Good talk

Good talk: a memoir in conversations / Mira Jacob, 355 pgs.

I loved the graphic format of this memoir.  Author Jacob places drawings of speakers over a series of photos and drawings.  The effect is amazing.  I really got a feel for the people by viewing the cartoon versions of them.  But aside from the visual presentation, the memoir is excellent talking about growing up a super minority in New Mexico (supposedly the 3rd Indian family to move there).  Figuring out what it means to be a minority as you grow up. Marrying and having a son who is bi-racial and trying to figure out how to teach him what that means.  Then real life historic events including 9-11 and the election of the last few presidents.  This is really an impressive memoir.

Saga, vol. 7

Saga [vol. 7] by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples, 152 pages

I feel like I say it every time I write a post on a series, but it's still true: It's impossible to say much about this volume without spoiling the entire story before it. And the reason I do this is because the series, particularly in the case of Saga, is SO GOOD that it simply needs to be read. While many series slump and falter somewhere after the first couple volumes, Saga continues to be absolutely fantastic, with plenty of complex-yet-easy-to-follow plot lines, a just-right touch of philosophical musings, and three-dimensional characters. And then there's Staples' BEAUTIFUL artwork. Her imagination is simply astounding, though definitely not for the faint of heart or easily offended. Volume 7 continues that excellent story, and packs a couple of emotional wallops that I won't touch on here; I'll just say that they're handled excellently.