Sometimes I pick up a book because the cover or the title intrigues me. Sometimes I choose the book because the advance praise quote is from an author that I really like. I often reject books because of what I read on the inside flap. I just have to ignore those pesky summarizations.
I picked up Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff because of the cover (bright yellow with a Rorschach inkblot, the title, and the advance praise (Christopher Moore, one of my top 10 favorite authors).

Maybe it’s all the rain in Seattle, or the giant cedars, or the Mountains that “come out”, I don’t know but Matt Ruff has a way of taking you on a ride spinning you around so you aren’t sure which way is up and releasing you into another dimension. I suppose if you don’t like roller coaster rides, you should be warned away from this book, but if you like clever, intelligent (OK weird, clever, and succinct) writing, grab this book and let it have its way with you.

If you just can’t pick up a book for its bright yellow cover, then this book probably isn’t for you.

I, Sarah, give the book an A. The 230 pages read like 150, and are totally worth the slight dizziness that comes from a really good roller coaster ride.

If you like this book, you might also like books by Christopher Moore, Tom Robbins, and Tim Dorsey.