Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, Harper Collins, 2004

Moist von Lipwig, aka Alfred Spangler, is a con man condemned to hang for his crimes. While Alfred is executed, Lord Vetinari, leader of Ankh-Morpork, spares Moist's life with one condition-that he becomes the Postmaster General. A hilarious ride ensues, rife with golems, dysfunctional postal employees, gargoyles, dwarves, and a threat from the big business honchos in charge of the clackers, which view delivering the mail as a direct threat to their current monopoly on sending messages. Likeable characters, skillful writing, and an often warped yet genuinely funny sense of humor make this book a must read for the science fiction reader leaning towards the lighter side of science.

This is the book that made me realize that maybe I do like science fiction and fantasy after all. I'm grateful Pratchett is a prolific writer and look forward to reading more of his Discworld series.

Readers who enjoyed this book may also like these fiction titles: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Harmony Books, 2004 (reissue-25th anniversary edition)rewards readers with plenty of humor, parody, and satire in this tale of Arthur Dent, who is saved from the destruction of Earth in order to travel the galaxy using clues from the travel guide "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Practical Demonkeeping: A Comedy of Horrors by Christopher Moore, St. Martin's Press, 1992 is also a humorous story about another character who makes a questionable deal-in this case, receiving eternal youth but in return being required to care for a demon.

Readers who enjoyed this book may also like these non-fiction titles: The Turtle Moves! Discworld's Story Unauthorized by Lawrence Watt-Evans, Benbella, 2008 is a companion guidebook written in essay form to expand and expound on the 30+ volume Discworld series. Con Men: Fascinating Profiles of Swindlers and Rogues from the Files fo the Most Successful Broadcast in Television History Simon & Schuster, 2003 is presented by the staff of 60 Minutes and encompasses their investigative reports over the years featuring swindlers, crooks, and cheats.