Are graphic memoirs by female artists a new trend? If so, we're loving it. Last week, we told you about Joyce Farmer's Special Exits, and this week we're gobbling up another — and a couple other books for good measure.
Good Eggs
Author: Phoebe Potts, an artist and writer.
Genre: Graphic memoir
What Happens: Potts' cute, cartoon-like drawings tell the story of her quest to conceive a baby. You'll giggle, you'll cry, you'll fall in love with the kooky-but-endearing characters.
When to Read It: When you're okay with the person next to you on the train looking over your shoulder — and maybe even laughing with you.
Details: Harper, September 21, $23.99
My Lie: A True Story of False Memory
Author: Meredith Maran, a journalist and bestselling nonfiction author.
Genre: How-Is-That-Possible?! memoir
What Happens: At age 37, Maran accuses her father of sexual abuse. Ten years later, she realizes he was innocent. Maran is one of the tens of thousands of Americans who, in the '80s and '90s, became convinced that they'd repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse, and when she realizes her memories were false, she has to pick up the pieces of this life-destroying mistake.
Why Read It: Ayelet Waldman (author of Bad Mother and the new novel Red Hook Road) says: "My Lie is a shockingly honest, stunningly nuanced book. Every parent, and everyone who has a parent, should read this searing father-daughter story." That pretty much sums it up.
Details: Jossey Bass, September 20, $24.95
Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self
Author: Danielle Evans, a young writer and fiction instructor at American University.
Genre: True-to-life short stories about youth and race in America
What Happens: In one story, a college student deals with an unexpected pregnancy. In another, a mixed-race girl visits her white grandmother for the summer. The much buzzed-about collection tackles what it means to be young and black or mixed-race right now, in bold, vivid prose.
When to Read It: When you're ready to be sucked in — but you're short on time. (Gotta love short stories.)
Details: Riverhead Books, September 23, $25.95
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