10 Reasons Why Michael Chabon Should Be Your Spirit Guide

The celebrated author of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, Wonder Boys, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay turns 51 on May 24. As part of an appreciation celebration, here are some words of wisdom and a few other reasons for why he should be the one to hold your hand throughout life.

1. He can make your favorite Journey song seem so much more profound

Winni Wintermeyer for The Wall Street Journal / Via online.wsj.com

Imagine if you could Chabon-ize every famous power ballad...

2. His success didn't turn him into a jerk

Neil Gaiman / Via journal.neilgaiman.com

He used to include his email in the dust jackets of his books and on his website in order to chat with fans about his novels. He only removed his email when his popularity got to the point where he wouldn't be able to personally respond to every fan.

3. He will never give you schmaltzy love advice

AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez / Via blog.syracuse.com

4. He proved you can channel your passions into success

Chronicle/Mike Kepka / Via comicbook.com

Based on his love for comic books, he wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Dark Horse Comics would later give the comic book character in the novel its own series: The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist.

He also writes many screenplays for comic book adaptations including John Carter and Spider-Man 2. Check out a scene from his original script for Spider Man 2 here.

5. He is honest about what it's like to be a writer

Books on the Radio / Via booksontheradio.org

6. You should always trust someone who takes a cool Polaroid

Portroids / Via portroids.com

7. He can provide a healthy perspective on parenting

Open Road Media / Via openroadmedia.com

8. Once you've been on the Simpsons, you're kind of a step above everyone else

The Simpsons / Via es.simpsons.wikia.com

Plus, you get to see him and Jonathan Franzen get into an epic fight.

9. He doesn't believe in boundaries

Ramin Rahimian / Via raminphoto.wordpress.com

10. He and his buddy Stephen Colbert can chat about literature

Comedy Central / Via thecolbertreport.cc.com

Watch them discuss Ernest Hemingway here

If you think Michael Chabon is as great as we do, get an introduction to his writings by checking out his short story collection, A Model World. Happy Birthday, Mr. Chabon!