sizrobe's review against another edition
4.0
Like most anthologies, this collection of autobio comics is hit or miss. The best ones were a childhood memory of a hippy babysitter, the struggle of getting good glasses, and a longer one about teaching an afterschool program is Harlem. The art isn't amazing, but it's good enough.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun collection of stories about trying to belong to something when you feel like an outsider. I enjoyed Schrag's humor, as well as the way the story's art evolved from the first to the last page. There's some LGBTQ material, but it's mostly about being human and wanting other people to like you, whether it's in your best interest or not.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a confessional memoir-style graphic novel that isn't hopelessly depressing.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a confessional memoir-style graphic novel that isn't hopelessly depressing.
briface's review against another edition
5.0
Some of the comics were hit and miss on the relatable scale but the glasses decision story killed me, ooofff.
crowyhead's review against another edition
3.0
I adore Schrag’s work. This is a decent introduction, but I found myself a little disappointed. A number of the stories stand alone very well as discrete works — especially the one about buying new glasses — but overall this doesn’t hang together as a complete book very well.
mjmbecky's review against another edition
2.0
This graphic novel is essentially the memories of the author, with vignettes from their life. Some of the vignettes are stories and graphics she drew back in high school, while others are just memories from her school years and college. Several of them were really funny and I thought, even insightful. One of them is about staying on a houseboat with a friend and not being allowed to use the toilet on board. Another is about the neurosis behind making a decision on eye glasses. Other stories deal with LGBTQ relationships and drama, dealt with in humor and reality.
Overall, it was not a great read, but I did think some of the stories were really hilarious and cut to the bone of human reactions in a pretty smart way.
Overall, it was not a great read, but I did think some of the stories were really hilarious and cut to the bone of human reactions in a pretty smart way.
chaos_carrie's review against another edition
4.0
The need to feel like you belong is a natural part of life, right? This comical graphic memoir explores the many stages of trying to be “part of it”. Spanning a young lifetime full of typical adolescent and teen struggles, as well as young adulthood in the LGBTQ community, this book was a fun yet anxiety enducing exploration. The black and white illustrations are full of minute details that are delightfully intricate.
glitterandtwang's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty decent collection of Ariel Schrag's autobio comics, mostly from her preteen to teenage years - at least one of them has already appeared in another anthology. Some (one?) of the comics won't make total sense if you aren't familiar with Schrag's previous books (Awkward, Definition, Potential, and Likewise).
I realize that I am not a particularly objective judge of Schrag's work, however, since I grew up reading her autobio comics and admiring her frank confessional style (along with being amazed that there were queer women writing and drawing comics) - I do think this is a great collection and it would be a good one to start with if you are daunted by the prospect of reading her lengthier books first.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I realize that I am not a particularly objective judge of Schrag's work, however, since I grew up reading her autobio comics and admiring her frank confessional style (along with being amazed that there were queer women writing and drawing comics) - I do think this is a great collection and it would be a good one to start with if you are daunted by the prospect of reading her lengthier books first.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.