Biff! Bang! Pow!

And now we come to an interesting read – “Wisdom from the Batcave” by Cary A. Friedman.  Of course, my initial interest in this book stemmed solely from my interest in Batman.  Reading though the book, though, there are some interesting lessons.

Mr. Friedman is able to pull examples from the various Batman stories and comic books to put together some basic principles for living your life.  And while Mr. Friedman is a rabbi, this is far from being preachy.  Think of it more as a different way of looking at ol’ Bats.

Definitely recommended, especially if you’re a Bat-fan!

Sometimes it’s better not to unlock things…

Duma Key Cover

And now we arrive at an author that I’ve been reading for quite some time now (I think around 18 years), Mr. Stephen King and his book Duma Key.  At this point, I find his writing style quite familiar and comfortable, and a very easy read.

This book, in particular, follows Edgar Freemantle as he recovers and rehabilitates from a quite serious accident.  Part of that recovery process sees him rediscovering his artistic abilities – and these end up blooming quite rapidly for him once he arrives in Florida, at a rental property on Duma Key.

Anyone who is familiar with King’s writings will quickly (and quite correctly) surmise that there is something more to Edgar’s art – something a bit more on the sinister side.  The revelation of what is behind it all doesn’t come until the last third or so of the book, however – up to that point, it’s just a slightly creepy (and suspenseful) story with an interesting cast of supporting characters.

While I didn’t find this quite as enthralling as the Dark Tower series, or past books set in Castle Rock, this is still a quite enjoyable read.

There’s more than wind to this city

Karen Abbott weaves an in history out of the Everleigh Sisters, and the Chicago vice district, in her book ‘Sin in the Second City:  Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America’s Soul.’

In much the same way ‘Devil in the White City‘ by Erik Larson brought Chicago’s history to life, along with its less-desirable elements, Abbott paints a picture of what life was like in Chicago’s earlier days, how vice and corruption ran rampant through the city, and how the efforts to “clean things up” mirrored, to a degree, what was occurring throughout the country.

Far from being a dry, musty, historical commentary, Abbott definitely breathes life into her research, and you will learn as you are entertained

I shall return

It just took me awhile to get another book finished.  I just completed ‘Duma Key’ by Stephen King the other night, so I’ll get a mini-review of that up soon.