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David > Books: Read‎ (4)

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Everything Is OK

title

Everything Is OK

author

Tung, Debbie *

isbn

1524863270

isbn13

9781524863272

asin

1524863270

num pages

189 pp

avg rating

4.31

num ratings

6,338

date pub

Sep 27, 2022

date pub edition

Sep 27, 2022

David's rating

really liked it

my rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Everything Is OK is about a journey through depression though it is quite light on plot (as with most of the author's books) and more focused on advic Everything Is OK is about a journey through depression though it is quite light on plot (as with most of the author's books) and more focused on advice. It felt like a minimalist guide to cognitive behavioral therapy in comic form and would be a great companion or alternative to the more textbook-style CBT help guides. Even though I was not going through depression or severe mental struggles as I read this, it lifted my mood several times, especially the strips involving color.

As in previous books, the style is mostly black and white but there are many sudden uses of color that help illustrate certain pieces of advice that felt quite refreshing and moving.

And though light on plot, the book ties into how the author leaned into her artist journey through the process of navigating depression and anxiety and published her first book (Quiet Girl in a Noisy World), which was a nice autobiographical touch. ...more

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# times read

2

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date added

Jun 30, 2024

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Shuna's Journey

title

Shuna's Journey

author

Miyazaki, Hayao

isbn

1250846528

isbn13

9781250846525

asin

1250846528

num pages

160 pp

avg rating

4.34

num ratings

9,746

date pub

Jun 15, 1983

date pub edition

Nov 01, 2022

David's rating

it was amazing

my rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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review

This is a sparse graphic novel with a simple story and very little dialogue and is more of a illustrated book (or an emonogatari, as the afterword say This is a sparse graphic novel with a simple story and very little dialogue and is more of a illustrated book (or an emonogatari, as the afterword says) despite the setting and art being very similar to Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind graphic novel series, which was full of dialogue, side plots, and politics.

Amazingly, this simplicity still makes for rich world-building and a moving odyssey of a lone character going through a vast quest to chase some myths. The ending made me crave for more of this world while making the book feel fairly complete at the same time.

The afterword by the translator Alex Dudok de Wit is very much worth a read for Miyazaki fans, as he briefly chronicles Miyazaki's initial struggle to success, the motivation for him creating Shuna's Journey during this period of struggle, and how much of Miyazaki's movies are traced back to the various themes, settings, and characters in this book. ...more

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2

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Jun 01, 2024

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The Naked Tree

title

author

Gendry-Kim, Keum Suk

isbn

1770466673

isbn13

9781770466678

asin

1770466673

num pages

316 pp

avg rating

3.83

num ratings

581

date pub

May 09, 2020

date pub edition

Aug 22, 2023

David's rating

really liked it

my rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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review

The Naked Tree is a graphic novel adaptation of the book of the same name which is said in the preface to have major differences, but I have yet to re The Naked Tree is a graphic novel adaptation of the book of the same name which is said in the preface to have major differences, but I have yet to read it. The graphic novel details one woman's daily life in Seoul during the Korean War, showing the civilian toll of the war, particularly the fact that almost every aspect of life was constrained by the war. The main focus is on her encounter with an artist who struggles to find the freedom and self-sufficiency to make art in a time of war.

The story begins and ends with the writer of the original book many years after the war, showing what motivated her to write this autobiography and how the artist affected her.
In addition to this, the central story of this book is also quite non-linear. While the writer's side of the story made it a bit confusing to follow due to the name changes, the non-linearity of the main story represents the woman's repressed, painful memories quite well and clarifies the reason behind her gloomy feelings in the first part of the story. I can't imagine this book having as much impact if it was in chronological order and the pacing was very fast and engaging towards the second part. Especially since the frames are quite structured and rigid in the beginning but the latter half flows and uses more creative frames.

The brushstroke style artwork fits the setting quite well, but some characters are drawn in a cartoonish way that feels out of place. They were likely meant to represent what the woman felt about them and it would have made more sense if she was someone who drew and this was from her personal sketches, but I don't believe this was the case.

However, the slightly confusing name changes and cartoon drawings are minor quips, and the story is a quite moving experience of an ordinary person during a time of war and her reflection on what art can do. ...more

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2

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Jun 01, 2024

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Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?

title

Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?

author

isbn

1608198065

isbn13

9781608198061

asin

1608198065

num pages

228 pp

avg rating

4.15

num ratings

30,870

date pub

May 06, 2014

date pub edition

May 06, 2014

David's rating

it was amazing

my rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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review

Having seen the author's comics in The New Yorker, I always thought Chast only made short, funny, and never serious comics. From the cover of this boo Having seen the author's comics in The New Yorker, I always thought Chast only made short, funny, and never serious comics. From the cover of this book, I was expecting this to be the same but a collection of such comics, but I was glad to be proved completely wrong.

Chast gives a very personal and honest account of going through her parents' final years, going in detail of their experiences with personality changes, nursing homes, health expenses, etc. She reveals a lot of thoughts that most might be embarrassed to admit, like being torn about spending thousands a month in healthcare for elderly parents who can no longer experience much. Thus, it often felt like reading a very personal diary and sketchbook that would rarely be shared.

Despite covering a sad and rarely discussed topic, the book is filled with humor (even the first comic appearing alongside the contents had me laughing inside) and made me feel more prepared, rather than dreadful, for the future when I will be in the same situation. ...more

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2

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May 22, 2024

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