October Books

I feel like October was a slow month for reading, though when I look back it seems there were at least 10 so I guess that's not too bad (though three are graphic novels, so do those count?)
Here they are -
Daughter of Fortune; Isabel Allende; Oct. 2007 - Sometime in the past year I read Portrait in Sepia by Allende in which the same characters are involved just later in their lives. I didn't know this when I started, but figured it out quickly enough. I really enjoy Allende's writing, though at times I get lost in the names and relations of everyone.
Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love; Bill Willingham; Oct. 2007 - Storyline is still fantastic, along with great art and witty commentary throughout.
Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm; Bill Willingham; Oct. 2007 - Storyline gets more in depth, the introduction of the characters that had to be dealt with in Vol. 1 is less so you can get more into it.
Brilliance of the Moon; Lian Hearn; Oct. 2007 - Book 3 of the Nightingale series.
Grass for His Pillow; Lian Hearn; Oct. 2007 - Book 2 of the Nightingale series.
Across the Nightingale Floor; Lian Hearn; Oct. 2007 - Was given to me by my stepmom for my birthday. It's a great story set in feudal Japan (not great with history so not sure if that is the right terminology). Adventure, intrigue, some love thrown in, all the elements you need.
Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile; Bill Willingham - Recommended by both my father and the bookstore comic book guy for when I finished the Sandman series. Basically any fairy tale/fable that you have ever heard of (and some you haven't) are living in present day NY. It's great, the art is fantastic with all kinds of little hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) details that keep your eyes on the page after the text is done. My favorite part is the high level of snarkiness from the characters.
Death - The Time of Your Life; Neil Gaiman; Oct. 2007 - Another spin off from the Sandman series.
Outlander; Diana Gabaldon; Oct. 2007 - Given to me by my stepmom for the birthday. It's advertised as a romance, and at times it gets a little graphic and intimate but in the end it boils down to a great fantasy story (fantasy as in magic not fantasy as in porn).
The Tale of One Bad Rat; Bryan Talbot; Oct. 2007 - Given to me by my father for my birthday. Now that he knows I'm back into comics I think that will be the center of the majority of our interactions. He described it to me as the book that comic book readers gave to their friends to show that comics could and are more than just guys in tights and capes. It's gritty, heartbreaking, and deals with some pretty serious shit. It was amazing. Anyone that works with kids or teenagers who have dealt with abuse might want to take a look to use it as a ice breaking tool.
The Grey King; Susan Cooper; Oct. 2007 - I think this was the last book from the Dark is Rising series I tore through last month. I lost interest by the end as it is YA reading level. To be honest, I feel like I read it so long ago I don't remember much about it. Guess I should start writing the mini reviews when I finish instead of waiting to the end of the month.