Ashley Jablonski is a Wisconsin transplant who came to Vermont initially to attend the Center for Cartoon Studies. She fell in love with Vermont, and is obsessed with anything VT. She's also obsessed with graphic memoir, and all things spooky or witchy. In her spare time, you can find her in the woods listening to the Skyrim soundtrack, or enjoying a cup of coffee while drawing, painting, or reading.
This book is so beautifully drawn; it's like cutting through a slice of room temperature butter. I love the lines and texture of the drawings. The writing flowed really lovely; poetic and lyrical. It was a beautiful slice of life book, that almost reads in vignettes. Characters are built up through the things that they do, or what they say. They're also built up through lists, which I found intriguing. I could not put this book down. -Ashley
Hauntingly beautiful. It may be a bit cliché, but to me, it reads like a musical composition. I obviously came to that thought because Song Yan, the main character, is a pianist and piano teacher. She begins to have dreams of mushrooms, and of not being able to get out of a small room. Her waking life is starting to suffocate her. Her mother-in-law moves in with her and her husband and simultaneously, she begins to find out her husband's past through a phone call from his ex-wife, Julia. He never talked about it to her. Mushrooms are also being sent to their address, and at first, she doesn't know from whom. It's somewhat poetic. It feels like an open window, and the only light coming through is light from the natural world, illuminating the walls with shadows of blues. White lace curtains billowing in the wind, airing out a space while breathing new life into it. It also reminded me of feelings that I've felt while listening to "My Immortal," by Evanescence, and the complexities of that song. It's like the contrast of light and dark, but around it all, are soft edges. -Ashley
This book was really helpful and the pick me up that I needed, as I've been in a bit of an artistic slump. Rick Rubin puts text to things that I've thought a lot about. For me and my artistic practice, I wholeheartedly believe that everything I create is sort of a mirror, or a self portrait. It's everything that I am in that moment in time; all of my unconscious and conscious drives, and all of the knowledge and feelings that I know and feel in that moment. Even if it isn't my intention, it's everything that's me in that moment. Sort of like a time capsule. All in all, this book really resonated with me, and it's what I needed to read. It was nice to be reaffirmed. -Ashley
The cover and title struck me, which is why I initially picked it up. Set in historic Chicago, the feel is very noir. She's a magical detective that sold her soul in order to save her brother. Her time is running out, as she has 10 years after selling her soul before death comes for her. Before she has to make her exit from her world, she is offered one more job. She initially declines, until she is offered a deal that she cannot resist: the chance to get her soul back and the chance to grow old with her love. -Ashley
“And telling a story, I suppose, is like winding a skein of spun yarn- you sometimes lose track of the beginning.” I find myself drawn to certain stories... Certain movies... Certain songs... Things that speak to my soul. That makes me feel seen and just gets me. That makes my soul feel seen, I suppose. They ignite something within me... Like a match igniting into a flame. Like, "yeah this is it. This is the story that satisfies my soul." I don't normally read a book more than once, but I find myself coming back time again and reading this one. It's warm, cozy, romantic, fantastical, and wintery. Rose was born facing North. Her destiny awaits her... Will she be a traveler, like other northborns? Even if the circumstances of her birth were at first a lie? This is my absolute favorite book of all time. “That's the trouble with loving a wild thing: You're always left watching the door. But you also get kind of used to it.” -Ashley
Beautiful and dreamy. I love the pairing of illustrations with text. It's delightful. -Ashley
To be quite honest, it took me a little while to get into this book. It wasn't that the story was not captivating nor engaging. In fact, it is very much so. It was just hard. Wanda's life is harsh, beginning at her birth. She knows death. She knows the harsh reality of living and surviving in a world that is futuristic apocalyptic, dealing with climate change. She learns very young how to survive, as she forms a friendship with a woman named Phyllis. They learn and grow from each other. Wanda is special. Every time she's in the water, the water lights up. She can hear whispers and gets inklings, but she learns to try and hide this from the world. She does this to keep herself safe... Sometimes, I don't know how a book will affect me until after time has past since finishing it. I find that if a book tends to stick with me and if I think about it, then it spoke to me. -Ashley
This book is gorgeous. The splash pages are brilliantly designed, and the storytelling is engulfing. If you're ever wanting a magical, somewhat dreamy, New England Ghibli-esque story, read this. Tillie normally includes a cat, along with a sense of place that inspires her. If you're observing, you may read "Lucky's," "The Polka Dot Diner," And "Four Aces" which are or were local places around here. -Ashley
The storytelling of this book really struck me. It's told from different character perspectives in the sense of a web, in which both characters and the story are fully realized. Each character affects another, sometimes without realizing the full extent of it. As a reader, we get to see that full extent. Each segment of their perspective offers insight into a fuller picture. Utterly fascinating. -Ashley
I found this book to be very important and profound. PTSD and feelings of derealization were captured extremely well in my opinion. Comics are powerful in the sense that they can capture and shake/viscerally evoke feeling. They're such an important and engaging story telling medium. They have the power to really evoke empathy, as well. It's well crafted, and this book flowed really well. -Ashley
Keum Suk Gendry-Kim does really beautiful line art and spot blacks. I'm also drawn to the pacing of this story. I think comics are unique and powerful in that you can really viscerally feel and see the stories. There's a rhythm to them. Time can be paced and captured in an interesting way. You can feel the world, and the characters inhabiting it. And, you can also see them. The textured line art draws emotion. You can see how heart-wrenching it must be to have been separated from a family member during the Korean War. The author also utilizes her own family history to draw from in creating this important book. Utterly heart-wrenching. But nonetheless, so important it's essential. Also, read Grass by this author. -Ashley
I feel like there’s so much imbued meaning to dissect. I read it in one sitting. Gil, the main character of this story, learns about wealth he inherited at the age of 18 after growing up with his grandmother because his parents died in a car accident. The past haunts him as he tries to move through to the present, hiking from New York to his new home in Phoenix after a bad breakup. He befriends his new neighbors, a family of four. Interspersed throughout this book are bird species Gil identifies. He mentions birds being evolved from dinosaurs. Maybe, in a way, he’s evolved, too? I think he finds his purpose and that lies in finding family he didn’t have. -Ashley
This book was wonderful and wholesome. Blackall buys a farmhouse that's in disarray, and researches the space along with the family that used to live there before taking it down. She tells their tale along with hers using different mediums, including the reverse sides of wallpaper. It's her sense of honoring and remembering this space. After the family left, the house was a shelter for racoons, squirrels, and an assortment of other animals; like a bear. It's a reflection on the old and the new, about breathing new lives into old things. -Ashley
I love how Nicole J. Georges tells a story. She’s one of the first authors that I looked at in order to try and help me tell my graphic memoir. This book is brilliant. She bares her heart in telling the story about a challenging dog, about her successes and mishaps in being an imperfect dog owner and taking this dog home. -Ashley
My colleague, Beth, suggested that I might really like this book, and so I read it. I'm really glad that I did, and she was correct. The story was enthralling, and it was fascinating to see how a poster, or a piece of art can take a life of its own. What does one poster do? What does many do? Outside of the makers' hands, who does it belong to? What consequences (intended or unintended) can result from something being created and put out into the world? And this last question can extend to anything and everything. It's fun to ponder. -Ashley
The dog travels far in this book, passing from person to person, and we get to see the lives that he ends up changing with those whom he meets along the way. The dog is trying to find someone, and so he is always facing south. He is determined to find the person that he loves. -Ashley
Gorgeous hyper-realistic, surreal drawings that tell a chill-shivering story about siblings looking for flowers for their mother, when they stumble upon Paradise Sands Hotel, a hotel in disarray. They happen upon a mysterious teller, whom wants them to stay… -Ashley
As a graphic memoirist myself, I LOVE memoir. I enjoy reading and having insight to others' lives. Other peoples' stories. I gravitate to finding a common thread among my own life. I find my own life tethered to and from in the in-between. I really enjoyed Carrie's vulnerability; the baring of her soul. It didn't necessarily feel "messy." Instead, if felt human, and being human also comes with (at times) feelings of imperfection. -Ashley
I loved how poetic and lyrical Patti Smith's writing is in this book. This book blends reality with dreams, like waves washing upon a shore. Or, the sound of listening to the ocean through a shell. It evoked those kinds of feelings in me. How does one cope with loss? How do we continue to carry those we love with us? Through our memories? Our dreams? What do we bring forward as we live in present tense? Those are types of questions that I reflected on as I read this. -Ashley
What a bizarre and absurd read, and I mean that in the best of ways. It was rather delightful, and I chuckled a couple of times. I'm still unsure what happens in the end, and I'm left with more questions than answers. Anyways, it's a wild ride. -Ashley
If you go down in the woods today, you better NOT read this book or you might end up full of fright. Unless, that's what you want. This book is bone chilling. When I first read this book, I was drawn to the compositions of each page, the style, and the color utilization. It was enthralling and gripping, and I couldn't put it down. Very spooky and brilliant. -Ashley
What a wild ride. With any of her work, you never know where you're going. It will always surprise and exceed your expectations. Fascinating story telling that feels like riding a roller coaster- you know you'll come up and back down, but you only know how it feels when you're on the journey itself. You're just holding on for dear life as it twists and turns until it's over. You're ecstatic and scared at the same time. -Ashley
(Please note, this book cannot be returned.)
It's hard to tell someone else's story, and these cartoonists handle it with great care and compassion. I had some general background on the immigration crises, but it was really insightful being able to se specific and deeply personal stories of the everyday lives of immigrants, and how hard it can be. How ignorant I had been. A very important and powerful, eye opening book. I feel grateful to be able to read their stories. This book does something to my heart. -Ashley
I always find wordless comics fascinating. I struggle with creating wordless comics, because I always have stuff that I want to say with words, and not say through showing alone. This book is staged well, which shows movement of the characters throughout space and time. It reminds me of the Disney short film, "Paperman." Workman publishing has a great description, "Life is full of connections – if you know how to make them. Crushing follows two people -- one determined and a bit awkward, the other unsure where to begin -- longing to find out where they belong. Their intersecting and overlapping journeys reveal hidden connections and the unpredictable and unexpected ways we may find each other." -Ashley
I always find it fascinating to "read" a story without words. As a cartoonist who tends to tell more than shows (I know, I know; but Lynda Barry; a cartoonist whom I deeply admire can do it), I find this challenging. The story is shown in vignettes of a boy wanting a dog. At home, his room is in disarray. In order for his parents to consider getting a dog, he has to learn to clean up after himself. Based on a true story and (SPOILER ALERT) the dog DOESN'T die. I repeat "THE DOG DOESN'T DIE." -Ashley
"What is Love?" a boy asks his grandmother. Her response was, "I can't answer that." "Who can?" he asked. "If you go out into the world, you might find the answer," she told him. So, out in the world he went. He asked a fisherman, an actor, a cat, a dog, and others what love was. He found that each answer was different. No one was on the same page about love. There wasn't one way to define love, and each found their own definitions of what love was and meant to them. In the end, what does love mean to him? It's a beautifully illustrated and charming story. I love the painterly texture. What does love mean to you? -Ashley
Utterly heart-wrenching and emotional. It's one of those books that will make you cry while you're reading it. But, it's oh so good. Gendry-Kim tells Granny Lee Ok-sun's story of being kidnapped and forced to be a "comfort woman," after conducting multiple interviews with her. It's a very hard read. You really empathize with Granny Lee Ok-sun, and it's a book that I feel honored to be able to read. -Ashley
Just what I didn't know I needed. I picked it up because of my love for two things: coffee and cats. It's very tender and sweet. It reminds me of one of my favorite shows: Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories. The coffee shop tends to pop up for those who kind of need it. The cat barista (Hachi) is a good listener and doesn't have a menu to order from. Instead, the cat makes people just what he thinks they need, and listens to their woes. In the end, customers leave with an uplifted spirit. -Ashley
I love good character development. Lily gets unintentionally turned into a vampire after meeting some handsome stranger in a bar. He tries to use his "influence" on her to drink from her, after he takes her home, but it doesn't work. Although, he doesn't know that. And... Then, she bites him back. She wakes up trying to piece together what happened the night before, and finds herself having new cravings. Along with... New special powers. She leans on him to figure out how to be a vampire, along with her best friend. Apparently, he wasn't supposed to turn her into a vampire, and there's a whole world of vampires, along with a vampire council. The penalty for turning a human into a vampire is death. Also, side piece of information, the vampire (Tristan) who turns her is a romance novelist. Loved it. -Ashley
So beautifully rendered and magical. Trung Le Nguyen was our commencement speaker at the Center for Cartoon Studies graduation. This is a semi-autobiographical story, depicting Tiến Phong, a second generation American Vietnamese teenager, who is teaching English to his mother through reading fairy tales, while simultaneously trying to find the words to tell her that he's gay. Very wholesome read. -Ashley
I love anything by this author. It's mind blowing to think of how many different emotions there are, and having words to name each emotion is powerful. She's very knowledgeable and relatable. -Ashley
I find Marie Kondo's approach to tidying to be really helpful. I now live by the practice of keeping things that spark joy. I also find myself thanking each item before giving it up. I'm more mindful about my space, and more grateful in general. I also enjoy the graphic novel version, along with her Netflix series. Before first seeing her on Netflix, I had well over 13 bookshelves full of books, and my closet was full. I got down to 6 bookshelves, and got rid of over 20 bags of stuff. She's great. -Ashley
I enjoy anything by this author. Apparently, the word in this meaning and context has been around since 1800. Hygge is pronounced "hyoo-guh" and is loosely translated to mean "comfort," or "cozy." There are a lot of different components to hygge, and I find this concept fascinating. -Ashley
This book will always have a special place in my heart. Growing up, innocently enough, I thought that comics were only stories about superheroes, or humor. I had never heard of terms like "graphic memoir," or "graphic medicine." However, in undergrad, I took my first class that really exposed me to what the world of comics really is, and what it could be. This was one of the books that we read and analyzed over the course of the semester. I adore everything about this book. Lynda Barry is a master at towing/blending the line in regards to text and imagery; of showing versus telling. These are stories about her life; hard moments; her demons. The introduction of the book: "Is it autobiography if parts of it are not true? Is it fiction if parts of it are? She was at the library when she first read about a painting exercise called, 'One Hundred Demons!...' She checked out some books, followed the instructions, and the demons began to come. At first they freaked her, but then she started to love watching them come out of her paint brush...." -Ashley
The use of color, texture, and the page design/panel compositions are beautiful. This story is magical and dream-like. Townsfolk float paper lanterns down the river for the Autumn Equinox Festival, and no one knows where they end up. On this particular year, a group of classmates are determined to make a pact to find out. As they bike, all break from the pact but Ben and Nathaniel. This is a story about their magical adventure into finding where the lanterns end up, and the blossoming of a friendship. -Ashley
Meredith hasn't left the house in 1,214 days and counting... But, she's fine with that. She has her cat, Fred, jigsaw puzzles, recipes, an online support group, and Emily Dickenson. I really like the book's annotation: "But something's about to change. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door. . . Does she have the courage to overcome what's been keeping her inside all this time?" which is quoted from the publisher. This story is about trauma, isolation and connection, and mental health. It's one of those books that kind of stuck with me. -Ashley
What a very interesting story and perspective. Everyone has multiple stories to tell, and I'm always fascinated to hear them. Sophia Glock depicts her childhood and what growing up was like for her. She learned to keep her parents' secrets (not even knowing what those secrets were), and how to respond to questions other children and parents may ask. Her parents had been foreign diplomats, and she traveled around a lot, and frequently changed schools. Reading this book, although quite a different experience, made me feel less alone in my upbringing. Growing up in the military, I can relate to the feelings of moving around and uprooting. My family had secrets, and I didn't quite understand until now, looking back. -Ashley
Visually stunning. I enjoyed the colors, page spreads/page layouts, and the spot blacks. Also, the text through song is rendered in this book in an interesting way. Heart-wrenching in parts. It's hard to describe this book, but it took me emotionally on a ride. It's magical, and kind of flows like northern lights. -Ashley
It's a very warm book, and it's beautifully rendered. I enjoy the texture of the images. The story starts depicting the everyday, and the complexities of life. In the end, it's about love and our beating hearts that offer solace and connection. "Each beat begging us to remember that we are already everything we need to be. Here and alive together, but apart. The same, but exactly different," is quoted from the book. That we are unique and whole as we are, but also are part of something greater than ourselves. That we are part of this world, and that each of us brings additional life and value, every single day. -Ashley
This picture book is so sweet, oh so cute, and so wholesome. It melted my heart in a very warm way. I can really empathize with Violet, as I tend to get super shy around my crushes. I mean, who doesn't? Violet has so much love to give, and it takes a lot of courage and bravery to share your feelings with someone. Loved it. -Ashley
Captivating and enthralling. It's an interesting storyline, and the "flood," comes to creation through internal factors, rather than external. People's feelings create and give power to these beings, called "neighbors," especially if they're repressed, and in pain. Lotus Valley is a very strange place, and Rose keeps getting hit with the past. The very past she's trying to push away. The "flood" is trying to tell her something through showing her this. Will she hear and understand what they're trying to tell her? Will she learn to befriend both the darkness and the light, and befriend the flood? -Ashley
When doing returns, sometimes I find little gems that I didn't think I needed. This is one of those little gems. It's lovely. -Ashley
Cats and affirmations. This was SUPER cute. -Ashley
This book was utterly hilarious. I highly recommend if you want a good laugh! -Ashley
(Please note, this book cannot be returned.)
I went to bed super early, and so I awoke around 3 A.M. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I picked up this book. The introduction describes his process and how he photographed snowflakes, which is what I wanted to learn about. Learning about this was what got me interested in photography in the first place. The bulk of the book are different kinds of snowflakes that he photographed. There isn't any text after the introduction. It's fascinating at how similar, or how different each snowflake can be. Towards the end, the photographs seem more experimental; of photographing dew, plants, frost, etc. It's really cool. Update: And now, days later, I'm working on an art project that involves paint, folding paper six different ways like a snowflake, to make some weird, experimental snowflakes. This book inspired me. -Ashley
My friend recommended this book to me. I was initially drawn to the cover; the shapes and forms; the colors. The characters are fully formed/fully fledged and realized. The world is rich. I found myself enveloped within their world. For a moment, I felt as though I was also a member of a Hole in the Wall Gang. Their wishes were mine. Their desires and hopes were mine. Their wants were my wants. Their fears were my fears. "In the year of our Lord 1894, I became an outlaw." As did I, through their eyes. As did I... And it was delicious. -Ashley
The annotation for this book says, "A graphic novel love letter to the beauty and resilience of Black women, their hair, and friendships." This book was wholesome, and you got to look inside the lives of these characters on a personal and real level. Their love for one another is just beautiful. -Ashley
I really love this deck. The drawings and the colors are beautiful. Tillie Walden used to be my professor, and when I draw these cards, I feel like she's giving me advice, at times. I recommend this for anyone, but especially if you're any type of creative/artist. -Ashley
Such a lovely book. The poetry is beautiful; it's definitely a book that I can feel. I can never describe the feeling fully, but the feeling of a book or a movie that gets me; that tugs on a piece of my soul. Some of the pages open up to reveal a bigger picture. "Every beginning is only a sequel, after all, and the book of events is always open halfway through," a quote from the book. -Ashley
This was super cute and wholesome. I love their friendship, and I love the characters. I love how the friends have each others' backs, and their love and support is wonderful. -Ashley
This book makes me feel so nostalgic. I was born in Nebraska, and so some of my fondest and earliest memories are my parents taking me to the pumpkin patch in Omaha. It is in fact, the absolute best. I remember them having SO much, and there was SO much to do. Probably why Halloween became my absolute favorite holiday, and fall my favorite season. -Ashley
The way this carried through was enchanting and mesmerizing, along with being oh so chilling. It starts with a lumberjack losing his hand, and the hand turns into a dove. He has two choices that carry through; either go to the hospital or go to a witch. It's interesting to be carried through like following a string each way and still ending up almost at the same ending; the same place. There's a lot to think about. The writing style, my gosh. I can't even describe it, as I'm still thinking about it and deciphering. It was bizarre and weird, but in a good way. It was bone chilling. There's a lot to think about. -Ashley
Super cute. I love the art style, and the story was really endearing. A good pick me up to leave feeling wholesome. I wanted to stay in that world longer. -Ashley
CUTE! I love the color palette utilized. Little Garlic gets volunteered to investigate a nearby castle that has smoke billowing out of the chimney, as no one has lived there for quite some time. Everyone else is worried that who is staying there is a vampire. And he is, but it takes a very unexpected turn. -Ashley
The sequel to Garlic and the Vampire, but you can read them out of order (I did). Again, I love the color palette. Garlic is growing and changing, and is nervous about what that might mean for her. Luckily, she's not the only one going through it. Endearing and cute, and is a charming story about friendship, love, and accepting change/having courage. -Ashley
To be honest, at first I did not really like the main character. Probably because she is very much like myself, and has the same critical self talk as I do. I did enjoy the book in its entirety, and the ending was very satisfying. I love the colors. It was beautifully drawn. -Ashley
I'm trying to find the right words to talk about this book, and it's hard. This book (like a lot of books I like) has left me with feelings, and has left me thinking (or perhaps reeling). The story is rather alluring and lyrical like a luna moth; ghostlike and beautiful. Perhaps, a luna moth is the best way to describe this book, and how it feels for me. Luna moths have great beauty, and are attracted to the light. Moth is attracted to light, to a boy named Sani. And he's attracted to her. Fate has made it so their paths tangle, like a moth caught in a light. He has dreamt of her. But, along with light comes darkness, for the night is dark. A luna moth has no mouth, and only has about a week to live. Luna moths are fleeting. Moth has a summer with Sani, in which they road trip. She had lost her family in a car accident. This is the description from the book: "Two summers ago our car broke in half like a candy bar on the freeway & we all spilled onto the pavement..." Sani's family is disjointed. He stops singing and Moth stops dancing. They're both attracted to each other, they help each other find a way back to themselves. They give each other light, and feed off of each others' light. Amber McBride has really thought about the story, and it's cohesive, even if it's unexpected. Even though Amber lines the story up in a way that I can go backwards and be like, "ah, yes, all of the strings are there to lead me here," but I cannot go from the start to the end and see the very ending. -Ashley
Pulling from this deck has become my daily ritual to add a bit of magic into my morning while having a deliciously fine cup of coffee and a sprinkle of zing. The drawings are beautiful. -Ashley
I wish I would've had this book when I lost my dog, Marley. I had lost her April 2021 and I was a mess. I cried and cried. I cried violently. I didn't eat. I had so many headaches, and I felt physically sick. This book made me felt seen, and not alone in this loss. Furry companions are very special, and I feel incredibly lucky having been able to spend and share Marley's life with her. The photo of Edward Gorey and his cats is spectacular in this book. If you feel a bit lost, I'd recommend this book. I'd also recommend looking into a place called Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, VT. -Ashley