If you loved

Books like Messy Roots

A visually engaging, heartfelt journey through the intersections of queer identity and the Chinese-American immigrant experience. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Messy Roots.

introspective
heartfelt
searching

01
American Born Chinese
Gene Luen Yang
A clever, intertwining graphic journey through the awkwardness of adolescence, the weight of heritage, and the struggle to accept who you are.
Shares:
- earnest
02
Almost American Girl
Robin Ha
A poignant, visually expressive memoir about the jarring isolation of culture shock and the saving grace of finding your voice through art.
Shares:
- earnest
- reflective
- vulnerable
- immigrant experience
03
Good Talk
Mira Jacob
A sharp, tender, and deeply relatable exploration of the impossible questions we ask the people we love.
Shares:
- reflective
- candid
- vulnerable
04
Tomboy
Liz Prince
A funny, heartfelt exploration of the messy middle ground between boyhood and girlhood, fueled by punk rock and adolescent angst.
Shares:
- heartfelt
- reflective
05
Drawing from memory
Allen Say
A visually stunning, deeply personal reflection on the mentors who shape us and the art that saves us.
Shares:
- earnest
- reflective
06
Spinning
Tillie Walden
A quiet, visually stunning journey through the chill of the ice rink and the warmth of finding your own voice.
Shares:
- earnest
- reflective
- vulnerable
07
The Raina Telgemeier Collection
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, funny, and deeply validating hug for anyone surviving the awkward trenches of growing up.
Shares:
- earnest
- candid
08
Displacement
Lucy Knisley
A tender, watercolor-washed journey through the choppy waters of caregiving, memory, and generational love.
Shares:
- earnest
- reflective
09
Gender Queer
Maia Kobabe
A deeply vulnerable, beautifully illustrated journey through the messy, confusing, and ultimately joyful process of finding the right words for who you are.
Shares:
- introspective
- earnest
- candid
- vulnerable
10
The Arab of the future
Riad Sattouf
A visually striking and candid graphic memoir that filters the chaos of political idealism and cultural displacement through the wide eyes of a nomadic child.
Shares:
- candid
11
How to Be Ace
Rebecca Burgess
A candid, deeply validating graphic memoir about the messy, anxious, and ultimately joyful journey of figuring out who you aren't, so you can embrace who you are.
Shares:
- introspective
- earnest
- candid
- vulnerable
12
Times I Knew I Was Gay
Eleanor Crewes
A gentle, funny, and deeply relatable exploration of the messy, non-linear journey to figuring out you're queer.
Shares:
- earnest

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