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Skim
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
36 posts | 70 read | 44 to read
"Skim" is Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a not-slim, would-be Wiccan goth who goes to a private girls' school in the early '90s. When her classmate Katie Matthews is dumped by her boyfriend, who then kills himself possibly because he's (maybe) gay the entire school goes into mourning overdrive. It's a weird time to fall in love, but that's what happens to Skim when she starts meeting secretly with her neo-hippie English teacher, Ms. Archer. But then Ms. Archer abruptly leaves the school, and Skim has to cope with her confusion and isolation while her best friend, Lisa, tries to pull her into "real" life by setting up a hilarious double-date for the school's semi formal. Suicide, depression, love, homosexuality, crushes, cliques of popular, manipulative peers the whole gamut of teen life is explored in this poignant glimpse into the heartache of being 16."
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review
ephemeralwaltz
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

Devoured this this morning! I loved the story and the art. I also felt like I wanted to be friends with Skim (I'd be a better friend than Lisa for sure 🙄). Coming of age, sexual awakening, dealing with heartbreak and being an outcast in a world that pushes you to the side for being fat and Asian. Intense but also laugh-out-loud funny. The Tamaki duo make magic 😍
(TW for teenage suicide)

49 likes1 stack add
review
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Mehso-so

Here is the last book I read in 2019.
I absolutely loved the illustrations, they are really excellent; however, the story by itself didn't do much for me... I didn't connect at all with the story, I found some characters to be very annoying/superficial. Just not a story for me.

LiteraryinPA On the other hand, what a beautiful chair for reading (or for your cat to sit in while you read somewhere else?)! 5y
Adventures_of_a_French_Reader @LiteraryinLititz Thanks, yes it's a lovely chair to read in, and yes my cat lives it too. Often I have to move him to use it. 5y
15 likes2 comments
blurb
RealLifeReading
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Sunday is brought to you by the letter C - Comics (Skim and The Adventures of Superhero Girl), Coffee, and Chocolate from Singapore - Nanyang Kaya “traditional Singaporean breakfast in a bar” and one of things I love most is Kaya toast, Kaya being a delightfully delicious coconut jam and it‘s traditionally served between two crispy thin slices of toast and a slab of butter. Best with soft boiled eggs and dark soy sauce, and a milky sweet tea

BirdsandBelles Sounds delicious! 💕 5y
RealLifeReading @BirdsandBelles it is! And so comforting 5y
79 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
BiblioNyan
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Mehso-so

🚬About HS girl during aftermath of her classmate‘s suicide, as she struggles w/her depression & complicated 1st love.
🚬Monochromatic art consists of a blending of expressionism & contemporary realism, utilising black chalk style.
🚬Art contributes to Goth persona of MC & dark subject matter of depression.
🚬Duality between what‘s happening in school w/suicide & Skim‘s inner strife & personal relationships; heavy motifs.
🚬Taboo romance.
🚬3.5/5.

review
executivespooky
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
Mehso-so

Eh it was ok. I relate to the main character, but the illustration style and weird almost-relationship with the drama teacher made me uncomfortable.

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executivespooky
Skim | Mariko Tamaki

Looking forward to this, the story sounds really good. Today is the first I've picked up a graphic novel is almost a decade 😯

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Ellen_C
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

Monday is Canada Day! Celebrate by reading an outstanding graphic novel by the Tamaki cousins. It tackles depression, suicide, and matters regarding sexual orientation for teenagers. Beautifully drawn and written. https://cannonballread.com/2018/06/skillfully-tackling-serious-issues-in-a-ya-gr...

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xicanti
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

I can't find fault with a single element of SKIM. The writing's excellent. So's the art. The story's packed with authentic moments that feel beyond familiar, even though Kim's teenage life is mostly pretty different from my own.

But I don't know if I LIKED it, and I'm struggling to explain why given its uniform excellence. I suspect my final answer is way too long for Litsy's character limit and weirdly personal besides.

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xicanti
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I planned to leave the library empty-handed this morning, but I couldn't resist a couple more possibilities for #AsianLitBingo.

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AshHisson
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

This was fantastic; great writing and artwork. It brought back so many memories from high school, of being a weekend goth, wannabe pagan, semi-depressive oddball. Of fights with friends over miscommunications and growing apart from some of my closest friends. Definitely recommend. 5/5 #graphicnovel #marchreads

Crystalblu I think you and I were the same person in high school 😜 7y
AshHisson @Crystalblu If only I‘d known that in high school! 7y
14 likes2 comments
review
LauraBrook
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

It took me about a third of the book to get into it, and I‘m glad it did. This black and white GN is a fairly accurate look into a teenage girls internal life. If she‘s depressed, that is. Her friendships and interest in Wicca and sort-of, mostly one-sided love affair with her art teacher, and how her internal monologues are so much different than what she says. I don‘t know if I‘m describing this correctly, but I do know that I enjoyed this.

56 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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LauraBrook
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Because I‘m nothing if not an overpreparer, here‘s my first round of GN‘s from the library for the #LetsGetGraphicWeeklongMarathon! It‘s all I could carry in my library tote, and honestly I was afraid it would burst at the seams!
@Clwojick @TricksyTails

Clwojick 👏👏👏👏 I enjoyed Skim 📚 7y
Clwojick Excited to hear your thoughts on the other ones... haven't read them... Yet! 😉 7y
LauraBrook @Clwojick Yay, I‘m glad you liked Skim! I hope they‘re all good. I mean, I know I‘ll like the top two bc they‘re Far Side collections, but other than that I have no idea! (Also, I have about 10 I requested from other libraries too.) 😂😊 7y
See All 9 Comments
batsy I enjoyed Skim and Castle Waiting! 7y
emtobiasz Castle Waiting is lovely-- but be prepared for it to just kind of... end. The creator wrote two volumes and left it as an unfinished project from there. I still think it's great, I just wanted more of the stories to wrap up! 7y
TricksyTails I may have tore my library tote during my last library haul. Happy you're joining us!! 👏😁 7y
LauraBrook @batsy Yay, two more good‘uns in the stack! ❤️ 7y
LauraBrook @emtobiasz Thanks for the heads-up. I‘ve got the other volume requested, and I‘m glad to know that the series just...ends. 👍🏼 7y
LauraBrook @TricksyTails Hah! Glad I‘m in good company! I‘ve got 18 more on request and I‘m transit. Fingers crossed they don‘t all show up at once! (But they will, probably an hour after I leave the library with one check-out.) 7y
85 likes9 comments
blurb
Clwojick
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Dear Diary,
I had a dream
I put my hands
inside my chest
and held my heart

to try to keep it still.

❤️

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Beautiful pictures! 7y
UrsulaMonarch 💚 great post! 7y
90 likes2 comments
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Clwojick
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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This 🙌🙌🙌

70 likes2 stack adds
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Clwojick
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I'm loving the art!

KathyWheeler The art is just gorgeous! 7y
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Clwojick
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Seen the New York Times Book Review, and knew I had to read it.

74 likes1 stack add
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I just wrote a blog post on my 8 favourite Asian Canadian queer books and thought y'all might be interested! Maybe they will become your favourites too! The list includes these three pictured, the book tagged, and more. Https://caseythecanadianlesbrarian.com/2017/08/21/8-awesome-asian-canadian-queer-books/

Lindy Yes!! I just recommended Skim to @Booksandcooks 7y
Megabooks @Lindy Yes, it sounds great! 7y
Lindy @CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian What a fantastic list! I have yet to read Kai Cheng Thom and jia qing wilson-yang, but I trust they will be every bit as wonderful as the others that you have selected. 7y
See All 7 Comments
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Booksandcooks One of my favourite graphic novels! 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Lindy Thanks so much Lindy! 7y
batsy Great list, thank you for putting it together. I love Skim! And can't wait to check out the rest. Heard a lot of good things about Vivek Shraya. 7y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @batsy Her work is amazing! And very versatile. 7y
42 likes7 comments
review
MoniqueChristine
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

The Tamaki's expertly craft a story of teenage angst that is both relateable and engaging. Kim is a character struggling to figure herself out. As she builds her identity she desperately tries to process falling in love for her english teacher and growing apart from her best friend. The story touches on LGBT+ issues, racism, and suicide but its main focus is on self-discovery and finding your place. A phenomenal book that is easy to recommend.

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MoniqueChristine
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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2 likes1 stack add
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MoniqueChristine
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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The Tamaki's are doing a really phenomenal job of capturing teen angst and the experience of the first time falling in love. Very moving comic.

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lisakoby
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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The sky right this minute from my back porch. Perfect reading outside #weather #aprilbookshowers

Beckys_Books Gorgeous!! 8y
RealLifeReading Lovely 8y
34 likes2 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I was working on a presentation about LGBTQ2IA+ YA books today for a library conference and my dad's cat Trixie was helping me. Look at that face! #CatsofLitsy

MCYmermaid 😻 8y
Bookzombie 💕🐱 8y
night_shift Pretty kitty! 8y
See All 6 Comments
Bibliogeekery I love Skim! 8y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @Bibliogeekery Me too! I'm putting it on my "must-have" list for queer YA in the presentation. 8y
Bibliogeekery Excellent choice! Wish I could see that presentation! 😍 8y
40 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Hestapleton
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

An interesting coming of age story. Skim isn't sure who she is or who she wants to be. The story has very little dialogue, but the thoughts of the narrator kept the story flowing smoothly. Had some deep moments. 3.75/5

21 likes2 stack adds
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jordanerickson
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

A+ comic writing right here

4 likes1 stack add
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Auntynanny
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

This was both beautifully drawn and beautifully written. I look forward to reading more by them.

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Bibliogeekery
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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#booktober #favegraphicnovels I love all four of these graphic novels! #queerbooks

WOCreads Yay so many great ones!!🙌📚 8y
83 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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bookloaner
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I like to read graphic novels in between my other books and I'm trying to read Tamaki's and Gene Luen Yang's works before going to a graphic novel panel featuring them on Monday. I'm really loving this so far

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Jokila
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

Skim's an October-ready read set in autumn, with a Wicca-practicing heroine. 🍂 Its evasive dialogue and half-complete diary entries ring wonderfully true to teenage-girl secrecy and uncertainty, and its growing-pains subject matter makes for a perfect hit of nostalgia paired with this change of seasons! 🍁

13 likes4 stack adds
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Jokila
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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6 likes2 stack adds
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szainabwilliams
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

I want to read graphic novels by the Tamakis all day every day. Their ability to capture the ethereal spirit of growing up makes me feel inadequate and I can't even hate them.

16 likes3 stack adds
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Gezemice
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

Beautifully drawn and very personal take on the turbulent and difficult time of growing up, first love, heart ache, fitting in, discovering your identity and coming to terms with it. Love changes everything. 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

45 likes2 stack adds
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Gezemice
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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#tbrTuesday for this week
Reading: Almost done with I, Robot, and just started Moby Dick on the Kindle.
Starting this week: Skim - a graphic novel with beautiful Japanese art for my "recommended by Goodreads" category (Goodreads generally sucks at recommending for me so I went for a graphic novel); The Notorious RBG - can't wait!; Papergirls.
The Penelopiad after I finish a few, probably next week.

Books_Wine_Repeat The Penelopiad is on my TBR list. Can't wait to get to it! 8y
Gezemice @Books_Wine_Repeat Me too! On an Atwood kick at the moment, but need a bit of respite :) 8y
Chessa Oooh, loved Paper Girls and Notorious RBG! And Skim is on my list - I really liked This One Summer! I've heard good things. 8y
See All 10 Comments
Trav This pile is amazing! 8y
Books_Wine_Repeat @Gezemice I finished Notorious RBG a few days ago. That was a good one. 8y
quirkyreader The Papergirls is good and so is Moby Dick. And remember with Moby it's three books in one. 8y
MrBook Nice cache! 8y
Gezemice @Chessa @Trav @quirkyreader @MrBook @Books_Wine_Repeat Thanks! Looking forward to them, nice to hear the endorsements! 8y
Zakia You're gonna love the Atwood :) 8y
Gezemice @Zakia I am betting on it :) 8y
52 likes4 stack adds10 comments
review
estellasrevenge
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
Pickpick

The Tamakis really know how to write teens. Loved this sensitive look at a teen dealing with first infatuation, difficult friendships, with elements of teen suicide, sexual preference, and shoddy adults. Gorgeous art and storytelling.

14 likes2 stack adds
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Rinna
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

An angsty but sweet queer coming-of-age romance for the witchy goth girl.

3 likes1 stack add
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Rinna
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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I think I'm gonna relate well to the character in Skim. #gothgirls

3 likes2 stack adds
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BekahB
Skim | Mariko Tamaki
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Pickpick

I finally finished Skim even with the distractions. I really enjoyed this book. A lot going on despite it being a slim graphic novel. This is an interesting snippet of a teen's life over a few weeks. Worth taking the time to read this slowly and pay attention to what's going on in the panels.

7 likes3 stack adds