What I’ve been reading this summer
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Patrick Jones | Editor-in-Chief
Ahhh, summer time. The three months in a year when college students are, hopefully, free from the unwavering demands of those other nine months in a year. And what’s one of the heaviest and most unwavering demands in those other nine months? Class readings. With how the average professor assigns readings, it’s fair to assume their belief is either: A) No one does them however long or short they are. So, let me just assign random 100-plus-page textbook chapters then tell the class I’ll refer to them but never actually do. Or B) I doubt these students wanted to do anything besides read all day anyway.
Oh, my bad. I wasn’t privy to the fact that I needed to keep my schedule clear for four hours’ worth of readings that will never even be mentioned. But who cares about school right now? It’s summer! And with summer, plus reading, you now have summer reading. A practice I always look forward to. In general, reading is a great way to keep your mind moving in a way that isn’t too intensive but keeps any cobwebs from building up. In my mind, a book is either a should-read or a want-to-read. A should-read is something I’m reading primarily for educational value or because it’s a classic. You know, something everyone has read, like “Lord of the Flies” or “The Great Gatsby.” It’s the stuff you’d have read for class in high school. A want-to-read is read purely out of enjoyment, regardless of how valuable to education it may or may not be. A totally-arbitrary and personalized system, but nonetheless I keep my summers full of want-to-reads and a spare few should-reads (just enough to not feel like a totally uneducated bum). So with that summary of how I approach summer reading, below is a list of the books, graphic novels, and comics I’ve read this summer. I’ve included my thoughts and opinions with each entry in hopes it may make you want to do some summer reading too!
Books:
“The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner
Upon release, it was forgotten, then decades later described as a classic. Faulkner’s fourth novel sits amongst the most important works of the 20th century.
Ok, good, I think I said what someone is supposed to say about this book.
What an un-enjoyable and confusing slog of a book. Pretentious and arbitrary in form, this book was the farthest thing from an entertaining fiction there is. If not for sparknotes I’m not sure how much of this book I’d have actually comprehended. But considering single excerpts, Faulkner’s writing is breathtaking and gripping. His overarching plot is fascinating, too. How groundbreaking it had to be to write about mental disability, premarital sex and suicide in 1929. So, in that regard, its acclaim is understandable; I just would never read this and expect to not have a headache while doing so. It is said to be one of the most complex pieces of literature ever written, so at least you can give yourself a pat on the back for a hard read once you finish.
“Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer
A book most people read in high school or, at least, have seen the movie adaptation of (or maybe even listened to Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack). Chris McCandless’s story was an interesting one. I’m not sure I’d say it was as nuanced as people may like to think. I think the overarching concept that true freedom is a hut in the woods is cliche and banal at this point. Yes, McCandless did something that seems very intriguing and counter-cultural from a surface level. Though, in my opinion, just because his actions are admirably different does not make them justifiable. McCandless’ whole dilemma is false given you can have adventure or freedom even when you don’t ghost your loved ones.
Honestly, I found Jon Krakauer’s personal touches to be some of the most fascinating parts of the read. Who knew he was an acclaimed outdoorsman and mountaineer? If he hasn’t already, maybe he should write more on that then entitled postgrads in crisis.
Graphic Novels:
“The Boys” (omnibus volumes 1 to 4 of 6 total) by Garth Ennis
My passion for the comic medium developed as I watched the Amazon Prime show of the same title and story. I was licking my chops waiting for the show to end because at that point I would start reading the comic. That way, at least in my mind, I’d have a nice 1:1 comparison of the two adaptations. And color me impressed because I think the show and comic are more similar in quality than I’ve heard most people say. I was told the comic is leagues worse than the show, that it isn’t worth the time, etcetera. So, while I have not finished reading the series, being ⅔ of the way done, its quality peaks and valleys similarly to the show’s. Parts of it steal your breath with shock, laughter or tears; then other parts fall flat on their face. But, if you consider the fact that the last two seasons of the show were as bad as they were and the case to read its source material really strengthens.
“Torso” by Brian Michael Bendis & Marc Andreyko
My number one read so far this summer, Torso, was really a pleasant surprise. It has been sitting in my to-read list for a while. So, on a recent weekend I sat down, and wow! I didn’t stand up until I read “The End”. What a sharp, well-written story. Bendis and Andreyko’s 1930s period-accurate dialect filled dialogue punches when it needs to and pulls back all the same. But it’s the book’s art that makes it as special as it is. Bendis uses newspaper clippings and police evidence from the real-world to retell this true story of a serial killer’s reign of terror in 1930’s depression-era Cleveland, Ohio. It contributes such freshness to the crime-noir genre, a genre that can often feel stale and redundant.
“Brilliant” by Brian Michael Bendis
Brilliant? No. Chafing? Yes. For two reasons: A) it’s unfinished, but not only that, it gives no evidence that it’s this way until you’re enjoying it and it leaves you with a cliffhanger and a “To Be Continued…” on its very last page. Oh wait, but sike, that’s actually a lie. The author announced he has no plans to finish the book. B) Once I learned the news, I didn’t really want the book anymore. So, I called the store I bought it from, and asked the wannabe Simpson’s Comic Book Guy if I could exchange the book for something that is also 19.99 MSRP (equal value). He, probably flipping back his greased ponytail, said,”It’s not damaged, so no can do. You shoulda known before you made the purchase.” Yeah, okay.
“Maus I & II” by Art Spiegelman
These award-winning graphic novels are so famous that I’m shocked it’s taken me this long to get around to reading them. And, I can say confidently, all the fame is thoroughly deserved. This series, truly, does not waste a word, panel or illustration. From the first page it grabs you and shows you with a full range of emotions its message. What that message is? I’m not sure I’m at liberty to say in an article about summer reading, but never have I read a Holocaust story that was so rich and personal. It shows you–with no curtain–one man’s experience in the holocaust and how it still affects him and his family to the present day in 1980s Queens, New York.
“Red” by Warren Ellis
An action movie in the form of a limited comic series, “Red,” by the always excellent Warren Ellis, was a fun one-sitting read. The story wasn’t original enough that I can recall it off the top of my head. It sticks together with all those other action stories we all know so well. The ones where a retiree is forced out of retirement and they’re mad about it and they’re going to go on this action-packed adventure because of it. Jokes aside, what a fun and worthwhile read!
“A God Somewhere” by Jon Arcudi
Another shorter, self-contained story, “A God Somewhere” was an entertaining read but failed to do much else. It attempted to tell a story of a real man getting superpowers, but, unfortunately for it, didn’t do so in a way that hadn’t been done before in a more sophisticated and further entertaining way. Its unique spin was that it emphasizes the effect a superhero can have on their loved ones, but even with that in mind it fell short of doing so in a thought-provoking way. If you want to read a nuanced superhero story, this isn’t a bad option. It just isn’t the best. “Black Summer” by Warren Ellis or “Astro City” by Kurt Busiek are two examples of superior books with similar goals and subject matter.
“Do a Powerbomb!” by Daniel Warren Johnson
Just a downright fun, enjoyable read. “Do a Powerbomb!” will sit with me for a while. Most comics I read have, or try to have, literary and novel value. They want to be taken seriously. They want to be on the same shelves as the books we consider great literary feats. This comic though? No. It’s a comic through and through. The writing takes a back seat to action-packed illustrations that keep you turning the page. But even if the writing is less effortful, the story is still gripping and emotional through its simplicity. It poignantly keeps you invested through little twists and turns in the plot. Not many things I’ve read drip passion the way this book does, and for that alone, I will recommend this comic to anyone.
“We Stand on Guard” by Brian K. Vaughan
Brian K. Vaughan, likely my current favorite writer, gives an immensely interesting scenario in “We Stand on Guard.” What if the US invaded Canada? And to be honest, the book’s best feature is its plot, but in its defense this was a limited issue series. I would love to have seen the plot be taken into a longer running series because it’d have actually been able to stretch its legs. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book for what it was: a thought-provoking story that is held back by its page limit.
“Demo” by Brian Wood
Unique, poignant and all in all well made, Brian Wood’s breakout success, “Demo,” was a one-of-a-kind read. But a read that just wasn’t really for me. The anthology collection, highlighting the stories of teenagers struggling with life lessons common to us all, was perhaps aiming for the crowd that the book’s subject matter is focused on. Nonetheless, if that sounds up your alley, I’d recommend this work in a heartbeat. It grapples with its subject matter using tact and a high quality of storytelling.
“Jupiter’s Legacy” (TPB volumes 1 to 6) by Mark Millar
I bought the first volume of “Jupiter’s Legacy” about a year ago. As I usually do when I buy a book in a series, I set out to collect the latter five volumes upon purchasing the first. And after a year of hunting, followed by a week of reading, here I am to tell you how disappointing it all was.
This series was dripping in potential. It had a unique extraterrestrial element, used Great Depression-era history as a plot point, and, regardless of it all, had an excellent initial creative team in Mark Millar and Frank Quitely. Sadly, like other Millar works in the last decade or so, it falls victim to a lack of effort, or, more optimistically, time put forth. Actually, it might just be profiteering. However you want to look at it.
Comics:
“Spartan” by Kurt Busiek
Mainstream Superhero comics from the early 90s are something entirely on their own. I will say though, in comparison to other things from the same age, I enjoyed Kurt Busiek’s “Spartan”. It wasn’t overly corny or bombastic, and, as always, his writing is tight and poignant if at times dated. His use of a limited third-person narrative style enabled the reader to be focused on Spartan as the sole narrated character. I find most comics have an omniscient or objective narrative style that takes attention away from the characters that matter most.
“Kitty Pryde and Wolverine” by Chris Claremont
Redundantly, mainstream superhero comics of the 80s were an entirely unique thing on their own. Chris Claremont’s wordy, constantly recapping writing style dares your attention to stay put. His omnipotent third-person narration puts forward minimal contribution to characterizing anyone. It only points out the–already obvious–direction of the plot. If for anything besides an interest in comic history, you are better off staying away from X-Men comics as old as this one.