Sunshine & Bloodsucking Fiends

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:20:00 GMT

I've avoided Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series and put off trying Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series but I haven't steered clear of all vampire novels. Several years ago, I read Sunshine (see also) by Robin McKinley after a friend recommended it. It was so good I picked it up and read it again recently. Rae, or Sunshine, as she is known to her family and friends, had a fairly ordinary life baking for the coffeehouse her stepfather owns, spending time with her family and her boyfriend, Mel, who cooks at the coffeehouse. Her world is very much like our world, at first glance. The differences are written in a little at a time. Sunshine wasn't expecting to run into vampires at the lake, but she knew vampires existed. People protect their homes and businesses with wards and charms. There is an FBI-like organization that focuses on finding vampires, werewolves, etc. I'd love to tell you about the plot, but I don't want to risk giving anything away. Sunshine is a very detailed, dramatic and sometimes funny. I remember the first time I read it, I was almost sorry to reach the last page. One thing I must warn you about before you read Sunshine, is that since Sunshine is a baker, you may find yourself craving various muffins, pastries and especially cinnamon rolls while you read.

After I re-read Sunshine, I remembered I'd been meaning to read Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story by Christopher Moore. So I finally picked it up and read it. It's not nearly as good as Sunshine, but it's also completely different. Bloodsucking Fiends takes place in San Francisco, California. Tommy and Jody neither one have ever been particularly lucky in love until they meet each other. There's a catch, though: Jody is a vampire. In fact, their relationship begins because Jody finds out Tommy works nights stocking at a Safeway, which means he's free during the day to run errands for her. Tommy and Jody's nontraditional romance get rocky, wild and dangerous. As with any Christopher Moore novel, there are funny moments and disgusting, disturbing moments... sometimes simultaneously. If you like it, there are two sequels, You Suck and Bite Me.

Robin McKinley's website: http://www.robinmckinley.com/

Christopher Moore's website: http://www.chrismoore.com/

'Tis the Season to Curl Up With a Good Book

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:01:00 GMT

Most years I try to pick out and read at least one Christmas novel during the holidays. I thought I would share some of the titles I've enjoyed in years past.

Some of the novels I've read are fairly traditional. I've never been a fan of Charles Dickens, but A Christmas Carol really is worth your time. The Christmas Train by David Baldacci is one of my favorites. The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg is a story about Mary and Joseph.

There are two that I thought were well-written and enjoyable, but don't have the happy endings some people expect from a Christmas novel. One is a collection of short stories by Maeve Binchy called This Year it Will Be Different and the other is a small book by Stewart O'Nan called Last Night at the Lobster.

When I can find them, I really enjoy off-the-wall Christmas stories. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore is certainly off-the-wall. I have one word for you: ZOMBIES. Hogfather by Terry Pratchett is another great one, especially for fantasy readers. You might also try The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry. It's short and funny.

Some of these titles are available in large print and audio! Also, the edition of A Christmas Carol that I've linked to is the annotated one. There are smaller copies without notes available as well if you prefer.

I'm always looking for Christmas reading suggestions, so be sure to sign in share what you've enjoyed in the comments below!

Books Blog : Christopher Moore, fiction

Sunshine & Bloodsucking Fiends

'Tis the Season to Curl Up With a Good Book