A Lar by any other name

Okay, so I'm going to do the 12 in 12 challenge at Library Thing. I most definitely want to concentrate my reading list this year so that I'm not staring at my bookshelves for days at a time between books.

These are the categories I've decided on this year:
1. Historical Data Comes in Handy (history)
...Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences 1 - Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris) 10/19
...The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Smith & Annie Barrows) 10/24
2. The Funny Man Always Gets the Girl (humor)
...Something Rotten (Thursday Next 4 - Jasper Fforde) 3/10
3. Never Too Old For This (YA)
...Shiver (Maggie Stiefvater) 1/10
...The Shifter (The Healing Wars Book 1 - Janice Hardy) 5/12
4. All Pixelated (ebooks on my Kindle)
...Anathema (The Causal Enchantment 1 - K.A. Tucker) 3/10
...Shadow Unit #1 (Will Shetterly and others) 4/6
...Defying Pack Law (Eve Langlais) 5/1
...Snow White and Her Seven Lovers (Jenna Ives) 4/28
...500 Ways to Be a Better Writer (Chuck Wendig) 4/21
...The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern) 10/8
...Brotherhood of the Rose (David Morrell) 11/5
...The Geek Job (Eve Langlais) 11/12
...Lady of Devices (Book 1 - Shelley Adina) 11/20
...Tumbler (Brand Gamblin) 11/29
...Her Own Devices (Book 2 - Shelley Adina) 12/3
...Magnificent Devices (Book 3 - Shelley Adina) 12/8
5. Need to See the Movie (books that have movies)
...Alice in Wonderland (online course - Lewis Carroll) 7/27
...Through the Looking Glass (online course - Lewis Carroll) 8/3
6. The Pharm Girl's Book Club (work book club)
...Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunter 5 - Nalini Singh) 3/23
...Bayou Moon (Edge Book 2 - Ilona Andrews) 5/25
...Fate's Edge (Edge Book 3 - Ilona Andrews) 6/4
...Chasing Fire (Nora Roberts) 6/20
...Blood Oath (The President's Vampire Book 1 - Christopher Farnsworth) 6/28
...The Electric Church (book 1 - Jeff Somers) 8/15
...Crave (book 2 - J.R. Ward) 9/17
7. She Knows What I Like (female authors)
...Graceling (Book 1 - Kristin Cashore) 5/26
...Fire (Book 2 - Kristin Cashore) 6/10
...The Iron Duke (Book 1 - Meljean Brook) 7/6
...Bitterblue (Book 3 - Kristin Cashore) 7/8
...Kiss of Steel (Bec McMaster) 9/10
...The Iron Wyrm Affair (Lilith Saintcrow - Book 1) 12/27
8. RIP, Dear One (dead authors)
...The Girl Who Played With Fire (Book 2 - Stieg Larsson) 7/15
9. Never Eat What the Fairies Offer (Fairy Tales, both old and new)
...The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland - For A Little While (short story - Catherynne M. Valente) 4/10
...Cinder (book 1 - Marissa Meyer) 5/20
10. I Already Picked That (from my 100 books list)
...The Gunslinger (Book 1 - Stephen King) 5/3
11. Ooh, I Liked That One (rereads)
...Cry Wolf (Patricia Briggs) 2/14
...Hunting Grounds (Patricia Briggs) 2/16
...Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life (Terry Brooks) 4/3
...The Beekeepers Assistant (*audiobook* Laurie R King) 5/30
...Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (*ebook* JK Rowling) 5/30
...A Monstrous Regiment of Women (*audiobook* Laurie R King) 6/3
12. On the Cutting Edge (new books out in 2012)
...All Things Wicked (Karina Cooper) 2/27
...Born to Darkness (Suzanne Brockman) 9/4
...The Map of Time (Felix J. Palma) 8/29
...Unraveling (Elizabeth Norris) 11/14
...Precinct 13 (Tate Hallaway) 12/11

Okay, here is my massive post of all things lovely that I've read lately. I don't have an exact reason for the order I put all these except how they come to mind or how I find them.

Let's start with Ronon, shall we? Just when I think that I've read all the good Ronon stories out there (and I haven't - not by a long shot), I find some truly remarkable fics.

First and foremost, a WIP by rubygirl29 that she just recently updated. Traitor is Ronon/John and ranges from PG to NC-17 in the different chapters. It takes Hurt/Comfort to a whole new level! Set after Outcast (the best Ronon/John episode of the whole show), this follows the two men as they deal with a new challenge to an old evil they thought they'd gotten rid of. I really like that Ava gets to play because I really like her and am always on the lookout for fics where she pops up.

My all time favorite part about this fic is the way that Ronon and John interact. They're still keeping their relationship on the down-low but they have this way of just touching that screams to the world that they're a couple. And it's not just about sex. They truly need each other in a way that makes my throat ache. I love the way that rubygirl29 writes their relationship so much. Having them curl into each other just makes my inner J/R fangirl swoon.

Okay, on to the next story. Let's see... what shall I choose next?

Fourteen Years by hth_the_first was a REVELATION! I've heard of some of these stories (they're talked about in hushed tones like they're written on Ancient scrolls that were unearthed from a secret Ancient library and part of the original canon) but haven't gotten around to reading them. STUPID! This is one of the best Ronon/John stories I've ever read. Once again, it's the relationship that just grabs me and holds me captive. There's a scene where John is looking at his laptop and Ronon comes up, grabs his hair and tips his head back. Ronon smiles down at John and tells him to put his glasses on. First, the thought of John using reading glasses... HAWT! I guess I have an old guy fetish or something. *grins* But the idea that Ronon cares about John enough to notice that he's squinting and carrying about him to tell him. And in such an incredibly sexy way, too. Anyway, I love the way she weaves Ronon's past and present together. I was disappointed when this story ended but I will add it to my "to be reread" canon.

All Good by esteefee is an amnesia fic (do you see where my reading tends to lead me?) and very well done. The reason for John losing his memory is very believable and I love how he only has good memories. My heart broke for Ronon when he wasn't a part of any of those good memories but, once again, the reason is straight up believable. This is a great "Oh, There You Are, Ronon" fic that I loved reading!

Let's switch things up... John/Cam. I'm becoming quite a Flyboy fan! I've got TONS of J/C stories waiting to be read and these are the best that I've come across so far.

A story that has helped to contribute to my new love of AUs - The Burglary 'verse by somehowunbroken. Cam is a cop and John is a thief... and an incredibly sexy one, too. These are H/C stories so someone is always getting hurt (hooray!) I love how the stories expand on the previous and they just give you more and more of their growing relationship. When Cam thinks that John has left... ah, it broke my heart! I can only hope that there are more of these stories in the future but these are definitely on my "to be reread" list!

Another AU, of sorts. Really, it's a side universe. The Year that Was by bluflamingo is set in (near? after?) Continuum (which I have not seen because I'm not that far into SG1 but I didn't once feel that I was missing something by not having seen the episode). Cam finds John (as he always should) in this new universe he finds himself in. He's alone and needs someone and this John is a perfect fit. I did spend a lot of time worried that he would have to give him up when he went back to his own universe but I was well rewarded, I believe!

Here's a pre-John/Rodney that is, quite possibly, the funniest story you will ever read. I feel like I should put a guarantee on that promise because I think you really will find it hilarious. The thing is that it's not really crack. It's just a funny AU written in such a way that is HYSTERICAL. Taking the Cake by miasnape has John as an interior designer and Rodney as a guy with a big mouth. Oh, wait. Only one of those things is not normal. *grins* Please, just read this if you haven't. Even if you aren't fond of John/Rodney, it's worth a read.

Okay, I'm not a fan of John/Rodney but I try to keep an open mind. As long as Ronon (and Evan, these days) is well written, I'm willing to read and enjoy the fic. I find that I can't enjoy it if Ronon isn't portrayed well (he was really given the shaft by many of those early stories and I want to just cuddle him and tell him that everything is okay and some people just take some time to warm up to certain people and he shouldn't take it personally) but here are some stories that I was able to sit back and enjoy the ride.

This fic was published not that long ago which is probably why I hadn't heard about it. If you haven't read The Pack by ashinae and jay_linden (and the accompanying artwork), you need to drop EVERYTHING and go read it. WEREWOLVES! On Atlantis! This has a great background and treats werewolves as if they are sometimes people and sometimes wolves which is how I like my werewolves. It also follows along with the show which is something I love. I only finished this today and was so sad to come to the end. The writers took the time to really develop the relationships in this piece. Not just John and Rodney's relationship but the others, as well. I love that they cared about the supporting cast enough to give them depth and color.

And did I mention werewolves???

Last, but not least, is a really beautiful gen H/C piece. Skipping the Angles by tepring is so vivid and genuine that I was half surprised that it wasn't an episode that I was watching. It should have been! The team goes on a mission and Sheppard gets hurt really bad (is there any other kind?) and they have to work together to get out alive. The concept was lovely and very well thought out.

You will notice that most of these are long pieces. *sigh* I've become "that girl". You know, the one who won't look at a story if it's shorter than 5k. I used to only read the short stuff. That's what a good fandom and a decent way of reading will do for you!

I've read over fifty stories in the last month and a half and still have a list that keeps growing so this isn't the last time I'll be posting a wrap up of what I'm reading! Hope you found something new to read in this post!

Time for more fic recs!

Raiders of the Seven Systems by LtLJ
SGA/SG-1/Firefly
Yes, Firefly! This was such a beautiful fusion/AU that I didn't want it to end. I wanted to see if John grew to appreciate finding more humans and if Zoe decided that maybe she did want to try going home and if Rodney ever grew some patience. This was a story with a lot of emotion packed into it that really went a long way in putting this fic out ahead of the pack for me!

It's Growing Day by Day by telesilla
The team featuring John/Rodney
I had started this story before I got my Kindle but didn't get very far so I was excited to see it up on my reading list. The team finds themselves stuck on a planet with only a slim chance of finding another way home. There was so much good team dynamic that the John/Rodney bits felt like they were missing two other people! I do love the progression of this story and how each of the characters grows and they all grow together.

As Deep Cries Out to Deep by race_the_ace
John/Lorne (and a really nice dose of Ronon/Rodney)
Not only is this one of my FAVORITE lines from the Psalms but you can never have too many stories that make good use of Lorne's baby blues! John never came over with the first wave of Atlantis inhabitants but Rodney finally gets him to take a chance. He gets a chance to heal from the wounds (both internal and external) that life has handed him as well as finding a second chance. This is another story that has TRUE CHARACTER PROGRESSION that was a definite MUST for the storyline. At the end, I was cheering!

Vous Revoir and Brave New Hope by vicky
John/Elizabeth
This is AU after First Strike. The first story takes place on Earth, while John is visiting Elizabeth. She's gone back to Earth to heal from her injuries. They explore their feelings bit by little bit as they realize how much they miss each other now that they're separated by a gate and millions of miles. The second... takes place right after the last paragraph of the first story so I'm not going to give anything away. Just read and enjoy!

I went through AO3 and loaded up my Kindle with a bunch of SGA stories over 15000 words. Here are some of my favorites.

Life After by sian1359 - life after Season 5
John/Rodney and a bunch of the others. Seriously, they will surprise you! I wish there had been MORE to this. It just sorted of ended and I was so very sad because I wanted to know more about their lives.

These Proverbs We Made in the Winter Must End by siria
Ronon/Jennifer & Rodney/Teyla/John. LOVED this story. I'm not a huge lover of Jennifer Keller but this story made me a Ronon/Jennifer believer and LOVER! It is set after canon and they explain away the horribleness of Season 5 when it comes to that pairing. The author intersperses some early Ronon life scenes that help bring the character even more to life. The storyline is also very interesting and very believable.

A Hole in the World by gottalovev
a big ol' dose of the good kind of John/Rodney
The quote at the beginning of the story tells you everything you need to know about what you're getting into with this story. Read it and then hang on because you won't be able to stop. I thought I knew where it was going but I didn't so I was forced to read and read and read like a mad man because my heart was breaking right along with John's. The ending was perfect and ever so lovely!

His Woman by CJ aka WritinginCT
Ronon/Samantha (crossover with SG1)
I CRIED while reading this! At first I was like, seriously, Ronon and Sam? but I read it because it was Ronon and I'm bound and determined to read every Ronon story out there. What a perfect pairing!!! This story is told slowly and with glorious detail so that the reward at the end is just perfect enough that the tears leaked out of my eyes before I could stop them. The friends left behind bring some great angst to the story.

Know How to Fall by auburn
John/Rodney with a good dose of Ronon/Amelia that left me wishing for more
This was the first fic that I read on my Kindle and was the one that firmed up the decision to read more. A story set in a world (three-day event riding/equestrian) that I don't understand quite as much as I do other alternate SGA universes but is so well described that I didn't have any problem enjoying the story. In fact, I wanted to VISIT the farm and see it all for myself. This was also my first AU story and I loved how the characters were all IN CHARACTER yet in a different world.

Open Your Eyes by thedeadparrot
John/Rodney
Another AU set in a world not unlike Friday Night Lights where John is a head football coach and Rodney the crusty science teacher. This story had these little flashes of brilliance. The play by play of the games was really well done and I believed it even if I didn't really know exactly what they were talking about. *grins* The storyline with Ford was superb!

This isn't the complete list of what I've read but the ones that have stuck in my head. If you have any recommendations of your favorites (I've been lazy and have only gone looking on AO3 because it's a one-step download instead of a couple of different steps), let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Over a year ago, I'd come across a group of people who were attempting to read 100 great books in 5 years. It sounded like a great idea and a friend and I started 100project for doing the same thing. I haven't really looked at my list in awhile because it was under my old account and I hadn't taken the time to get it reposted.

This morning, I took the time and discovered I've read... 4 books. Four out of a hundred in a little over a year. *sigh* I did redo the list a little, in light of some of my changing habits. I included the history books I'm reading because who's going to read 1200 pages of history without getting a little credit for it!

I thought I would share my list here and invite anyone else to come over to the community that wants to do the same thing!

( ...books, books and more books... )

Today I started Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. This book is one of the reason I didn't ever watch Legend of the Seeker AND the main reason I'm sorry it's been canceled. I want to watch it after I read at least ONE of the books.

After that, I need to get back to The Isles: A History and get that done. I've only got about 300 more words, after all. It should be done in no time. *grins*