Podfic Love

Sharing our love of podfic

[podfic-love]

[Women’s Hockey RPF] Going Back to Yesterday, by freckbombfic

Rec by Growlery

Fandom: women's hockey rpf Characters/Pairing: Amanda Kessel Rating: teen Content Notes: creepiness? Length: 00:39:00 Performer Links: frecklebombfic Author: pantsoffdanceoff Summary: Sometimes, it feels like it’s all happening to someone else, that it’s someone else’s hands on her stick, that it’s someone else scoring her goals. It’s hard to believe she’s really here, living on her own, making a living playing hockey. Sometimes, it feels like someone else’s face in the mirror. Reccer Notes: This is so creepy and atmospheric, and a really amazing use of sound effects. All the voices are so good too! Fanwork Link(s): at ao3

[podfic-love]

Check, Please! - Exeunt, Pursued by Heteronormativity, by Codeswitch

Fandom: Check, Please! Characters/Pairing: Shitty/Lardo, Bitty/Jack, OT4 Rating: mature Content Notes: polyamory negotiations, gender stuff Length: 4:17:00 Performer Links: codeswitch Author: psocoptera Summary: 

Shitty Knight takes a post-graduation road trip. Four friends, six thousand miles, two tents, several embarrassing photos, a giant rabbit, three cops, and a bear. Reccer Notes: This is a beautiful, warm, aching performance of a beautiful, warm, aching story, and I'm so glad I got to experience it via this podfic where codeswitch brings so much to the recording. The music choices are all so good and really bring the road trip setting to life. It's very, very emotional, and I cried a little, and it stayed with me for a while after I'd finished listening. Fanwork Link(s): Exeunt, Pursued by Heteronormativity by codeswitch

[podfic-love]

Goodbye, October! Hello, November!

It's hard to believe that October is coming to an end, and tomorrow we head into November! Here in the northern hemisphere, the leaves are dropping and the air is becoming brisk. We’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the wonderful people who contributed some amazing recs this month! Thank you for sharing your squee and leading us to a wonderful variety of performances! We still have a number of slots open for official reccers in the next couple of months, so please consider signing-up as an official reccer if you have some lovely vocal performances to share! Additionally, in an effort to reach a wider audience, please feel free to leave tag suggestions at the end of your recs that can be used on Tumblr and Twitter (especially the ship names). 

Our October Official Reccers frnklymrshnkly jainas As a reminder, you can find all recs, fully tagged on our Pinboard Account. Tags are bundled by: Fandom | Performer | Reccer | Relationship | Time | Type | Rating As we head into November, remember that drive-by reccing is always welcome, so if you hear something wonderful, please drop by to tell us about it. Recs can always be submitted to either our Dreamwidthor our Tumblr accounts and will be Tweeted on our Twitter! So come share the love!

[podfic-love]

[Harry Potter] Proper Relaxation, read by rickypulsifer and the_dragongirl

Rec by frnklymrshnkly

Fandom: Harry Potter Characters/Pairing: Helga Hufflepuff/Rowena Ravenclaw Rating: G Content Notes: None Length: 09:26 Performer Links: RickyPulsifer and the_dragongirl Author: fenellaevangela Summary: With the founding of Hogwarts still only in the planning stages, Helga sneaks away to try and enjoy a beautiful day before returning to work. Reccer Notes: There is nothing not to rec about this charming podfic. It's got it all--Helga's POV, wlw, snarky comments about Gryffindor and Slytherin, endorsements of self-care (i.e., Proper Relaxation), and, most importantly, not one but TWO performers! I am sure it takes loads of extra coordination, so whenever I encounter a podfic where two or more performers work together, I standing ovate at the work involved in collaborating. Here RickyPulsifer does a superb job both narrating, and expressing Helga's practical brilliance, and the_dragongirl delivers a lovely Rowena. The two voices compliment the characters, and one another, in the context of exhaustion as the hurdles involved with opening the greatest magical school for 1000 years are navigated. RickyPulsifer makes Helga's unflinchingness in the face of hard work, her love of the outdoors, and dream of teaching resonant, but she's never some bland, dull goody-two-shoes. Rather, the performance presents a balanced character, using intonation to great effect to emphasise Helga's shrewdness, internal eyerolls at Gryffindor and Slytherin, her attraction to Rowena, and her liveliness. Listen and enjoy the wisdom of Helga Hufflepuff, Self-care Queen :D. Fanwork Link(s): Proper Relaxation

[podfic-love]

[Harry Potter] Briar Nose, read by Isis

Rec by frnklymrshnkly

Fandom: Harry Potter Characters/Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape Rating: fic does not include one Content Notes: fic does not include any Length: 22:30 Author/Performer Links: Isis Summary: fic does not include one. It's a comical and sweet retelling of the fairytale. Reccer Notes: This is one of those rare fandom treats in which a truly fantastic, fun, funny, witty, thoughtful story is not only read well, but read by the author! I always enjoy podfics performed by the author. I appreciate ALL podfic performers, but there is something about having each syllable read out as the author imagined the character/narrator intoning it that is just beyond; for me, it's like getting to enjoy podfic/fanfic in 5D or something! And Isis could not offer more of a gem here. Her humour is always spot on, and her wry reading of her truly sly and snarky retelling of a classic fairly tale is just perfect from beginning to end. I mean, the title it like a hilarious promise, and then the whole podfic just delivers on that. An oldie, and forever a goody. (Bonus lighthearted fun being poked at James Potter) Fanwork Link(s): Briar Nose

[podfic-love]

[Harry Potter] Sowing Seeds (of Health and Hope), read by fire_juggler

Rec by frnklymrshnkly

Fandom: Harry Potter Characters/Pairing: Millicent Bulstrode/Hermione Granger Rating: T Content Notes: None Length: 01:00:57 Performer Links: fire_juggler Author: katmarajade Summary: Hermione's mother hires Millicent to create a vegetable garden for her. After a rocky start, Millicent and Hermione work together to grow organic produce, a beautiful friendship, and eventually something even deeper. Reccer Notes: Well, you always know you’re always in for a gooder with fire_juggler, and this is no exception. In the first place, she picks a wonderful, woman-centric fic that really zeros in on Hermione and her finding something beyond work in the aftermath of the war, especially if Harry and Ron go off to the Aurors together and delve full-on into rigorous, time-consuming training schedules. In true A++ podficly fashion, this is more than an engaging story; fire_juggler’s reading makes every note reverberate—every one of Hermione’s insecurities, or fancies that she worries are girlish but indulges anyways. In a podfic full of strengths, I think a particularly note worthy one is the reading of Millicent. Fire-juggler infuses her voice with so much unashamedness, so much determination, so much passion—whether she’s engaging in Real Talk™ about politics, or advising Mrs Granger on her garden, or waxing poetic about organic produce. Also, there’s a particular scene that takes place during a birthday dinner. I won’t get spoilerey, but I will say that fire_juggler’s performance of the four characters at the table is both emotionally on-point and deeply moving. Such a great work, worthy of more than one listen. Fanwork Link(s): Sowing Seeds (of health and hope)

[podfic-love]

[Harry Potter] Escaping the Paradox, read by Paraka

Rec by frnklymrshnkly

Fandom: Harry Potter Characters/Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape Rating: E Content Notes: There are some homophobic slurs used in this story. This story also features a student/teacher relationship, though the teacher waits until the student is of age before perusing the relationship. Length: 4:11:16 Performer Links: paraka Author: Meri Summary: After Harry is thrown back in time to 1971, he has several choices to make. Reccer Notes: Gosh it's hard to know where to begin with this piece. First off, the fic itself is so high quality! If there's one thing I love above all else it's an inverted trope, and I can't think of ever encountering one as bold as making Harry the older man in this ship. Extra bonus for time travel, Harry navigating the magical world of the 70s, and A+ First Voldemort War politics. And then paraka's incredible reading! The story is so good, but she breathes extra life into it somehow. Her Harry is so confused, so lost, but also so adult, and capable--he finds his way. Her Severus is maybe unmatched for me--vulnererable but also cautious, vinegary, superior. And she does a superb job of keeping his voice age appropriate as the story goes on without ever being hokey. There are lines from this that I just hear in paraka's voice forever now--words spoken between them, affirmations, pledges. Harry and Severus are just SO Harry and Severus in this. But then, none of the other characters are left to the side--just as much care is put into each voice, from Dumbledore to the Potters of the 70s, to Kingsley, to Eileen and Tobias. I listened 3x back to back and 10/10 rec this poetic experience! Fanwork Link(s): Escaping the Paradox

[podfic-love]

[Transformers] Champion, read by HaHeePrime

Recced by jainas

Fandom: Transformers

Characters/Pairing: Rumble, Megatron, Thundercracker, Optimus Prime, Blaster, Starscream, Jazz, Soundwave, Prowl 

Rating: PG

Content Notes: n/a

Length: 2-2.5 Hours

Performer Links: HaHeePrime

Author: Astolat

Summary: Rumble sets Megatron's old poetry to a thumpin' beat. He claims what happens afterwards is not his fault...

Reccer Notes: I rarelly listen to podfics, but this one sent me a a binge-listening spree. ^^

HaHeePrime did a did a stellar job with an already stellar fanfic, so the result is absolutly great, and very engaging. I love HaHeePrime's voice, and her Rumble's narration voice is in turn funny, and blasé, and so distinctive! And the way it is contrasted with the voice acting for Megatron and Starscream is great, as well as the way the music was used... great work. <3

No specific canon knowledge required.

Fanwork Link(s): At AO3

[podfic-love]

Very belated happy August!

As we close out July, we’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the wonderful people who contributed some amazing recs this month! Thank you for sharing your squee and leading us to a wonderful variety of performances! We still have a number of slots open for official reccers in the next couple of months, so please consider signing-up as an official reccer if you have some lovely vocal performances to share! Additionally, in an effort to reach a wider audience, please feel free to leave tag suggestions at the end of your recs that can be used on Tumblr and Twitter (especially the ship names). Our July Official Reccers lesson_in_love xdiorix As a reminder, you can find all recs, fully tagged on our Pinboard Account. Tags are bundled by: Fandom | Performer | Reccer | Relationship | Time | Type | Rating As we head into August, remember that drive-by reccing is always welcome, so if you hear something wonderful, please drop by to tell us about it. Recs can always be submitted to either our Dreamwidthor our Tumblr accounts and will be Tweeted on our Twitter! So come share the love!

[podfic-love]

Fables - Fables Radio by darlinggypsum and other performers

Rec by xdiorix

Fandom: Fables Characters/Pairing: Bigby Wolf/Snow White Rating: M Content Notes: Creator chose not to use archive warnings, but if you're familiar with the canon at all, consider yourself warned for canon typical violence and language Length: Chapter 1: 20:56 Chapter 2: 20:14 Chapter 3: 25:15 Chapter 4: 27:49 Chapter 5: 26:54 Chapter 6: 41:49 Performer Links: DarlingGypsum + full cast list here Author: DarlingGypsum Summary: Bigby Wolf and Snow White investigate the apparent violent disappearance of Rose Red. (A radio audioplay of my fables TV script adaptation of the first comic arc "Legends in Exile". Full voice Actors, music, sound effects! More episodes coming soon!) Reccer Notes: I'm so excited to share this rec with you because the production value BLEW MY MIND. I read the first arc of Fables yeeeeears ago and to hear it brought to life like this, with music and sound effects and amazing voice acting was SO EXCITING. It is such an immersive listening experience and I am so impressed with everyone's work on this. ABSOLUTELY give this a listen Fanwork Link(s): At AO3

[podfic-love]

Red Vs. Blue - Trust Fall by godoflaundrybaskets

Rec by xdiorix

Fandom: Red vs Blue Characters/Pairing: None, gen Rating: T Content Notes: No Archive Warnings Apply Length: 49:18 Performer Links: GoLBPodfics Author: eponymous_rose Summary: This entire rescue mission's been nothing but disaster; now all that's left is a last-ditch assault on the Fed base in the Capital City. Casualties could be high. Morale is low. But Lieutenant Smith has absolute faith in his captain's ability to lead them through the worst of it. After all, Captain Caboose is the wisest and most compassionate leader he's ever known. Reccer Notes: So maybe this was made as a gift for me for #ITPE but that doesn't mean I'm being biased at all when I say this is a DELIGHT to listen to. Caboose is my One True Love and GoLB gets his voice so perfectly. The story itself is such a fun romp...until shit gets real. GoLB does a fantastic job conveying both the levity and the stakes in the story with their performance. Fanwork Link(s): At AO3

[podfic-love]

Hamilton: Interlude (Rise Up) by multiple performers

Rec by xdiorix

Fandom: Hamilton Characters/Pairing: Alexander Hamilton/Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton/Angelica Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton/John Laurens, Alexander Hamilton/George Washington, Alexander Hamilton/Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton/King George, Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton/Everyone Rating: T Content Notes: None Length: 20:00 Performer Links: aethel, DesireeArmfeldtPodfic, flawsinthevoodoo, forzandopod, LadyofMisrule, Seascribe, Shmaylor Author: Fahye Cover Artist: aethel Summary: BURR Secretary Hamilton, belay that shouting! You protest too much, there's certainly no doubting the other figments of your own brain would agree, and so far there's been seven, plus me--but who's counting?

Reccer Notes: WOW, is the only thing I can say about this. I read this story when it came out for Yuletide and while I could grasp the rhythm/melody in most parts, there were multiple times I became stymied as to how to read the lyrics so it would make sense musically. Not so with these performers--they did an INCREDIBLE job interpreting and performing this. Wild applause, all around! Fanwork Link(s): At AO3

[podfic-love]

BBC Merlin - Easy There by revolutionaryjo

Rec by lesson_in_love

Fandom: BBC Merlin Characters/Pairing: Arthur/Merlin Rating: Explicit Content Notes: Alternate Universe - Modern, Alternate Universe - College/University, lots of use of the word "cox" Length: 4:41:58 Performer Links: RevolutionaryJo Author: syllic Cover Artist: RevolutionaryJo Summary: If it were simply a matter of choice, Merlin reasoned, he probably wouldn't be in a damp boathouse on an unseasonably cold day in early October, wearing lycra and being shouted at.

Reccer Notes: I do not know anything about rowing. The source material has an extensive explanation about the sport and terminology and history, but I don't think you need it at all with the podfic. RevolutionaryJo does such a wonderful job of painting a full picture that I may not know exactly what "to heads" means, but I get the emotion and general anxiety that you get in any competition. (Full disclosure: There are some weird Oxford specific terms that you might need the glossary for. But don't be intimidated! It's a joy to listen to nonetheless.) It's a great fic for your found family feels, and it's downright delightful to hear Merlin be somehow worse at magic than he is in the show. This verse is an absolute joy to sink yourself into, bonus points if you're listening near water! Fanwork Link(s): AO3

[podfic-love]

Teen Wolf: Cornerstone, by Jinxy

Rec by lesson_in_love

Fandom: Teen Wolf Characters/Pairing: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Rating: Explicit Content Notes: Alternate Universe - Human, Marine Derek, Blind Stiles, Bookstore owner Derek, Musician Stiles, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Anxiety Attacks (due to PTSD), First Time. Length: 11:35:21 Performer Links: Jinxy Author: Vendelin Cover Artist: Jinxy Summary: Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

Reccer Notes: There's something about Jinxy's voice that just sucks you in and before you know it, 11 hours have gone by like a flash. It's slow and melodic, calm and paced perfectly throughout. I think it especially helps in a story like this, which details Derek's PTSD and anxious thoughts, from ramping the listener up. The story itself is an interesting twist on multiple AUs joining together, and the long slow burn of Derek/Stiles is palpable from the get go. (The phone sex scene is especially hot like burning.) There are some really lovely touches of music, especially at the beginning, and the contrast to Jinxy's reader voice and normal voice is delightful to hear in the free talk at the end. I'd also like to point out that in that free talk they detail that they completed this in just a couple of days!! Which is astounding and absurd and I am jealous of that ability to edit. Fanwork Link(s): AO3

[podfic-love]

True Blood/Southern Vampire Mysteries: Not Again, by Carlyspade

Rec by xdiorex

Fandom: True Blood/Southern Vampire Mysteries Characters/Pairing: Eric Northman/Sookie Stackhouse Rating: M Content Notes: None Length: 58:56 Performer Links: carlyspade Author: krispybee12 Summary: It’s been five years since Sookie said goodbye to Bill before trying to move on with a ‘normal life’; five whole years and that happily ever after seems further away than ever before... Reccer Notes: Fandom doesn't really do a whole lot of first person POV but given the source material, it makes a lot of sense for this fandom. carlyspade does an amazing job with character voices and accents, which not only helps set the characters apart, but also really allows you to inhabit Sookie's POV. The use of music and sound effects also helps to make this an immersive listening experience. Fanwork Link(s): At AO3

[podfic-love]

Critical Role - A Civilized Discussion by blackglass

Rec by lessons_in_love

Fandom: Critical Role Characters/Pairing: Percival de Rolo/Vex'ahlia Rating: General Audiences Content Notes: Fluff, Alternate POV Length: 34:11 Performer Links: blackglass Author: curriebelle Summary: Trinket and Percy have a man-to-man talk. Set during the Feywilds arc. Reccer Notes: I'm still fairly new to Critical Role, but going through the tag (and especially blackglass's back catalogue) has been a joy. A Civilized Discussion is no exception! I think it would be really easy to make Trinket's POV sound too comedic or too overly simple, but blackglass does an excellent job balancing it so that he feels like a full character. The pacing is lovely and calming and accent use helps to let you sink into the world. (Especially if you've been powering through a lot of the Vox Machina arc to catch up like I have. :P) It's just a delight to listen to. Fanwork Link(s): AO3. Full download link in Chapter 2.

[podfic-love]

And Belatedly, Hello July!

As we close out June, we’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the wonderful people who contributed some amazing recs this month! Thank you for sharing your squee and leading us to a wonderful variety of performances! We still have a number of slots open for official reccers in the next couple of months, so please consider signing-up as an official reccer if you have some lovely vocal performances to share! Additionally, in an effort to reach a wider audience, please feel free to leave tag suggestions at the end of your recs that can be used on Tumblr and Twitter (especially the ship names). Our June Official Reccers frecklebombfic momo As a reminder, you can find all recs, fully tagged on our Pinboard Account. Tags are bundled by: Fandom | Performer | Reccer | Relationship | Time | Type | Rating As we head into March, remember that drive-by reccing is always welcome, so if you hear something wonderful, please drop by to tell us about it. Recs can always be submitted to either our Dreamwidthor our Tumblr accounts and will be Tweeted on our Twitter! So come share the love!