Recent Reads January 7: queer lit; graphic novels; translated fiction; travel memories
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pickI was 23 the first time I went to New York. It was 1983: I travelled with four other queers. The Tamaki cousins transported me right back to that feeling of wonder & bewilderment at being a young, non cosmopolitan Canadian in NYC—& what it‘s like to negotiate friendships & romantic feelings at that age as well. The artwork in this graphic novel is sublime, right down to the cigarette butts & pizza crusts on the ground. #LGBTQ #comics
In this Where‘s Waldo-type two-page spread, I not only enjoyed looking for the novel‘s three protagonists wandering through the Met, but I also enjoyed recognizing various artworks, especially the Neolithic-era pot… because the Mesopotamia/ Neolithic to Bronze Age pottery section is what I look for first in any art history museum. 👌
pickThis dynamic graphic novel brought back many bittersweet memories of my own trips to NYC in high school/college with friends. The energy that the authors bring to the page with their artwork/story captures so much of what it‘s like to be in the city, the motion of the traffic and subway, the smells and lights, the unexpected connections/interactions with strangers. ⬇️
pickI've enjoyed other Mariko & Jillian Tamaki collaborations in the past, & Mariko Tamaki's solo works (all YA), so I was the ideal audience for this non-YA graphic novel. I loved the artwork; so many panels were kinetic & lively & and you could feel the energy behind the characters' feelings. The story is great; relatable & nostalgic, & I loved the way you can feel both their joy & trepidation about seeing NY & getting tangled up in each other.
pickRoaming is a graphic novel about a group of Canadian college students who meet up in NYC. Two were friends from high school, the other met one of them in college. Definite threes company vibes. Super relatable for me as a young (read: poor) college student exploring countries and staying in hostels with people I barely knew. I thought this was great! Excuse my blurry photo of the city as we approached.
Truly, is there any better experience than reading about a place the very day you‘re set to visit? I finished up Roaming (a great graphic novel with a “threes company theme) which features the Natural History Museum in NYC the morning before we left to visit the museum. The blue whale features in several books and movies I‘ve read and it truly is spectacular. I loved the book and the museum!
pickOof this book was so good and too real. Two old high school friends meet up on spring break of their first year of university in NYC, where they've always wanted to go. One of their classmates tags along ... and throws a huge wrench in the dynamic. Young sapphics making questionable decisions, evolving friendships, a strong sense of place, gorgeous drawings, impeccable dialogue! Great job with the charismatic but ultimately toxic character.
Lunch with a graphic novel. Set in NYC, and we are headed there next week, so I couldn‘t resist a look at this one, to get in the mood for the city 🏙️
pickPerfectly captures the spirit of new adult travel adventures: knowing nothing and everything all at once.
Literary fibre art spotting!
#graphicnovel #jilliantamaki #marikotamaki #litsycrafters
Roaming | 
