Amplirecathon 2011: Podfics that made my favorite stories even better

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

Podfics that made my favorite stories even better

There's a saying that's been mangled so many times that I don't know what the original meaning was, but my version goes: happiness is being able to read all your favorite stories again for the very first time, and that's what all of these podfics let me do. I'd read the text version of each of these stories multiple times, and I didn't think I could learn anything new about them, but each of these recordings brought the story alive in a brand new way for me.

Mostly Supernatural/SPN RPS, but also Smallville and American Idol recs

Supernatural/SPN RPS

True Colors (J2)
By munibunny, read by juice817
Audio Archive page

This is tough subject matter to write/read successfully, and, no surprise, juice817 manages perfectly. She really nails Jared's point of view, his unique perspective, and the easy way his feelings for Jensen grow. I also really enjoy juice817's Jensen-voice; she manages to make it low and kind of growly without sounding awkward or like she's even trying that hard. I can never pinpoint exactly what it is about this story itself that I love so much, but hearing it made me feel that, whatever it is, even more.

The Collected Going to Hell 'verse (J2)
By Chash (poor_choices), read by juice817
Audio Archive page

Otherwise known as the Jared of Green Gables story. I couldn't even tell you how much I love this series, and wish it were about ten thousand times longer. Being able to listen to it, hear Jared's rambling incoherence, Jensen's steadfast devotion, Chad's adorable reinterpretation as a 19th century sort-of-a-douche, is amazing. Even if you generally don't like historical fic, or generally don't like your childhood novels retold, you should give this a try, because nothing is better than Matthew!JDM explaining sodomy to Jared while Marilla!Jim Beaver laughs hysterically. At times it makes me almost cry, and other times it makes me laugh out loud. It's the perfect story to listen to when you need a distraction from stress and other worries.

The Unsuitable Virgin (J2)
Written and read by fayjay
Audio Archive page

I sometimes (only sometimes!) have problems listening to non-American English accents in SPN podfic, simply because the characters have such strong voices in my head that it's hard to translate, even though I love listening to accents in podfic in general. This story, though, is the perfect story for a posh British accent like FayJay's – it wouldn't be as awesome of a recording without it. Listening to the Honorable Jared discovering the secret his new "bride" is hiding is extremely delicious. It could be kind of a guilty pleasure fic, but once you suspend the guilt, it's a completely wonderful experience ;)

Asunder (Dean/Castiel)
By rageprufrock, read by 2naonh3_cl2
Audio Archive page

AUs can be hard, because taking certain characters out of their natural environment makes it easy to change them too much, make them not really themselves. I still love AUs anyway, but this one managed to take all the emotional connections and fuck-ups that make Dean and Sam and Castiel who they are in canon and translate it perfectly into a non-Supernatural world. I'm pretty much sold on the idea of Dean being in some kind of social work if he weren't a hunter, and the little details of his work, and Castiel's, as well as the rich detailed background of his childhood with Sam, pack a lot of story into a fic that takes place basically over one weekend. 2naonh3_cl2 reads this with all the care and passion I could hope for, really getting into Dean's headspace and making me believe everything I'm hearing as I listen. I get kind of teary-eyed at the end, actually. So don't waste time, go listen to it!

Something About Toads (Dean/Castiel)
By pyrebi, read by twilight_angel
Audio Archive Page

This is a hilarious story in text form, and hearing it read out loud makes it even funnier. twilight_angel's sarcastic inflection is beyond perfect for this particular subject matter, and I dare you to listen to her say "It's fucking Chekov's toad" without bursting into laughter. An easy, quick listen that will leave you smiling.

Smallville

Skin Deep (Clark/Lex)
by rivkat, read by reena_jenkins
Audio Archive Page

This story is submerged in a very deep feeling of longing, at least to me, and the best part about this recording is how reena_jenkins embodies that longing in every word Clark says, and every word he doesn't say. I was just as nervous as Clark even though I knew how the story ended, and just as relieved when it did.

American Idol

#krisallenpinkranger (Kris/Adam)
by eirana_regan, read by paraka
Audio Archive page

Being the Daphne of the Power Rangers may be hard, but it also gets Kris rescued by the Silver Ranger all the time, so life's not that bad. If only Kris could over his crush on the Silver Ranger and focus on Adam, his real life maybe-boyfriend, it would be perfect. Okay, don't lie, you totally think that Kris Allen as the Pink Ranger is absolutely adorable. paraka clearly agrees, because her reading of Kris is sympathetic and cute and left me grinning all day at work, which made all my co-workers confused and slightly nervous.

Obviously, I could go on forever, so I'll cut myself off now, and I hope you'll find something new and enjoyable to listen to in these recommended podfics!

Comments

[crinklysolution.livejournal.com]

Excellent, excellent recs! Asunder is one of my all time favorite podfics, and the Unsuitable Virgin and the poor_choices stories are so delightful as well, so glad to see them here. Liked your descriptions, well organized, easy to read - and I hadn't heard the Something About Toads one, so happily going to download that now! Great job.

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

Thank you :) I hope you'll enjoy Something About Toads!

[podcath.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful collection of recs. I just listened to Skin Deep and thought it was gorgeously read. And I haven't listened to that AI story (and a quick check shows me it's almost an hour and thus sth I'll definitely download), so thank you!!!

Also, completely unrelated, you have producing some amazing podfic and at a rate that every time I want to comment there's another one by you and I.MUST.DOWNLOAD :) So, thank you for the many hours of pleasure you've provided (and there are still a few left of yours on my ipod...)

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I hope you'll enjoy #krisallenpinkranger!

And I'm so glad you've been enjoying my podfic, I really love doing it, so I'm happy the results have been good!

[meesasometimes.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this, lots of these are new to me.

Can't wait to check out!

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

Have fun listening!

[paraka]

Thank you for the rec! #krisallenpinkranger was a really fun story to read. I've totally had stories leave me grinning like a fool at work so it's really neat to know that I did that to someone else. :D

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome - thank you for making an awesome story even better :)

[applegeuse.livejournal.com]

Yay! So many lovely SPN and J2 recs! And I've not read/listened to any of them. *dances* <3 Thanks for putting together this rec post!

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome, I hope you enjoy the stories :D

[2naonh3-cl2.livejournal.com]

:D Thank you for the lovely rec. I'm so glad that I helped to make a favorite story better. <3

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

You're so welcome!

[lunate8.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about dipping my toes (ears?) into Dean/Castiel stories, so thanks for the recs!

[exmanhater.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! I hope your Dean/Castiel listening experiment will be enjoyable and successful :)