graphic novels

[psocoptera]

One of the interesting side effects of Q's insatiable desire for more reading material is that my house is now full of graphic novels I don't have time to read. Actually this already started with J, who has several on her shelves I'd love to get to someday. These days, though, J has moved on to mostly obtaining her own books by requesting ebooks on her own library card, meaning that I have no idea what she's reading (which, to be clear, is great - I was going to the library by myself at a younger age than she is now, and I think privacy in book-selection is important for kids as they get older, and we were actively working towards this by getting her her own card), whereas I am still the book obtainer for Q, so I have a much better idea what he's reading.

Anyways, I finally made the time to read a couple of them before they go back to the library! Aster and the Accidental Magic, Thom Pico and Karensac, is a compendium translation of two Belgian volumes (which explains why it felt disjointed - it was two standalone stories). Cute middlegrade with some original if slightly random-feeling twists; Q really liked this one, especially the Chestnut Knights in the second story. He wanted the sequel immediately.

Witchlight, Jessi Zabarsky, is about a witch, and the girl who she meets/kidnaps who becomes her traveling companion and swordfighting teacher (and, SPOILERS, girlfriend, and how cool is it that there's this whole genre now of queer/queer-friendly fantasy comics meant for kids, like this and the Witch Boy trilogy and Mooncakes and Tea Dragon Society??). There's definitely a lot more going on here, emotional-arc-wise, than in Aster - YA vs middlegrade, I guess - and I correspondingly liked it more, being, you know, not actually a kid reader myself. But Q also liked it, so, hey.

Comments

[motyl]

How are you getting said books? Arlington grab bag, requesting specific holds or what? I've tried both plus medford appt and man I miss libraries just being open.

[psocoptera]

I've been requesting specific holds - Robbins has no-contact pickup set up so that you don't even have to go into the building (which you may already know). Both of the above were library books, but we've also been getting a lot of books from the generosity of a friend who purchases a lot of kids' graphic novels but doesn't need to keep them. I wouldn't be keeping up on book demands at all without that magical giveaway influx refilling my reserves every so often.