Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

This thread is for dropping ideas, questions, resources, comments, and discussion about Task 20: A Graphic Novel, Graphic Memoir, or Collection of Comics of Any Kind.

A handy list: http://bookriot.com/2014/08/19/from-l...

Book Riot's sister site, Panels, is also a great resource: http://panels.net/

Planning on Saga #1, Watchmen (read both in Dec 2014), and Through the Woods. Read Saga, Volume 3 and Saga, Volume 4

Saga Vol 3 for me!

For me, it'll be Hush. I've heard it's one of the all-time great Batman stories.

American Born Chinese for me

I chose Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

Last year I read The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story and enjoyed it.

I'm considering One Hundred Demons.... anyone read? Recommend? I've never read a graphic novel before!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I am also going to read Ms. Marvel for this. I've never read a graphic novel before!

I'm totally new to this genre so suggestions please!

Received Seconds: A Graphic Novel as a holiday gift so will read that graphic novel to satisfy this category.

The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman is a great choice if you like the tv show on AMC.

The Complete Persepolis is my choice

I've got two queued up:


and plan on

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

PSmith wrote: "The Complete Persepolis is my choice"

I'm glad you mentioned this! I already have it but have yet to read it.

For those who are new to the genre, I found these to be useful resources when I was wanting to explore graphic novels and comics.

http://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeaboo...

and

http://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/wi...

I'll either continue with the Fables series since I've not got around to a couple of the new ones or all the spinoffs, continue Y: The Last Man (loved the first one but never got around to the next one), or finally start The Sandman like I've meant to for years.

Theresa wrote: "Karin wrote: "I am also going to read Ms. Marvel for this. I've never read a graphic novel before!"

Right now Saga, Volume 1 is very popular, but for very good reason. It's beauti..."

I've seen good things about it, whats kept me away is the covers focus so much on the family/romantic pairing as i will own to being a horrible cynic when it comes to stories about fated lovers etc (and i will struggle horribly through the romance challenge too!). Is the romantic relationship a large part of the story?

Saga has been on my list for a few months now. I have never read a graphic novel and I haven't read a comic book since middle school. Without this challenge I probably never would have gotten around to it. I just ordered Saga and Ms.Marvel!

Theresa wrote: "Karin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Karin wrote: "I am also going to read Ms. Marvel for this. I've never read a graphic novel before!"

Right now Saga, Volume 1 is very popular, but for ..."

Maybe I will see if any friends have a copy and would let me sample before committing. I will say the artwork I've seen in it has been gorgeous.

I'm going to read Frank Miller's Batman The Dark Knight Returns. It's been on my TBR list for a while now.

Any older folks like me who don't usually read this genre might like Roz Chast's Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? For those of us with aging parents, it's hilariously accurate.

I was new to graphic novels this year and started out with "The Arrival" I cannot say enough good about this book. FANTASTIC! That and "The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil" and "Through The Woods" are great to start with.

My kids highly recommended Saga, so that will be my choice

The challenge for me with this section is that I'm a words person. I'm going to have to force myself to slow down and enjoy the art.
It will probably be the same with poetry. I'll need to learn to read slower (not just Harder--lol) in order to fully appreciate the words.

My kids highly recommended Saga, so that will be my choice

The challenge for me with this section is that I'm a words person. I'm going to have to force myself to slow down and enjoy the art.
It will probably be the same with poetry. I'll need to learn to read slower (not just Harder--lol) in order to fully appreciate the words.

Is manga included in this category?

I would say yes to manga. That is the majority of my comics reading myself. I want to branch out a bit from my norm, maybe hit up Seconds or something like that.

I don't generally read graphic novels, but read last year for another challenge and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

Jenny wrote: "For those who are new to the genre, I found these to be useful resources when I was wanting to explore graphic novels and comics.

http://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeaboo......"

The Sandman is a great set! I just got another one of that series for Christmas. That will be the one I'll be reading.

Going with Maus.

Always wanted to read more Alison Bechdel-- going with Are You My Mother?

I just recently read The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes. Perhaps I can get Vol. 2 for my library for this task.

Jenny wrote: "Planning on Saga #1, Watchmen, and Through the Woods."

Me, too on "watchmen".

Currently neck deep in Preacher, so that's likely what I'll go with.

I just finished EL DEAFO by CeCe Bell. It was super charming. I'm amazed at how much I actually ENJOYED reading a graphic novel and may read another one on my list, a graphic memoir called TOMBOY by Liz Prince.

I've had Persepolis: The story of a childhood in my reading pile so it is my choice for this challenge. Could also qualify as recommended by a friend.

Read SAGA #1, I liked it though. But it was like Romeo and Juliet in a Star wars setting

Oh man, so many things I can use for this task.



I guess it'll be whichever one I finish first. Haha.

I just finished Stitches by David Small. It's an amazing graphic memoir. Highly recommend

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is one of my favorite books. I also enjoyed Satrapi's Embroideries.

PSmith wrote: "The Complete Persepolis is my choice"

I read it last year. It was heartbreaking. Near the end I read one chapter and walked away. It was emotionally heavy.
Mindy wrote: "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?"

I read both and loved them! Alina wrote: "I just finished EL DEAFO by CeCe Bell. It was super charming. I'm amazed at how much I actually ENJOYED reading a graphic novel and may read another one on my list, a graphic memoir called TOMBOY b..."

I read Raina Tegelmeier's Drama. If you enjoy graphic novels, this can serve as an award winner--Stonewall Book Award Honor--or the LGBTQ task.

I read the first volume of One Piece. I've never been into manga, but this challenge is about broadening your horizons, so I gave it a shot. I was actually pleasantly surprised. Good story, interesting characters (bearing in mind that it's the first volume of many, so I'm assuming we learn more these characters down the road), and a few humorous bits as well. I'll shop for the second volume tomorrow.

Keiron Gillen/ Jamie Mckelvie / Matt Wilson - The Wicked + The Divine, Vol 1: The Faust Act
4/24

I typically read graphic novels, so I read a collection on comic strips to try something a bit different. I read The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 22: 1993-1994. I really liked revisiting this comic strip and plan to read more of these collections.

Just finished the complete Persepolis and gave it 5 stars. I loved his graphic memoir it was insightful and funny and eye opening and interesting. I recommend to anyone who is interested in Iran from the perspective of a woman growing up there.

I haven't ready anything in this category before, but I think there are a few things I'm going to try... something by Neil Gaiman might be good since I've really enjoyed some of his books. If anyone has a recommendation on what to start with, I'd appreciate it. I also got Shoplifter by Michael Cho in the Book Riot Best of 2014 Box, and I ordered a signed copy of The Sculptor by Scott McCloud on B&N.com.

I just finished Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, and I'd definitely recommend it. You only need some basic knowledge about the Marvel Universe.

For anyone who's still undecided and doesn't mind something R-rated, try Image, especially if you're new to comics. Each comic is completely self-contained. Favorites: Saga, Sex Criminals, Vol. 1: One Weird Trick, Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery, or The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act, which was my book of 2014.

I'm going to read "Kill My Mother" by Jules Feiffer. I'll have to put one of those stretchy book covers on it, so as not to appear to be contemplating matricide