Happy Tuesday, and happy December while we’re at it! I know there’s a lot going on this month, so let’s dive right into the comics so you can get back to what you were doing. (If you were procrastinating, well, read this slowly.)
It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting (to yourself or others) to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.
Bookish Goods
Spider-Man Hawaiian Shirt by JoyunboundStore
Missing the warm weather? Planning a midwinter trip to Australia, where summer has just begun? This shirt (and optional shorts) might be for you! $37
New Releases
Neighborhood Story Volume One by Ai Yazawa
Mikako and Tsutomu have been friends since childhood, so they’re happy that they both got into the same art school. At first, Mikako is focused on becoming a fashion designer. But when Tsutomu becomes an unexpected hit with the ladies on campus, she starts to experience some not-so-platonic feelings about her platonic best friend!
The Great British Bump-Off by John Allison and Max Sarin
Fans of murder mysteries and baking shows will appreciate this fun mash-up! Shauna is determined to win a national baking contest, but there’s something bigger afoot: one of her fellow contestants was just poisoned! Can Shauna get to the bottom of things without ruining her own baked goods — or being poisoned herself?
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Today’s Riot Rec theme is: Muslim characters! The world continues to be upsettingly Islamophobic, so it’s nice that we have comics like these where we can have a few minutes of escape with some fun Muslim characters just living their lives.
Ms. Marvel Volume One: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
This is the one that started it all: the book that became a New York Times bestseller, made Kamala Khan a household name, and eventually led to her integration into the MCU. This modern classic recounts Ms. Marvel’s origin story and her early attempts to reconcile her faith with her dreams and goals.
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
Before her family moved to Dearborn, Huda based much of her identity on being a Muslim girl in a non-Muslim community. Now that she’s surrounded by Muslims, she will have to find a new way to make friends and relate to others (and herself!). And be sure to check out the follow-up book, Huda F Cares?, available now!
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: comics, no matter how great, can’t fix everything. But they are a good and comforting start, whether you are looking to escape or for a reminder that our differences are what make us interesting and valuable as people.
~Eileen