Injustice: Gods Among Us, Vol. 2 by Tom Taylor

In a dark, twisted version of the DC multiverse, Joker tricked Superman into killing Lois Lane, their unborn child, and all of Metropolis. This set Superman and many of the DC heroes down a dangerous, slippery slope. In order to keep the world "safe" they have decided to take action and make the world a more peaceful place.

The alternate versions of the characters in this alternate reality are interesting to me. The bloodthirstiness of Wonder Woman. The calm, cerbralness of the Flash. The angry, scared, vengeful Superman.

And not all of the heroes are with Superman and his new world order. With the help of Lex Luthor, the only survivor of the nuking of Metropolis and Superman's friend, a plan is formed to create an army of superpowered people to enforce the new rules Superman wants. Many of the non-powered heroes, led by Batman, are opposed to this plan. This sets the two sides on a collision course that leads to unforeseen, previously unthinkable actions. Heroes I thought I knew were distorted. The very closeness of these versions to the "real" ones makes them all the more frightening.

The writing of this series is scary good. The logical extrapolations that Tyler creates make my hair stand on end. It is easy to see how one small bad decision, and sometimes even a decision that isn't so bad, can lead these heroes further and further away from the right path into a morally gray area that seems to just keep darkening.

I highly recommend this series. The writing and the artwork are outstanding. The story is, as said previously, scary good.

Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman

Sometimes I come to something a little later than everyone else. Case in point, this year (2015) I just discovered Parks and Recreation on Netflix. That led me to the good fortune of getting to enjoy Nick Offerman's portrayal of Ron Swanson, the Head of the parks department in the mythical town of Pawnee, Indiana.  That led to seeing his special, American Ham, on Netflix as well. Between that and my fiancee raving about it, I finally got to listen to Offerman narrate his book, Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living.

This book made me laugh. Out loud. A lot. It also made me think a great deal as well. While Offerman is often self-denigrating when it comes to his own intelligence, he seems to me to have the thoughtfulness of one who has spent a great deal of time in contemplation. He knows who he is, and he is comfortable with that person. He has his own strong, definite opinions, and is not shy about expressing them in a plain and blunt manner.

This book is part autobiography, part philosophical treatise. That does not mean it is dry or dull, just the opposite, in fact. It is extremely entertaining. It is also very honest. He does not try to pretty up some of the mistakes he made. He does explain what he learned from those mistakes that he incorporated into his life. I agree with many of the points he makes in this book, with many of his precepts for "living a delicious life." He has somehow managed to escape become all-consumed by his career and remains intent upon recognizing that there are more important things in life.

I would recommend this book to adults--it would never find its way into my classroom library. There is too much profanity and too many "adult" situations of one kind or another. If you like the character Ron Swanson, you will probably like the book. He makes it clear early on the he is not the character he so masterfully portrays, but the two men have a great deal in common.

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle

I first heard about Father Greg and his ministry while participating in the JustFaith program at my church. He works with gang members in East Los Angeles. He has done this for more than 20 years so far. He started Homeboy Industries as a way to help gang members transition to a life after gangs.

In this book, which he reads himself, he comes across as humble and loving. It is his love that has created a way out for his “homies.” They call him G or G-Dog. He calls them worthwhile human beings. More than calling them that, he treats them that way as well. And he shows their humanity in this book, breaking past stereotypes and letting the readers see it as clearly as he does.

Written after his diagnosis of leukemia, which has been in, as one of his homies put it, “in intermission” for several years now.  He wrote it to preserve the stories he has told for years. Stories that should live on even after he does.

This book has moments of pure hilarity and deep sorrow. More than once this book caused me to tear up, and I don’t easily cry over a book. He writes of successes and of disappointments. He has had many, presiding over 172 funerals of gang members at the writing of the book. But this is not a sad, morose book. Quite the opposite. Some of his stories made me laugh out loud, causing some startled looks from my daughter.

There is a strong dose of religion in this book; it was, after all, written by a Jesuit priest. But Father Greg comes to religion from a place of compassion and inclusiveness. He is the kind of Catholic I hope to be. I think that he and Pope Francis are on the same wavelength.

I strongly recommend this book. It presents a real view of how life in East Los Angeles can be. Better yet, it shows that there is always hope. Even the hardest heart can be opened to compassion, by compassion.

Pure Water: Poetry of Rumi by Coleman Barks

The first time I ever heard of Rumi was when I watched The Language of Life series by Bill Moyers. It must have been in the mid to late 90's. I fell in love with the Sufi mystic's take on life and God and love and... Well, you get the idea. I have read a couple of books of Barks's translations. They are always worth it.

There is something soothing about the voice of Coleman Barks. After spending his life translating the works of Rumi, he can read the poems like no other. In addition to Rumi's works, Barks also reads a few of his own poems. I rather enjoyed that.

If you have never heard of Rumi, or if you are a fan, this audibook is a good listen.