Christmas is around the corner and everyone is stocking up on presents for their family. But giving your mom the same old skincare products or buying another electronic device for your dad can get boring. Want to buy exciting, new presents for your family? Graphic novels are here to help! By nature, graphic novels are meant for people who want to read but can’t read too much. Their amazing art and creative designing are bound to attract everyone. So, here are a few graphic novels you can give your family members based on what they like.
-
For the budding feminist:
If you have a teenage cousin who is just discovering herself or an aunt who’s been more involved in activism in the last couple of years— “The Complete Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi is the perfect gift. In this coming-of-age memoir, we follow the author as she grows up in war-torn Iran, discovers herself among strangers in Austria, experiences bouts of depression and chases her artistic dreams; all while trying to juggle her many identities.
-
For that racist uncle:
You probably saw him during Thanksgiving and you never want to see him again. But family is family, even if you can’t stand them. While some people are open to having an honest, open conversation about politics others just want to impose their opinion on everyone. If you have someone like this in your family buy them a copy of “Maus” by Art Spiegelman. This renowned book follows the author’s Jewish family as they navigate Nazism in Europe. It’s an eye-opening study in power and politics but also a story of love and resilience.
-
For the hopeless romantic:
If your mom cries while watching romantic comedies on Netflix, she has to read “Blue is the Warmest Color” by Julie Maroh. Set in France this novel follows Adele as she grows up and falls in love, only to mess it up. The movie adaptation of this book received international acclaim. The book is just as good, only more heartbreaking.
-
For the fantasy lover:
We all have a cousin who is obsessed with video games (mine has a whole YouTube channel about them). Maybe your dad religiously follows “Star Wars”, or maybe you have a sibling who is waiting for the next season of “Game of Thrones”. Or maybe you are a family of Potterheads. Regardless of what kind of story you’re looking for – “Saga” by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples has everything. A touching romance among people of two warring species set on a remote planet in space, this series of graphic novels has enough social commentary and action to keep all kinds of readers hooked.