- Mikayla Wobrak
- Aug 24, 2021
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 7, 2022
Many of you might know that I am a big fan of graphic novels. Today, though, I specifically want to recommend the book Sheets and its recently published follow-up, Delicates, both written and illustrated by Brenna Thummler! (Fun fact: Thummler grew up in the small town where I went to college—Meadville, PA—and drew her inspiration for the town in the story from there!)
Sheets and Delicates, though written for a juvenile audience, are a great read for all ages. The soft color palette and the beautifully detailed illustrations are full of nostalgia, and the storyline about a girl who finds the ghost of a young boy living in her family's laundromat is just so charming. It's not much of a ghost story as it is a wholesome tale about feeling invisible, learning what it means to fit in, and finding acceptance and friendship in the unlikeliest of places. These books are a true treat.
- Mikayla Wobrak
- Jun 3, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 5, 2022
Instead of recommending a particular book this month, I wanted to recommend a whole storytelling medium... graphic novels! I must confess—even though I'm a librarian, there have been many times when I've felt like I couldn't focus while reading or didn't have enough time to sit down with a traditional book for months at a time. But all the while, comics and graphic novels kept me reading and made sure I didn't give up. I could get through one on a long bus ride or substitute an hour of TV at night and finish a whole volume! They're visually engaging, quick to read, and the illustrations add a rich new layer of depth to the story. Comics are great for reluctant readers and visual learners, and there's so many different genres of comics—superheroes, sci-fi, school stories, historical dramas, LGBT fiction, memoirs, oh my! There's a comic out there for every reader, and I'd love to help you find the right one for you.
Kids—why not start with Kay O'Neill, Brenna Thummler, and Luke Pearson. Teens and adults—give Art Spiegelman, Brian K. Vaughan, or Michael DeForge a shot. Feel free to ask me if you'd like more specific recommendations!