Hey there, fellow bookworms! Today, I want to share with you three lesser known YA graphic novels that I stumbled upon recently. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, cozy up, and let’s discuss these fantastic reads together.
FOR FANS OF QUIRKY SLICE-OF-LIFE STORIES:
Lucky Penny by Ananth Hirsh, illustrated by Yuko Ota
This graphic novel, published in 2016, tells the story of Penny, a young woman in her early 20s who experiences a series of not-so-minor inconveniences. It’s not totally clear whether bad luck follows Penny or if she’s the one inviting the bad luck into her life. Either way, she is undeniably entertaining and oddly endearing.
Penny’s life is pretty depressing. She loses her job and her apartment, and begins working for her friend’s annoying 12-year-old brother at a laundromat. But wait…it gets worse. Penny has no choice but to shower at the gym, she has several strange unsanitary habits, she lives in a storage unit, and she periodically battles with a group of obnoxious middle school boys. She NEVER complains though, and carries a happy-go-lucky attitude with her wherever she goes.
Lucky Penny is a funny slice-of-life comic, but with a dash of adventure/superhero vibes that totally catch you off guard. You would think that random superhero battle scenes would feel out of place, but they end up working quite well in the story! I also appreciate that this graphic novel follows a character in her early 20s, which can be an underrepresented demographic in YA graphic novels. I approve of (and can relate to) a graphic novel that features young adults after high school, living on their own out in the “real world”, drinking, dating, working, and of course, living without supervision! If you’re a fan of slice-of-life stories and are not afraid of a little superhero action, then give Lucky Penny a try.
FOR FANS OF ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS STORIES:
Doughnuts and Doom by Balazs Lorinczi
This magical, pastry-filled story follows Margot, a witch who struggles with spells but excels at potion-making, and Elena, a doughnut-seller by day and struggling rock musician by night. When Elena and Margot meet at the doughnut shop, Margot makes a TERRIBLE first impression. But mutual disdain quickly turns into something much sweeter, and even uplifting, as Margot and Elena go from loathing each other to supporting each other’s dreams, all over the course of 132 pages.
This is a very short read…some might say too short. But if you’re looking for a quick, lighthearted comic with some romance and witchy vibes, then this is the graphic novel for you. The artwork is phenomenal, the characters are likable, and the story is downright cozy.
FOR FANS OF ALL THINGS SPOOKY:
Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir and Steenz
This graphic novel is perfect for horror fans who want a slightly spooky read. It follows Cel, a young librarian who loses her job after suffering from a mental breakdown. She takes on a new job as an archivist at the Logan Museum, and soon discovers that the archives just might be haunted. She then makes it her mission to unravel the museum’s mysteries, all while grappling with her own mental health struggles.
Overall, Archival Quality is a fun yet thought-provoking read that entertains readers with ghostly encounters and an edge-of-your-seat mystery, while also touching on more serious topics such as mental health and self-acceptance. The cutesy illustrations keep the spookiness at bay and provide a nice contrast to the eerie, unsettling atmosphere. And as a librarian myself, I love that our main character is an awesome librarian! Archival Quality is a must-read for fellow librarians and for fans of all things spooky.
Share your thoughts and graphic novel recommendations in the comments—I’d love to hear what you think!
Pawsitive Reads 