What I Love About Darynda Jones' Books Is...

Welcome to Darynda Jones week, organized by Piatkus! Really, if there's an author out there who deserves a whole week dedicated to them, it's definitely our Darynda. So when I was offered a chance to share with you my endless love for Darynda and everything she writes, I happily accepted, even though I've been doing precisely that for years already. 

My job today was to list all the things I love about Darynda’s books, but it turned out to be a very difficult task. There are simply too many characters, too many quotes and situations, so much enjoyment and uncontrolled laughter… trying to put it all into a limited number of words proved to be next to impossible. 

It’s no secret that Darynda Jones is one of my favorite authors. She makes me laugh, she makes me swoon, and she occasionally makes me bite my nails while pacing furiously around my living room. In other words, she’s part sadist, part romantic soul and two parts class clown. What’s not to like?

I was one of First Grave’s early readers, so it’s safe to say I’ve been singing Darynda’s praise for years. Charley Davidson and her friends brought me nothing but laughter and joy, and they were always there when I most needed them, just like old friend should be. 

Charley herself is a constant source of delight, a character beloved by hordes of fans. She makes us laugh so much, and yet we feel her pain and her troubles as strongly as our own. Charley is fortunately not alone, in battling evil forces or simply in mischief. Her friends and family have become our friends and family, so much so that I keep expecting Cookie to open my apartment door and go directly for Mr. Coffee, because that’s what she does. 

Reyes Alexander Farrow, the prodigal son of Satan and self-appointed protector of the grim reaper, one Ms. Charlotte Jean Davidson, started out as a broody, unapproachable hero we could only admire from afar, but as the series progressed, he insisted on showing more and more human traits, until he became just as important as Charley, only infinitely more attractive. 

By now, even the little birds know that Darynda starts each chapter with a quote, a bumper sticker or a T-shirt inscription. These chapter headings are truly fan favorites… they are almost always something Darynda actually discovered ‘in the wild’ and not something she made up for our reading enjoyment. Knowing that these are actually real makes them even funnier. Here are just a few of them:

“A wine, please.”  

“Ma’am, this is McDonald’s.”  

“Okay, a McWine, please.”

— MCDONALD’S DRIVE-THROUGH, 2 A.M

I came into this world covered in someone else’s blood and screaming. I’m not afraid to leave it the same way. —T-SHIRT

“IF IT HAS TIRES OR TESTICLES, IT’S GONNA GIVE YOU TROUBLE. 

—BUMPER STICKER” 

And while we’re here, allow me to share some of my favorite quotes:

He quirked a brow. “How would you like your eggs?”

I tried. I really did. But I glanced at his crotch and it came out anyway. “Fertlized?” 

“I have depth. I've read Proust. No, wait, that was Pooh. Winnie the Pooh. My bad"

“That took balls."

"Please," I said with a snort, "that took ovaries. Of which I have two.” 

So to conclude, I’ll quote myself because I’m  classy like that: 

Darynda and Charley warmed my heart and forced me to laugh myself into stitches more times than I can count. Both of them deserve their extremely loyal fanbase, of which I am a proud member. Wherever we go from here, I have no doubt it will be endlessly entertaining. 

I’m so proud to be a Grimlet! 

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