04.2021 Book Recommendation // SHEETS & DELICATES by Brenna Thummler

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.

06.2019 Book Recommendation // Graphic Novels

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!

Staff recommendation published in Crafton Public Library's monthly newsletter.

Book Review // BINGO LOVE by Tee Franklin & Jenn St-Onge

My Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Hazel and Mari form an unshakeable bond when they meet at church bingo in 1963. They become close friends but quickly fall in love with one another. Their families do not approve of their relationship and force the girls to part. Hazel and Mari meet once again -- 50 years later -- at bingo, but by this time they both have families of their own. Will they throw everything away to be together? Or have they missed their chance at true love?

I found this comic at a library conference and was so excited to get to read it. I immediately fell in love with Hazel and Mari and wanted so badly for them to find happiness in one another. It's not a perfect story, there were parts of the story that felt a little rushed or unrealistic to me, but at the same time, as a queer woman I realize that this is such an important book in terms of representation. It's so rare to have a romance between two women that doesn't end in utter tragedy -- let alone one featuring two women of color or two elderly women. The story isn't overly saccharine -- there is some struggle and hardship woven throughout Hazel & Mari's stories, but the ending is bittersweet, satisfying, and very fitting.

I also just wanted to applaud the artist, Jenn St-Onge, because the art style is adorable. I appreciated how the characters actually looked like real people -- they have all different body types, skin tones, and are even depicted with stretch marks and imperfections. All in all, I think this is a cute, important comic and I would recommend it to any LGBT youth (or, heck, even adults) looking to see themselves represented in media.

Review originally published to Goodreads.com.