You might think graphic novels are just for kids, or that they're all about superheroes and don't really count as "reading." But think again! Graphic novels are a unique art form that masterfully blends stunning illustrations with compelling storytelling. They have the power to evoke emotions in ways that pure text or images alone simply can't. They can even come in the form of a memoir!This year's Markham Reads pick is All Our Ordinary Stories, a graphic memoir by Canadian writer and cartoonist Teresa Wong which tells several stories of the immigrant experience in Canada as she navigates the relationship with her family and identity. If you have been feeling reluctant to give graphic novels a try, now is the perfect time to dive into a new genre as all of Markham embarks on this journey together!
A graphic memoir in particular, is a story which is expressed by the artist about a particular time in their life or a particular experience that they went through. They can be highly emotional, evocative, expressive, funny, heart-warming, sad. In recent years there have been many acclaimed graphic memoirs which have been highly praised and followed themes of self-acceptance, family histories, and political turmoil.
Staples of the graphic memoir genre include books like Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, and the 2023 Canada Reads winner Ducks by Kate Beaton. Graphic novels can hold great literary value, including winning awards such as Art Spiegelman’s Maus which won the Pulitzer prize in 1992.
Explore our curated list of graphic memoirs:
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