graphic novels

Manga Review: Count of Monte Cristo

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Manga Classics by Crystal S. Chan
Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo 
by Crystal S. Chan (Story Adaptation), Alexandre Dumas, Nokman Poon (Art by)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Edmond Dantes is betrayed by a coworker who wants his job, a romantic rival who will steal his bride, and a crooked government prosecutor with a dark secret to hide. Thrown into prison for decades, Dantes eventually escapes, becomes fabulously wealthy, and vows revenge on those who ruined his life.

Count of Monte Cristo is one of my top five favorite novels of all time, so I was interested to see how one of my favorite stories would translate into manga form. Although they had to simplify the story considerably, and there are really too many characters for a stand-alone manga, I enjoyed this wonderful adaptation of a classic tale!
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Manga Review: The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up

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The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondō
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story 
by Marie Kondō (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars
I love this manga about Chiaki, who hires KonMari to give her tidying lessons, and discovers a new life for herself in the process.
It really inspired me to get tidying and clean out all my junk! I really love the ideas in this book about finding joy, being real about your life, and finding your true self, and then crafting your living space to reflect what really makes you happy.

One of the best things in this book is the advice that while you are sorting through your piles of junk, You are NOT choosing what to get rid of; You are choosing what to keep. That one piece of advice will change your whole perspective on tidying.
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Comic Review: Strong Female Protagonist

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Strong Female Protagonist. Book One by Brennan Lee Mulligan
Strong Female Protagonist. Book One (Strong Female Protagonist, #1-4) 
by Brennan Lee Mulligan, Molly Ostertag (Illustrations)
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Mega-Girl was a superhero in her teens, saving the world, until she discovered that the world is too big to really save in any permanent way. She wants to make a difference that really counts for something in the long run, so she quits doing the superhero thing and goes to college, to educate herself about the best way to help the world. Along the way, she connects with her arch-nemesis on a personal level, argues with her friends about her decision to quit, and finds it difficult to live a “normal” college life with her non-super friends and classmates. And when the supervillains start showing up again, will Mega-Girl make another appearance, or will plain Alison go back to class?
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Comic Review: Quiet Girl in a Noisy World

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Quiet Girl in a Noisy World by Debbie Tung
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story 
by Debbie Tung (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


A wonderfully insightful comic about the pitfalls and struggles of being an introvert in an extrovert-centered world. Each page has a comic with a sometimes funny/ sometimes poignant punchline. The blue/grey artwork shows all the myriad of emotions that an introvert experiences each day, and the writing cuts right to the heart of what makes introverts special.  Continue reading →

Comic Review: Zen Pencils

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Zen Pencils--Inspirational Quotes for Kids by Gavin Aung Than
Zen Pencils–Inspirational Quotes for Kids 
by Gavin Aung Than

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book is a collection of quotes from famous people about doing your best, being yourself, striving for greatness, never giving up, and keeping positive no matter the obstacles. Each quote is illustrated with a short comic that tells a little story which portrays the concept of the quote.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The quotes are uplifting and there’s a lot of good wisdom in this book. The comics are beautifully drawn with vibrant colors, and some of the characters from the first comics reappear in other comics at the end, so there’s a sense of continuity and overall structure. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Little Pierrot Vol. 1

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Little Pierrot Vol 1 by Alberto Varanda
Little Pierrot Vol 1: Get the Moon 
by Alberto Varanda

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

 

This collection of comics doesn’t have a continuous storyline, but little snippets of a boy and his friend the Snail, who dream of going to the moon. They watch the stars together, read books, dress up in costumes, and avoid schoolwork.

Most of the individual comics don’t actually have a funny punchline. It’s just sort of whimsical and random with no real point. It reminds me a little of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince” with the moon and stars and a dreamy child drifting along through an aimless plot. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Wallace the Brave

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Wallace the Brave by Will Henry
Wallace the Brave 
by Will Henry

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

 

Oh my goodness, I adore this comic!! So much cuteness and hilarity!
Wallace and his best friend, Spud, meet the new girl at school, Amelia, and are very impressed with her courage and baseball-throwing style. Each page has its own funny little punchline as we follow Wallace’s strange interactions with friends and family at school, at home, on the ocean, on the field, through the summer and winter and all the in-between times.Wallace’s fisherman father, his creative mother, and weird baby brother make a delightful home setting for the antics and whimsical conversations of a little boy curious about the world and determined to dream big.
One of the best things about this comic is Wallace’s close relationship with his parents.

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Comic Review: How to be Perfectly Unhappy

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How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by Matthew Inman
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy 
by Matthew Inman, The Oatmeal

1 out of 5 stars

 

Wow. I hated this so much. SO. MUCH.
First of all, the whole book is full of cartoon illustrations with vomit, farts, poop, blood, and grotesque faces. That does not make me a happy reader. I was too busy being nauseated to enjoy the writing.And while the writing made a couple of good points about the concept of “being happy”, I don’t think the general philosophy here is a healthy one. No counselor that I know of would recommend this way of thinking.

I hated this so much. On so many levels. UGH.

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Comic Review: Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman

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Lady Stuff by Loryn Brantz
Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman 
by Loryn Brantz

2 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

I thought this comic was funny, but did NOT appreciate the profanity and sometimes vulgar humor. Some of the good jokes were about feminine things like nail polish, dresses, and shaving; and some of it was normal social things like feeling awkward at parties. I liked most of it, but the profanity on a few of the pages ruined my enjoyment. I liked the cute artwork though!

Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Comic Review: Heart and Brain: Body Language

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Heart and Brain by The Awkward Yeti
Heart and Brain: Body Language: An Awkward Yeti Collection
by The Awkward Yeti, Nick Seluk (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Bwahahaha! So funny! So wonderful! I just love the hilarious antics of Heart and Brain. Each little comic is full of laughter and wit. And I love how even the Eyes, the Tongue, the Gallbladder, the Gut and Stomach, all play a part in the nonsense. The artwork is vibrant and fun, and each little panel brings something entertaining.
Love it!
The best thing about this comic is that the humor is clean and appropriate for all ages.

Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.