23) Fragile Things, by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman’s latest collection of short stories, including this year’s Hugo nominee, “How to Talk to Girls at Parties”, several other pieces that I knew and liked already (such as Hugo winner “A Study in Emerald” and Locus winner “October in the Chair”), and two that were new to me but left a strong impression: “Bitter Grounds”, a memorable tale of zombies, impersonation and an academic conference, and “Monarch of the Glen”, the novella sequel to American Gods, which takes Shadow, the book’s hero, to the north of Scotland for mythic combat.

This is a great collection. I am repeatedly astonished by the way Gaiman’s prose draws you into the story, yet hinting that there is more going on behind the scenes than we can possibly (or might want to) imagine. (For those who appreciate poetry there’s some of that here too.)

Top UnSuggestion for this book: Knowing God, by J.I. Packer