Good Reads & Views

Murder Book: A Graphic Memoir of a True Crime Obsession by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Like her mother and grandmother before her, New Yorker cartoonist Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell is obsessed with true crime. This memoir in graphic novel format explores the author’s fascination with the genre, her family’s intense interest in the topic, and our culture’s seemingly insatiable appetite for these horrifying true stories.

Why you might like it: If you, too, are a true crime reader who’s not exactly sure why you find it so compelling, this book is an engrossing exploration of the genre’s appeal. This graphic novel is an introspective, cleverly illustrated investigation of true crime reading habits.

Reviewers say: “Campbell uses a conversational tone and lots of humor to delve into the history of true crime and its various formats, including books, television, movies, and podcasts” (Booklist).

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Why She Wrote: A Graphic History of the Lives, Inspiration, and Influence Behind the Pens of Classic Women Writers by Hannah K. Chapman and Lauren Burke
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Classic women authors take center stage in this inspiring, creative nonfiction graphic novel. Some of the authors are famous (Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Mary Wollstonecraft), while others are less well-known but equally fascinating. Varied in tone—some segments are grimly atmospheric, while others are sprightly—this book zeroes in on the reasons why each woman defied the odds to became a published writer.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy learning the story behind the story, this book is for you. Also, if you like books you can briefly dip into, the episodic nature of this graphic novel will appeal to you.

You might also like: Lauren Burke and Hannah K. Chapman have a podcast called Bonnets at Dawn, in which they further explore the lives and times of classic women authors.

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Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Listen in on Mira Jacob’s conversations with her young son, husband, parents, friends, and colleagues. In this creative, thought-provoking memoir in graphic novel form, Jacob—the daughter of immigrants from India—addresses race, ethnicity, and identity through conversations that are sometimes somber and painful, sometimes hilarious, and often filled with moments of perfect connection… and disconnection.

Why you might like it: While Jacob addresses serious issues, she introduces moments of humor and infuses her writing with love for her family. (Some charming elements: her son likes to moonwalk like his idol Michael Jackson, and her parents comment on each other’s foibles in a humorous, affectionate way.)

Book buzz: Named one of the ten best books of the year by the Chicago Tribune, Publishers Weekly, and the New York Public Library.

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Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun
Fiction

What it’s about: An endearing extraterrestrial being lands on earth, encounters all sorts of creatures, and is completely befuddled by earthlings. This charming and wise graphic novel about a stranger in a strange land explores the mysteries of humanity.

Why you might like it: If you’d enjoy reading a mash-up of Are You My Mother? and The Little Prince, then this book is for you. Also, if you think you’d like a self-improvement book disguised as a graphic novel about a confused but wise extraterrestrial, then pick up this book.

You might also like: Jonny Sun (aka Jomny Sun) illustrates the charming book Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for You and Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media by Brooke Gladstone
Nonfiction

Not a graphic novel reader? No problem. This book still might be for you. Gladstone, a journalist herself, examines the history and current state of journalism. She provides several new lenses through which a person can view the media, and it makes reading/watching/listening to the news even more interesting after reading about the various types of bias (it’s more than just political) and thinking about how objective a journalist could (and should) be. Gladstone’s narrative voice is casual, which fits the format. Graphic nonfiction—it’s education in comic book format, folks!