Some of my favorite reads are those that would be categorized as “dark humor.” The summer before last I was introduced to Chuck Palahniuk, best-selling author most known for cult favorite Fight Club. Since then I’ve read about half a dozen books by him, each proving to be just as entertaining and bizarrely enticing.

My favorite book by him so far has been Choke. It’s actually a pretty strange book and is probably pretty offensive to a lot of people, but I found it really funny, in an offbeat way, and the story was one of the most creative I’ve ever read.

The main character Victor Mancini is a medical school dropout, who goes to extreme measures in order to pay for his elderly mother’s medical bills. He pretends to choke at various restaurants and then waits for his saviors to send him checks throughout the year, as they feel personally responsible for their lives. I don’t really know how Palahniuk comes up with most of his story lines but I definitely appreciate how unique they are.

I recommend any book by Palahniuk, but Choke is definitely one of his strongest works. His books aren’t for people with a weak tummy or that are offended easily, but they’re definitely some of the most intriguing books I’ve come across.

And if you haven’t already read Fight Club, you should. The movie is one of the most fantastic things I’ve ever watched, but I think the book is honestly better, which is saying a lot.