Hello all! I’ve been away camping for the past few days and it’s nice to be back again. And this means I’m back again to share with you my favourite top tens. I do miss the sun and the beach and the sand, but this week I’ve got an exciting topic to share with you: top ten book I’d give to readers who have never read graphic novels!
10. Maus by Art Spiegelman is a staple in any graphic novel collection. What I loved about this book is that it makes learning about the cruelties of the Holocaust accessible. It shares a very personal and tragic story in a way that a vast audience can understand and relate to.
9. My Most Secret Desire by Julie Doucet was a shocker for me. I’d never read such stark and honest comics before this one. Doucet doesn’t hide or gloss over her thoughts as she explores sexuality, the body, and self-identity.
8. Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell is a stunning representation of a teenager struggling not only with the transitions of adolescence, but also with the onset of schizophrenia. Again, this is one that deals with tough topics in a way that reaches out to people of all ages and backgrounds. I loved it’s accessibility. It helped me to understand the harsh realities of living and dealing with schizophrenia.
7. Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli is coloured in pink and blue against stark white and the colours represent an exploration of duality and opposites. Asterios is a twin, but his twin passed away at birth and his whole life he struggles with a lost sense of self. It explores his understanding of fate versus free will, love, and the past and present.
6. Epileptic by David B. is an autobiographical comic about the author’s life growing up with an epileptic brother. Through his drawing his copes with his anger and his isolation, making his way through his adolescence and adulthood trying to discover who he is apart from the epilepsy that affects their entire family.
5. This One Summer by Mariko and Jullian Tamaki is a beautiful new comic. You can read my original review here. I loved this book because it perfectly encapsulates the transition from childhood to adulthood and explores the isolation and loneliness that this can lead to when one feels as though they no longer relate to anyone.
4. Fables – I’ve been reading though this entire series and I’m just over halfway through. I’m in love. this series is a must read for anyone who’s ever read and enjoyed a fairy tale. It takes our favourite and beloved fairy tale characters and places them in an alternate reality where they must fight for their freedom.
3. Blankets by Craig Thompson is another autobiographical comic (I definitely have a soft spot for the autobiographies). This book is just beautiful all around: beautiful story and images.
2. Peter Panzerfaust is a stunning representation of Peter Pan retold amidst the horrors of World War Two. If you love either Peter Pan’s story or history, this is a great graphic portrayal of a classic story. It’s both heart wrenching and beautiful.
1. Daytripper by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon is my favourite graphic novel, as I’m sure you know at this point. I’ve gone on about this one so many times already, so I won’t bore you again here. But I have to insist, if you haven’t read it, go READ IT! It’s awesome! And let me know what you think! 😉
Worn Pages and Ink 