Category Archives: Visual

The Trial, by Franz Kafka + graphic novel

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Thistle

Spoilers. Josef K. wakes up on his 30th birthday to find himself arrested. No one will tell him why, and he’s free to go about his own business in the meantime. Over the course of a year, he must defend … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, Adult, Prose, Visual | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Kin, by Holly Black

Posted on July 11, 2009 by Thistle

While Tithe by Holly Black wasn’t my favorite book, I decided to give her another chance with this graphic novel. I had about an hour of downtime at ALA while waiting for my friend Debye, plus my feet were killing … Continue reading →

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Yemen, by Liz Sonneborn

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Thistle

The Enchantment of the World series is a set of books about different countries written for about middle-school aged kids. Each has a different author. Each one discusses the geography, history, government, religion, culture, holidays, plants, animals, economy, industry, education, … Continue reading →

Posted in 2009, Children's, Prose, Visual | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sorcerers and Secretaries, by Amy Kim Ganter

Posted on May 24, 2009 by Thistle

This was my very first Manga. My son bought it at the library sale last weekend, but it’s rated for 13+ so I decided to read it before letting him have it. And for the record, it certainly is too … Continue reading →

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We Are On Our Own, by Miriam Katin

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Thistle

Random note: This was my first review on The Zen Leaf (original) instead of 5-Squared. And God said: Let there be light, and there was light…and it was good. And then one day, God replaced the light with darkness. We … Continue reading →

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Readathon: Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Thistle

This is a graphic novel memoir. Alison Bechdel’s father was a hands-off sort of person, the type of dad who favored his restoration furniture over his kids. He was also a closet homosexual who had multiple affairs (sometimes with teenage … Continue reading →

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The Plain Janes, by Cecil Castellucci

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Thistle

Of all the graphic novels I’ve read this year, this is by far my favorite. It surpasses Persepolis. It’s short – I read it through twice today before posting this – but has so much in it. It deals with … Continue reading →

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American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang

Posted on March 19, 2009 by Thistle

This is one of the most bizarre books I’ve read in a long time. I’m not quite sure what to say about it. It’s a graphic novel that intertwines three separate stories in a way I never would have guessed … Continue reading →

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The Three Incestuous Sisters, by Audrey Niffenegger

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Thistle

Spoilers. Honestly, I’m having a difficult time considering this a true book. It’s supposed to be a graphic novel, but it reminds me of an adult-level picture book, with huge pictures on one page, and small bits of text opposite. … Continue reading →

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[refuge], by multiple authors

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Thistle

In February 2008, I went to Palestine to visit my sister and to be there for her wedding. I met her husband, Rami, who is a Palestinian refugee. Before I left, he gave me a copy of this book, which … Continue reading →

Posted in 2008, Adult, Poetry, Prose, Visual | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment