Hello beautiful ones. I wanted to speak on a few graphic novel books that I think you would enjoy. Who would not enjoy a few books that have art and a story into one novel. I have been enjoying graphic novels for quite sometime and can't wait to discuss these nine books that have brought me joy over the last few years. Graphic novels are the best way to dive into creativity and a great story. Some of these graphic novels are a series and some are standalone. I hope that you find something below that you would want to read and tell me your thoughts about it in the comment section.
Title: Pumpkinheads
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Illustrated By: Faith Erin Hicks
Genre: Teen & YA
Synopsis: "Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1."
Pumpkinheads is such a lovely book especially for the Fall time or at least to get yourself into the Fall mood. It has a stunning illustration that follows a cute story about two best friends working at a pumpkin patch. The storyline has twist and turns but you feel like a person that is watching a fun experience at a pumpkin patch during a beautiful October day.
Title: Long Way Down
Author: Jason Reynolds
Illustrated By: Danica Novgorodoff
Genre: Teen & YA
Synopsis: "Will’s older brother, Shawn, has been shot. Dead. Will feels a sadness so great, he can’t explain it. But in his neighborhood, there are the rules."
Long Way Down is a capturing story and I first read the book as the original book before it became a graphic novel. The graphic novel brought the story even more to life with stunning art. I was able to get the story with a different lens because of the illustrations. The story left me shocked but also wanting to read more of Jason Reynolds writing.
Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author & Illustrator: K. O'Neill
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Synopsis: "The beloved and charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own."
The Tea Dragon Society is a beautiful three part series of graphic novels that follows a cute story of an apprentice and her adventures. The storyline is very adorable and makes you feel as if you are on wild adventure with characters that will keep you reading more.
Title: Paper Girls
Author: Brian Vaughan
Illustrated By: Cliff Chiang etc.
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: "In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Suburban drama and otherworldly mysteries collide in this smash-hit series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood."
Paper Girls is a graphic novels that has been made into 30 issues and each issue just keeps getting better. The plot is very different than anything I have ever read and follows a group of newspaper delivery girls that end up in a world that changes into something insane. This graphic novel I will warn to triggers such as violence and cursing.
Title: Kindred
Author: Octavia Butler
Adapted By: Damian Buffy Illustrated By: John Jennings
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: "The story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him."
Octavia Bulter is an author that I would recommend to so many souls and a graphic novel adaption of any of her books have been excellent. Kindred is such a great story -- it made me upset at moments, gain anxiety at others and happy at certain moments. I highly recommend this adaption but with trigger warnings of racism, violence, abuse and adult content.
Synopsis: "Friendship to the max! Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they’re not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way!"
Lumberjanes is a cute graphic novel series that follows best friends and their summer adventures. They end up in different scenarios that will give you summer or fall vibes. I enjoyed this series so much and thought that you would too!
Title: Blue Is The Warmest Color
Author & Illustrator: Jul Maroh
Genre: LGBTQ+ & Romance
Synopsis: "In this tender, bittersweet, full-color graphic novel, a young woman named Clementine discovers herself and the elusive magic of love when she meets a confident blue-haired girl named Emma: a lesbian love story for the ages that bristles with the energy of youth and rebellion and the eternal light of desire."
Blue Is The Warmest Color is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. I love this graphic novel so much that I have devoured the three hour film adaption that is completely in French too many times to count. This stunning graphic novel is written about a lesbian love affair and is written in black and white with a splash of blue which is really cool looking for a graphic novel. This graphic novel was originally written in French but has been adapted into English as well. Trigger warnings for sex and adult language.
Title: Nimona
Author & Illustrator: Noelle Stevenson
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Synopsis: "Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are."
I personally did not want Nimona to end and was looking forward to a sequel because of how interesting this storyline was. The character development and the adventures that Nimona went on to find herself was really great to read about. The illustrations really added to the story and made this graphic novel a must to read.
Title: Heartstopper
Author & Illustrator: Alice Oseman
Genre: Romance & YA
Synopsis: "Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn't think he has a chance. But, Nick is struggling with feelings of his own, and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works."
I have had Heartstopper on my mind for a long time and finally had the chance to read it. Alice Oseman had beautiful illustrations and a cute love story that I believe developed nicely without feeling rushed. You were able to understand the characters and the illustrations pulled the story together. I enjoyed this book and this wonderful graphic novel series has a total of five books for you to devour.
Graphic novels are a great way to escape and add illustrations to your reading. I think that next time, I will be creating a list for graphic novels in certain seasons because there are so many cozy graphic novel reads out there. I hope that you add some of these beautiful books to your book list. What graphic novel books would you recommend? Until next time..Happy Reading!
