and Steve dealing with what has happened to him and to his former life, with Tony there as support. The tone is just right, and Tony's POV is amazing. This one hit a bit close to home for me, especially one scene when Tony finally expresses how exhausted he is from being the support person for a friend in pain. Really well done, thoughtful, and moving. Also, while you are reading copperbadge, don't miss American Patrol which, like "More Man Than You," takes the reader through Steve's relationships in the 1930's (Bucky and Peggy) and into 2012 with Tony. Also a great read.


The Voice

Oh god, I'm admitting to this officially by making recs! "Hello, my name is Cedar, and I like reading Adam/Blake, The Voice RPF." *wipes brow* Geez.

Basically, this category is an author rec. allouette writes great Adam/Blake. I happily recommend anything she has written. To be honest, most are fairly short, good scenarios leading to sex, but the writing, especially the character voices, takes them up a notch from just dull PWP. Here is the link to all of her work in this area: allouette's Adam/Blake fic
Here are a couple of stand-outs:
Beautiful Goodbye (look out for grief and angst, mmm, so good)
Burn All Afternoon (they are stoned and hanging out by the pool)
Take It Off (Blake can't deal with Adam's t-shirt)


Sherlock

I've been a bit off of Sherlock lately, but I have continued to re-read each of these for various reasons, so they must be my favorites, eh?

What to do When Your Flatmate is Homicidal by hyacinth_sky747 (NC-17, Sherlock/John)

Good lord, I love this fic. I've re-read certain scenes crazy numbers of times. Sherlock's voice is absolutely bonkers, but if I'm honest, I can't really imagine Sherlock's inner voice on my own, so this one works for me! There are elements in the story that I usually don't like, including some light kink (panties, in particular), and it is quite domestic and non-case related, but it is all so joyous and fun that I don't even care! Molly is magnificent, and her relationship with Sherlock is perfect. Sherlock's view of John is precious and bizarre and madly full of love. It is good, weird, wonderful stuff.

That Thing You Like by misspamela (Sherlock/John, NC-17)

Basic plot: Sherlock takes John home with him for Christmas, and John realizes why when they are there. Bonus: Amazing character voice, John's funny POV, the Holmes family on display, efficiency of words, great setting, and clueless John having an epiphany. This one always makes me feel really good.

Finally, the two completely epic, angsty, emotional post-Reichenbach's that got mo into this fandom in the first place. Seriously, epic angst:
The Quiet Man by ivyblossom
the sensation of falling as you just hit sleep by greywash


Bonus!

Oh yeah, and then this happened:
Kings of the Air by fabularasa (TOP GUN FANDOM, What? Iceman/Maverick, NC-17)

So, here's the thing. I've always thought, "What if I wanted someone in my real life to understand what slash fan fiction is all about for me? What would I have them read? People might be weird about HP, since it's "for kids"…What to do?" And then fabularasa posted a link to this older fic of hers, and I realized I'd found it! Entry-level, wonderful slash for anyone! A totally canon-appropriate, adult pairing (I mean, seriously), a non-sacred text (Top Gun, after all), but all of the characterization, social issues, great writing, and steaming hotness that I adore in a fic. I never thought I'd read Top Gun fan fiction in my life, and I've now read this one about ten times. What? Yep.

Well, that's a major brain dump, but it feels good to post, and I hope to post more through summer! Miss you all. *HUGS*

Comments

[ellid.livejournal.com]

CEDAR!!!!!! You're alive!!!! *hugs* So glad to see you post again!

I've been writing Avengers fic for about a year (mainly gen, but some slash), and I couldn't agree with you more about Copperbadge and Mikey's work - "More Man Than You" is brilliant, and if you haven't read "Robot Trip" yet, DO SO (Tony decides to drive across country with Dummy in the back seat, Pepper gets worried and has Steve ride escort, and by the end Dummy knows "Chattanooga Choo Choo").

As for my stuff...here we go. The longest fic, "Captain Fraudulent," started as a "oh ha ha ha, see Steve encounter the paparazzi, see Steve run from the paparazzi, run Steve run, giggle snort isn't this hilarious?" and ended up almost 70,000 words. And then I wrote ten outtakes, and am working on a sequel.

Make of that what you will....

:)

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Ellid!! So lovely to see you. *hugs* I am indeed alive, but I can be the poster-child for "having kid and full-time job = no more fun hobbies." Boo. Summer it is, and I take what I can get!

How did I miss you writing Avengers?!? *is lame* I'm so excited to read 70,000 words of delicious ellid Avengers fic! I shall make it a priority. *nodnod* And geez, Robot Trip sounds like my cup of tea exactly.

I hope to be around for a month or so before I turn back into a pumpkin. Hooray for fic!!

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I hope it lives up to your expectations :)

You will LOVE "Robot Trip." No spoilers, but I nearly fell out of my chair several times reading it.

Glad you'll be around for a while!

[bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com]

WOO, and may I also add, HOO

Nice to see you.
I will have to try the first two Sherlock recs (I've read the others). I love IvyBlossom so much! Have you read her "The Progress of Sherlock Homes" yet? If not, hie thee to AO3 and get on it!

I haven't read Avengers at all, but I like (haa, that got written as Loki) the sound of Copperbadge's fic. Thanks!

[bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com]

Ok, just started "What to Do When Your Flatmate is Homicidal" and my heart is clenching with love for this not-of-this-planet Sherlock and his poor John. Wheezing with laughter. Oh my.

Have you found a central town-squarey place for Sherlock yet? I get most of my recs from 221brecs, and hadn't seen this fic there. So I'm glad you mentioned it.

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Hi hon! *smooch*
I'm so glad to have introduced "What to do..." to someone who loves it. I love it like a mad thing, and really it can cheer me up when I'm down like nothing going.
I have not really figured out Sherlock fandom yet at all...not sure I ever will. sherlockbbc fills my flist with fic every day, but I have not been reading much lately, and have no good source for recs. I want to get my damn story finished and posted (as you know, I'm horrified to have left a WIP hanging...never done that before), and that is where I linked the first chapter and got a decent number of readers. If you figure anything else out, keep me posted!

(frozen)

[bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com]

So I read the Avengers fic - very nice, GREAT voices, esp Tony's POV and dialog. Snappy.
I"m halfway through "What to Do..." and I finally put my finger on Sherlock's characterization: it's almost as if she wrote Sherlock as Sheldon Cooper with a sex drive. *nods* His inner voice is hilarious and poignant.
I was watching one of the Sherlock comms, but I found that it was too busy and flooded my inbox with notifications, so I basically just get daily recs form 221b_recs, and that's a lot of good stuff, so I'm happy.

[islandsmoke.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Good to see you again!

What, no HP recs? *sigh* For the most part, I don't read other fandoms. I've read a few Avenger and Sherlock fics, but can't get invested in the characters the way I am with the HP crowd. I will give a couple of your recs a try, I think, as Lee has rec'd some of the same ones, and you guys do know good fic when you read it. ;)

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

SMOKE!! Hooray!
I know, I know...I'm a disloyal traitor. *walks the plank*
I'm so glad to see you. You know, I have no doubt I will circle back to HP again eventually. It's on a little rest I think, but certainly not gone or forgotten. On that note, any recent stuff I HAVE to read in HP? I can be convinced! ;)
Many of the above fics are really great, regardless of fandom, but honestly, the Top Gun thing would be the one I'd tell you not to miss, at least as long as you've seen Top Gun sometime in your life. I can't believe I just wrote that, but it's true. :)

[islandsmoke.livejournal.com]

Most of the HP stuff seems to be SS/HG, Snarry, or next-gen, though maybe I'm just not seeing it. Too little Snupin, alas, and it seems more romantic now - and, yes, I'm guilty of that too, though I did just dash off a satisfyingly nasty little piece. Daily Deviant still has a lot of... first-gen(?) fic, which I seem to prefer. There and lupin_snape are about the only places I go, unless, like this week, I get side-tracked into something like the Severus Snape Kink Meme, but I don't spend as much time reading as I used to. I'm really going to miss Snupin Santa, however!

[magnetic-pole.livejournal.com]

Cedar!!!! Hello, hello, so good to see you again. *twirls you*

First, randomly: "Top Gun" fic, my god! I remember being about...I don't know, 12? 13? and watching that movie and wondering if I was the only one in the theater reading it that way. I'll have to give it a try for old times' sake--and fabularasa's always great.

More importantly, I'm so happy to see you posting again! Summer's always like that, isn't it? Delighted you saw a couple things over at LGBTQ Recs--I'm thinking about rereading Maurice after seeing it mentioned there, and I'm looking for some of the mysteries, as well. I'll cheer you over at AO3 if you're in the mood to write again, too. M.

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Hi hon!! It's lovely to see you as well!
That Top Gun fic...it picks up right at the end of the movie, and just...delivers. Everything your 12 year old self was thinking gets laid out for you in all its testosterone-drenched glory, totally 1986 appropriate. Seriously. It's a one-shot read and worth the hour or so of your life. :)
I'm planning to read a couple of the YA novels suggested this year at LGBTQ Recs, and checking out a few of the series. Ooo, and the architecture book you suggested sounded fabulous. I still go back and pick up stuff recced in past years and will continue to...I love that I found two of my all time favorite books from recs there! (Cyteen and At Swim, Two Boys)
I hope all is well for you. I think I've read and not responded to all of your posts recently, because I'm lame. Actually, I blame getting a tablet, because I read on it but hate writing on it, so I don't respond. I need to spend more time with my laptop again. *hugslaptop*
Hopefully I can get a breath so I can write, but the sapling is a handful, and has the worst sleep schedule of any preschooler, ever...a total night owl so I never get a break. However, one can still hope.
*hugs*

[inkgeist.livejournal.com]

Hey there! We're finally on in the same span of time!

[westernredcedar.livejournal.com]

Ink! *glomps* well, I guess we actually missed again. Boo. But it is lovely to see your name here, darlin'

[inkgeist.livejournal.com]

We've got to get this timing thing down :)