Arkham Asylum - Grant Morrison & Dave McKean

Powered through in one go (rare for me even with comics). Supremely creepy; downright scary in fact. So much symbolism and Jung and weirdness, and wonderfully dark and violent art. The script and annotations are interesting (and helpful) although they do give the impression Morrison is an insufferable smart-arse. The whole "maybe Batman's as crazy as his enemies" idea has been done to death since this book came out, but that can't be held against it.

Creative Writing: A Practical Guide - Julia Casterton

Didn't finish it actually. I found it very interesting and quite helpful but it had a strange effect on me; it made me feel intensely restless, like even though I was enjoying it I had to put it down this instant and go and do something. That's good because that's why I got it: to light a creative fire and get me to write something. I finally feel ready to sit down and face the task of editing. My nemesis. I will edit the meagre handful of stories I have written and maybe something will change. Maybe it will get easier!

21 Stories - Graham Greene

Reminded me very much of Ian McEwan's short stories. All very focused on an event and most set over a very short time, and most very short. The prose itself seemed a bit lacking in places - slightly clumsy or sort of thoughtless. But overall quite inspirational. I also like the way one or other world war is the backdrop to almost every story, and the way you slowly or suddenly are reminded of this in each one.