Over the holidays, I read (or began) a large number of books. Some had been just sitting around and others I had just bought. My highlight, though? It would have to be Neverwhere by that incredibly creative Neil Gaiman. 
How does he do it? What American Gods did for the American psyche and culture, Neverwhere does for England. It is set in London Below, a kind of alternate reality into which the hero, Richard, is transported against his will, initially, but as he tries to deal with various quests and characters, he comes to appreciate that it is in fact, a better London than the one he left behind. The novel is far too complex to describe. It has some of the best descriptive passages I have ever read, especially of characters, and though the author intrudes a little into the text, it is never a problem.
The book makes an interesting comparison with Un Lun Dun, by China Miéville (2007), also set in “another” London though Gaiman’s is far more adult in tone.
If you love reading, can handle fantasy which is dark, you simply have to read this book. Enough said.
It really has been a steampunk holiday! Leviathan was the most recent steampunk title I devoured and it was another cracker. If you want to read more about it, try 
These certainly add to the book and give us a real insight into the book’s world. I am certainly looking forward to the next installment.
Want a funny book to read? (Well, funny in a twisted Boys’ Own way?) Look no further, comrades! This is the business, but like all things funny, you need to pick up the references otherwise the jokes may not work as well. What am I on about?
I had heard some brief snippets about this book before Christmas and have only just now finished it. I have a feeling that it will be as big as Twilight was, it has a lot of similarities. Vulnerable but curious female character, damaged but worthwhile male character, a touch of the supernatural, a large chunk of doomed romance…how can it fail?