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
Honestly, I didn't feel like blogging for two days. I almost didn't write this post, but I guess after a couple of days, my brain cells are itching to send some signals to my fingers. I just got back from a visit to my university with my family. This was the first time I went there after 7 months! I can't tell you how excited even I was as we approached the place that was my home for two years. My dad agrees with me that Virginia Tech is one of the most beautiful campuses in this country. (Ok, he has seen only two other campuses, I have seen only one other campus. Plus neither of us have seen Univ of Colorado-Boulder, which I've heard is even more beautiful. But let's not count that against this, okay?). My ever-neutral mom doesn't want to choose between mine and my brother's universities, but I think she secretly likes mine.
Next weekend, we're all piling up into a car with my friend and his wife (or my friend and her husband) and heading up to DC to check our some sights AND celebrate the Cherry Blossoms festival! Have you started seeing the white/pink flowers sprouting up anywhere in your place? We have a few cherry trees beginning to bloom here, but I imagine it's going to be even more beautiful next week! Yay spring for the colors! Boo spring ..mumble.. for the hot weather ..mumble..
Last week, Indie Lit Awards announced the panels and categories for the 2011 awards. I loved tracking this Award last year - they did such an awesome job! This year, I'm a Voting Member for the Literary Fiction category. I'm really excited about this, and can't wait to see the books that are going to be nominated. 2011 has so far been an exciting year for books!
Comments
You'll do a wonderful job of judging the literary fiction. Can't wait to see the results!
I really can't wait to check out the Cherry Blossoms. That's one of the sights I wait for in Spring!