Book 64: "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman

     "American Gods" has the distinction of being selected as the first ever "One Book One Twitter" book.  For those of you who hold a more jaundiced view of current social media, this book also won the 2002 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, SFX Magazine and Bram Stoker awards for Best Novel.  It is a book with a fascinating premise!
     That central concept is that gods and mythological creatures exist because people believe in them.  And that new gods have come into being reflecting our obsessions with media, technology, celebrity and drugs, among others.  The central character in "American Gods" is Shadow, a convict recently released from prision.  He begins work as a body guard to one of these "new gods", Mr. Wednesday--and this incredible science fiction thriller takes off!  What follows is a delicious mix of ancient and modern American mythology.
     Neil Gaiman is also the author of the popular "Sandman" graphic novels.