Comics and manga are for everyone, but a single book club can’t serve every potential reader. A book club for younger readers is unlikely to satisfy teen or adult interests, while genre-specific book clubs can potentially appeal to readers of overlapping ages. Alternatively, community reads are typically intended to engage readers of all ages and interests.
The titles you select will depend on who your book club is intended to serve, and can vary greatly by genre, art style, and complexity. We’ve created reader’s guides for some of our favorite comics and manga, including discussion questions and a notable review for each one, to help you get started.
This month, we’re spotlighting The Summer Hikaru Died (Yen Press) and Sleeping While Standing (Avery Hill) for older teens and adult readers.
The Summer Hikaru Died (Yen Press)
Filled with creeping dread and fleshed out characters, The Summer Hikaru Died is a great pick for avid manga enthusiasts and novices alike, as well as fans of spooky season.
Easily one of 2023’s best manga, the story oozes eeriness, absolutely grabbing the attention of readers as it toggles between ordinary daily life and unusual phenomena… There is evidence of a possible queer romance, but it is not explored deeply in this first volume. While there is plenty of mystery to go around within this series opener, the title makes sure to emphasize that there’ll be more to dole out in ensuing volumes. The series is off to a great start, cementing itself early as one educators should add to their libraries. —School Library Journal
Sleeping While Standing (Avery Hill)
An autobiography by debut author and illustrator Taki Soma, her unique voice and unflinching examination of life’s ups and downs make Sleeping While Standing a relatable choice for memoir enthusiasts and contemporary fiction fans alike.
The stories’ strength lies in Soma’s straightforward approach, as she holds up each fragment and examines it for meaning. Some moments baffle both her and readers’ interpretation—Soma asks what to make of her mother’s repeated attempts to give her up for adoption—but all contribute to her adult sense of self. Readers will find it akin to flipping through an old album with a friend who’s just as curious about the pictures as they’re likely to be. —Publishers Weekly
Start Your Own Comics & Manga Book Club
Starting a comic or manga book club at your library or school might seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not personally familiar with the medium, so we’ve put together a free resource, Hosting Comics & Manga Book Clubs, designed to ensure you and your readers have the best experience possible.
- Prepare: What you’ll need to do before scheduling your first book club event.
- Promote: How to get the word out about your book club event.
- Participate: How to ensure your book club members have a great experience.
Read All The Comics!
“An absolute game changer.” School Library Journal
With Comics Plus, schools and libraries can offer readers unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, manga, and picture books from popular publishers like ABDO, Andrews McMeel, Capstone, Cherry Lake, Dark Horse, Europe Comics, Fantagraphics, Humanoids, Image Comics, Kodansha, Lerner, Mad Cave, Manga Classics, Oni Press, Papercutz, Tokyopop, TOON Books, UDON Entertainment, Yen Press, and dozens more.
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Learn more at comicsplusapp.com and sign up for a free demo account.
We curate high-interest, immersive digital content that helps schools and libraries expand and diversify their collections—without breaking their materials budgets.
