Everything Is Beautiful, and I'm Not Afraid

March 9, 2020
Chinese-born cartoonist Yao blends slice-of-life comics with surreal introspection in this remarkable debut collection. Previously serialized on her webcomic Baopu, each short piece draws from Yao’s life, such as her family’s rocky path to accepting the fact that she’s bisexual, as she tries to grasp her future self. The tensions between queer sexuality and traditional, conservative Chinese culture prove fertile ground for literally extraterrestrial explorations of self-worth and the weight of family as Yao floats through the ether; while stories such as “Amplified Voice” take more piercing aim at the erasure and racism the author faces, feeling dissociated from Western LGBTQ categorization. Yao’s struggles to attain and maintain self-acceptance and self-love take poignant shape through her fluid cartooning—at turns refined and intentionally childlike, with blocky bright colors alongside subtle shading. She also offers heartfelt advice for those grappling with similar emotional difficulties, such as in the viral comic “If You Want to Say Thank You, Don’t Say Sorry.” This heartfelt collection proves that the most relevant and relatable art comes from those who need it most themselves.

March 15, 2020
Writer and illustrator Xiao blends poetry, short comics, and questions of self-searching in this deeply personal exploration of what it means to be a queer immigrant in the U.S. Xiao dives deep into the waters of self-doubt, longing, and loneliness, while remaining gentle with herself and never failing to see her own progress and connections. Relationships are central, particularly family, both biological and the one she has created for herself in New York City. The whimsical illustrations are rich with color and simply drawn, tempering the deep emotional thread running through the book. A mix of sequential panels and full-page illustrations brings variety to the page, and while there isn't a traditional narrative arc in this collection, the tone and underlying themes create a cohesive work. Xiao is honest about the challenges of navigating Chinese and American culture and multiple intersections?an experience common for many young adults. Those struggling to find their place in the world may find some comfort in this collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2020

Creator Xiao (with Ashima Shiraishi, How To Solve a Problem) opens this thought-provoking collection with a series of strips capturing the aftermath of her decision to reveal her sexuality to her mother, and goes on to cover depression, anxiety, gender, body issues, and other subjects she faces as a queer Chinese immigrant living in the United States. Less than vignettes of reflections, the work seems interested in actually conveying the overwhelming emotions the author is experiencing. An illustration of herself contemplating her life while wandering a winding rainbow path depicted in full color on the left side of the page and black and white on the right contrasts the happiness she feels at living independently and making her own choices against the cost of accumulating secrets and feeling isolated. Several pages show her flying through the air, although there are more where she's plummeting from a great height. "What Are You Afraid of Bingo" features squares depicting fears of bedbugs, being bullied, and cancer. VERDICT This compelling and illuminating collection brings together new and previously published online material from a courageous and deeply sensitive artist.--Tom Batten, Grafton, VA

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