It’s almost April and that means it’s time for me to host my first ever Mini Challenge!!! One of my favorite sub-genres in the Graphic Novel universe is the nonfiction. There is so much great work going on here and, in my opinion, some of the best nonfiction out there. Not only are you getting the story, you are getting images, making the story that much more powerful, moving, life-changing and unforgettable.
To spice things up a bit, I’m going to offer a prize pack. Yes, a PACK. Just a little incentive to get you reading. For every book you read for this challenge this month, you get one entry in the pot.
Oh, I figure a few goodies; a graphic novel or two, some book marks, and other bookish goodies. Don’t worry, it’ll be good. I’m just not exactly sure WHAT yet. I expect I’ll tailor make it to the winner. Don’t want to give girl things to a boy or vice versa! But it will be good!
Here are some possibilities that you could read. And I would love it if you could post some suggestions in comments; I’ll add them to my TBR AND my list!
- Maus I & II by Art Speigelman
- In the Shadow of No Towers by Art Speigelman
- French Milk by Lucy Knisley
- Blankets by Craig Thompson
- Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
- Persepolis: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi
- Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi
- Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
- Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
- Stitches by David Small
- Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughn
- Satchel Paige
- A. D.: New Orleans After the Deluge by Josh Neufeld
- Ethel & Ernest: A True Story by Raymond Briggs
- Epileptic by David B.
- The Imposter’s Daughter: A True Memoir by Laurie Sandell
And so many, many more.
So sign up here (any time between today and April 30) and I’ll be watching at the main Graphic Novels Blog to see what you read! Have fun and GOOD LUCK!
Edit: So, Mr. Linky doesn’t seem to like me, so just sign up in comments. That makes things easier. 
Oh boy! I'm so happy I can play. I have three on your list that I haven't read yet, and they will work for both the mini-challenge and the ROOB game. So I'll be reading Stitches, Embroideries, and Blankets. Is there some reason my these single-title memoirs are all plurals?
I'll post and sign up with Mr. Linky later in the week or maybe next Sunday. But count me in.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Featuring . . . The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha =-.
Yay! I'm so glad you're signing up! Blankets if fantastic! I think you'll love it!
Thank you so much for hosting, Heather! I love the theme and the button
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope =-.
Thanks Ana!! I'm excited to do it!
What an awesome mini-challenge! I have several here at home in this genre that I can't wait to read!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Readathon & Burnout =-.
This will be a great mini-challenge. Thanks! I love the button. I recently read Blankets, but I am eager to read Epileptic and a few others on the suggested list.
Great choice of mini-challenge! This gives me just the push I need to read Footnotes in Gaza!
Sign me up! I picked up a graphic novel at the library about Bertrand Russell the other day. Great for this challenge.
.-= Amanda A.´s last blog ..…. and then Amanda fell off the wagon…. =-.
Thanks for hosting Heather!! I need to find something for this one!
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Enchanted Night by Steven Millhauser =-.
I love this challenge. I have quite a few of those on my TBR list and this will make them a priority. Thanks for hosting!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..New Bookshelf =-.
I've been meaning to read Maus for forever, so if I remember to stop by the library you can count me in!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..Crossing Washington Square =-.
Gorgeous button – can't wait to use it! thanks for the list of suggestions too – plenty of options there! I read both Maus & Persepolis last year and would recommend them to anyone. I'd also suggest one of Guy Delisle's books – I read the Burma Chronicles and that were great so it's highly likely that I'll be reading one of his other books for this challenge!
.-= peta´s last blog ..Once Upon A Time IV – The Shortlist =-.
Awesome challenge! I just finished reading Pride of Baghdad and absolutely loved it! I have Fun Home at home so I'm gonna try to read it in April. I noticed that you have American Born Chinese image on the button, which is not non-fiction. But I guess you have found out about it because you don't put it in your list.
Count me in. I have a bunch of nonfiction to read. I'll be posting soon.
I just finished Maus II. I actually think it is better than volume I.
As for recommendations, Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud is excellent.
.-= Wilson Knut´s last blog ..Maus II: A Survivor’s Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman =-.
I'm doing "Aya of Yop city", a story based in the Ivory Coast, hope to get Blankets or the pride of Bagdad too later in the year.
Just so you know, I put up an announcement for the mini-challenge today here
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Being Extra-Challenged =-.
Hi Heather! Sorry the Linky's not working for you.
I read French Milk (finally!) for this challenge and loved it to pieces. My review is here: http://zenleaf.blogspot.com/2010/04/readathon-rev…
I read and reviewed Bechdel's Fun Home here.
.-= Black Sheep´s last blog ..Multiple Challenges (GLBT + Graphic Novels): “Fun Home” review =-.
I ended up reading a Graphic Forensic Science book, Solving Crimes With Trace Evidence. A review is linked on the Graphic Novel Mr. Linky. I may get to Autopsies: Pathologists at Work before Friday, too.
I managed to read and review Embroideries: http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/2010/04/review-emb….
So much for wanting to get three read for your mini-challenge.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday #76 =-.
Some more suggestions for your list:
American Elf by James Kochalka (3 volumes so far)
Palestine by Joe Sacco (most of his work is non-fiction)
Quitter by Harvey Pekar (most of his work is non-fiction)
The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert
Ordinary Victories by Manu Larcenet
Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman
Blue Pills by Frederik Peeters
Town Boy by Lat
Cancer Vixen: A True Story by Marisa Acocella Marchetto
Stop Forgetting To Remember by Peter Kuper
Paul Has A Summer Job by Michel Rabagliati (fictionalized memoir)