I’m actually quite fond of Robert Rankin already; the only trouble is that he doesn’t seem to have native distribution in the states, so it’s a matter of getting lucky to find him in the bookstores (such as an autographed copy of Knees Up, Mother Earth that I found!) or in the used shops. Luckily the library seems to have a few of his books, which I’ve placed a request for.
Tom Holt is another amongst these that I’ve had some experience with, though not as positive; his Snow White and the Seven Samurai (IIRC) was a bit of a let-down for me. I’m quite willing to give him another go, however.
Interesting that you should mention Mrs. Frisby, Ellen Cherry; I’m a huge fan of the movie and read the book ages ago; it’s still sitting on my shelf here. If only I could get my Garth Nix books back (the Abhorsen series) I’d give them another whirl too.
Weird fiction and Nero Wolfe? And fluff? Maybe you could try some MaryJanice Davidson starting with the shoe buying vampire epic Undead and Unemployed.
If you must read L. Ron books DO NOT order them online! Do not buy them new in a bookstore with anything but cash. Your safest bet is to look for them in used bookstores, in a city other than where you live, in a disguise and do not drive your own car there. Otherwise THEY might find you and inundate you with junk mail and spam. Good luck.
Oh and try Spider Robinson’s Callahan series (the early books).
I’m not sure about that. Hiassen’s Skink is fine in limited quantities. Serge Storm, Dorsey’s equivalent, is sometimes too much as the stories focus. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy both writers. I just prefer Hiassen’s leads.
AuntiePam, it would be difficult debating which Moore book is sillier. That said, I love them all.
Lemur Catta, you might look at Robert Asprin’s early Myth series (now collected two per book). Another Fine Myth was the first. Also, when I can’t find anything else light to read, I can always pick up an Elmore Leonard novel and be amused.
I’ll echo the Pratchett recommendations, but they can require some actual thinking to get the jokes. For fluff, I suggest the Thraxas series, though the last two are weaker.
