Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. Oni Press, 2019. 9781549304002. 240pp. http://www.powells.com/book/-9781549304002?partnerid=34778&p_bt

I had read many excerpts of this, the most challenged book in the US, but as I was preparing for a staff day graphic novel talk in November I wasn't sure I had ever finished it. I started reading during a moment when I had way too much to do, and then I couldn't put it down. And wow, now I get what all of the fuss is about. I've read lots of graphic novels and graphic memoirs by members of the LGBTQ+ community, but this is arguably the most powerful. I think it might change the hearts and minds of people who have never empathized with someone struggling to figure out their gender identity. At least I hope so. If you've never read it, I urge you to, whether you're someone who thinks they want it out of the library or a library person who just hasn't gotten around it yet.

Worth noting: My favorite thing about the book is that Kobabe mentions numerous books that meant a lot to em over the years. If you remember the Unshelved Book Club comics, these pages are kinda like those but so much better.

Kobabe also has a new short piece on The Nib's site, "I Made The Most Banned Book In America" that's worth a read. https://thenib.com/i-made-the-most-banned-book-in-america/ The site also has an excerpt of Gender Queer. https://thenib.com/growing-up-gender-queer/

The most banned book in America is a work of profound honesty, vulnerability, and grace. 📚 #amreading #MaiaKobabe’s #GenderQueer #graphicmemoir #readharder #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CpMHFG6r0QJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Back our just launched @kickstarter campaign early to get discounts & limited edition rewards (#risograph prints, custom art, original comics pages, etc.)! New #memoircomics by @frednoland @thereallanceward and a debut graphic novel by @desmondtreed ! LINK IN BIO #kickstarter #kickstartercampaign #comicscrowdfunding #comics #graphicmemoir #frednoland #lanceward #desmondreed #birdcagebottombooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CosI0_gL2Pw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#currentlyreading Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao. #graphicmemoir #bookstagram #blackbookblogger https://www.instagram.com/p/CmAhb-er4rA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My book! A reminder! Feb ‘23! Available for preorder now! Link in Bio! Thank you! (Bows, exits stage) #graphicmemoir #queercomics #lgbtq🌈 #marriageequality #gaycomics #queermen #autobiocomics https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3V0tGLJSz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🎭 Happy Sadvember 💧💧💧💧 #sadvember #30dayscomics #diary #comics #comix #illustration #drawing #art #autobio #memoir #graphicmemoir #comicartist #toronto #comicprompts #cartooning #torontocomics #inktober #drearydiary #poetrycomics #comicsaspoetry #sadness #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #therapy #water #environmentalism (at Water fall) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cka1Jj3ARCS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

So after a far bit of not going anywhere all of a sudden I felt like I was everywhere for Passport. The book came out during a sort of weird time, so I was lucky enough to be celebrating it’s existence in the world here there and everywhere for what felt like most of September. Here is the photodump to prove it: 1. This is what happens when you try to fit two families of four in a New York apartment. Thank you @juliawhair 2. This is what is looks like when you FINALLY meet your extraordinary agent @mollyoneillbooks (whithout whom you would be nada) in person. 💗💕💗 3. This is what it looks like when your kids hold hands and bravely forge through a crowded subway platform on their first visit to Penn Station. 4. This is what the first ever reading of Passport looks like at the very awesome @new_dominion_bookshop 5. This is what it looks like when to your suprise and delight @joshmbayer is your table mate @spxcomics 6. This is what it looks like when you are high on adrenaline and decide to wear a crop top at SPX 22. 7. This is what it looks like when you finish a panel with @fffungirl @katrionachapman and @tommi_pg and are exhilarated by the experience. 8. This is what it looks like as you try not to swear in front of the child in the front row of said panel (ps I failed. Sorry, Erica!) 9. This is what it looks like when you’ve completed 2/3 high school visits for @hs_bookfest and are pretty sure the next one will go OK too. 10. This is what the world’s best host @curlcan looks like. Her name is Carolyn and she gave me a #bumpycake with candles in it for my birthday. I’m 39 btw and it rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #comics #passport #graphicnovels #graphicmemoir #memoir #debutgraphicnovel #comix #spx #spx22 #hsfotb2022 #harborspringsmichigan #ya #yalit #booktok #booksofinstagram #cia #secrets #comicart #yaliterature #comicbooks #book #bookfestival #lbyr #graphicnovelist (at Manhattan, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjI2kxQLSgN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just Roll With It illustrated by Veronica Agarwal & written by Lee Durfey-Lavoie. RH Graphic, 2021. 9781984896995. 336pp. With a few character sheets and notes on how the graphic novel was made at the end (with cats!). http://www.powells.com/book/-9781984896995?partnerid=34778&p_bt

Maggie loves role-playing games. she carries a d20 (a 20-sided die) with her everywhere and uses it to help her make decisions including how to feel about things. When she meets Clara on her first day of sixth grade, she gets a low roll, but eventually they bond over their love of the Chosen book series. As Maggie enjoys her science class, she worries about rumors of a snake lurking outside school, and her d20 rolls are causing her anxiety. Her parents notice her OCD, though Maggie doesn't want to talk to anyone about it. Throughout the story feels hopeful, like Maggie will eventually be able to rise to the challenge and face what's happening like the heroes she enjoys playing as and reading about.

There's a real sense of love that infuses everything about this book, from the drawings to the writing to the role-playing sessions. It's an extremely kind story despite the bullies. Minor spoiler: I particularly liked what the therapist says at the end of the book, which Agarwal addresses in the author's notes.

Sorry I’ve been a bit absent from posting lately. My debut graphic novel comes out next month!! So I’ve been a bit preoccupied getting ready for that. So why not share some of the pages with y’all?? This is from the very beginning of the book, when we decided to embark on the wild adventure that is chronicled within the pages. . #sneakpeek #graphicmemoir #graphicnovel #indiecomics #comicbookartist

My Pancreas Broke But My Life Got Better is interesting but feels only surface level in its honesty

My Pancreas Broke But My Life Got Better is interesting but feels only surface level in its honesty #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel #graphicmemoir

In this new autobiographical manga following My Wandering Warrior Existence, Nagata Kabi has quit drinking in an attempt to get healthier–or she’s trying to, anyway. Her former struggles with alcohol led to pancreatitis and a serious hospitalization, and now she has no choice but to give up drinking. Follow the author as she details the quest to improve her health during a global…

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Some process videos from the book I’ve been working on for the past 1.5 years. Excited to see it all finally coming together. My deadline is approaching soon, so I’ll be signing out from the digital world again to focus on getting all the pages wrapped up over the next couple of months! Hope you are all doing OK ❤️ .

A small little graphic memoir about a bit on when I first moved. It took a while since the whole things was hand drawn then scanned to make the dialogue. I’m not the best with drawing people but this is really the best I could do for now. It was actually good drawing again after like 4 months. Anyway hope you enjoy it.  

Note: I just realized a typo on the first panel of the second page but it’s late and I’m too lazy to fix it right now so it’s not teh it’s the. That is all.

I haven't posted anything here about my latest book a memior called Fights: One Boys Triumph Over Violence. Here are some images from it.