Bloodsucking Fiends

I read for entertainment. Just wanted to make that clear, in case you were still uncertain about my motivation. If I want spiritual enlightenment, I'll go to church. If I want heartrending drama, I'll go to work. Books are the place I go to have fun, to laugh, to get turned on, you know, to go on little mini-vacations that are cheap and don't require packing.

All of that is to justify why I read about vampires. Nothing makes me happier than finding a good vampire book by an author that's new to me. This week I came across one of those finds. The book is Bloodsucking Fiends, and the author is Christopher Moore. Mr. Moore has written a number of books about vampires and other demons. He has a sort of wry, 'in on the joke' voice that reminded me of A. Lee Martinez. I don't remember much about the story; a San Francisco office worker and "serial monogamist" runs across an ancient vamp who deals with boredom by randomly turning people into vampires then watching his fledglings flounder until he kills them. The action centers on her survival and her love life. It also involves turkey bowling. How can you not love a book that has turkey bowling? I liked this book a lot and would definitely look for other books by this author.

Then, for some twisted vampire action, I re-read Narcissus in Chains, an Anita Blake novel by Laurell K. Hamilton. Oh Anita, you have so far to go. 'Nuff said.

I ventured into cozy-ville with Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart. I was in junior high when I first read Ms. Stewart. I loved The Crystal Cave and The Hollow Hills and in my mind they're still the definitive versions of the Arthurian myth. I haven't really kept up with her since then, however. Rose Cottage reads like it was written a long time ago, though in fact the publication date was 1997. It's set in England in the year immediately following WWII. I could more-or-less figure out the plot early on, but the period detail made the book a fascinating read. It was worth the night I spent on it.