Graphic Format Memoirs: Illustration Showcase

passing for human illustration

A few months ago, we put the finishing touches on our Graphic Format Memoirs Core Collection list, combing through hundreds of life stories, all told via a combination of text and illustration, to find those that are both essential to the genre and reflective of the diversity of our community. We read every single book on the final list—and now we want to draw attention to the spectrum of illustration techniques we came upon during our research. There’s a flavor here for every palate!

What makes the graphic format so special, of course, is its use of visual language, which adds a rich new dimension to the experience of reading written text. Illustrated storytelling invites us to tap back into our childhood selves, back into the imagery-based intelligence that picture books reinforce. And because visual vocabularies are so varied, this sort of reading is far from simple: Differences in illustration style have the power to communicate wildly different messages, and in the same way readers may feel more engaged by one writing style than by another, readers of graphic novels and graphic nonfiction may also prefer certain illustration styles over others.

NoveList, the library’s partner in developing reading recommendations, offers a glossary that outlines this assortment of illustration styles. Included terms (p. 27-29) run the gamut from “cartoony” to “lavish,” “dark” to “delicate,” “muted” to “surreal.” Each of these terms can evoke a wide range of moods, and some bear the weight of certain kinds of storylines more naturally than others. Maus, for example, would have a much different feel if it were illustrated in full color.

Take a look below at the myriad styles we have represented in the Graphic Format Memoirs Core Collection. We empower you to pick your next read based on your current visual craving!

black-and-white

bold

cartoony

charming

colorful

delicate

detailed

inventive

minimally colored

muted

nightmarish

realistic

raw

textured

If you have a favorite to add, drop us a line in the Comments area below!

Books
graphic format
graphic memoirs
core collections
memoirs
nonfiction
Illustration
NoveList
Written by Lainie on
marbles illustration
yes i'm hot in this illustration
can't we talk about something more pleasant illustration
fetch illustration
becoming unbecoming illustration
they called us enemy illustration
gender queer illustration
blankets illustration
good talk illustration
belonging illustration