Wow! Thirty chapters. Plus a couple of Special Inserts along the way. I guess I've been making entries to this blog for over 2 1/2 years now. And I've got enough books piled up in the other room to do another 2 1/2 without buying another volume. The old time flies/enjoying yourself thing, I guess. Anyway, let's get to it.
Miscellaneous
The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga ($14.00/$.50, copyright 2008, 276 pages, Trade Paperback)
There are a lot of superlatives thrown around on the cover for this book, from sources ranging from USA Today to the New York Times. It is the "life" story of a young man in India and his path out of The Darkness to becoming a success. I was marginally aware of the poverty, crowding, and living conditions of much of India, but this book really brings it home - and with just the right touch of black humor to make it interesting. I enjoyed it.
The Threepenny Opera - Bertolt Brecht ($6.95/Gift Card, copyright 1949, 110 pages, Paperback)
Everyone remember Mack the Knife? You know, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin? Well, Mack was the main character in this play written by Brecht with music contributed by Kurt Weill. It's sort of a slice of life depiction of how the lower (read criminal) class lived in London and takes place just before a coronation. This volume includes instructions on how to stage a production which would be interesting to see. I enjoyed it.
Sherlock Holmes
Rasputin's Revenge - John Lescroart ($14.00/$.25, copyright 1987, 269 pages, Trade Paperback)
I wrote about Lescroart's previous Holmes-related volume - Son of Holmes - several months ago. I enjoyed that one, but this one's even better. As you can tell from the title we're dealing with pre-revolutionary Russia and the early years of World War I. Jules Giraud - the narrator of both volumes - is sent to Russia on a mission for the French war effort and encounters Auguste Lupo (the Son of Holmes), murders, court intrigue, and - of course - Rasputin. And there's a surprise appearance by a couple of interested parties towards the end. Very satisfactory. (Get the reference?)
Graphic Novels
OK. I know that I wrote previously that I would be staying away from these since the prices had gotten prohibitive, but I got these (and another volume or two) for free as "payment" for helping with a Book Fair at an Elementary School in Elizabeth. Remember, these are aimed at school children.
Sidekicks - Dan Santat ($10.99/$.0, copyright 2011, 217 pages, Trade Paperback)
The premise here is that the greatest superhero in the world is getting old, and he decides to hold auditions for a sidekick. His pets decide to try out. (I told you these were aimed at school children). We also get a super-villain to fight, and lessons on family, friendship, and how using your brain can win out over brawn. I enjoyed it.
Poe - J. Barton Mitchell (writer) and Dean Kotz (art) ($10.99/$.0, 2011, pages unnumbered, Trade Paperback)
I'm guessing that you figured out who this slim volume is about. The premise is that Poe, while dealing badly with his wife's death, helps his police-officer brother solve a series of brutal crimes. The writer brings in references to many of Poe's famous stories, but I found it at times a bit disjointed and the art work is way too dark. It was OK.
Here's wishing you all a Happy Memorial Day Weekend, and...
Keep reading.
