I hadn’t read a graphic novel in quite a while, but then A Career in Books: A Novel about Friends, Money, and the Occasional Duck Bun by Kate Gavino landed in my hands as a gift. And I absolutely loved it. But also, the title? How awesome is it, right`?
At its core, the story is simple: three young women, fresh out of university, living together and trying to find their place in the working world. That simplicity is exactly where the book shines. Each character feels familiar: capturing the fear, exhaustion, excitement and occasional wonder of a first job with striking realism. Although fictional, the everyday life and the portrayal of the publishing world feel honest. Watching their relationships grow and deepen is one of the most rewarding parts of the story, and those connections feel warm and genuinely touching.
If I had one small criticism, it would be this: the choice of text color made certain speech bubbles harder to read. The off-white or light gray lettering on black backgrounds lacked contrast for my taste, and I occasionally had to reread dialogue to catch everything. A starker white would have made a noticeable difference.
That said, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise delightful graphic novel. The story, the characters, and the overall artwork come together beautifully.
