The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Comics & Graphic Novels

Coming Out Perfect #1: A Graphic Novel by Richard Mercado

I absolutely adored reading this book. The art style is cartoony and so expressive that it fits the story’s tone perfectly. There are so many relatable moments in this story as an LGBTQ person that touched my heart and made me feel seen, even as an adult. This book will help so many people feel understood in so many different ways. I cannot wait for the second book to come out as this story has captured my heart with these characters and themes of family, friends, acceptance, and Philippine culture.

Coming Out Perfect #1: A Graphic Novel by Richard Mercado, (List Price: $16.99, Graphix, 9781339001593, July 2026)

Reviewed by Chloe, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by Red

I loved this cursed Savannah field trip!! Six main characters? No way they could all be interesting and given time to develop– but they are! Reclusive and independent Ashlyn is forced to bond quickly with her new high school classmates when they wake up each night in a shared nightmare world. With lively art and scary monsters, this Webtoon is wonderfully translated into graphic novel form. And very funny!

School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by Red, (List Price: $18.99, Ink Pop, 9798217122868, June 2026)

Reviewed by Ross, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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Forgive-Me-Not by Maria Costa

This was everything I hoped it to be and more! A perfect sapphic tale that reminded me of my days of getting into romance books as a teen, reading about changelings. This book was so cozy and sweet, but it definitely had some dark moments that really elevated the storyline. I absolutely LOVED the color palettes. Just wow. The color of blood in different panels was in such stark contrast to everything else and just worked so well. Forget-Me-Not was so snarky and sarcastic, but I feel like she just needed her space to be herself, and she found it with Aisling. Sobbing. 5 stars.

Forgive-Me-Not by Maria Costa, (List Price: $26.99, First Second, 9781250784162, April 2026)

Reviewed by Ellie, A Novel Romance LLC in Louisville, Kentucky

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The Reaper and The Waiting by January Sun

Beautiful. From the art to the story , I was amazed by how much I was falling in love with the characters. It was tragic, heartwarming, and so freaking lovely. I was sucked in with how much Reaper and Waiting yearned for that something more. The story slowly gives you hints on their relationship and really I could read 20 more just about them. And it was illustrated so beautifully! The Reaper and The Waiting checks off the boxes for best queer graphic novel for me.

The Reaper and The Waiting by January Sun, (List Price: $19.99, WEBTOON Unscrolled, 9781834110080, May 2026)

Reviewed by Mekhala, Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, FL

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Landing in Place: A Graphic Novel by Sherine Hamdy

A longer graphic novel with an incredibly poignant story about discovering who you are & using your voice. With themes of identity, being “Muslim enough,” familial expectation, alongside the realities of colonialism, genocide, and Eurocentric ideals. A family story, a coming-of-age story. This book did so much so well.

Landing in Place: A Graphic Novel by Sherine Hamdy, (List Price: $25.99, Kokila, 9780735229440, May 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Opting Out by Maia Kobabe

Opting Out portrays the usual middle school woes of puberty, friendship drama, crushes, (mutual) bullies, but through the alienated perspective and feelings of 7th grader Saachi, who is agender and aromantic/asexual and doesn’t want to take part in any of those aspects typically associated with growing up and doesn’t want anything to change. Told with deep understanding and groundedness, Opting Out shows positive family relationships during tumultuous times, and how writing and new friendships can offer places to make sense of the world and yourself.

Opting Out by Maia Kobabe, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781339012247, May 2026 )

Reviewed by Julie, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, SC

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Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian

A gorgeous and moving meditation on childhood, mental illness, and finding your roots when you spent your childhood moving from place to place. The language is poetic and spare, the art is beautiful, and the story is a unique one, a perfect recommendation for any kid who has a parent with mental illness.

Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian, (List Price: $17.99, First Second, 9781250884220, April 2026)

Reviewed by Fisher Nash, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, KY

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Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner

Eighth grade graduation, the start of summer break, a pool party to which the whole class is invited, and underneath it all, the complex ecosystem of junior high. Socially awkward Dustin is doing his best to host the party, wallflower Rose is working on her Junior High Goals checklist, Liv is auditioning new best friends, and mean girl Maya is discovering that she may have to start being nicer if she wants real friendships. I smiled, cringed, and laughed as I followed all these dramas. The story slides from one scene into another like a soap opera. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner, (List Price: $21.99, Labyrinth Road, 9798217031429, April 2026)

Reviewed by Amanda, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

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Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Sons of Ares Omnibus by Pierce Brown

I am mostly a fantasy girly, but I kept feeling drawn to Red Rising. The story is fast-paced and divided into three parts. I really enjoyed the first two, while the third was action-packed and, at times, felt a bit like The Hunger Games without the same emotional charge. That said, the characters are very well fleshed out, and the world-building is compelling. I have heard the other books in the trilogy are even better, and I am genuinely curious to see where the story goes. There are so many threads that feel ripe for major plot twists. I am especially interested in Darrow’s psyche after the transformation. It does not feel like only his body was changed. I am also curious to see whether Eo will continue to play a role in the resistance and how everything ultimately unfolds. A very well-crafted story that left me wanting more.

Pierce Brown’s Red Rising: Sons of Ares Omnibus by Pierce Brown, (List Price: $59.99, Dynamite Entertainment, 9781524127299, March 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, Georgia

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Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian

Fustuk is a compelling story of a complicated family trying to staying true to their heritage in more ways than one. I loved this art, I loved these characters, and the overarching story – Katah making a magical deal to save his mother’s life – had me on the edge of my seat. Memories play a huge role in this graphic novel, and Apelian did an amazing job at portraying the perfect mix of past and present in his story and art.

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian, (List Price: $25.99, Penguin Workshop, 9780593658895, January 2026)

Reviewed by Mallory Sutton, Bards Alley in Vienna, Virginia

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Anzuelo by Emma Rios

>Anzuelo plunges readers into a dreamy world of risen oceans and mythic creatures as a trio of young people try to understand the epic metamorphosis that engulfs them. Emma Rios’ beautiful graphic novel turns the apocalypse inside out, finding poetry in nature’s awesome power, and humankind’s ability to survive.

Anzuelo by Emma Rios, (List Price: $19.99, Image Comics, 9781534330160, December 2025)

Reviewed by Jonathan Hawpe, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

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Book Buzz: Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd

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Megan Wagner Lloyd, photo credit Seth Lloyd“I’ve moved a lot, including back and forth across the country three times! When I moved to the Washington, DC, area, I learned about luna moths—beautiful and short-lived moths who can only be found on the eastern side of the country. This helped me realize that there would be special and unique things about my new home. Since so many kids deal with the difficult experience of moving, I thought this might be the beginning of a new story idea.”
  ― Megan Wagner Lloyd, Creator Q & A, Discussion Guide

Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd

What booksellers are saying about Winging It

  • Luna is twelve and moving across the country with her dad to live with the grandmother she barely knows, where she has to make new friends and face the legacy of her late mother. Winging It is a beautiful story about family, friendship, and discovering what makes you who you are. I was especially touched by the way Luna slowly connected with her grandmother.
      ― Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina | BUY

  • Winging It was a very good book with a plot that kept me on my toes! It always had me wondering what would happen next. The book is relatable to what some people are going through in life right now. Overall, I found the book to be amazing. I would recommend it for kids and even young adults!
      ― Mandy Harris, Angel Wings Bookstore in Oxford, North Carolina | BUY
  • Go on Luna’s journey of self-growth as she navigates a life-changing move across the country with her father, surviving a new middle school while still mourning her long deceased mother and getting to know her seemingly aloof grandmother along with her very rigid rules. I devoured Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter in one sitting because the character development was so good that I was instantly invested in Luna’s well-being, relationships and her nature hunting ways. Beautiful illustrations, great story line and satisfying feel good ending! Now I’m off to search for the ever elusive Luna Moth…
      ― Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina | BUY

About Megan Wagner Lloyd

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the co-creator, with Michelle Mee Nutter, of Allergic and Squished, both instant bestsellers. Megan is also the co-creator, with Abhi Alwar, of the Super Pancake graphic novel series and is the author of Haven, a novel, and several picture books. She lives in the Washington, DC, area. Visit her online at meganwagnerlloyd.com.

Michelle Mee Nutter is the co-creator, with Megan Wagner Lloyd, of Allergic and Squished, both instant bestsellers. Michelle graduated with a degree in illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, 3×3, Creative Quarterly, and more. Michelle lives in Boston. Visit her online at michellemee.com.

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Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Go on Luna’s journey of self-growth as she navigates a life-changing move across the country with her father, surviving a new middle school while still mourning her long-deceased mother and getting to know her seemingly aloof grandmother, along with her very rigid rules. I devoured Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter in one sitting because the character development was so good that I was instantly invested in Luna’s well-being, relationships, and her nature-hunting ways. Beautiful illustrations, great storyline, and a satisfying feel-good ending! Now I’m off to search for the ever elusive Luna Moth…

Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781338818529, October 2025)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Buff Soul by Moa Romanova

A super fun sisters-in-arms rock tour misadventure, as three pals from Europe rock their way from California to Austin, with guest stars, sex, drugs, and friend conflict galore as the past, tensions, and secrets fester. With eye-popping and completely original art, this makes for a wild, enjoyable, and surprisingly touching graphic novel.

Buff Soul by Moa Romanova, (List Price: $29.99, Fantagraphics, 9798875000683, August 2025)

Reviewed by Seth Tucker, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

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The Knives: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker

Brubaker and Phillips, the best crime/noir team in comics, return with another stellar graphic novel in their acclaimed Criminal series. Do you need to read the previous 11 (all great) books in this series first? No! Interweaving tales of crime, regret, and failure collide, pulp fiction-style, in gritty, personal, and shocking tales unfold, the most interesting of which parallels a bit of the Hollywood runaround Brubaker himself experienced as a creator pushing against the system. As always, The Best!

The Knives: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker, (List Price: $29.99, Image Comics, 9781534355590, September 2025)

Reviewed by Seth Tucker, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

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