The Nightingales by Emil Wilson

Friends! Have I got a real find for you! When the Sarah's Bookshelves podcast had on an Amazon editor, I basically bookmarked every book she recommended because if it's good enough for Amazon masses, it's probably good enough for me. Look, I'm a basic literary bitch with a dash of dragons. When she talked about The Nightingales by Emil Wilson, I ordered it even though I'm not really a graphic novel kinda gal. 

This is a pseudo true tale. When Wilson, newly out to his parents, left for college, his father invited a co-worker to come live with his parents and sister, Lou. This man is ill with "gay cancer," but he and Lou develop a close relationship despite all their differences. This book blew me away. I laughed, I cried, and I thought really hard.

Plus, there are two Pomeranians who are major characters AND HAVE YOU EVER SEEN CUTER GRAPHIC NOVEL ART THAN THIS?

Pages 42-43

Look at this photo of everyone eating around the dinner table and the dogs! Can you see the dogs?

Pages 132-133

This book was heartbreaking. But the art was wonderful. And I loved how truly real the characters were.

Page 252

Also, I finished this book in about an hour at the dining room table. I started it after dinner, thinking I'd just read a few pages and the next thing I knew, it was time to walk the dog. I was riveted and just got lost in this world.

Two thumbs up. Perfection. No notes. Run to your library or bookstore to get this one. 5/5 stars

Things I looked up:

Sidney Sheldon (page 242) -  an American writer who was prominent in the 1940s and 50s, first working on Broadway plays, and then in motion pictures, notably writing the successful comedy The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, which earned him an Oscar in 1948. He went on to work in television.

James Michener (page 242) - an American writer who wrote more than 40 books, most of which were long, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations, set in particular geographic locales and incorporating detailed history. He was also known for the meticulous research that went into his books

Hat mentions (why hats?):

***************

Has anyone read this? Do you think those two dogs are the cutest? Do you generally read graphic novels or graphic memoir? If you're not a graphic novel person, hear me out - you should start with this one and Wake. They're SO GOOD.