The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett

After that last essay compilation, I needed something mellow to kick start my brain. Cue the ever-wonderful Terry Pratchett! Maurice is a very special cat: he can talk, and so can the Clan of rats he's convinced to work with him to bilk unsuspecting towns out of their gold. Oh, plus there's the stupid-looking kid who can play a mean pipe. You see where this is going? Add in a precocious girl with a head full of stories, some rat catchers with malicious intent, and some seriously philosophical musings by rodents, and you get a pretty damn enjoyable romp through fairyland. Always a pleasure, Sir Terry, always a pleasure.