The Unwritten: Volume 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity

by Mike Carey (story), Peter Gross (art), and Yuko Shimizu (cover and incidental art), 140 pages

Having your emotionally distant beloved-children's-author of a father base a universally popular character on you is hard enough, what with the legions of adoring fans who can't tell the difference between fact and fiction. But it only gets worse when he disappears after publishing the thirteenth and final (?) book, leaving you to fight for your identity, fend off the increasingly suspicious police, and deal with the possibility that you may have no better a grasp on what is and isn't real than your father's readers.

I quite liked this first installment and will definitely read more. What starts out as a peek behind the curtain of the publishing and convention worlds becomes an intriguing tale of magic and mystery dark enough to qualify as horror, all with a literary, philosophical bent.

Chew: Volume 3: Just Desserts

by John Layman (story) and Rob Guillory (art), 121 pages

Tony tries to balance his personal life (dates with "persuasive" food writer! family Thanksgiving [complete with illicit bird]!) and his work (hateful boss! wonderful nutjob partner! still-at-liberty villain!), with both silly and serious results. Is a double agent really a triple agent? And what's Tony going to do when his nemesis figures out his shocking weak spot?!

Ooh, surprises! And guffaws. Also, uh-oh. I need the next book!

Chew: Volume 2: International Flavor

by John Layman (story) and Rob Guillory (art), 121 pages

When Tony takes an off-the-record trip to a chicken-loving resort island in pursuit of a lead, what begins as curiosity quickly turns personal. Now he's got to coordinate with a crazy Agriculture Department agent, dig up a grave, locate a stolen fighting rooster, talk his greedy chef of a brother out of job, rescue the woman of his dreams, and deal with a potential Russian vampire linked to the vigilante conspiracy theorist from volume one. And of course he has to eat a lot of questionable stuff to do it.

I keep cracking up over every little thing in this series. Notes on walls and bulletin boards ("Colonel Sanders wanted for questioning"--"TPS Reports must be filed by end of day!"). All the different brands of artificial chicken products, such as Poult-Free and my favorite, Fricken (think "ribbit"). And the undefeated rooster's wall of fame ("Poyo: Behind the Mask"--"Cockfight will be followed immediately by BBQ"--"Could Poyo Beat a Man?"--the answer is "yes," by the way). And those are just from the backgrounds. :)

XxxHolic: Volume 18

by CLAMP, 180 pages

Watanuki asks for Dômeki's help with one customer and shoos him away while dealing with another. In both cases, and following a visit from old friends, Watanuki shows himself to have grown stronger, both in powers and spirit, which is a comfort to his loved ones.

It's a good thing Watanuki's built up some confidence and know-how, as only one volume remains and I'm sure it will not be an easy one for him. I don't know how or if CLAMP's going to fit in all the things I want to know, but I'm excited to get whatever they're willing to give me. But I'm also sad at the thought of finally having to leave these characters and their stories behind.

Blade of the Immortal: Volume 21: Demon Lair II

by Hiroaki Samura, 218 pages

Rin and the others battle madmen and mother nature, but as long as Manji's still chained to his prison cell wall, they're not going to get very far.

Sweet and hilarious, scary and horrible, all tossed together with loads of exciting, life-or-death action. How can I laugh and go "awww" over the fun bits when I know the cockroach is alive, free, and (oh so sadly!!) not alone?! Dang that Samura, he's got me right where he wants me. And I guess I'm happy to be there, too. Only I'd be happier if the cockroach were dead (for reals, this time, 'kay?). *sigh*

Arata: The Legend: Volume 8

by Yuu Watase, 190 pages

Kanate has an unwelcome reunion and makes a fateful decision while the rest of the gang infiltrate the palace of the local shinsho, Kugura, who's been absconding with local young ladies.

This volume is all about being happy with who you are (or confident enough in who you are not to freak out about a little cross-dressing). :P

Insert my usual grumbles about Arata and Kadowaki not getting nearly enough panel-time (all of five or six pages, this go-round). *sigh*

Midnight Sons, Volume 1

by Debbie Macomber
392 pages

This book is actually two novels in one.  The first novel, Brides for Brothers, tells the story of how some lonely, bachelor pilots cook up a scheme to lure women to move to an isolated Alaskan town in the Arctic circle.  The story spells out the consequences of luring women to Alaska and the effect it has on one bachelor's heart.  The second novel, The Marriage Risk, picks up right where Brides for Brothers left off.  This book deals with a family feud and its effect on two potential lovers.

I listened to this on audio, and for the most part I enjoyed it.  The only complaint I had is that all the voices were done by a male narrator, which made some of the female characters sound a little weird.  However, I think the narration added to my overall enjoyment of the book and helped me feel the emotions of the characters.  My only complaint is that sometimes the "love" was a little too thick, but I am not a huge romance fan.