Daryl Gregory’s Pandemonium (a B&N Book Club book of the month). It’s techincally fantasy, but it’s one of those books that sort of transcends genre. It’s about a guy in an alternative America where so-called demons have been posessing people since the 1950’s. I can’t say much more than that without ruining the plot, but suffice to say the narrator learns a horrible truth and has to make some gut-wrenching choices. (That sounds so flat and cliche, I know, but to be more specific would spoil the plot). It’s an amazing book, especially for a debut novel.
Butcher Bird, by Richard Kadrey. I’m not sure how to describe this one. Part fantasy, part surreal. A man nearly gets eaten by a demon, then goes on a magical mission to Hell with a princess from another world. The coolest Lucifer you’ll ever read about. Just take my word for it- it’s good.
[nonfiction alert] I recently re-read The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs and now I’m fully convinced it is the best book ever, period. [/nonfiction alert]
(second place would go to Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman)
A coworker brought in a book for me to read the other day that falls outside of my regular comfort zones of Sci Fi and Mystery.
I just finished Marley and Me and I recommend it as a really good quick read. John Grogan is a wonderfully descritive writer and despite my reluctance, I really enjoyed it.