Better late than never, right? I hope so, because I am sooooo late with this post. Put I had to get it out there, because, despite the decrease in number, the increase in quality of graphic novels I read last year just has to be put out here. I only read 23, 11 of which are from one series, but I seriously loved them all. Where do I begin?
I know exactly where I begin. With Bone.
Bone came to me early last year. On a whim, I picked up the first in the series, not really knowing what to expect. Next think I knew, I was buying the rest of the series (nine books total) and devouring them in less than a week. Here is my complete review of the series, with a bit of a highlight here:
That is just at tiny taste (and an inadequate one at that) of the awesomeness that is Bone. I loved Bone. I adored Bone. I want to marry Bone and have it’s children. Okay, that’s a little too far, but seriously, I loved it. It has been over a month since I plowed through all nine books and I find still find myself thinking about the story, the characters, the in jokes (Stupid, Stupid Rat Creatures!!!), the gorgeous gorgeous art, and more. This story is so many things. Adventure. Coming of age. Road trip. Love. Loyalty. Destiny. Friendship. Finding yourself. Trust. It’s dark. It’s funny. It’s epic.
And the art, again, is gorgeous. Seriously.
Other highlights include Anya’s Ghost, the Brian Selznicks and The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt. I hope to read many, many more graphic novels this year, to make up for last year. At least there was a lot of quality, if not a lot of quantity. And hopefully I’ll review them better too!
The rest:
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (review)
Shivers, Wishes and Wolves, ed by Donald Lemke (review)
The Stuff of Legend, Vol. 1
Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Bone: Tale Tales by Tom Sniegoski and Jeff Smith
where i live by Eileen Spinelli and Matt Phelan
Bone: Rose by Tom Sniegoski and Jeff Smith
Little Red Riding Hood by The Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Daniel Egnéus (review)
Bone 9: Crown of Horns by Jeff Smith
Bone 8: Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith
Bone 7: Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith
Bone 6: Old Man’s Cave by Jeff Smith
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
Bone 5: Rock Jaw by Jeff Smith
Bone 4: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith
Bone 3: Eyes of the Storm by Jeff Smith
Bone 2: The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith
Bone 1: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith
I didn't read as many graphic novels last year either. I really want to read The Night Bookmobile.
I'm adding Bone to my list. I just picked up "Mush!: Sled Dogs with Issues" by Glenn Eichler and Joe Infurnari. Not much to say about it yet but looking forward to some laughs, especially since I like sled dogs.
I didn't read many graphic novels AT ALL last year. I'm hoping to do better in 2012 and already have the first one lined up: La Perdida by Jessica Abel. Looking forward to it.
I want to read many more graphic novels this year than last, too. I just love the experience sooooo much. Can't believe I never read them at all until a few years ago.
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt—that's one I've never even heard of. Must look into this…
I didn't really very many graphic novels last year, either. I think I burned out on them the year before… Where are you in Fables? I just read the more recent one and enjoyed it.