Day Three's challenge is to talk about books that you've read due to other bloggers talking about them. There are plenty I could refer to here - over the last decade I have found many, many new titles to explore, some of which have found a place in my all-time favourites now.But today I want to talk about a whole genre: graphic novels. I would not have started reading graphic novels with such enjoyment - or maybe not really at all - if not for bloggers who were so enthusiastic about this format early on. I'm thinking of people like Andi at Estella's Revenge, Nymeth at Things Mean a Lot, Kailana at The Written World, or Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings -- sharing all the excitement about new graphic novels like Fables or Lumberjanes or Nimona.
I started out picking up Fables and thought they were really interesting -- but graphic novels as a whole didn't catch me until I discovered the many strong women who were writing them. I found Kate Beaton, Noelle Stevenson, Vera Brosgol, Fanny Britt, and more. I read Anya's Ghost, thanks to Carl; I read Nimona and Lumberjanes thanks to the many bloggers who raved about them (and were right); I came across Jane, The Fox & Me and Girl in Dior in my library collection; I discovered others by interesting men, like Harvey by Hervé Bouchard or Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley.
I have to say that I still don't read a large percentage of graphic novels on balance within my overall reading, but I have been enjoying them much more than I ever thought I would, and it is all down to enthusiasm from my book blogging friends who got me started.
I'm so glad to have been led to this very enjoyable new reading habit. If you have a favourite graphic novel, please do leave me some tips in the comments! Thanks!
These are beautiful! I will add to my list. :-)
ReplyDeleteMeaghan @ mwgerard.com
They are quick reads, but there there is so much to go back to in the illustrations as well. Really lovely books.
DeleteI have never read a graphic novel! I will have to add some to my list =)
ReplyDeleteNever?! You have lots of fabulous discovery ahead!
DeleteI'm so glad you shared this. I recently started reading a few graphic novels and have enjoyed the ones I've read very much. I read Lucy Knisley's DISPLACEMENT and Roz Chast's CAN'T WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING MORE PLEASANT? Both were well worth the time, though the themes were aging parents/grandparents. I then went on to read some more. I enjoyed ANYA'S GHOST and BLANKETS. I'm going to keep reading GN all along.
ReplyDeleteI want to read Roz Chast's book too - haven't heard of Knisley's so will look that one up! So many newer ones, it's really great.
DeleteThe blogosphere is GREAT about recommending comics! My own comics reading has increased enormously since the folks in my blogging feed started making recs. They're especially great about highlighting work by women and people of color, which can be harder to find in mainstream review venues.
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm finding that it's exactly those ones, the ones missing in mainstream reviews, that I am really loving.
DeleteGirl in Dior is on Scribd so I must read it. I just have not got around to it. Glad you are enjoying comics!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying them, thank you :) Glad you got to read Girl in Dior.
DeleteI've only read a few graphic novels (Maus, Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant), but reading blog reviews has definitely piqued my interest and given me some titles and authors to explore. This is really a new genre for me!
ReplyDeleteI feel like when I can name all of the graphic novels I've read, it's a new genre to me too ;) Must read a few more.
DeleteI used to read more graphic novels but haven't in the last few years. Need to form a genre study group!
ReplyDeleteThat would make a great genre study group! Easy to read a few each and get a wide range of titles covered.
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