I didn’t get into graphic memoirs until I was in my mid-20s. But once I read my first one, I fell into the genre, discovering a brilliant new-to-me world of visual art and text. Over the years, I’ve read so many wonderful titles, like Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Good Talk by Mira Jacobs. So today, I’m sharing a new favorite and a recent favorite. But first, bookish goods!
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Bookish Goods
Feminism Poster: Virginia Woolf Quote by Fabulously Feminist
Galentine’s Day is just around the corner! So, this week, I’m sharing a few gift options. This poster is a favorite of mine, but I must admit, I’m a bit biased— I’m a Virginia Woolf fan. $27
New Releases
Dinner on Monster Island: Essays by Tania De Rozario
In her new collection, Singaporean author Tania De Rozario writes about her experience growing up as a fat, queer Brown girl in a society that favors thinness and pale skin. Her essays examine the ongoing effort of LGBTQ rights activists and artists as they try to make space for themselves on their “Monster Island.”
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out by Shannon Reed
Perfect for book enthusiasts (that’s us!), Why We Read delves into all things libraries, bookstores, and just the general love of reading. New York Times contributor Shannon Reed explores the world of books and the people who love them.
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Riot Recommendations
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
Cartoonist Kate Beaton heads to western Canada to work in the oil sands, taking advantage of the oil rush to help her save money so she can more fully dedicate herself to her art. But out west, she’s confronted with the harsh realities of working in the small communities popping up because of the oil industry. In these sort of episodic-like snippets, she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at her life, pointing out the many issues — sexism and violence towards women in particular — that are common in these communities.
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Anjali Singh
I discovered Persepolis, a modern classic of the genre, during one of my very first Women In Translation Month celebrations. This graphic memoir follows Marjane Satrapi through the Iranian Revolution and her flight to France. She goes to school in Paris for a few years, but eventually, she returns home to Iran. She finds it completely changed. Satrapi’s illustrations capture your attention from the first page, and her memoir is a testament to her love of Persian culture and the grief she experiences as she can no longer live in her home country.
That’s it for this week! You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave, over on Instagram @kdwinchester, or on my podcast Read Appalachia. As always, feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com. For even MORE bookish content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.
Happy Reading, Friends!
~ Kendra