Rec-o-Rama

[kelly_chambliss]

The hp_yule_balls  reveals have gone up, and my fabulous gift At Arm's Length was written by the ever-excellent Miss Morland (I can't link to her name because of the hopeless, useless LJ code, but you can find her on my friends list if you want her page).   I knew she had written it; I knew it, I knew it.   But then, Slytherin that she obviously is, she faked me out by leaving a comment to her own story -- a very crafty comment that did not require her to squee over her fic, but was actually a cleverly-concealed remark about her motivation for writing.  Of course, this trick will never work again, not on me, anyway!  (Consider yourself warned, Missy M!)

I'll do this fest again -- it was well-run and produced a lot of femmeslash.  If some of the entries were a bit weaker than others, that's not a problem.  They were all enjoyable, in their own ways, and it seems clear that most people took time and trouble in creating their works.   Among my favorites:  A Hogmanay Carol (McGonagall/Hooch); Open Hand (Snape/Lupin); The Magic of Christmas (Remus/Bill/Snape) (The link on the masterlist takes you somewhere else, and I wasn't really convinced by the ending threesome, but the part about Snape working in a discount store as Father Christmas is a treat.)

snapelyholidays has finished posting its gifts and has given us its anonymous master-list.  I loved this fest -- such a wide variety of Snape-pairings and genres and tones.  The entries sustained a high level of quality, and the fest was beautifully-run.  Truly, some of these stories are going to become classics of my Snapely library.  My top five favorites:  (I've mentioned some of them in earlier rec posts):

**In Memory of Sigmund Freud -- (Snape/McGonagall, Snape/Moody) -- This story is without question the best Snape/McGonagall I've ever read, and I've read some stellar MM/SS.  Hell, it's one of the best fanfics I've ever read, period.  I'm almost positive I know who wrote it, and I hope they will let me friend them, because I don't want to miss a single syllable they've ever written or will write. 

Subtlety Personified -- (Snape, Slughorn) -- This version of Slughorn has become canon for me; I love him, in all his crafty, subtle, funny, heart-tugging, comfort-loving, ever-so-efficient, endearing ways.  Not many stories bring me to tears, but this one did.  One reviewer said in her LJ that this story was smart -- yes, exactly.

By the Clock -- (Snape/Dumbledore) -- Charming in the best of senses, with a nosy busybody of a wonderful Minerva, too.  Adored this.

The Caretaker -- (Snape/Filch) -- Grumpy-old-man-romance at its finest; Filch's voice is a triumph.

Illustrations for Home Studies -- (Snape/McGonagall) -- "Home Studies," a story by bethbethbeth from 2005, is one of my favorite MM/SS stories, and for the fest, an artist created a series of five excellent illustrations for it; they capture a lot of the spirit of the story, and I just love Snape's look.  The last picture, in its home-sweet-home sort of frame, is a delight.  (The artist thoughtfully provides a link to "Home Studies," in case you haven't read it.)

Also really good --

A Place Between Sleeping and Waking -- (Snape/Harry) -- Most of my flisties know that I'm not much of a slash person in general or a Snarry person in particular, but I'm really an equal-opportunity reader when it comes to quality fic.  This story is very nicely-written, with characterizations of both Snape and Harry that I find IC and effective.  In terms of plot, it's clever and compelling.  I enjoyed this story thoroughly.

Joined-Up with Jobberknolls -- (Snape/Lockhart) -- A really strong, un-silly, yet IC depiction of Lockhart makes this fic a fine read.  And Snape is wonderfully himself, too.

Out of This World -- (Snape/Hermione) -- Snape lives and becomes a monk.  It works.  Really.  Very atmospheric and thoughtful.

Let's Play! -- Snape/Lupin paper dolls with little stories and drag-queen outfits.  I trust I need say no more.

A Way Out -- (Snape/Lupin) -- An inventive story with an excellent Snape; it's like an HP Waiting for Godot, but funnier.

Comments

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

I'll send you a daily fannote till the mood passes

Haha! No, I was just joking...just a bit of hyperbole to indicate how ecstatic I am over "Freud." (Not angling for compliments, truly! I'm just seriously impressed by this writer. I may have told you this anecdote before, about a scene in the film Singin' in the Rain where two emotional teenagers are watching their favorite movie stars on screen. Of the leading lady they admire but despair of ever being like, one teen says, with a sort of deadpan moroseness, "She's so refined. I think I'll kill myself." That's the effect I intend /g/)

"A Way Out" was fun; you're right about "No Exit." I've really been pleased with the Snapely Holidays overall -- the percentage of stories of high quality has been high.

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

I know you don't angle for compliments - it was just such a heaven-sent opportunity to shower you with some, in between the usual reviews!