It’s a new year, and I’m attempting to have a strong start to my reading goal this year. Because of this, I’m reading more graphic novels and listening to more audiobooks.

Overall, I have found some new favorites, but I’ve also encountered some disappointing ones. 

I hope you find a new read from this list!

Our Teachers are Dating! Vol. 1 by Pikachi Ohi

Summary:

Hayama-sensei and Terano-sensei are two women who work at the same school…and just started going out. They’re a little shy about their budding relationship, but their co-workers–and even their students–are rooting for them as they bumble their way through love!

Review:

I picked this up on a whim, and it was slightly disappointing. While the romance was cute, there was no conflict or plot in this story. It didn’t really go anywhere, and I lost interest quickly.

Rating:

3/5

Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul by Evette Dione

Summary:

My body has not betrayed me; it has continued rebounding against all odds. It is a body that others map their expectations on, but it has never let me down.

In this insightful, funny, and whip-smart book, acclaimed writer Evette Dionne explores the minefields fat Black women are forced to navigate in the course of everyday life. From her early experiences of harassment to adolescent self-discovery in internet chatrooms to diagnosis with heart failure at age twenty-nine, Dionne tracks her relationships with friendship, sex, motherhood, agoraphobia, health, pop culture, and self-image.

Along the way, she lifts back the curtain to reveal the subtle, insidious forms of surveillance and control levied at fat women: At the doctor’s office, where any health ailment is treated with a directive to lose weight. On dating sites, where larger bodies are rejected or fetishized. On TV, where fat characters are asexual comedic relief. But Dionne’s unflinching account of our deeply held prejudices is matched by her fierce belief in the power of self-love.

Review:

As a large girl, I resonated with a lot of the points mentioned in this book. I especially felt called out when she discussed the internalized fatphobia that some fat people have, especially when watching reality TV such as My 600-lb Life.

When she touched on her personal life, it was always done honestly and emotionally. However, when I wanted her to spend more time on the studies and connecting them to how they played out in pop culture, I didn’t get that as much.

Despite that, I enjoyed this read.

Rating:

4/5

America, Vol. 1 by Gabby Rivera

Summary:

At last! Everyone’s favorite no-nonsense powerhouse, America Chavez, gets her own series! Critically acclaimed young-adult novelist Gabby Rivera and all-star artist Joe Quinones unite to shine a solo spotlight on America’s high-octane and hard-hitting adventures! She was a Young Avenger. She leads the Ultimates. And now she officially claims her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the entire Marvel Universe! 

But what’s a super-powered teenager to do when she’s looking for a little personal fulfi llment? She goes to college! America just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first and shut down a pesky alien cult that’s begun worshipping her exploits before work can begin. Then she can get on with her first assignment: a field trip to the front lines of World War II – with Captain America as her wingman!

Review:

While I enjoyed seeing comic book characters I’m more familiar with throughout this volume, this was not the best storyline to be introduced to America. It was super confusing and hard to follow at times. People more familiar with her story may like this more.

Rating:

3/5  

Carrie by Stephen King

Summary:

A modern classic, Carrie introduced a distinctive new voice in American fiction — Stephen King. The story of misunderstood high school girl Carrie White, her extraordinary telekinetic powers, and her violent rampage of revenge, remains one of the most barrier-breaking and shocking novels of all time.

Make a date with terror and live the nightmare that is…Carrie.

Review:

I have seen every one of the film versions of Carrie (even Carrie 2), and I finally got the chance to read the book. In one of those rare cases where I read the book after watching the movie, the book lived up to my expectations.

I found myself drawn to reading it even though I knew what would happen. I really enjoyed how the book was framed with excerpts from news articles and books reflecting on Carrie White’s past.

My only complaint would be that we don’t get as much time to see how Carrie’s relationship with her mom changes after the initial bathroom incident. That would be one of the things the movies did better.

Rating:

4/5  

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Summary:

Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and “growing up.” That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have “presentable”, “good hair”.

But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.

Review:

This graphic novel was so much more than I expected. I related to everything that was going on in this story as someone who has struggled with her relationship with her hair.

This was so relatable, and even provided a good insight into the mindset of people who believe good hair decides how people should be treated.

Rating:

5/5  

Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen

Summary:

Do you hate social gatherings? Dodge cameras? Enjoy staying up just a little too late at night? You might have more in common with your local cryptid than you think. Enter the world of Cryptid Club, a look inside the adventures of elusive creatures ranging from Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster. This series celebrates the unique qualities that make cryptids so desperately sought after by mankind (to no avail). After all, it’s what makes us different that also makes us beautiful.

Review:

This was an entertaining and fun read showcasing different creatures of urban legends across multiple areas. I found it adorable and hilarious.

Rating:

5/5  

Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay by Phoebe Robinson

Summary:

Robinson’s latest essay collection is a call to arms. She tackles a wide range of topics, such as giving feminism a tough-love talk in hopes it can become more intersectional; telling society’s beauty standards to kick rocks; and demanding that toxic masculinity close its mouth and legs (enough with the manspreading already!), and get out of the way so true progress can happen.

Review:

Once again, listening to this on audiobook was one of the best decisions I made. The energy she brings to her reading and the adlibs she includes makes this so much better.

This book was definitely more reflective of her personal and professional growth than the last book, so it made it less relatable at times, but it was still engaging. I specifically enjoyed her essay on her money problems when she was out of college.

Rating:

4/5