Book Review: Ghost World

I've never really read a graphic novel before...I'm pretty sure when I was in high school I went to the county library and rented some out but I don't remember ever actually reading them. So recently I decided it was time for me to dabble in the world of graphic novels. 

I know a lot of people who LOVE the medium of graphic novels so I thought it was something good for me to try out since 1. I think they're usually quick and fun reads and 2. I have a lot of heavy material I have to read for classes so I wanted something different to read on my own time. 

So I posted on Facebook and asked my friends what graphic novels they would recommend and I got a lot of comments but when I went to Barnes and Nobel their section was sparse and Ghost World was one of the only available GNs from my compiled list.

But it was a good choice!

Here's why:

I'm really into coming of age literature so reading on the back of the novel that it, "spells out the realities of teen angst as powerfully and authentically as Salinger" had me sold. (Not that Catcher in the Rye is my fav coming of age novel but you know). The novel follows two girls in their hometown as they navigate life after high school. One of the girls, Enid, is testing to get into college and it's created a riff between her and her best friend. What I liked most about this novel was that it followed two girls but it wasn't typically a "girly" story. The characters were crass and realistic and sometimes kind of shitty like when they decide to play pranks on unexpecting older men...but they're likeable. So like most coming of age novels, you're rooting for them. 

And that's what I was doing throughout this whole graphic novel and that's what made me continue reading. These girls reminded me of myself after high school: angst, being stuck between adulthood and girlhood, and being fixated on sex and boys and their futures outside of the life they've always known. And I can't forget to mention that the art was amazing and fun and fit perfectly with the content of the story. 

I would give this graphic novel a 4/5!

Meet Casey!

Hi all! We decided to do intro posts for both of us so you can get to know us and our lives a little bit better before we get into more posts. 

So I'll start! I'm Casey- I'm 21 and living in Chicago on the North West side (Logan Square/Humboldt Park). I've gone to Columbia College Chicago for the last three years and will be graduating next month with a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Journalism (wooohooo!!!). People keep asking me what I want to do after graduation soooooo I'll try and answer that question. Currently, I'm doing a lot of freelance work as a social media manager and content writer and that's going really well for me. Ideally, I'd like to keep that up but as we've all heard: it's hard out there for a freelancer. I also really would love to finish up the personal writing I've been working on in the Creative Writing department.

But besides that I live with a nice roommate and the love of my life- my kitty Graham. I love makeup, crafts, juice, classic rock, dancing, and being silly. I have a sweet boyfriend named Jack who is my best friend! 

I can't wait to post more and get started with our blog!