A Storm of Swords - George R.R. Martin

This book was the reason there is all sorts of hooplah about this series. This is the fantastic one. I actually had my jaw hanging open in complete shock near the end of this book. This book is why I bought the series and am waiting with baited breath for my hold to come up at the library.

I should also mention that I am enjoying the references to Egg and Ser Duncan the Tall built into this book. I don't know how many people caught that but if not, go and read Mr. Martin's stories in the Legends books.

Fables (Legends in exile and Animal Farm) - Bill Willingham (Regular Strength Book Club)

I have to say that I wish I had read these before reading Maus. That book has ruined other graphic novels for me. The storyline was okay, although I was really struck by the boy-ness of it all (unnecessary cursing, lithe and lovely big breased nymphs prancing about in panties and sharing a bed.) I also would have enjoyed the concept more if I had not read Jasper Fforde's The Big Over Easy first.

I really need to re-read before I can comment in more detail.

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire

Written from the perspective of the younger "ugly stepsister" in the Cinderella tales, this twist on a fable gives an entirely new view of the traditional fairy story. The shocking twist, the ugly stepsister doubles in the role of fairy godmother. This novel deals with the traditional issues of good versus evil, the nature of beauty, greed and greed's consequences, without losing sight of the humanity of it all. Wonderfully executed as always, Gregory Maguire is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

To Have and To Hold - Jane Green

I grabbed this book on a whim by the library checkout since I was in the mood for some mindless fluff and ChickLit generally fills that need. As fluff goes it was not bad; predictable and British and a bit feel-good.

Maus - Art Speigelman

The last graphic novel I tried to read left me disappointed, thinking "Well what's the difference between this and a comic book?"

Maus is not a comic book. There's no superhero, no larger than life figures; there's just a story within a story. Maus is both brilliant and subtle. I tend not to focus on the drawings but some of them irresistably drew the eye (pun intended). It was highly recommended to me and I highly recommend it in turn.

A Clash of Kings - George R.R. Martin

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book. Maybe I didn't read it fast enough but I was much less attached to the characters and much less invested in their lives (and partly that I was over invested in Season 1 of Veronica Mars). I have gotten more used to his writing style though and that has made me more comfortable with these books. I look forward to reading further in the series.