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It's really hard to find books I enjoy reading. The last time I read a book and laughed out loud so much my sister ended up staring at me strangely from the doorway, and that was for "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy". The next string of books I became obsessed with was the handful written by Dan Brown (Deception Point being my favorite.).

So in a forum I was surprised to find a thread on the fellow members discussing their favorite books. "Lamb" by Christopher Moore was brought to my attention and the original poster's brief description really got me aching to find this book. It's about Jesus's childhood friend writing a Gospel. Telling his version of what happened in Jesus's life as 10 year old.

I'm only on Chapter 7 or so, and I absolutely love it. I love the direction it's going and the dialogue that goes on. It belongs on the shelf of a smartass like myself.

For example, Jesus and his friend Levi, a.k.a. "Biff" are praying for guidance and an angel appears before them. He announces that the Messiah will be born tonight in a manger amidst farm animals. He suddenly realizes this event already happened.. 10 years ago! He ran late because he swung by another fellow angel's house to play cards.

There's plenty more incidents like this. But there are moments where it cross references events from the Bible as well as historical facts. I'm just hoping it doesn't get all "preachy" like the Left Behind series.... YES, I read them! The first couple were actually good.

UPDATE: (Spoiler Warning)
I just finished the book, and I'm really pleased with it. I love that the book followed through to the point of his crucifixion because I really wasn't expecting that. His trial and death being told from a beloved friend's point of view was much more compelling and moving. I hardly get choked up from reading, so this was a rare moment, especially since I'm not religious.

My only complaint is that at times the story delved too much into the "fantasy" category. But I guess that's the norm if at that time you are dealing with hearing God's voice boom from the sky and woman turning into pillars of salt.

Towards the end it puts a human touch on the fact that Jesus was in fact human... with special powers. But it makes it a realistic story as to why he comes up with the do's and dont's of what will get you into heaven, and the foundation of the religion. For example, how he comes up with the concept of the "Holy Ghost".

A lot of the guidelines were based on something personal, not just something he whipped up out of thin air, and I think people forget that. You come up with a lot of the decisions of what you do based on personal experience and beliefs.

Huh... Jesus human? Why didn't we think of that?