The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (on Nook)

My past experience with, and my understanding of, Oscar Wilde leads me to think of his writing style as florid, satiric if not ironic, and above all archly humorous. This story is definitely the first two adjectives, but I'll be damned if I could find much humor at all. Still, I'm glad I read it--even if it took me nearly two months of reading five or ten pages a week and then putting it down for several more weeks. Aside from that purple prose he was so fond of, the story is amazingly well-told, although in the middle of it I just wished he'd get on with it already.

Fables: Legends in Exile, by Bill Willingham

I'm trying to think of reasons why I shouldn't keep reading this series. I was surprised at how fun this was, in the way that comics of my childhood were amusing, except with more swearing. There are actually a bunch of 'extras' at the end of the story that were just as much fun as the main story.

OK, maybe I will keep going with these...

The Woman Who Died a Lot, by Jasper Fforde

OK, so every time I finish one of these, I say I have to reread all the old ones so I can understand what's going on this time. And it's happened again here. However, at least Thursday saves the world (again) in this one.

Feet of Clay, by Terry Pratchett (on CD)

Clever wordplay and funny names aside, this is a pretty deep book about how to define life, and the acceptance of those who are different from what you expect. Nice. Plus, I found out that even female dwarves have beards which is a nice little factoid to have.

The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey

Great story! Set in Alaska in the 1920s. I really enjoyed the interplay of relationships in the book, the coming-to-acceptance of unlikely events. I'm still not sure what to make of the little girl, but the story was delightfully told.

Good Omens : The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (on CD)

Have wanted to read this book since it came out, but it never quite made it into my lists. So now I have. It would have been better to read it with my eyes: there are a lot of perspective changes that are NOT signaled well by the narrator. Still, a pretty funny-yet-thoughtful book about Armageddon.

Yes, I know, that's unexpected, but look at the authors' names. The plot mostly revolves around a book of predictions from the 17th century that has been passed down through the writer's family after her death--she was burned at the stake as a witch. Also involved are an angel and a demon who are quite amusing, a Witch-Finder Army (of one two) and an 11-year-old in the center of things who is the son of Satan.

It's amusing. Made me want to read more Pratchett.

Down These Strange Streets (ed. by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois)

Lots of weird short stories. Some good ones, some....not so good. Some of my favorite authors disappointed me, but I found a few new potential authors to check out. Best in the book is the last one, set in Alaska during World War II. Some other intriguing concepts, but as I read the book over the course of 3 months at lunch times at work, several of them have slipped my mind.

Torment, by Lauren Kate (on CD)

Title pretty much describes this book. I want to smack this little Bella-like dweeb in the nose. Reading Part 3 is unlikely.

Inkdeath, by Cornelia Funke (on CD)

I've listened to all of these now, and am glad I did; there were some slow points, but this series is really different from any other I've ever read and pretty deep for YA stuff. This book does get into what makes 'real life' real versus the life that is in books; which is more real, really?

A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness

Wow. While not the best amalgam of history, fantasy, and romantic suspense, it's a pretty good story. We have a powerful witch who refuses to use her power, preferring to blend in with the human world, but that all ends when she 'draws' a coveted manuscript to her by accident. We have a powerful vampire who at first only wants the manuscript, then wants the witch herself. We have daemons--they are the eccentrics of the world, the savants.

And this is only the first book in a series. Wish I'd've known that when I picked it up.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne (on Nook)

Hmm, what to say. Good story. VERY abrupt ending. If you like long lists of fish and flora of the sea, this is a book for you. Definitely dated, which shouldn't be a surprise. Not bad, but rather blah. I read this over the course of two months, breaking in the Nook.

One of Our Thursdays is Missing, by Jasper Fforde

My first purchased book on my Nook, and well worth it. The story is a bit weird; took awhile to figure out just what was going on, and I think I need to read the end again. I'm not actually sure how the story worked out. I think that's more to do with the format and other things going on while I was reading it (on vacation) than the book itself.

The Third Bear, by Jeff VanderMeer

Well, if you like really odd stories, these are for you. Weird beyond weird, but well-written, well-plotted, and fun. Except for the creepy-icky one or two, which are just well-written and interesting. Don't be surprised to find talking animals.

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins (on CD)

As in all second parts of trilogies, this book suffers from a lot of plot building and a climax that mostly just leads to the next book, which can be annoying.

However, Collins is an exceptional author. While I found the first book (Hunger Games) a little "too YA-y", I didn't really pay attention to how well-written it was. Listening to this book, I realized the craft behind the story. So, I'm a convert to the excitement behind this series. Can't wait to get Mockingjay.

Stories : All-New Tales (edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio)

These stories all spring from the question, "And then what happened?" and as such run the gamut from spooky to cliff-hanger to fantasy to straight mystery. Absolutely wonderful--one of the best books I've read in quite awhile.

Blackout, by Connie Willis

Ooooh, frustrating: it's not until the last page that I realized that this is part one of the story. Now I have to wait six months to read the rest of it! Gah.

The Gates, by John Connolly

These gates are those that surround Hell. The big Hell, where Satan and his minions reside. And science manages to break a hole through. Funny book. May have to find more by this author!

Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn

Preachy, didactic, silly...unfinished

Deeper, by Roderick Gordon, and Brian Williams

Sequel to Tunnels.

Fruits Basket 1, by Natsuki Takaya

I can now say that I've read a manga from beginning to end, from back to front.

I don't think I 'got' the whole story, but at least I have an inkling of what the attraction is now.