The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Comics & Graphic Novels

Crumbs by Danie Stirling

, ,
Crumbs by Danie Stirling
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This graphic novel is absolutely adorable! What could be better than first loves, witchy powers, and magical bakeries? Ray is such a sweet and relatable protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her wholeheartedly throughout the book. At its core, Crumbs is a novel about self empowerment and the importance of personal choice– I loved it!

Crumbs by Danie Stirling, (List Price: $24.99, Clarion Books, 9780358467793, July 2022)

Reviewed by Jessica Baker, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Crumbs by Danie Stirling Read More »

Slip by Marika McCoola

, , , ,
The Darkening by Sunya Mara
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

I love a good metagenre work, so Slip, a graphic novel about visual art, is right up my alley. Slip’s artwork is emotional and striking in its roughness; it’s very reminiscent This One Summer by the Tamakis (which I love). A particularity of Slip’s art I adored is the agelessness of the human drawings, which makes the narrative’s themes feel universal even as the book focuses on young adults. The book is about defining oneself as an individual, particularly when your friends seem to need you. It’s a difficult and necessary topic, and McCool does really well with it.

Slip by Marika McCoola, (List Price: $17.95, Algonquin Young Readers, 9781616207892, July 2022)

Reviewed by Akil Guruparan, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

Slip by Marika McCoola Read More »

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser

, ,
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

A beautifully-detailed graphic novel full of love, friendship, and Black Girl Magic.

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser, (List Price: 19.95, Chronicle Books, 9781797205458, July 2022)

Reviewed by LeeAnna Callon, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser Read More »

Gender Identity for Kids by Andy Passchier

, , , , , ,
Darkhearts by James L. Sutter
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This fun and educational book by Andy Passchier helps kids understand the importance of understanding, respecting, and being kind towards everyone and understanding yourself with fun characters, illustrations, and more! This is a great book for young and old, people who already know a thing or two about the subject but want to learn more, people who know nothing at all, and people who know all about it. You are sure to enjoy this helpful guide to being and knowing yourself, and you most likely will learn something from it.

Gender Identity for Kids by Andy Passchier, (List Price: 15.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316411226, June 2023)

Reviewed by Adah Fitzgerald, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Gender Identity for Kids by Andy Passchier Read More »

Space Story by Fiona Ostby

, , ,
Space Story by Fiona Ostby
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This graphic novel combines three different storylines, each designated by one of the primary colors. There is a story of love, a story of loneliness, and a story of longing. Ostby’s unique use of color perfectly mirrors the emotions expressed within each storyline, and the manner in which they are intertwined feels like fitting puzzle pieces together.

Space Story by Fiona Ostby, (List Price: $16.99, West Margin Press, 9781513128757, June 2022)

Reviewed by Grace Quinn, Foggy Pine Books in Boone, North Carolina

Space Story by Fiona Ostby Read More »

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1) by Rick Riordan

, , ,
39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1) by Rick Riordan
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

This was a series that made my childhood, and the graphic novel truly did it justice! I am so excited for a new generation of kids to be introduced to Amy and Dan Cahill, and the winding mystery of the Cahill legacy.

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1) by Rick Riordan, (List Price: 12.99, Graphix, 9781338803365, April 2023)

Reviewed by Jordan April, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1) by Rick Riordan Read More »

Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu

, ,
Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Wingbearer is a beautiful fantasy graphic novel written by Marjorie Lu. The world is breathtakingly beautiful along with having an enchanting story. I was at the edge of my seat following Zuli’s journey from the great tree to the world she supposedly came from. I loved the side characters and can’t wait to see the full color version. This is a middle reader fantasy that will draw in even the most reluctant of readers.

Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu, (List Price: $12.99, Quill Tree Books, 9780062741158,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

Wingbearer by Marjorie Liu Read More »

Squire by Nadia Shammas

, ,
Squire by Nadia Shammas
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This was just such a cute graphic novel and so well done for its age range. It addresses some serious and important things well and was just simply a delight to read.

Squire by Nadia Shammas, (List Price: $14.99, Quill Tree Books, 9780062945846,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Hannah Rose Summers, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina

Squire by Nadia Shammas Read More »

The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill

, ,
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

I’ve always been a fan of O’Neill’s beautiful art style ever since I first saw the Tea Dragon Society, so I knew when I received this arc in the mail, it was the top of my list. The Moth Keeper absolutely blew me away in terms of subject and beauty. I went in expecting a sweet fantasy story, but once I started I couldn’t stop. Even as an adult, I connected deeply to Anya, the fledgling Moth Keeper’s struggle, the longing to be important, the vastness of our thoughts and how they can make us sink into the darkness at times. This graphic novel is a balm to any tired and weary soul of any age. Anyone who’s ever felt guilty of being exhausted by something they love or have a passion for will fall in love with The Moth Keeper. Anya and her village along with the sun village she visits has the sweetness and gentleness of a Ghibli movie with just as much impact as one. I would recommend this to anyone who has ever needed a soft and gentle caress of a book that just understands. Because truly, The Moth Keeper does and its here to help you lift your chin up once more.

The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill, (List Price: $13.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593182260, March 2023)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story On the Square in McDonough, Georgia

The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neill Read More »

MonsterMind: Dealing With Anxiety & Self-Doubt by Alfonso Casas

, ,
MonsterMind
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Casas’ most recent graphic novel is a wonderful, poignant dive into living with mental health issues. Creating monsters out of feelings, Casas gives a visual representation of how trauma, anxiety, fear, and other pests affect daily life, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I really appreciated the hopeful but realistic ending of this. It’s a reminder that though these things will always live with us, there are ways to fight them.

MonsterMind: Dealing With Anxiety & Self-Doubt by Alfonso Casas, (List Price: $19.99, Ablaze, 9781950912476, January 2022)

Reviewed by Grace Quinn, Foggy Pine Books in Boone, North Carolina

MonsterMind: Dealing With Anxiety & Self-Doubt by Alfonso Casas Read More »

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos

, ,
Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This wordless, gorgeous graphic novel is stunning in its delivery of a story that lives so close to my heart: exile and assimilation after leaving 1960s Cuba. On a personal level, this book’s very existence feels like a major triumph but I think it will reach any reader who picks it up. Hand Isla to Island to fans of Victoria Jamieson & Nidhi Chanani. I can’t wait for more work from Alexis Castellanos!

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos, (List Price: $12.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers 9781534469235,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Cristina Russell from Books & Books in Coral Gables, FL

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos Read More »

Hilda: The Wilderness Stories by Luke Pearson

, , , , ,
Hilda: The Wilderness Stories
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Hilda: The Wildnerness Stories is a fun journey through a vast world rich with magic and Pearson expertly captures the childlike sense of wonder one might experience within in. Since these stories feature less dark tones than those seen in some other Hilda storylines, they make a great light read which allow you to test the waters before you decide to swim.

Hilda: The Wilderness Stories by Luke Pearson, (List Price: $29.99, Flying Eye Books, 9781838740719, November 2021)

Reviewed by Deion Cooper, Foggy Pine Books in Boone, North Carolina

Hilda: The Wilderness Stories by Luke Pearson Read More »

Another Kind by Trevor Bream

, , , , ,
Another Kind by Trevor Bream
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Trevor Bream and Cait May deliver an absolutely delightful story with Another Kind. This novel follows the adventures of six cryptid kids who are trying to find their way to a place they can be their selves and call home. I fell in love with these kids and I was rooting for them every step of the way! The art is beautiful and I cannot wait to order this for the story with its wide release. Not only do we have a beautifully diverse cast, we also have some nonbinary representation with one of the kids realizing that is what they are. Handled delicately and honestly without it taking away from the focus of the story, there’s plenty of moments like this that will charm any reader.


Another Kind by Trevor Bream, (List Price: 22.99, HarperAlley, 9780063043541, October 2021)

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia


Another Kind by Trevor Bream Read More »

I Walk With Monsters by Paul Cornell

, ,
I Walk With Monsters by Paul Cornell
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Beautifully horrific visuals and genuinely compelling characters, it was a thrilling story that, for better or worse, doesn’t spoon-feed you any extra information and keeps you as in the dark as possible. While this aides the overall foreboding aura the story emits, it also almost tantalizingly keeps it’s secrets just out of our reach. I truly hope to see more in the future, because this collection went by in a flash.

I Walk With Monsters by Paul Cornell, (List Price: $15.99, Vault Comics, 9781638490067, October 2021)

Reviewed by Deion Cooper, Foggy Pine Books in Boone, North Carolina


I Walk With Monsters by Paul Cornell Read More »

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

, ,
Squad
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Move over, Plastics, there’s a new girl squad in town. SQUAD is a high school tale about transformational friendship, belonging, and what we’ll do to fit in. It will absolutely sink its claws into you from the very first page. (Puns ALL intended.)

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, (List Price: 14.99, Greenwillow Books, 9780062943149, October 2021)

Reviewed by Abby Rice, Foggy Pine Books in Boone, North Carolina

Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall Read More »

Scroll to Top