What I’m Reading and Why

Thought some of yins out in the world wide web would like to know what I clutch on the subway. There’s actually a lot.

The Mammoth Book of Horror Comics, Edited by Peter Normanton

This beast of a book has been following me around lately. It all started when I had the bright idea to make a horror film, but couldn’t come u p with, ya know, plots or characters or those things you need to get some decent writing done. I don’t want to reveal my diabolical plans just yet, but I can tell you that I’ve been fascinated by zombies lately. I’d really love to get to know them better, get inside their heads (though I bet they’d want into my cranium more).

Anyway, killing time in the graphic novel section at B&N last week, I happened upon this tome of murderous tales. So far it’s tons of fun. Most of the comics I’ve read so far have been from 1950-1955, and while none have literally terrified me, they certainly have been quite entertaining. The one that will be toughest to top in this book is “Hitler’s Head” by Don Heck (and co.). It tells the tale of a decorated Nazi laying low in South America after the war who is haunted by the ghost of Hitler and his Army of demons. From the beginning right down to it’s head-scratcher of an ending it is truly fascinating. It is grizzly, but not gruesome. Plus, it’s easy enough to cheer on Nazi on Nazi action.

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The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon

After reading The Yiddish Policeman’s Union and The Final Solution, I figured myself not quite a Michael Chabon fan, but certainly a spirited supporter of his work. I loved those two novels, so I figured it was time for check out his magnum opus which earned him a pulitzer prize as well as the praise of most of my reader friends. Back in January I picked it up in paperback at The Strand and immediately dove into it. I loved it, but then I stumbled for a few days, during which I found myself unable to get past this same damn page (I think it was 56). I had figured that it might pass, but instead I went to Israel for a week, and though most of my time was spent in transit, I never was able to get back on track.

But recently, I started again and found that perusing the same pages I had read only a few months before were even better the second time around. But my whole horror kick hit me about a week later, and I’ve started trying to figure zombies out in the meantime. I’m sorry Michael, but I promise I will read your beefy award-winner sometime soon, when I’m good and ready. Now, I’m sad to say, just isn’t the time.

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I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, by Tucker Max

I know nothing of this book, but a friend of mine at work approached me the other other day and we had the following exchange:

Friend: Have you read this book? (holding up a crumpled copy of the bestseller)

Poritsky: Nope.

Friend: (Tossing it onto my desk, with purpose) Your turn.

And then he slinked back off into the night. I’ve heard much sniggering around the office about this book, though I purposefully have no intention of finding out anything about it until I can part its sexy little pages myself. Gotta get through these damn comics first though!