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Graphic novels for girls (and women) who don't like graphic novels
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I'll confess. I am a recent graphic novel convert. Two years ago I would have said I hated graphic novels and comic books and Japanese manga. I would have argued that there wasn't much of a difference between graphic novels and comics. As it would turn out I didn't hate graphic novels, I just hadn't read the right ones.
So what is the difference between graphic novels and comics and manga? Truth is, there isn't really big difference. They are all done in the same format called sequential art: the combination of text, panels, and images. The biggest differences are shelf life and book length. Comic books typically have a month on the shelf and usually tell the story in 30 pages or so. Graphic novels are published like books and can be up to 600 pages long. The difference between Japanese manga and American comic books is that American comics are often about superheros while mangas can be more complex with stories about romance and historical fiction. Manga is published in both weekly and monthly installments. Japanese manga is also read from right to left (or from the end of the book to the front) while most graphic novels and comics are read left to right.
If you aren't already a fan of graphic novels and manga, you might enjoy these:
Young Adult:
Boys Over Flowers by Hani Yori Dango
Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase
DramaCon by Sveltlana Chmakova
Girl Stories by Lauren Weinstein
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
Plain Janes and Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci
Adult:
I Love Led Zeppelin and Lust: Kinky Online Personal Ads by Ellen Forney
The Complete Persepolis by Majane Satrapi
Three Days in Europe by Antony Johnston
Slow News Day and Dumped by Andi Watson
Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story by Frederick Peeters
Shortcomings and Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine
French Milk by Lucy Knisley
For more recommendations for teens, adults, and children, go here.
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