This book wore me out. I recently read it as part of my Young Adult Materials graduate class. While I think it was well written, and that it very important for books like this to be published and read, it also broke my heart. Angelou goes through some very difficult experiences. She deals with being raped at nine, being shuffled from one place to the next, racism, violence, poverty… It was moving to read her frank depiction of her life, but on the other hand I felt such sorrow that it was hard to get through. No child should have to experience the things she did, and if nothing else, maybe enough people will be affected by the book where they will fight to make positive changes in society. Having said that, it was still a very emotional and difficult read. Perhaps it is because I turn to reading to help me escape from my daily stresses, that in a way I almost felt like my own sanctuary was being encroached upon. I’m not sorry I read the book, and I am thankful that she has the backbone to tell her story, but it just isn’t the best bathtub reading for me. Sorry Lou. 

Just as in life you find that you will have many love affairs, the same can be said about how a librarian feels about books. Sorry, I know you wanted to hear that I had “The One” wrapped up in silk, and squirreled away safely, but no. It is safe to say that there is no “The”. I will, however, tell you about a recent love affair I had…

I loved this book. It is about a girl named “Star Girl” who carries a mouse named Cinnamon in her pocket and plays the ukulele. She was previously home schooled, and now wants to attend high school. She meets a boy named Leo, and the story follows their relationship. The story explores the pitfalls of being different and the strength it takes to be yourself. Jerry Spinelli is an amazing writer, and Star Girl is a wonderful example of what human beings should be. Read it. 

I don’t know about the first novel, but the first thing I can remember reading (over and over and over again) was a collection of Aesop’s Fables. I remember each illustration, and each story still. I remember one illustration of a catfish and a Flamingo, in particular. I remember the story of about the wind, the sun, the man in the coat, and the sun and wind’s wager about who could get the man to take off his coat. The wind blew with all his might, but the man only pulled his coat around himself tighter. Then the sun took his turn and warmed the man till he shed his coat. I learned a lot of things from those little stories, to be kind, and to prepare in advance for things, like in the ant and the grasshopper. It has played a major roll in like, even just last year when I had to write my statement of purpose for entrance into graduate school. I wrote about how much one book dramatically affected who I grew up to be, and how that gift is something to be cherished and protected. I explained that one book put me on a path that made me want to be kind, compassionate, honest,  travel the world, learn, understand, and even become a librarian. 

I’m not a big re-reader. I mean, you gotta be reeeeeeaaaalllllyyyy special for me to pick you back up and have another go. This is one of those books for me. Sabriel is part of trilogy that revolves around the Old Kingdom, and necromancy. Sabriel must put down the dead for good, and this book follows her through some amazing journeys. Nix is also one of my favorite authors, so if you haven’t read any of these books, you should!!

I just stumbled upon this, and it made my hear flutter. Reading an amazing book feels just like this…

http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/

I’m not quite positive, but I do believe that this isn’t the best known comic book series… but it should be damn it! There’s just something about a half deer / half boy named Gus who loves sweets that just makes you want to read it. First of all, it has that gritty feel to it that you get when you read the Walking Dead or Preacher. Second, post apocalyptic stories get me every time. Third, and last I really enjoy the art work. The style is… how do I put this? It’s just enough. It has a unique edge to it. It is rough and unrefined, but that is not a derogatory statement by any means. It actually works to reinforce the story’s tone. Gus lives in a world that is brutal and without the charms of our modern-day, comfy quarters. The harder lines and loose rendering finish what the story itself is trying to motivate you to feel, which is a little unsettled, a little dreamy, and a whole lot of oh my God, I need the next issue. It honestly makes you want to know what happens to Gus when he leaves the sanctuary of his birth-woods to see what a world ravaged by an biological epidemic holds for him.

For those of you snobs (and yes I mean snobs) who think that comics are not real books, let me tell you something. I have always been a firm believe that graphic novels are a wonderful blend of two artistic styles: that of the writer and that of the illustrator. They form this deeply bonded relationship that plays on multiple senses while you are engrossed in the story. You feel the story grow as your brain eats up the words, but at the same time your eyes are translating just as much of the storyline’s nuances through the visuals that were tenderly created for you, and specifically for the story. Sure, some of you might say that it’s for children, but that’s because you haven’t read a big boy comic. You might also say that you like the fact that you can dream up what the characters and their world looks like yourself. To those people I would say that they ned to dive into their past a little more. As children, all of our stories contained pictures. It was the best part! Why should that joy stop with puberty? I don’t know about you, but some of my most vivid visual memories are from book illustrations. I can remember loving Steven Kellogg’s books, and how he came to my school once and drew a dragon and a rabbit for us. I remember being in awe of the fact that those stories sprang forth from his hand, and that with each stroke of the pen, they awoke from the page, and were given to my imagination like a gift. I can also honestly say that is was book illustrations that made me love art to begin with, and were the founding reason as to why I received my BFA. If you’re still not convinced, look at the Sistine Chapel. That is nothing but a giant comic strip which tells biblical stores such as:

BAM! Creation of Adam. This is where he give’s Adam the gift of intelligence.

Here is even a little diagram to show you that each panel leads you through the creation of man, and onward:

Even the back wall and panels are all illustrations of biblical stories. Yes, folks, the Sistine Chapel is one giant fresco of comic book goodness c. 1508-1545. All of this:

And if that didn’t convince you that comics deserve some recognition, well then I don’t know what will. Read “Sweet Tooth”. It’s good for your brain.