Ravens in the Library was a thick book of very short stories that were mostly thick, dense, filling stories, each with its own wild flavor. Despite my usual swift habit for book consumption, I simply could not get through Ravens at any particular speed. It reminded me of an intellectual box of truffles. Two or three stories were plenty enough at one sitting, thanks. I would bite into one without knowing what the center (ending) was going to be, and I was happy not to know. It was all a grand gustatory adventure through stories that were not dedicated to happily ever after sweetness nearly so much as gaining a new understanding of the nuances of humanity. Most of the time I was at least interested in the flavors; only one or two were horrific enough to leave me shuddering after. I can tell you that some of the authors are powerhouses (Gaiman, De Lint, Constantine), and just as many were totally unknown to me. The last three entries were all on the Peter Pan theme, which might have been boring were they not all so unique from each other.

In short, it was good. If you are at all interested in the intersections and overlays of music, storytelling, bardic influences, or anything that lurks in the dark wood, READ IT.

-- New-to-me books read in 2011 (as opposed to re-reads) --
Little Dee vol 2
Little Dee vol 3
Unusual Suspects
Harvest Moon
The Black Stallion (yes, I know, I should have read it with Black Beauty)
Ravens in the Library: Magic in the Bard's Name