Author: Eileen Gonzalez

Categories
The Stack

Chag Chanukah Sameach, Comics Lovers!

Chanukah starts tonight! If you’re celebrating, I hope you have a good time. The comics in today’s Riot Recs are a fun way to relax during this holiday or any other season — or, if you are not Jewish, for expanding your horizons!

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

A pin shaped like an old-fashioned price box from a Fantastic Four comic, including the heads of each of the FF and a full-sized Thing above them

Fantastic Four 3″ Enamel Pin Classic Marvel Price Box! by GeoffreysComics

Who doesn’t love those price boxes from old-timey Marvel comics? Now you can wear one whenever you like! $13

New Releases

Oni Ronin cover

Oni Ronin by Mack Flavelle, Tatsubi, and Kohei Nagamine

Sarobei is a coward, but he is determined to change that by going on an epic quest across feudal Japan. Along the way, he encounters obstacles, both historical and fantastical, as he pushes himself toward self-discovery and redemption.

Tasty cover

Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments by Victoria Grace Elliott

Learning how to cook is great and all, but what about the history of the food you’re making? In Tasty, a group of food sprites will teach you about both! From learning how to make pickles to uncovering the real history behind macaroni and cheese, this delicious graphic novel is sure to whet your appetite for both food and knowledge.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: Bar/Bat Mitzvahs! Because today seems like an appropriate time to talk about comics that celebrate Jewish traditions.

The Rabbi's Cat cover

The Rabbi’s Cat by Joann Sfar

One day, a cat belonging to a rabbi and his daughter eats the family parrot — and starts to talk. Before long, the cat is insisting on having his own Bar Mitzvah, despite some people claiming that cats cannot be Jewish! Set in 1930s Algeria, this charming historical comic is both witty and adorable.

The Unfinished Corner cover

The Unfinished Corner by Dani Colman and Tuna Petrovicz

Miriam’s Bat Mitzvah is coming up, but she’s not sure she wants one — or if she wants to be Jewish at all. Her faith is put to the ultimate test when she and her friends are spirited away to the Unfinished Corner, an area of the universe that God is alleged to have left incomplete. Can Miriam defeat the monsters there and finish the Unfinished Corner?

Whatever your plans are for the next eight nights, may they go just how you want them to!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Celebrating Diversity Through Comics

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

A Hawaiian shirt and matching shorts that feature images from vintage Spider-man comics

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 Vol 1 cover

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 cover

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 No Normal cover

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 book cover

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

Categories
The Stack

November is History, and So Are These Comics

The end of the year is speeding towards us, nerd friends. Why not take a little breather from the holiday rush with a graphic novel?

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

An ornament shaped like the skull and crossbones from One Piece. It's wearing a straw hat

Strawhat Skull Holiday Ornament by StarFallFox

No manga fan’s tree will be complete without this cute One Piece-inspired ornament! $18

New Releases

Wonder Woman Omnibus cover

Wonder Woman by Gail Simone Omnibus by Gail Simone, Bernard Chang, and Aaron Lopresti

This new edition collects Simone’s beloved run in one convenient volume. Watch the Amazing Amazon take on a bevy of hard-hitting foes — including one who actually manages to steal her lasso and defeat her — alongside plenty of familiar, friendly faces!

Silence, Full Stop. cover

Silence, Full Stop. by Karina Shor

Shor’s childhood was anything but easy. As both an immigrant and a survivor of sexual abuse, she found that she really couldn’t fit in anywhere and turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain. Through it all, she was able to retain a tight grip on her compassion for others — and eventually found a way to appreciate herself as well.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: historical nonfiction! Watch history unfold before your eyes with these informative graphic novels. The fact that their covers have matching color schemes is just an interesting coincidence.

Citizen 13660 cover

Citizen 13660 by Miné Okubo

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government rounded up tens of thousands of its own citizens and placed them in camps just for the “crime” of being of Japanese descent. Okubo was one of those people, and she tells her story in this classic graphic memoir.

Red Harvest cover

Red Harvest by Michael Cherkas

In the 1930s, Josef Stalin engineered a devastating famine in Ukraine, killing millions and (so he hoped) eradicating Ukrainian culture. This vast story is made personal by focusing on the experience of a single Ukrainian immigrant, Mykola, and his family, who managed to survive and tell the world about these terrible events.

A white Havanese in a red-and-blue sweater sits in the middle of a pile of sheets on the floor, staring at the camera with big round eyes.

Finally, please look at my dog Poppy as she “helps” with the laundry. Such a good girl!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Cooking the Comic Books

It’s been a whole week since the last edition of the Stack! Time to catch up on all the graphic novel goodies that you missed out on during the holiday…

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Bookish Goods

A pendant of No-Face from Spirited Away, sitting on a "swing" attached to a rearview mirror

Ghibli Studio Spirited Away Faceless (No Face Man) Swing or Car Pendant Rear View Mirror by StonesAndAllTheAbove

Move over, Saint Christopher. There’s a new travel companion in town, and he comes with his own adorable swing! $12

New Releases

RandomVeus One Dimensional Couriers cover

RandomVeus: One Dimensional Couriers by Jeffrey “Chamba” Cruz and Leonard Birmingham

In the Veuniverse, competition for Raimundo’s job as a courier is fierce, dangerous, and just plain weird. He and his friends will have to hurry up and deliver this latest package if they want to keep their jobs — and save their necks!

Twisted Wonderland Book of Heartslabyul Vol 2 cover

Disney Twisted-Wonderland Volume Two: The Manga: Book of Heartslabyul by Yana Toboso, Wakana Hazuki, and Sumire Kowono

After getting stranded in Twisted Wonderland, Yu tries to make the best of things by enrolling in Night Raven College, a magical academy where the scariest thing around is the other students! When one of them comes to Yu for help, what can he do?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: food! ‘Tis the season to make and share food with family, so if you need inspiration, here are some good places to start!

Cook Korean cover

Cook Korean! by Robin Ha

Ha is the author of a graphic memoir, Almost American Girl, about how comics helped her adapt to life in the U.S. Now, she shares some of her favorite Korean recipes and includes adorable, illustrated instructions for how you can make them yourself!

family style book cover

Family Style by Thien Pham

As a child in Vietnam, then a refugee in Thailand, and finally an immigrant in America, Pham has been exposed to many different foods throughout his life. Certain foods took on a special significance — good or bad — as he and his family tried to find a safe place that they could call home.

Well, now I’m hungry. Guess I’ll go see if there’s any turkey and mashed potatoes left!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Decolonize Your Comics

Welcome to another Tuesday, nerd friends! Today’s newsletter has a little of everything, from cute comics about cats to dark fantasies about justifiable (?) homicide. Which will you pick?

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

A white, child-sized mug with cartoonish drawings of the Avengers and the personalized name "Finley" in thin block letters. There is also a matching, square coaster

Personalised Superhero Enamel Mug and Coaster by TrudlesDoodles

I know this says it’s for kids, but I would also like to buy one for me. (Why is Batman palling around with the Avengers? Why not, I say?!) $6

New Releases

Team Phaoenix cover

Team Phoenix Volume One by Kenny Ruiz and Osamu Tezuka

Osamu Tezuka passed away over 30 years ago, but his works and characters continue to inspire the creators of today. In this new series, follow a princess and her band of space pirates as they protect those most in need of help!

Frankie Comics cover

Frankie Comics by Rachel Dukes

The paperback edition of this adorable webcomic is now available! The expression “the cat adopted me” has never been more true than with Frankie, a kitten who turned up on Dukes’s doorstep one day and immediately became, like every cat before her, the undisputed ruler of the household.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: colonialism. Before we go shoving turkey into our faces, it’s good to take a moment and remember that the history behind America and other colonized lands is not as rosy as Thanksgiving myths would have us believe.

Earthdivers cover

Earthdivers Volume One: Kill Columbus by Stephen Graham Jones and Davide Gianfelice

After discovering a way to travel through time, Tad, an Indigenous linguist, decides that the only way to save the world from total destruction is to go back in time and prevent Christopher Columbus from ever crossing the Atlantic. But is the reward worth the price?

ay mija book cover

¡Ay, Mija! My Bilingual Summer in Mexico by Christine Suggs

When they were 16, Christine spent a summer in Mexico with their family. Among other things, the trip forces them to contend with how colonialism has shaped their family history — and how it’s okay to occupy the in-between spaces that mixed-race kids so often get lost in.

A white Havanese lies on a couch with her back legs splayed out to the sides. She is wearing a black, gray, and white sweater with a moose on it.

To close, please enjoy this photo of my dog Poppy looking adorable in her winter sweater and sitting weird. And please have a great week, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Panel-Sized Pieces of Advice

Need a little pick-me-up to get you through the rest of the week? I’ve got some recommendations today that should serve nicely!

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Bookish Goods

A white mug with a red handle and interior. Comic sans text reads, "Give me a minute! I'm drinking my superhero juice." It is decorated by images of a coffee cup and several onomatopoeias,

Superhero Juice Coffee Mug by InspiredGiftsPlus

Let everyone know to back off and let you finish your coffee — ahem, “superhero juice” — or else you’ll put a hole in the ceiling. $13

New Releases

The Flying Ship Vol 1 cover

The Flying Ship Volume One by Jem Milton

Dobrinia has her sights set on marrying a princess and embarks on a dangerous quest to do just that. Her journey takes her to a troubled, far-off kingdom where a ban on magic might turn out to be the least of her problems!

Mao Vol 14 cover

Mao Volume Fourteen by Rumiko Takahashi

This series follows Nanoka, an ordinary goal who involuntarily time-travels to an era filled with magic, demons, and an exorcist named Mao, who becomes her mentor. In this volume, Nanoka must learn to wield her sword and also maybe how to behave on a date?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: self-help! Yes, self-help comics exist, and they might be just what you need to guide you through the upcoming, ever-stressful holiday season!

Why You'll Never Find the One cover

Why You’ll Never Find the One: And Why It Doesn’t Matter by Sarah Akinterinwa

This illustrated dating guide helps you deal with all the pitfalls of modern dating, from physical challenges like where to meet nice people to emotional obstacles like getting over the idea that you need to find The One in order to be “complete.”

Embrace Your Size book cover

Embrace Your Size: My Own Body Positivity by hara

Learning to love yourself isn’t always easy, especially when people are constantly telling you that your looks are “wrong.” In this manga essay, hara explains what body positivity means to her and how she learned to start seeing the beauty in her own body — and how you can do it, too!

Take care of yourselves this weekend!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Comics That Belong in a Museum

…or at least in a museum-themed newsletter! There are actual museums dedicated solely to comics, such as the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco and the Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels. But if you can’t afford to visit those places, this newsletter can substitute!

Indulge your inner book nerd and join a community of like-minded readers looking to expand their knowledge and their TBR. Subscribe to The Deep Dive, where Book Riot’s editorial staff draws from their collective expertise to bring you compelling stories, informed takes, tips, hacks, and more. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and explore the great wide world of books and publishing. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features.

Bookish Goods

A gray beanie. The bottom portion features an image of Batman's cowl over the words "on call." Beside it is a full moon with the Bat-signal on it.

Superhero On Call Knit Beanie by InspiredGiftsPlus

This snug hat will keep you warm while you’re out on patrol (or raking leaves, whatever). $23

New Releases

Sakura, Saku Vol 1 cover

Sakura, Saku Volume One by Io Sakisaka

When Saku suddenly takes ill, a boy comes to her rescue — then disappears without a trace. From that day on, Saku has two goals in life: to pass on the boy’s goodwill by helping strangers in need and to find the boy so she can thank him in person for saving and changing her life.

Once Upon a Time Lord cover

Once Upon a Time Lord by Dan Slott, Christopher Jones, and Matthew Dow Smith

Just in time for the 60th anniversary celebrations comes this Thousand and One Nights-esque tale in which Martha Jones, under duress, shares three action-packed, cameo-filled stories about the Tenth Doctor.

Doctor Who fans may also appreciate Doctor Who Psychology: Times Change, an essay collection about the mindsets and motivations that drive the various Doctors and companions, edited by an actual doctor, Travis Langley.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: museums! They’re fun and educational at the same time!

Cats of the Louvre cover

Cats of the Louvre by Taiyo Matsumoto

Fans of Night at the Museum and/or kitty cats will enjoy this offbeat tale about a family of felines living in the Louvre’s attic. These tabbies are the only witnesses to what really goes on after the world’s most famous museum shuts its doors for the night!

Season of the Bruja cover

Season of the Bruja by Aaron Durán and Sara Soler

Althalia works in a most unusual museum: it’s dedicated to the paranormal and counts a were-coyote, a chupacabra, and the last bruja — Althalia herself — among its employees. To protect her family’s heritage and legacy, Althalia must learn to harness her powers before the church ends her line for good!

Have you visited any interesting museums lately? Or maybe you’re just chilling at home, waiting for the Doctor Who specials? Either way, valid. Have a great day, nerd friends!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Throwback Thors-day

Ah, Thursday, the second-best workday of the week (after Friday, naturally). Let’s see what this Thursday’s newsletter has in store for all you wonderful comic book fans!

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

A pile of red, white, and blue campaign buttons that say "Loki for President"

LOKI FOR PRESIDENT badges by Uncanny Artness

The presidential election isn’t until next year, but it’s never too early to throw your support behind everyone’s favorite Norse trickster pseudo-god! $2

New Releases

Skip! cover

Skip! by Sarah Burgess

Loner Jay finally finds the close friendship they have always longed for in Beah, an obsessive jump roper and expert in the art of Double Dutch. Their differing personalities mean that they inevitably clash over any number of subjects, but their deep affection for each other means that their friendship holds true through every obstacle.

Static Up All Night cover

Static: Up All Night by Lamar Giles and Paris Alleyne

No supervillain is a match for the electrical powers of Static, AKA Virgil Hawkins. But in this graphic novel, Virgil confronts a foe he cannot defeat so easily: a bad breakup. His friend’s attempt to get him out of the dumps by attending a music festival only seems to make things worse, but in the end, Virgil will find a new normal.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: Norse mythology! Did you know that most of the days of the week (in English, anyway) are taken from Norse gods? The most obvious connection is Thursday, i.e., Thor’s Day. So, let’s look at some comics that draw inspiration from similar sources!

The Kitchen Witch cover

The Kitchen Witch by Steve Orlando and Olivia Pelaez

Kevin’s dad is so busy trying to open a new restaurant that he has very little time to spend cooking with his son. So, one night, Kevin sneaks down to the kitchen…and plunges into a dangerous fantasy world where he and the resident kitchen witch must defeat the wicked Gremlin Lord!

Thor and the Warriors Four cover

Thor and the Warriors Four by Alex Zalben and Gurihiru

In the cutest Asgardian adventure ever, super-siblings, the Power Pack, travel across the nine realms in search of a cure for their ailing grandmother. Along the way, they’ll ally themselves with the Pet Avengers and stop Loki’s dastardly yet adorable plot to turn all of the Norse gods into babies!

Until next Tuesday (that is, Tyr’s Day), have a good week, nerd friends!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

I’m Sure Superman Has Voted Already

If you haven’t voted yet, go do it! I’ll expect to see your “I voted” sticker by the time you get to the end of this newsletter! (Yes, I am telling you to stop reading my own work and vote. It’s that important.)

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

A silver pocket watch with a golden silhouette of Sailor Moon standing on a crescent moon on the outside. The watch face features the same pattern with the color blue in the background

Sailor Moon Pocket Watch by ForeverYoungKY

Want to tell time the old-fashioned way while still looking stylish? Try this pocket watch! $31

New Releases

ATOM The Beginning Vol 6 cover

ATOM: The Beginning Volume Six by Osamu Tezuka, Masami Yuuki, and Tetsurō Kasahara

Inspired by Tezuka’s classic Astro Boy series, this prequel/alternate take is set in a post-apocalyptic world where two university students create robots that they end up using in wrestling tournaments. In Volume Six, they’re headed for the championships!

Transitions cover

Transitions: A Mother’s Journey by Élodie Durand, Trans. by Evan McGorrey

In this impactful work of nonfiction, Anne, a biologist, prides herself on being accepting and intelligent…until her son Alex comes out as trans, and everything she thought she knew — about herself, her family, and life in general — is turned on its head. Both mother and son have a long road ahead in order to find a new balance in their lives.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: activism! Today is Election Day here in the U.S., and you can all make a big difference by getting out to vote. In the meantime, here are some comics about people making a difference through protests and activism.

Crude cover

Crude: A Memoir by Pablo Fajardo, Sophie Tardy-Joubert, and Damien Roudeau, translated by Hannah Chute

The damage that Texaco/Chevron has done to Indigenous populations and the environment in Ecuador is enormous…but not incalculable. This is the story of a lawyer, Pablo Fajardo, and the people he represents, all of whom are fighting for fair reparations from the destructive oil giant.

Our Stories Carried Us Here cover

Our Stories Carried Us Here by Various Creators

Storytelling in and of itself can be a work of activism. This anthology features comics about immigrants by immigrants. You’ll meet people from all over the world who came to America in search of safety, opportunity, or both — and who didn’t always receive the warmest welcome. Whether they are actively fighting to change things or just trying to live in peace, these creators break down “the immigrant experience” into its many diverse parts.

Finally, I leave you with a bonus rec on the same theme: Feeding Dangerously by José Andrés, Steve Orlando, and Alberto Ponticelli. It comes out tomorrow, and a portion of the proceeds go to supporting Andrés’s charity, World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to people in disaster areas and war zones. Unfortunately, that service is more necessary than ever.

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Comics for Culture Day

Well, it’s finally November, and I, for one, am looking forward to some more seasonable weather for a change. I’ve missed being able to snuggle up under a blanket while I read!

We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

An unseen person holds up a large throw blanket featuring various ghost type Pokemon

Ghost Type Pokemon Woven Blanket by TreeShirtz

Speaking of blankets, this one is sure to keep you warm while blending in with all your Pokemon-themed books, movies, and decor! $100

New Releases

Sherlock A Scandal in Belgravia Boxed Set cover

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Boxed Set by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, and Jay

Fans of the BBC series and/or manga will be all over this new, collected edition of the manga adaptation of “A Scandal in Belgravia,” which in turn is a(n admittedly loose) adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic story, “A Scandal in Bohemia.”

She-Hulk Girl Can't Help It cover

She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Volume Three: Girl Can’t Help It by Rainbow Rowell and Andrés Genolet

Rowell’s fun-filled run continues as our green-hued hero deals with an infuriating yet strangely enchanting new villain whom she can only take down with the help of an old friend, Hellcat. If you prefer superhero comics that aren’t filled with doom and gloom, this series might be right for you!

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: Japan! Tomorrow is Culture Day in Japan, so I thought it’d be fun to spotlight comics that focus on that country’s history and heritage.

Himawari House cover

Himawari House by Harmony Becker

In this award-winning graphic novel, you’ll meet three young people of Japanese descent who have come to Japan as exchange students. Each has their own reasons for making the trip, and each will face their own challenges as they adjust to living in a whole new country.

A History of Japan in Manga cover

A History of Japan in Manga by Kanaya Shunichiro, Translated by Zack Davisso

It’s just what it says on the tin: each of these short manga stories illustrates a different aspect of Japanese history, including mythic battles, Samurai rebellions, and Japan’s forcible reentry onto the global stage during the Meiji era. I can’t promise that this book will improve your history grades, but it probably won’t hurt!

Have a great rest of the week!

~Eileen