I have at last -- after what seems like months of dipping in and out -- finally finished Llama Sutra, a collection of short fiction by Melanie Whipman (I don't get much time to read, alas). This is an outstanding book -- very skilfully written, and often very touching. If you like the art of the short story, I suspect you will love these; inventive, often unexpected, but always accessible. The author has created a set of highly original stories; furthermore, she has done so without ever coming close to being dull, or creating something pointless or incomprehensible (as so commonly happens in lit fic). Highly recommend!