blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2014-12-31 12:55 am

A birthday, and three quick recs

Happy Birthday, [livejournal.com profile] bottle_of_smoke! You've had such an incredible year, I don't think I can wish for anything more fervently than I did for you to have a head cold (we know why that was good!), but I do hope that everyone surpasses themselves in the gifts, cake and enjoyable fuss stakes on your behalf. You're a gem!

And, fanfic recs!

I am dipping in and out of [livejournal.com profile] hd_erised like a weak-willed swimmer at a cold beach. It's revoltingly hot or humid here most days, so in theory I have loads of reading time. In actuality, I have a disastrous house and garden after two months of Mr B 'doing' the housework and we still have boxes to unpack, so I am forcing myself to do things and then need brief comas to recover, so I've not made it through half as much as I ought. But I come bearing some real treats!

Firstly, my gift art! I don't know why more people don't request art, because you are likely to be on such a winning bet if you do. And I won hugely! It's a multi-page work called Fiji and it's utterly fabulous. The faces! The eyes! The hands! The story is simple: Hermione goes on holidays, so Harry is free to skive off, taking his grumpy assistant Draco with him. But the emotion that comes through the simple marks on paper is astonishing and beautiful, as is all this artist's work.

And now, fics! I think that Tea and No Sympathy was the first I managed to catch, and it was such a good start! It's long, 70K, but written in such an engaging style that it never feels as though you are labouring. Basically, Draco spells himself into a Groundhog Day style loop and becomes convinced that he needs Potter to get him out of it. I loved the fact that the author held out for a non-easy end on this one, it really paid off dramatically. A sterling blend of humour and drama, and with the most splendid little owl OC. No, trust me, Pip the Owl is totally a fully fledged (pun intended) character!

Similarly assured in its writing was House Style for Gryffindors. It's a fifth the length of Tea and No Sympathy, so if you're pushed for time, start here. Draco works on a wizarding version of the Tatler, along with half his schoolmates, including Hermione Granger. When editor Pansy hires Harry Potter for sports and general buffness, Draco takes refuge first in prossecco, then in refuge, and finally in denial. None of these work. It's the best kind of silliness, loaded with light, sparklng wit, but with a few moments that make you pause and say 'Oh …'

And I do have more, but my left hand is still meh, so I'll come back later. Have a marvellous New Year, you lot!

[identity profile] bottle-of-smoke.livejournal.com 2014-12-30 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
So kind, thank you! I've been ordered to crash with cheese tonight so I think I might do that.

[identity profile] connorblond.livejournal.com 2014-12-30 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw - fic recs! *hugs you so tightly* THANKS!

[identity profile] cassie-black12.livejournal.com 2014-12-30 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I've shamefully read none of the Erised fics so far. I think I left it too long and then got overwhelmed and didn't know where to start! Now I do ♥

[identity profile] cmcmck.livejournal.com 2014-12-30 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you actually a leftie as I am?

[identity profile] hollyxu.livejournal.com 2014-12-31 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
Happy New Year! And thanks so much for the recs, these look absolutely fab to read on snow days.

[identity profile] takarai-karin.livejournal.com 2014-12-31 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for recs! I discovered a not-so-new tv series (the good wife♡) and have been marathoning it throughout the holiday, so haven't been reading docs at all~

[identity profile] incandescent.livejournal.com 2015-01-02 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you for the recs! I can't wait to try them. :) And good luck catching up on all the housework!
ext_58380: (Draco beauty 3 HBP)

[identity profile] bk7brokemybrain.livejournal.com 2015-01-03 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the recs! The art is lovely. Happy New Year!