Reviews

Skim by Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki

togidemi's review against another edition

3.0

2.5 rounded up because I acknowledge this just wasn't for me

You could clearly tell this was an early work of the Tamakis. It's rougher, the art style is just not my jam at all, and it's aggressively teenage in the way that Skim and all the people around here are petty and annoying. (Skim going on about wicca particularly just... ugh, the know-it-all teenage fixation vibes. So hard to read through.) I appreciate it trying to tackle the social ripples of suicide and queer(!) (always bonus points for queer! mayhaps that is why i chose to round up lmao) relationships - even though student-teacher foolery always makes my skin crawl, eugh - but it's just,, ehh.

hycintho's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

elizabethgmoore's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sam_jordan's review against another edition

4.0

I would say this is an accurate portrayal of teenagers because I felt as annoyed by the characters as I did by the people I was around in high school. The story delves into interesting topics like performative grieving and the socially expected sadness and empathy after someone’s death (regardless of whether you knew the person or not). Overall, a fun read with interesting social commentary. 

jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

Hello darkness my old friend. Oh, the teenaged girl angst! This is a glimpse into the life of Kim (aka Skim) a 16 year old student at a Canadian private girls school. The story is told through her diary entries. She is interested in Wicca and has a little altar in her room. Her best friend Lisa is also into Wicca. They are both on the outs at school and spend their time discussing all the other students and how they are not cool. Skim has a bit of a crush on her English teacher Mrs. Archer, which she tries to keep undercover. This story has a lot of discussion of depression and suicide. The boyfriend of one of their fellow students kills himself which results in a lot of Suicide Awareness activities at the girls' school. The overall mood is that sort of teenage emo "i don't fit in" feel.

dumb_library's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this!! It was a nice little slice of life graphic novel that was very honest about the inner thoughts of a teen in high school. Definite trigger warnings for depression and suicide. There was only one element of the book I didn’t like, but if I said it, it would be a spoiler. It just rubbed me the wrong way and idk why it needed to be included. Either way though, I loved the “dear Diary” format and illustrations. Overall a great graphic novel to pick up.

nolansmock's review against another edition

5.0

“Being sixteen is officially the worst thing I’ve ever been.”

x_librarian's review against another edition

3.0

One of those books that I'm not sure I like, but after a few readings I might grow to love. It's not a happy read. I guess it really just leaves me with a feeling of ambiguity, if that even makes sense.

aprilthefrog's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mjpens's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0