Hard Times - Charles Dickens

Excellent. Much shorter, less of a sprawling, complex narrative than most of Dickens, but no worse for that. The story has a nice shape to it, with threads being laid down and taken up again later. Some excellent characters, especially, Mr. Bounderby, who I would think was the inspiration for The Big Lebowski, except that it seems more likely that both characters were inspired by real life examples. The prose is darkly beautiful here and there.

Voice of the Fire - Alan Moore

SPOILERS AGAIN!

No idea how it took me so long. All wonderful stories, and tantalisingly linked so that I was half disappointed  by the final one being non-fiction as opposed to an apocalyptic drawing-together of everything up to that point (the other half was thrilled at the very idea of the author coming out from behind the curtain and going "here I am!" How many other authors could pull that off?) Could write a whole essay on this book; no room. First story remained my favourite.

Man In The Dark - Paul Auster

SPOILER WARNING!!

Austerrific, what else is there to say? (Also, writing this one book later so memory of specifics not great). All very self-reflective; stories within stories, etc. The revelation of how the son died was devastatingly powerful, despite the fact that I had guessed 30 or so pages in advance. The way he approaches the subjects he writes about (war, in this case) is so original and unexpected that you barely realise what it's all about until after you've finished reading it.

Ham On Rye - Charles Bukowski

Not sure what to write, how to express it. This is what the word "masterpiece" was invented for, I think. It speaks to me like few books ever have. The misanthropy, the disinterest and apathy, uncertainty about the future, everything about Hank Chinaski is me at my worst. He's me if I let that side take over. And it speaks in such a unique voice. Every sentence and word is just perfect and alive and heavy with meaning. I'll die happy if I ever write something half as good as this.

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.