Our Blog

You’re on that important date, right? You wanna impress, but in the middle of discussing Emily Brontë, you spill red wine. All. Over. Yourself. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex shows you how to survive a fashion emergency.

It’s difficult for me to think about Spring when I just had to sit through yet another snow storm on the weekend (thanks, Canadian weather). But the topic for this week’s Top 10 Tuesday with Broke & the Bookish is our Spring TBR list, so I’m going to close the curtains in my home office and try really hard to think about warmer weather and the perfect books to welcome in the new season.

In my very important and learned opinion, it’s just as important to have women represented behind the scenes as it is to see them on the pages of the comics we love. After all, none of us will ever be a comic book character, but some of us may help to create them one day, in one form or another.

Keep in mind that MANY of the comics mentioned in Part I of this three-part lady-comics-fest have amazing female writers, artists, and colorists. This list is highlighting the ladies behind the scenes of comics that may not feature ladies IN the scenes (and some of them totally do. Lists can’t be eternal).

1. Edward Scissorhands (Kate Leth – Writer): The people behind Edward Scissorhands – including the awesome Kate Leth, founder of the Valkyries (a group for women who work in comic book stores) and mind behind the webcomic Kate Or Die! – have really been killing it with this new series. They’re only three issues in, but I’m already hooked on the art and the storyline – which takes place after the movie. It’s super ‘80s-goth-fabulous and really great.

2. Manhattan Projects (Jordie Bellaire – Colorist): If you like comics, you’ve probably heard the name Jordie Bellaire before. Not only did she win an Eisner this past year for her coloring work, she is working on just about every awesome series that’s running right now. I picked Manhattan Projects to represent her work because, despite the decided lack of ladies (unless you count Laika, the space dog, which I totally do because YEAH LAIKA), I love this comic. It’s funny and fascinating.

Where there’s a list of top Irish authors, there’s usually James Joyce. Which isn’t to say the Ulysses scribe isn’t praiseworthy, just that Ireland has produced lots of other literary talent, too. As we celebrate Irish heritage in March, it’s time to offer the spotlight to some of the country’s other fine novelists. Here are some noteworthy ones to start you off.

It’s almost time to say goodbye (forever—I’m not ready) to Glee, the show we all love (or, as is probably more appropriate, love to hate). I’ve spent too much time thinking about the literary preferences of our favorite Glee characters, and below I’m sharing what books I think rest on the nightstands of the singing misfits. 

It’s another busy week for literary events in New York City! There are a ton of amazing poetry events to get you excited about spring, including a Cave Canem reading at The New School, and three fabulous poets at McNally Jackson. Share your own stories at The Moth, or head to The Strand to hear Sarah Manguso and Leslie Jamison tell theirs. If you act really quickly, you might even be able to grab one of the few remaining seats for Welcome to Night Vale at Symphony Space. We’d love to hear which events you attended, so tweet at us and let us know!