Picks from January 2008
Gotham Major Crimes Unit & 52 – various writers & artists.
About the character:
Renee Montoya was a police officer on the Gotham Major Crimes Unit. She gained particular prominence when she was became one of a small handful of lead characters in DC's best-selling weekly series 52 (2006-2007). Raised as a devout Catholic, as an adult, she embraced a gay lifestyle. In 52, Montoya’s quiet prayer to Mary in the moment of her greatest need for personal strength is genuinely moving.Notes on the comic books:
Gotham Central focused on the Gotham City Police Department and the difficulties of its officers living and working in Gotham City, home of Batman. It was written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, with pencils initially by Michael Lark.52 consists of 52 issues, published weekly for one year, chronicling events that took place during the missing year after the end of Infinite Crisis. The series covers much of the DC Universe, and several characters whose disparate stories interconnect. The series is written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Wad with layouts by Keith Giffen.
Confessions of the Other Mother by Harlyn Aizley
About the author:
Harlyn Aizley is the author of Buying Dad: One Woman's Search for the Perfect Sperm Donor. Her work has appeared in national journals, magazines, and anthologies and has aired on public radio stations nationwide. Aizley resides in the Boston area with her family, where she works as a writer and teacher. http://harlynaizley.comNotes on the book:
After author Harlyn Aizley gave birth to her daughter, she watched in unanticipated horror as her partner scooped up the baby and said, "I'm your new mommy!" While they both had worked to find the perfect sperm donor, Aizley had spent nine months carrying the baby and hours in labor, so how could her partner claim to be their child's mommy?Many diapers later, Aizley began to appreciate the complexity of her partner's new role as the other mother. Together, they searched for stories about families like their own – they found very few. In Confessions of the Other Mother, Aizley has put together an exciting collection of personal stories by women like her partner who are creating new parenting roles, redefining motherhood, and reshaping our view of two-parent families.
A personal note – yes, birth mothers can get a shock the first time they hear their child say, (as our son Robert did to my partner, Lori) “Hang on, I gotta go ask my Mom.” In this case, I was the Mom. – Karen
Chimney Rock Blues by Janet McClellan
About the author:
Janet McClellan has been a professor of political science and criminal justice for over twenty years. McClellan has been a patrol officer, detective, juvenile officer, homicide and arson investigator, and police chief. Her research focuses on sexualized violence, in particular lust murder. She joined the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Justice Department faculty in fall 2007. McClellan was formerly a SUNY Canton Professor of Criminal Investigation in the Criminal Investigation program.
Notes on the book:
A routine assignment turns deadly when Detective Tru North and the witness she's sworn to protect become the unwary prey of a pair of cop killers. “I had the most fun writing this one,” said the author.
