Archives for August 2022

Teens, what has taken me so long to write to you about YA graphic novels? A question you surely must ask yourself daily. At long last the wait is over. Grab your cape, take my hand, and let’s not waste another second to plunge into the immersive world of YA graphic novels.

Of course, you must have guessed I’m joking about requiring a cape. The YA graphic novel genre transcends superhero comics—although those definitely have a permanent place on the bookshelf—and features all kinds of far-ranging topics, from flesh-eating ghouls to coming out. I probably don’t have to convince you, but graphic novels do what regular novels can’t…like little paper movies, they add layers of texture and depth to a story, nudging us to experience landscapes, characters, and emotions with an extra cinematic punch.

The Library offers plenty of addictive YA manga series, like Sui Ishida’s “Tokyo Ghoul” (where you’ll find the flesh-eating ghouls mentioned above), Masahi Kishimoto’s “Naruto,” Kohei Horikoshi’s “My Hero Academia,” and Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan,” to name a few, but today I want to write to you about some stand-alone YA graphic novels that really moved me.

While I was reading Jarrett Krosoczka’s autobiographical “Hey Kiddo,” I was annoyed any time life forced me to put it down. Chores? I shun them. Dinner? Eat without me. Late for work? How unfortunate (just kidding, if my boss is reading this). Krosoczka’s illustrations are sophisticated and detailed, but great illustrations alone wouldn’t hook me…it was the story.

Jarrett’s growing up was pretty typical, that is if you don’t count the repeated trauma of dealing with his mom’s heroin addiction, his dad’s absence, and his grandparents’ unwavering weirdness. Jarrett’s is a survival story, but not the stranded-on-a-desert-island kind. It’s also a love story, but don’t expect anything mushy-gushy. Even though it sounds pretty heavy, it doesn’t feel that way—try it if you’re in the mood to experience a sensitive coming-of-age graphic novel that inexplicably leaves you hopeful.

Can I pull you for a chat about Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper” series? When British high schoolers Charlie and Nick meet in class, they’re not exactly each other’s type on paper. Charlie is a twiggy year ten (a ninth grader by American standards) who just came out last year, and Nick is a sweet but seemingly very straight, very athletic, very hunky rugby player. But they do hit it off, and it’s not long before Charlie earns a spot on the rugby team (he’s small but speedy), and Nick finds himself fancying Charlie more and more—and questioning things he thought he knew about himself. The cute British banter will entice you, the irresistible characters and cliffhanger ending will leave you wanting more (which you can get from “Heartstopper” Volumes 2, 3, and 4…and a recently released Netflix series).

In Mike Curato’s “Flamer,” it’s summertime and Aiden is obsessing about starting his freshman year in high school after a pretty miserable middle school experience (very relatable). Oh, and he’s also at Boy Scout Camp, assigned to the Flaming Arrow patrol. AND he’s also smack dab in the middle of an identity crisis, struggling to figure out how the bi-racial (Filipino and White), overweight, outdoorsy, Catholic, and queer parts of himself can coexist. Friendship, a crush, bullying, confusion, rage, and shame come to a boiling point for Aiden…read the book to find out if he’ll be able to muster the self-acceptance required to prevent everything from going up in flames.

One more! I can’t stop! If you’ve ever lost someone close to you and then been swallowed by the resulting heartache, consider reading “Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir” by Tyler Feder. As the title suggests, the book recounts Tyler’s own experiences after her amazing, creative, loveable, outgoing, mom dies…from well-doers’ clumsy attempts at condolence, to moments of absolute despair. Believe it or not, some parts are really funny, but those parts are balanced out by parts that are devastating, vulnerable, and honest…pretty much just like grief itself. This book would also make a great guide if you are trying to support a friend who’s grieving.

We made it. Now feel free to take your cape to the dry cleaners and find your way to the Teen Underground at A.K. Smiley Public Library, where all of these graphic novels and more await an intrepid and compassionate reader, just like you.

A.K. Smiley Public Library has a variety of new non-fiction books waiting to be read. Here are some interesting and random selections for your consideration.

“Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete” is written by long-distance swimming legend and author Lynne Cox. Her love of dogs, swimming, and vivid descriptions enhance the story of her experiences learning about Italy’s water rescue dogs at Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio. Dogs at this school learn how to save drowning people in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, often fearlessly jumping out of helicopters to do so. Traveling to Italy to learn firsthand, she follows the training of a young Newfoundland dog named Al and the successful program that has saved many lives in Europe.

Award winning director James Burrows (with Eddie Friedfeld) has authored “Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More.” James traces his life back to his childhood growing up as the son of a famous playwright. He takes the reader through his early career and behind the scenes of the many sitcoms he has been involved with, including his relationships with the actors and colleagues he has worked with. Aspiring directors will appreciate his insight into some of the technical aspects of his job. Producers, writers, friends, and University of Redlands graduates Glen and Les Charles wrote the book’s forward.

Anyone who enjoys National Geographic films, likes adventure and conservation stories, or who has an interest in filmmaking, will likely find “On Assignment: Memoir of a National Geographic Filmmaker” by James R. Larison intriguing. James photographed, wrote, and produced several environmental films for the National Geographic Society, many times with the assistance of his wife, Elaine. They lived an adventurous life in the wilderness and undersea, eventually including their sons in their travels and assignments. In spite of intense planning and training, risks and danger were always a factor, including surviving a plane crash, a shark attack, and an icefall.

The month of August has been designated as Read-A-Romance Month. So, to get you in the mood for some summer love, I have selected a few new romance novels to highlight for your reading pleasure. If these titles don’t put you in the mood for love, then come and visit A.K. Smiley Public Library in person and check out our display of diverse and inclusive romance books where we have something for everyone.

Fans of the very popular romance novel, Boyfriend Material, by Alexis Hall, will be pleased to know that the sequel, Husband Material, will be available for check out soon. Everyone’s favorite fake couple turned real couple are starting to feel the pressures of happily ever after; will they cave into the pressures and break up or will true love conquer?

If you are looking for an out of this world extraterrestrial romance, then let me introduce you to the very popular series, Ice Planet Barbarians, by Ruby Dixon. These books are wildly popular on many social media outlets and lucky for you, dear reader, A.K. Smiley Public Library has the first book (Ice Planet Barbarians) and the second book (Barbarian Alien) in the series for you to stay up all night with. Get acquainted with Georgie and her friends as they acclimate to a world much different from their own.

Fans of the popular romance novel, The Love Hypothesis, by Ali Hazelwood, will be pleased to know her latest ‘STEMinist’ romance novel, Love on the Brain, will be released later this month, so place a hold on the book now. Scientist Bee Königswasser is forced to collaborate with her grad school nemesis, Levi Ward, on a project where everything seems to be going wrong, and Bee can’t help but notice Levi’s lingering glances and strong arms. Read this book to find out if these rivals can overcome their past and find love.

Hopefully these titles will satisfy all your romance needs for the month of August.

Sometimes we get caught up in our own thoughts. Contemplating different viewpoints while working through problems allows us to step back, gain perspective, and reach solutions that may not occur to us on our own. Whether the goal is to improve relationships, become more focused, express ourselves better, or make positive changes in our lives, Smiley Library has an extensive collection of books that offer guidance and wisdom. Here are a few new and popular titles available for checkout.

Research professor at the University of Houston and author of six #1 New York Times best sellers, Dr. Brené Brown’s latest book “Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience” defines human emotions. Fear, curiosity, grief, gratitude–Brown believes that language and being able to name and understand emotions is an important way to give us self-awareness, healing, and connection with one another. She describes over 80 emotions, citing research and sharing stories along the way. The layout is done in a “coffee table book” style, including color pictures, quotes, and diagrams.

Spiritual teacher and author of the bestselling book “The Untethered Soul,” Michael A. Singer’s newest is “Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament.” He explains how resisting uncomfortable things in life causes suffering. As he truthfully says, “No one can make an event that has already happened not have happened” so we should try to accept reality as it is. Exploring consciousness, he helps us realize we are not our thoughts and suggests steps to take to arrive at a place of better understanding and freedom.

Clinical psychologist and popular vlogger Dr. Julie Smith has reached out to millions through her short social media videos on mental health. She expands on these posts now with her first book, “Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?” Touching on common emotions such as pain, grief, fear, and stress, she shares the knowledge and techniques she gained through her work as a psychologist and therapist. She clarifies that her book is not “therapy.” It is meant to give you tools to use as you work through difficulties. Practicing these tools helps build a “toolbox” of skills to use during these challenging times.

Many additional books are available to check out. Others to consider are “Own Your Past Change Your Future: A Not-So-Complicated Approach to Relationships, Mental Health and Wellness” by Dr. John Delony, “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times” by Jane Goodall, “Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be” by Tunde Oyeneyin, and “How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question” by Michael Schur.

Remember, not every style of self-help book is for everyone. If you take something positive from it, become more thoughtful after reading it, and it inspires beneficial change in your life, then I think you’ve found a good one.