The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Comics & Graphic Novels

Leon: Worst Friends Forever: A Graphic Novel (Leon #2) by Jamar Nicholas

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Leon: Worst Friends Forever: A Graphic Novel (Leon #2) by Jamar Nicholas
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“Make good Choices, Leon” is something Leon hears on the way to school every morning. As much as he tries, Leon knows he sometimes messes up and sometimes is conflicted about just what the best choices are. Sometimes things are just too much, but maybe figuring it all out is Leon’s superpower.

Leon: Worst Friends Forever: A Graphic Novel (Leon #2) by Jamar Nicholas, (List Price: $12.99, Graphix, 9781338744200, October 2024)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn
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The Grinch Takes a Vacation is the latest installment of this new series of Dr. Suess characters starring in their own graphic novels. Suitable for early readers starting to dip their toes into graphic novels, they’re going to love seeing the classic character going on an adventure. This is a great answer for those kids who always wondered what happened to the Grinch after he and the Whos became friends at Christmas. Still a little grumpy at times, but still loveable, this is for any reader who wants a more in-depth story.

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn, (List Price: $10.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593703069, September 2024)

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

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn

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Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

The Grinch Takes a Vacation is the latest installment of this new series of Dr. Suess characters starring in their own graphic novels. Suitable for early readers starting to dip their toes into graphic novels, they’re going to love seeing the classic character going on an adventure. This is a great answer for those kids who always wondered what happened to the Grinch after he and the Whos became friends at Christmas. Still a little grumpy at times, but still loveable, this is for any reader who wants a more in-depth story.

Dr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation by Kaeti Vandorn, (List Price: $10.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593703069, September 2024)

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

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Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath

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Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath
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A perfect graphic novel for Fall. The juxtaposition of the gory murders with the colorful animal characters is absolutely delightful. An excellent read to curl up with by a fire.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath, (List Price: $17.99, IDW Publishing, 9798887241081, September 2024)

Reviewed by Michelle Weiler, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Night Mother Vol. 1 by Jeremy Lambert

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The Night Mother Vol. 1 by Jeremy Lambert
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Souls in lanterns. An eternal moon. A land with no time. This is reality during the reign of the current Night Mother. The title is held for those who guide lost souls to the moon and is passed down mother to daughter. But what if this mother is separated from her daughter? What if she takes souls that aren’t ready and thus not hers to take just yet? This gorgeous graphic novel is oozing with detail and keeps the reader wanting more. I know I’m ready for volume two already!

The Night Mother Vol. 1 by Jeremy Lambert, (List Price: $14.99, Oni Press, 9781637154946, October 2024)

Reviewed by Lana Repic, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott

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Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott
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High school stands out in my mind as such a time for being awkward, self-critical, and overly romantic. Thus is the case for Erika, a new student who has a voice in her head that often makes her question herself and if she’s capable of making friends. Surely something has to give! When her school opens up submissions for one-act plays, she writes one for her crush. But she never expects him to agree to be her lead! Full of angst and obsession that only comes with a new crush.

Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott, (List Price: $15.99, Graphix, 9781338840407, October 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, Volume 1 A Graphic Novel by Tri Vuong

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The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, Volume 1 [A Graphic Novel] by Tri Vuong
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This graphic novel is quirky, fun, and warm-hearted all while involving a floating skull and an evil cosmic space squid. Paranormal investigator (and floating skull), Oscar Zahn is a dapper and kindhearted character. The art is beautiful, the stories are funny and emotional. I very much enjoyed my time in this universe.

The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, Volume 1 [A Graphic Novel] by Tri Vuong, (List Price: $19.99, Ten Speed Graphic, 9781984863287, September 2024)

Reviewed by Stacey Riggins, Book No Further in Roanoke, Virginia

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Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

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Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo
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This story is truly out of this world! It imagines a future where there are civilizations both on Earth or “New Earth” as well as space stations. At its core, this is a story of belonging and finding your place, and IF there is a place for you? These things are hard for Indu because he is 1) from the moon and 2) he’s transgender. This story is a slow burn and has you rooting for all the characters! Themes of love, learning, family and courage.

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo, (List Price: $15.99, HarperAlley, 9780063057593, May 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp

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Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp
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Two sisters, friendly oddball Beatrice and fiercely unhappy Magnolia, seek something special from the forbidden forest, come face to face with its magic silk-spinning monster, Bog Myrtle, and learn about environmentalism, labor rights, and anti-capitalism along the way, in this creepily-cute and razor-sharp fable that has all the old-school deadly morality of the Brothers Grimm. A challenging (in both content and vocabulary), dark, yet adorable picture book for fans of Jon Klassen’s The Skull.

Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp, (List Price: $19.99, Annick Press, 9781773218922, October 2024)

Reviewed by Megan Bell, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia

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Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse

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Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse
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Get the audiobook

Puberty has brought about the wildest change for Adèle; she can now see ghosts! Adèle now finds herself stuck between her desire to help and her Grandma’s absolute HATRED of ghosts. Armed with new ghost friends, medium powers, and some unexpected assistance, Adèle finds herself in the middle of a fight to save her city from predatory real estate developers. Sounds a bit wacky, but I promise you, you’re gonna love this one.

Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse, (List Price: $13.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593565971, September 2024)

Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
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What is it like to love this person who keeps breaking up with you, and then presumably coming back to you? That is the question Freddy is constantly asking herself as Laura Dean breaks her heart again, and again. This graphic novel is a great read for anyone looking for more LGBTQIA content or wanting to start reading graphic novels.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki, (List Price: $17.99, First Second, 9781626722590, May 2019)

Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez

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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez
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Everything Flying Eye Books publishes is a favorite of mine, and Rune is no different. Two orphans Chriri and Dai find an entrance to another world as they flee the bullies of their own only to end up in Puddin’ a magical kingdom with its own dark villain. Can they find their way back home? Can they help their new friends stop this darkness that is taking control of people? Magic, runes, sign language and so much more.

Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez, (List Price: $15.99, Flying Eye Books, 9781838741211, June 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln

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The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln
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What if the characters in your books wanted out? Especially the characters in those prized collections that had been cooped up for far too long? I loved seeing these books comes to life as twins Page and Turner try to get back their father’s prized Dracula first edition that gets lose in the NY Public library. Loved the focus on family relationships.

The Night Librarian: A Graphic Novel by Christopher Lincoln, (List Price: $13.99, Dial Books, 9780593617663, July 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka

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Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka
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This was such an empowering story about friendship and redemption. It has strong Ghibli vibes with its “cozy granny,” talking cats that get up to mischief — throw in time travel and morally gray characters! You find yourself rooting for Unico from the get-go, can he figure out the mystery of who he is and help those around him?

Unico: Awakening (Volume 1): An Original Manga by Osamu Tezuka, (List Price: $12.99, Graphix, 9781339036335, August 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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We Are Big Time by Hena Khan

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We Are Big Time by Hena Khan
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I love this new middle-grade graphic novel about a girls’ basketball team. The story could easily be that it is a team from an all-Muslim school, but there’s more to it than that. I love how the author has based this on a true story and helped guide the reader through the prejudice and media hype that would surround this story still. It’s nuanced and delicately handled, and I think will resonate with every reader.

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan, (List Price: $13.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593430477, August 2024)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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