Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

 

 

This is a graphic memoir.  It is a debut – and a very strong one.  It tells the story of the author losing her mother when she was only a teenager and how she dealt with it – or didn't.  It was written 10 years later and I think benefits hugely from that distance.

 

It is funny, wise and feels very authentic.  Anyone who has dealt with loss will recognise many of the issues.  And anyone who finds it difficult to know what to say to someone who has had a tragedy should also read it.

 

The illustrations are evocative without being sentimental.

 

Give this a go.

Almost American Girl – a graphic memoir by Robin Ha

 

You may recall my post about Cook Korean ! - this graphic memoir is by the same author.

 

I found her illustrations charming and her depiction of life as an immigrant with no English to speak of on arrival in the US was endearing as well as a teensy bit upsetting.

Cook Korean! A Comic Book with Recipes by Robin Ha

What happens when an illustrator gets interested in cooking Korean food?  Well, you get a comic book which also has recipes in comic form.  Lots of fun!

I recommend it even for people who can't eat Korean food.  There does seem to be garlic in almost everything – which I don't tolerate at all well…sigh.

Do give it a go.  I've now ordered up one of her other comics to see if I enjoy it as well.

Minding The Store by Julie Gaines & Illustrated by her son Ben Lenovitz

I have a little graphic memoir for you today.  It’s the story of a couple who founded a dish store in New York City (Fishs Eddy) – a tale of successes and failures.  Very life affirming.

I recommend it to you.  I had never heard of Fishs Eddy – but hope one day to visit one of their stores.

The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman - revisited

I'm revisiting a Top 20 pick for you today – partly because I've hit a dry spot for good reads.

The Principles of Uncertainty is a simply delightful book.  The title sounds boring and the cover isn't that appealing but once you dive into the book you realise it is something very special indeed.

 

It is a beautifully illustrated book based on a year in the life of the author.  Maira Kalman has written many children's books and I'm sure they are very good too.  This is a book for grown-ups though.

 

Not in the sense that it contains any sex or naughty words or such – just that the language is aimed at adults.

 

 I hope the pages I have put into this post will give you a little taste of the book.  It is hard to do it justice.

 

I enjoyed it so much that once I finished it, I went back to the beginning and started all over again.

 

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

This is a graphic memoir.  It is a debut – and a very strong one.  It tells the story of the author losing her mother when she was only a teenager and how she dealt with it – or didn't.  It was written 10 years later and I think benefits hugely from that distance.

It is funny, wise and feels very authentic.  Anyone who has dealt with loss will recognise many of the issues.  And anyone who finds it difficult to know what to say to someone who has had a tragedy should also read it.

The illustrations are evocative without being sentimental.

Give this a go.

Book Love by Debbie Tung

Book Love is a graphic ode to the joys of everything to do with books.  I got it from the library after reading her earlier book – Quiet Girl in a Noisy World

Book Love is an unassuming little gem.  It will only take you’re a few minutes to flick through it and I promise it will make you smile.

I have chosen a couple of pages to show you what this book is like.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Rosalie Lightning by Tom Hart

This is a graphic memoir covering a very difficult period in the illustrator/writers life – the death at just under 2 years old of their much loved daughter Rosalie Lightning.

So you won't find this an easy read.  It is a searing honest (seems to be anyway) look into the feelings of parents following a tragic loss.  They obsess over whether they should have picked up signs and then sink into virtual holes of despair.  They attend a grief workshop.

One of the many things that struck a chord with me was the way they kept on stumbling over people who had also experienced loss of a young child.  I know that phenomenon.

This book is touching emotional and real.