I Thought You Loved Me is a graphic memoir about the author’s decades-long friendship with someone who eventually betrayed her. Told through excerpts from her journal and calendar entries, MariNaomi rediscovers parts of their friendship, both the parts she remembered and parts she had long forgotten. It’s an intimate look at a relationship that has changed and shifted over the years, and it’s a testament to how our memories can distort the way we look at our past. The artwork itself is unique, and it lends well to the method of storytelling that is used here.
From a technical standpoint, as someone with vision issues I did have difficulty reading certain pages based on certain fonts/backgrounds, so that is something to keep in mind.
Thank you to Amble Press and Edelweiss for providing a copy for review.
Thieves by Lucie Bryon
Thieves is a sapphic graphic novel about Ella and Madeleine, two girls who end up falling for each other…and then realize they both have an issue with stealing. They then go on a journey to try to make things right – well, in most cases.
There is so much to like here! The artwork is adorable; I love how Bryon shows the characters’ emotions. The characters are all well-rounded and distinct – an issue I can sometimes have with graphic novels. And the plot is exactly the kind of thing I like to curl up with and enjoy: something sweet that isn’t just surface-level. I’d recommend it for any graphic novel fan.
Thank you to Nobrow and Edelweiss for providing a copy for review.
Call Me Bill by Lynette Richards
Call Me Bill is a creative nonfiction graphic novel about Maggie/Bill, a young person who died tragically in a shipwreck after spending part of their life as a sailor. This short volume packs a punch with gray watercolor art that evokes the feeling of being at sea and a historical story that will be new and important to many readers.
I’m grateful that Richards recognized the significance in this story and felt inspired to share it with us. My only wish is that we had more surviving information about Maggie/Bill for a longer graphic novel!
Thank you to Emanata and Edelweiss for providing a copy for review.
