Jim Ottaviani writes (and through GT Labs publishes) wonderful graphic novels on all kinds of science subjects. I reviewed his dinosaur history book Bone Sharps, Cowboys and Thunder Lizards (illustrated by the creative geniuses Big Time Attic), at Bookslut in January 2006 and in May 2007 reviewed another title on the psychology experiments of Harry Harlow on monkeys, Wire Mothers. I adore Ottaviani's work and I'm mightily impressed by his subject matter. Be sure to check out the GT Labs site for more titles such as Two-Fisted Science and Suspended in Language on Niels Bohrs.

Here are some books that Jim has been recently enjoying.

This year has been overstuffed with reading and writing, so I'll focus on a few books that fall outside the range of normal review material...two books I haven't finished, one book I'm re-reading (and re-reading probably belongs in quotes), and one that I read only in (semi-final) draft form.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, audiobook read by Simon Prebble

[19 hours in] This is my second time through Clarke's terrific novel. The first time I read it the traditional way: In dim light on airplanes, propped on my chest in bed, at arms length with a bowl of cereal in between me and the book. I remembered enjoying its complexity, its abundance of wonderful characters, and the sense of immersion in a familiar but odd world that I looked forward to every time I was about to pick it up.

And the language! People don't talk like that any more. And the style! Narrators don't intrude into novels like this any more. And the footnotes! When the back story is so well done and witty, even the interruptions are welcome. And the scope! And and and...I enjoyed this book.

And and and...I'm enjoying it again. So if you will be so kind as allow me to attempt some sincere flattery, here we go: As I make my daily way on foot from home to the library -- days that grow ever shorter, duller in color, and colder than the eyes of the Raven King** -- this volume and its most singular audio interpretation by Simon Prebble has proved to be a most delightful and illuminating companion indeed. And so I recommend it to you, without reservation.

**John Uskglass, also a character in Clarke's story collection entitled The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories, which, though less good than the present volume, is still quite fine and is enhanced by Charles Vess' beautiful illustrations.

Ghostwritten by David Mitchell: [Page 254] I have no idea where this book is going, and the narrative thread (mostly) eludes me so far. But as each new vignette begins in a new locale Mitchell has drawn me in quickly and completely. By the end of a segment I see the connection with previous parts (or don't), get a resolution (or don't), but don't care either way because every character so far has a) been completely unlike me, and b) had me identifying with them within a few pages. That's great writing, and if the book holds up all the way through to the end it will become a favorite.

A Passion for Mars: Intrepid Explorers of the Red Planet by Andrew Chaikin: [Page 34 so far] Andrew Chaikin writes about space exploration the way the first SF writers did, but does so with the authority they lacked. He has, if you'll forgive me, a passion for the topic and he makes sure you feel it on every page. He also does the heavy lifting in terms of research that a book like this needs to balance its passion with that of the folks he writes about. I know I'll like this book as much as I liked his A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, which has been no further than arm's length away from me for the past two years while I've worked on a graphic novel about the space race.

Mission Control, This Is Apollo by Andrew Chaikin and Alan Bean

[completed, via an ARC] The only book I've finished on this list, and yet, the shortest review: I can't wait to see this in full color, and can't wait to give it as a gift. To myself and to many friends.