Welcome to Litsy!

A short story collection that attempts to capture the way people navigate the mundanity of life in their own personal ways. We get snapshots of their adventures/experiences & it‘s all small-scale, but occasionally rendered poignant by clean and clear artwork.When the stories work,their narratives give you more in this format than “regular” literature as the visuals do all the extra work for the reader. Dan Clowes-like cynicism but less surrealism.

Well that was uncomfortable. If it should be rated for technical skill in drawing or the ability to elicit emotions, then high marks. But it mostly just made me feel icky. More moments in time than stories with resolutions.

Six impeccable slice-of-life stories told in comics format. Deadpan wit, emotional nuance, perceptive observations and lots of warmth for these sad, alienated, frustrated characters. These are the kinds of stories with a whole lot going on in the gutters and outside the confines of the pages. Tomine uses clean lines, matching subtly different art styles to the mood of each story. #graphicnovel #comics

In ‘Hortisculpture,‘ the first story in this collection, a gardener finds a creative outlet after he reads an article about sculptor Isamu Noguchi. I then went down an internet rabbit hole looking at Noguchi‘s work (example bottom left above). The character‘s weird art — a “synthesis of nature and craft” — actually reminded me of Kosen Ohtsubo‘s ikebana (example bottom right).

An intriguing collection of six short story comics. I didn't LOVE any of them, but they all made me think. Together? Intriguing ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not loving this one so far but at least I‘m getting a pedicure so still having a pleasant time reading. 🤗💅

#riotgram day 3: three word titles #bookriot #riotgrams

I enjoyed this #graphicnovel #collection of stories. Each story was unique with the only main thread running throughout them being that most had rather open or anticlimactic endings. The illustrations for each one were slightly different in style with diverse characters and plots.

Really really detailed and emotional book of graphic short stories 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I just like this view 😍

I liked this. Different from my usual graphic novel. I will be checking out more from him. I like that they are untidy endings.

Second book of #24in48 bumped me up to 4+ hours, which I'm not too upset by given how late I started.

What an amazing collection. I had forgotten how much I love Tomine's work, which can be so gorgeously dark. I particularly enjoyed "Amber Sweet." The titular story was also a fave, but a bit nerve-wracking given my recent decision to pursue a career in comedy. Obviously different from my life, but the fear/vulnerability is accurately represented.

While y'all (and Twitter) help me decide which novel to read next, I'm going to finally read my signed copy of Killing and Dying, which I bought when I got to meet Adrian Tomine at Brooklyn Book Festival.

#24in48

My #bookishresolutions this year. Higher than last year so a challenge. Starting off with a bunch of graphic novels to give myself a boost.
#readjanuary

This brilliant graphic novel of short stories is everything you hope for in a book. Each story tells of people trying to do the best they can in an often difficult or cruel world. I love that the author resisted the temptation to tie things up neatly, often leaving the reader wondering after the last panel. The artwork is terrific and must be looked at closely for unsaid parts of the story. A collection to be read slowly and savoured.

Love Adrian Tomine!

My fourth book and third graphic novel of today's #readathon. Moppet approves. #dogsoflitsy

Wow. Really loved this, I've read other things by Tomine and am always interested in how his work has developed. He continues to take often mundane settings and place in nuanced, complex characters. These stories are deceptively quiet but so so much is going on underneath. I feel like if Chekhov wrote comics, they would be this. Stunning book!

Graphic novel/comic time on a Sunday evening!

I found this collection of short graphic stories intriguing and sad. Well written with simple and lovely art. All around win. This is my first Tomine, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for more. (Tilney likes to sit on or next to books just after I finish them... which is incredibly adorable - and I'm thankful that he generally waits until I'm done.)

...and the unbelievably talented Adrian Tomine, who took the time to sign every book as intricately as he did here. #BKBF #BKLovesLitsy #brooklynbookfestival

I've wanted to read Adrian Tomine for a long time, and Killing and Dying did not disappoint. My favorite story in the collection is "Go Owls," about two people who meet in an AA meeting and try to forge a relationship, despite their flaws and the slow downhill roll of their lives. The book itself is a beautifully designed objet d'art; a muted palette and Japanese minimalism combine in lovely title pages and an eye-catching transparent dust jacket!

Tomine is writing some of the best short stories around, but he's also one of the most vital illustrators in the game. He's at the forefront of this combination of genres, and this collection proves that he's still expanding his creative potential for each.

I'm usually a fan of bigger, more colorful art in graphic novels, so I wasn't sure how much I'd like this once I looked inside. I just finished the first story, though, and I really liked it. The quiet, subdued art really fit with the quirky story.

Wow, these short stories all packed a huge punch. One major theme was decent ladies putting up with a lot of awful behavior from guys. The title story and "The Owls" were particularly heartrending.

This felt like it had a little more resolution than Tomine's previous collections. I really like the subtlety in his stories.

Currently reading / currently breaking my heart 💔