Everything in Color

 Everything in Color: A Love Story by Stephanie Stalvey (2026) 528 pages

I am loving the works publisher 23rd St, under the umbrella of First Second Books, is putting out in the world. This shares some themes with Craig Thompson's Blankets that I reviewed earlier this year. This story of a church kid growing up in purity culture and later deconstructing their Christian beliefs through falling in love with a man (a seminary student) and becoming a mother is so honest. The art (both black & white and color) is stunning. I especially love her use of the wolf imagery. Stephanie Stalvey has the revelation that the message of love, sold by many churches, is in reality primarily concerned with obedience and a punitive system for sin. The narrative of this graphic memoir is clear and strong.

GuRu

 

GuRu by RuPaul 191pp.

RuPaul enters the world of self-help books with this collection of ways to eliminate your self-imposed limitations alternating with photos of RuPaul in fabulous drag glory. The advice is as simple as waking up and praying, meditation, and ways to stop self-sabotage in your career, monetarily, and in your daily life. There's nothing new or earth-shaking here but the photos of RuPaul are wonderful. 

We cast a shadow

We cast a shadow / Maurice Carlos Ruffin, read by Dion Grahm, 324 pgs.

What would you do to make life better for your child?  How sure are you that your actions are for the best?  How can we add a satirical twist here that forces the reader to reflect on race and society?  I am amazed by this book and the path it takes. In the future, there are a few successful black people.  They, like our protagonist, are striving to be "the one" chosen by their law firm or other profession.  The books starts with several black associates viewing for the one shot at becoming a partner in the firm.  What would you do to achieve?  But the condition of blackness (as well as other ethnic conditions) is treatable.  You can get get rid of the dark skin through "demelanization."  Surgery can "correct" the shape of your nose, lips, and eyes.  Another of the firms exceptions is the Asian woman who is trying to repress her Asian characteristics because she is sick of being treated like the answer to every man's fantasy.  But I'm off track here.  Our protagonist is trying to help his child by erasing his blackness.  But does his son want to be "non-black?"  As the book goes on, we see desperation, cajoling, and retreat.  I'm convinced this book is brilliant and the audio was perfectly read by Dion Graham.
 

Sex object

Sex object / Jessica Valenti 204 pgs.

Jessica Valenti's fearless memoir tackles lots of subjects, sexism, harassment, drug abuse, sexual awakening, and just growing up with "issues" like dealing with anxiety.  The stories of being harassed by men beginning at a very young age are slightly shocking.  At age 12, a man on the subway rubbed against her and left his mark all over the back of her jeans.  The men who regularly expose themselves, the high school teacher who gave her a good grade after skipping weeks of class in exchange for a hug, the casual boyfriends who either stalked her or spread extreme rumors about her all fit into a story of how acceptable it is to treat women poorly.  Valenti's daughter is born extremely prematurely after a bad case of preeclampsia.  Following the birth she is unable to eat and loses a lot of weight which brings tons of complements about how good she looks as her hair is falling out due to malnutrition. The most eye opening is the end notes in which she includes comments emailed to her, left on her blog or sent via social media.  Reading these will make you wonder about the state of the world...and not in a good way.