I Love to Read: Indie Graphic Novels

While I’ve always been a devoted reader and a fan of fiction, for the past several years I’ve found more and more of my reading time spent with graphic novels. Now, this I Love to Read Month, I am happy to say that they are some of the books I look forward to reading most each year, as my list of can’t-miss authors and illustrators grow longer and longer. While many just think of graphic novels as superhero comics and manga, there are a wide range of stories being told in modern comics, often by indie authors and publishers. I’ve realized that there’s a number of reasons why I like reading indie comics over traditional novels: 

1. Beautiful art

Once you dive into the world of comics this point will speak for itself. Some of the full page spreads from books like The City of Belgium by Brecht Evens or Roaming by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki have made me completely stop in my tracks while reading to take in every detail – a feature you can’t get from traditional novels. 

2. Unique themes

Are you a reader who likes to be challenged by complex and unique themes but doesn’t always have the stamina for contemporary fiction? Join the club! Seriously though, I think graphic novels are great for this, especially those with heavy themes. Often a story that wouldn’t normally interest me can work really well in the graphic novel format. 

3. Canadiana

Michael DeForge, Kate Beaton, Seth, Guy Delisle, Jeff Lemire, Mariko Tamaki, and Jillian Tamaki. Some of my favourite comic authors and artists are Canadian, and many of these are published by my favourite Montreal-based comics publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. 

4. Shorter for Goodreads Goals

Okay, this one is a bit of a joke, but as someone who tracks my reading on Goodreads, graphic novels usually count for about half of the books I read each year. They also take much less time to read on average. People may judge me for this, but it’s like we tell kids in the library…reading comics totally counts as reading!  

Despite these positives, a challenge with graphic novels can be the price tag, especially for those of us who frequently find themselves reading through a couple of them on a weekend. Hence why taking out these books from the library is the perfect fit! What follows is a list of recommended indie graphic novels that are currently available at branches throughout the Winnipeg Public Library.  

The Delicacy by James Albon 

Two brothers, seeking success and independence from their controlling mother, open a new restaurant focused on bringing a fresh, farm-to-table dining experience to the big city. Their initial struggles take a turn when they discover a one-of-a-kind mushroom that people find irresistibly delicious. But can they keep up with the demand of a hungry city, as well as their produce’s secret origins? Come for the intriguing premise, stay for the gorgeous full-page painted illustrations in this macabre spin on the high cost of fame, ambition, and fine dining. 

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed 

The book’s title – in Arabic, a fairy-tale rhyme meaning “your wish is my command” – sets the stage for a modern world in which wishes are real and literally for sale. Shubeik Lubeik follows the lives of three people in Cairo who become linked in the sale of three “first class wishes”. Covering a range of topics including social inequality, mental health, religion, and more, this book’s fantastical spin on contemporary issues really resonated with me. While longer than the other titles on this list, there is good reason why it is being lauded as one of the best graphic novels released last year (in English, as it was originally published in Arabic from 2017-2021). 

Waves by Ingrid Chabbert and Carole Maurel (illustrator) 

With dream-like art and poetic language, this moving graphic novel tells the very personal story of a young couple’s challenges in trying to have children. This is a beautiful and short read that could easily win an award for leaving you the most emotionally drained in the fewest number of pages. As I said earlier, a topic that might be challenging in a full-length novel can become an eye-opening and insightful read in comic format. A recommended entry point for those who like emotional stories and are curious about graphic novels. 

Acting Class by Nick Drnaso 

Like your books to be a bit…weirder? In this title, a group of bored and isolated strangers join a free introductory acting class at a local community centre. As the class’s charismatic and enigmatic teacher leads them through intense improv exercises, the lines between the students’ real lives, the characters they play, and their imaginations begin to blur as they become more intertwined in each others’ stories. While Drnaso’s illustrations might not work for everyone, they do a great job of bringing out the anxieties of the characters and the eeriness of the story. 

Have I piqued your interest yet? Then head over to the Winnipeg Public Library’s online catalogue to check out these and many other titles from our fantastic adult graphic novel collection. Warning, reading graphic novels may become habit forming! 

– Austin 

A new year and a full January

You’ve probably heard this several times already, but here it is from the Library – HAPPY NEW YEAR! We wish you a year full of new memories, happy times, and of course, spending time with us.

There are a lot of things happening at the Library in January to highlight, so without further ado, here goes! This is a snapshot – there’s more listed in our Programs and Events calendar.

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Graphic Novel Book Club

Next meeting on January 6

Join us for an interesting conversation about favourite graphic novels and comics. The book club will discuss a new graphic novel each month. Session runs to May.

Register online

Looking for graphic novels? Get started here.

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All Things Yarn Club

Next meeting on January 11

Come and join a group of people who love creating things from yarn! Whether you are seasoned in yarn crafts, are starting out, or are just curious about knitting, etc., you will find like-minded crafters here. Share ideas, techniques, and get inspired by books and conversation. Just bring your creativity and the materials you need to join the fun.

Register online

Looking for knitting books? Get started here.

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Tales at Night

Happening on January 17

Tales are on tap at our storytime for adults! Feel like a kid again by listening to some fun tales read aloud by your local librarians at the Good Will Social Club, 625 Portage Ave.

Get the details

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Make Your Own Podcast

Happening on January 20

Interested in making your own podcast? Join us as we discuss what it takes to create and share a podcast. We’ll talk about planning your show, getting it made, and getting your podcast online.

Register online

Connect with fiction and non-fiction reads about podcasting.

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Everything You Wanted to Know About Winter Cycling (online)

Happening on January 22

Are you ready to try winter cycling? Or extend your cycling season? Learn the ins and outs about what to wear, cold weather gear for your bike, and riding tips for snow and ice. Presented in partnership with the Green Action Centre.

Register online

Connect with our Green Choices Information Guide for more ways to reduce your environmental impact.

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Brain Health

Happening on January 24

Join the WRHA Healthy Aging Resource Team during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to talk about brain health. Topics include the normal aging of the brain, threats to brain health, and tips for reducing risks and keeping your brain healthy.

Register online

Connect with reads about brain health.

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eMedia HELP One-on-One Appointments

Being offered on four days at four library branches throughout January through March.

Book a 45-minute one-on-one help appointment with Library staff and get help with Digital Library services: eBooks, audiobooks, emagazines, enewspapers, streaming music and video, and databases.

Make an appointment

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We look forward to seeing you at the Library in 2024!

~Reegan

Picture this

When I was a kid, there was no better way to spend the summer than high up the branches of my favourite tree reading comics. Fast forward a few decades and those comics I loved are now graphic novels but I had never read one until recently. A co-worker suggested I read Giant Days, a young adult graphic novel by John Allison. The premise sounded good: three roommates at university become friends as they adjust to adulthood and life away from home. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get into the series. Before I knew it, my co-worker was challenging me with all kinds of graphic novels. She seemed determined to help me find something I liked and with her help, I did. 

I found myself hooked on the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman. This beautifully drawn teen series follows Charlie and Nick as they meet, become friends and Nick begins to realize his true feelings for Charlie. The series was followed by the Heartstopper Yearbook in 2022. (For more 2SLGBTQQIA+ reads, visit our 2SLGBTQQIA+ Information Guide and Your Next Queer Read.) 

My next great find was Pumpkinheads: a graphic novel by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks. It follows Deja and Josiah, teenagers who have worked at the Pumpkin Patch at Halloween every year during high school. This season is different: Deja and Josiah will soon graduate and move on to university. As their last shift together draws to a close, the two friends take a whirlwind tour of “The Patch” and Josiah races against time to meet the girl of his dreams. Anything can happen on Halloween…

The adorable graphic novels by Bree Paulson, Garlic and the Vampire and Garlic and the Witch, are a fun way for young readers to dive into graphic fiction. Garlic and her vegetable friends Carrot, Celery, Potato and more, have been magicked into life to help Witch Agnes take care of her vegetable garden. The two novels show Garlic overcome first her fear of vampires and then a trip into the unknown as she travels to the Magic Market to gather supplies for Witch Agnes’s latest potion. Both are easy reads and lots of fun (I mean, Garlic really is …garlic!) As we find out in both stories, sometimes our fears aren’t nearly as scary as we expect them to be, especially when we have friends like Garlic does. 

My kids are both artists and the colourful spray painted cover of this next book grabbed my interest right away.  Ashley is a foster child, a spray paint artist and oh yeah, she’s a superhero too. Her foster mom is a scientist working on a special project. When Ashley mistakes some mysterious vials as spray paint to use for her murals, she develops some pretty awesome superpowers. But when the military discovers their secret project is missing, Ashley must defend her foster family from a dangerous villain. Will she get in trouble and lose her new foster parents? Or will she finally find her forever home? Find out in Primer: a superhero graphic novel.

A genie who just wants to grant his three wishes to a frog? A witch who turns music-makers and singers into farm animals? A wizard who tries to steal another wizard’s magic powers by giving him a pet parrot? Nathaniel Lachenmeyer and Simini Blocker present four unique and hilarious new stories in their collection of fairy tales for young readers, The Singing Rock (and other brand-new fairy tales).  

Once I started writing this post, I realized I hadn’t read any adult graphic novels. Did you know there are plenty of non-fiction graphic novels in the library? As a gardener, The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food was a big hit for me. The book takes you through everything you need to know to get started with your own garden and includes great tips on how to plant (and when to plant it), how to test and fertilize your soil and whether sowing seeds or buying plants is best for different types of vegetables. The easy-to-read format features an avid gardener giving a helping hand to his neighbour who wants to start a garden of her own. It’s a great choice for new and experienced gardeners and graphic novel fans too.

I think the graphic novels I liked the most came from author Debbie Tung. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: an introvert’s guide is full of sweet, relatable cartoons about the perils of socializing, dating and working in a crowded office, but finding out that surprise – lots of people struggle with social anxiety. The black and white cartoons are amazing and I like the way she draws great big eyes on her characters when they are happy or excited. Book Love is just that: a book about books; why the author loves them (more than people), the things she uses as bookmarks (old receipts, junk mail, clothing tags), and alternative uses for books such as “a way to avoid small talk with strangers”. As a book lover and library worker this one speaks directly to my heart. I also loved that she dedicated “Quiet Girl” in part to her husband for letting her “turn him into a cartoon every day”. 

I’m currently reading my way through Toil and Trouble, the adorable Marshmallow & Jordan and Flawed. Toil and Trouble is a wonderful re-imagining of MacBeth, told from the points of view of the three witches. As someone who never enjoyed Shakespeare very much, I highly recommend the graphic novel version. Not only is the play told in a more story-like way, the graphic novel format really helps me see the events unfold – literally!

In Marshmallow & Jordan, a young basketball athlete suffers an injury that leaves her in a wheelchair. One day she befriends a mysterious baby elephant and takes her home to her mother who’s a vet. Although Jordan loves basketball, she misses playing alongside her friends. Is Marshmallow the answer she’s been looking for?   

Flawed, which was made into a stop-motion short film, is a true story of a woman who falls in love with a plastic surgeon, despite her strong reservations about cosmetic surgery. It challenges everyone to love themselves exactly as they are. 

Thanks to my co-worker D.F. for introducing me to a new genre of books. Until next time, happy reading!

~ Joanne                  

Fun Home and the Comic Memoir

I was lucky enough to attend Fun Home, the musical, at the MTC Warehouse in November. It was amazing to see Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel represented on stage in such a powerful way. It made me think about when I first read Fun Home: a family tragicomic and the subsequent Are You My Mother?: a comic drama – two graphic novels detailing the author’s complex relationships with her parents and growing up in a funeral home in small town America. Fun Home (published in 2006) was one of the first graphic novels that I fell in love with in my early twenties, and I haven’t looked back! When I read it, I was struck by how the graphic novel format is able to create such a deep connection with the reader. They truly have the ability to tell stories in an intimate (and often quite graphic!) way.

In Fun Home, Alison’s memories are given a new perspective when she looks back on her family life as an adult. In the musical adaptation, this is achieved by the character of Alison being onstage the whole show watching the memories of her childhood and young adulthood playing out. Combined with the music, it makes this play something magical.

Comics and graphic novels are a perfect medium for memoir. Here are some books you may enjoy, especially if you loved Fun Home!

Turning Japanese by MariNaomi

A comic memoir detailing the author’s experiences in Tokyo working in hostess bars. Growing up in the United States, MariNaomi had tried to connect with her Japanese culture, but it had eluded her.

Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe

This self-reflective graphic novel starts with an author’s note about taking an autobiography class from MariNaomi during a master’s degree in comics! This is a very intimate story of the author’s journey to identifying as gender nonbinary and asexual which addresses questions about gender identity along the way.

Passing for Human by Liana Finck

Finck uses the medium of comics to tell the story of her quest for selfhood in spite of crippling anxiety and neurological difference that can lead to feeling as if you are just “passing for being human.”

Good Talk: a memoir in conversations by Mira Jacob

A graphic memoir created after the author’s biracial son started asking innocent and difficult questions about race and racism. Jacobs uses a unique storytelling method of bringing together photographs and cut-out comic images imposed over top.

Flocks by L Nichols

A coming of age memoir by Nichols, a trans man, who grew up in a conservative Christian family and how this shaped him. A student of mechanical engineering and later media arts, Nichols brings a unique voice to the memoir genre by using the language of science and engineering.

Spinning by Tillie Walden

Marketed as a YA graphic novel, this memoir deals with coming out as queer in the often close-minded world of figure skating.

Happy (graphic) reading!

Kim

Stories and Faces

Like many library employees, I love books—mostly fiction, and the bigger the better. When my kids were younger they started bringing home graphic novels, and I must admit I didn’t really appreciate them at the time. I love words, and the pictures just seemed to get in the way. Fast forward a few years and I was picking up a hold for one of my children. It was the graphic novel Maus, a Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History, by Art Spiegelman . It is not surprising that this Pulitzer prize winning book, sometimes referred to as the greatest graphic novel of all time, drew me right in. Written over 30 years ago, Maus was a game changer, proving that complex mature themes can be retold with impact in a graphic narrative.

In recent years, amidst growing numbers of displaced people (1 in every 113 people globally is now either an asylum-seeker, internally displaced or a refugee), there have been a number of excellent graphic novels published that put a face to the struggles that refugees endure. They provide us with a way of ‘understanding the individuals behind the numbers’, which can only encourage compassion when it is so needed.

Threads: From the Refugee Crisis- Kate Evans

Threads takes us into the French port town of Calais where a city has developed within this ancient city of lace. Aptly known as the ‘Jungle’, hopefully a stepping stone to the UK , it is home to thousands of refugees, mostly from the Middle East and Africa. Kate Evans travelled to the Calais Jungle and gives a vivid firsthand report, ‘both capturing the wrenching reality of a seemingly intractable problem and making an eloquent argument for its solution: open borders.’ I thought Threads was an incredible, moving, raw read.

Illegal- Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Bestselling author Eoin Colfer, of Artemis Fowl fame, along with Andrew Donkin, published Illegal in 2018. This graphic novel, although found in the children’s section, does not shy away from difficult topics. It is heart-wrenching and real in its retelling of the story of Ebo, a young boy from Ghana who makes the epic journey across the Sahara Desert to Tripoli, and eventually into the merciless sea, always hoping against hope to be reunited with his family and a new beginning.

The Strange- Jerome Ruillier

Peopled by animals, The Strange tells the story of one refugee’s journey as he tries to bring a new life in the West, where he is unable to speak the language. The story is told by a number of different narrators, people he has crossed paths with—police, neighbours, strangers, helpers. The illustrations are strikingly done in black and white, with splashes of red and orange. Ruillier collected material for the novel from “the accounts of undocumented immigrants and their families, as well as police officers and other people close to the issue”

The Arrival- Shaun Tan

The Arrival, by author Shaun Tan, is a wonder of a book. It is completely wordless, but that doesn’t detract from the story, instead drawing you in to look closely at a landscape that looks both fantastical and real. Brian Selznick (author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret) remarks, ‘how it slowly dawned on me that this bizarre world was how any immigrant might see the new place they go…everything is different and scary and magical.’

You can also check-out these other titles from the Winnipeg Public Library catalogue:

Baddawi; Escape from Syria; and Rolling Blackouts: Dispatches from Turkey, Syria and Iraq.

Like games? Created in Winnipeg by Michelle Lam, Refugee Journeys is ‘based on a simple “snakes and ladders” game concept—players move forward, backward, or miss turns based on the cards they draw or the spaces they land on. Cards include integration experiences of real refugees, drawn from academic research, news and media, and the game creator’s personal experiences’.

-Kristie

Spooky Scary Comic Books

 

If you love reading something scary around Halloween, Winnipeg Public Library has a great variety of horror-themed graphic novels to check out.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

This isn’t  Sabrina the Teenage Witch you remember from the comics (except for taking place in the ‘60s, which was when the original Sabrina comics started) or the fun ‘90s TV show. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is the creator of the hit TV show Riverdale as well as the Sabrina show based on the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina which will be coming out this month.  While Sabrina lives with her aunts Hilda and Zelda (who are very cavalier about their taste for human flesh) she doesn’t know a lot about her tragic family history.  The plot thickens as a mysterious figure known as Madam Satan, disguised as the drama teacher, comes to town and starts to stir up trouble for everyone.   Definitely not for the squeamish!

Harrow County by Cullen Bunn

Harrow County is a limited series which just wrapped up this year. which just wrapped up this year. A farm girl named Emmy learns on her 18th birthday the life she thought she was living is a lie.  Her father is not really her father and she has strange and mysterious powers.  Finding out her identity is only the beginning of the story.  One of the most fascinating characters is the “haint” she befriends.  He’s the skin of a boy who she often brings in her bag with her, though his skinless body often goes and gathers information for her.  The art is entirely done in watercolour and is often beautiful and horrifying.  The American TV network Syfy has picked it up to be developed into a show.

The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror: Dead Man’s Jest (multiple authors)

Even after The Simpsons went past its prime long ago, the Treehouse of Horror Halloween episodes were often still the best part of a season. I always end up watching a few of those classic episodes every October.  The writers add all sorts of supernatural and weird elements to the stories since they weren’t part of the ongoing canon.  Dead Man’s Jest has many spooky stories, some written by celebrities like Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie.  Some particular standout stories are “Two Tickets to Heck!” and “The Legend of Batterface”.

Penny Dreadful (based on the TV series created by John Logan)

Penny Dreadful was a was a very dark TV show that starred multiple figures from classic literature such as Frankenstein and Dorian Grey. The figure at the heart of the show, however, was the complicated and flawed woman Vanessa Ives.  This graphic novel is a prequel of the show, which goes into the history of Vanessa’s failed mission of trying to save her doomed friend Mina Harker from the clutches of Dracula.  A scary story but I would recommend watching the television show first (all DVDs are available through the library) before reading the graphic novel as there is a lot that the reader is assumed to know already.

The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman

This was originally published as a short story by Neil Gaiman, then turned into a graphic novel with the help of Michael Zulli and Todd Klein. The story seems almost semi-autobiographical—the main character sounds very similar to Neil Gaiman himself and the artistic depiction looks like him as well.  However the story itself has some mysterious supernatural elements that leave you wanting more.  The Gaiman character and his friends take a rather grumpy and tiresome acquaintance named Miss Finch for a night on the town to a strange circus which seems to appear rather cheesy and laughable.  Things take an unexpected and exciting sharp turn when a performer asks them which one of them “will gain all that you desire, in the cabinet of wishes fulfilled”.  Great for fans of Gaiman as well as first time readers.

Madeleine

 

3rd Annual Prairie Comics Festival

Are you a fan of local and Canadian writers, artists and creators? Are you a fan or writer of comics, graphic novels, zines and webcomics or are interested in finding out more about them? Well, do we have a treat for you! From Saturday, May 5^th 10:30-5:00 pm to Sunday May 6^th 1:00-5:00 pm at the Millennium Library in the Carol Shields Auditorium, we are co-hosting the 3^rd annual Prairie Comics Festival. Over 25 Comics writers, artists and publishers will be exhibiting their works for purchase in the auditorium, meeting with fans and writers and participating in panels throughout the day.

This year we are also excited to have three special guests at the festival: Mariko Tamaki is a comics creator who co-created This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, a graphic novel which received Caldecott and Printz Honors as well as the Eisner and Ignatz Awards. ALB is an illustrator and digital content creator, whose videos you may have seen on YouTube and CBC. Valentine de Landro is a Canadian comic book artist, illustrator and designer who has illustrated for Marvel, DC Comics, IDW, Valiant, and Dark Horse and is the co-creator of BITCH PLANET.

You can find a full list of all the exhibitors and publishing houses who will be attending the festival at the official website prairiecomics.com.

As I mentioned the festival will also be offering some amazing panels which all are welcome to attend, the following is the panel schedule for the two days.

 

Saturday May 5:

11 am-12 pm      

Working for U.S. Publishers

Comic creators discuss the experience of working as editors, colour artists, writers, and artists for the largest comic book companies in the world. How they broke in, what the benefits and limitations are of working for large publishers, and how their experience has changed over time.

Panellists include:

Mariko Tamaki (She-Hulk, writer, Marvel)

Chris Chuckry (The Flintstones, colour artist, DC)

Valentine de Landro (Bitch Planet, artist, Image)

Hope Nicholson (The Secret Loves of Geeks, editor, Dark Horse)

1:00-2:00 pm    

Social Media and Comics

Comic creators and journalists discuss the role of social media. Is it necessary? How far do you let your personal self shine through? How do you use different platforms, and why is it important to diversify your posts on each? What are the current hot topics when it comes to comics on social media?

Panellists include:

Nyala Ali (Comics journalist)

Autumn Crossman (Comic creator)

ALB (Comic creator/Youtube creator)

Ryan Harby (Webcomic creator)

3:00-4:00 pm                   

Breaking out of the Panel

Comic creators discuss the different formats comics can take, and innovative ways to showcase the medium. Whether this is in massive side-scrolling comics, mini self-made zines, or comics made in the shape of bubblegum wrappers, we will showcase ideas and brainstorm new ways to look at the medium of comics.

Panellists include:

Scott A. Ford

Robert Pasternak

Hely Schumann

Alice RL

 

Sunday May 6:

1:30-2:30 pm    

Young Adult Comics Panel

Come join a roundtable of librarians discussing what are the best young adult graphic novels to read! A focus on inclusive programming, this will also showcase graphic novels that are available to be checked out immediately from the library after the panel.

Panellists include:

WPL Librarians                

3:00-4:00 pm    

Prairie Comic Festival Guest Spotlight

Mariko Tamaki, Valentine de Landro, and ALB are our special guests this year for the Prairie Comics Festival. Come join the panel and hear about their current and past projects, and engage in an open Q&A where you can ask them questions about their work.

This festival and its panels are free to attend, so please come on down; we look forward to seeing you!

If you are unable to make it to the festival, the Blankstein Gallery at the Millennium Library will feature artwork by the local publishers and invited guests throughout the month of May.

 

-Aileen

The Legacy of Wonder Woman

The new Wonder Woman movie comes out this weekend, and I have very high hopes that a female superhero movie will finally be up to snuff with the movies from the Marvel cinematic universe as well as some of the DC movies. The film features some fantastic and strong actors such as Robin Wright, Gal Gadot, and Connie Nielsen, just to name a few, and was directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins; therefore it should hopefully pass the Bechdel test.

In the past, studios seemed to be reluctant to create action films with strong female leads and about female superheroes, whether due to the fact that  Catwoman with Halle Barry did not do well (which I don’t believe was Halle Barry’s fault) or their belief that female superheroes don’t attract a large audience. It does seem that Hollywood is hearing the outcry of fans who want a strong female lead in action movies, with the most recent two Star Wars films featuring such heroines, Supergirl on the small screen and now Wonder Woman. This gives me hope that they might finally make a Black Widow movie, or that the Captain Marvel movie which was recently announced will be just as good as many of the Marvel films.

The library has plenty of graphic novels that cover all your favourite female superheroes, as well as some heroines who may not be categorized as superheroes but still possess some pretty awesome powers and abilities.

Catwoman

Depicted sometimes as a villain, sometimes an ally and sometimes a love interest for Batman, Catwoman wears many different suits. A woman who goes by her own moral code and one protects those closest to her, she makes for an interesting female character and, naturally, has her own set of graphic novels and is featured in Batman graphic novels as well. Check them out at the library, they’re purrfect!

Supergirl

Superman’s “super” cousin has come to the small screen with great success. You can read more of her adventures in these graphic novels where, unlike Superman, she came to earth as a teenager and must navigate *gulp* high school and all the difficulties that go along with it while learning how to use and control her powers.

The X-Men with Jean Grey and Storm

   

We may not have many stand-alone volumes of Jean Grey and Storm, both members of the X-Men, but we do have some great graphic novels with both of these characters who possess some pretty incredible abilities such as reading minds and telekinesis or controlling the weather. The X-Men series features many more strong female characters and superheroes that I couldn’t possibly list all of here.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Though Buffy may not be your typical superhero, she was created by Joss Whedon, director of two of the amazing Avengers films. She fights off demons, vampires and any other crazy supernatural beings that come to Sunnydale and endanger the citizens of her town. The series also includes other strong female characters such as Willow, Buffy’s best friend and Tara, Willow’s friend and eventual love interest. The TV series was absolutely fantastic, and the graphic novels offer a nice fix for those of you missing Buffy Summers on your TV screen.

Anita Blake

Originally written as a novel, the first few books in Laurell K. Hamilton’s series have been made into graphic novels and feature, similar to Buffy, a vampire hunter who is also a hired detective and an animator, one who raises the dead to help families say goodbye. The characters are wonderful and the world-building excellent, check out the graphic novel and/or the novels, both available through the library.

 

Wonder Woman

I can’t do a Wonder Woman movie blog without also talking about the Wonder Woman comics, of which the library has tons! Diana Prince’s adventures on her own as well as with other Justice League members make for fantastic reading and excellent preparation and background research before the movie comes out!

 

 

And check out this new release:

Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Warrior by Landry Q. Walker contains all the facts, history and information on the long-lived legacy of Diana Prince.

This list is certainly not exhaustive! There are plenty of other great female heroes out there; let me know your favourites in the comments below.

Fingers crossed Wonder Woman lives up to the hype. I’m seeing it in AVX this weekend and I sure hope it’s good–if not, I’ll just keep hoping for a Black Widow movie…

Aileen

GO WILD Week 5: Voices Week

This summer, the Library is challenging you to expand your reading horizons! Hunt down titles to meet the challenge of your choice, chat with staff for help, browse our displays, or check out the picks below.

For every week you try something new, enter our prize draws at any WPL branch!

Week 5 is Voices Week, so prepare to hear from a new point of view.

• Challenge 13: A book written for teens
• Challenge 14: A graphic novel
• Challenge 15: A book on LGBTTQ* issues

*All of the picks below can be requested for pickup at your closest branch! Search and place holds with our catalog.

Staff picks for Challenge 13: A book written for teens

CRANK by Ellen Hopkins

Kristina Snow is the perfect daughter, but she meets a boy who introduces her to drugs and becomes a very different person, struggling to control her life and her mind.

THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp

The principal of Opportunity High School in Alabama has just finished her speech welcoming the students to a new semester, when they discover that the auditorium doors will not open. Someone starts shooting, and four teens, each with a personal reason to fear the shooter, tell the tale from separate perspectives.

TINY PRETTY THINGS by Sona Charaipotra

Three students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet academy compete for the status of prima ballerina, each willing to sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab their way to the top.

THE BOOK THIEF Markus Zusak

Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel–a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir

Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution

UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld

In a world where mandatory cosmetic surgery is performed on everyone when they turn sixteen, Shay escapes to join a band of outsiders avoiding surgery, and Tally is forced to find her and turn her in.

Staff picks for Challenge 14: A graphic novel

THE EXILE: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon

Retells in graphic novel format the first Outlander novel from Jamie Fraser’s point of view, revealing events never seen in the original story.

THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL by Stephen Collins

The fastidious life of clean-shaven Dave is upended on a fateful day when he grows an unstoppable, impressive beard, in a darkly comic, award-winning meditation on life, death and what it means to be different.

BLACK HOLE by Charles Burns

Seattle teenagers of the 1970s are suddenly faced with a devastating, disfiguring, and incurable plague that spreads only through sexual contact.

CAN’T WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING MORE PLEASANT? by Roz Chast

A loving celebration of the final years of the author’s aging (and quirky) parents through cartoons, family photos, and documents.

MARCH by John Lewis

A first-hand account of the author’s lifelong struggle for civil and human rights spans his youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., and the birth of the Nashville Student Movement.

HABIBI by Craig Thompson

Follows the relationship between two refugee child slaves, Dodola and Zam, who are thrown together by circumstance and who struggle to make a place for themselves in a world fueled by fear and vice.

Staff picks for Challenge 15: A book on LGBTTQ* issues

BECOMING NICOLE: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt

The inspiring true story of a transgender girl, her identical twin brother, and an ordinary American family’s extraordinary journey to understand, nurture, and celebrate the right to be different.

MISSISSIPPI SISSY by Kevin Sessums

A celebrity journalist chronicles his bullying behaviors throughout his Southern youth, his friendships with such figures as Eudora Welty, and the impact of journalist Frank Hain’s murder on his career.

I’M SPECIAL: AND OTHER LIES WE TELL OURSELVES by Ryan O’Connell

Part-memoir, part-manifesto from a super popular web writer chronicles the coming of age story of a gay man with cerebral palsy in an all-wired, overeducated, and underemployed world.

ANNABEL by Kathleen Winter

Born a boy and a girl but raised as a boy, Wayne or “Annabel” struggles with his identity growing up in a small Canadian town and seeks freedom by moving to the city.

FUN HOME: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

An unusual memoir done in graphic novel format offers a darkly funny family portrait of her relationship with her father, a historic preservation expert dedicated to restoring the family’s Victorian home, funeral home director, high-school English teacher, and closeted homosexual.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR

One night, when Clementine goes with her friend to a gay bar, she becomes captivated by Emma, a punkish girl with blue hair. This event leads Clementine to discover and explore new aspects of herself.

 

 

Only one week left to jump in. What challenges have you tried?

 

 

 

 

Beyond Anne’s Diary

I have a vivid memory of being in my local library as a kid and picking up The Diary of a Young Girl (also known as The Diary of Anne Frank). My Mom said to me: “I’m not sure if you should read that. It’s very sad!” She thought it best to shield me from the heartbreak of Anne’s story for just a little bit longer. Fast-forward about 15 years and I was asked to be one of the tour guides for the travelling exhibit currently at Millennium Library – Anne Frank: A History for Today. At this point, I had seen the play multiple times and even visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, but I still hadn’t done the diary justice.

So, I just recently read the famed book and of course my Mom was right, it is a heartbreaking story! Most people know what happened to Anne, her family, and the six million other Jewish people the Nazis systematically murdered (not to mention the other groups Hitler persecuted based on ethnicity, ability, sexuality, etc.). It’s a devastating piece of history, but when reading the diary there are moments where you somehow forget how the story ends. Anne’s writing is eloquent and you can’t help but be sucked in by the unexpected humour, glimpses of teenage romance, and Anne’s perpetual charm.

As Anne’s diary is a cultural phenomenon, I was not entirely surprised to find a variety of other books about her life. The following titles take the diary in new directions and cross into different genres. No matter what your age, there is a version of Anne’s story for you. Each of these books can be found at the Winnipeg Public Library, but be sure to keep searching as this is just a fraction of our collection on Anne Frank, the Holocaust, and World War II.

 

Anne Frank: The Biography

In this first biography of Anne Frank, Melissa Müller’s thorough research creates a compelling portrait of Anne’s life. Originally printed in 1998, this book contains interviews with family and friends, as well as previously unpublished letters and documents. A new edition of this biography was released in 2014, full of even more information that has since emerged. These documents, along with the Frank’s family tree and an epilogue by one of the family’s helpers, Miep Gies, shine light on this incredible girl.

 

The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography

This biography in graphic novel form is an illustrated account of Anne’s life. New York Times bestselling authors, Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón, seamlessly work Anne’s story into the history of World War II and the Holocaust. The book contains a concise chronology of events in the history of the Frank family – an extremely helpful tool for any reader.

 

Anne Frank

This graphic novel by Elizabeth Hudson-Goff focuses on both sides of the attic – life before going into hiding and a glimpse at what her final days in a concentration camp may have looked like. A quick read that can easily be finished in one sitting, illustrations bring a new dimension to this famous story of survival.

 

Dear Anne Frank: Poems

A poetry collection that is a tribute to Anne’s life. In most pieces, Marjorie Agosín holds a conversation with Anne, addressing her courage and curiosity. Poetry, and the dialogue Agosín creates, brings Anne’s narrative to life in a unique way.

 

 

Anne Frank

A beautifully illustrated picture book that relays Anne’s story – from birth to death – to a younger audience. By explaining how the Franks end up in hiding, Josephine Poole provides an introduction to the Holocaust for children that is easy to understand. The story ends on a positive note, with Otto, Anne’s father, receiving her diary after the war. The diary ensures that the rest of the Frank family will live on after their senseless deaths.

 

Anne Frank in the World, 1929-1945

This book is a history in pictures published by the Anne Frank House. While the focus is primarily on the Holocaust, the book is framed by Anne’s story. By continually returning to photos of the Franks, the reader is reminded that the victims of the Holocaust are not just a statistic but are real people.

 

“ANNE FRANK: A HISTORY FOR TODAY” Exhibit and Tours

 

The travelling exhibit has come all the way from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam! It officially launched on Monday, July 11, at the Millennium Library, where it will run until September 3rd. We encourage everyone to spend some time looking at the beautifully crafted panels.

There are also a number of guided tours available, in English or French, that you can register for by calling 204-986-6489. Each tour will begin in the Carol Shields Auditorium (second floor) and will last up to 90 minutes. Those who want to book group tours for more than 10 people can register by calling 204-986-6458.

• Stephanie