Red Colored Elegy by Seiichi Hayashi

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Red Colored Elegy tells the story of Ichiro and Sachiko, two people who live together (on and off) as they struggle to make ends meet, and dream of better days. For Ichiro those better days include becoming successful with his comics. For Sachiko, she simply longs for the day when the man she loves will propose marriage.

I love graphic novels. I love to explore the pages and different drawing styles of each author. At first I was a little thrown off by the faces that are sometimes missing, and the characters can have a 'super bendy' look that would cause any yoga expert to be green with envy. It's very easy to put that aside though as the reader gets drawn into the story by the turbulent and often dysfunctional lifestyle of this young couple.

I couldn't help but keep my hopes up that they would eventually manage to communicate to each other what they truly desire in life, even while I found myself greatly saddened by the constant struggle between the two characters. Seiichi Hayashi expresses so much in his artwork and though I could have read this book a lot more quickly than I did, I found myself lingering over each image and admiring the way the author can cause the emotional side of this story to leap out from each one.

For a preview, visit: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d4683b76d3.pdf

This is definitely one of my favourites and I look forward to reading it again.

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood by Tom Horacek

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood contains a variety of cartoons which deal with the darker aspects of life. Death, Insanity, Marriage, and Infidelity are among the many topics covered in these simple yet brilliant drawings.

The back of the book describes the characters in these drawings as having the hydrocephalic proportions of playmobil people and I have to agree. The characters have a definite 'cute' factor and I am a big fan of any book that can add humour to the more negative aspects of life.

My favourite comics in this book are: the Agoraphobics Anonymous meeting (page two of the preview PDF which is linked to below), The mousehole, Josh, and the Broken Leg. This is a smaller book, filled with delightful single panel gags that will entertain and amuse.

Preview Link: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imag...

Gentleman Jim by Raymond Briggs

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Jim has a steady job working in the public toilets, a job he is really good at. During his breaks he takes time to read the papers and see what new job opportunities are available but it seems like every job needs 'levels' these days. Life was so much easier back in the days of the old west, or even during the times of Dick Turpin. Gosh those times looked exciting. After spending 12 years thinking about switching jobs, Jim finally decides to look at an alternative life and soon finds that although he has more excitement in his life now, it's not the good kind.

I loved this book. I fell in love with the work of Raymond Briggs when I first saw The Snowman (which I still have on DVD along with Father Christmas.) I hadn't heard of Gentleman Jim and was further surprised to see that it's one of the first graphic novels ever published. The illustrations are vivid, brilliant, wonderfully detailed and often rich and vibrant. The story itself is heartwarming and inspirational while also terribly sad in places. That said, it's also greatly entertaining and caused me to laugh out loud more than a few times.

Easily one of my favourite reads this year.

Preview can be seen at: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d459beb320.pdf

Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China by Guy Delisle

Published by Drawn and Quarterly Books

Guy Delisle brings us another great graphic novel in the same style as Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea. This time the fearless Delisle is in China and though the scenery and people may change, Delisle's winning style and humour do not.

Along with an exploration of China, we are introduced to hilarious moments such as a visit to the Dentist office which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Operating Room in MASH the TV series, dinner with new friends in which they communicate by drawing images and writing notes - which was one of my favourite illustrations, a how-to guide on cycling in China and so much more.

What I loved about this one too, was the inclusion of a few warmer moments in which Guy Delisle seemed to connect with people around him, something which I didn't see happen in Pyongyang or at least, I didn't notice it. The most memorable of these moments was a shared christmas.

I loved this book as much as I did Pyongyang and I look forward to his next book which I believe is going to be about his time spent in Burma. Another great read!

Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle

Published by Drawn and Quarterly Books

In Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea, Guy Delisle brings us a personal account of his experience there, overseeing animation production. In it we get to tag along as Guy tries to explore his environment and learn a little about North Korea. Of course, this is never easy as he has a constant shadow, his guide, who insists on revealing a picture perfect, rose-tinted view of his country.

Everyday activities involve frustrated attempts to seek answers that never come, dealing with animation teams who rarely seem to get things right, trips to various important places, all of which seem to center around Kim Il Sung and hilarious moments such as when he runs amok with a camera - well okay, taking one or two shots of garbage is hardly running amok but the way his guide reacts..

This book is the first graphic novel I have ever read and it won't be my last. I am hooked. This book has so much to like, humour, fact, fun little quizes, sarcasm - my favourite form of humour, and so much more. I love that it brings across the message that comic style books can still be informative and serious.

I couldn't help but think, as I read this book, that it reminded me in some ways of Bill Bryson's exploration of the U.K in Notes from a Small Island. It had a similar feel except this book is really funny, and had me laughing out loud many times. This book succeeds where Notes from a Small Island fell short.

I think this book would appeal to many people and personally, I also think it would make a great gift for those teens in your life who shy away from learning about other cultures and countries. I believe they will be as hooked as I was. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. It was a quick and entertaining read that has left me eager to learn more about North Korea.