The only upside to being sick for almost the entire month was reading a slew of excellent books. Here's the cream o' the crop.

Snobbery: The American Version - Joseph Epstein

Snobbery often entails taking a petty, superficial, or irrelevant distinction and, so to say, running with it.

Epstein's study of snobbery should be considered a guilty pleasure, replete with snarky little personal stories. His main premise is snobbery is a strangely unique phenomenon created by Americans. Our democracy gives us countless outlets to compare and judge our fellow humans. In past societies there were certainly social stratas filled with their nouveaux and bourgeoisie. But the changes of a parlor maid becoming a Duchess or miller an academic were slim to nil. There were less areas to be snobby about since there wasn't much social mobility. The American melting pot stirs us all together and gives us so many options and groups to feel superior to. In addition to the usual, and oft-mocked snobs, like clothes-horses and Society, there are many modern types of snobs. There are academic snobs, sure that the only people who matter have gone to a handful of (arguably) great schools. There are the intellectual snobs who place a premium on "correct" information - knowing the newest painter, names of esoteric wines and avant garde writers. Job snobs look down anyone lower than them on the (correct) ladder of success. They seethe with envy over those higher up. Of course, there are are the anti-snobs who consider themselves superior and oh-so separate from those judgmental barbarians. I found myself particularly amused at this subsection. In essence, Epstein is re-presenting Stuff White People Like, but in more academic tones. I recommend reading both and having a good laugh at "those" people. You know, the ones WE would never mix with.

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

It's Neil, 'nuff said. No? OK, a sweet, funny and often sad book about a baby named Nobody who grows up in a graveyard, raised by the kindly dead. Beautiful and otherworldly as only Gaiman can write.

I Love Led Zeppelin: Panty-dropping Comics by Ellen Forney

Sweet! Forney illustrates "How to be a Fabulous Fag Hag" with Margaret Cho, "How to Twirl Your Tassels in Opposite Directions" with Teresa Dulse, Forney's almost-kinda date with Camille Paglia and her friend's incredibly embarrassing meeting with Tom Waits. Heckuva good collection.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey - Trenton Lee Stewart and Genius Squad - Catherine Jinks

Like all sequels to excellent books, these two YA titles are a teeny bit of a letdown - primarily because they aren't the first book. Both take a few chapters to hit their stride, Genius Squad more so. However, I had no complaints by a third of the way through both. Satisfying reads for any age. Definitely read the first books before starting either of these.

Nation - Terry Pratchett

Yes, the new Pratchett is very different. For one thing, it is a great deal more serious* than many of his past books. It also takes place (kind of) in our world, rather than the disc world. Still, it is a very good story and told well. With his usual gimlet eye Pratchett takes on colonialism and white superiority. Go into it expecting an exciting and imaginative tale, but not your standard Pratchett fare.

* for Pratchett