The easiest place to start is with one of the novels; 'The Dreaming Place (Firebird)' is, chronologically speaking, the earliest novel, and is more geared toward a young adult crowd. It features, among other characters, Cassie and Bones, who become Newford staples in later years.

The first "official" Newford book, 'Memory and Dream' introduces us to Izzy, an embittered artist who has the gift of making her art come to life. Really, really to life.

Next, there's the first short story collection, 'Dreams Underfoot: The Newford Collection'. Here, we meet Jilly, Sophie, Wendy, Christy, and Geordie once more, as well as an ever-increasing cast of lost souls and modern mythical beings. (Note: do not look directly at the cover, lest its hideousness blind you. Palencar, do you have a problem with eyes or something? Criminy.)

The second full-length novel, 'Trader', was recently reprinted. It's an adult coming of age story, about coming out of one's shell and seeing the world through new eyes.

The second short story collection, 'The Ivory and the Horn (Newford)', is excellent (my favorite, actually), and reprises the role of many of the characters we've met in past works. The frightening novella, "Wishing Well," about a woman's battle with anorexia, appears here, as does "Where Desert Spirits Crowd The Night," which is the first MAJOR appearance of one of the animal people who star in the next book...

...'Someplace To Be Flying (Newford)'. This is the first appearance of the Crow Girls--a pair of capricious Creator spirits from the dawn of time. A full-scale war is beginning in Newford, fighting for a talisman used in the creation of the world. A group of unsuspecting mortals is drawn into this mythical battle, and they will all be changed forever. (This book does not, for the most part, feature any of the "main" Newfordites; i.e., Jilly, Sophie, Geordie, etc. However, the Crow Girls have begun to take on a larger role in the main series.)

The third short story collection, 'Moonlight and Vines (Newford)', brings back some of our favorites, new and old. Jilly, Cassie and Bones, the Crow Girls...they're all here!

The next novel, 'Forests of the Heart (Newford)', is one of my least favorite. For one, it has Atrocious Cover Art. For two, the plot and characters are a little weak by de Lint's usual standards. It's a wintery story of the Green Man, and the changing of the seasons. This is another novel that largely took place outside the main Newford group.

De Lint followed this with another novel, 'The Onion Girl (Newford)'. This is probably the greatest Newford book, and is absolutely the least newbie friendly. Seriously--my copy has a chart I wrote of the inside of just who all the characters are, and in what story or novel they first appeared in. This is the all-star Newford book, in which Something Terrible happens to Jilly Coppercorn, and we learn about her dark, dark past. In the meantime, just about every character who has ever appeared in a Newford book, no matter how small a part, is here.

Two short story collections follow this: the young-adult oriented 'Waifs and Strays' and 'Tapping the Dream Tree'. Waifs and Strays only contains a few Newford stories, but they are mostly previously unpublished. Tapping the Dream Tree is a "mainstream" Newford book, featuring "The Buffalo Man," "Trading Hearts at the Half Kaffe Cafe," and "Ten For the Devil" among many, many others. BONUS: "Seven Wild Sisters," de Lint's first Subterranean Press novella, is reprinted here, albeit without Charles Vess's gorgeous illustrations.

De Lint has another upcoming Newford novel, due out in 2003 (and featuring even more Atrocious Cover Art than Forests of the Heart, IMHO) called 'Spirits in the Wires', about Christy Riddle's rather supernatural girlfriend, Saskia, and his shadowy "sister". (BONUS: 'Spirits in the Wires' is now available as an MP3 audiobook!)

New in 2005 is 'Blue Girl', which is technically a Young Adult book, but really, fits just as well with any of the more "adult" Newford books. This story focuses on two very different girls, Imogene and Maxine, who form a fast, strong friendship just in time to deal with a pack of malicious fairies, soul-devouring anamathim, and a manic-depressive ghost. Christy Riddle pops up here and there, and other Big Name Newfordites are mentioned, but mostly, the action focuses on the girls. I really hope that de Lint opts to keep those two around...they were a lot of fun to read.

Set somewhat outside the main action of Newford, but definately in the same "universe," is 'Seven Wild Sisters'. (EEP! Looks like this one is disappearing fast! If you don't have a copy yet, HURRY!. I know the story is in TtDT, but Charles Vess's artwork shouldn't be missed!) This brilliant novella is set in the hills outside Newford, where seven red-haired sisters meet spirits and faeries in their own backyard, and are sucked into a war between rival faerie courts. This book is stunningly illustrated by master fantasy artist Charles Vess, and is in general one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. De Lint and Vess plan on doing several more novellas starring the Dillard girls--the ones I've heard about so far are 'Circle of Cats' and another, 'Medicine Road'.

If you are a completist collector, you may also want to purchase 'Triskell Tales: 22 Years of Chapbooks' (which is, I believe, available from B&N for $40). This is a collection of some of de Lint's earliest work, mostly about Meran and Cerin--one of the original Newford couples. There are also several stories that later appeared in "Tapping The Dream Tree."

Also, try 'From a Whisper to a Scream (Key Books)', and 'I'll Be Watching You (Key Books)': mystery novels set in Newford, but outside the main action. De Lint wrote these back at the dawn of time, writing under the pen name of Samuel M. Key.

Well, I hope that this guide helped you to decide on what your holiday reading will be this year, and I hope that more and more de Lint fans will continue to discover the Newford series anew!