A wonderful, humour memoir by one of my favourite bloggers. Released In 2015, I re-read this #1 New York Times Bestseller book every couple of years when I find myself in a particularly bad depressive episode. Jenny Lawson finds the best way to write about the worst things. A must read for anxiety and depression sufferers who like to find the funny side in our conditions, and finding joy in the strangest of places.
This book will not be for everyone, as it is literally a book filled with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tweets. But they are uplifting, beautiful, and quiet often poetic positive affirmations to get you through the day. Add to this the wonderful art by Jonny Sun (who wrote a graphic novel I recommend to everyone called Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too) and you have a wonderfully uplifting book. You can either read a few passages at a time when you need a mood boost, or devour them all in one sitting like I did. And yes, this is the guy who wrote the hit musical Hamilton (and is also starring in the HBO adaptation of The Northern Lights), he is also the perfect human example of chaotic good energy and I love him for that.
Saga Volumes #1 - #9 by Brian k. VaughanA VERY NSFW graphic novel series about two warring alien species, and a pair of star crossed lovers who find love in a time of war. Because their love goes against everything their two planets stand for, (and the fact that they managed to reproduce, much to their respective governments horror) they must spend their lives on the run, in constant fear of what will happen to them, and their daughter, if they are ever caught. A wonderful read, but be warned, there is a lot of sex in these comics!
Poūkahangatus by Tayi Tibble
The debut poetry collection of Tayi Tibble. It is gutsy, often times relatable, and a very fresh perspective. I don’t usually read a lot of poetry, but this is a collection that I will recommend to many.
The Adventure Zone Here There Be Gerblins & The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited! By Clint, Griffin, Justin, & Travis McElroy
I got on to this series because of my wonderful friend Ree. We started an all-female Dungeons and Dragons group at work, and she told me to check out the podcast ‘The Adventure Zone’, which of course I completely forgot about. Cut to earlier this year as I was browsing the graphic novels section and I found Here there be Gerblins. I read it in one sitting, and then spent the next couple of months catching up on YEARS worth of the podcast. By the time Murder on the Rockport Limited was released I was an avid fan of the McElroys and will now recommend the graphic novels and the podcast to anyone who likes fantasy, dungeons and dragons, or even just good comedy.
Read it. Seriously, just read it. A co-worker recommended this to me ages ago, and I put it off for a while (as my reading preferences tend to lean more towards the YA section), but when another co-worker described it as ‘Firefly meets Rainbow Rowell’ I realized that I needed to read it right then. It was an amazing story, focusing more on the characters and their relationships with each other, and the mysteries of their pasts, than an over complicated plot like a lot of sci-fi novels can tend to do, and it was one of my first 5 star reviews of the year.
This is one of those Graphic Novels that are always recommended, but that I sometimes avoid reading. This year I decided to read more books from other countries, and used this as my book from Iran. It was so completely the opposite of what I usually read, but I found it so fascinating. It is the story of a girl growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, and really dispelled a lot of stereo types that I had built up in my head of this country I know almost nothing about. Be warned though, it is quite a heavy read, but well worth it.Sass & Sorcery (Rat Queens #1) by Kurtis J. Wiebe & illustrated by Roc Upchurch
This is one of those really fun, very nsfw, fantasy comics, good for fans of dungeons and dragons, fantasy stories, or tales of badass, butt-kicking women. It follows a morally questionable group of ‘heroes’ who go on fun adventures, cause a little mayhem, and drink a LOT. It’s a fun LGBT friendly comic not for the faint hearted.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This was one of those books that I picked up in January not knowing a lot about it other than it was nominated for quite a few awards, and that it would fit my pop sugar reading challenge prompt of reading a book set in Africa. It turned out to be one of my favourite books of the year. A dark, surprisingly funny story about Korede (a nurse) and her beautiful sister Ayoola. Ayoola takes knives with her on dates, and when Korede gets a distressed call from her sister she knows to take rubber gloves and bleach with her. But what happens when Ayoola sets her sights on someone that Korede has feelings for? This is a fantastic novel about complicated family relationships.
Kevin Kwan writes outrageously funny novels about ridiculously rich Chinese families (inspired by his own similar background), and you can’t help but get sucked in to their stories. His is a richly described world, full of luxury travel, oversized homes, and conniving family members. These three novels are quick, easy reads that will leave you coveting parts of their lives (but definitely not the gossipy family members and judgmental peers). I have also now added a bunch more places to my dream vacation wish list thanks to these books. Perfect summer reads for the beach or poolside.
Reviewed by Sas
No comments:
Post a Comment