For those of us who love comics, the medium is often a much-needed escape from the real world. Sometimes, however, they serve the opposite purpose: to teach us about people with lives far different from our own. We’ll be looking at comics that fall into this second category later, but first…
2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!
Bookish Goods
Comic Book Wedding Livret Wedding Invitation Booklet by NestingProjectPaper
Are you and your equally nerdy partner about to tie the knot? Let your friends and family know with these personalized invites! $4+
New Releases
Bunt! by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert
Like all too many college students, Molly depends on financial aid to pay her tuition. But when that aid suddenly disappears, the only way she can stay in school is by convincing a bunch of other art majors to form a softball team and compete for an athletic scholarship!
Marvel: February 1964 Omnibus by Various Creators
Did you know that this month marks the 60th anniversary of Daredevil’s debut? Marvel pays homage to this beloved character by reprinting all — yes, ALL — of the comics they published that month in this single volume. It’s a unique and fascinating snapshot of an especially productive time in Marvel’s history.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Today’s Riot Rec theme is: refugees. I’ve covered immigrants before, but given the state of, well, everywhere these days, it’s important to remember the plight of refugees specifically as well.
Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System by Safdar Ahmed
Australia’s immigration system has come under fire more than once for its extreme cruelty. This account of the author’s 2011 visit to one refugee camp tells the stories of multiple detainees, including the hardships they face and the little things that help them retain hope.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Iman Geddy
This memoir tells the story of Omar and Hassan, young brothers from Somalia, growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp. As the older sibling, Omar knows it is his responsibility to take care of Hassan as best he can, even if that means leaving Hassan alone to go to school and get the education that will better their lives.
If you’ve got the funds to spare, consider heading to Charity Navigator and finding a trustworthy charity that operates in Palestine, Ukraine, or any other place where someone might need help.
~Eileen