Another author worth reading

Jonathan Carroll is one of those guys I have being meaning to read and, thanks to a gift from Steve, I finally read one, Land of Laughs. Now don't click away, but this book is a fantasy novel set in the modern day USA. This doesn't mean that hordes of orcs and elves come crashing into the modern way, but rather that a normal story begins to take on fantastical elements. This fellow is like Tim Powers or Jonathan Lethem. Lethem's site is crazy, check it out, click the glove compartment link, which includes short pieces like this one on Jim Carroll's "People Who Died".

All three authors tell interesting stories and use fantastical elements to do so. This particular story is about relationships, particularly with fathers. There is also the challenge of finding out the real life of your heroes. In this case, two people learn that their favorite children's author led a very odd life in small town Missouri. The main character is just this side off unlikable, as we get to see all of his behavior, which is often childish or foolish. This makes him all the more believable which is important in a story with a talking dog.

Just barely on topic, this children's book about rhyming names with food is popular in my house right now. And you've probably seen this already, but this is quite funny and entirely work safe.