Recently, I was in a reading slump. I’d read a book here or there, but nothing like how I used to consume book after book. For a book lover and especially a librarian, this is a troubling situation.

As much as I love books, I also love television shows. I’ve seen and loved both popular and more obscure shows of all genres. At some point, I began watching the Netflix show, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and was hooked. I mentioned how much I liked it to a staff member and he asked if I had read the graphic novel on which the show was based. I had not. Even though I used to be a voracious comic book reader, I hadn’t read any in ages. We have the graphic novel on the shelves at the Eisenhower Library so I checked it out. Wanting to return it as soon as possible, I resolved to read it right away.

I couldn’t put it down. The art was engaging and the story was different enough from the show to keep me curious. I finished it in a couple of hours. The experience made me remember how much I loved reading comic books, so I decided to find more to read. I did, and in no time I was hungry for books again.

Sometimes people talk about what constitutes “legitimate” literature. Sure, as with all creative mediums, there are works that are crafted more carefully or with an intention to explore the human condition more than others. There are some authors who have an excellent sense of plotting, world building, character development, and dialogue. Some people maintain that comic books aren’t worth considering at all.

What it comes down to, though, is personal taste. What sparks your imagination? What makes you feel like you know more about the world you live in? What makes you look forward to cracking open a book? What compels you to do that instead of turning on the television? Whatever that something is, we hope that you’ll find it at the Eisenhower Library.