So, I haven't really been keeping up with my reading list. Oh, I've been reading them. I just haven't been reporting them. So, here goes a clearing house type of list.

Currently Reading:
Good Omens - Recommended by a Friend, plus I like Gaiman, so...

Also Started:
Perdido Street Station - Also recommended by a friend. I've read maybe 20, 50 pages so far. It's good, but I keep getting pulled away to read other stuff.

Just Finished:
Sleeping in Flame - This was a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and blasted through it in about 24 hours or so. I was tired, but it was certainly worth it. The beginning of the book is better than the end. Particularly the last 20 pages or so were sort of a let down. Still, I would highly recommend it, and I'm sure that I'll be reading it again at least once or twice more.

White Oleander - Had to read it for a discussion group. Believe me, I wouldn't normally have chosen an Oprah book club selection on my own. The writing is actually reasonably good. The perspective/message of the book was pretty miserable though at least in my opinion. I don't know why anybody would want to read it. I can't believe it sold as well as it did -- even with Oprah's stamp of approval on it. Others who read it didn't share that perspective, but their focus seemed to be more on the surface elements of the book so... I guess if you're not a deep reader, and you really like drama, and you're not a guy.

The Rainy Season - Some of the best descriptions of natural landscape I've ever come across. However, the focus on details of scene seemed to get in the way of the plot for me. There were also a crazy number of characters and time lines to keep track of -- particularly towards the beginning of the book. They converged a bit as it went along though, and things picked up for me. All and all, it was OK but I don't think I'd read it again or recommend it.

Wizard of Oz - this was OK. I'd never read it before. The movie is better, or at least more familiar. The ending drags largely because it keeps going on a good deal past where the movie ends, and I feel like all of drama is used up at that point.

Neverwhere - I didn't like this nearly as much as I liked American Gods. Others have told me they liked this one better, but I found it a little too ... I don't know. A little too something.