J + K by John Pham: a review
Did I borrow this knowing nothing about it because I thought the cover looked cool? Yes. Did I look anything up about it once I got home? Absolutely not! That’s the real joy of libraries. I didn’t have to spend a penny on taking a gamble on a book that looks cool.
While I was flicking through trying to find the author, I came across a vinyl tucked away in the back. I have a record player, so I popped it on and gave it a listen. It’s got a great sound to it. It’s really nostalgic and has the energy of old-school adventure video games. I really liked it.
J + K by John Pham is an absurd slice of life graphic novel following the titular characters, Jay and Kay. These two teens make their way through life in a series of events that are both typically teen and rather unusual.
This might just be me, but I really liked the way this book feels. I don’t mean emotionally, though that too. I literally mean the pages feel really lovely. It’s not the usual shiny magazine type paper that you often get with graphic novels.
The art style is so lovely and beautiful. There’s a sense of nostalgia attached to it, but I don’t even know what I’m feeling nostalgic for. Just looking at this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. The story does give a similar sort of feeling too, but I think a lot of teen-centric stories do this, especially those that touch on something real.
The scenes exploring what it’s like working in hospitality really tapped into a reality despite the absurdity of much of the book. In a book that’s generally soft and rather sweet, these scenes were like a gut punch. However, it’s a gut punch that you can’t be mad at because it’s an excellent exploration of what it’s like as a worker in this industry.
I can say with certainty that I’m really glad I took a chance on this book, and I can see it becoming one of those that I borrow all the time. I will almost definitely pick up a copy for myself at some point because it genuinely is beautiful. I absolutely recommend seeking out a copy of this, and if you’re in the Burnley area, you can head to the library.
Couple of things to finish off with. We have the usual books with a bad reputation wishlist: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/33XX7MWZ3PD7A?ref_=wl_share
Also, on Sunday, I had my short story published with Bits Bobs & Books:
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