ottsatwork, 1 year ago

Book 11: "It Won't Always Be Like This" by #MalakaGharib

Her second graphic memoir, it explores her Arabic and Muslim side. A bit more angsty given it was Gharib's teenaged years (and it was the 90s). I love her openness in relating messy family stuff, and cringe at the same insecurity I felt from wanting to fit in with dominant (American) culture.

The colors and panel structure in this book are more varied. It's exciting to see this cartoonist grow.

#Bookstodon #Comics #Memoir @bookstodon

Page spread of a teen Malaka and her young, Egyptian step-mom. Hala is waxing Malaka's moustache and eyebrows, asking about her boyfriend. "How do you know I even have one!?! Ouch! Okay, you have to promise not tell dad." "Tabain" translated from Arabic means "Of course." "His name is Michael, and he's not Egyptian, he's American." Malaka refuses to have her arm hair waxed because, "In America, people aren't bothered so much with arm hair."