Back to our irregularly scheduled programming...

[ein_myria]

As some of you may have noticed, I have started using an OpenID account for LJ and IJ commenting. I wasn't sure what the difference between OpenID and a normal user account was until I spotted a very user-friendly guide (Using an Open ID account at Livejournal by facetofcathy) and decided to take the plunge--I saw some merit in the 'it's not very friendly for users to see a blank journal' rationale. Since I'm not using the journaling services on those sites I might as well hand over the journaling resources to more active users. :)

Reading
rivkat: Media piracy in emerging economies

Criminal Minds
What the Rain Washes Away by muppetmanda (JJ/Emily) (kudos to Bluemac832)
Emily goes undercover to infiltrate a religious cult.

This story had an intriguing premise, but I find myself thinking that it would have packed a lot more punch if the infiltration was longer-term and if the conceptualization of the cults were fleshed out a little bit more; the beliefs, the characters within the cults, still seem somewhat indistinct. Emily wasn't really in the cult long enough the second time around to really establish rapport with the cult members, as she would have with the first deep undercover case. The "cover" was also somewhat peripheral--it wouldn't have allowed for any deep interaction, which would have been fruitful for any undercover investigations. At certain crucial moments, the readers are "told" what's happened, rather than see what unfolds; and unfortunately, some of the suspense is lost in that process.

Recs
Fringe
Kudos to hibernate for the following two recs; they are awesome, but I can't think of what to say that won't give anything away, so here they are, sans commentary.

*warning: het!*
all your good intentions by vinylroad (olivia/lincoln)
"This is your history."

The Blood in Your Skin by anythingbutgrey (Alt!liv/Lincoln)
"This is what leads Lincoln to kiss her the first time they almost die together. Lincoln thinks this is romantic. Olivia laughs in his face."

Glee
Blind with Casualties by thememoriesfire (Santana/Rachel)
Santana and Rachel are roommates in New York.

I find it really interesting that Santana is the one who seems to be struggling to adjust and Rachel is the one that seemingly conquers NYC at the beginning. Really strong writing, hopefully the author won't leave us with a cliffhanger for too long.

Chalk Lines by _harmlessthings (Mercedes/Quinn) (kudos to thelastgoodname)
"a story about being trapped between the pages of a bildungsroman."

I really liked the descriptions about the whimsical summers, where Quinn and Mercedes try on personalities like they would clothes.

Coffee and Cookies Verse by theelectricb (Quinn/Santana)
Quinn works at a law firm who will only promote someone who is married; enter Santana...

The premise and the banter is pretty tongue in cheek, and doesn't pretend to be anything other than that.

it's a free ride when you've already paid by letscall_l (Brittany/Quinn friendship/femslash)
"You're really dumb sometimes, Quinn."

Brittany teaches Quinn about what really matters.

Santana Lopez Can, In Fact, Do Anything (Or Anyone), Santana Lopez Likes What She Likes, Okay?, The Mess You Left by leftlanden (Santana/Rachel, Santana/Brittany, Rachel/Quinn)
"Santana plots to take Rachel's v-card."

Some pretty funny writing.

Say it's possible by theelectricb (Santana/Quinn)
"It's about a building and love letters and of course Santana and Quinn."

Props for the unique idea; I wonder if it's based on another work...?

The Past that Suits You Best by sulkygeek (Rachel/Quinn, Rachel/OFC) (AU)
"Shelby kidnapped Rachel when Rachel was four and left Lima. But then Shelby dies, [...] the truth is discovered and Rachel is brought back to Lima."

This one had such an interesting premise. There is a good measure of angst but this was actually not overdone.

this is not (a love song) by thememoriesfire (Quinn/Rachel)
Quinn has serial killer tendencies.

It's like seeing a train wreck happen. It's brilliantly written and yet so disturbing.

The following couplet should really be taken as examples of really, really good OT3 smut.

This Years' Apologies by smc_27 (Santana/Puck/Rachel)
Santana, Rachel, and Puck all wind up in New York, in a "friends with benefits" situation...

You Can Have Whatever You Like by smc_27 (Santana/Puck/Rachel)
"Rachel can't admit that she's just as turned on by [Santana's] Playboy magazine spread as Puck is until Santana shows up for a surprise visit."

Iron man
Follow Your Shame by atrata (Tony/Pepper?) (kudos to nixwilliams)
"No matter how many times they dance, she'll never sleep with Tony Stark."

Unf.

Legend of the Seeker
Pieces Form a Whole by sos10 (Cara/Kahlan)
"In which things go horribly wrong during the last few minutes of the last episode of Season 2. Such events result in a journey of vengeance and justice, brokenness and healing, and no small amount of self-discovery."

A journey of epic proportions.

Harry Potter
A Year in Their Courts by animus_wrymis (Chronicles of Narnia x-over) (Hermione/Susan, Hermione/Peter)
"Hermione steps into Narnia, and begins to forget--and to change, as she falls into Susan's bed and into Peter's heart."

I didn't think that these two verses could go together but apparently they do!

Grounded (This Is Not My Beautiful Life Mix) by torachan (Ginny/Luna, Ginny/Harry)
"This is not the life she wants, but it's the only one she can imagine having."

This one is an older fic that talks about expectations and pressures of heteronormativity.