You Should Read California Dreamin

One of my favorite bookish things is discovering something at my library or book store.  I keep myself well-versed on what books are being highly talked about, what trends are happening….I have a list in my planner of what books I am anticipating publication each month.  So coming across something that I have never heard of and never knew existed is always the absolute best thing ever.

If there was every a person I never thought would be depicted in a graphic novel it would be Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas.  However that is exactly the very book that I stumbled across at my public library.  One day I just needed something to quickly read as a palate cleanser so I picked it up.  I had it finished at the end of the day.  Admittedly I knew next to nothing about Cass Elliot and her group.  This graphic novel biography covers her early life up to the release of the hit song California Dreamin.

What I loved most about this book, aside from the illustrations, was the manner in which the story was told.  Each bit of her life is told from the perspective of a person in her life.  Her family, school mates, her voice teacher, and fellow band members.  Each individual offers interesting insight into her life, personality and rebellious actions.  It was a very interesting method of relating someone’s life.

As I was reading this I realized that with the last two graphic novels I have read are from the same imprint!   First Second Books is an imprint through Roaring Book Press that publishes only graphic novels.  It is my new obsession.  I am following them on social media because I already know that I will want to read everything from them!

So you should give this one a try.  I promise that you will become fascinated by Cass, will need to instantly listen to some of their music and will have California Dreamin stuck in your head.