Fi's Reading List
A sampling of some of the fics that I've enjoyed recently:
This House and Everything in It by exeterlinden
- (34k, rated Teen, John/Sherlock, John/OFC)
Author's Summary: All that John has retained from the hours immediately after Sherlock's return five weeks ago are a few fragmented memories. He can't remember a word of what was said, but he remembers that they hugged; he remembers the smell and the feel of Sherlock's coat, the touch of his dry, cool hands. The last thing he seems to remember, though, he's not so sure about it. It might just be one of those weird thoughts that the mind sometimes randomly grabs hold of in the chaos. Looking back on it, the recollection seems implausible, too far removed from the implicit rules and habits of his and Sherlock's fairly cemented friendship. The brain can play tricks on you when you're under stress - stray thoughts can manifest as memories - John knows that. It doesn't have to mean anything, and in his head, he has dismissed it.
My thoughts: I was on the edge of my seat with angsty apprehension/anticipation. A very well done asexual!Sherlock and some pretty brilliant characterizations of John and Sherlock both. A really lovely look at how things could play out when John and Sherlock don't fit into the normal people shaped boxes.
♠
In A Family Way
by Annonymous - (12k-ish, rated R, Holmes/Watson, ACD canon era)
Author's Summary: After the events of *The Empty House*, Holmes invites Watson to move back into 221 Baker Street. Watson does so, and brings along his two-year-old-daughter.
My thoughts: Oh, be still my aching heart. This fic totally immersed you Victorian culture and custom and reminds you of how, sometimes, the most subtle of actions or words can mean so much. Truly beautiful writing from Holmes point of view, covering Watson moving back into their shared space, young daughter in tow. I loved how the daughter had a depth and personality that was so age-appropriate, and yet story appropriate, too.
♠
Adored by chellefic - (1385 words, rated Teen, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: Learning he's adored changes John's perspective a bit. Based on Steven Moffat's observation that Sherlock adores John.
My thoughts: I love how logical Sherlock is about it. And John just accepts whatever reasoning is thrown at him and goes along with it, because he knows he's going to do whatever Sherlock has in mind anyway. A simple little fic to give you some warm and fuzzies without being too schmoopy. A nice bedtime treat, I think.
♠
Somatosensory Perception by caffienekitty - (?k, rated PG-15, Sherlock/John)
Author's Summary: It's an exercise in observation, one he can't do by himself.
somatosensory /so·ma·to·sen·sory/ - pertaining to sensations received in
the skin and deep tissues. -Dorland's Medical Dictionary 2007
My thoughts: A lovely example of 'sensual and not sexual' intimacy between John and Sherlock.
♠
A Chronology of Unfinished-ness by holyfant - (7k, rated Teen, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: A lifetime of things that were never quite finished, but were still complete. Written for this kink meme prompt: I'd like to see John and Sherlock having a perfect date and John realizing, at the end, that it's the first date that's gone to plan since they started dating. The problem with that realization? They started dating over thirty years ago, been married for ten, and have been retired for three. Yet every single date they've been on has either been cut short, interrupted, turned into an assassination attempt/chase the criminal/solve a murder, or otherwise flopped.
My thoughts: A relationship study. John and Sherlock grow old together. My heart and dignity sit in a puddle on the floor. Not a sad fic, but laced with some of the inevitable bits of growing old in a happy sigh inducing sort of fashion.
♠
Midnight Blue Serenity by BeautifulFiction - (152k, rated E, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: This was like nothing John had ever thought to associate with Sherlock: stubble, skin-tight jeans and three small silver rings gleaming at the crest of one ear. It was unbelievable, like stepping into an alternative universe, and John couldn't stop staring.
When Sherlock infiltrates a club in order to track down a serial killer, his altered appearance is enough to make John question his assumption that Sherlock is beyond his reach. However, is he the only one who appreciates his flatmate's charms, or is Sherlock at risk of becoming the next victim? (Warning: reviews may contain fic spoilers)
My thoughts: A very gritty case fic with a side of hook up... just the way I like it. But I do mean gritty. Heed the warnings, if you're sensitive to things humans can do to one another which are more than a bit 'not good', but the story was totally worth it, I think. This was not bad things simply for shock value; the happenings really were integral to the plot. Sherlock in particular was, I thought, very well portrayed. An exceptionally complex character with faults and weakness and more layers than an onion. But then John - On John! Best human being, ever. Solidified my lifetime membership in the John Watson fan club right there.
♠
The Violet Hour by breathedout - (58k, rated Explicit, John/Sherlock, 1920s AU)
Author's Summary: In 1920, two years after the end of the Great War, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson investigate two disappearances, eerily similar but separated by 80 years. In the process, they make enemies (and friends) of Bloomsbury intellectuals; travel to Sussex; deal with the aftermath of John's past in the trenches; read Victorian pornography; drink copious amounts of tea; and, of course, fall in love.
My thoughts: If you're a fan of and familiar with literary figures from the 19th and 20th centuries, you're going to eat this up with a spoon. If you're not, then you're likely find it an enjoyable period fic about two solving a mystery and getting distracted navigating the choppy waters of a developing love. LOTS of historical reference and very well-researched. This is a time period I don't normally see portrayed in fic, so it took a bit to wrap my head around the fact that while the author was often referencing the concept of homosexuality in the middle of the Victorian era, the time period being portrayed was actually quite progressive in comparison (yet still eons behind present day). Part of a larger and more developed universe that I have yet to dig into.
♠
This House and Everything in It by exeterlinden
- (34k, rated Teen, John/Sherlock, John/OFC)
Author's Summary: All that John has retained from the hours immediately after Sherlock's return five weeks ago are a few fragmented memories. He can't remember a word of what was said, but he remembers that they hugged; he remembers the smell and the feel of Sherlock's coat, the touch of his dry, cool hands. The last thing he seems to remember, though, he's not so sure about it. It might just be one of those weird thoughts that the mind sometimes randomly grabs hold of in the chaos. Looking back on it, the recollection seems implausible, too far removed from the implicit rules and habits of his and Sherlock's fairly cemented friendship. The brain can play tricks on you when you're under stress - stray thoughts can manifest as memories - John knows that. It doesn't have to mean anything, and in his head, he has dismissed it.
My thoughts: I was on the edge of my seat with angsty apprehension/anticipation. A very well done asexual!Sherlock and some pretty brilliant characterizations of John and Sherlock both. A really lovely look at how things could play out when John and Sherlock don't fit into the normal people shaped boxes.
♠
In A Family Way
by Annonymous - (12k-ish, rated R, Holmes/Watson, ACD canon era)
Author's Summary: After the events of *The Empty House*, Holmes invites Watson to move back into 221 Baker Street. Watson does so, and brings along his two-year-old-daughter.
My thoughts: Oh, be still my aching heart. This fic totally immersed you Victorian culture and custom and reminds you of how, sometimes, the most subtle of actions or words can mean so much. Truly beautiful writing from Holmes point of view, covering Watson moving back into their shared space, young daughter in tow. I loved how the daughter had a depth and personality that was so age-appropriate, and yet story appropriate, too.
♠
Adored by chellefic - (1385 words, rated Teen, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: Learning he's adored changes John's perspective a bit. Based on Steven Moffat's observation that Sherlock adores John.
My thoughts: I love how logical Sherlock is about it. And John just accepts whatever reasoning is thrown at him and goes along with it, because he knows he's going to do whatever Sherlock has in mind anyway. A simple little fic to give you some warm and fuzzies without being too schmoopy. A nice bedtime treat, I think.
♠
Somatosensory Perception by caffienekitty - (?k, rated PG-15, Sherlock/John)
Author's Summary: It's an exercise in observation, one he can't do by himself.
somatosensory /so·ma·to·sen·sory/ - pertaining to sensations received in
the skin and deep tissues. -Dorland's Medical Dictionary 2007
My thoughts: A lovely example of 'sensual and not sexual' intimacy between John and Sherlock.
♠
A Chronology of Unfinished-ness by holyfant - (7k, rated Teen, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: A lifetime of things that were never quite finished, but were still complete. Written for this kink meme prompt: I'd like to see John and Sherlock having a perfect date and John realizing, at the end, that it's the first date that's gone to plan since they started dating. The problem with that realization? They started dating over thirty years ago, been married for ten, and have been retired for three. Yet every single date they've been on has either been cut short, interrupted, turned into an assassination attempt/chase the criminal/solve a murder, or otherwise flopped.
My thoughts: A relationship study. John and Sherlock grow old together. My heart and dignity sit in a puddle on the floor. Not a sad fic, but laced with some of the inevitable bits of growing old in a happy sigh inducing sort of fashion.
♠
Midnight Blue Serenity by BeautifulFiction - (152k, rated E, John/Sherlock)
Author's Summary: This was like nothing John had ever thought to associate with Sherlock: stubble, skin-tight jeans and three small silver rings gleaming at the crest of one ear. It was unbelievable, like stepping into an alternative universe, and John couldn't stop staring.
When Sherlock infiltrates a club in order to track down a serial killer, his altered appearance is enough to make John question his assumption that Sherlock is beyond his reach. However, is he the only one who appreciates his flatmate's charms, or is Sherlock at risk of becoming the next victim? (Warning: reviews may contain fic spoilers)
My thoughts: A very gritty case fic with a side of hook up... just the way I like it. But I do mean gritty. Heed the warnings, if you're sensitive to things humans can do to one another which are more than a bit 'not good', but the story was totally worth it, I think. This was not bad things simply for shock value; the happenings really were integral to the plot. Sherlock in particular was, I thought, very well portrayed. An exceptionally complex character with faults and weakness and more layers than an onion. But then John - On John! Best human being, ever. Solidified my lifetime membership in the John Watson fan club right there.
♠
The Violet Hour by breathedout - (58k, rated Explicit, John/Sherlock, 1920s AU)
Author's Summary: In 1920, two years after the end of the Great War, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson investigate two disappearances, eerily similar but separated by 80 years. In the process, they make enemies (and friends) of Bloomsbury intellectuals; travel to Sussex; deal with the aftermath of John's past in the trenches; read Victorian pornography; drink copious amounts of tea; and, of course, fall in love.
My thoughts: If you're a fan of and familiar with literary figures from the 19th and 20th centuries, you're going to eat this up with a spoon. If you're not, then you're likely find it an enjoyable period fic about two solving a mystery and getting distracted navigating the choppy waters of a developing love. LOTS of historical reference and very well-researched. This is a time period I don't normally see portrayed in fic, so it took a bit to wrap my head around the fact that while the author was often referencing the concept of homosexuality in the middle of the Victorian era, the time period being portrayed was actually quite progressive in comparison (yet still eons behind present day). Part of a larger and more developed universe that I have yet to dig into.
♠