I just finished reading Be That Way by Hope Larson and wow, what a nostalgia trip! This book is a graphic novel, but not like the ones I usually read. It's more like a diary with drawings and doodles by the protagonist, Christine. She writes about her experiences with love, friendship, and self-discovery in the 90s. I loved all the references to the music, movies, and fashion of that era. It reminded me of my own teenage years and how I felt back then. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to relive their youth or just enjoy a heartfelt story.

Such a fun graphic novel! I had a blast with this, the way it covered the time periods in the life of a teenage girl including friendships, breakups, and grief was also surprisingly so well done! There is definitely more depth to this than expected while simultaneously keeping balance with some fluffy and funny moments! I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to get out of a reading slump or to a 14+ year old! A unique concept executed correctly!

I wanted to like this graphic novel, but it's just not for me, and it's REALLY not for my grade 7s (tends towards late YA). You might like it, though, if you like diary-style graphic novels, high school senior drama, or angsty romance.

This is described as a graphic novel, but it isn’t really. It is an illustrated book. The illustrations are fabulous but the story didn’t grab me. I wouldn’t have minded so much if the story had been a proper graphic novel and not prose with illustrations. So this book isn’t for me but the artwork is beautiful.

I have read some of Hope's other works and I enjoyed this one much like I did the others. The art style was very unique.

This was super engaging and well done. The diary layout of this graphic novel was really well done and sucked me in from the first page. It was really like reading the diary of a teenage girl!

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

It's the first day of 1996 and, after a false start with journaling in her freshman year of high school, sixteen-year-old Christine is ready to put pen to paper - all part of her resolution to be a newer, SHINIER version of herself this year. (Kind of like her bestie Landry.) Over the next twelve months, we follow Christine as she makes new friends, and says goodbye to old ones; tries to find love, but mostly just ends up kissing a few losers; applies to college and worries over her lack of a LIFE PLAN; copes with grief after the loss of her father; and realizes that she is in love - and has been all along.

BE THAT WAY is a bit of a time capsule, and the nostalgia factor definitely soothed my GenX heart. However, I was hoping for more: more depth, more pathos, but mostly just more illustrations. I love Larson's style, and was disappointed to find that BE THAT WAY is a little prose-heavy. Alas, Christine doesn't get into graphic novels until the very end of the story, so there's that.

BE THAT WAY felt a bit like reading my own diary from that time period, for better or worse.

This graphic novel was so nostalgic, for me. So many great ‘90s references, and Larson captured what it was like to be a teenager in that era so accurately. The art and the story were great - Christine’s journal entries blend her narrative with comic book art and other sketches in an authentic way that enables the reader to fully understand how she feels and what she’s going through.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley for providing me an arc for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book in the graphic novel / comic section on Netgalley but it’s actually a diary with some drawings, which in my opinion it’s definitely not a graphic novel. I was actually excited when I found it, because it’s from the same author of goldie vance, a book that I’ve been meaning to get to. At first, it felt more middle grade than young adult, but as the book went on I got more used to the storytelling.

It reminded me of when I was younger and used to read dork diaries, so I guess younger me would’ve loved it. But 19 year old me, wasn’t the biggest fan. I’m giving it 3 stars because it did have some good parts, I enjoyed some of the drawing, some reflections the protagonist has and the ending was satisfying.

I guess I’m just more used to reading “young adult” with more mature characters than this one. The protagonist is supposed to be 16, but it basically felt like how how a 9 year old thinks teenagers act.

It wasn’t a horrible book, but I wouldn’t personally recommend it if you asked for a book to read next.

Hope Larson's Be That Way is a time capsule to the life of an artistic teen, finding their way in the 90's. Anyone who ever doodled their life in an hard-covered exercise book will find things to relate to in this book.

Hope Larson, award-winning illustrator (probably best known in comics circles for her work on Batgirl for DC) has created a 'year-in-the-life" graphic novel, which is told in journal style. The novel begins with a note that it is not a true story, but it could be. And your Grade 7 and up readers, especially those who identify as female, will very much relate. There's so much here - the boy next door, who might (or might not) be perfect, the best friend who sticks through you through everything (until she doesn't) while falling apart herself, the spaces and people that keep you sane in the bonkers society of high school, even a sympathetic parent, who is doing her best.

The gorgeous artwork adds multiple levels to the book. This would be a strong addition to a graphic novel collection for literature circles in a secondary classroom, and Larson's successful career as a graphic artist would also help some students see that lane of work as an option.

This one really captured me. There's nothing earth-shattering about it, and that is part of what makes it so good. It's a genuine year in the life, and there is laughter and tears and growth and loss, and that is as it should be. A solid 4.5 stars and a strong recommendation for 7-12 libraries to grab this one.

Christine is a teen girl in the mid-90s, which should tell you every struggle she's facing growing up in a world influenced by punk, the rise of feminism, and the pressures of teenage girlhood. When she vows to become a "shiny" girl for her New Year's resolution in 1996, Christine goes on a journey to discover what it means to be herself.

This is a coming-of-age story told through diary entries that are occasionally illustrated by the author, Hope Larson. I LOVED Larson's Salt Magic - a graphic novel about a witch who goes on a western inspired journey - which is why I picked up Be That Way. I was pleasantly surprised by all the little nuances added to the story like the 90s nostalgia and specific references to North Carolina.

I think, unfortunately, my expectations were for something more akin to Salt Magic - a very clear cut plot and journey of self. Even in stories about growing up, exploring things like betrayal, first love, and self-expression - I really enjoy when the characters have clear growth that shows a difference from the beginning to end. This graphic novel felt more interior focused, and a lot more about exploring the feelings of Christine as she navigated being a teen girl. Because of this, I ultimately didn't really care for it.

I love Larson's voice, her writing is strong and her tone throughout Be That Way kept the 90s vibes throughout, but I just don't think this graphic novel was for me. I'm always interested to see what Larson puts out next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House, Peachtree, Pixel+Ink, and Margaret Ferguson Books for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review.

So...what was the point of this? I mean, as a girl who was a teen in the 90s it was an interesting walk down memory lane at some points, but mostly it was like reading a diary full of silly teen drama and nothing really happens.

I was given an ARC of Be That Way and just loved it. It was so wonderful to see Christine's growth as she steps out of the shadows of her friend Landry and finds her own way. I really enjoyed the writing and the artwork that accompanied Christine's diary. It was another way of getting into her head. I have some love for the 90s so this was a nice nod to that era (it takes place in 1996). Christine makes mistakes but she also stands her ground and really finds herself. This graphic novel is a treat and is not just for young adults.

Who doesn't want to read someone else's diary?

It's an addictive book that immerses us in the character's deepest thoughts as she grapples with friendships, romance, school and the family life of a teenager.
I really liked the character's voice, because it's a diary, so she doesn't hide her bad side, shows what she thinks and what she feels, her embarrassed side and her desires.
And I'm so happy to see her grow, to start to value herself and see who deserves to be in her company, even if it hurts her.
And what makes the "diary" even more appealing are all the illustrations that accompany it. There are small comics, drawings of characters that appear in the book and things that were part of her daily life.

I really enjoyed reading the book. It was fantastic.

I had the opportunity to read the ARC of Be That Way by Hope Larson, and it was a delightful blast from the past! Set in the mid-90s, the story follows seventeen-year-old Christine as she navigates high school, troubled friendships, and her quest to be noticed. Through prose, illustrations, and comics in her diary, we get a glimpse into Christine's eventful year.

As Christine faces drama and a lonely summer after losing her best friend, Landry, and experiencing a rift with Paul, she finds new courage in unexpected places. She takes on a job at a video store, explores her artistic side, and gets romantically involved with her neighbor, Whit. The format of the book, presented as a journal with personalized touches and artwork, adds a unique and charming dimension to the story.

Hope Larson's powerful coming-of-age tale touches on themes of betrayal, first love, self-expression, and the power of art. Be That Way is a heartfelt and nostalgic journey that captures the essence of being a teenager in the pre-Internet era.

While I would recommend the book to others, I struggled with the diary style being mixed with the graphic novel.

I really enjoyed this book as I read her experiences of her Junior year. This was a really beautiful book, and it reminded me a lot of my own life. I recommend this book to other graphic novel readers.

This is an honest review. I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the art style of this novel. The plot itself reminded me of a mix between Lizzie McGuire and Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Enjoyed the throwback 90s vibe, the illustrations, and the angst of being a seventeen year old navigating love, friendships and grief.

This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!