Back of Book: 

Blankets is the story of a young man coming of age and finding the confidence to express his creative voice. Craig Thompson's poignant graphic memoir plays out against the backdrop of a Midwestern winterscape: finely-hewn linework draws together a portrait of small town life, a rigorously fundamentalist Christian childhood, and a lonely, emotionally mixed-up adolescence.

Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart. It's a universal story, and Thompson's vibrant brushstrokes and unique page designs make the familiar heartbreaking all over again.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Memoir 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A raw graphic novel following the life of a young man trying to find a purpose in a world that he is told time and time again is temporary. 

I picked up "Blankets" mainly because it has hit many banned book lists, including ones in my very own home town. And if I see a banned book in the wild, it's no surprise that I pick it up to read. I actually was not aware that this was a memoir going into it, but knowing that it is an adult graphic memoir allows me to understand why people are challenging it, but that still doesn't put them in the right for doing so. 

"Blankets" is told in sections that build on one another. We learn things about different part of Thompson's life throughout the entire novel, hardly ever in chronologically order. It jumps from childhood memories, to early junior high, to his time as a senior in high school, and then back and forth. Despite this, I never found this constant shifting viewpoint to be confusing or annoying. 

One of the things I found most fascinating in this book, is it focus on religion. Thompson was raised to be highly Christian and his family takes this very seriously. I was often blown away by the things he was told at church/Sunday school. I always like to see other people's takes on religion and Thompson's viewpoint was quite enlightening. He was raised to constantly repent for his sins, think about how his actions may affect his next life, and so many other rigid teachings. The religion aspect was for sure a highlight of this one for me, as well as the philosophical questions that this topic raised. 

His upraising seemed a bit harsh, and the crazy things he did with his brother are totally out there, which made his early life engrossing to read about. I love seeing other humans perspectives and I think Thompson made it clear in his memoir how such things affected his life. This book goes into great detail (have you seen the size of this thing?) and it allows for plenty of time to get to know Thompson. He was open and honest about his life and was willing to share his experiences with the awkwardness of growing up, first love, and wrestling with one's beliefs. 

The usage of the many connotations of the word blankets was also quite ingenious in this one. All the blankets throughout Thompson's life represented different things and I think that having them be one of the central points in this book was such a smart decision. 

Overall, I found "Blankets" to be an interesting read that provided a great lens into another's life. Thompson's stories are honest, well arranged, and easy to consume despite the length of the volume. I would be interested to learn more about Thompson's professional life and where the world has taken him since the end of the book. The art style reminds me of Art Spiegelman's with it being a tad abstract, a bit dark, yet always concise. I would recommend "Blankets" to adults who want to reflect on their adolescence or for mature teens who feel overwhelmed by the immensity of the universe and the fact that everyone has to grow up eventually. 

Back of Book: 

English graduate Ben Cook is on the job hunt looking for something... anything... related to his passion for reading and writing. According to the hiring committes, he doesn't have enough experience. But when he stumbles upon a "Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary" sign outside a restaurant, Ben jumps at the chance to land his first job. He's actually non so bad in the kitchen, plus, he can keep looking for a writing job in the meantime. But when he begins developing a crush on Liam, one of the super-dreamy chefs at the restaurant, he'll start to to feel torn between wanting to stay and cook and following his original post-college plans to be a writer.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Graphic Novel | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A wholesome graphic novel that highlights the importance of a strong friend group, the willpower to follow ones dreams, and a pig who will eat just about anything. 

After graduating from college, Ben Cook is ready to enter the workforce. Unfortunately, every place that he interviews at says that he doesn't have enough experience. Well how is he supposed to get experience if no one will give him a chance? After another rejected job interview, Ben stumbles across a restaurant with a "Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary" sign. The job may not have anything to do with reading or writing, but he is ecstatic that he will be receiving a paycheck. The longer he works in the kitchen, the happier he begins to feel. And it doesn't hurt that one of the chefs in a rather attractive man named Liam. . . Now, Ben has to weigh his newfound love for cooking against his lifelong dream working in publishing; what could go wrong?

This graphic novel is very adorable! The romance elements are great, the friendships are so sweet, and the real world issues this book tackles is impressive. This book is truly *chef's kiss* The entire time I was reading it I felt giddy and the humor is always spot one. The illustrations are amazing and it is cool to see how perfectly four different people's art forms come together to make one coherent picture. 

I think my favorite thing about this book is how it deals with the after college experience. One spends a bunch of their life (and money) investing in their education and then they join the "real world" and can't find a job, even with the degree they have. The beginning part of this book where Ben was turned down from dozens of job because he didn't have any experience is so legit, but it's crazy how society expects one to have this experience when no place seems willing to give newbies a try! The fact that Ben also struggles with making one solid decision about what he wants to do for the rest of his life is also so understandable. I love the fact that these topics are addressed in this graphic novel; I feel that they are such realistic issues, yet nobody seems to wants to talk about them. 

Another thing I love about this book is the friend groups. Ben lives with three of his best friends, Liz, Rachel, and Tom. All three of his friends were unique personalities and it was such a joy to read about the strange endeavors that they partake in. I honestly think that it is a great idea to room with a couple of besties at this phase in a person's life. It's hard to be struggling new adults, so it seems so much nicer to struggle together rather than alone. It gives one support both financially as well as allowing others to mentally be there for you. Liam's friend group/the employees at the restaurant are also a great crew of people. I love how diverse the cast in this graphic novel is, as well as how interesting they all are as individual characters. 

Watson is such a goofy addition to this story. I mean, who doesn't want the taste testing pig to be in charge of your fate? The fact that Ben had to cook recipes to appease a pig is such a comical premise, and it is so fun to see Watson pop up throughout the story. He really is just another part of the restaurant's family, which is super random, but also a really heartwarming addition to this book. 

I also really appreciate how much of a nerd and a dork Ben is. He is an English major who loves D&D, fluently understands Shakespeare talk, and has dozens of boxes of books. I find him very relatable in many ways and I love reading about nerdy characters such as myself. How awkward he is when it comes to romance is so cute (and relatable!) and I couldn't get enough of him as a character. 

Overall, I ate up every bite of "Chef's Kiss." I really enjoyed the illustrations, the humor, the characters, the messages, and the all around wholesome vibe. I would be more than happy to check out more of the author's/illustrators' work in the future. The four of them really came together to form a power team that created a beautiful story for me to consume. 

Back of Book: 

From “choreomania” to an utterly original graphic novel about a newly urgent subject

Set in 1518, and told from the imagined perspective of Mary, one of the witnesses, The Dancing Plague tells the true story of when hundreds of Strasbourg’s inhabitants were suddenly seized by the strange and unstoppable compulsion to dance. Prone to mystic visions as a child, betrayed in the convent to which she flees, then abused by her loutish husband, Mary endures her life as an oppressed and ultimately scapegoated woman with courage, strength, and inspiring beauty. As difficult to interpret now (as a psychological reaction to social injustice?) as it was then (as a collective demonic possession?), the story of the “Dancing Plague” finds suitably extraordinary expression in the utterly unique mixed-media style Gareth Brookes has devised to tell it. The pioneering blend of his trademark “pyrographic” technique with sumptuously colorful—and literal—embroidery perfectly reflects, in a beautiful work of art, the enduring fragility of our human condition—from “choreomania” to coronavirus.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Historical 

Review: 🌟

This has got to be one of the weirdest books I've ever read. . . And not in a good way. 

This book's pages are graced by horrific images of people/demons dancing, many people praying, and lots of death. And these images pretty much sum up the majority of the story. There's a (dancing) plague that was started by a mysterious cause though the people speculate that it was the Jews, women, or prostitutes (you got to love history). And many people go and dance their lives away, praying to God as they do so, until they die. 

The scariest part about this book is the fact that it is based in truth. Medieval times were quite horrifying, and I feel this book does a great job of summing up why. 

Overall, this book is not for me in any way, shape, or form. I know I'm not the target audience for this book, but I picked it up because I thought it might be funny. It was not. I'll leave it at that. 

Back of Book: 

After seven years of exile, battle-hardened Hallstein Thordsson returns home to Iceland, only to find that old wounds haven't healed. His stepmother Solveig and his half-brother Ottar are besieged by wood thieves, directed by her unwelcome suitor, Einar. The Exile's presence disrupts the delicate balance and threatens to tip all of Iceland into violence.

A remarkable decades-spanning epic, Erik Kriek's The Exile is equal parts action “Western” and family drama, with a surprising story of violence and consequences at its core. Told in a naturalistic modern style but with tremendous fidelity to the historical period in which it is set, The Exile depicts the Viking age in all of its conflict, turmoil, and social structure, with every detail depicted vividly on the page.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Historical 

Review: 🌟🌟

A graphic novel set in an ancient Iceland in which old grudges do not fade easily. . .

Hallstein Thordsson is back from his seven years of exile and the scars of his past have not since healed. His step-mother, Solveig, is being plagued by wood thieves that are organized by Einar, who wants to marry her. Upon Hallstein's return, old wounds are reopened and vengeance must be enacted for past crimes.

Honestly, this book confused me. I found the panels jumped through time and space with little indication to the change. I got all the characters mixed up, which made the plot hard to follow at times. Most of these things are personal issues that I brought upon myself, because I just had a hard time tracking the trajectory of the story throughout the novel.

Overall, this graphic novel is a suitable read for those who are interested in Icelandic tales and Vikings. I love Norse mythology, so I thought I would enjoy this more, but that wasn't the case for me.

Back of Book: 

Every time Allie Brosh posts something new on her hugely popular blog Hyperbole and a Half the internet rejoices.

Touching, absurd, and darkly comic, Allie Brosh’s highly anticipated book Hyperbole and a Half showcases her unique voice, leaping wit, and her ability to capture complex emotions with deceptively simple illustrations.

This full-color, beautifully illustrated edition features more than fifty percent new content, with ten never-before-seen essays and one wholly revised and expanded piece as well as classics from the website like, “The God of Cake,” “Dogs Don’t Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving,” and her astonishing, “Adventures in Depression,” and “Depression Part Two,” which have been hailed as some of the most insightful meditations on the disease ever written.

Brosh’s debut marks the launch of a major new American humorist who will surely make even the biggest scrooge or snob laugh. We dare you not to.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Memoir | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A quirky selection of true stories featuring odd dogs, a wild goose in the house, and an undeniable urge to eat cake. 

I actually read "Solutions and Other Problems" before I read this one, so this wasn't my first rodeo with Ms. Brosh. This one was put together first, so I feel like it was a little less organized than the other one, but it is just as funny. It also dives into some heavy topics such as depression and disliking pieces of oneself. It is nicely balanced, for sure. 

My favorite stories have to be "The God of Cake" and "The Party" (though "Dinosaur" and the ones about her dogs are also amazing). I stand by my opinion that Allie was a completely unhinged child and reading both "Hyperbole and a Half" and "Solutions and Other Problems" confirms this opinion. I love the honesty and humor that fills all these stories; I ate this one up just as fast as the other one. Also, on a side note, my brother and I performed the stories "The God of Cake" and "The Party" aloud to my sister and man did it have all three of us laughing out heads off. 

The way that Brosh portrays dogs is just magical. Her dogs may be of low intelligence, but as a person who grew up with dogs, I related to many of her dogs' issues and behaviors. Her dog illustrations are also so pure and yet so annoying at the same time; I love them! 

Overall, "Hyperbole and a Half" is a funny, quirky, delightable collection of true stories about the author's life. I feel that this book could bring a smile to anyone's face, but is also filled with serious content that makes the reader reflect about themselves. I would recommend picking up both "Hyperbole and a Half" and "Solutions and Other Problems;" they may not be a series, but they are both fantastic collections with stories that do reference one other.  

Back of Book: 

Poet and novelist Hiromi Goto effortlessly blends wry, observational slice-of-life literary fiction with poetic magical realism in the tender and surprising graphic novel Shadow Life, with haunting art from debut artist Ann Xu.

When Kumiko’s well-meaning adult daughters place her in an assisted living home, the seventy-six-year-old widow gives it a try, but it’s not where she wants to be. She goes on the lam and finds a cozy bachelor apartment, keeping the location secret even while communicating online with her eldest daughter. Kumiko revels in the small, daily decorating as she pleases, eating what she wants, and swimming in the community pool. But something has followed her from her former residence―Death’s shadow.

Kumiko’s sweet life is shattered when Death’s shadow swoops in to collect her. With her quick mind and sense of humor, Kumiko, with the help of friends new and old, is prepared for the fight of her life. But how long can an old woman thwart fate? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Contemporary | Magical Realism | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A graphic novel about seizing life's opportunities, even when on the brink of death. 

Kumiko isn't content with her life in an assisted living facility that her daughters forced her to move into. With only the things she can carry, she runs away from the facility and finds an apartment of her own. Kumiko now gets to bask in the daily activities that she loves, such as preparing her own food, visiting the local library, and swimming in the nearby pool. However, one thing haunts her every move: Death's shadow. Unwilling to go down without a fight, Kumiko tries everything she can to thwart Death's every move. But how long can an ailing woman truly fight Death itself? 

When I first pulled this out of the stack of books that my sister requested from the library, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. I mean, the cover has an old women wielding a vacuum cleaner stoically and a tagline that reads "When Death comes too soon, fight dirty." I figured that this had to mean that an old lady fights Death with a vacuum cleaner, which I figured had to be pretty comical. I was right about the woman using a vacuum cleaner to thwart Death, but I was wrong about the tone of this novel. It is truly a slice of life piece that begs the reader to appreciate the little things in life before they are gone forever. 

This book may showcase an old woman living alone, but it is hardly a somber story. Kumiko is so much more than just an "old lady" and truly finds joy in the littlest things, even if she is forced to go through them alone. As the novel progresses, she is lucky enough to meet up with old friends and reconcile a bit with her adult daughters. It is reassuring to see elders defying typical stereotypes, and this graphic novel does a good job of showcasing an average woman who just so happens to be getting on in years. 

I personally was a tad confused by all of the elements of magical realism. Like, what was up with the chick that feasted on blood? Was it a friend or foe? I literally have no idea. The representations of Death's shadow were a little clearer, as was the lady who delivers souls across the river in the underworld, so not everything was completely nonsensical. I think the giant spider is Death itself, but I wasn't paying the greatest attention to all of the lore and got a tad lost in Kumiko's final fight. A tad odd, a tad confusing, but not a horrible use of elements of magical realism regardless. 

Overall, "Shadow Life" is an intriguing enough graphic novel about a brave woman named Kumiko who is fighting a grand battle against Death. This book has great messages about growing older, defying society's narrative, and finding your own happiness. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but I really appreciate that it set out to spread more positive stories about elders living their lives to the fullest. 

Back of Book: 

Allie Brosh returns with a new collection of comedic, autobiographical, and illustrated essays.

Solutions and Other Problems includes humorous stories from Allie Brosh’s childhood; the adventures of her very bad animals; merciless dissection of her own character flaws; incisive essays on grief, loneliness, and powerlessness; as well as reflections on the absurdity of modern life.

This full-color, beautifully illustrated edition features all-new material with more than 1,600 pieces of art.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Graphic Novel | Memoir | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This graphic novel is so funny and entertaining, yet also raw and real. Brosh does a great job of providing the reader with humorous stories from her life that also shed light on the human condition and some of life's greatest mysteries. 

I love the opening of this one. The prologue about the balloon is a great opening that then rolls into the tale of her three year old self and the bucket. This was such a humorous way to start out this quirky graphic memoir that got me hooked on both the narrative and the illustrations. The images are so goofy, but they complement Brosh's voice so well. 

Despite the humor in this, it does go to some pretty dark places at times and takes a gander at some very deep questions. Many of these topics are still addressed in a lighthearted way, but I feel including the dark times as well as the light really balances this book out and make it both an entertaining read as well as an insightful one. The vulnerability it takes to share much of what Brosh did isn't easy, but I appreciate how real she got despite the light nature of the book. 

The scene with her neighbor and the stick will forever be implemented in my mind. It is so funny, but also a bit mysterious and kinda creepy. It really cracked me up; I'd have to say it was my favorite story of the book. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this laugh out loud memoir that dabbles on some topics that need to be talked about more. Between themes of self-image, mortality, and the search for more, "Solutions and Other Problems" is a great look into the human condition that blends reality and humor perfectly. I am very interested in reading more work by Brosh and will seek out her debut novel sooner rather than later. I'd recommend checking this memorable graphic memoir out, even if that doesn't sound like your go to book; it really has so many insights to offer the reader.