Vacation time is reading time

A few years ago, my friend Godwin turned me on to Carl Hiaasen, a Florida newpaper man who has written a series of wacky novels with recurring characters, one of of whom is Skink, a physically-imposing former governor who sleeps rough and deals out rough justice to the people he believes are ruining Florida. This is what Hiaasen's columns are mostly about as well. One of these novels, "Striptease" was made into a movie with Demi Moore, which I actually liked.

I just learned that Hiaasen's latest novel, "Star Island" is up on Audible and grabbed it. I've been on Audible since about 2000. I don't read much anymore, but I do listen to books, probably because I have to do so much reading on a browser these days. Listening adds a dimension when the book is read by a good narator, but it keeps the author's words intact. I learned from looking at reviews that Skink is in this book about the nature stardom, always a great topic to ridicule.

Hiaasen is inventive with both plot and character traits, both are bigger than life, which is what I prefer over the endless series of crime novels. I'm also reading An Ordinary Thunderstorm by William Boyd at the moment. This is about a guy who gets involved in a murder in London and becomes homeless.

If Tom Robbins would only write a new one, my year would be complete.