American Gods, definitely. As for you, Cory, the book I buy for friends who don't know you is "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom."

This guy is telling his friend a joke. He says, "What's pink, hangs on a wall, and whistles?"

His friend says, "I don't know -- what's pink, hangs on a wall, and whistles?"

Guy: "A herring."

Friend: "But a herring isn't pink."

Guy: "So this herring is pink!"

Friend: "And hanging on a wall?"

Guy: "Someone could've hung it on the wall."

Friend: "And I've never heard of a herring that could whistle!"

Guy: "So, it doesn't whistle."

Mazal tov, proud father! May she be a blessing to you, and may she grow to a life of learning, of love, and of good deeds.

I like my fruit, bologna, and gum flavors all separate, thank you.

And "Blow your lunch!"? That's the tagline they came up with?

Baseman's "pervasive art" (and the many others who practice it, like Biskup) is awesome and thouhgt-provoking and, certanily, at times grotesque, infantile and disgusting.... but it's fascinating to look at the intersection between fine art, commercial art, and design.

Love Kelly Link and Small Beer! "Magic for Beginners" has an AWESOME ombie story, wit the best zombie quote I've ever read: "Art is for people who aren't worried about zombies." I loved it so much, I made a shirt:

http://www.cafepress.com/artzombies.96006624