Graphic Novels/Comics/Manga

"Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?" is a heartwarming yet humorous memoir on aging parents and dealing with loss. Roz Chast's signature wit is on full display as she tells the story of her parents' final years through art, photos, and narratives. Its universal themes of accepting parental roles, dealing with logistics, and managing personal care make it relatable and comforting to those who have faced similar situations.

Persepolis 2 could be a good read for those interested in the history and culture of Iran, as well as the experiences of young people growing up in challenging and uncertain times. Marjane's journey is one of rebellion and growth, as she struggles to find her place in the world while also challenging the oppressive forces around her. Through her art and her relationships, she explores themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery that many readers will find relatable and inspiring. However, the book is also a sobering reminder of the human cost of fundamentalism and repression, and may be difficult for some readers to stomach. Overall, Persepolis 2 is a powerful and thought-provoking memoir that offers valuable insights into a fascinating period in Iranian history.

Fun Home could be a good read for those interested in a moving and darkly humorous family tale. The graphic illustrations and interweaving of childhood memories, college life, and present day add depth to the story. The complex relationship between Alison and her closeted homosexual father is explored in a way that is both heartbreaking and fiercely funny. Overall, Fun Home is a groundbreaking masterpiece that is definitely worth a read.

The Arab of the Future, the #1 French best-seller, tells the unforgettable story of Riad Sattouf's childhood, spent in the shadows of 3 dictators—Muammar Gaddafi, Hafez al-Assad, and his fatherIn striking, virtuoso graphic style that captures both the immediacy of childhood and the fervor of political idealism, Riad Sattouf recounts his nomadic childhood growing up in rural France, Gaddafi's Libya, and Assad's Syria--but always under the roof of his father, a Syrian Pan-Arabist who drags his family along in his pursuit of grandiose dreams for the Arab nation.Riad, delicate and wide-eyed, follows in the trail of his mismatched parents; his mother, a bookish French student, is as modest as his father is flamboyant. Venturing first to the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab State and then joining the family tribe in Homs, Syria, they hold fast to the vision of the paradise that always lies just around the corner. And hold they do, though food is scarce, children kill dogs for sport, and with locks banned, the Sattoufs come home one day to discover another family occupying their apartment. The ultimate outsider, Riad, with his flowing blond hair, is called the ultimate insult… Jewish. And in no time at all, his father has come up with yet another grand plan, moving from building a new people to building his own great palace.Brimming with life and dark humor, The Arab of the Future reveals the truth and texture of one eccentric family in an absurd Middle East, and also introduces a master cartoonist in a work destined to stand alongside Maus and Persepolis.