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 Parakeet (Graphic Mundi) and No One Else (Fantagraphics) for older teens and adult readers.
The Parakeet (Graphic Mundi)
Conversations about mental health have become more nuanced, and The Parakeet is a beautiful mix of joy and sorrow that leaves a lot of room for discussion. (Readers should note the trigger warning for suicide before jumping in.)
“Originally published in France in 2017 and affectingly translated into English by [Hannah] Chute, Espé’s artful volume presents his memories in vibrant chapters, saturated mostly in single colors with shades of oranges and reds reserved largely for his mother’s illness. Despite the terror of a child witnessing the failure of his mother’s mental health care, Espé brilliantly succeeds in creating a tender, gorgeous tribute. The genesis of the title, revealed in the final chapter, proves heartbreakingly bittersweet.” —Booklist
No One Else (Fantagraphics)
Readers will find a lot to relate to and discuss in this story of a divorced mom and her family, including themes of grief and the expectations of modern life.
“Set in Maui, where burning sugar cane fields choke Brandon’s dreams, the graphic novella’s splintered world is populated with striking, evolving images that symbolize the characters’ changing emotional landscape: their dad’s old fishing boat, big-jawed agricultural equipment, the urn containing his ashes… Johnson’s careful style conveys big emotions and family dynamics in concise scenes. It’s a beautiful example of a short comic containing multitudes.” —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.
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Learn more at comicsplusapp.com and sign up for a free demo account.
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