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Don't tell anyone I said this but just the smell of it gets me high. The untouched, pristine like-a-virgin texture, the irresistible, distinctive scent, the sexy, sultry, come-get-me covers... there's nothing I love more than to have a new package of books waiting at my door.

Everyone that knows me can tell what's my major obsession - well, apart from hot men. It comes a really close second though and sometimes I can find myself wavering between a choice of following that cute stud's mighty fine ass out of a bookstore or trailing that amazing new bestseller I reviewed online. No prizes for guessing what I do with the cute stud actually reading a bestseller. :)

It's hard to keep track of all the good books, trade paperbacks and graphic novels out in the market - and thankfully, we have the Internet for that. At the top of my pile of books was Gotham Central - Half a Life, one of the series that I follow semi-regularly.


He'd rather talk about books than spend time with me...
Even for those without an interest in comics, books or even the Dark Knight ( come on, a sexy, brooding hunk in a dark leather suit, what is there not to like? ), Half a Life is certainly not to be missed. Told in the gritty, realistic manner reminiscent of today's cop shows, Gotham Central details the police procedurals of the a dedicated group of police officers in the same city as one of the world's most famous vigilantes and many of the world's most notorious criminals and bizarre supervillains.

Since cops are on the headline, a murder plotline is part of the story but it's the tale of a woman leading a double life that takes center stage. Those who're not in touch with the events in the fictional Gotham wouldn't know her but Renee Montoya has been a mainstay of the world of Batman for a few years now, and now, her story is finally being told.

As the murder investigations start pointing the finger at her, Renee's personal life is highlighted and her secret affair becomes public. Even in today's world, it's not that easy falling in love when it's with another woman. The script is beautifully written, intense and emotional at the same time as it deals with Renee's hurt and fear when her colleagues - and then her strictly religious, conservative family - find out about her predilections as she's publicly outed by a hidden enemy. Her only safe harbour in this raging sea or chilly silences and recrimination is the occasional call she makes to her lover, Daria, and it's absolutely beautiful how she clings on to that one moment of respite from all her troubles.

Whoever said being a dyke was easy?