121. Moore, Christopher. A Dirty Job. 387 pages. 10.14.09.

A friend sent me Moore's "Death Merchant" book to take to the hospital for something light and funny to read. In A Dirty Job, second-hand dealer Charlie finds himself experiencing several life-changes after the birth of his daughter and subsequent death of his wife. He has unexpectedly become a Death Merchant, and is responsible for collecting the souls of the recently departed so they can be passed on to the soul-less - and if he fails there will be hell to pay.

What I found most amusing about Moore's novel were his descriptions of newborns/children and parenting. He captures the complete cluelessness of new parents perfectly, and presents a modern and eclectic style of parenting that is at once charmingly awkward and oddly realistic.

The novel as a whole is enjoyable, if painfully obvious. His presentation of the superstition is the most unimaginative part of the novel, and I found myself glossing over passages about the Morrigan to get back to his modern characters.

A Dirty Job is good for a light read and a chuckle.

40. Moore, Christopher. You Suck: A Love Story. 328 pages. 4.20.09.

The sequel to Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck has none of the novelty - and very little of the charm - of the original book. While a lot of the same humor is present, the characters lack the development of the first novel, and the plot itself seems redundant. You Suck is an amusing read, but don't expect it to be as delightful as the first.

38. Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House in the Big Woods. 238 pages. 4.17.09.

39. Moore, Christopher. Bloodsucking Fiends. 291 pages. 4.18.09.

A cute and comical contemporary vampire story. Moore's take on vampire lit is a nice break from modern "horror" conventions.