Shark in the Library! by Cari Meister

Shark in the Library! by Cari Meister - 25 pages

On a visit to the library, Noah must research a sea animal.  He draws the whale, but wanted the shark.  He researches the shark instead and looks all over the library for the shark.  The librarian assists as needed.  Will he find it?

Note: This is a graphic novel-style book.

Relish: my Life in the Kitchen, by Lucy Knisley, 192 pages

Relish: my Life in the Kitchen, by Lucy Knisley, 192 pages

This graphic memoir was about food and memory and family.  It included some recipes and some stories that were very relatable for me.  It was also mouth-watering.  I really enjoyed it.

The Squirrel Mother, by Megan Kelso

The Squirrel Mother, by Megan Kelso, 136 pages

This was a series of short stories related in graphic form.  It was less of a cohesive story or even a selection of short stories, and more like vignettes depicting a single memory, a single emotion, or a single event.  One story was about a girl staying with her aunt, but then getting locked out as her aunt apparently had a mental break; another was about a squirrel mother who decided that she just couldn't take care of her squirrel babies anymore.  Elements remind me of the works of Lynda Barry (but just elements, because Lynda Barry is the greatest person in the entire world and no one is as good as her).  I would say this is probably more for older teens or adults.

My Dirty Dumb Eyes, by Lisa Hanawalt

My Dirty Dumb Eyes, by Lisa Hanawalt, 120 pages

I thought this book was hilarious.  Often dirty, sometimes dumb, but always pretty funny.  It is a collection of Hanawalt's comics, drawings and artwork, ranging from such topics as hats for dogs, movie reviews, and how one can tell if Martha Stewart is drunk, to REALLY weird stuff.  Some of her work can be seen here (the secret lives of chefs was one of my favorite parts): http://lisahanawalt.com/post/18197445362/lucky-peach-the-secret-lives-of-chefs

Blacklung, by Chris Wright

Blacklung, by Chris Wright, 128 pages

Sometimes, when you pick a book based on the cover art, you can end up pretty disappointed.  This graphic novel was well-done and visually gripping, but also unpleasant and confusing.  Basically, a heartless teacher is abducted by pirates, and he is recruited to record the captain's memoirs and bear witness to the acts of savage cruelty that they carry out.  Definitely for adults, and maybe more so for adults who like surreal, visual storytelling.

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke, 354 pages
(Book 1 of Immortal Empire series)

This was a great read and I'm looking forward to finishing the series. Xandra's youngest half sister, Dede, has gone missing and she will do anything to find her. Nevermind that the authorities found a body that her sister and brother agree is Dede. Xandra senses something odd is at foot and starts out on a road that will lead her to startling discoveries about herself and the world she lives in. Xandra is a halfie - half human and half vampire. Vampires rule this world controlled by the Monarchy. Queen Victoria is still alive and kicking - ruling for 175 years now. Goblins, Werewolves and other creatures that go bump in the night are very much real. This is your classic Sci-fi/Fantasy Steampunk novel complete with twists and turns that will keep your head spinning. To say anymore would give too much away. This is a definite - must read for yourself book. It does have language, violence, torture, sex and some pretty graphic parts, but considering you have vampires, werewolves, goblins and humans ... it's kind of hard not to.

Ayako, by Osamu Tezuka

Ayako, by Osamu Tezuka, 704 pages

Every now and then, I read a book that has been translated into English, and while the words make perfect sense, I get the feeling that something has been lost in translation.  Ayako is considered to be a thinly veiled recounting of post-war Japanese politics, which doesn’t always put the Japanese government in a positive light.  To me, though, the story was about a sleazy family that locks a young girl in their basement in order to prevent her from telling anyone that she witnessed the murder of her best friend. Ayako grows up knowing only the confined space of the basement and the subverted love of her brother.  Like most Tezuka works, this is definitely for adults, and adults who aren't squeamish about sexuality and violence.   Not my favorite.

The Color of Earth, by Kim Dong Hwa

The Color of Earth (Color Trilogy #1), by Kim Dong Hwa, 320 pages

The surest way to get me to read a book is to tell me that it's been frequently challenged.  Apparently this one has made the list recently, and I wanted to know why.  It's manhwa (Korean manga) about a young girl named Ehwa, living in a quaint Korean village with her widowed mother.  Ehwa learns about becoming a woman, sex, and falling in love- but in the most chaste, tasteful way I can imagine.  I found it a little slow-moving, but the story is sweet and thoughtful, and only objectionable if you were scandalized by Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.

The Last Days of American Crime, by Rick Remender

The Last Days of American Crime, by Rick Remender, 168 pages

In the (not so distant) future, the American government has decided not only to phase out cash money in lieu of plastic cards, thus making all transactions traceable, but they are also going to broadcast radio waves that will render Americans incapable of committing acts that they know are illegal.  This means that our 'hero,' Graham, only has 2 weeks to commit the perfect- and last- crime.

Once again, this is a very good example of 'just because there are pictures does not mean this book is for children.'  At all.  I enjoyed this- it was dark, gritty, and definitely in the vein of noir crime novels.  I consider the main character to be an homage to Sin City's Marv, but I could be wrong.  Expect the same level of violence, etc.

300, by Frank Miller

300, by Frank Miller, 88 pages

This is one of those classic graphic novels that anyone who really wants to understand and talk about the 'canon' has to read.  Not particularly a story I found appealing- 300 Spartans and their allies fight ancient Persians to the death- but the art is very good and this is a good example of a graphic novel using space really well.  Miller is not afraid to let the images speak and not overwhelm the pages with useless 'thought bubbles.'  An adult graphic novel due to the violence and some nudity, but older teens might like it.

Daytripper, by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba

Daytripper, by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba, 256 pages

This might be my new favorite book! It was life-affirming and beautiful, but without the usual cliches that accompany such descriptions.  The story centers around Bras de Oliva Domingos, a Brazilian obituary writer, and his struggle to realize what matters in life.  The book is made up of several different threads, each one describing a time in his life, and what would have happened if life had ended that day.  It was an Eisner Award winner for good reason.  Highly recommended for adults and older teens.

Epileptic, by David B.

Epileptic, by David B., 368 pages

Epileptic is a graphic autobiography of growing up with an epileptic brother in the 1970s.  David (or Pierre Francois, as he is called) adores his older brother, Jean Christophe, but when Jean starts getting sick, the whole family is thrown into chaos.  His parents retreat into new age spiritualism, retreats, and a macrobiotic diet hoping to "heal" their son; David retreats into drawing and anger at the way others treat his brother; while Jean Christophe, as powerless to change his condition as anyone else, retreats into childhood.  It is sad, but pretty powerfully told.  

Crown of Horns (Bone #9), by Jeff Smith

Crown of Horns (Bone #9), by Jeff Smith, 232 pages

This was the last book in the Bone saga, and the journey was worth the destination.  Bone and Thorn, Phoney and Smiley- all are locked in a dungeon while Briar and the Locust King, along with a swarm of rat creatures and general ne'er do wells wage war on the stronghold of Atheia.  Thorn is drawn to the Crown of Horns, but it could spell doom for all of civilization.  And where are the dragons?? This is an excellent finale filled with excitement, danger, quiche, and an ending that offers closure for all plot lines.

A Sickness in the Family, by Denise Mina

A Sickness in the Family, by Denise Mina, 192 pages

This is a pretty creepy graphic novel, and definitely not for kids.  The Usher family is not very close, but things start unraveling quickly after the couple who lives downstairs die violently.  No one cares about Grandma Martha, even after she falls (or is she pushed?) through a giant hole in the floor; Biddy is cheating on Ted, Amy cares only for herself, and William clearly has a drug problem.  And then everyone starts getting murdered.  This book will leave you guessing, even after the very last panel, as to who is really killing whom.  Creeeeeeepy- and for adults.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick, 544 pages

The excitement over the movie adaptation is what prompted me to re-visit this book.  Orphaned Hugo Cabret is living in a train station, fixing the clocks and working on the last obsession of his father- an old automaton that he can't get to work.  A chance encounter with an old wind-up toy salesman begins an adventure of discovery.  Readers will learn about magic, automatons, and the birth of film.

The story is appealing for children, teens, and adults alike.  The illustrations are outstanding- a mix of pencil and photographs that make the reader feel like they are entering a silent film.  It might also be a good introduction to graphic novels for those who have yet to recognize the merits of blending graphics and text for narrative purposes.

Chopsticks, by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Chopsticks, by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral, 272 pages

This is an amazing concept of a book, which is also available as an ipad/iphone app.  It is full of embedded youtube videos, chat messages, mix CDs with songs that I believe you can access if you read it as an app... It is a complete mixed-media book, and really made me think about the future of ya lit publishing.

The story was great, too, and required a bit of piecing together the various puzzle pieces laid out by the author and illustrator.  Glory is a piano prodigy, in love with her neighbor, Frank.  Through images, she chronicles the growth of their relationship, heartbreak, and eventual descent into madness and loss.  I guarantee that after reading the last page, you will need to turn right back to page one and read it again with new eyes.

Anya's Ghost, by Vera Brosgol

Anya's Ghost, by Vera Brosgol, 221 pages

Anya is your typical teen- embarrassed about her family, crushing on an unobtainable boy, finding ways out of gym class, and followed around by the ghost of a young girl.  Well, that last part might not be normal.  Anya's ghost, Em, becomes her obsessive best friend, and triggers a creepy, nail-biting ending that teaches Anya what's really important in life and relationships.   Good for adults and young adults alike.