Top 5 Grab-bag of Things Too Awesome Not to Mention but Which Have No Overarching Theme:

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Heh… I think I’m going for #1 Wordiest Top 5 Title-Writer.

This is the last one... thanks for being patient with my last minute rapid-fire posting.



Story: Oh God, Oh God, We’re All Gonna Die!
Author: spikendru
Pairing: Spike/Andrew
Rating: FR-15
Why: If I can honestly say that anything took me by complete surprise this year, it’s this story. Not that I shouldn’t’ve known that it would be great, given that it’s by spikendru, but I’d honestly never thought seriously on the pairing before this. The story is from Andrew’s POV, focusing on his fantasies of heroism as they break down into fears as the reality of the showdown with the First becomes imminent; it’s Spike’s unexpected, and characterisitically snarkily tender, mercy that gives Andrew courage and the strength to face the possible end of the world. A really gorgeous story that touched me deeply, even as it had me giggling.

Story: Blood Types
Author: tkp
Pairing: None--GenFic
Rating: Up to NC-17
Why: This story still takes my breath, every single time I read it. Each section, exploring how different bloods taste to Angel, is beautifully worded, eloquent and elegant and just gorgeous in its richness. Combine that with images that are erotic, chilling, stomach-turning, terrifying, or beautiful--but always riveting--and you have a story that will haunt your mind in the best possible way. It certainly does mine.

Video: Goodbye My Lover (Right-click, Save Target As)
Vidder: itmustbetuesday (Azkabella)
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Rating: Adult, just in case (due to adult themes and such)
Why: Because it’s one of the few vids that’s ever made me ache, and cry, and smile all at once. Set to James Blunt’s Goodbye, My Lover, it explores Spike and Buffy through a post-Chosen lens. I don’t really know the technical vidding language to describe it, but I can say that it is absolutely, heartrendingly beautiful.

Community: banner_grab
Mods: bunnyluv_pet and selene2
Why: Because it’s an amazing, generous idea, beautifully executed. I’m lucky enough to have both bunnyluv_pet and selene2 as friends and readers, and have been spoiled rotten by their incredible banner-making talent; banner_grab opens up said incredible talent to any and all who so desire. They open a post for banner requests, you provide your story information and any requests you have, and they give you gorgeous, personalized story banners. There is nothing but good here. *g*

Story: The Other Side of the Tracks
Author: frimfram
Pairing: Spike/Dru, Darla/Angelus (Fanged Four)
Rating: Adult
Why: The opening of this story may well be the best I’ve ever read--eight words and I was completely, utterly, undeniably hooked. It’s a WIP (at 14 chapters now) and those 14 had all been posted by the time I started reading, so I had some catching up to do--I printed it out, I read it on the train, I read it in the bathtub, I read it before I went to sleep at night, I read it anywhere and everywhere I could get away with reading it. The language, the images, the spot-on characterizations of the Fanged Four (particularly the newly-turned William, as he adjusts to his new world, bringing us along for the ride), the absolute beauty of the storytelling--it’s an addiction. One in which everyone should indulge.

Comments

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

Heeeee! I loved that fic from spikendru. Thanks so much for reminding me of it. :)
Oooh and a tkp fic I haven't read. Jumping on that.
Another great list, thanks very much for sharing.
And I think you've accomplished your task with the title :)

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

I <3 that spikendru fic so very, very much. And I don't think I ever would've given it a shot if it was anyone but her, but I'm so very glad that I did.

And the tkp fic rocks my world. So, SO damn good.

And I think you've accomplished your task with the title :)
Hee! Yay! Do I get a pony? Or can I at least pick someone to play pony with? :P

[lmbossy.livejournal.com]

*ooh* Spike/Andrew fic ... a pairing that shouldn't work, but does *oh* so well :)
"Goodbye My Lover" is so suited to Spike/Buffy, I'll definitely have to check back for it
and a good gen!fic? exceeellent! [/Mr Burns voice]

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Believe me, she sells the Spike/Andrew like nobody's business. I adore that story. :)

The Goodbye My Lover vid made me cry at my desk at work... I was so embarassed. But it was worth it, darn it, because catharsis is good for the soul. *nods firmly*

And Blood Types is completely freaking incredible. Enjoy!

[yourlibrarian]

Hee to the list title :> I really enjoyed the way you described the first story. I haven't read it but I have read another Spike/Andrew fic and I agree it's a pairing that brings out a side of Spike that's pretty moving really. I look forward to reading that, and tkp's sounds fascinating too.

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Hee to the list title :>
Hee! Thanks. lillianmorgan says I win for wordiest title writer, so yay! ::dons a tiara::

The Spike/Andrew story is really just wonderful--I can't say that often enough. It took me by complete surprise because it wasn't something I would've read had it not come from her, and it just blew me away--it's funny, it's sad, it's touching, and it's just perfectly in character for the both of them. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read!

And Blood Types is incredible--I first read it back in July, and I can still call up the images so vividly. It's a fantastic example of storytelling, really.

[yourlibrarian]

It wasn't that long so I popped over to read it now. Interesting idea and I think she captured Andrew's veering attention span well!

You might be interested in the Spike/Andrew one I was referring to as well since Andrew's reference to the Mission mission here made me think of it too. Knocking on Heaven's Door by Estephia.

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you so much for the link--I look forward to reading it, particularly when it comes so recommended! :)

[lettered.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the kind words and really flattering over view.

I love your category . . . And some of these fics I've been meaning to read, so thanks for the interesting list!

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

You're so very welcome--that story has truly haunted me all this time. It's really absolutely gorgeous, and deserves lots of attention. :)

Glad you like the category and the list--enjoy!

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Best. Recs. Title. Ever.

Great story choices, too!

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Best. Recs. Title. Ever.
Hee! Yay! Thank you!

And glad you like the list!

[kathyh]

Wonderful category title. I only know about two of these so I'm looking forward to checking out the rest.

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks about the title; I figure if I can't make it short and snappy, I'll just make it long and self-effacing.

And glad I could offer some new-to-you stuff, as well. Enjoy!

[itmustbetuesday.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks for the rec! I'm glad you liked the video, even if it did make you cry at work (can't say I didn't plan on making it tearworthy, so...)

Anyway, I've uploaded it to the website, but I haven't posted that I have... because I suck. So here's the new link:

Goodbye My Lover (http://mafalda36.tripod.com/goodbyemylover.zip). Right-click/Save Target As.

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

You're more than welcome for the rec... it was a gorgeous vid. I still think about it every time I hear any James Blunt song--it doesn't even have to be that one. It's really hauntingly beautiful. :)

And yay! for the link! Thanks! I updated the post as well. :)