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het_reccers2010-10-05 01:53 pm
aj.livejournal.com) wrote in het_reccers2010-10-05 01:53 pm
Second verse, same as the first.
Right, so, awhile ago, during the "Epic Recs" challenge, I posted this short-ish list of Gilmore Girls epics. Now, I stand by that list! However, I've had a few friends ask me about reccing some more stuff because I've been going on and on and ON about how there's so much epic Gilmore Girls stuff out there.
Well, I finally snapped and dug through FF.net and Black, White, and Read, and am posting an epic post of epicness. And yes, I'm going to use 'epic' a bunch more times. And probably a lot of exclamation marks.
ALSO NOTE: I am including author links. Most of the authors I rec are so awesome and great that you TOTALLY need to go read everything they've ever written in the fandom! Authors with stars after their name (*) are my favorite.
---
These will remain the same. I'll note if there's another pairing that's heavily featured. Also, the recs are in no particular order, and pretty much all over 10,000 words.
Fandom Category: Gilmore Girls
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Luke Danes, Emily Gilmore/Richard Gilmore, Sookie St. James Bellville/Jackson Bellville
Fic Title: Presenting... Lucas Danes?
Author: Gilmoregirl1979
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2254952/1/Presenting_Lucas_Danes
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 3.
Genre: Romance, friendship, AU
WIP?: Complete
Why This Must Be Read: Okay, so I kind of hate Christopher. I hate his flakey attitude towards his kid and the fact that people can be and ARE charmed by him flitting in and out, and somehow making his and Lorelai's failed marriage ALL ABOUT HIM when anyone with half a working brain cell and a modicum of intelligence could see that it was a BAD IDEA from the get go. Anyway, this is an AU based around Christopher bailing for Rory's debutante debut, and Luke stepping in to help out. LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES. Family drama and Luke/Lorelai romance ensues!
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Fic Title: Written in the Stars and Written in the Stars II
Author: Gilmoregirl1979
PAIRING: Rory Gilmore/Dean Forrester
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2781610/1/Written_In_The_Stars and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3170924/1/Written_In_The_Stars_II
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, assume knowledge of seasons 1-5.
Genre: AU, romance, friendship, do-over.
WIP?: The first story is complete and the second is in progress.
Why This Must Be Read: I love the idea of Luke and Lorelai meeting, falling in love, and being adorable long before the 5+ years of will they/won't they, then two years of WALKING OVER GLASS until, hey! They totally did! Again! I'm also, predictably, a massive fan of the Rory/Luke daddy/daughter dynamic. These two epics hit all my buttons in the best of ways. Plus! Rory learns how to cook!
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Fic Title: More
Author: Netherfield*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2073500/1/More
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 5.
Genre: Stand-alone season additions, friendship, romance, angst, au.
WIP?: Complete, but the sequel, "S'More" for season 6 is unfinished, and available off the author link.
Why This Must Be Read: Well, anything Netherfield ever wrote, EVER, is amazing and beautifully poetic in its prose. But this is just a fun little follow-along of season five with great character insight, great moments, and a great sense of gravity and weight.
---
Fic Title: Not Enough
Author: Connecticut Junkie
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/982426/1/Not_Enough
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, seasons 1 and 2.
Genre: Friendship, romance, angst.
WIP?: Abandoned, but mostly complete.
Why This Must Be Read: One of the earlier epics of the fandom, Connecticut Junkie kind of helped set the jello mold of epics in GG fandom. The writer's characterization is awesome, and I remember being completely blown away by this back in the day. And MOURNFUL when it was abandoned. Still definitely worth a read.
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Fic Title: Stars Hollow Trivia, Stars Hollow Trivia Luke's Bet, and Stars Hollow Trivia Lorelai Wins
Author: Jmaka*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3579348/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3898907/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia_Lukes_Bet and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4410490/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia_Lorelai_Wins
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, knowledge of show through season 5ish.
Genre: Romance, friendship, humor, angst, au (AND HOW).
WIP?: All stories in the series are complete.
Why This Must Be Read: First off, the sex is HOT. Second... Oh my god, how AMAZING is this author? When the first story was written, the author decided that she wasn't done with the story and that we needed an AU. And THEN she decided that we totally needed a last installment because WHAT IF LORELAI WON? Guys, I just couldn't deal with how awesome this was because it's two AU's of an AU, and they're all brilliantly written, greatly in character, and have tons of well-written smut. *shoos*
---
Fic Title: In The Era of Film
Author: TashaLaw*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3204321/1/In_the_Era_of_Film
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, all seasons.
Genre: Post-series, angst, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because it's one of the best post-series stories out there. It's Luke and Lorelai finding their way, slowly, and somewhat painfully, back to each other. Also, the author does a fantastic job of incorporating the pop-culture aesthetic of the show in a way that's intelligent and gentle.
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Fic Title: In a Flash
Author: Once Upon a Whim*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2443421/1/In_a_Flash
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, through season 5.
Genre: Angst, AU, Character Death, Friendship, romance, babies.
WIP?: Yes, but what's been written is MORE than worth it.
Why This Must Be Read: 1. Prose: STUNNING. 2. It's pretty damn unique. GG is a pretty positive, cheerful fandom and most of the angst tends to come from romance drama, rather than honest-to-god real-life happenings. This story smacks reality all over season five, and while this is completely heart-breaking, most of its brilliance comes from actually introducing reality to the GG bubble... and making it work.
---
Fic Title: The Unbearable Heaviness of Being
Author: Nogodsnomasters
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3988383/1/The_Unbearable_Heaviness_of_Being
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, general knowledge of the show.
Genre: AU, friendship, romance, pre-series.
WIP?: Yes, and it looks abandoned (WOE!)
Why This Must Be Read: Remember how I adore pre-series Luke/Lorelai? Well, this is another one, and wow is it amazing. Set when Luke and Lorelai are teenagers (and DEFINITELY pre-Rory), this is a fascinating character study of them both as lonely kids who are dealing with their lives in the best way they can. Bonus points for Awesome!William Danes.
---
Fic Title: Da Capo Al Fine, seasons 1-4 and "Charlie Scenes" one-shots set through, around, and about the series.
PAIRING: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: Cassie Valentine
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3251761/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3331096/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_2
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3467535/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_3
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3800669/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_4
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3396609/1/Charlie_scenes
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13/Rish, seasons 1-5.
Genre: AU, series re-write, kidfic, friendship, romance, humor.
WIP?: Season 4 is unfinished, but the rest are finished and/or self-contained.
Why This Must Be Read: These stories are basically an AU where Christopher left something more than crabby when he took off at the end of season 1. Rory gets a baby sister, Lorelai gets a headache, and Luke and Lorelai's ~relationship~ gets a lot more complex and heartbreaking.
---
Fic Title: Jumping the Shark
Author: So Smitten*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2902276/1/Jumping_the_Shark
Rating/Warning(s): PG, season 1.
Genre: AU, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Fun little AU that completely takes a line from the pilot and drives that bus into an intelligent place. I love that Lorelai freaks out here and that even so, it kicks off the romance that much earlier. HORRAY!
---
Fic Title: She Woke Up Laughing
Author: Buckice
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3930&warning=Adult
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons to be safe.
Genre: Romance, angst, friendship, AUish.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: I mostly put this up as an intro to Buckice's work. This is one of her longer stories and one that really does a good job of showcasing who the writer is. There's smut and silly and some great (if frustrating because it IS great) characterization, and there's also a heavy dash of Gilmore family politics thrown in.
---
Fic Title: Delicate Pieces
Author: Samantha Caldwell*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2395210/1/Delicate_Pieces
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, character illness, seasons 1-5ish.
Genre: Angst, au, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: The prose is amazing, and this story is just absolutely heartbreaking from minute go. But in the absolute BEST of ways. Great characterization and a completely wonderful little dance down AU alley.
---
Fic Title: Beginning Again
Author: CIAChick*
Pairing: Rory Gilmore/Marty
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2090
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, seasons 1-6.
Genre: Romance, AU, friendship.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Another great gateway fic for an author. This is a lovely, slightly angsty, definitely sweet AU look at the summer between seasons 5 and 6. A great kind of slice-of-time piece. Can y'all tell I'm flagging on the descriptive prose for stories? Can't I just write "IT'S GREAT, READ IT!"? Maybe I'll do that for the next one.
---
Fic Title: It's Right There and It's Still There
Author: Coffee Drinker
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=353
http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=505
Rating/Warning(s): R-ish, seasons 1-3ish.
Genre: Romance, AU, friendship, humor.
WIP?: Both are complete!
Why This Must Be Read: THE Grand Damme of GG epics. This is the first and is still one of the best. IT'S GREAT, READ IT.
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Fic Title: The Good One
Author: Erin Kaye Hashet
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3859
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, character illness, season 2ish.
Genre: Humor, romance, friendship, angst.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Sadly, this author's only story, but damn is it a good one. Great Luke-characterization and the prose? *thumbs up*
---
Fic Title: Of Subterfuge and Pie
Author: Fruvous*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2827
Rating/Warning(s): R, all seasons.
Genre: AU, romance, friendship, angst, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Okay, I'm going to out myself here and state that Fruvous is one of my top five GG writers, EVER. EVER And this? This is just such an amazing redo and story-telling of early season 6, AND IT MAKES ME SQUEE AND NOT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT IN REAL WORDS. I cannot use my words for this story, or this author. IT'S GREAT, READ IT. AND THEN GO READ EVERYTHING ELSE, NO LIE.
---
Fic Title: The Best Things In Life
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: Gig in the Sky, all seasons.
Link: http://gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1788&warning=Adult
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish
Genre: AU, angst, romance, friendship, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Really lovely retelling of season 6 that gets us (me) places faster and with more sense-making than the show managed. Good writing!
---
Fic Title: Regular Coffee
Author: iheartbridges*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2159
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish, season one.
Genre: Friendship, romance, AU, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Season one AU in which Luke and Lorelai get more 'friendly'.
---
Fic Title: Labor of Love
Author: JeSouhaite
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1535
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish, all seasons.
Genre: Humor, romance, smutty.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: A fun, sexy times romp!
---
Fic Title: Jessie and Jess
Author: Kasey22
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1769729/1/Jessie
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2565667/1/Jess
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 2.
Genre: AU, family drama, friendship, romance, humor.
WIP?: The second story is unfinished, but ends in a good place.
Why This Must Be Read: Right, so, in season two, there was Jess. I kind of love this because what if Jess was actually a little girl instead of a surly teenage boy? Pretty great question and definitely fun AU.
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Fic Title: Variation on a Theme
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: KinoFille
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1158
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, general knowledge of the show.
Genre: AU, angst, drama, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Incomplete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because it's the absolute BEST (and well-written) answer to the question "What if Lorelai had said 'yes' to Chris when she was sixteen?" Great Lorelai-coming-to-Stars-Hollow-anyway fic, with some definite Luke/Lorelai cute.
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Fic Title: A Place Inbetween
Author: La Rose Bleue*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3566
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons.
Genre: Romance, angst, au.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Luke and Lorelai make up (AND HOW) from their fight at the end of season three. SEXY TIMES ENSUE and are AWESOME. Also, read everything this author ever wrote, <3
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Fic Title: Quickly Lost and Slowly Remembered
Author: Lulabo*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=4050
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons.
Genre: Angst, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because everything Lulabo writes is AWESOME and FANTASTIC and why the ever lovin’ hell HAVEN’T you read this yet? Seriously, why are you still reading my words? Didn’t we cover that I’m getting bad at this? FINE, GOD y’all are demanding. I love that Lula is such an introspective writer. It’s such a switch from what we see on screen, but not. While her characters are just as verbal, with her stuff, you get to see what’s going on BEHIND the words and the behavior. This is an amazing (and sliiiiiiightly shorter than Separation Anxiety) example of that.
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Fic Title: She Always Takes Me Back
Author: River Run
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3209
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! All seasons for safety!
Genre: Humor, romance, silliness, crack, insanity.
WIP?: Complete!
Why This Must Be Read: I have no words for this story. It’s so amazing that it TRANSCENDS ALL WORDS. Basically, Christopher’s daughter Gigi gets possessed by the devil. Hijinks ensue. If that doesn’t make you wanna read this piece of amazing, fantastic CRACK, nothing will.
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Fic Title: What She Keeps
Author: Avery*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3027
Rating/Warning(s): R, all seasons.
Genre: Pre-series, friendship, angst, romance.
WIP?: Compete.
Why This Must Be Read: Hands down, my favorite GG story ever written. This story is just. It’s so fantastic. The writing and the glimpses of Lorelai, Rory, and the lives of those in Stars Hollow as remembered in photographs are just phenomenal and perfect. Each chapter is amazing on its own, but taken as a whole? Jesus. If anyone ever confronts me about fanfiction not being art or being sub par in some way, I’ll remember this story and shake my head in pity at the other person.
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Fic Title: A Change of Heart
Author: Appledown
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3914
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, definitely through season 7.
Genre: AU, angst, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Last, but not least, we have an au from 7.13, where Richard has a heart attack. A much different (and very excellent) way things could have changed. Can’t recommend high enough!
---
Fic Title: For Better, For Worse
Author: Erica Bing
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=4147
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: Post-series, romance, angst, friendship.
WIP?: Abandoned, but definitely worth reading.
Why This Must Be Read: Completely forgot about this author (more fool, me!) and had to come and tack this on. This is kind of THE post-series Luke/Lorelai epic that takes all of what happened in the show and builds on that. At turns bittersweet and sweet, this is just a fantastic epic!
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And because I’m completely indecisive and slightly lazy, we have a short list of the authors that I can’t pick a favorite story from. You just have to read everything. (And I’m sorry about Mag1. She’s just great and writes REALLY LONG STUFF, but you still need to read all of it. There’ll be a test.)
Macha
Mag1*
Oh No She Dient*
Olivia Jane
Outtabreath
AND TO ALL: A GOOD NIGHT!
Well, I finally snapped and dug through FF.net and Black, White, and Read, and am posting an epic post of epicness. And yes, I'm going to use 'epic' a bunch more times. And probably a lot of exclamation marks.
ALSO NOTE: I am including author links. Most of the authors I rec are so awesome and great that you TOTALLY need to go read everything they've ever written in the fandom! Authors with stars after their name (*) are my favorite.
---
These will remain the same. I'll note if there's another pairing that's heavily featured. Also, the recs are in no particular order, and pretty much all over 10,000 words.
Fandom Category: Gilmore Girls
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Luke Danes, Emily Gilmore/Richard Gilmore, Sookie St. James Bellville/Jackson Bellville
Fic Title: Presenting... Lucas Danes?
Author: Gilmoregirl1979
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2254952/1/Presenting_Lucas_Danes
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 3.
Genre: Romance, friendship, AU
WIP?: Complete
Why This Must Be Read: Okay, so I kind of hate Christopher. I hate his flakey attitude towards his kid and the fact that people can be and ARE charmed by him flitting in and out, and somehow making his and Lorelai's failed marriage ALL ABOUT HIM when anyone with half a working brain cell and a modicum of intelligence could see that it was a BAD IDEA from the get go. Anyway, this is an AU based around Christopher bailing for Rory's debutante debut, and Luke stepping in to help out. LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES. Family drama and Luke/Lorelai romance ensues!
---
Fic Title: Written in the Stars and Written in the Stars II
Author: Gilmoregirl1979
PAIRING: Rory Gilmore/Dean Forrester
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2781610/1/Written_In_The_Stars and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3170924/1/Written_In_The_Stars_II
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, assume knowledge of seasons 1-5.
Genre: AU, romance, friendship, do-over.
WIP?: The first story is complete and the second is in progress.
Why This Must Be Read: I love the idea of Luke and Lorelai meeting, falling in love, and being adorable long before the 5+ years of will they/won't they, then two years of WALKING OVER GLASS until, hey! They totally did! Again! I'm also, predictably, a massive fan of the Rory/Luke daddy/daughter dynamic. These two epics hit all my buttons in the best of ways. Plus! Rory learns how to cook!
---
Fic Title: More
Author: Netherfield*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2073500/1/More
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 5.
Genre: Stand-alone season additions, friendship, romance, angst, au.
WIP?: Complete, but the sequel, "S'More" for season 6 is unfinished, and available off the author link.
Why This Must Be Read: Well, anything Netherfield ever wrote, EVER, is amazing and beautifully poetic in its prose. But this is just a fun little follow-along of season five with great character insight, great moments, and a great sense of gravity and weight.
---
Fic Title: Not Enough
Author: Connecticut Junkie
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/982426/1/Not_Enough
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, seasons 1 and 2.
Genre: Friendship, romance, angst.
WIP?: Abandoned, but mostly complete.
Why This Must Be Read: One of the earlier epics of the fandom, Connecticut Junkie kind of helped set the jello mold of epics in GG fandom. The writer's characterization is awesome, and I remember being completely blown away by this back in the day. And MOURNFUL when it was abandoned. Still definitely worth a read.
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Fic Title: Stars Hollow Trivia, Stars Hollow Trivia Luke's Bet, and Stars Hollow Trivia Lorelai Wins
Author: Jmaka*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3579348/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3898907/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia_Lukes_Bet and http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4410490/1/Stars_Hollow_Trivia_Lorelai_Wins
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, knowledge of show through season 5ish.
Genre: Romance, friendship, humor, angst, au (AND HOW).
WIP?: All stories in the series are complete.
Why This Must Be Read: First off, the sex is HOT. Second... Oh my god, how AMAZING is this author? When the first story was written, the author decided that she wasn't done with the story and that we needed an AU. And THEN she decided that we totally needed a last installment because WHAT IF LORELAI WON? Guys, I just couldn't deal with how awesome this was because it's two AU's of an AU, and they're all brilliantly written, greatly in character, and have tons of well-written smut. *shoos*
---
Fic Title: In The Era of Film
Author: TashaLaw*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3204321/1/In_the_Era_of_Film
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, all seasons.
Genre: Post-series, angst, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because it's one of the best post-series stories out there. It's Luke and Lorelai finding their way, slowly, and somewhat painfully, back to each other. Also, the author does a fantastic job of incorporating the pop-culture aesthetic of the show in a way that's intelligent and gentle.
---
Fic Title: In a Flash
Author: Once Upon a Whim*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2443421/1/In_a_Flash
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, through season 5.
Genre: Angst, AU, Character Death, Friendship, romance, babies.
WIP?: Yes, but what's been written is MORE than worth it.
Why This Must Be Read: 1. Prose: STUNNING. 2. It's pretty damn unique. GG is a pretty positive, cheerful fandom and most of the angst tends to come from romance drama, rather than honest-to-god real-life happenings. This story smacks reality all over season five, and while this is completely heart-breaking, most of its brilliance comes from actually introducing reality to the GG bubble... and making it work.
---
Fic Title: The Unbearable Heaviness of Being
Author: Nogodsnomasters
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3988383/1/The_Unbearable_Heaviness_of_Being
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, general knowledge of the show.
Genre: AU, friendship, romance, pre-series.
WIP?: Yes, and it looks abandoned (WOE!)
Why This Must Be Read: Remember how I adore pre-series Luke/Lorelai? Well, this is another one, and wow is it amazing. Set when Luke and Lorelai are teenagers (and DEFINITELY pre-Rory), this is a fascinating character study of them both as lonely kids who are dealing with their lives in the best way they can. Bonus points for Awesome!William Danes.
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Fic Title: Da Capo Al Fine, seasons 1-4 and "Charlie Scenes" one-shots set through, around, and about the series.
PAIRING: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: Cassie Valentine
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3251761/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3331096/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_2
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3467535/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_3
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3800669/1/Da_Capo_Al_Fine_Season_4
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3396609/1/Charlie_scenes
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13/Rish, seasons 1-5.
Genre: AU, series re-write, kidfic, friendship, romance, humor.
WIP?: Season 4 is unfinished, but the rest are finished and/or self-contained.
Why This Must Be Read: These stories are basically an AU where Christopher left something more than crabby when he took off at the end of season 1. Rory gets a baby sister, Lorelai gets a headache, and Luke and Lorelai's ~relationship~ gets a lot more complex and heartbreaking.
---
Fic Title: Jumping the Shark
Author: So Smitten*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2902276/1/Jumping_the_Shark
Rating/Warning(s): PG, season 1.
Genre: AU, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Fun little AU that completely takes a line from the pilot and drives that bus into an intelligent place. I love that Lorelai freaks out here and that even so, it kicks off the romance that much earlier. HORRAY!
---
Fic Title: She Woke Up Laughing
Author: Buckice
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3930&warning=Adult
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons to be safe.
Genre: Romance, angst, friendship, AUish.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: I mostly put this up as an intro to Buckice's work. This is one of her longer stories and one that really does a good job of showcasing who the writer is. There's smut and silly and some great (if frustrating because it IS great) characterization, and there's also a heavy dash of Gilmore family politics thrown in.
---
Fic Title: Delicate Pieces
Author: Samantha Caldwell*
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2395210/1/Delicate_Pieces
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, character illness, seasons 1-5ish.
Genre: Angst, au, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: The prose is amazing, and this story is just absolutely heartbreaking from minute go. But in the absolute BEST of ways. Great characterization and a completely wonderful little dance down AU alley.
---
Fic Title: Beginning Again
Author: CIAChick*
Pairing: Rory Gilmore/Marty
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2090
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, seasons 1-6.
Genre: Romance, AU, friendship.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Another great gateway fic for an author. This is a lovely, slightly angsty, definitely sweet AU look at the summer between seasons 5 and 6. A great kind of slice-of-time piece. Can y'all tell I'm flagging on the descriptive prose for stories? Can't I just write "IT'S GREAT, READ IT!"? Maybe I'll do that for the next one.
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Fic Title: It's Right There and It's Still There
Author: Coffee Drinker
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=353
http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=505
Rating/Warning(s): R-ish, seasons 1-3ish.
Genre: Romance, AU, friendship, humor.
WIP?: Both are complete!
Why This Must Be Read: THE Grand Damme of GG epics. This is the first and is still one of the best. IT'S GREAT, READ IT.
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Fic Title: The Good One
Author: Erin Kaye Hashet
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3859
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, character illness, season 2ish.
Genre: Humor, romance, friendship, angst.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Sadly, this author's only story, but damn is it a good one. Great Luke-characterization and the prose? *thumbs up*
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Fic Title: Of Subterfuge and Pie
Author: Fruvous*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2827
Rating/Warning(s): R, all seasons.
Genre: AU, romance, friendship, angst, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Okay, I'm going to out myself here and state that Fruvous is one of my top five GG writers, EVER. EVER And this? This is just such an amazing redo and story-telling of early season 6, AND IT MAKES ME SQUEE AND NOT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT IN REAL WORDS. I cannot use my words for this story, or this author. IT'S GREAT, READ IT. AND THEN GO READ EVERYTHING ELSE, NO LIE.
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Fic Title: The Best Things In Life
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: Gig in the Sky, all seasons.
Link: http://gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1788&warning=Adult
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish
Genre: AU, angst, romance, friendship, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Really lovely retelling of season 6 that gets us (me) places faster and with more sense-making than the show managed. Good writing!
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Fic Title: Regular Coffee
Author: iheartbridges*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=2159
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish, season one.
Genre: Friendship, romance, AU, humor.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Season one AU in which Luke and Lorelai get more 'friendly'.
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Fic Title: Labor of Love
Author: JeSouhaite
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1535
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17ish, all seasons.
Genre: Humor, romance, smutty.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: A fun, sexy times romp!
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Fic Title: Jessie and Jess
Author: Kasey22
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1769729/1/Jessie
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2565667/1/Jess
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, season 2.
Genre: AU, family drama, friendship, romance, humor.
WIP?: The second story is unfinished, but ends in a good place.
Why This Must Be Read: Right, so, in season two, there was Jess. I kind of love this because what if Jess was actually a little girl instead of a surly teenage boy? Pretty great question and definitely fun AU.
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Fic Title: Variation on a Theme
Pairing: Lorelai Gilmore/Christopher Hayden
Author: KinoFille
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=1158
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, general knowledge of the show.
Genre: AU, angst, drama, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Incomplete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because it's the absolute BEST (and well-written) answer to the question "What if Lorelai had said 'yes' to Chris when she was sixteen?" Great Lorelai-coming-to-Stars-Hollow-anyway fic, with some definite Luke/Lorelai cute.
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Fic Title: A Place Inbetween
Author: La Rose Bleue*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3566
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons.
Genre: Romance, angst, au.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Luke and Lorelai make up (AND HOW) from their fight at the end of season three. SEXY TIMES ENSUE and are AWESOME. Also, read everything this author ever wrote, <3
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Fic Title: Quickly Lost and Slowly Remembered
Author: Lulabo*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=4050
Rating/Warning(s): NC-17, all seasons.
Genre: Angst, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Because everything Lulabo writes is AWESOME and FANTASTIC and why the ever lovin’ hell HAVEN’T you read this yet? Seriously, why are you still reading my words? Didn’t we cover that I’m getting bad at this? FINE, GOD y’all are demanding. I love that Lula is such an introspective writer. It’s such a switch from what we see on screen, but not. While her characters are just as verbal, with her stuff, you get to see what’s going on BEHIND the words and the behavior. This is an amazing (and sliiiiiiightly shorter than Separation Anxiety) example of that.
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Fic Title: She Always Takes Me Back
Author: River Run
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3209
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! All seasons for safety!
Genre: Humor, romance, silliness, crack, insanity.
WIP?: Complete!
Why This Must Be Read: I have no words for this story. It’s so amazing that it TRANSCENDS ALL WORDS. Basically, Christopher’s daughter Gigi gets possessed by the devil. Hijinks ensue. If that doesn’t make you wanna read this piece of amazing, fantastic CRACK, nothing will.
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Fic Title: What She Keeps
Author: Avery*
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3027
Rating/Warning(s): R, all seasons.
Genre: Pre-series, friendship, angst, romance.
WIP?: Compete.
Why This Must Be Read: Hands down, my favorite GG story ever written. This story is just. It’s so fantastic. The writing and the glimpses of Lorelai, Rory, and the lives of those in Stars Hollow as remembered in photographs are just phenomenal and perfect. Each chapter is amazing on its own, but taken as a whole? Jesus. If anyone ever confronts me about fanfiction not being art or being sub par in some way, I’ll remember this story and shake my head in pity at the other person.
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Fic Title: A Change of Heart
Author: Appledown
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=3914
Rating/Warning(s): Rish, definitely through season 7.
Genre: AU, angst, friendship, romance.
WIP?: Complete.
Why This Must Be Read: Last, but not least, we have an au from 7.13, where Richard has a heart attack. A much different (and very excellent) way things could have changed. Can’t recommend high enough!
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Fic Title: For Better, For Worse
Author: Erica Bing
Link: http://www.gilmore-fiction.net/viewstory.php?sid=4147
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: Post-series, romance, angst, friendship.
WIP?: Abandoned, but definitely worth reading.
Why This Must Be Read: Completely forgot about this author (more fool, me!) and had to come and tack this on. This is kind of THE post-series Luke/Lorelai epic that takes all of what happened in the show and builds on that. At turns bittersweet and sweet, this is just a fantastic epic!
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And because I’m completely indecisive and slightly lazy, we have a short list of the authors that I can’t pick a favorite story from. You just have to read everything. (And I’m sorry about Mag1. She’s just great and writes REALLY LONG STUFF, but you still need to read all of it. There’ll be a test.)
Macha
Mag1*
Oh No She Dient*
Olivia Jane
Outtabreath
AND TO ALL: A GOOD NIGHT!