It is the week of Thanksgiving, which means that there is a glut of things to be thankful for.  One of them is books!  Specifically graphic novels: the books of our industry.  Here are a few I have a particular reason to be thankful for. 

Here is the number one book I am thankful for: the first graphic novel I ever read — at which point I promptly fell in love with Delirium, as she is awesomesauce.  It made an excellent introduction to the medium. 

Do you really need an explanation for why I'd be thankful for having angsty-teens-with-mutant-powers comics to read as a teenager?  No, I didn't think so.  I feel like this was my childhood version of today's Demo. 

Prince of Tennis is the first comic I ever got my mom to read and like.  Aside from the fact that tennis matches in it tend to go on for around two volumes, it's a lot of fun — and a helpful connection point for tennis-fan parents. 

The Clouds Above is the first book that our Editorial Director had me read after I started working at First Second.  Jordan Crane's quiet, lyrical story about kids and cats really changed my perceptions of what a graphic novel could be.  Everyone should read this book. 

To Louis Riel, for being the kind of book that I could give my dad — and for being wonderful besides.  (And also educational — thanks go to comics that teach me new and interesting things!)

And thank you, Yotsuba! — for always being delightful even when it is gray and terrible outside. 

Happy (early) Thanksgiving, everyone!