How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir is Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery

Originally published in: 2018

What’s it about: A memoir told through reflections on life-shaping relationships and interactions with animals.

What made me pick it up:  This book is SO CUTE!

My favorite things: I was pleasantly surprised by how effortlessly readable this was. Montgomery’s anecdotes vary between heartwarming and heartbreaking, but always highlight the importance of connection and family – even when your family doesn’t fit the traditional mold. I also found Rebecca Green’s illustrations to be absolutely charming.

Who it’s great for: Fan’s of Sy Montgomery’s other work. Readers interested in memoirs with unusual structures.

Abby’s rating: 

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Find this in your local library or on Amazon (affiliate link).

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Gmorning Gnight by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun

Originally published in: 2018

What’s it about: 100 bits of encouragement from Lin-Manuel Miranda in the form of pairs of morning and evening tweets with illustrations by Jonny Sun.

What made me pick it up: A better question is what took me so long to pick it up?

My favorite things: I love that you can flip to any page in this book and find something inspiring to lift your mood and affirm your self-confidence.

Who it’s great for: Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda and/or Jonny Sun. Anyone in need of a little pick-me-up.

Abby’s rating: 

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Find this in your local library or on Amazon (affiliate link).

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Roughneck by Jeff Lemire

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Originally published in: 2017

What’s it about: A former hockey player struggling to keep it together find his life interrupted when his younger sister comes home years after disappearing. The siblings wrestle with violence and addiction, family and identity, and a constant sense of alienation.

What made me pick it up: I love Jeff Lemire.

My favorite things: I can’t remember where I read it, but someone described this as Fargo but in Canada and I can’t think of a better way to describe the cold, bleak tone. As always, Lemire’s art is stunning and perfectly fits the mood of the dark story and complex characters.

Who it’s great for:  Fans of Lemire’s other work, particularly Essex County. Graphic novel readers looking for a family drama.

Abby’s rating: 

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Find this in your local library or on Amazon.

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Artists, Writers, Thinkers, Dreamers by James Gulliver Hancock

Originally published in: 2014

What’s it about: A visual biographical encyclopedia of innovative individuals throughout history.

What made me pick it up: I was intrigued when I stumbled across it while browsing an ebook and downloadable audiobook collection curated to inspire writers during NaNoWriMo.

My favorite things: Hancock believes that the objects and people that individuals surround themselves with can be very revealing. He enhances the understanding of notable historical figures by focusing on these aspects of their lives, rather than simply on their achievements. Hancock’s cartoonish drawings are an engaging jumble of small images that help to paint a picture of each subject’s life.

Who it’s great for:  Readers intrigued by the daily lives of famous artists and thinkers. Fans of graphic biographies.

Abby’s rating:

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Find this in your local library or on Amazon (affiliate link).

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If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

Originally published in: 2015

What it’s about: A selfish rabbit learns he can grow so much more if he shares.

What made me pick it up: I was alone in the book drop photographing some returns for a #bookdroplife Instagram post when I saw this and spent a couple extra minutes in there reading it.

My favorite things: The illustrations are beautiful. If you want an eye-catching picture book with a great message, this is for you.

Who it’s great for: Littles who like animals and are just learning to read. Parents who want a brief book with a message. Anyone who appreciates great illustrations because these are wonderful.

Erica’s Rating:

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Find a copy on Amazon (affiliate link) or in your local library.

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The Secret Loves of Geek Girls edited by Hope Nicholson

What it’s about: A collection of true stories about love written as prose, comics, and illustrated stories.

What made me pick it up: There are a lot of great authors and artists involved in this project and I was interested to see how they would handle writing about themselves and their love lives.

My favorite things: I love the variety of style and content and wide range of experiences that are included. The stories cover everything from unrequited crushes and first loves to heartbreak and moving forward. A lot of incredible artists worked on this anthology and brought some of the stories to life really well. Each piece is short enough you can easily dip in and out if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to it.

Who it’s great for: Geeks, nerds,  and dorks of any variety. Members of any fandom. People who like graphic novels. Anyone in the mood for true stories about love and heartache.

Abby’s Rating: