The thing about graphic novels that are part of a larger world and larger series is that the first volume is usually an introduction. So since this waThe thing about graphic novels that are part of a larger world and larger series is that the first volume is usually an introduction. So since this was new to me, I spent a bit of the time confused, but knew I would know more by the end. There is a lot to like - the art is gorgeous, the full-page pieces are worth spending a few moments with alone. There is a majority of female characters with a range of good/evil, strong/weak, old/young, human/not. This is not a typical situation! It is very violent and may not be for everyone, and takes a few interludes to tell the history/backstory that I think would annoy me if it happened in every volume.
Merged review:
The thing about graphic novels that are part of a larger world and larger series is that the first volume is usually an introduction. So since this was new to me, I spent a bit of the time confused, but knew I would know more by the end. There is a lot to like - the art is gorgeous, the full-page pieces are worth spending a few moments with alone. There is a majority of female characters with a range of good/evil, strong/weak, old/young, human/not. This is not a typical situation! It is very violent and may not be for everyone, and takes a few interludes to tell the history/backstory that I think would annoy me if it happened in every volume....more
This was a quick read for the non fiction quarter of Reading Envy Russia - the artist was present for many 21st century protests in Russia, and also dThis was a quick read for the non fiction quarter of Reading Envy Russia - the artist was present for many 21st century protests in Russia, and also did some reportage with groups of people like "working women" and a group of people who had been basically slaves imported from bordering countries but the local government turned a blind eye.
Some of the graphic art is in the moment, like during a court proceeding or a protest march, while some is more refined. Both styles are powerful, and Victoria Lomasko's art and activism are deeply intwined.
I always try to read before watching, so I had to wait for this one on hold at the public library. A very sweet graphic novel about crushes, first lovI always try to read before watching, so I had to wait for this one on hold at the public library. A very sweet graphic novel about crushes, first love, rugby, and whether or not to be out in high school....more
Sometimes I poke around the bonus borrows in Hoopla and end up finding fun stuff like this comic. The author has written an even more bookish one thanSometimes I poke around the bonus borrows in Hoopla and end up finding fun stuff like this comic. The author has written an even more bookish one than this as well. ...more
This comes out February 15th and I had a digital copy from Drawn and Quarterly via Netgalley - to read the story of Putin is to better understand the This comes out February 15th and I had a digital copy from Drawn and Quarterly via Netgalley - to read the story of Putin is to better understand the story of Russia, unfortunately. He was born in Leningrad/St Petersburg only eight years after the siege and clawed his way to positions of power and money. He's like the Dick Cheney of Russia, where for every shady situation, you pull back the curtain and there he is.
This is content that probably exists in biographies and other critiques of Putin and his policies, but for me, easier to consume in graphic form. It's really astounding how Putin can have such a high popularity rating when we know about the people he's had killed (goodbye, free press, goodbye, vocal opponents), the countries he's invaded or destroyed, but since we have a person who copies his playbook, it also feels familiar.
In my year of reading Russia I worry I lack the knowledge to understand the subtext of the literature I'm reading, and from that perspective this graphic non fiction book helps provide context about Russia's power and control from the fall of the Soviet Union to the present day. Putin has been there all along.......more
Tania de Montaigne wrote Noire : La vie méconnue de Claudette Colvin, which was adapted to graphic novel form and illustrated by Emilie Plateau. It's Tania de Montaigne wrote Noire : La vie méconnue de Claudette Colvin, which was adapted to graphic novel form and illustrated by Emilie Plateau. It's the story of Claudette Colvin, no relation, who refused to give up her seat on the bus before Rosa Parks but is often left out of the narrative.
The illustrations were simple, lots of white space and shades of brown. I almost wish that since Claudette was so marginalized in her lifetime that she could have taken up more space on the page here, but perhaps that was the point....more
After enjoying Sugar Town by this artist, I found an earlier work about when she spent a high school summer removing (invasive species) English Ivy frAfter enjoying Sugar Town by this artist, I found an earlier work about when she spent a high school summer removing (invasive species) English Ivy from Portland parks. There is a strong storyline about homeschooling that also attempts to break some stereotypes but also brings Hazel in contact with some uncomfortable reasons for homeschooling....more
This graphic nonfiction book takes the subject of loneliness and explores it from many angles, and then it is illustrated too with art that suits the This graphic nonfiction book takes the subject of loneliness and explores it from many angles, and then it is illustrated too with art that suits the mood. I was intrigued by the laugh track discussion, impressed by the discussion of loneliness and terror, and horrified by the reasons we know what we know about attachment.
I think it is the author who defines loneliness as the gap between where you are and where you want to be, or who you want to be with, and she talks about how that can be even more magnified in big cities, as a new spouse or new parent, and why rapid change and loneliness go hand in hand....more
Just a fun quick read with everyone's favorite... aliens? There are a few giggles here.Just a fun quick read with everyone's favorite... aliens? There are a few giggles here....more
Since May is Mexico month for the Read the World 21 challenge, I went digging in my ARC list to see what I had that night work. Edgar Camacho is an upSince May is Mexico month for the Read the World 21 challenge, I went digging in my ARC list to see what I had that night work. Edgar Camacho is an up and coming graphic artist in Mexico and Onion Skin comes out at the end of May. It’s about two people who randomly meet and end up starting a food truck together, with a surprising number of adventures.
Mostly good, the art style is a bit rough but consistent. The story has flashbacks which I found hard to follow and would have preferred a linear narrative, just a preference thing. I want to know more about Nera's Grandmother and her magical (?) plants.
I had a copy from the publisher through NetGalley!...more
I can't remember who recommended this to me (sorry!) but I'm glad I was able to find this at the library, a journalist's account of the war in Bosnia,I can't remember who recommended this to me (sorry!) but I'm glad I was able to find this at the library, a journalist's account of the war in Bosnia, specifically Gorazde, from 1992-95, as well as the immediate aftermath. I appreciated the point of view of the Muslims left in the city when their Serbian neighbors left suddenly and then became their enemies, and the graphic treatment captures the wide ranging emotions from bewilderment to betrayal. And then trying to understand the decisions made by the UN and Nato, and the worry about being "traded" in the final resolution. The image focus allows for extras like maps, which aids in my understanding for sure. How Gorazde connects to Sarajevo, or doesn't, is really important.
This story connects directly to The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric, which is on my shelf but maybe should be my follow-up read. The author also recommends some nonfiction reads in the back that look helpful in providing some broader context.
I once worked at a bakery with one Bosnian refugee and one Serbian refugee and they refused to interact...I'm starting to get it.
This is for my Europe2021 project, and of course CW for all war related topics, possibly more disturbing because they are portrayed and brains might remember images differently. ...more
This is the book I've read the most in the last week thanks to a certain ten year old who recently moved in. He finds a lot of comfort in starting at This is the book I've read the most in the last week thanks to a certain ten year old who recently moved in. He finds a lot of comfort in starting at the beginning every night (big transition) but I finally read the parts I hadn't reached during the middle of the night.
Each chapter profiles a different kid in a neighborhood and their role in the kingdom. Some chapters are wordless, which is harder to read! There is what I would call a subtle diversity, from race to gender to size, even one boy character who blushes around another boy. Some are experiencing difficult situations at home, from a misogynist grandmother to a volatile parent separation, while others seem to live mostly in the imaginative moment. Some kids have younger siblings or pets. The art is bright and the kids are all creative, nothing too scary (which is why it is on repeat unlike The Last Kids on Earth, which was slightly too scary right before bed.)
We would love other recommendations for books about kid groups being creative without scary monsters!...more
It's nice to see a folklore figure from West Africa given the superhero comic treatment! Sunjata is a classic figure from the Mende tradition who overIt's nice to see a folklore figure from West Africa given the superhero comic treatment! Sunjata is a classic figure from the Mende tradition who overcomes great obstacles to become a great king. This is part of a series of international figures in a similar vein, 50ish pages each, geared toward children and maybe teens. Many of them were available in Hoopla! ...more
A solid memoir that also does some educating on asexuality, in graphic form. The author/artist does a great job at expressing the emotions in the imagA solid memoir that also does some educating on asexuality, in graphic form. The author/artist does a great job at expressing the emotions in the images, especially when she is struggling with OCD (I found those scenes particularly compelling in their contrast.) ...more
Mazen Kerbaj captured the July War (2006) in his blog, writings, music, and art. The trilingual renderings are pulled into this graphic novel, and traMazen Kerbaj captured the July War (2006) in his blog, writings, music, and art. The trilingual renderings are pulled into this graphic novel, and translated into English when necessary. He captures the strangeness of living through violence and death, especially the emotional toll.
Review to come - I also read Apsara Engine by this author earlier this year, and that was all the stars, loved it so much - this is a little more staiReview to come - I also read Apsara Engine by this author earlier this year, and that was all the stars, loved it so much - this is a little more staid, about the artist's life as she sees it....more
When a graphic memoir is mentioned twice on your podcast, it’s a good idea to read it (161 and 198)! I needed a change in my reading so downloaded thiWhen a graphic memoir is mentioned twice on your podcast, it’s a good idea to read it (161 and 198)! I needed a change in my reading so downloaded this graphic memoir from Hoopla that also counts for Women in Translation month.
Ulli is living the punk life and it is a hard life. She sneaks into Italy and finds food and shelter where she can (she really shouldn’t have gone to Sicily!) and damn the man etc. The art is often monochromatic, mostly a dirty green, and captures the emotions and unwashed hair very well. I couldn’t put it down while I followed her tumultuous journey.
The next season of Umbrella Academy comes out soon so I caught up with the family in Hoopla. This one centers around the JFK assassination for a very The next season of Umbrella Academy comes out soon so I caught up with the family in Hoopla. This one centers around the JFK assassination for a very important reason!
I didn't connect well with this one, maybe it's too focused on a character that I don't like much, maybe it's the silly cartoon head characters... but I'm interested in how they deal with it on the show.
And hey, I didn't know Gerard Way was the same guy as the frontman for My Chemical Romance. That's pretty cool....more
I enjoyed vol. 1 of Invisible Kingdom, about a novitiate who uncovers corruption inside her order connecting to the government and connects with a spaI enjoyed vol. 1 of Invisible Kingdom, about a novitiate who uncovers corruption inside her order connecting to the government and connects with a spaceship crew - I feel the world is established and just want more!...more
I'm a longtime fan of the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman. Is it continuing a series to start a connected but newer comic? Who knows. This is the first I'm a longtime fan of the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman. Is it continuing a series to start a connected but newer comic? Who knows. This is the first six comics, starting with the Dreaming without Dream, and a librarian who thinks he has lost a book....
I liked the first and second quite a bit, and some of the full page art is really astounding. The story after that felt a bit like it was going in circles. I missed Dream and his siblings!...more
Jenny (Reading Envy)
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