I've recently read a ton of graphic novels and memoirs - some I loved and others not so much but were still a thrill to read. Guts by Raina Telgemeier I am always on the lookout for Raina Telgemeier's comics, so when I found Guts available at my library's Overdrive catalog last year, I had to request it right away. Her comics are always delightful, designed for the middle-grade audience, and written very well. Guts is a continuation of her Smile nonfiction graphic memoir series (see Smile and Sisters ) and recounts a period in her childhood when she experienced IBS for the first time. When Raina wakes up one night with an upset tummy, she just assumes it's a stomach bug as her mom is also showing the same symptoms. But when it doesn't go away soon but is instead influenced by the daily highs and lows of being a middle grader - good friends, not so good ones, and then the bullies, she realizes there's something else going on. If you have not read the previous
I'm typing up this post in the middle of a read-a-thon, because I have a feeling I'll be collapsing soon. One of my groups in Goodreads
Graduation day (not mine, but some of my friends') came and went, and for the first time, it made me realize that I will be leaving in 3 months and this academic phase will end soon as well. A good bunch of us came together almost 2 years back. I still remember all the fun we had then. Most of us were meeting for the first time, and that did nothing to disguise our enthusiasm. If anything, the group helped me not have a major homesickness bout with all those rib-tickling jokes and nice anecdotes. (Of course, the homesickness came a couple of months later!). Even now, we hang around together, and there is no end to the fun we have. It's quite a sad feeling to realize that in a couple of months, we will all be going separate ways and that we will again be starting from scratch. I'm glad though that my best friend will be just 2.5 hours away.
Believe me, I am tired of partings. I guess I've had more than my share of that, and I'm ready to dig my bearings deep somewhere. Sometimes I welcomed the change, other times, I felt it was too soon. The next few months will probably be a bit hard and emotional, and for that, I am almost glad that we all have a thesis to worry about, leaving little time to ponder much. I may also be reading less over the next couple of months while I get my thesis written, but I hope I can keep a good schedule and still read quite a bit.
Did I mention that my brother will be coming to the US to pursue his Masters' in August? I'm so looking forward to that. It's good to have some immediate family nearby, even if he will be a day's travel away, in NY.
Plus, today is the last day to enter my giveaway of Glorious by Bernice L. McFadden. I will be selecting the winners tomorrow!
Comments
Harvee, My Sunday Salon
Good luck with your thesis and all that goes with that!
Book Dilettante, LOL, that is definitely a plus! I'll try not to be so upset about graduating. :)
Helen, I expect it will be settling for a while. Some days, I am more than ready to leave. Other days, I am totally not! :(
Steph, my thesis is very boring, LOL! It's about improving the development of hardware designs. :) I'm totally thrilled that my brother is coming here! :)
Kathy, that's exactly how I feel! Eager to move on, but not ready! How conflicting!
Ash, You do have some time before any significant partings. I feel academia is one of the best phases of life. What comes after that is boring. LOL
Diane, it's so good right to have family nearby? I'm glad my bro is coming over.
Enjoy having your brother visit soon! That sounds like it will be great for you!