Sep 20

BOTNS Podcast #147: So You Wanna Read a Graphic Novel?

By Michael Kindness Podcasts Add comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:27 — 21.5MB)

So many great children’s books hitting the Five-Oh over the next year; graphic novel recommendations for people who don’t read graphic novels; Ann raves about The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and I get my font-geek on for Just My Type by Simon Garfield.

Favorites Turn Fifty

2011 and 2012 will see the 50th anniversaries of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (previously discussed here), The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Wow, that was a good year for kids’ books! What are some of your favorite kids’ classics (whether they’ve reached 50 or not)?

local, brian wood   essex county, jeff lemire   the unwritten, mike carey

So You Wanna Read a Graphic Novel? (6:41)

Kate and Dawn wrote in asking for a recommendation for their first ever graphic novel. Thanks to the help of many folks on Twitter, I’ve got a huge list for anyone who might be ready to dive into this storytelling format, and you won’t find a singled superhero among the books. So here comes what our good friends at Bookrageous call a Title Dump. And speaking of Bookrageous, be sure to check out episode 15 of their podcast where they recommend graphic novels based on which books you like.

the night circus, erin morgenstern     just my type, simon garfield

Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read (26:41)

Ann’s literary prejudice against books set in a circus was quickly set aside after she read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a truly enchanting book about Celia and Marco, two young magicians who are meant to battle each other, but who fall in love instead. I proclaim my font geekery with my love of Simon Garfield’s Just My Type, a fun and informative look at the history of type and fonts.

  • http://ritaliccious.wordpress.com/ Rita

    I second Y: The Last Man.  I dipped my toe into graphic novels with that one and absolutely loved it. I tore through them in a couple of days.

  • Tammykwh

    Starbucks is giving away free iBook download of The Night Circus. Just stop by Starbucks and pick-up a card with the download code.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com AnnKingman

    Yes, Tammy, it’s a promotion. Just be aware that it’s an extended sample, and not the entire book. Some have been confused by that, then disappointed when they realize.

  • JanetS.

    I was very impressed with Michael’s knowledge of graphic novels.  I found a few to add to my ever growing wishlist.  Then I had to go listen to the Bookrageous podcast and picked up a few more.  Also, very impressed with Paul Montgomery.  I love it when people know their stuff.
    Ann, I thing I know why so many children’s books are “turning 50″.  Fifty years ago the post WWII baby boom had produced a lot of children in that 5-13 age group and there was a great emphasis on family life a la Ozzie & Harriet, The Nelsons, Donna Reed, etc, etc. so it’s natural that a lot of writers would have targeted that demographic.

  • JanetS.

    I was very impressed with Michael’s knowledge of graphic novels.  I found a few to add to my ever growing wishlist.  Then I had to go listen to the Bookrageous podcast and picked up a few more.  Also, very impressed with Paul Montgomery.  I love it when people know their stuff.
    Ann, I thing I know why so many children’s books are “turning 50″.  Fifty years ago the post WWII baby boom had produced a lot of children in that 5-13 age group and there was a great emphasis on family life a la Ozzie & Harriet, The Nelsons, Donna Reed, etc, etc. so it’s natural that a lot of writers would have targeted that demographic.

  • Jason Tan

    I’m glad that Michael recommended Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan. It’s an amazing graphic novel and I heard they’re making a movie out of it.

    But if I may throw in a recommendation myself, The Sandman by Neil Gaiman is by far the best graphic novel I’ve read.

  • Anonymous

    Like the graphic novels list, but there aren’t too many that I would consider to be of the literary type. I have read Blankets and Persoplis and both Maus volumes and would like something more literary and less dystopic and science fiction.

  • http://twitter.com/dartemis_ diana dalalau

    I’m so fed up with hearing about “The Night Circus” that I’m actually gonna read it. Actually listen to it. I looked for it on Audible and it’s on a special price :D

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com AnnKingman

    Ha, Diana, then next Wednesday’s episode is for you — we’ll be talking about buzz and hype!

  • James

    I suppose this could qualify as “graphic novels”… At any rate, it is too breathtaking not to share…

    http://crafthaus.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mysterious-paper-sculptures-edinburgh-scotland

  • http://cyd.smugmug.com CJH

    Ann,
    You mentioned that you had a prejudice against superhero graphic novels; I have a suggestion that may ease you into overcoming it.

    The book is “Masked”…an anthology edited by Lou Anders.  If you haven’t read it already, you may want to give it a shot: http://www.amazon.com/Masked-Lou-Anders/dp/1439168822
     

  • http://cyd.smugmug.com CYD

     I’ve actually decided not to read this book, but because of something Ann said in the podcast about the book, not because of the buzz or hype. 

    I’ll encourage others to read it…but just won’t myself…

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