Good Reads & Views

Little Victories: Autism Through A Father’s Eyes by Yvon Roy
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Roy shares his experiences as a parent trying to connect and communicate with his son, who is on the autism spectrum.

Why you might like it: It’s a heartwarming story about using creative solutions to help bridge the gaps, and the drawings are very sweet. However, the book may fall a bit short for those looking for acceptance and disability awareness, since it uses these methods to try to “cure” Oliver’s autism. 

You might also like: Other memoirs of parents such as Raising Cubby: A Father And Son's Adventures With Asperger's, Trains, Tractors, And High Explosives by John Elder Robison and Love That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, And My Son Taught Me About A Parent's Expectations by Ron Fournier. 

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Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
Fiction

What it’s about: Bron and Ray are a queer couple who take their roles as eccentric aunties to Ray’s niece, Nessie, very seriously. When they aren’t on grand, imaginative adventures, tension grows between their families, which causes them to isolate from each other. They separate to try to mend their relationships with their family. Ray with her sister, single-mother to Nessie; and Bron with her mother and overly religious little sister. There are interesting and heartbreaking conversations of gender identity, inclusion, and trans awareness, which make this graphic novel an essential read.

Why you might like it: There is a lot of focus on relationships in this novel. The way Bron and Ray interact as a queer couple. How Nessie develops a loving and inclusive relationship with her aunties. And how connections can become strained due to misunderstanding and intolerance. If you thrive on stories with strong relationships, this graphic novel is for you!

Reviewer’s say: “Lai’s cinematic juxtapositions and dreamlike fugues give visual structure to a breakup story that’s heavy on processing, sharpening its edges. Lai also skillfully captures the ways family dynamics and histories play out in romantic relationships, and how heavy those legacies can land. The result is a poignant and mature rumination on how people change, and change each other, proving Lai a talent well worth watching” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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Invisible Differences: A Story of Asperger’s, Adulting, and Living a Life in Full Color by Julie Dachez
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Author Julie Dachez chronicled her experiences having difficulties in social situations and finally being diagnosed as an adult on the autism spectrum. The diagnosis changed her life as she found a community going through some of the same struggles and helped her determine her comfort zone and advocating for herself.

Why you might like it: Dachez wrote that France is behind in recognizing autism, so she had issues with trying to get a diagnosis and then finding help. This is an eye-opening look at autism through the lens of another culture.

You might also like: Other memoirs by people with autism such as The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage… by David Finch. 

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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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Tokyo Love Story: A Manga Memoir of One Woman's Journey in the World's Most Exciting City by Julie Blanchin
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Julie, a Frenchwoman, moved to Japan and spent several years living in different places. It’s an amusing visual guide exploring Japanese food and culture through a French lens. She learns Japanese, makes friends, enjoys going shopping, and even falls in love.

Why you might like it: I especially liked the author’s guide to the 1970s-style apartments she lived in, especially the one with the bath out on the tiny balcony!

You might also like: Tokyo Geek's Guide: Manga, Anime, Gaming, Cosplay, Toys, Idols & More by Gianni Simone.

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And Now I Spill the Family Secrets: An Illustrated Memoir by Margaret Kimball
Nonfiction

What it is: Years of research went into this book, as Margaret Kimball dives into her family history of mental illness by scrounging through old diaries, family videos, and personal notes and photographs. She explores the reasons why families keep secrets, what drives them apart, and what it takes to keep them together.

What sets it apart: Unlike a typical graphic nonfiction book, Kimball illustrates the setting versus the characters. Each page is filled with black-and-white line drawings of entire houses, significant rooms, photographs, stills from home movies, pages of her diary, scrap notes, or maps. It was a really compelling read because we got to know the members of her family without getting a direct representation of them, only their surroundings.

Reviewers say: “An empathetic, uncommonly nuanced, and thoroughly brilliant family saga presented with real daring and true artistry” (Library Journal).

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The Adoption by Zidrou, Arno Monin, and Jeremy Melloul
Nonfiction

What it’s about: A couple adopts a little orphaned girl named Qinaya from Peru, and the grandparents adjust to the new addition to the family. Readers may think they know where the story is headed, but it takes a few very unexpected turns from there.    

Why you might like it: This is a slice of multi-generational French life with a detour into another culture.    

You might also like: Other books about well-drawn elder characters, including The Round House by Louise Erdrich and Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. 

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The Fire Never Goes Out: A Memoir In Pictures by Noelle Stevenson 

YA Nonfiction

 

What it’s about: Noelle Stevenson is known as the author of Nimona and of the Lumberjanes comic book series. In this memoir of the years 2011 to 2019, she opens up about her life, her art, exploring her sexuality, and living with mental illness.

 

Why you might like it: In short chapters linked together chronologically, Stevenson explores episodes, raw emotions, and explorations of her mental states, almost like moods that are deeply personal and yet relatable.

 

You might also like: Other graphic memoirs like Almost American Girl by Robin Ha, Tomboy by Liz Prince, and Stitches by David Small. 

 

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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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