Brains: A Zombie Memoir

Cover image and synopsis from Goodreads:

College-professor-cum-zombie Jack Barnes is a different breed of undead—he can think. In fact, he can even write. And the story he has to tell is a truly disturbing—yet strangely heartwarming—one.

Convinced he'll bring about a peaceful coexistence between zombies and humans if he can demonstrate his unique condition to Howard Stein, the man responsible for the zombie virus, Barnes sets off on a grueling cross-country journey to meet his maker. Along the way he recruits a small army of "super" zombies that will stop at nothing to reach their goal. There's Guts, the dreadlocked boy who can run like the wind; Joan, the matronly nurse adept at reattaching decaying appendages; Annie, the young girl with a fierce quick-draw; and Ros, who can actually speak. United they embark on an epic quest to attain what all men, women—and, apparently, zombies—yearn for: equality.

Brains is a blood-soaked, darkly humorous story that will have readers rooting for Barnes and his zombie posse to the very end.

There is something about zombies  that fascinates me, even though at the same time, they terrify me.  I love zombie movies, The Walking Dead tv show, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This is the first time I’ve encountered a zombie story from a zombie’s perspective.

This was a rather quick read, but that could just be because I didn’t want to put it down!  It was funny, well-written and had some great pop culture references.  I really didn’t think I’d become as attached to the characters in the book as I did, so that was a nice surprise.  Jack’s struggle to survive, along with his posse, turns the typical zombie apocalypse tales upside down and had me actually rooting for the zombies.

The story moves along at a good pace, and although I don’t want to spoil the ending, I will say that I thought the author left the door open for a second book, which I would certainly want to read.

This is a must-read if you like zombies!