1: Banner Year by Shrink42 One of the first stories I stumbled across when I first visited SOL, It became the standard by which I judged all other stories.
It still is one of the very best, with a solid story and captivating characters.
2: Corona Heights by Shrink42 The setting, Corona Heights, IS THE story.
A large cast of characters rounds out a thoroughly enjoyable read.
It has a unique slant on society, without wasting half the story preaching at the reader. If you live there, they own you!
I can tell you. I'm moving there! Just as soon as they process my application!
3: Deja Vu Ascendancy by AscendingAuthor A fascinating story that pushes the limits of your imagination. But you'll need either your calculator or a Cray supercomputer to keep up with the math.
Warning, if you're one of those who can't stop once they start a good story, just be sure to tell them to bring you something to eat every few days, because you're gonna be at it for a while.
Most people think it's a true story, and I believe them. After all, I met him once, before he became god.
4: The Dragon's Backbone by Oz Ozzie It's not what you think, but it just keeps you reading until you look up and find yourself, right there with them.
And then you have to keep reading until you find your way home again.
Another one that leaves you crying for more.
5: El Paso by Joe J Probably the best of Joe J.'s many fine stories.
There's a sequel, but it's unfinished.
6: John and Argent by cmsix OKAY! I'll admit it. I'm probably the only person in either universe that DIDN'T see it coming!
I'm referring to the ending, of course! I still chuckle every time I think about it.
But I was just too caught up in a wonderfully imaginative story, as I followed John's adventures, to be concerned about the ending.
This is another listed as incomplete, but the story has an ending. And I like the rewrite better than the original.
Check it out, but I'll warn you. Reading the last chapter first will ruin it for you.
7: The Last Wish Blues by Lubrican This has to be my all-time favorite story on SOL.
I only wish Lubrican had made it longer. I really didn't want it to end.
8: The Making Of A Gigolo (1) - Tilly Johnson by Lubrican This is just the first book in a 16 book story. I'm not sure why Lubrican did it this way, because you really need to start with Number one and follow Bobby and his sisters and their friends all the way through.
As always with Lubrican, an engaging story with a solidly developed main character, surrounded by an absolutely fascinating cast of women, and assorted other characters.
Several neat twists keep the story interesting, and you won't know where it headed without peeking at the ending.
9: POW (Prisoner Of The Widows) by Joe J Hauntingly beautiful. This is the story I read the day before I began writing my own story. So I guess you can say it was my inspiration.
All I can tell you, is that I can remember most of the details to this day! A truly well-crafted story that seems to haunt me, and it's been almost four years.
10: Unique Adventures by Dark Vision I know it will seem odd to many of you that I have listed an unfinished story in my favorites, but it really is one of my favorite stories. And I'm not a big fisherman.
'Unique Adventures' is actually the third book in an amazing tribute to character development. The first book "The Lottery" introduces us to Jack, Kim, Tom, and Sally.
"Lady Guinevere" introduces us to Jen, Eddie, Brad, and Kathy.
They come together in "Unique Adventures".
I understand Dark Vision, having to take some time off. But I do hope he returns soon, with some more of this wonderful story.
11: Welcome to Summer Camp by Nick Scipio Warning! This is the most cited story on SOL, when it comes to reader frustration.
It's another series. The first three books are great and well written. The fourth is... well, unfinished.
Each book opens with a reference to someone having just died, but after three and a half books, we still don't know who.
So why is it on my favorites list?
Well, because IT IS well written. The story just entwines you in its grip, as you feel every one of Paul's pains and ecstasies as he grows up. The setting is delicious, causing the reader to savor each summer at the camp, as if a memory of our own past. It's that real!
And the characters are authentic and captivating. A truly well done, albeit, unfinished series.
