Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin/Grant Morrison

Batman & Robin:  Batman vs. Robin by Grant Morrison, et al.; graphic novel, superheroes; 160 pages

Following the events of Batman Reborn, Dick and Damien are recovering from their battle with Red Hood, aka Jason Todd.  Damien's injuries were serious enough that his mother, Talia al Ghul, feels the need to step in for some cutting edge medical techniques that can save her son.  Meanwhile, Dick travels to England with a dark mission of his own in mind. 

This book collects two arcs:  Blackest Knight, in which Dick attempts to resurrect Bruce Wayne with a Lazarus Pit, and Batman vs. Robin, where the full extent of Talia's "medical help" appears in the form of mind control--designed, of course, to turn Damien into the perfect assassin against Batman. 

First, Blackest Knight:  Okay, Dick.  I understand that you're grieving and that you miss Bruce, and that you're willing to try anything to bring him back.  But let's take a moment to consider the last member of the Bat-family brought back to life in a Lazarus Pit.  It shouldn't be too hard to think of, since you were fighting him in the last book.  Yeah, Jason Todd wasn't the most stable person to begin with, but the Pit didn't do him any favors--he's a super-villain now!  And now you're taking the risk that Bruce might come back the same way????  I take some comfort in your realization that you were wrong, and your willingness to back up Tim Drake now, but I'm beginning to question your judgement as Batman....

I enjoyed the Batman vs. Robin story much more:  the twist at the end was classic Morrison, and we got to see some character growth from Damien, so that I was less inclined to punch him that in previous volumes. 

Gone girl, by Gillian Flynn

Wow!  Who knew sociopaths could be so entertaining.  A breathless read with intertwining stories from the husband and the disappeared wife.  Amy, of Amazing Amy fame, a beloved children’s series written by her parents, and Nick (that’s Lance Nicholas Dunne) are a beautiful, wealthy and successful married couple living in a fabulous Brooklyn brownstone.  When both lose their jobs, and Nick’s mother is dying in the small town near Hannibal MO where Nick and his twin sister Margo grew up, it seems prudent to cut their East Coast losses and move back to be near family during this crisis.  But much is not what it seems, and when Amy disappears on the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, a couple of years after they have relocated, suspicion fall on Nick – it’s always the husband, right?  What follows is a roller-coaster ride of a book with a succession of surprises at the end.  One wonders about a sequel, 20 years or so later, that might rival Rosemary’s baby.  415 pp.

The Unwritten: On to Genesis

 The Unwritten vol. 5: On to Genesis by Mike Carey and Peter Gross, 144 pages

In this fifth installment of The Unwritten, Tom/Tommy Taylor is still trying to figure out who he is and where he comes from, and if he's even real or just a story come to life. He attempts to accomplish this by delving into his father's journals and discovers more mysteries to solve. This series keeps getting better and better despite some blatant thefts from other stories (such as invisibility cloaks and seven league boots). Can't wait for volume six.

The age of miracles

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker 272 pgs.

Julia is the focus of this odd story.  She is a preteen when we meet her.  She has few friends but is doing OK when the rotation of the earth starts slowing down.  Days get longer and people panic.  Is this the end of the world?  Nobody really knows.  This is unexpected and no one has done any research no one understands what is going to happen.  The conflicts that are created seem familiar but the speed at which the days are lengthening magnify's the reactions.

This book is a "coming of age" story but the backdrop is so unsettling that it takes on a different quality.  Julia's loneliness is  painful but the earthly crisis is enough to make anyone think about our world and where we are headed.  Are we all coming of age?
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Fables: Inherit the Wind

Fables vol. 17: Inherit the Wind by Bill Willingham, et al, 143 pages

Following the noble death of the North Wind in vol. 16, Bigby Wolf and Snow White's children are now vying to inherit his throne (they are his grandkids, after all) and all of the powers that go with it. Meanwhile, formerly-winged monkey Bufkin has made his way out of the destroyed Fabletown and back into Oz, which has been taken over by the evil Nome King. Bufkin's on the lam with a couple of wooden creatures and a talking cat, who are attempting to start a resistance movement against the evil ruler.

Between those two storylines and a handful of other snippets, there's a lot going on in Inherit the Wind. That said, I feel like Willingham and crew are floundering a bit. With the earlier volumes, there's a strong overarching story to drive everything. Now, I honestly don't know what's coming next, or even what whatever comes next might refer to. I'll keep reading because I'm curious, and because I like these characters, but these newer Fables are a bit lackluster.

Seating arrangements, by Maggie Shipstead

A frothy summer wedding novel, with a core of discontent and sadness, set amongst the privileged set that “prep” at the right schools, attend the right colleges, and join the right social and golf clubs (or strive to).  With first names like “Winn” and “Greyson,” and nicknames of “Biddy” and “Mopsy,” one can be sure we’re somewhere in a WASPish part of New England.  I enjoyed the satire and the writing, but found the over-the-top final chapters a bit much.  Fun, but a little disturbing.  300 pp.

The Chaperone

The Chaperone/ Laura Moriarty 371 pgs.

Cora is an orphan who has made a pretty good life for herself after being adopted from one of the "orphan trains" that left New York and traveled to the middle of the country dropping of "lucky" kids in many farming communities when they were adopted by families who needed an extra set of hands.  Cora's adoptive parents actually wanted a daughter and were very good to her.  Unfortunately, they died in an accident when Cora was just 17.  The lawyer who settled their estate took a shine to her and they ended up marrying.  Twin sons follow not much later.  But as life tends to go, some of the things she thought he knew turn out not to be true.  The story really gets going when at age 36, Cora finds herself with the opportunity to be a chaperone for a young girl from her Kansas town who is going to New York City.  Cora is very interested in NYC because that is where she was born and she is hoping she can find out something about her biological parents.  Oh yea, the young girl that she accompanies is Louise Brooks who ends up being a huge star.  This book is a wonderful story of the intersecting lives of Louise and Cora but is more about Cora discovering her past, who she is and who she wants to be. I listened to the audio book and it was wonderful as read by Elizabeth McGovern.

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Enchantments

Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison  314 pp.

The Russian Revolution is approached from the point of view of Rasputin's older daughter Marila, called Masha, in this fictional account of the last days of the Romanov rule. After Rasputin's murder, Tsarina Alexandra brings his daughters to live with the royal family and gives Masha the task of being a companion to the young, hemophilia stricken Tsarevitch Alexsei who is called Alyosha in the story. The Tsarina hopes that Masha will have some of the mystical healing powers of her father but the best she can do is keep him amused with fanciful stories. Masha remains with the family during their house arrest during which the young Tsarevitch seems to be the only one who understands that they will all be murdered one day. When the Tsar and his family are removed to Siberia, Masha is freed and goes on to the marriage her father had arranged before his death. Eventually they leave Russia and, after her husband's death, Masha comes to the United States as a circus performer. The story plays fast and loose with the facts and jumps back and forth in time which can be confusing. It's an interesting mix of magical realism and historical fiction.

Les Miserables

Les Miserables/Victor Hugo 1364 pgs.

It makes me laugh that you think I'm going to do a summary of this 1300+ page book right here. Ok, if you insist.  Whatever you thought you knew about Les Mis from the movie or musical is such a minor part of the book.  Sure, there is Jean Valjean, Cosette, Fantine, and Javert but there are SO MANY MORE.  You don't get a 1300 + page count based on 5 characters.  In addition to the story, Hugo takes this opportunity to write extensively about the events of the day, famous people, and just about anything that was on his mind.  I have to say, it is very unlikely that I could have finished this book on my own but with the great support from the adult summer reading group here at UCPL, it was a pleasure to hear what others had to say about the parts I didn't "get" the first time around.  Viva le Paris!

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The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies

The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies by Jordan D. Metzl 368 pgs.

I'm not much of an athlete but I originally checked this out for my husband and as I read, really liked the way the author breaks down the body parts, sports, types of injuries and how to prevent them.  He gives great workouts for increasing strength, flexibility and a reasonable healthy eating plan.  On top of all the good information, Dr. Metzl is a Mizzou grad so there is nothing not to like.

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