"A Real Grown-Up Name" by fairy_tale_echo (G)

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Fandom Category: Dirty Dancing
Pairing: Frances Houseman/Johnny Castle
Fic Title: A Real Grown-Up Name
Author: fairy_tale_echo
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/34065
Rating/Warning(s): G
WIP?: No.

Why This Must Be Read: This wonderful one-shot follows Baby into adulthood, through college and beyond.  Johnny stays in the picture, which always seemed unlikely to me at the film's end but is believable and nicely rendered here.  The author tells her story through the benchmarks of definitive (and progressive) court cases in U.S. history, which jive nicely with Francis and her determination to become a lawyer and change the world.  There's also a strong case made for a true partnership between our lead couple, which is no small thing in this fandom or its era.

Special Rec: 15/35

Solid Ground by Angell4NEPatriots, G

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Fandom Category: Vampire Diaries
Pairing: Bonnie Bennett/Damon Salvatore
Fic Title: Solid Ground
Author: Angell4NEPatriots
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6824503/1/Solid_Ground#
Rating/Warning(s): G
Genre: pre-ship, missing scene, supernatural, aganst
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: It's a missing scene taking on the first meeting between Bonnie and Damon after she set him on fire at the Carnival, and it takes place two days after the episode Brave New World (2X02) and before Bad Moon Rising (2X03). It's very well-written, IC and it captures splendidly the frenemy vibe between those two.

Pirates of the Caribbean, 2 recs, Elizabeth Swann / William Turner

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Fandom Category: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: Elizabeth Swann / William Turner
Fic Title: turn your sail (never say we die)
Author: mercurial_wit 
Link: http://mercurial-wit.livejournal.com/38921.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
WIP?: No.

Why This Must Be Read: One scenario for a post-AWE world plays out, in gorgeous detail and one of the most authentic Jack Sparrow voices I have ever seen without Johnny Depp actually involved.  Will and Elizabeth come together as naturally and in-character as they should, and they find a way to be together for the long run that is as perfect as it is simply obvious.

Special Rec: 16/35

***

Fandom Category: Pirates of the Caribbean
Pairing: Elizabeth Swann / William Turner
Fic Title: Breathing Underwater
Author: nekare 
Link: http://nekare.livejournal.com/208396.html
Rating/Warning(s): F
WIP?: No.

Why This Must Be Read: Because the original PotC movie was so, so, so stellar and its two sequels were so, so, so not (I haven't made up my mind about my hopes for the upcoming installment), this is a fandom in much need of some kickass fanon.  This is that.  

Special Rec: 17/35

Going By The Books by kab16, pg13

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Fandom Category: LOST
Pairing: Juliet Burke/James Ford
Fic Title: Going By The Books
Author: kab16
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6704669/1/Going_by_the_Books
Rating/Warning(s): pg13
Genre: romance/aganst
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: One shots portraying James and Juliet 's life in Dharma under a realistic light are always a wonderful reading, especially if they combine in some good character' study. Also, this ficlet manages to give off a lovely fatalistic feeling without coming across as a sad fic. The writing is very evocative in its simplicity.

Basically, it's James and Juliet looking through some books one night and discussing why namers matter and why Juliet dislikes hers so.

On The Edge Of A Golden World by ReganX, pg13

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Fandom Category: Tudors
Pairing: Anne Boleyn/Henry VIII
Fic Title: On The Edge Of A Golden World
Author: Regan X
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4373369/1/On_The_Edge_Of_A_Golden_World
Rating/Warning(s): pg13
Genre: romance/aganst, AU
WIP?: Y
Why This Must Be Read: Once, on the brink of her downfall as a queen, Anne Boleyn wishpered that if only she had not lost her son, they would have been on the edge of a golden world.
This story explores beautifully how history changes when young prince Henry survives, and Anne gets the chance to gain her people's respect as a queen. King Henry, on his part, eventually tires of Jane Seymour and longs for the days he and Anne were young and blissfully happy. What makes this fic my absolute favorite withing the Tudors fandom is how honest ReganX is depicting both those flawed characters, and how well she leads on a journey of growth and change through each other. Mary Tudor character is granted the same courtesy, and the story gains a great deal of quality from it.