I'm a fan of Julie Elizabeth Powell, one thing I know when I pick up one of her books is that I am going to enjoy it. That's rare with a writer, and I'm so happy to have discovered her.
'Figments', is a collection of 21 stories and poems, dealing with themes such as mental illness, absent fathers, generation gaps, nostalgia, among other things. Julie Elizabeth Powell is a wonderful storyteller. I enjoyed all the stories and poems, but my favourites are 'Chocolate Cake', a poem (I don't usually read poetry, but this one is just perfect), 'Santicore Ockle'(on the theme of be careful what you name your child!), and 'A Typical Christmas'.
It's a quick read, and if you've never read anything by Julie Elizabeth Powell before, I'd recommend it as a great way to get a feel for her writing. Although having said that, she is very versatile and writes in many genres, including fantasy, murder mystery, non-fiction, and children's books. Treat yourself to 'Figments', you won't be disappointed.