So with Ayun Halliday visiting this week to chat about her graphic novel Peanut, I've been reading along, enjoying myself, and I want to read more! This got me thinking though; I think I can confidently and honestly say that while I'm pretty well read in books, my "graphic novels read" list is pitifully short.
I want to expand my Graphic Novel TBR list, so help a girl out. I've listed all the graphic novels I have read below, but it'd be awesome if you could leave your recommendations on which graphic novels I should read next!
What I've Read (So Far):
Peanut by Ayun Halliday
Because, duh, I'm reading this right now!
Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
This was really quirky and I loved it - Alistair's such a dreamboat!
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
I had to read this after watching the movie. It was such an awesome way to learn more about Iran, a country I don't really know much about.
The Babymouse series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
I'd be lying if I didn't say I've thumbed through these and chuckled.
The Sons of Liberty series by Alexander and Joseph Lagos
So Buzzguy actually initially recommended this to me. This alternate look at history is pretty cool - two runaway slaves are taken under Ben Franklin's wing and start training in martial arts and start kicking butt? Yes! Did I mention this takes place around the American Revolution? Yeah.
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
I'm pretty sure that by now you've either seen the cover for this or have read it yourselves. Art Spiegelman interviewed and then drew his dad's experience in Auschwitz, and then the Dachau Holocaust camps. Super harrowing.
That is my short list of graphic novels read, Buzzers! Leave your recommendations on which graphic novels I should check out and add to my TBR pile in the comments!
Tiffasaurus: You should read We3. It was amazing.
Book_A_Holic:
You could always read V for Vendetta or The Watchmen
Books_Rule: I actually haven't read a single graphic novel come to think of it.
Paigers97: The only graphic novels i have ever read were the Captain Underpants
SashaMae1996: i didnt know that they counted but i still didnt read all of them only the flip back and forth ones
veela-valoom: I've only read Anya's Ghost but it's really good. Accessible to non-graphic novel readers (enough to make them curious about genre).
ChristinaB:
Y: That Last Man
Common Grounds by Troy Hickman (have tissues)
Kim Naples A Contract With God by Will Eisner- he was one of the first "literary" graphic novelists.
InLibrisVeritas: My graphic novel intake is a bit one sided, I usually only read superhero based things, so a lot of Batman and the like. But one that is a must for all fans of graphic novels is The Watchmen by Alan Moore.
AyunHalliday: Hi Buzzgirl and Friends,
Here are my suggestions to one of your message board compadres:
The Rabbi's Cat I & II by Joann Sfar This full-color saga is as clever, humane and gorgeously drawn as everything else this prolific artist - and now moviemaker - does. It's a history lesson, a travelogue, a theological discussion, and a total blast. I defy you not to adore the main character, a skeptical cat who gains the power of speech after he eats a parrot and lies about it.
One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry If you like deeply personal, autobiographical stuff, this should be right up your alley. It's very bittersweet, and the artwork is far from intimidating. She gives you the sense that anyone could do what she does. I WISH more people could do what she does because she's awesome.
Scott Pilgrim (series) by Bryan Lee O'Malley. The movie's great but the books are even better!
Aya by Marguerite Abouet This is the first in a fantastic series about a level headed teenage girl from Africa's Ivory Coast. It's set in the 1970s, and you really get a feel for the place. I felt jealous of all the al fresco dancing they get to do!. Aya's forever trying to bail her friends out of messes of their own making. It's beautifully drawn -the characters' facial expressions are pitch perfect and the girls' fashion sense is really cool.
My 12-year-old son, The Graphic Novelologist, will also have some suggestions for you. He reads graphic novels like other people drink water. If you tell him what you're interested in, he might well put you on the trail of the perfect title!
Finally, here's an article I wrote about graphic novels that do double duty as educational materials. (Don't let that scare you off - you'll find everything from zombies to sharks within these pages. Part II of the article is here.)
Happy reading, everybody!
aprilmom00: I read the watchmen so far :) thats been it. If only my son could read these and count for AR tests
KindredDreamheart: I say Bleach, Avatar, or Narotu. Manga is my favorite!
KawaiiMuffin: Wow, maybe I'll get back into reading graphic novels!
Evie: I'm not a big graphic novel reader but I can't wait to read Peanut as well as Friends With Boys. :)
ElizabethK: American Born Chinese is an amazing graphic novel. It won the Michael L. Printz award in 2007.
Liviania:
Friends with Boys and Maus both rock!
I recommend everything on the CYBILS graphic novels finalist list.
courtneyc15: look like some pretty good books
Bookendipity: I'm not too big into graphic novels but I want to read the Watchmen
Paigers97: :)
SashaMae1996: the only one i read was baby mouse and i didnt really like it
SashaMae1996: they have interesting covers