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Stitches
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
43 posts | 62 read | 43 to read
A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Best Book of the Year An Amazon.com Top Ten Best Book of 2009 A Washington Post Book Worlds Ten Best Book of the Year A California Literary Review Best Book of 2009 An L.A. Times Top 25 Non-Fiction Book of 2009 An NPR Best Book of the Year, Best Memoir With this stunning graphic memoir, David Small takes readers on an unforgettable journey into the dark heart of his tumultuous childhood in 1950s Detroit, in a coming-of-age tale like no other. At the age of fourteen, David awoke from a supposedly harmless operation to discover his throat had been slashed and one of his vocal chords removed, leaving him a virtual mute. No one had told him that he had cancer and was expected to die. The resulting silence was in keeping with the atmosphere of secrecy and repressed frustration that pervaded the Small household and revealed itself in the slamming of cupboard doors, the thumping of a punching bag, the beating of a drum. Believing that they were doing their best, Davids parents did just the reverse. Davids mother held the family emotionally hostage with her furious withdrawals, even as she kept her emotions hidden including from herself. His father, rarely present, was a radiologist, and although David grew up looking at X-rays and drawing on X-ray paper, it would be years before he discovered the shocking consequences of his fathers faith in science. A work of great bravery and humanity, Stitches is a gripping and ultimately redemptive story of a mans struggle to understand the past and reclaim his voice. From the Hardcover edition.
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review
GatheringBooks
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

#MarchMagic Day 15: This graphic novel memoir #FocusesOnMentalHealth and having family members who are mentally ill. While his portrayal of his parents/grandparents was undoubtedly horrific, it was also done with great sensitivity and a desire to extend his own understanding and derive meaning from his experience. My review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-eTK

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 2y
39 likes1 comment
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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

For such a short book this book felt like what it was like for Alice to be going down the rabbit hole with all of its art plus being tearful and full of generational violence, kudos to its author and illustrator I hope to read this book again sometime in the near future. #5starreview #highlyrecommend #slightspoilers

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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Looks like his mom tries her best to avoid the abuse she grew up with but can‘t help doing her own version of it.

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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Lo and behold, I was right 😡

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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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He had fallen in love with her long blonde hair, it‘s so cute yet I know he‘s gonna catch shit from everyone JUST because he‘s a boy liking a “girly thing” 😠

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HelvetiCannnoan
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Shelf.Life
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Choosing my #readharderchallenge2020 books with a touch of rainbow added in 🌈

First book to read: Stitches - David Small

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jillrhudy
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Honorable Mentions include Sous Chef, My Kitchen Year, Pastrix, Mom & Me & Mom, A Mind Unraveled, and Gut
#Top10ofTheDecade #NonFictionEdition #FavoriteBooksReadInTheTeens

ljuliel I‘m glad to see Rick Bragg made the cut. I really like his writing ! 5y
jillrhudy @ljuliel I went to see him read this in person, and he signed my copy. I love him. 5y
ljuliel Oh my gosh , you lucky thing ! I‘d love to see ( and hear ) him in person. His audiobooks are just perfect. Love his accent. 5y
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jillrhudy @ljuliel He's great. A Southern literary legend. 5y
Graywacke Glad I‘m not the only who loved One Summer. Bryson surprised me. 🙂 Great list! 5y
Aimeesue How did you make it through Anglophiles without reading the Durrell? I love that one so much! Epic ceiling battle and all. 5y
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rachelm
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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#lmbpc #groupg options! I love graphic memoirs, so that‘s what I have the most of. Details in tags and let me know what sounds interesting!

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LibrarianRyan Flying couch and Stitches look pretty good. 5y
Johanna414 I agree with @LibrarianRyan - I‘d happily read either of those 5y
aCleverDuck Same👍🏾 they all look good 5y
22 likes6 comments
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mreads
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

Graphic memoir focused on the events surrounding a supposedly harmless operation to discover that he had been transformed into a virtual mute when half his vocal cords were removed. My only issue is that for a memoir this focuses on what happened and never seems to delve into how he felt.

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ReadingEnvy
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick


This is a graphic memoir about the author‘s childhood illness and surgery and upbringing. It is DARK. He uses a lot of black and white which makes the entire situation seem bleak (and to be fair, it is,) with depictions of fear and scary and judging faces. David's parents are strict, but his grandmother is the scariest one, and the visit to her is troubling (this bears out in the end of the book in an unexpected way!) ⤵️

ReadingEnvy The other storyline is that of David's illness. Because of the times, his father (a radiologist) thought he could cure David's frequent sickness and cough with frequent radiation treatments, because of which he develops cancer. But they don't tell him, just send him to surgery, after which he is rendered unable to speak.
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ReadingEnvy At the same time, and I feel strange confessing this, but it was a strange phenomenon as a reader. At some point the author/artist says he could see himself through his parent/grandparents' eyes as someone who deserved punishment, and somehow I could see what he saw. Something about how he draws himself makes him seem annoying or weak or unlikeable. I'm not proud.
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ReadingEnvy This might not be for everyone. It's really quite dark and doesn't really have a happy ending, except maybe knowing the author survived in some way since he wrote about it later. 6y
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Severnmeadows When I was about 7 the headmaster of my school bellowed my name down the corridor just like that! 😊 (I think I‘d got lost) 6y
Lindy @ReadingEnvy It‘s a powerful and heartbreaking memoir, isn‘t it? I just read his new novel and have been thinking about how to review it on Litsy. 6y
ReadingEnvy @Lindy oh I didn't know he had another one, thanks. I know mostly he does children's stuff. 6y
TheLudicReader Great book. 6y
mreads Thanks for the review I just got it from the library and it was great 👍 6y
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iamtoddseal
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

You feel the struggle bubbling beneath all of the interactions with adults, each is about far more than surface conflict, even before young David realizes it. And his later seething feels justified, so bad is the family drama that causes it. The art‘s stunning, adding to the tension, making you feel ill at ease at just the right spots. Whether or not your relationship with your parents is similar, this might help you understand family dysfunction.

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iamtoddseal
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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“I didn‘t.”

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iamtoddseal
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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“Mama says people who say ‘ain‘t‘ are stupid!”

“Mm? Well... you all must think I‘m real stupid, then!”

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GatheringBooks
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

#OctoberXFiles Say 9: A searing, graphic memoir of artist David Small who once felt like #MisterAsylum because of the horribly dysfunctional nature of his household. David eventually lived on his own at 16, immersed himself in art, which proved to be his salvation. While he was constantly anxious about turning into his mother or even his grandmother who was locked up in an asylum, he found a way to heal himself. My review- https://wp.me/pDlzr-eTK

Cinfhen Sounds really sad 😢 6y
TheLudicReader Great book. 6y
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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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I was on a country drive adventure with my Dad, going for halibut Fish & Chips lunch in Port Perry. ⚓️🍁 I was thrilled to see David Small's Stitches in at Willow Books, going used for $10. 🔬 I enjoyed the art and deep story of this book, having read at the library.

Dan_SpiderCrafts Another recommended book in similar relation, as I've read and will look to collect as well : 6y
monkeygirlsmama Stacking 6y
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BookaholicNatty
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Here is the second graphic novel that was recommended to me today! This one is a memoir. Anyone read this one and got any good info to share? 😊😊

valeriegeary I think I might have read this one but honestly...I don't remember anything about it. 🙈 7y
tpixie I wonder if this is the same David small that wrote Imogene‘s antlers!? 7y
GondorGirl I adored this memoir. David Small is one of my favorite illustrators, so it was really interesting to find out more about him. My favorite book that he illustrated is: 7y
BruceWalken I read it a while ago but remember it been good 😁 7y
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LiteraryJackalope
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
This post contains spoilers
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“A crusted Black track of stitches; my smooth young throat slashed and laced back up like a bloody boot.” “‘Surely this is not me.‘” “‘No, friend. It surely is.,”

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LiteraryJackalope
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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So far, this tragicomic is just that... a tragicomic. Can‘t wait to delve in some more! #graphicmemoir #tragicomic

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trueisa4letterword
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

Engrossing. I could've finished this on my lunch hour if I read this all at once.

#graphicmemoir #memoir

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trueisa4letterword
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Checked out some graphic memoirs as a treat to myself. A big (in this case, bound, as it is a softcover) one and one to carry around.

#nonfiction #memoir #graphicnovel

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diovival
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Day 14: #readthis #seasonsreadings2017

A horrifying true story. Beautifully illustrated.

@RealLifeReading

RealLifeReading So good 7y
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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Graphic novels are coming up as my longest and shortest Goodreads books of the year. 😛 My sure goal for 2018 is to get A Feast For Crows read and up there as longest, continuing on my Game of Thrones reading.

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Carolyn-HHI
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
Pickpick

I really liked this graphic memoir, but felt it dropped off too precipitously at the end. His parents were pretty bizarre and I would have loved more insight into their behavior. But the story (small vignettes that revolve mostly around the author‘s cancer as a boy) is fascinating and scary. The artwork is incredible.

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Carolyn-HHI
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Impromptu, picked up a graphic novel memoir to enjoy on this cloudy, cool night on the island. Lucien is anxiously awaiting my review.

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parasolofdoom
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

So good. My first nonfiction graphic novel!

melrailey I loved this one (although it was traumatizing). 7y
parasolofdoom @melrailey seriously, this was the only time I've ever had to read a graphic novel in multiple sittings because the material just felt too heavy for one 7y
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BethwithBooks
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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#awesomeautumnbooks @Jess7

Day 2: Siblings

This was the first graphic novel I ever read and the only one I own (though Maus is probably my favorite of the format). I love the big brother- little brother dynamic played out in each frame. Is it cheating if the siblings aren't on the cover??

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CoffeeCatsBooks
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

This graphic novel was a very quick read as there are many panels without words. However, that does not lessen it's emotional impact. The memoir follows David through his troubled childhood, including an operation on his vocal chords. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GondorGirl Small is one of my favorite children's illustrators. It was interesting to get to see some of where he came from. 7y
CoffeeCatsBooks @GondorGirl I didn't realize he was such a popular children's illustrator until your comment and I googled him. Wow! 7y
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shawnmooney
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

Whoever would've thought I'd be so deeply moved by a graphic memoir? @Lindy - that's who! I am grateful for the recommendation, as I'd adopted a rather snooty attitude towards graphic novels, etc. While I don't expect to start reading them all that much more regularly, I certainly get it now that they can convey powerful narratives like this one. Just wonderful!

Redwritinghood I used to have that attitude about graphic novels and comics in general, but Litsy has totally changed me in that regard. 7y
Lindy Yay! 7y
batsy Stitches is on my TBR but from the sound of it you *might* like Fun Home 7y
Lindy @shawnmooney The next time you feel like reading graphic nonfiction, I highly recommend 7y
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shawnmooney
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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shawnmooney
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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One of the Litsy Reading Challenge tasks is to read a book personally recommended by someone.
I wisely chose @Lindy to be my personal recommender, and this is what she chose for me. It just arrived in today's mail from Amazon Japan, and I think I might have to dive in immediately!

Lindy Yay! 7y
Flaneurette Good choice @Lindy ! 7y
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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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#bestofmarch The only painful truth was rougher days of work limiting my reading time. The photo fun on Litsy this month was also a great relief with each day. Here's a winter bear, in the hopes of today's last snow. - Mainly with graphic novels this time, Stitches was a best I enjoyed; a darkly true story with hearty illustrations. Others I'm still reading will shelf the count in April, including The Wind in the Willows. #marchintoreading

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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

This graphic memoir is quite an emotionally heavy story. I am seeing it as a best favourite, rereading through it again. The 1950s Detroit atmospheres are mixed with tile-cleaner hospitals, and the smog of cigarettes. David's drawings pan through the scenes, eerily artful, with a childhood of imagination and hardship coping. His playful energy is adorable, despite a harsh vocal cord operation, with no explanation from parents shrouded in mystery.

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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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This scene was fairly comical, around life's unfair situations; inspired by Alice in Wonderland, David was simply innocent in his interest, being chased down the street for the towel hair look. - Other parts can add to a #queerbooks mention, while the story focuses on David's health conditions. - A hard hitter can be a sense of growing up with silent upset moods in the household; not easily understanding why, until much later.

Lindy His parents are such a menacing presence, and his grandmother is even more scary. Great book. 8y
HippieChickHomeschool That illustration! 😍 8y
Dan_SpiderCrafts @Lindy Everything about the grandmother's house seemed surrounded by eerie stare-downs 😧 no easy getting away for David! 8y
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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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I'm about to delve into this haunting story, as the artist's tale of growing up with an unfortunate operation that removed one of his vocal cords, leading to a mute struggle and later finding out how it happened, as a cancer related situation. This is sure to be an eerie and broken-hearty read. 😶🏥

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Dan_SpiderCrafts
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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These graphic novels caught my interest, the other day. Against my Thrones oath to avoid library check-outs 😯 but I could, and did.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk Mike Mignola is the BEST and there is a great animated movie of The Amazing Screw-On Head! 8y
Dan_SpiderCrafts @TobeyTheScavengerMonk Really cool! This is exciting for my first find. I'd sure like to check out the film as well! 8y
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Jokila
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

My favorite graphic memoir. I read 48 of them this year, and Stitches haunts me like no other.

EllieDottie Beautiful picture! 8y
Jokila @EllieDottie thanks!! 😊❤️ 8y
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Jschultzems
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Mehso-so

This is a quick read with more pictures than text. It leaves a bit unexplained and quickly races through the story but gets the point across.

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GardenJess
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Miniature husband of mine is coming along. Two days until our anniversary - nothing like procrastination in crafting!!

SuperPunkNinja Okay, I thought it was Han Solo at first. 8y
GardenJess Hahahah. The needle helps that doesn't it @McShelfington ? Hmmmm, maybe ill@stitch Star Wars next? Or Harry Potter! Ooooooh. So many possibilities! 8y
SuperPunkNinja @GardenJess 👍👍👍 8y
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tpixie Happy Anniversary!! Ha! Today is mine! There are quite a few stitchers on Litsy! 8y
GardenJess Hope yours was great @tpixie !!! 8y
tpixie @GardenJess thx! Yours too!! ❤ 8y
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Auntynanny
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

A sad but lovely graphic novel.

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rachelm
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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#Recommendsday! This is one of those striking graphic memoirs that is grippingly graphic. Walks the line between surreal and all too real. David undergoes surgery that means he cannot speak for months. His family copes with the surgery, and with life in general, but they don't cope well.

OneLitChick Great book! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Just heard how amazing this book is! 8y
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Peachelibrarian
Stitches: A Memoir | David Small
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Pickpick

Not a light hearted or easy read but it is beautifully drawn and got me out of my reading drought. Graphic novel memoir.