Member Reviews
I loved how this blended comics with poetry. A couple of things were a bit reductive, but overall it's good.
This is an simple 4 by 4 grid collections of short stories, but it's from the author's ideas for cinematic shorts. Oddly, there are few faces shown. It's all interior monologues. The art style is simple, but the stories are monotonous about connection to others, but no faces shown.
Thanks to the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest book review.
Jordon Bolton has assembled a collection of beautifully drawn and designed bittersweet vignettes resembling voiceover montage sections of an indie film. Many of these stories were first posted on Instagram and they make great use of the square frame, but the montage feel, and square framing also recall Wes Anderson. They successfully capture a certain low-key feeling of understated but powerful emotional revelation, and while the tone does not vary much, it doesn’t become repetitious.
The contents of this book are divided into 3 different sections – "In Public"; "In Transit" and "At Home". The stories that were highlights for me were "The Driver"; "Ghosts"; "Range Life"; "Long Train Journeys" and "Routines".
I would recommend this to readers that enjoy graphic novels, and those who enjoy storylines particularly with a melancholy, wistful bent.
Thanks to Jordan Bolton, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for this eARC. The anthology presents an interesting collection of narrated short stories with minimal dialogue (and no bubbles!) The text, I believe, would be more legible in white rather than yellow when placed over the images. Occasionally, the text overlays crucial elements of the image composition, which can be distracting. Given that all images are square, but the pages are not, positioning the text below the images might enhance the readability of both the text and the images.
The simplicity of Bolton's comics do nothing to diminish the depth of the feeling reached on every page of this book.
A simple yet deep collection of comics that examine the simple moments in life, whether it is staying in a theatre after the credits roll, riding the train, or small acts of love.
Was an interesting read but I do personally think there are some parts where the story could've been a bit more detailed but I also fully understand that this is just a series of mini comics which is amazing. The art style is pretty good too, the way the art also tells the same story. I'm not sure though if I'd ever read this book again but I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it and review it for the author.
I'll definitely post about this book on my instagram for other readers to view too!
Lovely as a tabletop, read it in your spare moments sort of way. Captures those small moments, calming art.
I loved knowing the reason why the title of this book exists and I felt highly identified... Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car is one of those comics that you can read whenever you want and you will always find something cool for it. think, or that it will simply make you laugh a little in certain situations because of how crazy (or not) it could be.
A pleasant, light and very nice read to give as a gift.
Thank you very much Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC I read through NetGalley, a change from an honest review.
A beautifully emotional graphic novel about all of the mundane moments in a person's life. I thought this was expertly written and was a wonderful journey. I sat with this book for a little while and really took my time with it and I feel like I got a lot out of it. If you're looking for an insightful graphic novel, this is it!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I read this courtesy NetGalley and Andrews McMeel. I came into this work by recommendation, but nothing else, so when I actually read this graphic novel, I was amazed. The images tell a series of cohesive stories and the wording is so pure, its poetry. It had me thinking of the quiet moments of life and how it is simple, yet stirring.
#BlueSkyThroughtheWindowofaMovingCar #NetGalley
Reading this book made me realize that I've seen a good handful of the author's comics online and enjoyed them! It's great to see them all in one place! I like the cinematic style that these use and the endings of a good number of them really hit.
Jordan Bolton’s debut comic collection, *Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car,* is a vibrant mosaic of everyday life that captures the beauty and messiness of human experiences. Through his art and poetic language, Bolton brings seemingly small moments into sharp focus, revealing the shared, universal emotions that make up the essence of our daily lives. This collection is a warm, relatable reminder to savor those fleeting moments and to notice the quiet, unassuming magic in our lives.
Bolton divides the collection into three sections—In Public, In Transit, and At Home—which collectively cover the spaces where we spend most of our lives. Each section is packed with scenes that are likely familiar to anyone who has navigated through crowded city streets, traveled on a bus or train, or cherished quiet evenings at home. The situations he chooses to depict are often mundane: waiting for a bus, sharing a fleeting glance with a stranger, or witnessing a couple’s argument. But it’s in these ordinary scenes that Bolton finds the extraordinary, revealing the threads of connection, vulnerability, and emotion that bind us all.
The comics themselves are minimalistic yet impactful, with Bolton’s art style conveying a deep emotional resonance. His drawings pair perfectly with short, introspective lines of poetry, striking a balance between heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Through simple yet poignant phrases, he captures a range of emotions—love, heartbreak, shame, hope, and everything in between. Each page draws readers into a world that is achingly familiar, like catching snippets of our own memories.
What makes this collection especially compelling is how it encourages readers to be present in their own lives. Bolton reminds us that, while life often seems fleeting, each moment is worth noticing. The passing sky through a car window, a smile exchanged with a stranger, the comfort of solitude at home—all are invitations to slow down and appreciate the world around us. His comics serve as both a reflection and a gentle nudge to find joy and meaning in the small details of our daily existence.
With previously unreleased comics included, *Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car* is a refreshing, heartfelt look at what it means to be human. Bolton’s work speaks directly to the heart, evoking laughter, sadness, and nostalgia. Readers will likely come away from this collection with a renewed appreciation for the beauty in the mundane and a reminder that, in our shared experiences, we are never truly alone. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys reflective, slice-of-life stories told through the unique medium of comics.
The comics were really interesting and I enjoyed several of them. It reminded me a lot of my life. I’d definitely recommend reading this.
A minimalistic and meditative exploration of the mundane with its profound moments.
The highlight for me was Bolton’s approach and how he linked one line to the other in such a delicate and smooth way.
I enjoyed the colours and some of the art, and I suppose in print they will pop and look more saturated.
Yet, with all of the above, I wanted more - a longer book, more stories/poems/scenes, more depth to the art.
I appreciate the concept very much, and my asking for more stems from the high potential.
The perfect graphic novel to have come across on the day I turned 30... what a cosy, laid-back vibe of a read.
A very beautiful and simple and quiet comic about noticing and living the small moments in life in our fast-pasted reality. I loved the simple comic-style art combined with the narration in poem form, a very delightful read
Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car is a lovely little collection of comics that reads a bit like poetry. It includes several short stories told in beautifully illustrated panels, each accompanied by a short sentence. The themes focus on finding beauty in the day-to-day and living in the moment, and I truly enjoyed the chill vibes.
It’s a book that invites you to slow down and appreciate the little things, perfect for when you are in a contemplative mood. Definitely one to read and revisit whenever you’re looking to be reminded of the simple joys of life.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
This is a simple book on love and life, and while it is presented in a format that is more simplified than the complex stories it tells, it is both a joy to read and view with its artistic content. I like that the book provides love, grief, connection, and storytelling in such a way that it is relatable. Although I did tend to find myself reading it in a staccato way because of how the story is broken up in each panel, I still thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I loved the aesthetics of this book. This is the first time me reading poetry with illustrations. It gives a comic type vibe. The illustrations helped me connect well with the poetry. The theme of each poem was deep and meaningful. Reading this was calming. If you're someone who wants to explore poetry, this is the right book for you!