Mrs. Rimshot discovered Christopher Moore’s “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Jesus’ Childhood Pal” while wandering around the bookstore. That started our obsession with Mr. Moore’s writing. We ripped through Lamb, lent out our copy never to be seen again, then went back for “Coyote Blues”, “Bloodsucking Fiends”, and “The Island of the Sequined Love Nun.”
I know there’s more (no pun intended), but I haven’t gotten to the bookstore since I finished the last one.
Mrs. Rimshot and I are equaly hooked - almost to the point of fighting over who gets first “dibs”. And once we’ve started one of his books, everything else goes to hell until we’re finished.
Sadly, it’s a short-lived passion, as we’re bound to read faster than Mr. Moore can write. . .
. . . so, any Doper suggestions? If I like Christopher Moore, I’m also bound to like . . . ?
I love reading Christopher Moore books too. I would suggest you try Bill Fitzhugh. I’ve read one, “Pest Control” which was quite funny. I’ve got another one “Fender Bender” out from the library now, so I can’t vouch for that.
I’ll be checking back on this thread, I’m interested what other books people would recommend too!
Which Moore book is your favourite? I am somewhat partial to “Island of the Sequined Love Nun”, as it was my first, but I laughed myself silly reading “Bloodsucking Fiends” - the scene in the grocery store with the surfing behind the floor cleaner is one of the funniest scenes I’ve ever read.
I lurrrve Christopher Moore! Please make “Practical Demonkeeping” (his first book) next on your reading list. Other than that, Mr. Moore actually has a little feature on his website giving readers recommendations while he’s between books.
Personally, I recommend anything by William Browning Spencer (especially “Zod Wallop”), and the Myth series by Robert Aspirin. If you read any fantasy at all, this series is a scream.
Also, although he doesn’t write primarily funny books, I never miss a chance to recommend Jonathan Carroll, so look for “Sleeping in Flame” next time you’re out as well.
Ooh, ooh, ooh … that reminded me. Thanks for posting the link to his website Jenny Haniver (For anyone who’s having trouble accessing the link, delete the period at the end of the hyperlink) Oh, and thanks for the other recommendations too, I’m marking them on my to-read list as well!
While reading Chris’ Picks, I was reminded of a few other books that you might like, by authors which he mentions.
“Naked Brunch” by Sparkle Hayter - very much like “Bloodsucking Fiends”
and
“Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates” by Tom Robbins.
I just discovered Moore this summer (with his latest, Fluke) and rushed out to get Lamb. Now I have to buy all his rest.
I haven’t been this enthused about an author since I found out about James Morrow (whose novels are very similar in theme to Lamb and who has the same wacky sense of humor).
His website is also a great place to find books to read. They all sound so good I want to rush out and get them.
I second the thanks, ** Jenny Haniver**, for the link. And thanks all for the suggestions – I haven’t been this excited about going to the bookstore in a long time!
I’ll add a suggestion of my own - any of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld stories. The same humanist/absurdist sensibilities. Just like Moore, Pratchett makes me laugh out loud in the most inappropriate places.
My favorite Moore (so far) - Coyote Blue. A close runner up is Biff, most notably for the fact that it reveals:
If you haven’t already, try The Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket. It’ll be in the kid’s section.
Also, a I read a very cool book recently by the name of “Carter Beats the Devil” by Glen Gold, which I highly recommend, especially if you like magic, San Francisco, lions, pirates, or people named Philo.
And a warning: If you order “Carter Beats the Devil” from Amazon, you’ll notice among the recommendations you get back a book by Wally Lamb called “I Know This Much Is True.” This is the worst book I have ever read in my life. I had the misfortune to take it camping, figuring that with a 900 page novel, I’d need no other books to get me through the weekend. How I wished we’d run out of toilet paper!
And I second Bill Fitzhugh, especially Pest Control & Organ Grinders.
I’d also suggest Stephen Walker: Mr.Landen Has No Brain Christopher Buckley: Thank You For Not Smoking Jim Munroe - Flyboy Action Figure Comes With Gasmask is probably funniest…
Not science fictiony but you might want to try Carl Hiaasen. He writes pretty funny stuff about Florida. Sick Puppy is one of my favorites but I like them all. Especially the ones with the hot, road kill eating, one eyed ex-govenor named Skink.