Fire Juggler

Usually, when I post rec lists, they are themed in some convoluted way. This one is a little different. It's not too long, but it highlights a couple of the things I love about podfic so much.

I consume podfic very differently than I consume fic. I listen much more broadly, exploring fandoms and stories that I might ordinarily pass over due to a lack of familiarity or just a resistance to moving out of my comfortable, small corner of fandom. I'm not sure why podfic is so effective for me this way. I have theories, so many theories, but ultimately, they don't really matter. What matters is that podfic allows me to explore outside my self-imposed boundaries.

Also, I love the fact that there are so many "right ways" to read podfic. I know that some people prefer to stick to a certain cadence, or accent, or voice type, but for me, part of the beauty of podfic is listening to the way a reader chooses to convey a story. The way the story is colored by the approach and voice and technique of the reader.

So, here are five podfics recs. There is nothing particular that binds them together. They are different fandoms, different accents, different cadences, different moods. Some have relationships, a couple are gen. They are in no way similar, except for the fact that A) they are incredible stories I would have otherwise missed if not for the podfic, and B) they are purely wonderful to listen to.

( Recs Ahoy )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/84166.html.

So, for those of you who aren't on my twitter, and haven't been listening to me flail like a crazy flailing person over this, A PODFIC REC!!! Actually, I'm not sure if this counts as a podfic rec, or whether it's more like 104 podfic recs all lumped into one: The Awesome Ladies Podfic Anthology.

( In which I squee like a crazy fangirl for way too long )

>>Click Here to Be Taken To Awesome Ladies Download Post<<



This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/78173.html.

One more rec for the road, because there can never be too many podfic recs. So…. littleroo just asked on Twitter, what is your guaranteed smile? Let me take you back. I'm sitting at work. My work is your typical office workspace. I work in a cube, surrounded by other cubes. I have no door. I have no lid. If someone opens a bag of potato chips 3 cubes over, I hear it. I also hear them eating the potato chips. So… I start listening to this podfic, and within the first 5 minutes, there are these huge belly laughs… like guffaws… coming from my cube. This was because chemm80 has just read "Misha squawked mournfully." It was all over from there. Cue the IMs coming to my computer "what are you listening to??" That awkward moment when….

Title: Plays Well with Others (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post mp3 | m4b)
Fandom: SPN RPF
Pairing: J2
Author: bertee (atimi)
Reader: chemm80
Cover Artist and podbook compiler: cybel
Summary: In which Jared runs team-building workshops, Jensen loathes team-building workshops, and Misha is indifferent to team-building workshops but quite likes livestock.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/76528.html.

Two things today. First of all, I am way behind on all the wonderful things posted for pod_aware. I'm slowly working my way through them, and yesterday I stumbled upon this post by pennyplainknits, who I secretly adore and am in awe of in such a way that I kind of feel like I'm too in awe of her to actually talk to her *headdesk*. She posted this voice blog for the last day of pod_aware, Encouraging Podfic, and when I listened to it, I cried. In fact, I am crying even as I am writing this post. She just perfectly expresses so many of my thoughts about podfic and why I love it and why I think it is amazing and wonderful, and why, even when I am feeling awful about my own podfics, I keep going. Anyway, I'm embedding the stream here in hopes that this might reach a few more people. I really encourage you to click "play" and listen for the 8 minutes it runs and then maybe record a new podfic of your own. pennyplainknits is not on my flist (did I mention that I am awe-ful and shy about her?) so she probably won't see this, but to her, I say Thank You, for expressing so beautifully, that which I seem unable to.

Encouraging Podfic Voicecast by pennyplainknits

Pod aware last day by pennyplainknits

Second thing: A Podfic Rec: The (not actually) Vampires!verse

( Click for Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/75771.html.

So, I realized that I seem to rec podfics on a semi-regular basis and I thought it might be good to have a centralized place for a list of podfics I have recced. Some of these were in lists of recs, and some were individual posts. Here I am just listing the pertinent info, but there is a link to the actual rec post if you're actually interested in what I had to say about it. As a final note, anything I rec as a podfic is also counts as a fic rec, since both the podfic and the fic have to resonate with me to rec it. There are links to the original text here as well.

Going through my past rec posts made me realize how many awesome podfics there are out there that I haven't gotten around to reccing yet. I was literally baffled by the fact that some of my absolute favorite readers have somehow not made an appearance. *headdesk* Oh well, those recs are coming; they're just waiting patiently on my to-rec list for me to find the time to put the recs together. I'll try to keep this list updated.

Last Updated: April 19, 2012

American Idol
Bandom (MCR)
Bandom (Panic!)
Fairy Tales
Glee
Harry Potter
Hawaii Five-O
Merlin
Merlin RPF
Nero Wolfe
Newsies
Sherlock BBC
Smallville
Supernatural
Supernatural RPF
Star Trek: Reboot

( Clicky Here for Recs )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/75193.html.

This is another chain of podfic recs. Like the last one, it mirrors how I drift around on my iPod (which is very, very, very full of podfic). It goes like this. I'm listening to podfic A that has some feature or theme of [ABC], which makes me think of podfic B, which has some feature of [XYZ], which then makes me think of podfic C, and so on. These tend to leap across fandoms and pairings, so, for a weird little look into the way FJ's mind works, and some completely, freaking awesome podfics, here we go. As always, I encourage you to branch out from your fandom/pairing ruts and give new things a try, I think that for this list, you don't actually have to be familiar with any of the fandoms to know what's going on. If you're not familiar with the fandom, just think of them as original fiction, you won't be disappointed. A CHAIN OF RECS…..

( Click here for Recs )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/74852.html.

So, somewhere in the beginning of December, when I was drowning in hp_podfic_fest, drowning in work, working myself into a snit to conquer all snits, and generally making myself crazy, I decided to participate in the #informaltwitterpodficexchange on... well... twitter, organized by bessyboo and vworpvworp. I think I may have been high on crack at the time. However, the happy result of this is that nickelmountain got me as a recipient (strangely, I also got her...). So, on December 25, I got a little message pointing me to my podfic, and OMG, you guys it is SO AMAZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The story is Let it Snow by zjofierose. It's a Star Trek: Reboot fic (Kirk/Spock).

Summary: During a rare shoreleave on Earth over the holidays, Kirk convinces Spock to take a road trip with him. He didn't count on a record snowfall. Now they're stranded in a motel room for Christmas, and stir-craziness is beginning to set in...

The warnings are "schmoop, with a side of fluff", which, as you know, is right up my alley. Fandom is my happy place, so sad endings are a no-go for me. But, it's such an amazingly lovely fic that to dismiss it as pure fluff is to do it an injustice. There is this quiet calm to it that just completely captured me. To discover it, curled up in bed on Christmas day was a gift indeed.

And...the reading. is. breathtaking. nickelmountain reads with a clear, steady, confident pacing and her voice is TO DIE FOR. She captured the overall atmosphere flawlessly. She also did an incredible job incorporating music. I love music in podfic, and I often put it in my own. Because of this, I know how hard it is to get it right. For me, it's hit or miss. But nickelmountain hit it spot on. The music just adds to the atmosphere and shifts you easily from present to flashback to present without you even realizing it.

So trust me when I tell you that you need to go and listen to this podfic immediately!!! So...

GO HERE!!!!!!

Thank you, nickelmountain for such a beautiful gift, and thank you to bessyboo and vworpvworp (a.k.a. bessyboo and cantarina1) for organizing the exchange. It was really wonderful! ♥

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/69543.html.

So, just before I left on holiday, takola sent me an email with a podfic made just for me!!! She scoured my rec lists and found one of my favorite non-magic AU Drarry fics, Interpreting Draconis by dacro. It's a gorgeous story with deaf!Draco written by an author who has spent years in the deaf community. As such, she approaches the story with such an understanding of the community. It is a joy to read and the is the best of what makes an AU fic, in that the characters are still recognizable as themselves, just in a different setting.

takola, as always, does a lovely job of reading. Her pacing is spot on and it is just wonderful to listen to. It was the podfic that kept me sane on my plane flight home from Christmas vacation. If takola can't soothe you with her voice, then no-one can.

One last thing...that gorgeous cover art down there? That's by k_e_wilson. I just love it, and I just love the way she focuses on the hands. It's so beautiful and adds such an amazing touch to the podfic overall.

So to all three of you, takola, k_e_wilson, and dacro, thank you so much!!! And all of my flist should run and listen. It is well worth your while. ♥



>>Click Here for Podfic

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/69341.html.

So, paraka, knowing that I've been feeling a bit off recently, made me a podfic!!!!! *flails incoherently* She knows that I am brand new to AI fandom and seem to have developed a bit of a Kris/Adam werewolf thing. So SHE MADE ME THIS!!!!! *flails some more*



>>Click Here For PODFIC<<

Fic: Claim by jerakeen (text link)
Fandom: American Idol S8 RPF
Pairing: Kris/Adam
Summary: Prompt: How about Kris gets turned into a werewolf, werewolves instinctively mate for life, turns out Katy is not his mate so they have to get divorced, Kris gives her the house and goes to stay with Adam who he hasn't seen since before he got turned, he walks in and immediately realises Adam is his mate....

paraka, as always, does a glorious job reading it and the story is just... GUH! So even if you're not actively in AI Fandom, you should check it out. No background knowledge is necessary and it's a fabulous ride!

Thank you, paraka! You completely made my week with this!!!!!!!

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/67869.html.

Ok. So…as one of the mods for hp_podfic_fest, I feel like it's not my place, nor is it really appropriate for me to rec any of the podfics coming out of that fest (though I will say GO NOW and listen!!!! And if you rec, let me know so that I can point the podficcers in that direction). However, I'm in the mood to rec. I've been listening to podfic like crazy recently, so what you're going to get is recs in the way that I listen to the stuff on my iPod.

It goes like this. I'm listening to podfic A that has some feature or theme of ABC which makes me think of podfic B, which also has some feature of XYZ, which then makes me think of podfic C, and so on. These leaps tend to cross fandoms and pairings, so, for a weird little look into the way FJ's mind works, and some completely, freaking awesome podfics, here we go. As always, I encourage you to branch out from your fandom/pairing ruts and give new things a try. If you're not familiar with the fandom, just think of them as original fiction, you won't be disappointed. A CHAIN OF RECS…..

( Click here for Recs )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/66808.html.

Today is Day 6 of Pod_Aware!!!! The theme is Repodding. Repodding is podficcing a story that has already been podficced. It's awesome. To explain the awesomeness, I will give you an example. Drastically Redefining Protocol by rageprufrock is an amazing Merlin AU. It was podficced a while back by revolutionaryjo. It's a wonderful podfic. Beautifully done. One of my favorites. Then, lunchy_munchy repodded it. One might think, "Why?!??! It won't compare!" And you'd be right. It's not about comparing. There's nothing to compare. The two podfics are completely different. Each one is absolutely brilliant, and both live on my iPod, one right next to the other. I'll sometimes listen to one right after the other. Each reading brings out different parts of the story, different aspects of the characters. The reading styles and approaches are completely different, as are the voices and the accents. I am completely in love with both versions. They successfully plumb the depths of an incredible story and come out the other side with different pieces and perspectives. There are quite a few other examples of awesome re-pods out there. So…yeah. Repodding FTW \o/ ♥

Repodding is when a podfic is made of a fic that has already been podficced. Podfic is awesome, therefore two podfics is even more awesome, right? Every podficcer brings something different to the table and it's fun to see how different podficcers approach the same thing. To find out more about repodding, check out pod_aware on LJ or DW.

Now….to continue my practice of successfully reccing podfics that have absolutely nothing to do with the day's topic… *headdesk* I am officially an epic failure at pod_aware. Today I'm reccing another SPN podfic, but this one is not RPS, it's a Dean/Castiel AU…. so without further ado...

Recommendation

Title: The Shortskirts 'Verse (Think I Know Where You Belong + Sequels (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post mp3 | m4b)
Fandom: SPN
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Author: twentysomething
Reader: exmanhater
Cover Artist: cybel
Summary: Castiel wishes he wasn't this excited, but it's the best part of his night when Dean Winchester gets home from baseball practice.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/63060.html.

Today is Day 5 of Pod_Aware!!!! The theme is Feedback. Feedback, feedback, feedback. Feedback is so nice, and it's one of those things that tends to be even rarer for podficcers. I think that there are several reasons for this. One is that podfic, by its nature, is listened to away from the computer (usually). The result is that by the time you get back to the computer, you've forgotten that it might be nice to leave a comment. I also think, though, that people often don't really know what to say. I mean, the podficcer often didn't write the story, so you can't really say, "I loved the story/plot/writing." So what are you left with? How many ways can you say "I love your voice."? Well, it never hurts to say (and reiterate) that you love someone's voice. That said, I think there are a lot of things that podficcers work on that you *can* comment on. The style of the reading, the approach/techniques (i.e. if there are flashbacks in the story, were you able to follow them?), the clarity and speed of the reading, the characterization (not the writing of it, but the rendition). You can comment on how the podfic made you feel, the atmosphere they captured, how they performed the emotion and dialog. Of course, I say all this, but I'm not that great at getting back to leave feedback either. I've been trying to be better. I also try to comment when I download, just with a "I'm excited to download this, thanks for reading it!" kind of comment. It's not the same as a comment after you've listened, but knowing there are people out there that want to listen and are pleased that you created it makes a difference too. That way, even if I forget to come back to comment, at least they know that there is someone out there listening. ♥

Fan artists love feedback and podficcers are no different. Feedback can motivate us, inspire our muse and help us create more of out art. However feedback on podfic can be rather light. To find out how you can help increase feedback for podfic check out pod_aware on LJ or DW.

Today's rec is in Merlin fandom! Merlin really introduced me to the glories of podfic. I had listened to a couple HP podfics before Merlin, but they were (and still are) a bit scarce on the ground. Merlin, however, explodes with podfic, and it was here that I was able to really start listening to so many different voices and styles. I buried myself in Melin podfic for a while and learned my personal preferences…tweaks I liked, things I didn't like quite as much. I also heard so many different ways to approach some of the challenges of podficcing. For this, Merlin will always have a place in my heart.

Recommendation

Title:Missed Connections (Glory Glory Holelelujah) (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Author: tourdefierce
Reader: thisissirius
Cover Artist: helva2260
Summary: Glory-Hole Romantic Comedy. 'NUFF SAID PEOPLE.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/62760.html.

And...because I'm trying to do at least one rec per day this week, here is the daily rec....

Today's rec is a for the new Hawaii Five-O fandom. Just to be perfectly clear, I have never seen a single episode of either Hawaii Five-O show. My knowledge of the show is completely fanon, with no canon at all. As such, I can't really speak to whether the characterization is spot-on with regards to canon or not. All I can say is whether the dynamics of the story resonate with me or not. I enjoy listening to podfic from all areas of fandom, so I've grown accustomed to just going with what's presented to me. So…without further ado...

Recommendation

Title: I have a History of Taking off my Shirt (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Hawaii 5-O
Pairing: Steve/Danny
Author: queenklu
Reader: reena_jenkins
Cover Artist: cybel
Summary: The first words out of Steve’s mouth are, 'What are you doing?' and the second words—or the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth words if Danny’s counting right—are, 'Where is your tie?'



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/62640.html.

Today is Day 3 of Pod_Aware!!!! The theme is Author/Podficcer Relationships. I feel like I have a lot to say about author/podficcer relationships. I am completely in awe of authors. I cannot write. So when I see someone who can, I kind of genuflect. Podficcing has really increased my interaction with authors. The interaction varies greatly from podfic to podfic, but I've had interesting interactions with authors for every podfic I've created. Different authors have different reactions, but it has been a great pleasure to have some interaction with the people I want to smother with kisses and gratitude. I've also had the great privilege or working twice with authors collaboratively to make a fic for podficcing (namely starduchess and kitty_fic). It was so fun and exciting to work with them. I would love to do more collaborative work in the future.

The relationship between a podficcer and author can be totally hands off, completely collaborative or anything in between. There are a lot of ways podficcers and authors can help each other, check out pod_aware on LJ or DW for more information.

In the meantime, I am going to continue with my reccing--two podfics today! I came into the Star Trek: Reboot fandom late (as in… ahem… two weeks ago). Seriously. I didn't watch the reboot until two weekends ago. I watched, then I started seriously shipping Kirk/Spock and Kirk/Bones. So…naturally I turned to podfics. Where else, right? These are two podfics that I have recently listened to that portray very different Kirks and Spocks, and yet somehow both resonate with me and are a delight to listen to. As always, I encourage you to embrace podfic as a gateway drug for new fandoms. ♥

Two Star Trek: Reboot Recommendations

Title: You'll Get There In The End (It Just Takes A While) (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Star Trek: Reboot
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Author: seperis
Reader: revolutionaryjo
Cover Artist: revolutionaryjo?
Summary: "Spock. Just say 'I don't trust Starfleet not to mess up the only captain in the fleet who I can train up to my expectations and enjoys running into danger wearing a blindfold as much as I do'.".



( Click for Full Recommendation )

Title: Your First Time Should be Special (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Star Trek: Reboot
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Author: helenish
Reader: aethel
Cover Artist: aethel
Summary: The thing about being a captain of a starship is that you forget how to break up with people; the starship is a gigantic, unmistakable clue that you're probably not sticking around.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/61784.html.

Today is Day 2 of Pod_Aware!!!! The theme is Blanket Permission. I can say, as a podficcer, that I am absolutely thrilled when authors give blanket permission to podfic. I think it's especially great for brand new podficcers, who (if they are at all like me) are rather terrified of asking an author for permission to podfic, because it can be scary to approach an author that you may have never spoken with before to ask if you can podfic, particularly if you have never done it before (I talk about this a little here). This is especially true in HP fandom, where podfic hasn't achieved the same liftoff as in other fandoms. A lot of authors in HP fandom don't even really know what podfic is (though hopefully that is changing). I encourage you to click on the link below, where people a whole lot more knowledgeable that I hold forth on what Blanket Permission means and why it is so awesome! Also, here is a masterlist of all the awesomeness done for Day 1. In the meantime, I am going to continue with my sub-par participation (*continues to be shamed*), by recommending outstanding podfics I have come across. ♥

Blanket permission is a way for fan artists to let other fans know their comfort with others playing with their works. It's particularly helpful to podficcers when authors give blanket permission for anyone to podfic their works without having to ask first. To find out more on blanket permission with regards to podfic check out pod_aware on LJ or DW.

Recommendation

Title: Entirely Covered in your Invisible Name (Link to Text | Link to Podfic post mp3, m4b)
Fandom: Sherlock BBC (No, don't turn away because it's not your fandom.  Read on....)
Pairing: Sherlock/John
Author: wordstrings
Reader: pandarus (FayJay)
Cover Artist: cybel
Summary: In which John experiences surges of jealousy and protectiveness, Sherlock experiences terrifying levels of boredom and takes rather unwise measures to deal with same, and sanity is not notably in evidence.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/61512.html.

Today is Day 1 of Pod_Aware. Since work is insane and my lips are barely above the waterline, I haven't had time to make anything, but I figure that one thing I can do is "make" recommendations. My to-recommend list is insanely long, so this will be a chance to actually get those recs out there. Today's theme is Podfic 101/Why We Podfic. As an aside, I actually posted a wee meta on this shortly after I started podficcing (which wasn't actually that long ago). Some things have changed and so much could be added, but if you're interested, it's there. There are already some great things posted at Pod_Aware…a meta podcast, a podfic tutorial, a podfic tagging/organizational tutorial, and a podfic! I'm sure there is more to come, so head on over there and check out the real things people made (as opposed to the cop-out of a single recommendation--not even a full rec list! *hides in shame*) and learn a bit more about podfic!!! ♥

Podfic: it's an audio recording of a fanfic, like an audiobook, how awesome is that? Fans from all over put their voices out there so you can enjoy fanfic on the go or just in a different way. To find out more about podfic, why we do it and how to get started, check out pod_aware on LJ or DW.

Recommendation

Title: In From the Cold (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Supernatural RPF (No, don't turn away because it's not your fandom.  Read on....)
Pairing: J2
Author: ladyjanelly
Reader: paraka, diurnal_lee, kronos999
Cover Artist: digitalwave
Summary: One thing about working in a free clinic, Jared thinks, is that work is never boring. You never know what’ll come in from the cold on a night like this. (Homeless!Jensen)



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/61100.html.

Hello everyone! My gosh, 11 days out of fandom is like a lifetime. I'll never catch up on my flist and I don't have a clue what's going on. Please, please, please rec me things to look at if you think there is something important that I've missed.

I did see that the most marvelous vaysh11 has been doing a series of podficlets of some of the H/D LDWS entries. I've had the pleasure of listening to a couple of them (so far) and they are simply marvelous. She has a glorious voice and a fabulous accent, and really does a beautiful job on getting the emotion of the stories spot on. So, do yourself a favor and.....

go here
(for all the podficlets)

or find the specifics here....

A Shocking Case of Cheating
Lucky Star
The Cartographer
Turning Toward the Morning
♥♥♥The Lorry Driver's Tale♥♥♥ MY FAVORITE!!!!
All Is Illuminated

They are all less than 5 minutes, so when you need a little break, go and listen to these wonderful drabbles (and leave her lots of love, 'cause she deserves it). The writing is wonderful and the reading just brings them to life beautifully.

In the meantime, I'll be slowly working my way through the backlog. *hugs everyone* I can't tell you how much I missed seeing what you all are up to every day!!!

♥

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/56871.html.

I feel like I haven't been participating in fandom much, lately. I've been wholly remiss on leaving comments (even the small, "I read this and I loved it" cop-out). But I have been reading and these are a couple things that have stood out for me recently...

Release by atypicalsnowman

Summary: Harry needs something. Severus learns to move.

Thoughts: This is a lovely little ficlet. In few words, atypicalsnowman manages to capture a wide sea of emotion: Severus's vulnerability, Harry's frustration, love, sadness... I'm always amazed when short fics succeed in rendering the entire history of a relationship by never saying a word. Somehow, when I read this story, I saw the whole past, and the hope for the future.

The Star by dexstarr

Summary: Narcissa never thought she would love anyone more than she loved herself.
Card Interpretation: The Star: "Hope, guidance by one's conscience or higher self."

Thoughts: This fic was one of the fills over at hp_tarot. I'm not sure why I read it. I'm not a huge Narcissa fan (generally) and I don't read gen!fic (generally). But hp_tarot has produced some wonderful pieces and it was short, so I gave it a whirl, and I'm so pleased that I did. dexstarr portrays the journey that Narcissa takes to that final act in the war in a short fic that conveys so much about her character and her motivations.

The Domestic Ramifications of Blowing Off Movie Night by bemygoodday

Summary: Harry and Draco are best friends and flat mates. And Harry doesn't like Draco that way. He doesn't. He's not even jealous of Blaise Zabini. At all.

Thoughts: So...totally not a new fic. This posted in 2008 (on my birthday, interestingly). I have no idea what led me to it. A fic search, perhaps? Someone mentioning it somewhere? *shrug* When I did read it, I was charmed. I have a seriously soft spot for fics where Draco and Harry are friends before they become lovers, and there is something about the two of them, snuggled up, watching old movies on the telly that appeals to my sense of ridiculous squeefulness. It has everything I want in a fic like this: interfering friends, oblivious!boys, and all those little details of the two boys living together. It's a delightful little romp.

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/54969.html.

Title: The Order of Things (Link to Text | Link to Podfic Post)
Fandom: Supernatural RPF (No, don't turn away because it's not your fandom. Read on....)
Pairing: J2
Author: anna_lei
Reader: takola
Cover Artist: paracaerouvoar
Summary: On the cusp of what could potentially be the most defining summer of his young life, budding artist Jared Padalecki has just made a decision that could send his carefully constructed world into tailspin. Five years after running away, he’s going back home. Back to Rhylee, Texas – back to everything and everyone he’s been steadfastly avoiding for the last half a decade. Except now, with his first solo art exhibit fast approaching, a newfound case of painter's block, and reminders of his past around every corner - Jared's beginning to realise that maybe, it isn’t Rhylee that he’s been avoiding all these years. Maybe it's the secrets he left there.

A story about love and friendship and growing up. About not only learning to find your place in the world, but realising exactly who should be standing beside you when you do.



( Click for Full Recommendation )

This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/52710.html.

So, those of you who actually read this journal know that I use podfic as an entrée to fandoms and pairings that I don't ordinarily read. This started because I discovered podfic in Harry Potter (of course), then quickly realized that there was practically nothing in the pairings I usually read.

When you listen to podfic as much as I do, the Harry Potter collection doesn't last long. So I started feeling around, using the readers that I really, really liked as a way into fandoms and pairings I've never considered. So, when revolutionaryjo posted the podfic for Lost at the Edge of the Sun by james, I didn't hesitate. I mean...it's revolutionaryjo!!!! This is the woman who convinced me that you could be a non-British person reading in a British fandom and not have to fake a terrible accent! That the reading can go so far beyond the accent that it doesn't matter. How bad could it be?

Very, very not at all bad, it turns out. As usual, revolutionaryjo has impeccable taste in fic and a smooth, easy way of reading that just makes me take a deep breath and relax. And the story was one I understood. I've lived in Hawaii, after all. I know how expensive it is, and how easy it could be to get in way, way, way over your head. james did a wonderful job of portraying that swing where homelessness goes from ridiculous to a serious option. So the story resonated with me, and of course the podfic was exquisite.

So, here I am. A person who has never seen the original Hawaii Five-O, and never seen the new Hawaii Five-O, desperately searching for more Steve/Danny fics to fill the hole that was created by Lost at the Edge of the Sun. Yup. I blame revolutionaryjo. It's all her fault.



This entry was originally posted at http://fire-juggler.dreamwidth.org/43945.html.