Jackson Free Press

Mississippi's weather is unpredictable. Thankfully, October always has plenty of great literary offerings, whether you're escaping that last bit of summer heat or relaxing indoors on a nippy autumn afternoon. From inside stories of America's history to comedic takes on food, here are some of this month's coolest books.

"Ed King's Mississippi: Behind the Scenes of Freedom Summer" by Ed King (University Press of Mississippi, 2014, $40)

Civil rights activist Rev. Ed King lets his pictures do the talking in his new collection of Freedom Summer photos. King is notable for his devotion to rights and education. He was a founding member of Mississippi's American Civil Liberties Union and a faculty member of Millsaps College, Tougaloo College and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. King's man-on-the-street camera work captures this contentious time in American history in a visceral, real light.

"Assassins, Eccentrics, Politicians, and Other Persons of Interest" by Curtis Wilkie (University Press of Mississippi, 2014, $30)

Journalist Curtis Wilkie, University of Mississippi visiting professor and the first Overby Fellow, is just as adept at non-fiction books as he is at compelling news stories. The Greenville native's latest work, "Assassins, Eccentrics, Politicians, and Other Persons of Interest: Fifty Pieces from the Road," collects choice feature stories from his 37-year career. Wilkie discusses his book at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.).

"Batman: Zero Year - Dark City" by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (DC Comics, 2014, $16.99)

Stapling together the final eight chapters of Eisner Award-winning author Scott Snyder's reimagining of the Batman mythos, "Zero Year" introduces a Bruce Wayne who's wandered aimlessly since his parents' deaths. He also hasn't confined himself to a tragic life as Gotham's hooded hero. This riddle-filled battle of wits is well worth the asking price. It's a probing study of the 75-year-old character that asks the question, "What does it really cost to be Batman?"

"Food: A Love Story" by Jim Gaffigan (Crown Archetype, 2014, $26)

If you plan to read only one humorous, food-related novel that doesn't contain health tips or recipes this October, let it be this one. After his sleeper success with last year's New York Times best seller "Dad Is Fat," comedian Jim Gaffigan returns for another sure-fire hit, cataloging his lifelong love affair with food. The career funnyman has plenty of tongue-in-cheek culinary advice for readers. At its core, though, Gaffigan's "Food: A Love Story" offers more than a few chicken nuggets of truth.