Good Reads & Views

It’s Not What You Thought It Would Be by Lizzy Stewart
Fiction

What it is: This is a collection of short graphic stories that form a longer narrative, but you don’t realize all of the stories are connected until you finish the book as a whole. Complicated? Yes. Worth the effort? Absolutely.

What it’s about: Two inseparable best friends, who eventually drift apart after high school, but get together occasionally just to chat about the past. Honest feelings come to a head at a mutual friend's wedding, as they finally talk honestly about what happened to their once tight friendship. My favorite chapter is, “A Quick Catch Up,” because it will rip your heart out and leave you weeping on the floor, wanting to call your oldest friend.

Reviewers say: “There’s a quiet but powerful immediacy to this that will appeal to lit fic fans who may not always pick up comics” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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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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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Fiction

What it’s about: The plot of this simple story is not the point of this beautiful book. The four title characters meet each other and talk about life and love. The simple illustrations add to the spare narration.

Why you might like it: The book is filled with insights told very simply: “’What is the bravest thing you ever said?’ asked the boy. ‘Help,’ said the horse.”  It is also very heartwarming: have tissues on hand.

Readalikes: Children’s books that have adult depth, such as The Little Prince and Winnie-the-Pooh.

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The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott by Zoe Thorogood
Nonfiction

What it is: This is one of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. Billie Scott lives alone in a one bedroom apartment, and spends her days painting. At long last, she gets accepted into a prestigious art gallery, and must produce 10 original works. She’s ecstatic and celebrates by leaving her apartment. While out, she gets in an altercation with some seedy individuals. Three days later, she goes to the doctor and learns that she will be blind in 2 weeks. That leaves Billie Scott with 2 weeks to produce 10 of the best watercolor portraits she has ever created. So she boards a train heading right into the heart of London with 100 quid, her art supplies, and nary a plan.

What’s inside: Stunning illustrations, a captivating story, and an increasingly interesting cast of characters. Throughout Billie Scott’s journey she takes notes and sketches the people she’s met, their quirky characteristics, and her decline in sight. You’re with her every step of the way as she accepts her prognosis and finishes her portraits.

Reviewers say: “This expansive story of an artist’s journey embraces both the power of art and human connection and showcases a new comics talent” (Publisher’s Weekly, starred review).

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Dragman by Steven Appleby
Nonfiction

What is it? This is a graphic novel that, quite literally, has it all. A main character who is questioning his gender identity. Superheroes. Mystery. Murder. Love. Selling of souls. Dynamic relationships. Flying dolls. And babies.

What’s inside: A collection of beautiful and unique watercolor paintings, telling the rise and fall of August Crimp, AKA Dragman. Ever since he was a child, August has been questioning his identity, and wearing women’s clothing in secret. One day he dons a pair of pantyhose he found behind his couch, and he starts flying! He applies to become an official superhero, but ultimately gets rejected. He continues to live his life as just August, getting married, and having a child. But when a scientist discovers the human soul, and then corporations discover they can sell and exploit the human soul, Dragman, along with his companion Dog Girl, go on a secret mission to discover the truth behind soul-trafficking.

Reviewer’s say: “Despite its many twists and turns, the graphic novel’s emotional heart lays with August’s struggle to accept his own identity and its full power. Gender fluidity in this jaunty superhero story is trumpeted not only as a gift and a source of strength, but as something that might just save the world” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

What is it? This is a fun, well-written, and quirky comedic graphic novel about best friends who work together every fall in a pumpkin patch. Deja and Josie have worked together at the Succotash Hut for four seasons. They both share a love of the season and all things autumn. It’s their last shift before they both head to college, and Deja finally convinces Josie to go talk to his crush, Marcy, who he has been infatuated with since freshman year orientation over 4 years ago. Deja hilariously refers to her as Elmer Fudge, Cornelius Fudge, Fudge Judy, or Fudge Ripple, because she works in the, you guessed it, Fudge Shoppe. The remainder of the novel follows Deja and Josie as they race through the pumpkin patch to find Marcy, all the while reliving memories and contemplating their future together.

What sets it apart: Graphic novels are becoming more and more prevalent in library collections. There are good ones and there are bad ones. There are original stories and there are retellings. Many times it is hard to develop a character in images and speech bubbles. Rainbow Rowell, who is a fan-favorite among my generation, does a great job giving these characters a back story, and moving them forward throughout the book. And Faith Erin Hicks’ illustration style fits perfectly for Rowell’s bouncy writing style. Dare I say it, this is a perfect graphic novel that you will absolutely finish in one sitting and will be thinking about for a long time.

Book Buzz: Pumpkinheads won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Graphic Novels & Comics in 2019.

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Holy Hannah by Will Dinski
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Hannah manufactures software. Years back she hit it big and earned a lot of money and semi-fame. With said money, she was able to live a quiet, solitary life, eating only in a café beneath her apartment. But, money doesn’t last forever. And humans need other humans. Lacking a purpose, she develops a new app called Know Me. It’s purpose is to have people answer personal and intimate questions anonymously. She tests it out at a local church, and the congregation gets very into it. Eventually, she moves into the church dormitories. She gets involved with the Reverend. And completely swept up in the cul-, err, church.

Is it for you? This graphic novel seems long (544 pages) but reads very quickly. It also serves as a cautionary tale as to why you shouldn’t blindly follow someone. And why it’s best to think for yourself and make the decisions that are best for you. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

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Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green
YA Nonfiction

What is it: This is a story of recovery. Katie Green grew up in a typical family with typical friends. However, the people in her life always seemed to make a big deal about how much she did or did not eat. Her friends would stress and worry about their bodies, pinching at their extra skin, and complaining about boys. Saying things like, “I wish I could be anorexic… to be able to just not eat, if I wanted to” or “I’d do anything to be skinny like Katie” (68). Katie was naturally thin but being surrounded by toxic self-talk and being scrutinized about her body at every turn led her down the road to an eating disorder. At first, she skipped meals, became obsessed with counting her calories, and counting her ribs. Eventually she stopped eating altogether and landed herself in a hospital bed. The remainder of the graphic novel depicts her various routes of treatment and her struggles with recovery and relapse.

Why it’s significant: According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, hospitalizations for eating disorders in children under the age of 12 has increased by 119% between 1999 and 2006. It’s so important for young people to be made aware of these diseases and their lifelong implications. The way Katie Green illustrates the fog of her eating disorder, always looming over her every decision and every mouthful, is a powerful image. Its accuracy is spot-on. The feelings she depicts are spot-on. And I think anyone who has ever felt unsure about their body should pick up this title.

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Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash
YA Nonfiction

What is it: A graphic novel memoir about Maggie Thrash and her coming of age while at an all-girl summer camp. During this one poignant summer, she comes to terms with her sexuality, confesses feelings for another female, shoots her distinguished expert at the rifle range, and performs in drag as Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys.

Who it’s for: The references to boy band rivalries are amusing if you grew up in the late ‘90s, early 2000s. The summer camp activities and topics of conversation are spot on and will bring back memories for former campers. Thrash also just tells a beautiful story. It’s sad, and you’re left with a great sense of longing… but doesn’t every first love story end that way? 

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Goliath by Tom Gauld
Nonfiction

What it is: A retelling of the classic David and Goliath story, with a twist. In this graphic novel, Goliath keeps a low profile as the Philistines bookkeeper, doing mainly paper pushing for the king, and has no interest in fighting. He gets forced into provoking the enemy camp across the valley simply because of his size. After 40 days, he meets David.

Why you might like it: Most people know how Goliath is portrayed in the bible, but if you’re looking for a new perspective that will make you feel and care for the Giant, this is for you.

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