Going Into Town by Roz Chast (2017)

Subtitled: A Love Letter to New York and it couldn't be more so.

I adore Roz Chast and I love her New York. She created this guide for her daughter and expanded it into a quirky, funny, affectionate graphic memoir. I absolutely agree with her and her statement of how she "really likes density of visual information" and it's one of the reasons I love NYC.

Also, this:

“I feel about Manhattan the way I feel about a book, a TV series, a movie, a play, an artist, a song, a food, a whatever that I love. I want to tell you about it so that maybe you will love it, too. I'm not worried about it being 'ruined' by too many people 'discovering' it. Manhattan's been ruined since 1626 , when Peter Minuit bought it from Native Americans for $24.00.”

See also Chast's Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? 

For more NYC love, see Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff and Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart. 

What To Do When I'm Gone by Suzy Hopkins, Hallie Bateman (2018)

Subtitled: A Mother's Wisdom to Her Daughter

This is a slight but lovely graphic novel memoir by a mother and daughter and the step-to-step, day-to-day instructions for the daughter in the event of the mother's death. Sigh.

March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell (2013)

Okay, so you should know: Don't read this without having the second one close at hand. It leaves off on a total cliffhanger. And you will just need to know what is going to happen. 

This graphic novel follows the life of John Lewis, from young sharecropper child living in segregated Alabama to studying to be a preacher to getting involved with Dr. King and SNCC. Set with a poignant framing device of him getting ready (as a congressman) for the inauguration of Barack Obama, it looks back in full detail at his past. 

It's incredibly sweet and heart-rending--brought me to tears and made me really want to learn more about his work, the civil rights movement, and visit Atlanta's many civil rights museums. Fascinating and incredibly emotional.  Followed by a second volume, which will make you long for the yet-to-be released third.

Saga: Volume One by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (2012)

Unbelievably absorbing graphic novel about two cultures at war and two people from those cultures who have fallen in love and had a baby. Begins very much in media res.

Fabulous world creation, super dreamy lead guy (despite the horns), kick ass lead girl, and wonderfully vivid supporting characters.  Plus, mucho diversity. Absolutely fabulous.

Followed by three more volumes ... so far!

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (2013)

Subtitled: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Although I'd recommended and given it to a bunch of people, I was compelled to finally read it after listening to Allie Brosh's fascinating conversation with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast--one of the best discussions I've ever heard on depression.

This book is hilarious and honest and amazingly insightful into what depression feels like. Even her dog comics are adorable.  Beautifully, beautifully done.

Really. What else can be said!  Buy her book and give it to everyone you know.  Also, you should check out her blog as well, particularly:

Adventures in Depression

Depression: Part Two

And remember:

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast (2014)

I love Roz Chast, and this memoir of dealing with her parents' aging and eventual death is poignant, sad, truthful and surprisingly funny.  

She had a mixed relationship with her parents growing up, and dealing with her parents' eventual dependence on her is honestly and touchingly told.  

Very, very much enjoyed.  

What I Hate from A to Z by Roz Chast (2011)

I adore Roz Chast's drawings, and I adore a good rant and this book brings both of those things together in one.  Although, as Chast explains in the introduction, it's really less things she hates than things that make her anxious. But that's not as snappy of a title. One of my favorites is her entry on balloons: "When I look at a balloon, all I see is an imminent explosion. Where's the fun in that?"  Amen.

The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman (2007)

A lovely little sketchbook of a book by the artist Maira Kalman. Each page features a drawing or photograph and some small, quiet musing. Somewhat memoir, somewhat philosophy, but lovely and an excellent reminder to appreciate what is around us--whether it be a painting or a stranger's hat.  A few quotes:

"The opera was Eugene Onegin, by Tchaikovsky. From the story by Pushkin. The characters had so many troubles, don't ask."

I also liked this:

"This is a painting of a photo taken in London in 1940. It is a library that was bombed in the Blitz. And then the all-clear sounded. And people returned, hope undiminished. They returned, so elegant and purposeful to the books."

Life Sucks by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria and Warren Pleece (2008)

Great graphic novel about unenthusiastic vampire Dave, who works at a convenience store and falls in love with a goth girl. Very much like The Last Man in its humor and charm. Crying out to be made into a movie. I'd love to have seen John Cusack (years ago) play Dave, Matthew McCononaughy play Wes and Jeff Bridges play Merle. Maybe Tony Shalhoub as Radu?  Very witty and fun.

Y: The Last Man series by Brian K. Vaughn and Pia Guerra (2003)

Ten volume graphic novel series about a guy who is the last man on earth, and his monkey and the adventures he has with the agent who protects him and how he tries to get back to his girlfriend in Australia. Yorick Brown is quite a character and awfully cute, with floppy hair and great self-deprecating humor. Incredibly addictive, filled with adventure, and good, good fun.

One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry (2002)

Part autobio, part fiction, all cartoons and funny and charming and incredibly moving and a wonderful look at growing up. Fabulous.