Ilario: the Lion's Eye

I really, really want to recommend this book, and I keep trying to! Every time I start to describe it I get off on the wrong foot. Let me try again:

Set in an alternate history where the Renaissance is slowed by the failure of the Catholic Church to amass all the wealth and power of Europe in the 1400s, Ilario struggles to find a place as a "New" artist, eschewing pointed toes and stylized art for a representational style.

Slavery, political intrigue, religious upheaval, parenthood: nothing can thwart Ilario's desire to paint well, even if it means plotting against the plotters in order to be able to be left alone to create.

The characters are thoughtful, smart, and smartly written. The descriptions of Ilario's travels make me dream of travel: Rome, Carthage, Venice!

Doesn't that sound brilliant? It is.

OK, now I can tell you this is also a masterful exploration of gender and all the ways it affects our daily life. How does being perceived as male or female affect our ability to navigate our world? Born a hermaphrodite, Ilario proves as slippery to pin down as others desire to stick in the pin.

Good Fairies of New York

Juxtaposing fairies, antisocial behavior and colostomy bags may not always be the sign of a good read, but in this case, overcoming your natural abhorrence of these things is worthwhile.

Mark Millar writes a convoluted not-quite-love story in "The Good Fairies of New York" which mixes the magical with the absolutely dreary. Dinnie the creep meets Kerry the infirm due to the interference of rogue Scottish fairies Heather and Morag. On the run from the authorities in Scotland due to some unfortunate choices in the midst of a rock and roll rebellion, the fairies befriend Dinnie and Heather and try to aid them in their lives on the fringes of New York City.

Cringe-worthy in places, Good Fairies is at the very least an addictive read.

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett can always amuse me, but where he really excels is when he is funny and pithy at the same time. No disappointments here, his latest book is absolutely on.

What makes the crowd "The Crowd?" How does an otherwise dull life manufacture drama? Why are we fanatic fans? He covers these topics with grace and aplomb, and lots of magic and true love, Pratchett style.