"Greatest Hits" Rec Post

[unamaga]

Oh dear fuck this took ages. Jules, I better get a really sexy kiss.

I'm separating the list into arbitrary categories that no one else will understand because it is easier for my poor brain to handle. Note: all of these fics are McShep unless otherwise marked, only some of them will have summaries with them, all full-AUs are labeled, asterisks are personal favorites, and, in advance, I apologize if any of the links lead you to a second part of a story; sometimes I bookmark them by accident, though I've tried to make sure all of these link to part one or the directory. If any links are wonky, or I've forgotten to label an AU, or any coding mysteriously develops kinks, let me know.

EDIT: All of these choices are highly subjective. This is by no means a full list of everything awesome in this fandom, and I don't claim that it is. These are just authors, fics, and artists that I consider greatest hits. If you disagree, please, go ahead and make your own! I'd love to see where we differ.


Updated March 4, 2008
Updated May 16, 2008, all added content marked by NEW

---

EPIC

Written by the Victors, by cesperanza
Like you're surprised.

A Beautiful Lifetime Event, by astolat

Bell Curve (Or, Ladies' Night at the Boom Boom Room), by rageprufrock [AU]
Back when I asked for my flist's essential reads, I think pretty much every person listed this somewhere. For damn good reason, too.

A Farm in Iowa, by sheafrotherdon [AU]

Four Quarters 'Verse, by trinityofone [AU]*
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
I have such massive love for this I can't even come up with a description that fits it well enough; "they're in a band" seems so hollow next to this story.

String Theory, A Concerto for Violin in D Minor, by toft_froggy [AU]*

The Road to Nevada, by lamardeuse [AU]

Wrapped in Red Ribbon, by auburnnothenna [AU]
Dark in some ways, so heed the warnings if you're not sure, but also very gorgeous.

Rebuilding Babel, by fiercelydreamed

Freedom's Just Another Word For Nothing Left to Lose, by synecdochic (also see: Oh My God)
I'm not sure if you can even call yourself a proper shipper until you've read this fic. It hurts, but god is it worth it.

Heat, by danvers [AU]
(note: there seems to be some sort of glitch with the website, and the page sometimes doesn't load. either head over to the main sga section, or the Five Ways John and Rodney Meet section - it's the last one on the right.)

Liberty, by ladycat777 and yin_again (also see: Burning Hot)*
If you've known me for longer than three days, you've heard me talk about this story. Gunfaj.

Five Impossible Things Rodney McKay Did Before Breakfast, by laceymcbain

The One Where They're Antiglobalization Protesters, by sapote3 [AU]*
So incredibly beautiful and well-executed.

The New Atlantean Dictionary of Terms: A Complete Reference in Four Volumes, by thingswithwings

I Am Your Image Dressed As The World, by mirabile_dictu*

On the Brink, by simonesimone

With Intent, by shaenie* NEW
John has never successfully talked about anything in his entire life, and while Rodney would probably tell him that means he's statistically due for success, John isn't keen on risking it.

Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, by ras_elased [AU]* NEW


GENIUS

Sometimes You Get Toasters, by giddygeek*

A Supermarket in California, by taffetablue [AU]

Solutions, by teaphile

I Believe In Wishful Thinking, by pentapus [AU]
The comedy of errors involved here reminds me of Cary Grant, and the Rodney-voice is so spot on I had to stop to get my wheezing laughter under control.

You Only Ever Lose One, by thighholster [AU]

Hail Mary, or How Our Boys Got Into the Business, by beadattitude [AU, GPFG stand-alone]*
This left me absolutely stunned and amazed. Just beautiful.

But Where Would They Live, by thingswithwings [AU]

Strangers on a Six Train, by eye_queue [AU]*
One of my favorite fics in all of fandom. Just so endearing and spot-on.

Aegis, by springwoof and Leah [AU]

Theory of Evolution, by lavvyan [AU]

There's No Such Thing as Daniel Jackson, by eleveninches [AU]

One Leg at a Time, by lucitania*

We Now Return You to Your Regularly Scheduled Crisis, by seigeofangels

No Puns, Please, by 1ightning [AU]
Clever and charming and John is a shepherd, okay. I'm not that strong.

The Nantucket AU, by dogeared, sheafrotherdon, siriaeve, and aesc [AU]

Once Upon a Furry Octopus, by skoosiepants

Fireball, by celli [AU]

The Roads Never Lead Where They're Supposed to Go, by eleveninches

Life in Little Canada, by laytoncolt [AU] NEW

Consider the Great Wall of China, by paradise_city NEW
The website link I had no longer works, and this comm post is locked. Membership is unmoderated. :\

Say It With Bullets, by 1ighning NEW

The Epic Tale of Rodney & John, Two Girl Scout Cookies in Love [The Pix or it Didn't Happen Remix], by bitter_crimson [AU]* NEW
HAHAHAHAHAHA.


GORGEOUS

If It Must Break, by slodwick

Synchronicity, by seperis and amireal (see also: Burning Hot)

The First Pressing, by laceymcbain*
Another one of my absolute favorites. With all the shit our boys have done to them day-in and day-out, they deserve this little moment of joy.

Missed the Saturday Dance, by zoetrope [AU]

10,000 Pieces, by blueraccoon

Eighteenish, by seperis
Beautifully written and all the more chilling for it.

Time In a Bottle, by astolat

Lazybones, by aesc

Converging, by purna [AU]

Streets In a World Underneath it All, by ismenetruth

Within Reach, by ficbyzee

How the Millers Relaxed and Learned to Love Rodney, by sardonicsmiley*

Coda, by fiercelydreamed (follows Unidentified) [AU]*
Okay so maybe I cried. A little. It's amazing, alright? Shush.

Nondisclosure Agreement, by synecdochic

Five Times Rodney McKay Surprised the Hell Out of John Sheppard, by franticsga
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

As Lost As You Get, by lilysaid

Joining with the Jackal Pack, by fiercelydreamed [AU]* NEW

Aspects of Divinity (the world is my oyster), by rinsbane* NEW
This story absolutely ruined me, in all the best possible ways. It's written in such a lyrical, gorgeous way that you don't even notice your heart is in your throat until you hit the end and can't breathe.


BURNING HOT

Broadcast Signal, by seperis
Simultaneously hilarious and scorchingly hot. John's virtue, oh no!

Peripheral, by soraya2004*
Rimming, rimming, rimming, rimming.

Little Thing, by ladyflowdi

Nothing Hurts Like Your Mouth, by synecdochic and frostfire_17

How It's Done, by thegrrrl2002 [Mensa 'Verse]
Poor Sheppard doesn't know how to get Rod's attention. John and Rodney help out. Sexily.

Wrecked, by spike21*

Ache, by ismenetruth

Shall Receive, by ladycat777

Breaking Point, by 30toseoul*
FAw;jigomklawfAJGIPWfmag;ijaog, and that's as much coherence as I can dredge up on this subject.

In Which Rodney Develops a Bit of a Fixation, by dogeared

Forbidden Fruit, by cupidsbow

Experiment, by resonant8*
How many words are there that mean "smoldering"? All of them apply to this story.

Emmissions, by lavvyan

Walk This Way, by yin_again [AU]
John walks dogs! And apparently, cats.

Every Day in Every Way, by velocitygrass NEW

Intolerable, by anyanka_eg NEW
Holy shit. HOLY shit. Holy SHIT.

Harvest Festival, by ras_elased [AU]* NEW


OH MY GOD

Rock, Paper (No Scissors), by zelempa

Little Things, by trinityofone
So, so messed up and memorable and, god, boys.

Five People John Sheppard Didn't Kill on P11-23R, by sardonicsmiley

All of Eden, by laytoncolt*
Jesus this one hit hard. Chilling and so scarily plausible.

Acidimia, by sheafrotherdon

Double Occupancy, by isiscolo

Where We Ought to Be, by omgmetoo (wojelah)*
Set directly after Sunday.

Failsafes, by lunasky*
Oh god yes, I sniffled into a tissue. On the train, no less.

All These Places We Have Met, by toft_froggy

Pegasus Literature 101 (Pass/Fail Remix), by busaikkio NEW

Balcony Sessions, by Leah NEW

Schadenfreude Pie, by chandri NEW


IT'S ALIEN!

Instantaneous, by cimorene

Fix, by crysothemis (see also: Burning Hot)*
If you haven't read this already, where have you been. No, seriously, I'm curious.

Take a Chance on Me, by chopchica

Distraction, by laceymcbain

However Improbable, by z_rayne

A New Math, by corinna_5
Atlantis is the best match-maker ever.

The Scientific Method, by cupidsbow

Face Value, by minnow1212

Something Wicked, by trinityofone
Creepy and intriguing; Radek's adorableness is a major plus, too!

How to Jump, by blinkiesays

Leavenworth, by amireal

Advantage, by resonant8

About a Lamp, by flambeau

Predatory, by frostfire_17 [Gen-ish, with a side of Steve]
Lieutenant Ford can always hold the prisoner's attention--and he just stands there, he barely looks nervous, how does he do that?--and the Major-- Well, the Major does more than just hold the prisoner's attention.

A Lorentzian Slip of the Tongue, by runpunkrun

Hold Hands and Try to Look Sincere, by minervacat

How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It, by katjad

What to Say to Rodney When He's Naked; Or, How Aliens Made Them (Almost) Do It, by mousewitchy NEW
Wherein Teyla gets slave-boys, Rodney gets naked, and John’s hair sends secret signals.


FAMILIAR TALES

Fairy Tale Dynamics, by icantfollow [AU]*

What the Sea Has to Give, by siriaeve [AU]

King of Wishful Thinking, by margarks [AU]
John Sheppard: hooker with a heart of gold. Oh yeah.

Whatever You Wish For, by skoosiepants [AU]

Sky Full Of, by rageprufrock [AU]*
The Mummy AU, but so much more than that. This is thick with history and atmosphere, and the relationships aren't flawless or easy. Gorgeous.

Everything But Love, by cottontail [AU]

Open Your Eyes, by thedeadparrot [AU]
Friday Night Lights AU, written so lovingly that you're practically glued to the screen while you read.

The Hostage Major, by frostfire_17 [AU]

Dæmonology, by trinityofone [AU]
His Dark Materials, oh my god.

The Best Things in Life Are Free, by smittywing [AU]

Down on the Ranch, by foggynite [AU]

John Sheppard's Guide to Surviving Project Runway, by sheafrotherdon [AU]* NEW
It's just what you think it is: awesome.

Sleepless, by villainny [AU] NEW

The One Where John and Rodney Work at Starbucks, by runpunkrun and thesabrary [AU] NEW

Ascension, by soraya2004 [AU] NEW
Star wars! Star wars! Sith John and Rodney!


DARLING

Check One, by rain_dances*
I am convinced this is how it'll go down. So juvenile! So adorable!

Intuition, by solvent90

Checklist, by mercuriosity

Trophy Husband, by iibnf*

Slow and Steady, by kellifer_fic*
Does what it says on the can. Just a really beautiful, syrup-slow love story.

The Reverse of Fascination, by shrift

Ways to Die in the Pegasus Galaxy, by crysothemis

Exceptionally Vivid, by etben

Thicker Than Water, by Julad
A fandom favorite that's been a bit Jossed, but still manages to capture John and Rodney's characters incredibly well, and is just. Sweet.

The Cigarette Girl in the Sizzle Hot Pants, by minervacat

Opthalmology, by kormantic

Rodney McKay and the Crazed Gay Yenta, by mmmchelle and thegrrrl2002*

What Happens in the Clubhouse, by skoosiepants*
Kids! They're turned into kids! Oh god the sweetness.

Accidentally in Love, by shetiger

Conjunction, by pollit

Small Primes and Square Roots, by liviapenn [AU]*
Clever, sharp dialogue, and a sweet romance that never fails to make me sigh happily.

Static Interference, by toomuchplor

Catch-19, by mmmchelle

Junk Cheap, by devildoll [AU]
My favorite part about this is that it doesn't stop once they get together. Such a wonderful comfort fic.

Not Exactly Rocket Science, by apple_pi [AU]

It Takes a Week to Form an Ulcer, by paw_tracks [AU] NEW

Campfire Law, by notpoetry [AU] NEW
The quintessential camp AU, with adorable pining and a Rodney who is Not Getting It.

Shielded In My Armor, by nakedwesley* NEW


There's so, so much I've missed, I know it, but as well as html and I usually get along, it's at the point where I'm typing >a hefner=' instead of, you know, actual code. So, a (very disorganized) list of authors' websites and fic listings for you to peruse, in case you haven't already, and some miscellany:

AUTHOR PAGES NEW

Cesperanza Astolat Rageprufrock Laceymcbain Lamardeuse Sheafrotherdon Franticsga Kellifer_fic Siriaeve Seperis

Laytoncolt Eleveninches Frostfire_17 Trinityofone Amireal Thingswithwings Ladycat777 Yin_again Solvent90 Sardonicsmiley

Lavvyan Chopchica TheGrrrl2002 Mmmchelle Synecdochic 30toseoul Toft_froggy Aesc Skoosiepants Liviapenn

Giddygeek Z_rayne Devildoll Crysothemis Ladyflowdi Icantfollow Beadattitude Resonant8 Danvers Fiercelydreamed

Mirabile_dictu Flambeau Minervacat Minnow1212 Apple_pi Lilysaid Runpunkrun Toomuchplor Smittywing Cupidsbow

Dogeared Shaenie Lallybroch Villainny Scribblinlenore Darsynia Ras_elased Kassrachel Bitter_crimson Kormantic

FANARTISTS NEW

Tardis80 Ileliberte Beeej Crysothemis _Kiden

Summertea Newkidfan Jedoch Pentapus Elli

Steammmpunk Slodwick Leyna55 Astridv Le_mot_mo

PODFICS

The Nantucket AU, read by the_oscar_cat*

Written by the Victors, read by various fandomers

Catch-19, read by torra

Once Upon a Furry Octopus, read by inkjunket

A Supermarket in California, read by hack_benjamin22

Rock, Paper (No Scissors), read by yolsaffbridge

The SGA podfic community

The Audiofic Archive, run by jinjurly NEW


RECS PAGES

Saturn's Fic Recs

Crossroads Slash Index (Currently down for maintenance, will be returning shortly)

Seperis's SGA Recs

SVMadelyn's Recs on del.icio.us

Regina Bellatrix's Slash and Gen Recs

Iamtheenemy's HUGE Rec List (Sorted alphabetically by title, separate section for personal favorites)

MKlutz's SGA Recs (Sort by pairing; others include Ronon/Rodney, Teyla/Rodney, Parrish/Lorne, and gen)

Siriaeve's del.icio.us page



THE END
*COLLAPSES FOREVER*

Comments

[kashmir1.livejournal.com]

YOU CLEARLY ROCK. <333

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

*flails into your arms*

[causeways.livejournal.com]

Oh dear God. I KNEW there was a reason I friended you the second I started caring about SGA! <3

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

My crazy, let me show you it. \o/

[incidental-fire.livejournal.com]

This. Is. AMAZING! I love your categories and descriptions, and although I have read a truly inordinate amount of McShep fic, I think there are even a few I haven't read, which is really pretty impressive. Thank you so much for spending the time and energy to do this, I'll definitely be bookmarking this for when I need some fic without having to look too hard for the good stuff. :)

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

It almost feels like SGA fandom is infinite. No matter how much you read or how up-to-date you think you are, there's always something you've managed to skim right over. *fond*

[scizojess.livejournal.com]

Um, yeah. So, I love you a whole lot right now. I just finished reading 'Freedom's Just Another Word For Nothing Left To Lose' and I might have been completely broken by it. You know which part broke me the most?

He plans to use the money to endow a grant for teaching mathematicians how to fly.

I literally went 'Oh!' had to stop reading for a second.

[trinity_clare]

I don't think there are any other fics that I can recite whole entire passages from. Two thousand and forty-seven days; a lifetime, a heartbeat. "Five and a half years."

[dodificus.livejournal.com]

I just went and re read all your 'burning hot' recs, so thanks for taking the time to do this:)

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

Happy to serve! :D

[trinity_clare]

OH MY GOD, I WANT TO HAVE THIS PAGE'S BABIES. I've only read, like, HALF of these! God I love this fandom.

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

EEE, READ, MY PRETTY!

[aurora]

DUDE YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME RE-READ ALL OF THESE! (ILU!!)

[aurora]

ps: what does the *-indication mean?

[summertea.livejournal.com]

YOU CLEARLY HAVE VERY GOOD TASTE, AS I HAVE READ AND LOVED PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THEM ♥

(it's like seeing my del.icio.us come to life. X)! )

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

<3333! Buddy in fic taste! *links arms with*

[terribilita.livejournal.com]

I did see your post asking for recs and I totally meant to contribute! Then I lost track of it and here you are. Well...at least I won't be bored this week!

But uh, what do the asterisks next to some of the fics mean? *scratches head* And you should totally have your friend read this (http://crimsonclad.livejournal.com/111985.html) one if she hasn't--it destroys me every. single. time.

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

The asterisks are just my personal faves. Suppose I should add a little footnote, huh? *sheepish*

[colonel-taisa.livejournal.com]

Clearly I need to start reading more fic because I haven't read like, half of these >.<

*bookmarks for later perusal*

Thanks for putting it all together!

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

Fic for the masses! *doles*

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

I think there's one or two fics on your list that I've actually managed to miss before. SGA fandom: too much goodness for one person to keep track of.

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

it's so true. *draws sparkly hearts*

[dea-liberty.livejournal.com]

...and now you provide me with a rec list too. Awesome. *g*

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

I GO ALL OUT WHEN I PIMP. <3

[verav.livejournal.com]

You rock on so many levels! *mems*

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

*bow* :>

[thighholster.livejournal.com]

WOW. Looks like there's some stuff here to keep me going til the new millenium. I shall now shamelessly take advantage of all your hardwork for my own ficcy benefit.

Also, thank you for thinking my AU crack was good enough to rec *is humbled*

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

Aww, hon. I don't comment much, because I am a certified Feedback Failure (TM), but I love your writing to death. <3

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

In which you are the most amazing thing ever ever EVER? This is like the McShep BIBLE. I'm sure there's loads in here I haven't read! YOU GET SO MANY COOKIES, BB. *SNUGGLES*

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

HAHAH MCSHEP BIBLE. I kind of love that. LIKE I LOVE YOU, ANNELING.

[countess7.livejournal.com]

this is AMAZING! i've been around sga for over a year and i thought i had it pretty well in hand. but now i see there is EVEN MORE that i was unaware of. you are awesome and made of win \o/

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

SGA is like the universe! It just keeps expanding. :O

[amberlynne.livejournal.com]

Oooh. I haven't read some of these! YAY! Well, except for the OH MY GOD section because I AM A SENSITIVE FLOWER!

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

Notice how the "DARLING" section is so much larger, hahah. *wimp*

[mintroses.livejournal.com]

Hee, I love the category titles. And there's a bunch here I haven't read! You rock in epic proportions for doing this. Thank you thank you thank you! :D

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

*salutes* get to readin', soldier! ;D

[shrewreader.livejournal.com]

*Offers a rock for the rocking unamaga*

Thank you SO MUCH!!!!

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

hope you enjoy! :>

[yin-again.livejournal.com]

This is awesome! *opens in new tab*

It's icing on the cake to see my name up there. Thank you very, very much.

[lamardeuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec! :)

[siegeofangels.livejournal.com]

AWESOMESAUCE. I love your arbitrary categories--and thanks for the rec!

[eleveninches.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec!

[springwoof.livejournal.com]

::dives in::
woohoo!

thanks for all the great recs!

OTOH, while I thank you most humbly for the rec of Aegis, my beloved writing partner isn't the doubtlessly wonderful leah_k, but the incomparable Leah (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewuser.php?uid=3) (who has been writing SGA fic since SGA went on the air.) Take a look at the link and see all her wonderful fics!
Here (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewuser.php?uid=1191) is where you can find the fics we've written together. If you prefer our livejournal site, we're here (http://leahwoof.livejournal.com/).

thanks!

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

*embarrassed* oh, i'm so sorry! i hadn't saved a proper name on my delicious and I just assumed! *changes*

[sleepwalkerfish.livejournal.com]

You're so totally responsible for my uselessness in the next few days. :-P Thank you for that! I've read a lot of these and you seem to have similar taste to mine. :-) It must've been a real task to put it together. O_o

[unamaga.livejournal.com]

it would have been worse, but clients are a thing of beauty. *pets semagic* i'm glad to have rendered you useless for days! read fic like the wind!