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I first read Majane Satrapi’s Persepolis almost a decade ago. I had never realized before that you could tell a memoir like a graphic novel. I had never thought about how text and images could work together to tell someone’s story. That’s how my love for graphic memoirs began, and since then PersepolisI’ve discovered so many favorites. Today we’re looking at two must-read graphic memoirs. But first, let’s dive into the books!
Book goods
Birth Flower Bookmark by OurCaliHome
I always have LOTS of fall birthdays on my list and I think these adorable bookmarks add just the right personal touch. $13
New releases
Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
In this new biography, Alexis Pauline Gumbs explores the life of Audre Lorde. Gumbs is the first biographer to make full use of Lorde’s archive and Survival is a promise a breathtaking portrait of this monumental writer.
Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home by Chris La Tray
Chris La Tray was always aware that he was Native American, even though his father never admitted it. But it was only at his father’s funeral that he began to seriously confront his family’s past. Become Little Shell follows La Tray’s experience learning more about his tribe, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and their 150-year history of striving for federal recognition.
A more comprehensive list of new releases can be found in our “New Books” newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Good Conversations: Memoirs in Conversations by Mira Jacob
In Good conversationMira Jacob describes how her son asked her why his Jewish paternal grandparents would vote for Trump, a man who hated immigrants like Mira and her parents. This question raises even more questions for her that she is not quite sure how to answer. She processes these conversations in Good conversationby illustrating them on the page and giving readers a more complete picture. I read this graphic memoir while waiting at the airport for a delayed flight. I felt completely drained and barely noticed the extra four hours I spent among angry passengers.
Can’t we talk about something more pleasant? By Roz Chast
Roz Chast’s parents have lived in the same apartment for decades. As her parents get older, she begins to think about how she will care for them as they grow older and how she will spend as much time with them as possible. But her parents want nothing to do with any of this conversation. With her classic sense of humor, Chast captures the ridiculous moments of a very difficult time in her life. This graphic biography is so good, no wonder it was a finalist for the National Book Award.
That’s it for this week! You can find me on my Substack Winchester Ave, on Instagram @kdwinchester, on TikTok @kendrawinchester or on my podcast Read Appalachia. As always, feel free to message me at [email protected]. For even MORE book content, check out my articles on Book Riot.
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