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Sarah's Scribbles #4
Oddball
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2022)Pose eccentriche, esclamazioni a caso, fissazioni da nerd. E chi ha bisogno della mondanità quando puoi parlare tutto il giorno di true crime o di fenomeni paranormali? Unisciti a Sarah e ai suoi animali domestici in questo ultimo capitolo della serie di Sarah’s Scribbles, che spazia dai consueti disagi nell’affrontare la vita da adulti all'evocazione di entità soprannaturali. La vita è bella anche se a volte ti senti fuori posto.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
About the author
Sarah Andersen
28 books8,735 followersHello! I’m Sarah and I’m a cartoonist and illustrator. I graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2014. My comics are semi-autobiographical and follow the adventures of myself, my friends, and my beloved pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,480 reviews
August 20, 2021
Another silly, funny and all too on point book by Sarah Andersen. The ones I relate to are the funniest - namely, the ones about being introverted and loving cats - but those make up 90% of the book so I'm all good. If you have that specific kind of weird shy personality that makes you "get" Andersen's work, this is another gem.
November 6, 2026
Why shouldn’t one be infantile?
What’s so great about being a serious adult?
One can go one of two ways: be an opportunistic worker bee or just be oneself. Being oneself includes things like procrastination, creative struggles, social awkwardness, strange interests, and finally the gradual realization that worrying about everybody else's expectations might be a spectacular, absolute, and unnecessary waste of one's limited lifespan. Some central, important people in one's life, family and very close friends, are optional exceptions. Okay, that was pretty dark, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a friendly, fun-loving family. And a cat, of course. That's the most important thing. But the rest? Seriously, who cares about friends from kindergarten, school, and early jobs? Nobody, because they were just part of groups forming opportunistic worker bees that are conditioned to collect the sweet, sweet money. I mean honey.
Don’t diss introversion.
All of this comes with glorifying extroversion and kind of downplaying the importance of introversion. Or even belittling it. As if social gatherings, professional networking, small talk, superficial relationships, telephone calls, and the mysterious expectation that one should actually enjoy these activities were some kind of dogma. As if being outward-oriented and permanently surrounded by drivel-spouting, so-called adults were a normal thing. The psychology of all these professional and private social networks, and especially the psychopathology, is completely bonkers because many of the characters are somewhat crazy. I don’t consider myself normal. I’m an eccentric, introverted, neurotic, slightly narcissistic, very stubborn person. But at least I know that I am not perfect and can name my special character traits and thereby try to be a little less difficult. If I wanted to or cared about that. But most people don’t. They think they are right and perfect and others are generally wrong, and that’s the inherent madness of all human interaction.
One is as special as one's own interests
What distinguishes Oddball from the earlier collections of this amazing series is its stronger emphasis on unusual interests, hobbies that aren’t deemed worthy by the collective Borg mind and its lifestyle standards, and the freedom to enjoy them without constantly apologizing. Democracy means freedom, and I can waste my spare time, life, and precious me-time however I want. You go fishing, campaigning, proselytizing, hunting, watching any kind of sport, etc. I have my sci-fi, manga, fantasy, horror, graphic novel, and satire obsession, my cat, and my PS5 Pro. You have whatever. Tolerance is the big one here. Especially tolerating what one subjectively deems a waste of time. It's just the same as with the groupthink about what conformity means, what one should talk about, and how one should behave properly. And the aforementioned individual lunacy of truly believing that one's strange hobby is the only real deal. And if one prefers spending an evening with cats, aliens, frogs, imaginary monsters, Resident Evil fandom wikis, or an unhealthy and kind of disturbing fascination with true crime instead of attending another social gathering fueled by arbitrary and illogical traditions, culture, norms, and stuff, who exactly gets to decide that this is abnormal?
The ethics and economics of not giving a damn
One of the more interesting aspects of growing older is gradually discovering how much energy can be saved by simply caring less about what other people think. Try to consider the economic consequences, especially the meta ones. Entire industries, entire sectors of our economy, depend on convincing us that our appearance, clothes, cars, personalities, looks, hobbies, and lifestyles require continuous and never-ending pimping and optimization. Imagine millions or even billions of people suddenly deciding that being comfortable and a little weird is perfectly sufficient. That they don’t need outside validation, stuff, or approval from people who don’t care about them to be happy, and can live peaceful, stay-at-home couch potato lives. Except for spending time outside in nature, maybe with a dog if one is more of a dog person than a cat person. At first, it would be a disaster for marketing departments, gross domestic product, and economic growth, but possibly a considerable improvement for humanity.
DE
Warum sollte man nicht kindisch sein?
Was ist so großartig daran, ein ernsthafter Erwachsener zu sein?
Man kann in eine von zwei Richtungen gehen: eine opportunistische Arbeitsbiene sein oder einfach man selbst. Man selbst zu sein beinhaltet Dinge wie Aufschieberitis aka Prokrastination, kreative Schwierigkeiten, soziale Ungeschicklichkeit, seltsame Interessen und schließlich die allmähliche Erkenntnis, dass es eine spektakuläre, absolute und unnötige Verschwendung der eigenen begrenzten Lebenszeit sein könnte, sich um die Erwartungen aller anderen zu sorgen. Einige zentrale, wichtige Menschen im eigenen Leben, Familie und sehr enge Freunde, sind optionale Ausnahmen. Okay, das war ziemlich düster, aber nicht jeder hat das Glück, eine freundliche, lebensfrohe Familie zu haben. Und natürlich eine Katze. Das ist das Wichtigste überhaupt. Aber der Rest? Im Ernst, wen interessieren Freunde aus dem Kindergarten, der Schule und frühen Jobs? Niemanden, denn sie waren lediglich Teil von Gruppen, in denen sich opportunistische Arbeitsbienen formieren und konditioniert werden den süßen, süßen Honig zu sammeln.
Diss Introvertiertheit nicht.
All das geht mit einer Verherrlichung der Extrovertiertheit und einer Art Herunterspielen der Bedeutung von Introvertiertheit einher. Oder sogar mit einer Geringschätzung derselben. Als wären gesellschaftliche Zusammenkünfte, berufliches Networking, Smalltalk, oberflächliche Beziehungen, Telefonate und die mysteriöse Erwartung, dass man diese Aktivitäten tatsächlich genießen sollte, irgendeine Art Dogma. Als wäre es normal, nach außen orientiert und permanent von geschwätzigen, sogenannten Erwachsenen umgeben zu sein. Die Psychologie all dieser beruflichen und privaten sozialen Netzwerke und insbesondere die Psychopathologie dahinter ist völlig bekloppt, weil viele der Beteiligten irgendwie verrückt sind. Ich halte mich selbst nicht für normal. Ich bin ein exzentrischer, introvertierter, neurotischer, leicht narzisstischer, sehr sturer Mensch. Aber zumindest weiß ich, dass ich nicht perfekt bin, und kann meine besonderen Charaktereigenschaften benennen und dadurch versuchen, ein wenig weniger schwierig zu sein. Wenn ich das wollte oder mich darum scheren würde. Aber die meisten Menschen tun das nicht. Sie glauben, dass sie im Recht und perfekt sind und die anderen grundsätzlich falsch liegen, und genau das ist der inhärente Wahnsinn menschlicher Interaktion.
Man ist so besonders wie die eigenen Interessen
Was Oddball von den früheren Sammlungen dieser großartigen Reihe unterscheidet, ist die stärkere Betonung ungewöhnlicher Interessen, Hobbys, die vom kollektiven Borg-Geist und seinen Lifestyle-Standards nicht als würdig erachtet werden, und der Freiheit, sie zu genießen, ohne sich ständig dafür zu entschuldigen. Demokratie bedeutet Freiheit, und ich kann meine Freizeit, mein Leben und meine kostbare Me-Time so verschwenden, wie ich will. Du gehst angeln, machst Wahlkampf, missionierst, gehst auf die Jagd, schaust irgendeine Art von Sport usw. Ich habe meine Sci-Fi-, Manga-, Fantasy-, Horror-, Graphic-Novel- und Satire-Obsession, meine Katze und meine PS5 Pro. Du hast eben dein Zeug. Toleranz ist hier das große Thema. Insbesondere die Toleranz gegenüber dem, was man subjektiv als Zeitverschwendung betrachtet. Es ist genau dasselbe wie beim Gruppendenken darüber, was Konformität bedeutet, worüber man reden sollte und wie man sich richtig zu verhalten hat. Und die bereits erwähnte individuelle Verrücktheit, wirklich zu glauben, dass das eigene seltsame Hobby das einzig Wahre ist. Und wenn man lieber einen Abend mit Katzen, Aliens, Fröschen, imaginären Monstern, Resident-Evil-Fandom-Wikis oder einer ungesunden und irgendwie verstörenden Faszination für True Crime verbringt, anstatt an einer weiteren gesellschaftlichen Zusammenkunft teilzunehmen, die von willkürlichen und unlogischen Traditionen, Kultur, Normen und so weiter angetrieben wird, wer genau darf dann entscheiden, dass das abnormal ist?
Die Ethik und Ökonomie des sich nicht darum Scherens
Einer der interessanteren Aspekte des Älterwerdens ist die allmähliche Erkenntnis, wie viel Energie man sparen kann, indem man sich einfach weniger darum kümmert, was andere Leute denken. Versuche, die wirtschaftlichen Konsequenzen zu betrachten, insbesondere die Meta-Konsequenzen. Ganze Industrien, ganze Wirtschaftssektoren, hängen davon ab, uns davon zu überzeugen, dass unser Aussehen, unsere Kleidung, Autos, Persönlichkeiten, unser Äußeres, unsere Hobbys und unser Lebensstil kontinuierlich und endlos aufgemotzt und optimiert werden müssen. Stell dir vor, Millionen oder sogar Milliarden von Menschen würden plötzlich entscheiden, dass es völlig ausreichend ist, sich wohlzufühlen und ein bisschen seltsam zu sein. Dass sie keine Bestätigung von außen, keinen Krempel und keine Anerkennung von Menschen brauchen, denen sie ohnehin egal sind, um glücklich zu sein, und ein friedliches, häusliches Couch-Potato-Leben führen können. Abgesehen davon, vielleicht Zeit draußen in der Natur zu verbringen, eventuell mit einem Hund, wenn man eher ein Hundemensch als ein Katzenmensch ist. Zunächst wäre das eine Katastrophe für Marketingabteilungen, das Bruttoinlandsprodukt und das Wirtschaftswachstum, aber möglicherweise eine erhebliche Verbesserung für die Menschheit.
What’s so great about being a serious adult?
One can go one of two ways: be an opportunistic worker bee or just be oneself. Being oneself includes things like procrastination, creative struggles, social awkwardness, strange interests, and finally the gradual realization that worrying about everybody else's expectations might be a spectacular, absolute, and unnecessary waste of one's limited lifespan. Some central, important people in one's life, family and very close friends, are optional exceptions. Okay, that was pretty dark, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a friendly, fun-loving family. And a cat, of course. That's the most important thing. But the rest? Seriously, who cares about friends from kindergarten, school, and early jobs? Nobody, because they were just part of groups forming opportunistic worker bees that are conditioned to collect the sweet, sweet money. I mean honey.
Don’t diss introversion.
All of this comes with glorifying extroversion and kind of downplaying the importance of introversion. Or even belittling it. As if social gatherings, professional networking, small talk, superficial relationships, telephone calls, and the mysterious expectation that one should actually enjoy these activities were some kind of dogma. As if being outward-oriented and permanently surrounded by drivel-spouting, so-called adults were a normal thing. The psychology of all these professional and private social networks, and especially the psychopathology, is completely bonkers because many of the characters are somewhat crazy. I don’t consider myself normal. I’m an eccentric, introverted, neurotic, slightly narcissistic, very stubborn person. But at least I know that I am not perfect and can name my special character traits and thereby try to be a little less difficult. If I wanted to or cared about that. But most people don’t. They think they are right and perfect and others are generally wrong, and that’s the inherent madness of all human interaction.
One is as special as one's own interests
What distinguishes Oddball from the earlier collections of this amazing series is its stronger emphasis on unusual interests, hobbies that aren’t deemed worthy by the collective Borg mind and its lifestyle standards, and the freedom to enjoy them without constantly apologizing. Democracy means freedom, and I can waste my spare time, life, and precious me-time however I want. You go fishing, campaigning, proselytizing, hunting, watching any kind of sport, etc. I have my sci-fi, manga, fantasy, horror, graphic novel, and satire obsession, my cat, and my PS5 Pro. You have whatever. Tolerance is the big one here. Especially tolerating what one subjectively deems a waste of time. It's just the same as with the groupthink about what conformity means, what one should talk about, and how one should behave properly. And the aforementioned individual lunacy of truly believing that one's strange hobby is the only real deal. And if one prefers spending an evening with cats, aliens, frogs, imaginary monsters, Resident Evil fandom wikis, or an unhealthy and kind of disturbing fascination with true crime instead of attending another social gathering fueled by arbitrary and illogical traditions, culture, norms, and stuff, who exactly gets to decide that this is abnormal?
The ethics and economics of not giving a damn
One of the more interesting aspects of growing older is gradually discovering how much energy can be saved by simply caring less about what other people think. Try to consider the economic consequences, especially the meta ones. Entire industries, entire sectors of our economy, depend on convincing us that our appearance, clothes, cars, personalities, looks, hobbies, and lifestyles require continuous and never-ending pimping and optimization. Imagine millions or even billions of people suddenly deciding that being comfortable and a little weird is perfectly sufficient. That they don’t need outside validation, stuff, or approval from people who don’t care about them to be happy, and can live peaceful, stay-at-home couch potato lives. Except for spending time outside in nature, maybe with a dog if one is more of a dog person than a cat person. At first, it would be a disaster for marketing departments, gross domestic product, and economic growth, but possibly a considerable improvement for humanity.
DE
Warum sollte man nicht kindisch sein?
Was ist so großartig daran, ein ernsthafter Erwachsener zu sein?
Man kann in eine von zwei Richtungen gehen: eine opportunistische Arbeitsbiene sein oder einfach man selbst. Man selbst zu sein beinhaltet Dinge wie Aufschieberitis aka Prokrastination, kreative Schwierigkeiten, soziale Ungeschicklichkeit, seltsame Interessen und schließlich die allmähliche Erkenntnis, dass es eine spektakuläre, absolute und unnötige Verschwendung der eigenen begrenzten Lebenszeit sein könnte, sich um die Erwartungen aller anderen zu sorgen. Einige zentrale, wichtige Menschen im eigenen Leben, Familie und sehr enge Freunde, sind optionale Ausnahmen. Okay, das war ziemlich düster, aber nicht jeder hat das Glück, eine freundliche, lebensfrohe Familie zu haben. Und natürlich eine Katze. Das ist das Wichtigste überhaupt. Aber der Rest? Im Ernst, wen interessieren Freunde aus dem Kindergarten, der Schule und frühen Jobs? Niemanden, denn sie waren lediglich Teil von Gruppen, in denen sich opportunistische Arbeitsbienen formieren und konditioniert werden den süßen, süßen Honig zu sammeln.
Diss Introvertiertheit nicht.
All das geht mit einer Verherrlichung der Extrovertiertheit und einer Art Herunterspielen der Bedeutung von Introvertiertheit einher. Oder sogar mit einer Geringschätzung derselben. Als wären gesellschaftliche Zusammenkünfte, berufliches Networking, Smalltalk, oberflächliche Beziehungen, Telefonate und die mysteriöse Erwartung, dass man diese Aktivitäten tatsächlich genießen sollte, irgendeine Art Dogma. Als wäre es normal, nach außen orientiert und permanent von geschwätzigen, sogenannten Erwachsenen umgeben zu sein. Die Psychologie all dieser beruflichen und privaten sozialen Netzwerke und insbesondere die Psychopathologie dahinter ist völlig bekloppt, weil viele der Beteiligten irgendwie verrückt sind. Ich halte mich selbst nicht für normal. Ich bin ein exzentrischer, introvertierter, neurotischer, leicht narzisstischer, sehr sturer Mensch. Aber zumindest weiß ich, dass ich nicht perfekt bin, und kann meine besonderen Charaktereigenschaften benennen und dadurch versuchen, ein wenig weniger schwierig zu sein. Wenn ich das wollte oder mich darum scheren würde. Aber die meisten Menschen tun das nicht. Sie glauben, dass sie im Recht und perfekt sind und die anderen grundsätzlich falsch liegen, und genau das ist der inhärente Wahnsinn menschlicher Interaktion.
Man ist so besonders wie die eigenen Interessen
Was Oddball von den früheren Sammlungen dieser großartigen Reihe unterscheidet, ist die stärkere Betonung ungewöhnlicher Interessen, Hobbys, die vom kollektiven Borg-Geist und seinen Lifestyle-Standards nicht als würdig erachtet werden, und der Freiheit, sie zu genießen, ohne sich ständig dafür zu entschuldigen. Demokratie bedeutet Freiheit, und ich kann meine Freizeit, mein Leben und meine kostbare Me-Time so verschwenden, wie ich will. Du gehst angeln, machst Wahlkampf, missionierst, gehst auf die Jagd, schaust irgendeine Art von Sport usw. Ich habe meine Sci-Fi-, Manga-, Fantasy-, Horror-, Graphic-Novel- und Satire-Obsession, meine Katze und meine PS5 Pro. Du hast eben dein Zeug. Toleranz ist hier das große Thema. Insbesondere die Toleranz gegenüber dem, was man subjektiv als Zeitverschwendung betrachtet. Es ist genau dasselbe wie beim Gruppendenken darüber, was Konformität bedeutet, worüber man reden sollte und wie man sich richtig zu verhalten hat. Und die bereits erwähnte individuelle Verrücktheit, wirklich zu glauben, dass das eigene seltsame Hobby das einzig Wahre ist. Und wenn man lieber einen Abend mit Katzen, Aliens, Fröschen, imaginären Monstern, Resident-Evil-Fandom-Wikis oder einer ungesunden und irgendwie verstörenden Faszination für True Crime verbringt, anstatt an einer weiteren gesellschaftlichen Zusammenkunft teilzunehmen, die von willkürlichen und unlogischen Traditionen, Kultur, Normen und so weiter angetrieben wird, wer genau darf dann entscheiden, dass das abnormal ist?
Die Ethik und Ökonomie des sich nicht darum Scherens
Einer der interessanteren Aspekte des Älterwerdens ist die allmähliche Erkenntnis, wie viel Energie man sparen kann, indem man sich einfach weniger darum kümmert, was andere Leute denken. Versuche, die wirtschaftlichen Konsequenzen zu betrachten, insbesondere die Meta-Konsequenzen. Ganze Industrien, ganze Wirtschaftssektoren, hängen davon ab, uns davon zu überzeugen, dass unser Aussehen, unsere Kleidung, Autos, Persönlichkeiten, unser Äußeres, unsere Hobbys und unser Lebensstil kontinuierlich und endlos aufgemotzt und optimiert werden müssen. Stell dir vor, Millionen oder sogar Milliarden von Menschen würden plötzlich entscheiden, dass es völlig ausreichend ist, sich wohlzufühlen und ein bisschen seltsam zu sein. Dass sie keine Bestätigung von außen, keinen Krempel und keine Anerkennung von Menschen brauchen, denen sie ohnehin egal sind, um glücklich zu sein, und ein friedliches, häusliches Couch-Potato-Leben führen können. Abgesehen davon, vielleicht Zeit draußen in der Natur zu verbringen, eventuell mit einem Hund, wenn man eher ein Hundemensch als ein Katzenmensch ist. Zunächst wäre das eine Katastrophe für Marketingabteilungen, das Bruttoinlandsprodukt und das Wirtschaftswachstum, aber möglicherweise eine erhebliche Verbesserung für die Menschheit.
July 27, 2020
*13th August 2021*
Mind screams "Whatt? That's it?!* when the scribbles got over at page 105. I mean it's 114 pages in total. I forgot the covers and the rest. Time to cry in reader problems.
It's just too relatable. I just can't.
Thank you, my human in another part of the Earth and the publisher, for the advance reader copy.
I have never felt this blessed in 2021 with recieving a book to read and review.
*12th August 2021*
Gets the ARC AND FORGOT TO PUT OFF THE CAPS LOCK.
*27th July 2020*
I need this ASAP!!!!! ARE YOU READING GODS LISTENING?!
I KNOW THE CAPTIONS ON WON'T DO ANYTHING BUT I AM LITERALLY LITERAL HERE.
Mind screams "Whatt? That's it?!* when the scribbles got over at page 105. I mean it's 114 pages in total. I forgot the covers and the rest. Time to cry in reader problems.
It's just too relatable. I just can't.
Thank you, my human in another part of the Earth and the publisher, for the advance reader copy.
I have never felt this blessed in 2021 with recieving a book to read and review.
*12th August 2021*
Gets the ARC AND FORGOT TO PUT OFF THE CAPS LOCK.
*27th July 2020*
I need this ASAP!!!!! ARE YOU READING GODS LISTENING?!
I KNOW THE CAPTIONS ON WON'T DO ANYTHING BUT I AM LITERALLY LITERAL HERE.
December 10, 2021
It's official. I'm old. I have aged out of Sarah's Scribbles. Previous volumes had more to relate to in general terms regardless of your age, while this volume is unabashedly millennial-esque. I don't understand most of the millennial vs Gen Z references, and frankly I don't care to. Even the comics covering other topics most often missed the mark for me. I prefer humor that appeals to a broad audience and this offbeat style of humor just isn't amusing or appealing to me anymore.
August 26, 2021
I love Sarah Anderson’s work. She is one of my favourite contemporary artists. Most of what she draws, I feel like she draws for me. Her love for cats and dogs, her passions for books, her introverted nature, her overthinking,… so many of her comic themes resonate with me. Even when a theme has no direct connection in my life – she sketches a lot about authors, for instance, and I have no wish to be one, I still find them relatable and hilarious. I guess you can already predict where I am going with this. I loved this book!!! Go for it!!! This has become my favourite volume of ‘Sarah’s Scribbles’, toppling “Adulthood is a Myth” from its pedestal.
My only two regrets:
1. Why wasn’t it longer?
2. Why did I complete it in one sitting?
Sigh.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
My only two regrets:
1. Why wasn’t it longer?
2. Why did I complete it in one sitting?
Sigh.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
November 15, 2022
Not sure why this one wasn't a love from me, but these little comics did no more than give me the briefest smile. Is millennial humor over? Or did I just already see all of these comics on instagram? Maybe both those things.
August 18, 2021
My first Andersen book, which feels like a sort of accomplishment in itself, seeing how insanely popular and ubiquitous her books are. And it's.. okay. Quite a few jokes made me laugh, although her overreliance on "Gen Z be like this, Millennials be like this!!" jokes is pretty cringeworthy. To me those are marketing terms and it always disheartens me when people just lap that stuff up - don't buy into it, you're just a statistical blob to the people that invent and use generational terms.
The art is also firmly in the okay department. Andersen knows her craft, it's effective but there doesn't seem to be much range (this time with an overreliance on blurry last panels featuring a character with huge pupils, a crazy sinewave mouth, throwing something/someone over their heads).
Now and then she really ventures too much into sappy greeting card territory, drawing a strip made for mugs and t shirts - I'm sure it's all heartfelt, it just doesn't do anything for me (see the "just being kind" strip, for example).
Overall, it all feels disappointingly mainstream for a book called Oddball.
Counterpoint: strips about cats.
(Picked up an ARC through NetGalley)
The art is also firmly in the okay department. Andersen knows her craft, it's effective but there doesn't seem to be much range (this time with an overreliance on blurry last panels featuring a character with huge pupils, a crazy sinewave mouth, throwing something/someone over their heads).
Now and then she really ventures too much into sappy greeting card territory, drawing a strip made for mugs and t shirts - I'm sure it's all heartfelt, it just doesn't do anything for me (see the "just being kind" strip, for example).
Overall, it all feels disappointingly mainstream for a book called Oddball.
Counterpoint: strips about cats.
(Picked up an ARC through NetGalley)
September 3, 2021
I really love Sarah's Scribbles a lot, so I don't say this lightly: Oddball is 100%, hands down, no questions asked, my favorite Sarah's Scribbles collection so far. I laughed out loud through so much of this and am still giggling over a couple of the comics. I'm not sure this will have a ton of appeal for anyone who isn't a millennial or maybe Gen Z, because a lot of the humor is very millennial-specific, and as usual for Sarah's work, a lot of it is also specific to cat lovers, people with anxiety and depression, and introverts. Nobody who knows me is surprised to hear that I immensely related to every comic in this collection and it was, in a nutshell, completely perfect for me. ♥
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
December 29, 2021
My Day + Sarah's Scribbles = Better Day
So many laugh-out-loud cartoons! Sure, it's a round-up of Sarah and her usual suspects -- dogs, cats, vampires, aliens, witches -- but I just can't get enough.
So many laugh-out-loud cartoons! Sure, it's a round-up of Sarah and her usual suspects -- dogs, cats, vampires, aliens, witches -- but I just can't get enough.
August 14, 2021
As always, very funny with great pictures, also coming with a new obsession, FROGS.
This charming and humorous fourth collection of Sarah’s Scribbles was about many things that I really loved the PETS part.
Well, my cats prefer my cup to their water bowl, and I'm not multilanguage, I’m dumb in 3 languages, too. It’s not what you expect. :)
I'm always surprised that there are so many of me in Sarah Andersen's books.
Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Oddball, Sarah's Scribbles #4 by Sarah Andersen, I have given my honest review.
Published Date 07 Dec 2022
My review on 14 Aug 2021
This charming and humorous fourth collection of Sarah’s Scribbles was about many things that I really loved the PETS part.
Well, my cats prefer my cup to their water bowl, and I'm not multilanguage, I’m dumb in 3 languages, too. It’s not what you expect. :)
I'm always surprised that there are so many of me in Sarah Andersen's books.
Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Oddball, Sarah's Scribbles #4 by Sarah Andersen, I have given my honest review.
Published Date 07 Dec 2022
My review on 14 Aug 2021
November 26, 2021
Sarah's scribbles are sort of the meme equivalent of comfort food, I think? Or maybe it's the Millennial equivalent of a long-running newspaper strip that has all of its tropes and jokes figured out but has not yet slipped into senescence and self-parody. What I'm saying is you know what you get with these comics at this point (introverts! floofs! nerd humor!) and that's ok because (as of now) they are good and funny and comforting.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2021
I was looking for laughs, but only got a few smiles.
Although I liked it more than the previous book, there are things that, frankly, were beyond my comprehension. I think Sarah has a gift, like that of some comedians, of hitting the target with surprising acuity, and it induces us to recognize ourselves and laugh at the absurdity of the discomfort of our daily lives, however she also falls into the danger of totally avoiding the target. when it is not the right audience.
Still good for bookish people, and weird introverts.
I still do not understand why they call these drawings 'cute', there is no such thing in their humor style.
+Digital ARC gently provided by Netgalley and publishers+
Although I liked it more than the previous book, there are things that, frankly, were beyond my comprehension. I think Sarah has a gift, like that of some comedians, of hitting the target with surprising acuity, and it induces us to recognize ourselves and laugh at the absurdity of the discomfort of our daily lives, however she also falls into the danger of totally avoiding the target. when it is not the right audience.
Still good for bookish people, and weird introverts.
I still do not understand why they call these drawings 'cute', there is no such thing in their humor style.
+Digital ARC gently provided by Netgalley and publishers+
December 30, 2021
My fourth Sarah Andersen Sarah Scribbles book culled from her webcomic by the same name. Very popular, bestseller list, highlighting her oddballness, her introversion, her preference to be alone with her cats rather than be with people. Cats, comics and covens, she says. And true crime. I went through it all--112 pages--in maybe half an hour, and I smiled a few times. I know, I know, I am in the vast minority in not being enthralled by these comics, but I think they are good, they are all right, and after four books we of course feel like she is our oddball friend.
What else to say? I read this as I do now to keep up with comics and sort of break up my reading of longer books. So here's synchronicity: Today I am reading a 1000-page true crime story of killer Gary Gilmore written by Norman Mailer, taking months to read it (versus half an hour) and Sarah likes true crime! We are linked!
What else to say? I read this as I do now to keep up with comics and sort of break up my reading of longer books. So here's synchronicity: Today I am reading a 1000-page true crime story of killer Gary Gilmore written by Norman Mailer, taking months to read it (versus half an hour) and Sarah likes true crime! We are linked!
January 7, 2022
I may be Generation X, but this is sooo me!
August 16, 2021
When I see this title on Netgalley, I thought I need this immediately. You can find your pandemic self in the drawings. I've seen some of it before but they still make me smile. I had good time, I really missed her dark humor. And thanks to Netgalley for this arc.
January 6, 2022
Dealing with things close to my heart: comfortable clothes, being an introvert, newfound obsessions!
I love her vision of herself as an old lady, calling cats "an absolute unit" and dogs "doggo" and being thought to be completely mentally gone. It's going to happen. We can see it coming!
I love her vision of herself as an old lady, calling cats "an absolute unit" and dogs "doggo" and being thought to be completely mentally gone. It's going to happen. We can see it coming!
May 12, 2023
من در طول خوندن این مجموعه بارها گفتم "عه، منم همینطور!"
چقدر شیرین و بانمک بود (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
چقدر شیرین و بانمک بود (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
March 16, 2024
eu ri muito… de desespero
amei
amei
September 7, 2021
Another silly, goofy, lovely gem from Sarah Andersen. If you love her drawings and earlier work, you would love this too. There are strips about millennial problems (and the other generations), cats (of course), generation gap, the 'artist' problems, quarantine routines. I always enjoy Sarah Andersen's comics and yes, I chuckled, laughed (Tik tok dance? Detours (That's totally me)? witches?) and pointed saying 'good one' at many of them. Perfect to flip through and immediately make your day better.
January 24, 2022
It doesn't matter how old you are or which 'Gen' you belong to. The Sarah's Scribbles Collection is pure entertainment! Funny and relatable , this series is perfect for a good laugh. I've enjoyed all the books in this series and Oddball is no exception. I wish it were longer, though!😊
I look forward to more from Sarah Anderson.
I look forward to more from Sarah Anderson.
August 27, 2021
This was great. I had a big grin on my face for some, laughed out loud on others, and felt seen in others. The artwork is perfect. I'd recommend this book for any coffee table other than one in a very religious church. :D
August 15, 2021
4.5 Stars
Oddball is a cute collection of illustrations and the fourth installment of Sarah's Scribbles. I recognized the lead character (the artist herself) from posts shared on social media and got the ARC.
The book deals with a lot of themes ranging from cats (can never get tired of them) to witches to being comfortable in our own skin, and the life of an introverted artist.
The comic book is in black and white and can be read either in 15 mins or in 15 days. The choice is yours. I opted for the former. ;)
There isn't much to say except that I fully enjoyed most of the illustrations and related to quite a few of them. Grab a copy when you are feeling a bit low and sit with a cup of hot chocolate. It should cheer you up rather well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#Oddball #NetGalley
****
Read the full review.
Oddball is a cute collection of illustrations and the fourth installment of Sarah's Scribbles. I recognized the lead character (the artist herself) from posts shared on social media and got the ARC.
The book deals with a lot of themes ranging from cats (can never get tired of them) to witches to being comfortable in our own skin, and the life of an introverted artist.
The comic book is in black and white and can be read either in 15 mins or in 15 days. The choice is yours. I opted for the former. ;)
There isn't much to say except that I fully enjoyed most of the illustrations and related to quite a few of them. Grab a copy when you are feeling a bit low and sit with a cup of hot chocolate. It should cheer you up rather well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#Oddball #NetGalley
****
Read the full review.
January 19, 2022
Чи то через те, що я давненько не бачила малюнків Сари Андерсен і скучила, чи то шо, але пішло як в суху землю. Гигикала, зворушувалася і відчувала тепло всередині, як тоді, коли знаходиш когось, хто поділяє твої чудернацькі інтереси, в інтернеті. Особливо сподобалася нова персонажка Медуза, яка заводить собі pet rock і бере з притулку сліпого котика.
September 5, 2021
I've learned to love any and all books by Sarah Andersen! They're so relatable and hit a tad bit too close to home in ways I never thought I would experience. Her comics are funny, sad, and heartbreaking at different moments. They're a great escape from the real world and I would recommend them tremendously!
* I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
* I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2021
I'm gonna be honest...gthe older I get the harder to make me laugh...and that's sad 'cause Sarah's Scribbles tends to be one of those things that give a big laugh, and now is just a little smile or a "I can relate to that"...and that's all. But I'm gonna say a "It's me, not you" an try to give her another try with her next book.
September 21, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah's Scribbles always brightens my day -or night. Everything she draws is so relatable that it makes you suspect either the artist is spying on your life to draw inspiration, or you *are* the artist, but you don't know anything about it because you have a multiple personality disorder that you're not aware of. Joke aside, Andersen is awesome at what she does, and I hope she'll keep it up for long years, giving us the chance to read more of her books and laugh wholeheartedly.
Sarah's Scribbles always brightens my day -or night. Everything she draws is so relatable that it makes you suspect either the artist is spying on your life to draw inspiration, or you *are* the artist, but you don't know anything about it because you have a multiple personality disorder that you're not aware of. Joke aside, Andersen is awesome at what she does, and I hope she'll keep it up for long years, giving us the chance to read more of her books and laugh wholeheartedly.
August 12, 2022
As always, it was super relatable and the panels with the cat are particularly hilarious.
February 3, 2022
“When you’re different, you may feel alone. Lost in a sea of socially acceptable people. But there are others. They’re waiting.”
As it's predecessors, Oddball is a delightful read filled with good humor and deep thoughts, the perfect combination to relax and enjoy a quick change in pace.
This time around Andersen take a moment to explore and enjoy the beauty of being different, the hardships of socializing, and how we are never alone, doesn't matter how much that may feel true at times, with her usual style of fun sketches and incredibly relatable experiences.
Good humor and a bit of exposure can make even the most frustrating and solitary experience that little bit better, as this piece, and all its companions, are quick to show us.
“'What do women want from fashion?'
'I want to be comfortable.'
'To be... cute?... Sexy?'
'Comfortable.'
'I could design-'
'Comfortable. PLEASE LET ME BE COMFORTABLE."
The relatable and more poignant themes were interspersed with more casual ones thus creating a healthy, fun, and carefree balance through the story, and making this the perfect break from longer books.
For, as much as the central theme, fitting on society's expectations, is predominant fun little bits as the plight for fashionable and comfortable clothes [for women] is addressed with the same seriousness.
One thing I did miss was the more structure feeling its predecessors had thanks to the little written paragraphs that occasionally interrupted the comic; since I did feel it added the perfect little bit of cohesiveness and weight that the topics were asking for.
Yet, for a relaxing, in-between read this is the perfect book.
“'Welcome to Heaven! Here is your dog!'
'Where's my cat? Where are any of the cats?'
*Cats forming a circle to hell*"
__________________
As always, this was very fun and very insightful.
I loved the theme this time around!
RTC.
__________________
I read the three first works in this series a few years back and had a complete blast with them. Now, I'm just too excited for this new opportunity to find absolutely relatable and funny life happenings.
Seeing as Andersen always chooses a theme to bind all these little sketches I cannot wait to see what she is making even more relatable this time around.
The fact that it will be an easy and fast read it's just an added bonus.
August 19, 2021
Why is this so relatable? WHY????
I follow Sarah on Facebook, so I've seen some of these comics on her page but who cares?! I loved this OK? So when is the 5th book coming out?
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I follow Sarah on Facebook, so I've seen some of these comics on her page but who cares?! I loved this OK? So when is the 5th book coming out?
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2021
Overall Rating : A-
Funny. Relatable. And just what I needed to end 2021.
Stay strong millenials!✌
Funny. Relatable. And just what I needed to end 2021.
Stay strong millenials!✌
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