A few weeks ago I picked up Neil Gaiman’s new book Odd and the Frost Giants, a short little tale written for World Book Day. Then I pretty much forgot about it. Earlier this week I happened to spot it and threw it in my bag for some lunchtime reading. I was hooked! I finished it later that night. It’s a charming tale of Norse mythology, definitely suitable for younger readers. I loved the humour of the writing – especially the dialogue between the gods – and the way Gaiman created such distinct personalities. The story doesn’t shy away from “grown-up” issues though, like how Odd’s father met his mother and how Loki isn’t always a nice guy. And I really like that Odd wins not because he’s the biggest or the strongest, but because he thinks and observes and knows how to read people. It’s a really good story.

It really put me in the mood to re-read American Gods… but my copy is missing! Did I lend it to any of you? I can’t remember.