(Required reading from this week's pickin's in the world of books...)

We've heard our fathers, guidance counselors and women who've slept with philosophy majors say philosophy majors never amount to anything. But Simon Critchley's "Book of Dead Philosophers," a compendium of late great thinkers, is funny as hell and may have you reconsidering grad school.

"Batman: The Man Who Laughs," the collected "first meeting" issues between the caped crusader and the Joker, is pure Ed Brubaker gold.
Ever wanted to know intimate details about Frank Lloyd Wright's sex life? No? Well, you can if you want in T.C. Boyle's "The Women," an imagined portrait of the loves of the architect and interior designer.
Plus!
- Some people think the author of "Alice in Wonderland" was a pedophile. Not any more than your usual math nerd, argues Robin Wilson in "Lewis Carroll in Numberland: His Fantastical Mathematical Logical Life."

-"Holy Sh*t! The World's Weirdest Comic Books" is an essential collection of lame-ass superheroes, propaganda and "WTF?" crossovers.