Artist of the Year Honorable Mention: Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman isn't a Minnesotan, nor even a U.S. citizen. But as long as this British journalist-turned-comic book writer-turned-novelist-turned-screenwriter-turned-director continues to call western Wisconsin his home, we're glad to claim him. This was an especially good year to be Gaiman, if by "good" one means having a novel ("Anansi Boys") debut at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, then seeing your first feature film on screens nationally ("Mirror Mask," which he co-wrote). That film was only the beginning of a slate of movies written by Gaiman or based on his work, including "Beowulf" (directed by Robert Zemeckis), an animated version of "Coraline" (based on Gaiman's eerie children's book) and, it's looking more likely, a long-anticipated adaptation of his comic book "Death: The High Cost of Living," which is being called "Death and Me." Next year it's back to comic books, with a take on Jack Kirby's "The Eternals" for Marvel Comics.

Special To The Star Tribune

Last update: December 30, 2005 - 11:51 AM

ERIC HANSON

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.