The way he draws ppl (their eyes especially) is so light & simple & pleasant but the storytelling is soo unique. Each chapter has its own style. Some feel like Archie comics & others indie films. Tomine weaves humor into depressing topics w/ ease. I <3 it!
recommended if you like: to cringe, speech bubbles
Makes no sense off the jump but once you get through that… It’s insanity. Normally I’m anti-meticulous-heavy-handed description but the phrases that pop-up throughout the story making the act of reading so engaging; it won me over! Kinda is #1. Deserves an adaptation!
recommended if you like: love stories, history, Pan (god)
Based on true findings. A heartbreaking yet beautiful tale of friendship & injustice. I imagine Nickel like Shawshank but this is way darker. The end is wonderful & not for the faint of <3.
recommended if you like: Hemingway, Invisible Man
Simple & pleasant. Flat landscapes w/ incredible depth. The way waves are drawn is one of my favorite things about his work. The faces remind me of animation from the ‘60s.
recommended if you like: merchandise, contemporary painters
Rich in color. Normal highlights are enhanced by tiny inflections of yellows & greens. Pop art in the sense his work focuses on specific Americana. Beach days & desserts. Bright portraits. Very few shadows or dark colors. Thick brushstrokes IRL.
recommended if you like: cake, the beach, highlights
Cultural criticism from the perspective of someone who reflects on her modest millennial upbringing. She critiques in a stream-of-consciousness way that feels like things you’ve thought. My faves were ecstasy, reality TVme, & the story of a generation in 7 scams.
recommended if you like: reality TV, staring @ phone
Truly an epic & pure comedy amongst the Bone family. Storytelling using black & white as positive/negative light. Immersive scaling. Every chase scene rules. I think anyone any age would love this.
recommended if you like: The Legend of Zelda
Written to focus on eating foods IN SEASON. The book has recipes divided by vegetable in its respective season, offering a great list of things to try for each option! Gooood Brussels sprout recipes, the one w/ prosciutto is fire.
recommended if you like: Ratatouille, Barefoot Contessa
People don’t talk like this anymore. I don’t think they ever did but Raymond Chandler would have you think otherwise. Marlowe, our P.I., is messy but the only person you can trust in one of Chandler’s best works. ~~~~
recommended if you like: Batman, Sunset Blvd.
Read “Continuity of Parks” on page 63. It’s two pages. If you like it, you will enjoy most of these. Weird & all over the place. “House Taken Over”, “The Pursuer”, “The Gates of Heaven” & “The Night Face-Up".
recommended if you like: social commentary, Europe
What a weird collection of stories. Borderline erotica. Extremely perverse but presented w/ innocence & honesty. She is obsessed w/ subject matter only she could write about. My favorite is “something that needs nothing.”
recommended if you like: the aughts, Kajillionaire
A fun story about a group of HS friends that grow up. Not fun… tragic, but in a fun page turning way. There’s a moment here that if you’ve ever worked nights you will connect w/ in that aimless, hopeless way it feels to listen to the crickets @ 4am on your smoke break.
recommended if you like: journalism, jazz
Mare tranquillitatis on the moon? Maria being plural in Latin for “seas,” in ESJM’s future this is where we end up. Poetry. An artist who loves the universe they’ve made w/ an understanding to never doubt their imagination. Where we are & where we could go.
recommended if you like: time & space, adaptations
One of my favorite examples of an author who understands how to blindside you with information and just move on. The story goes in many directions and we jump between a large cast but it all makes sense in the end. I didn’t expect this to move me like it did!
recommended if you like: graphic novels, The Walking Dead (S1-4)
Kurt Cobain’s favorite book. An odyssey for the disturbed. Profound insight into the joy and sadness life bring but overall it’s absurd. Really well written and epic story. Also a movie with Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman.
recommended if you like: gore, Nirvana, the Thriller music video
Edena is a beautiful world w/ such weird inhabitants. The story is confusing & enlightening, focusing on returning to a natural world. An amazing example of an artist in complete command of their skills.
recommended if you like: psychedelic art, retrofuturism