I don't have any suggestions because it doesn't sound like we like the same kinds of books. Just wanted to say that that's also one of my favorite things to do. There's a bar near here that has $1 beer specials between 2 and 6. I get a lot of reading done there.

God, I could never read and drink at the same time, unless it was something really light like Entertainment Weekly.

Tom Robbins?

doesn't sound like we like the same kinds of books

My list is too damn "guy"-heavy anyway. Alternate suggestions, as long as they are fiction that is neither too light nor too heavy, and is a bit dark, are more than welcome.

I find Jim Thompson (The Grifters, The Getaway, Pop. 1280, South of Heaven) good for this. Not particularly challenging, I guess, but very absorbing. Cormac McCarthy is more challenging, and to my mind equally absorbing, although some find him too wordy. From him I'd recommend Suttree, Outer Dark, and The Orchard Keeper (though I'd try the latter two first to see if you like him before tackling Suttree). He's much more than 'All the Pretty Horses'. In keeping with the Southern Gothic vein I'll also suggest Nick Cave's And the Ass Saw the Angel.

Getting away from the noir/southern gothic stuff, I'd also highly recommend anything by Louis de Bernieres, particularly his first three novels: The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord, and The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman.

Now, thanks to your list, I've got whole new (to me) authors to explore. Thanks!

Oh, wait -- James M. Cain! The old stuff: Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity, Mildred Pierce, and his 30s-40s era novellas.

My list is too damn "guy"-heavy anyway.

Heh. I read your list and immediately tried to remember the things I had been recommended when I asked friends for "guy books."

If you're open to non-guy books: You might try Margaret Atwood, actually, if you're generally OK with female main characters; Cat's Eye is my favorite. Valerie Martin is my new obsession, with A Recent Martyr being one of my favorites and Property and The Great Divorce also good. I've also been pushing Donna Tartt on people lately; A Secret History if you want New England winter and The Little Friend if you want Southern gothic.

All of the above, I meant to add, are heavy on narrative but with interesting, good writing. I consider them all "Curl up on the couch with a glass of wine" books.