I worked at the Silver Snail a long, long time ago. Superman died when I was there, remember that? 1992? Yes, long ago. Anyway, I did cash there and I was a bit of a snob about comic book fanboys, and had less than no interest in the actual comics, at least, anything superhero related. Neil Gaiman did a signing once and the place was jammed, full of fans and crazies, it was a fun day. Everyone told me, read his work! Sandman is so good! Blah blah blah!
Did I listen? Hell no. I read his short series, Death, which was 3 comics and pretty good, but just thinking about getting into the Sandman series, ugh, no.
Then someone, I think Ali? loaned me one of his novels and I really enjoyed it, but I returned it and forgot everything, even the title.
Then I read something on boingboing about Terry Pratchett, a group of his fans had made a quilt with pictures and phrases from his books, and I’d never really even heard of him, so I got to thinking about his books and thought, yeah, ok, I will try one, see what it’s like, then I found out that he’d co-written a book with Neil Gaiman so I went to Chapter’s and guess what, they didn’t have the Pratchett book I wanted, they only had a mangled copy of the book he did with Gaiman, but they had a bunch of books by Gaiman and I was in the right mood, so I bought Anansi Boys. And it’s so good. So good I went back to Chapter’s and got 2 more books, American Gods and Smoke and Mirrors, and I can’t wait to read them both.
Ah.
It WAS me, and it was American Gods and yes the collaboration he wrote with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens is AMAZING.
Seconding the love for Good Omens! Awesome book!
American Gods, also good :P
Ok then, I will for sure look for a better copy of Good Omens. I’d have bought the one I found if it had been at a used bookstore, but I really do feel like a new bookstore should have new quality books.
Terry Pratchett is amazing,we have all of his books bar the most recent 2 or 3. We also have loads of ornaments ,by Clarecraft,of the characters in the books.
We have American Gods. My hubby has read it, but I never have. Let me know if it’s good.
Book City on the Danforth has TONS of Pratchett, if you’re up for a bit of a journey east to get ‘em.
The store is in the Carrot Common, which is a tiny bit west of Chester subway.
Book City usually has discounts too, so I will go there. Thanks for the tip, Danielle. And it’s a bit out of my way, but my best friend lives in that ‘hood so maybe we will take twins for a walk some time!
Another vote for Good Omens. Oh, and Equal Rites is fantastic too!
good omens…..so. good.
mine got lent out many years ago, to a certain, slightly grouchy tattooist we both know ;) and never returned…..i really must get myself a new copy
The great thing about Neil Gaiman is that his books all have such different feels to them. I would recommend neverwhere for sure to get a good rounded view of his works.