I just got The Writers Tale and I'm loving how it was put together. What could have been a very dry read is in fact brilliant and full of what could have beens and surprises. It won't stop the RTD haters hating, but it definitely gives me some insight.
My other big series of books for this year has been Sergei Lukyanenko's 'Watch' fantasy tetralogy. I started reading them a year or so ago but re-read them all this year in preparation for the release of the final book (for now) which I am currently devouring alongside The Writers Tale. I really find it very hard to find fault with them.