UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Five books published by Graphic Mundi, the graphic novel imprint of Penn State University Press, were selected by the New York Public Library to appear on its “50 New Must-Read Comics” list. The Graphic Mundi books, which make up 10% of the New York Public Library’s list, are "The Body Factory" by Héloïse Chochois; "COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology," edited by Kendra Boileau and Rich Johnson; "Crude: A Memoir" by Pablo Fajardo, Sophie Tardy-Joubert and Damien Roudeau; "Iranian Love Stories" by Jane Deuxard and Deloupy; and "The Parakeet" by Espé. "Crude: A Memoir" also was listed by the New York Public Library as one of its Best Books of 2021, and "COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology" was listed by The Washington Post as one of its Best Graphic Novels of 2021.
In conjunction with the unveiling of its “50 New Must-Read Comics” list, the New York Public Library is hosting a series of virtual events with comics creators, including a virtual Q&A with “Jane Deuxard,” the anonymous writers behind "Iranian Love Stories," at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 29. The writers — a real-life couple — are both journalists; they took on a joint pseudonym to protect themselves and their sources in the Middle East. Visit the New York Public Library website to register for the event.