Sarah & I have decided to take part in the "extra credit" aspect of International Zine Month which is to read a zine every day! But we're going to do a little EXTRA extra credit & post reviews of those zines here! We're including order/contact info when available! -taryn
Indestructable
I like ending this International Zine Month extra credit project with a zine by one of my favorite zinesters. Cristy Road & I have known one another through zines for what feels like a million years. Her writing is romantic & ridiculous & makes you feel so good, so young. She writes about friendship, gender identity, love & punk rock & illustrates it accordingly. If you're not familiar with Cristy Road's work (she's the author of Greenzine) then this is a great place to start!
1/2 letter & perfect-bound - $8 from www.croadcore.org
(Taryn 07.31.12)
I like ending this International Zine Month extra credit project with a zine by one of my favorite zinesters. Cristy Road & I have known one another through zines for what feels like a million years. Her writing is romantic & ridiculous & makes you feel so good, so young. She writes about friendship, gender identity, love & punk rock & illustrates it accordingly. If you're not familiar with Cristy Road's work (she's the author of Greenzine) then this is a great place to start!
1/2 letter & perfect-bound - $8 from www.croadcore.org
(Taryn 07.31.12)
Todo Sobre Mi Madre
This short zine is a love letter to the woman the author most admires - her mother. This is part history, part pictoral. My favorite parts were the snippets of letter pasted in her mother's handwriting with bits of advice, as well as the coming out story. I'd really like to see more zinesters take on the sometimes challenging task of writing about their maternal relationship, good or bad, I think it's something we can almost always relate to.
Digest, 24 pages, $1.50 to http://www.etsy.com/listing/97559251/todo-sobre-mi-madre-zine-about-my-mother
Sarah, 7/31
This short zine is a love letter to the woman the author most admires - her mother. This is part history, part pictoral. My favorite parts were the snippets of letter pasted in her mother's handwriting with bits of advice, as well as the coming out story. I'd really like to see more zinesters take on the sometimes challenging task of writing about their maternal relationship, good or bad, I think it's something we can almost always relate to.
Digest, 24 pages, $1.50 to http://www.etsy.com/listing/97559251/todo-sobre-mi-madre-zine-about-my-mother
Sarah, 7/31
Sometimes the Sky Explodes: The Story of a Hamster Named Yams
I got to hear Leslie read this as part of the tour she and several other zinesters went on en route to DC Zinefest, so personally, I think that's the best way to hear this heartwarming tale of love, loss and learning. It's well drawn (in full color) and sweet. Appropriate for kids and bound with ribbon. You should get this.
Digest, 24 pages, available from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/leslieperrine
Sarah, 7/31
I got to hear Leslie read this as part of the tour she and several other zinesters went on en route to DC Zinefest, so personally, I think that's the best way to hear this heartwarming tale of love, loss and learning. It's well drawn (in full color) and sweet. Appropriate for kids and bound with ribbon. You should get this.
Digest, 24 pages, available from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/leslieperrine
Sarah, 7/31
Curls
I really like this cartoonist's drawing style, but I didn't really connect with it a lot - it's pretty heteronormative and applies a fair amount of prescribed gender stereotypes ("these jeans make me look fat", "if you're a woman, you gotta have hip") that seem counterproductive. They're well drawn, and a lot of people will like them, they just didn't resonate with me.
12 pages, irrecgularly sized, available? from http://curlscartoon.tripod.com/
Sarah, 7/31
I really like this cartoonist's drawing style, but I didn't really connect with it a lot - it's pretty heteronormative and applies a fair amount of prescribed gender stereotypes ("these jeans make me look fat", "if you're a woman, you gotta have hip") that seem counterproductive. They're well drawn, and a lot of people will like them, they just didn't resonate with me.
12 pages, irrecgularly sized, available? from http://curlscartoon.tripod.com/
Sarah, 7/31
Gay Kid #2
I really like this zine in general. Having grown up a gay kid, I realte to a lot of the points that Katie touches on about clothing choice, comfort, and the way it relates to both your own gender and sexuality and the way your family views/wants to view you.
16 pages, bigger than digest. Available from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kso66
Sarah 7/31
I really like this zine in general. Having grown up a gay kid, I realte to a lot of the points that Katie touches on about clothing choice, comfort, and the way it relates to both your own gender and sexuality and the way your family views/wants to view you.
16 pages, bigger than digest. Available from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kso66
Sarah 7/31
Girls are Not Chicks Coloring Book
The version of this I read is a looks different (the cover is xeroxed, not full color/glossy). But I'm almost positive they are the same. This is a great collection of line drawings encouraging girls to be who they want & do what they want! No gender stereotype is left unturned!
$10 - available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/56659425/girls-are-not-chicks-coloring-book
(Taryn 07.30.12)
The version of this I read is a looks different (the cover is xeroxed, not full color/glossy). But I'm almost positive they are the same. This is a great collection of line drawings encouraging girls to be who they want & do what they want! No gender stereotype is left unturned!
$10 - available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/56659425/girls-are-not-chicks-coloring-book
(Taryn 07.30.12)
Womanhouse #3
One of my biggest fears is that I am stuck in my ways or that I am not open to a younger way of thinking when it comes to feminism & my beliefs. I try to not be closed minded when I read work by younger feminists & so, as I read this zine I felt like I had read essays similar to these before & maybe I have but it's always nice to read a new take on something we're already familiar with. This zine deals with various subjects with a strong focus on rape culture & social media.
1/4 letter & 24p - $2 from http://womanhousezine.bigcartel.com
(Taryn 07.29.12)
One of my biggest fears is that I am stuck in my ways or that I am not open to a younger way of thinking when it comes to feminism & my beliefs. I try to not be closed minded when I read work by younger feminists & so, as I read this zine I felt like I had read essays similar to these before & maybe I have but it's always nice to read a new take on something we're already familiar with. This zine deals with various subjects with a strong focus on rape culture & social media.
1/4 letter & 24p - $2 from http://womanhousezine.bigcartel.com
(Taryn 07.29.12)
Truckface #14
This issue of Truckface we follow Ms. B as she teaches her second year in a Chicago public school & once again our patience are tested, our heartstrings pulled & our assumptions of what it's like to be a teacher/student in Ms. B's class de-bunked. Because if Truckface zine teaches us anything it's that there are still really amazing teachers out there who want to be doing exactly what they are doing & they are open to learning & getting better. I would love to build a time machine & be a student in Ms. B's class.
1/4 letter & super thick - $2 from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.28.12)
This issue of Truckface we follow Ms. B as she teaches her second year in a Chicago public school & once again our patience are tested, our heartstrings pulled & our assumptions of what it's like to be a teacher/student in Ms. B's class de-bunked. Because if Truckface zine teaches us anything it's that there are still really amazing teachers out there who want to be doing exactly what they are doing & they are open to learning & getting better. I would love to build a time machine & be a student in Ms. B's class.
1/4 letter & super thick - $2 from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.28.12)
Truckface #13
LB's zine is by far, top five favorite for me. The writing is perfect & the subject matter is interesting & the entire thing is just so engaging. Issue #13 finds Ms. B teaching in a Chicago Public School as a first year teacher. The entire thing seems absolutely horrifying to me but that's why I don't teach high school! Ms. B genuinely enjoys teaching & enjoys spending time with these kids. She's able to look past their "faults" & find good in them, even the shitty kids like I was in high school.
1/4 letter & super thick - $2 from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.27.12)
LB's zine is by far, top five favorite for me. The writing is perfect & the subject matter is interesting & the entire thing is just so engaging. Issue #13 finds Ms. B teaching in a Chicago Public School as a first year teacher. The entire thing seems absolutely horrifying to me but that's why I don't teach high school! Ms. B genuinely enjoys teaching & enjoys spending time with these kids. She's able to look past their "faults" & find good in them, even the shitty kids like I was in high school.
1/4 letter & super thick - $2 from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.27.12)
Jen(ny) Ambular #2 & #3
I'm actually a pretty huge fan of Jenny's writing style. It's simple and narrative, but introspective. Issue number two of her zine is about going on tour. There's a lot of really frank discussion about being a woman on tour, and how that's different and in a lot of ways harder. Number three talks about being a volunteer at Girl's Rock Camp. At different points, this issue made me laugh out loud and gave me a lot of hope for the next generation of female musicians. It was so sweet and charming. I'd recommend this zine to anyone.
$2 each to jtwigg@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/27)
I'm actually a pretty huge fan of Jenny's writing style. It's simple and narrative, but introspective. Issue number two of her zine is about going on tour. There's a lot of really frank discussion about being a woman on tour, and how that's different and in a lot of ways harder. Number three talks about being a volunteer at Girl's Rock Camp. At different points, this issue made me laugh out loud and gave me a lot of hope for the next generation of female musicians. It was so sweet and charming. I'd recommend this zine to anyone.
$2 each to jtwigg@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/27)
Explorers Are We #5 (and an unnumbered issue with a cool red cover)
I will go ahead and say that I'm not a huge poetry fan, but I'd seen this zine around and thought: Oh, this is actually pretty cool, in spite of being poetry. And then Xavier rolled into Wooden Shoe books with the rest of their zine tour. And hearing them read is a lot different then just seeing a zine. I think hearing poetry rather than seeing it makes the words more dimensional, fills them in with meaning. Not everyone will relate to this zine. Not everyone is queer, gender or otherwise, and not everyone likes poetry at all. But if any of that applies to you, this might be something you dig.
$1 per issue from Nail Biter Distro
(Sarah 7/27)
I will go ahead and say that I'm not a huge poetry fan, but I'd seen this zine around and thought: Oh, this is actually pretty cool, in spite of being poetry. And then Xavier rolled into Wooden Shoe books with the rest of their zine tour. And hearing them read is a lot different then just seeing a zine. I think hearing poetry rather than seeing it makes the words more dimensional, fills them in with meaning. Not everyone will relate to this zine. Not everyone is queer, gender or otherwise, and not everyone likes poetry at all. But if any of that applies to you, this might be something you dig.
$1 per issue from Nail Biter Distro
(Sarah 7/27)
Dig Deep # 1, 2 and 4
I really like the way Heather writes. I feel like if we lived in the same town, she'd be someone I really looked forward to hanging out with regularly. I'd also like to mention that these tiny zines are super dense. I feel like I could come back to them and take a different points to think about away. The first issue talks a lot about home both physical homes and concepts of, the second issue's discusses clothing, comfort and one particular shirt, and a really important piece about street harassment. The fourth issue, which was my favorite, discussed friendship in general, and specific relationships. Heather is a librarian, so there is always some bookish, library-related content to look forward to as well.
$1 each from Stranger Danger Distro
(Sarah 7/27)
I really like the way Heather writes. I feel like if we lived in the same town, she'd be someone I really looked forward to hanging out with regularly. I'd also like to mention that these tiny zines are super dense. I feel like I could come back to them and take a different points to think about away. The first issue talks a lot about home both physical homes and concepts of, the second issue's discusses clothing, comfort and one particular shirt, and a really important piece about street harassment. The fourth issue, which was my favorite, discussed friendship in general, and specific relationships. Heather is a librarian, so there is always some bookish, library-related content to look forward to as well.
$1 each from Stranger Danger Distro
(Sarah 7/27)
Rollercoaster #8
I think this was also a DC Zine Fest trade. It's a super short read but there is something about Arielle's writing style that appealed to me. She writes about rape culture & personal safety & history. She's not the best writer but it's comforting. Like, she's telling me a story & it's so personal & we're drinking coffee & we're best friends. I want to read more issues of this zine so if anyone knows Arielle or how I can get in touch with her please let me know!
1/4 letter & 16p - no contact info
(Taryn 07.26.12)
I think this was also a DC Zine Fest trade. It's a super short read but there is something about Arielle's writing style that appealed to me. She writes about rape culture & personal safety & history. She's not the best writer but it's comforting. Like, she's telling me a story & it's so personal & we're drinking coffee & we're best friends. I want to read more issues of this zine so if anyone knows Arielle or how I can get in touch with her please let me know!
1/4 letter & 16p - no contact info
(Taryn 07.26.12)
Anarcha Queer Alphabet & Coloring Book
One of (if not THE) best thing about zine fests is meeting awesome new people! This little zine was made by a rad zinester (whose name I don't think I ever learned but this say's "brought to you by Laura"). It's an A to Z collection of drawings including "C is for Cunt" & "U is for Unicorns". The cover calls it "inappropriate" but I think it's perfect!
1/8 letter & 28p - no contact info
(Taryn 07.25.12
One of (if not THE) best thing about zine fests is meeting awesome new people! This little zine was made by a rad zinester (whose name I don't think I ever learned but this say's "brought to you by Laura"). It's an A to Z collection of drawings including "C is for Cunt" & "U is for Unicorns". The cover calls it "inappropriate" but I think it's perfect!
1/8 letter & 28p - no contact info
(Taryn 07.25.12
Your Secretary #5
Totally still catching up on zine reading/reviews but I picked this up at DC Zine Fest because I didn't already have it & duh, aside from it being Jami's (so therefor awesome) it has a SVH cover (also awesome). This issue is entirely about Jami's diabetes, something I am very familiar with as the daughter of a woman with Type 1 diabetes who taught me at a young age how to adminster a glucagon shot in an emergency situation. But for those who are not familiar with diabetes this zine is super informative.
1/2 letter & 24p - available at
http://yoursecretaryisout.wordpress.com/paper-zines/
(Taryn 07.24.12)
Totally still catching up on zine reading/reviews but I picked this up at DC Zine Fest because I didn't already have it & duh, aside from it being Jami's (so therefor awesome) it has a SVH cover (also awesome). This issue is entirely about Jami's diabetes, something I am very familiar with as the daughter of a woman with Type 1 diabetes who taught me at a young age how to adminster a glucagon shot in an emergency situation. But for those who are not familiar with diabetes this zine is super informative.
1/2 letter & 24p - available at
http://yoursecretaryisout.wordpress.com/paper-zines/
(Taryn 07.24.12)
Roethlisberger Castration Society #1
I'm pretty new to the world of professional sports, I will confess. I was never a huge fan before I moved to Philly. And then I lived in a city that had a major league team for all the sports. I pretty easily became a baseball fan, and hockey has steadily grown on me. But the abundance of players accused of rape makes football something that I can't really wrap my brain around. I love how Jen talks about what football means to her, and how it relates to her feminist politics. Additionally, she talks about the racist mascots in int NFL. I really like that she talks about the good things that football players and the NFL do: like Deangelo Williams, who helped start a campaign to raise money for breast cancer research. Or Paul Tagliabue, who donated a million dollars to Georgetown University to help them open a GLBTQ center - the first of it's kind on a Catholic University. Good stuff!
Digest, 16 pages, $2 to jtwigg@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/24)
I'm pretty new to the world of professional sports, I will confess. I was never a huge fan before I moved to Philly. And then I lived in a city that had a major league team for all the sports. I pretty easily became a baseball fan, and hockey has steadily grown on me. But the abundance of players accused of rape makes football something that I can't really wrap my brain around. I love how Jen talks about what football means to her, and how it relates to her feminist politics. Additionally, she talks about the racist mascots in int NFL. I really like that she talks about the good things that football players and the NFL do: like Deangelo Williams, who helped start a campaign to raise money for breast cancer research. Or Paul Tagliabue, who donated a million dollars to Georgetown University to help them open a GLBTQ center - the first of it's kind on a Catholic University. Good stuff!
Digest, 16 pages, $2 to jtwigg@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/24)
Dig Deep #4
I got this yesterday from Heather at DC Zine Fest & immediatly read it when I got home. (Yes, I'm cheating with my daily reading/reviewing but cut me a break, I was busy getting ready for DC!) Heather is an excellent writer & I could relate so much to this zine & her writing about anxiety, friendship & history. She's currently on her way back to Chicago after a week-long zine tour but you should be able to get this from her distro soon!
1/8 legal & 48p - from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.23.12)
I got this yesterday from Heather at DC Zine Fest & immediatly read it when I got home. (Yes, I'm cheating with my daily reading/reviewing but cut me a break, I was busy getting ready for DC!) Heather is an excellent writer & I could relate so much to this zine & her writing about anxiety, friendship & history. She's currently on her way back to Chicago after a week-long zine tour but you should be able to get this from her distro soon!
1/8 legal & 48p - from strangerdangerzines.com
(Taryn 07.23.12)
Things that Matter #3
This is a pretty quick read. I actually just realized that it's a split between Explorers are We, which is a poetry zine. I'm not a huge poetry fan, but this short zine doesn't ask you to do a lot of interpretation, and it doesn't seem too pretentious. The Things That Matter side has a piece on Girls Rock Chicago and a piece on dealing with identity, gender, and sexual orientation. It's not bad. I'd be curious to read these zines in a couple of years to see what direction the authors evolve in.
Digest, 20 pages, Price not listed. E-mail the authors for more info: Jathephilos@gmail.com (things that matter) or slipsbackward@gmail.com (Explorers are we)
(Sarah, 7/23)
This is a pretty quick read. I actually just realized that it's a split between Explorers are We, which is a poetry zine. I'm not a huge poetry fan, but this short zine doesn't ask you to do a lot of interpretation, and it doesn't seem too pretentious. The Things That Matter side has a piece on Girls Rock Chicago and a piece on dealing with identity, gender, and sexual orientation. It's not bad. I'd be curious to read these zines in a couple of years to see what direction the authors evolve in.
Digest, 20 pages, Price not listed. E-mail the authors for more info: Jathephilos@gmail.com (things that matter) or slipsbackward@gmail.com (Explorers are we)
(Sarah, 7/23)
Mixtapers do it better #2
I am actually not sure where this zine came from. It wasn't a distro submission, and I don't remember buying it or getting it in the mail. It was made in 2007, so it seems weird that it just turned up in my bag, but whatever. It's really good. Solid tips on making mix tapes, which tapes work best (length, brand, etc), reviews of mix tapes, and reviews of books relevant to the subject. This is a tight zine. I would be excited about reading more issues of this.
Digest, 18 pages, price not listed. Email: mixtapers do it better@riseup.net for info
(Sarah, 7/23)
I am actually not sure where this zine came from. It wasn't a distro submission, and I don't remember buying it or getting it in the mail. It was made in 2007, so it seems weird that it just turned up in my bag, but whatever. It's really good. Solid tips on making mix tapes, which tapes work best (length, brand, etc), reviews of mix tapes, and reviews of books relevant to the subject. This is a tight zine. I would be excited about reading more issues of this.
Digest, 18 pages, price not listed. Email: mixtapers do it better@riseup.net for info
(Sarah, 7/23)
Don't Tread on ME! # 41
I didn't realize that I'd read other issues of Don't Tread on ME until I took them home from the zine reading and started flipping through them. I haven't always been such a big fan. In past issues, the writing has been pretty vague and inconsistant. But this issue was pretty well written. It's a travel zine written by Ratso, who bills himself as a fauxbo. There are places in this zine that made me a little uncomfortable about the way the author related to the two women he was pursuing and be pursued romantically by, but that could be bitterness speaking. Still ... not a bad zine. Would be curious to see how the story of this adventure ends.
Digest sized, 80+ pages, $2 or so from here.
(Sarah, 7/23)
I didn't realize that I'd read other issues of Don't Tread on ME until I took them home from the zine reading and started flipping through them. I haven't always been such a big fan. In past issues, the writing has been pretty vague and inconsistant. But this issue was pretty well written. It's a travel zine written by Ratso, who bills himself as a fauxbo. There are places in this zine that made me a little uncomfortable about the way the author related to the two women he was pursuing and be pursued romantically by, but that could be bitterness speaking. Still ... not a bad zine. Would be curious to see how the story of this adventure ends.
Digest sized, 80+ pages, $2 or so from here.
(Sarah, 7/23)
Mustardless Barbarians #7
I'm gonna 'fess up. Mike's zine is one of my favorites because it's a quick read, it's always really well written, and more often than not, it makes me laugh out loud. The shining moment in this issue was when he talked about how most of his childhood imagination was themed around Mario, and how he cast some of his peers as the characters from Super Mario Brothers 3.
Digest, 8 pages, Free in person, postage by mail, maybe - email: mikecoversmustard@gmail.com to find out.
(Sarah, 7/23)
I'm gonna 'fess up. Mike's zine is one of my favorites because it's a quick read, it's always really well written, and more often than not, it makes me laugh out loud. The shining moment in this issue was when he talked about how most of his childhood imagination was themed around Mario, and how he cast some of his peers as the characters from Super Mario Brothers 3.
Digest, 8 pages, Free in person, postage by mail, maybe - email: mikecoversmustard@gmail.com to find out.
(Sarah, 7/23)
No Gods, No Mattress #15
I am constantly picking up issues of NGNM when they're laying around, because it's such a thick, visually appealing zine. Enola is a really cool traveling punk and this zine is typically about her adventures. I find her writing style to be very earnest and endearing. This issue is actually a lot more frank and blunt than other zines of hers that I've read. It deals a lot with unwanted sexual/romantic attention from heterosexual cis-gendered guys and talking about concepts like radical consent and privilege with people who haven't given the subjects much thought. There's so much more in this enormous zine.
Digest, 74-76 pages, $3 the old fashioned way to: Enola D, PO Box 3936, Berkley, CA 94703
Sarah, 7/23)
I am constantly picking up issues of NGNM when they're laying around, because it's such a thick, visually appealing zine. Enola is a really cool traveling punk and this zine is typically about her adventures. I find her writing style to be very earnest and endearing. This issue is actually a lot more frank and blunt than other zines of hers that I've read. It deals a lot with unwanted sexual/romantic attention from heterosexual cis-gendered guys and talking about concepts like radical consent and privilege with people who haven't given the subjects much thought. There's so much more in this enormous zine.
Digest, 74-76 pages, $3 the old fashioned way to: Enola D, PO Box 3936, Berkley, CA 94703
Sarah, 7/23)
Alex #4
This is one of the zines being put out pretty steadily lately that I really like. I think Anne's writing style is clear and easy to ready, but graceful and vaguely poetic. In this issue, she talks about AA and alcoholism, how gender ambiguity played into a bike accident, a lot about family, and several really cool literary quotes sprinkled throughout.
Mini, 48 pages, $2 from here.
(Sarah, 7/23)
This is one of the zines being put out pretty steadily lately that I really like. I think Anne's writing style is clear and easy to ready, but graceful and vaguely poetic. In this issue, she talks about AA and alcoholism, how gender ambiguity played into a bike accident, a lot about family, and several really cool literary quotes sprinkled throughout.
Mini, 48 pages, $2 from here.
(Sarah, 7/23)
Fragile Like A Rubber Ball
This is Betty's 24 Hour Zine Challenge zine & it's great. It's a little personal zine written by a 40 year old woman who has never made a zine before! Lots about zines, getting/being inspired by others, queer feminism & a bunch more. I'v read a LOT of first zines & this is one of the greatest! (I swear if I could figure out how to use my new scanner I would stop stealing cover photos from everyone else!)
1/4 letter & 24p - available from fragilelikearubberball.wordpress.com
(Taryn 07.22.12)
This is Betty's 24 Hour Zine Challenge zine & it's great. It's a little personal zine written by a 40 year old woman who has never made a zine before! Lots about zines, getting/being inspired by others, queer feminism & a bunch more. I'v read a LOT of first zines & this is one of the greatest! (I swear if I could figure out how to use my new scanner I would stop stealing cover photos from everyone else!)
1/4 letter & 24p - available from fragilelikearubberball.wordpress.com
(Taryn 07.22.12)
Deafula #3
I saw Kerri read from her zine at the Wooden Shoe recently & then we traded & now I want to be her best friend. This issue of Deafula she looks at disability politics and community & the things hearing people miss out on like FEELING music. She writes about her worry over being seen as a spokesperson for the deaf & how that makes her feel. It's such a great zine.
1/4 letter & 36p - $2.50 from http://www.etsy.com/shop/deafulazine
(Taryn 07.21.12)
I saw Kerri read from her zine at the Wooden Shoe recently & then we traded & now I want to be her best friend. This issue of Deafula she looks at disability politics and community & the things hearing people miss out on like FEELING music. She writes about her worry over being seen as a spokesperson for the deaf & how that makes her feel. It's such a great zine.
1/4 letter & 36p - $2.50 from http://www.etsy.com/shop/deafulazine
(Taryn 07.21.12)
InspiradoI love,love,loved this zine! Here is the description straight from Marissa's etsy shop: "Inspired by the art chats we have over tea at a local cafe, this zine takes the form of one of our conversations, showing each of our perspectives on several topics related to our art and process. The layouts feature both of our work, so you can see the results of the processes we discuss." Amazing & awesome.
5.5" x 7.5" & 16p - $4 from http://www.etsy.com/shop/thimblewinder
(Taryn 07.20.12)
5.5" x 7.5" & 16p - $4 from http://www.etsy.com/shop/thimblewinder
(Taryn 07.20.12)
Sassyfrass Circus #4
I swear I read other zines but I'm catching up on back issues of Jenna's comic zine & I have to share them with you because she is a great writer & the illustrations compliment that so well. In the the intro she writes "And an update on my life? Things are confusing. I'm not sure whether or not my life is falling apart or coming together" which pretty much sums up exactly how I feel ALL THE TIME.
1/2 letter & 28 p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.19.12)
I swear I read other zines but I'm catching up on back issues of Jenna's comic zine & I have to share them with you because she is a great writer & the illustrations compliment that so well. In the the intro she writes "And an update on my life? Things are confusing. I'm not sure whether or not my life is falling apart or coming together" which pretty much sums up exactly how I feel ALL THE TIME.
1/2 letter & 28 p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.19.12)
Sassyfrass Circus #3
Another awesome issue of Jenna's comic zine. This one is about her trip to Egypt, buying comics by women (or at least, trying to) & lots of other stuff. The over-all feeling of this issue seemed sorta more sad than before. A lot of inner reflecting in a way I think a lot of us can relate to. But Jenna makes it approachable which feels good, comforting even.
1/2 letter & 28p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.18.12)
Another awesome issue of Jenna's comic zine. This one is about her trip to Egypt, buying comics by women (or at least, trying to) & lots of other stuff. The over-all feeling of this issue seemed sorta more sad than before. A lot of inner reflecting in a way I think a lot of us can relate to. But Jenna makes it approachable which feels good, comforting even.
1/2 letter & 28p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.18.12)
Sassyfrass Circus #2
I love that this issue is "fairly random" & has slowly moved toward a more comic form. Jenna writes about gender & sexuality. There is an illustration of Jenna's grandmother she did from a photograph & it is absolutely stunning. Like, I want to cut it out & hang it on my wall it's so beautiful.
1/2 letter & 34p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.17.12)
I love that this issue is "fairly random" & has slowly moved toward a more comic form. Jenna writes about gender & sexuality. There is an illustration of Jenna's grandmother she did from a photograph & it is absolutely stunning. Like, I want to cut it out & hang it on my wall it's so beautiful.
1/2 letter & 34p - available from http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.17.12)
Hearts On A Wire (Issue 2, Fall 2010)
I picked up this short, informative zine at Philly Trans Health Conference. This is a zine for "trans and gender variant people building a movement for gender self-determination, racial and economic justice, and an end to policing and imprisoning our communities." This is a super important project. In the span of 12 pages, this zine talks about the stickers that SEPTA used to put on their transit passes (which stopped shortly after this zine was published), PennDot policies relating to state IDs, estrogen and obtaining hormones, and issues specific to incarcerated trans folks.
(I think this is free, but if you can donate, you should. Digest, 12 pages - get it from: heartsonawire@gmail.com
Sarah, 7/17)
I picked up this short, informative zine at Philly Trans Health Conference. This is a zine for "trans and gender variant people building a movement for gender self-determination, racial and economic justice, and an end to policing and imprisoning our communities." This is a super important project. In the span of 12 pages, this zine talks about the stickers that SEPTA used to put on their transit passes (which stopped shortly after this zine was published), PennDot policies relating to state IDs, estrogen and obtaining hormones, and issues specific to incarcerated trans folks.
(I think this is free, but if you can donate, you should. Digest, 12 pages - get it from: heartsonawire@gmail.com
Sarah, 7/17)
Scrappy J. ( A zine about fighting) by Cassie J. Sneider
I'm just going to say it. Cassie J. Sneider might be one of the ten funniest people in the world. I was lucky enough to be part of a zine/book reading that she put together, and she made me laugh so hard that I thought I might pass out. This zine is about a fight that takes place at a rock concert. I got this in person, but maybe you could get it via mail or something? On the other hand, maybe you'll come to Philly Feminist Zine Fest where Cassie will be tabling (see what I did there?).
Send some money or an e-mail, or just go all in and get her book.
Available from http://cassiejsneider.blogspot.com/
(Sarah 7/17)
I'm just going to say it. Cassie J. Sneider might be one of the ten funniest people in the world. I was lucky enough to be part of a zine/book reading that she put together, and she made me laugh so hard that I thought I might pass out. This zine is about a fight that takes place at a rock concert. I got this in person, but maybe you could get it via mail or something? On the other hand, maybe you'll come to Philly Feminist Zine Fest where Cassie will be tabling (see what I did there?).
Send some money or an e-mail, or just go all in and get her book.
Available from http://cassiejsneider.blogspot.com/
(Sarah 7/17)
Sassyfrass Circus #1 / Hobo's Lullaby
Jenna sent me a bunch of back issues of Sassyfrass Circus so I've been catching up & it's awesome. This issue is a split with Hobo's Lullaby. Both are full of stories & illustrations.
1/2 letter & 40p - available at http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.16.12)
Jenna sent me a bunch of back issues of Sassyfrass Circus so I've been catching up & it's awesome. This issue is a split with Hobo's Lullaby. Both are full of stories & illustrations.
1/2 letter & 40p - available at http://sassyfrasscircus.com
(Taryn 07.16.12)
Tazwell's Favorite Eccentric #11
This is Sarah's first zine since moving to Philadelphia so really, should it be called "Philly's Favorite Eccentric"? It's almost a love letter to the city which is nice for those of us who have lived here most of our lives & sometimes forget just how great a city it actually is. This zine is very emotional with writing about addiction & community hitting close to home for me. I finished this zine & felt very proud of Sarah, that's always a nice feeling for a zinester.
1/2 letter & 18p - $3 from onceuponadistro.com
(Taryn 07.15.12)
This is Sarah's first zine since moving to Philadelphia so really, should it be called "Philly's Favorite Eccentric"? It's almost a love letter to the city which is nice for those of us who have lived here most of our lives & sometimes forget just how great a city it actually is. This zine is very emotional with writing about addiction & community hitting close to home for me. I finished this zine & felt very proud of Sarah, that's always a nice feeling for a zinester.
1/2 letter & 18p - $3 from onceuponadistro.com
(Taryn 07.15.12)
Am I Mad of Has the Whole World Gone Crazy? (Achieving mind freedom in the age of empire)
This is a really quick read thanks to the large type and plenty of really nice looking illustrations. I feel like we have seen a lot more mental health specific zines or zines that talk frankly about mental health in the last couple of years, and I'm glad about that. However, this zine is specifically interested in a history of mental health disorders and how they have been treated (or in many cases mistreated). I would like to see a lot more distinction between opinion and fact. A bibliography and resources would be rad additions to this as well. Otherwise, it's a solid zine, nicely done.
(Bigger than digest sized [half legal?], 48 pages. Price unclear. Email: weissman42@gmail.com)
(Sarah 7.15)
This is a really quick read thanks to the large type and plenty of really nice looking illustrations. I feel like we have seen a lot more mental health specific zines or zines that talk frankly about mental health in the last couple of years, and I'm glad about that. However, this zine is specifically interested in a history of mental health disorders and how they have been treated (or in many cases mistreated). I would like to see a lot more distinction between opinion and fact. A bibliography and resources would be rad additions to this as well. Otherwise, it's a solid zine, nicely done.
(Bigger than digest sized [half legal?], 48 pages. Price unclear. Email: weissman42@gmail.com)
(Sarah 7.15)
Cometbus #54
I have a bunch of issues of Aaron's zine to catch up on but I really wanted to read the Green Day issue so I skipped ahead. This zine was awesome. I think by now we all know Aaron's history in the punk scene & about his relationship with Green Day so it was interesting to see him revisit these relationships & witness the band's huge success first hand. It's also nice to see an old punk say "Ok, this isn't too bad". I mean, there are obvious bonuses to being Green Day but at the same time, Aaron shows us the down sides too.
1/2 letter & 96p - $4 from http://portlandbuttonworks.com
(Taryn 07.14.12)
I have a bunch of issues of Aaron's zine to catch up on but I really wanted to read the Green Day issue so I skipped ahead. This zine was awesome. I think by now we all know Aaron's history in the punk scene & about his relationship with Green Day so it was interesting to see him revisit these relationships & witness the band's huge success first hand. It's also nice to see an old punk say "Ok, this isn't too bad". I mean, there are obvious bonuses to being Green Day but at the same time, Aaron shows us the down sides too.
1/2 letter & 96p - $4 from http://portlandbuttonworks.com
(Taryn 07.14.12)
Hatch Mister Sister #2 - by AsherI have to say that picking up this tiny zine was one of my favorite parts of Philly Trans Health Conference. If I had been as world and self-aware as this fourteen year old is, I might have avoided a lot of self-doubt and major life mistakes. In this issue, Asher talks about some rad adventures with his mom, and about his experiences at public school. Asher actually found a really cool Quaker school that is more trans-inclusive with teachers who are more willing to advocate for him. You can donate to his indiegoggo here: http://www.indiegogo.com/Asher2AMS
(1/8 sized, 16 pages)
or email asherskool@gmail.com for the zine.
(Sarah 7/14)
(1/8 sized, 16 pages)
or email asherskool@gmail.com for the zine.
(Sarah 7/14)
High on Burning Photographs #6
Ocean explains in this issue that you can only get it directly from her because of it's intense content including the time she worked for child protective services (trigger warning). There is also a short piece about her bike trip from Pittsburgh to DC which I would love to know more about. This was a great little zine.
1/2 letter & 18p - $1 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/highonburningphotos
(Taryn 07.13.12)
Ocean explains in this issue that you can only get it directly from her because of it's intense content including the time she worked for child protective services (trigger warning). There is also a short piece about her bike trip from Pittsburgh to DC which I would love to know more about. This was a great little zine.
1/2 letter & 18p - $1 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/highonburningphotos
(Taryn 07.13.12)
The La-La Theory #8: Made by Hand
I actually love this idea for a zine. Katie talks about her own relationship to handwriting -hers and others. It helps that she's such a good writer. I think this subject, while interesting, could get a little academic, but the author not only kept me engaged all the way through it, but also included a bunch of interviews and examples written by a lot of contributors as well. So, in addition to being a fun read, this issue is also content heavy and visually engaging.
(Digest, 48 pages)
$3 from http://www.thelalatheory.com/zines.html
(Sarah 7/13)
I actually love this idea for a zine. Katie talks about her own relationship to handwriting -hers and others. It helps that she's such a good writer. I think this subject, while interesting, could get a little academic, but the author not only kept me engaged all the way through it, but also included a bunch of interviews and examples written by a lot of contributors as well. So, in addition to being a fun read, this issue is also content heavy and visually engaging.
(Digest, 48 pages)
$3 from http://www.thelalatheory.com/zines.html
(Sarah 7/13)
Hoax #6
Communication is the theme of this issue of Hoax. I find it quite curious that there seems to be a strong emphasis on feminist rage or anger or the expected feelings associated with being perceived as "angry". Essays focus on language & identity & experiences as it has to do with communication.
1/2 letter & 76p - $3 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoaxZine
(Taryn 07.12.12)
Communication is the theme of this issue of Hoax. I find it quite curious that there seems to be a strong emphasis on feminist rage or anger or the expected feelings associated with being perceived as "angry". Essays focus on language & identity & experiences as it has to do with communication.
1/2 letter & 76p - $3 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoaxZine
(Taryn 07.12.12)
Sabotage is Still in the Air by various artists
Full disclosure: A piece I wrote is in this comp zine. This is focused around Wooden Shoe Books, here in Philly. There are ten pieces by eight contributors who are either current or former staffers at South Street's favorite (and only) anarchist bookstore. I think that even if this weren't a zine written almost entirely by people I respect and admire, I'd be able to gush about how well written and cohesive it is.
(Digest 31 pages)
$1 available at Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South Street, Philadelphia, PA (not online, sorry).
(Sarah 7/14)
Full disclosure: A piece I wrote is in this comp zine. This is focused around Wooden Shoe Books, here in Philly. There are ten pieces by eight contributors who are either current or former staffers at South Street's favorite (and only) anarchist bookstore. I think that even if this weren't a zine written almost entirely by people I respect and admire, I'd be able to gush about how well written and cohesive it is.
(Digest 31 pages)
$1 available at Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South Street, Philadelphia, PA (not online, sorry).
(Sarah 7/14)
Fear is a Four Letter Word #1(Miz K)
This zine is so gorgeously written and really easy to read and relate to. In the span of 16 pages or so, Miz K talks about body image and self-acceptance (specifically in terms of weight, but also about taking care of your body by putting good stuff in and using it to navigate the world), about an accident she was in, and how that changed her perspective on fear and risk and conformity.
Digest, 16 pages
$? from fearisafourletterword@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/14)
This zine is so gorgeously written and really easy to read and relate to. In the span of 16 pages or so, Miz K talks about body image and self-acceptance (specifically in terms of weight, but also about taking care of your body by putting good stuff in and using it to navigate the world), about an accident she was in, and how that changed her perspective on fear and risk and conformity.
Digest, 16 pages
$? from fearisafourletterword@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/14)
Hoax #5
This issue of Hoax focuses on the concept of community with essays focusing on safe spaces, punk & queer communities & how to create such a thing as well as feminist politics & introductions to feminism. This super text heavy zine offers varying opinions on the subject of feminisms & community.
1/2 letter & 68p - $3 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoaxZine
(Taryn 07.11.12)
This issue of Hoax focuses on the concept of community with essays focusing on safe spaces, punk & queer communities & how to create such a thing as well as feminist politics & introductions to feminism. This super text heavy zine offers varying opinions on the subject of feminisms & community.
1/2 letter & 68p - $3 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/HoaxZine
(Taryn 07.11.12)
I am Very Busy and Important #7
I really liked this personal account of Sophie's experiences with both in and outpatient mental health services. I thought this was an extremely well-put together zine. Included with the text were images that the author found by doing a web search for terms relevant to mental health, so those provided and interesting visual commentary about the stigma attached to relevant issues. There's frank talk about being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and maybe that could be triggering, but otherwise, I'd suggest this zine to anyone who would like to read more about mental health and/or bipolar.
Digest size, 36 pages, $3 to iamverybusyandimportant.com
I really liked this personal account of Sophie's experiences with both in and outpatient mental health services. I thought this was an extremely well-put together zine. Included with the text were images that the author found by doing a web search for terms relevant to mental health, so those provided and interesting visual commentary about the stigma attached to relevant issues. There's frank talk about being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and maybe that could be triggering, but otherwise, I'd suggest this zine to anyone who would like to read more about mental health and/or bipolar.
Digest size, 36 pages, $3 to iamverybusyandimportant.com
She's Not A Morning Person #9
This zine can be triggering, be warned. For me it brought up so many emotions. The death of an abuser, when it's your parent is a tricky thing to process. Jenn writes about it in an honest yet upsetting way. As children of addicts we often will ourselves responsible for things that are/were not our fault. It's devestating but true. I see that in Jenn's processing of her father's death which breaks my heart but at the same time, I am filled with such admiration for her strength to put this down on paper & share it with us. This zine is absolutely incredible.
1/4 letter & 56p - $3ppd available at http://jenvenegas.com/zine/
(Taryn 07.10.12)
This zine can be triggering, be warned. For me it brought up so many emotions. The death of an abuser, when it's your parent is a tricky thing to process. Jenn writes about it in an honest yet upsetting way. As children of addicts we often will ourselves responsible for things that are/were not our fault. It's devestating but true. I see that in Jenn's processing of her father's death which breaks my heart but at the same time, I am filled with such admiration for her strength to put this down on paper & share it with us. This zine is absolutely incredible.
1/4 letter & 56p - $3ppd available at http://jenvenegas.com/zine/
(Taryn 07.10.12)
Don't Dis My Ability
I'm really glad this zine exists. I think it's an important starting point to a conversation that the zine and radical communities have needed to have for awhile. This is a really text heavy zine that addressed a wide range of disabilities and issues attached to disability. Articles on service dogs, invisable disabilities, accessible design, and lots more. This zine isn't perfect, but it's a great starting place and I hope there will be more issues in the future so I (and we) can watch it evolve.
Digest size, large print available, 40+ pages. $4 to kreutzk@gmail.com (via paypal), other inquiries to burrowtheklown@gmail.com
I'm really glad this zine exists. I think it's an important starting point to a conversation that the zine and radical communities have needed to have for awhile. This is a really text heavy zine that addressed a wide range of disabilities and issues attached to disability. Articles on service dogs, invisable disabilities, accessible design, and lots more. This zine isn't perfect, but it's a great starting place and I hope there will be more issues in the future so I (and we) can watch it evolve.
Digest size, large print available, 40+ pages. $4 to kreutzk@gmail.com (via paypal), other inquiries to burrowtheklown@gmail.com
Reciprocity #3
Again, I'm being lazy about scanning covers. I got this off the Alternative Press website. I'm not sure why Bree's zine was still in my "to read" box since I know I've looked at it before. But I don't mind because it's beautiful, full of photographes of people & flowers & buildings. It's a document of a time past & a collection of memories.
I'm not sure if it's still available but I wrote Bree to find out & I'll let you know.
1/4 legal & 50p
(Taryn 07.09/12)
Again, I'm being lazy about scanning covers. I got this off the Alternative Press website. I'm not sure why Bree's zine was still in my "to read" box since I know I've looked at it before. But I don't mind because it's beautiful, full of photographes of people & flowers & buildings. It's a document of a time past & a collection of memories.
I'm not sure if it's still available but I wrote Bree to find out & I'll let you know.
1/4 legal & 50p
(Taryn 07.09/12)
Invincible Summer #17
I went out & bought a scanner like, forever ago but instead of figuring out how it works & scanning a cover of this comic zine I'm stealing it off the Portland Button Works website (which is where I got the zine from). I just am a little behind on reviews but that's because I've been READING ZINES!
Anyway, if you're not familiar with Nicole Georges zine then you are in for a real treat! She draws comics about her life which involves lots of dogs & projects like Homorobics! This issue is awesome because there is a delicious recipe for coffee she had in Hawaii & if there is anything I love as much as zines, it's caffeine!
1/2 legal & 58p - $4 from Portland Button Works http://www.portlandbuttonworks.com/store/comics/invincible-summer-17
(Taryn 07.08.12)
I went out & bought a scanner like, forever ago but instead of figuring out how it works & scanning a cover of this comic zine I'm stealing it off the Portland Button Works website (which is where I got the zine from). I just am a little behind on reviews but that's because I've been READING ZINES!
Anyway, if you're not familiar with Nicole Georges zine then you are in for a real treat! She draws comics about her life which involves lots of dogs & projects like Homorobics! This issue is awesome because there is a delicious recipe for coffee she had in Hawaii & if there is anything I love as much as zines, it's caffeine!
1/2 legal & 58p - $4 from Portland Button Works http://www.portlandbuttonworks.com/store/comics/invincible-summer-17
(Taryn 07.08.12)
Stitching Together
This is an adorable zine about Jim Henson drawn really well by cartoonist Ed Choy Moorman. There's a story about the life and death of Jim Henson which was really sweet and educational, as well as several other strips, stories and illustrations about how Henson's work (and the muppets) have played into the artist's life. This was an easy read. I liked it.
Digest, 16 pages, $4 from http://edsdeadbody.com
(Sarah 7/8)
This is an adorable zine about Jim Henson drawn really well by cartoonist Ed Choy Moorman. There's a story about the life and death of Jim Henson which was really sweet and educational, as well as several other strips, stories and illustrations about how Henson's work (and the muppets) have played into the artist's life. This was an easy read. I liked it.
Digest, 16 pages, $4 from http://edsdeadbody.com
(Sarah 7/8)
Truckface #12
LB is a teacher's aide in this issue of Truckface in the Chicago Public School system. She writes openly & honestly about her fears as a teacher & her fears for her students (it was only April & already 24 students in the Chicago Public School system had been murdered). But she proves to be a fabulous teacher, able to gain the trust & respect of her students not by being their friend but by trusting & respecting them... & dancing!
1/2 letter & 78p - $3 from Stranger Danger http://strangerdangerzines.com/catalog/s-t
(Taryn 07.07.12)
LB is a teacher's aide in this issue of Truckface in the Chicago Public School system. She writes openly & honestly about her fears as a teacher & her fears for her students (it was only April & already 24 students in the Chicago Public School system had been murdered). But she proves to be a fabulous teacher, able to gain the trust & respect of her students not by being their friend but by trusting & respecting them... & dancing!
1/2 letter & 78p - $3 from Stranger Danger http://strangerdangerzines.com/catalog/s-t
(Taryn 07.07.12)
Ghost Pine #12
Jeff's zine has been a favorite for a long time because he is such a beautiful story teller. This issue talks about what happened when he followed his girl to Japan only to have the relationship end immediately. Even stories about dreams are interesting the way Jeff writes about them.
1/4 letter & 30p - $3 available at http://ghostpine.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/mmx-redux/
(Taryn 07.06.12)
Jeff's zine has been a favorite for a long time because he is such a beautiful story teller. This issue talks about what happened when he followed his girl to Japan only to have the relationship end immediately. Even stories about dreams are interesting the way Jeff writes about them.
1/4 letter & 30p - $3 available at http://ghostpine.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/mmx-redux/
(Taryn 07.06.12)
List #15
This is definatly on my top ten of 2012 so far. If you're not familiar, Ramsey's zine is a whole zine full of lists. But more personal and detailed than average, and drawn alongside of her awesome adorable illustrations. Some of the lists in this zine include: Places I've been and what I remember about them, things I really love in nature, The things I think are most important, Adventures in dating, and lots more. Naturally all of the lists especially relevant to Philly were my favorites.
Digest sized, 60+ pages, $4 to everydaypants@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/6)
This is definatly on my top ten of 2012 so far. If you're not familiar, Ramsey's zine is a whole zine full of lists. But more personal and detailed than average, and drawn alongside of her awesome adorable illustrations. Some of the lists in this zine include: Places I've been and what I remember about them, things I really love in nature, The things I think are most important, Adventures in dating, and lots more. Naturally all of the lists especially relevant to Philly were my favorites.
Digest sized, 60+ pages, $4 to everydaypants@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/6)
Barfstains and Barricades
is an art zine with a radical political slant. In general I tend to chose zines that are personal zines by women or relevant to women's issues or queer stuff. The art in this zine was really impressive, though it's a lot darker and more grizzly than something I'd seek out on my own. I can see the value in artzines for people who are into them. But I'm probably always going to love perzines more than any other genre.
24 pages, legal sized $5 at friendsofibnfirnas@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/6)
is an art zine with a radical political slant. In general I tend to chose zines that are personal zines by women or relevant to women's issues or queer stuff. The art in this zine was really impressive, though it's a lot darker and more grizzly than something I'd seek out on my own. I can see the value in artzines for people who are into them. But I'm probably always going to love perzines more than any other genre.
24 pages, legal sized $5 at friendsofibnfirnas@gmail.com
(Sarah 7/6)
Jane: Documents from Chicago's Clandestine Abortion Service 1968-1973
The Jane Collective, also known as the Abortion Counseling Service is our history as women. It's a brief look into our reproductive history. Jane was a group of women who refused to accept that abortion was illegal & therefore inaccessible to women who needed them. They helped women find abortionists & counseling before they learned to do the procedure themselves. This zine is a collection of documents & interviews about Jane but is not nearly a full history of the organization or the abortion movement.
1/2 letter & 58p - $3 available at
http://www.eberhardtpress.org/catalog/jane.php
(Taryn 07.05.12)
The Jane Collective, also known as the Abortion Counseling Service is our history as women. It's a brief look into our reproductive history. Jane was a group of women who refused to accept that abortion was illegal & therefore inaccessible to women who needed them. They helped women find abortionists & counseling before they learned to do the procedure themselves. This zine is a collection of documents & interviews about Jane but is not nearly a full history of the organization or the abortion movement.
1/2 letter & 58p - $3 available at
http://www.eberhardtpress.org/catalog/jane.php
(Taryn 07.05.12)
Get a Grip: Travels through my Mental Health
This was a zine that really resonated with me, not just because of the topics and Sarah's gorgeous writing style, but because it's text heavy without being crowded, and in general being very easy to read. The author talks about moving, concepts of home and stability, monogamy vs. polyamory, about being treated as an in-patient for an eating disorder, and about identifying yourself as a sexual abuse survivor and how alternately empowering and terrifying that can be. This is a zine I feel like I could read and enjoy several times, and take away a different experience each time.
I'm not actually sure how this ended up in my inbox, but it's digest sized and 38 or 40 pages, depending on if you count the front and back cover.
(Sarah 7/4)
This was a zine that really resonated with me, not just because of the topics and Sarah's gorgeous writing style, but because it's text heavy without being crowded, and in general being very easy to read. The author talks about moving, concepts of home and stability, monogamy vs. polyamory, about being treated as an in-patient for an eating disorder, and about identifying yourself as a sexual abuse survivor and how alternately empowering and terrifying that can be. This is a zine I feel like I could read and enjoy several times, and take away a different experience each time.
I'm not actually sure how this ended up in my inbox, but it's digest sized and 38 or 40 pages, depending on if you count the front and back cover.
(Sarah 7/4)
Little Acorns #5
This is Marand'as 24 Hour Zine Challange zine from last year. They write about social anxiety in the context of community as well as their genderless identity. Maranda's zines have this honesty that can make you uncomfortable & envious. Their writing makes you wish you could share yourself the same way they do rather than hiding & being afraid of your own, weirdo shadow. This little zine speaks volumes.
1/4 letter & 18p - $2 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolformaps
(Taryn 07.04.12)
This is Marand'as 24 Hour Zine Challange zine from last year. They write about social anxiety in the context of community as well as their genderless identity. Maranda's zines have this honesty that can make you uncomfortable & envious. Their writing makes you wish you could share yourself the same way they do rather than hiding & being afraid of your own, weirdo shadow. This little zine speaks volumes.
1/4 letter & 18p - $2 available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolformaps
(Taryn 07.04.12)
All I Want is Everything #1
Caitlin has been through a lot of bullshit in her life & has survived. She has become stronger over the years because she had to, she had no choice. She overcame addiction, survived an abusive marriage & eventually ran a marathon. The significance of that act is mind-blowing to those of us who have been in very dark places with no light in sight. This zine brought me to tears but not because the story is sad, like Caitlin worries but because I am inspired by women who acknowledge that part of their strength is admitting they have weaknesses & refusing to be overcome by them.
1/2 letter & 56p - $3 avaailable from Stranger Danger
http://strangerdangerzines.com/catalog/a-c
(Taryn 07.03.12)
Caitlin has been through a lot of bullshit in her life & has survived. She has become stronger over the years because she had to, she had no choice. She overcame addiction, survived an abusive marriage & eventually ran a marathon. The significance of that act is mind-blowing to those of us who have been in very dark places with no light in sight. This zine brought me to tears but not because the story is sad, like Caitlin worries but because I am inspired by women who acknowledge that part of their strength is admitting they have weaknesses & refusing to be overcome by them.
1/2 letter & 56p - $3 avaailable from Stranger Danger
http://strangerdangerzines.com/catalog/a-c
(Taryn 07.03.12)
Phases of the Moon #4
Stacey-Marie once again writes an honest zine that makes you feel possibly uncomfortable but hopeful. She includes photographs alongside an essay about assisting a friend through alcohol detox & the emotional toll being there for someone else can have on us. In the end we're all left wondering if we matter.
4.5"x6" & 8p - $1 available from http://www.selenographie.com/zines.htm
(Taryn 07.02.12)
Stacey-Marie once again writes an honest zine that makes you feel possibly uncomfortable but hopeful. She includes photographs alongside an essay about assisting a friend through alcohol detox & the emotional toll being there for someone else can have on us. In the end we're all left wondering if we matter.
4.5"x6" & 8p - $1 available from http://www.selenographie.com/zines.htm
(Taryn 07.02.12)
Phases of the Moon #3
This issue of Stacey-Marie's zine is subtitled "Take Yr Bones Apart & Put Them Back Together" which doesn't really make sense until you read her zine. If you aren't familiar with POTM it is the most honest perzine you'll ever read. It tears at your heart & makes you ache but not always in a painful way. Stacy-Marie is able to write about things like travel & communal living in a way that makes me want to do them again, even all these years after swearing I never would. She writes often about relationships including her relationship (& fear involved) with her birth daughter whom she gave up for adoption. I've been a huge fan of this zine for so long. It's text-heavy & heart-heavy, it's everything you want in a perzine.
1/2 legal & 28p - $2 available from http://www.selenographie.com/zines.htm
(Taryn 07.01.12)
This issue of Stacey-Marie's zine is subtitled "Take Yr Bones Apart & Put Them Back Together" which doesn't really make sense until you read her zine. If you aren't familiar with POTM it is the most honest perzine you'll ever read. It tears at your heart & makes you ache but not always in a painful way. Stacy-Marie is able to write about things like travel & communal living in a way that makes me want to do them again, even all these years after swearing I never would. She writes often about relationships including her relationship (& fear involved) with her birth daughter whom she gave up for adoption. I've been a huge fan of this zine for so long. It's text-heavy & heart-heavy, it's everything you want in a perzine.
1/2 legal & 28p - $2 available from http://www.selenographie.com/zines.htm
(Taryn 07.01.12)
Not My Small Diary #14
This is a huge, two volume set. I hadn't really read this long running comic before. It's a really cool compilation of a lot of really talented artists and zinesters. This issue is themed around the topic of dating, so of course there are a lot of tales of romance, hilarity and woe. Each of the issues have a folded up piece of paper on the front with bonus drawings inside, so while this zine is a little pricy, the sheer volume and quality of the contents justify it. I can't wait to read more issues of this zine.
Digest sized, 138 pages, $7 ppd from http://mysmallwebpage.com/nmsd-gallery/not-my-small-diary/5513011
(Sarah 7/1)
This is a huge, two volume set. I hadn't really read this long running comic before. It's a really cool compilation of a lot of really talented artists and zinesters. This issue is themed around the topic of dating, so of course there are a lot of tales of romance, hilarity and woe. Each of the issues have a folded up piece of paper on the front with bonus drawings inside, so while this zine is a little pricy, the sheer volume and quality of the contents justify it. I can't wait to read more issues of this zine.
Digest sized, 138 pages, $7 ppd from http://mysmallwebpage.com/nmsd-gallery/not-my-small-diary/5513011
(Sarah 7/1)
Sub Rosa #7
This has been such an amazing year for zines by people I admire. I've had a lot to look forward to, zinewise. But I've know that this issue of Sub Rosa was in the works, and as someone who got clean at around the same time Taryn got sober, this was at the top of my list. As always, Sub Rosa does not disappoint. Taryn talks not just about her alcoholism (in beautiful, lurid detail), but about the dissolution of her marriage and how that acted as a catalyst for the downward spiral that ended up at rock bottom. Getting sober, getting rid of bad, self-destructive habits is brave, but owning your mistakes, being accountable and honest is more so. Read this.
quarter sized, 32 pages, $2.50 - available from http://www.etsy.com/listing/102755835/sub-rosa-zine-7
(Sarah 7/1)
This has been such an amazing year for zines by people I admire. I've had a lot to look forward to, zinewise. But I've know that this issue of Sub Rosa was in the works, and as someone who got clean at around the same time Taryn got sober, this was at the top of my list. As always, Sub Rosa does not disappoint. Taryn talks not just about her alcoholism (in beautiful, lurid detail), but about the dissolution of her marriage and how that acted as a catalyst for the downward spiral that ended up at rock bottom. Getting sober, getting rid of bad, self-destructive habits is brave, but owning your mistakes, being accountable and honest is more so. Read this.
quarter sized, 32 pages, $2.50 - available from http://www.etsy.com/listing/102755835/sub-rosa-zine-7
(Sarah 7/1)
Last Night at the Casino #1 & #2
I have only been to one casino ever, and it was big and loud and overwhelming, so I didn’t really go to gamble, but went for concerts (or with people who were gambling). This well-written, text heavy little zine talks about what life is like on the other side of the table. Billy is a casino dealer, and as such he often interacts with some real characters. People who are addicted to gambling, people with sad lives, people trying to cheat the system, etc. There are two issues of this really engaging zine so far. I hope there will be more.
Quarter size, 31 pages each, $2 each from iknowbilly.com
I have only been to one casino ever, and it was big and loud and overwhelming, so I didn’t really go to gamble, but went for concerts (or with people who were gambling). This well-written, text heavy little zine talks about what life is like on the other side of the table. Billy is a casino dealer, and as such he often interacts with some real characters. People who are addicted to gambling, people with sad lives, people trying to cheat the system, etc. There are two issues of this really engaging zine so far. I hope there will be more.
Quarter size, 31 pages each, $2 each from iknowbilly.com
Cadillac Girl #3
I feel like Mel has grown a lot as both a person and a writer since the last issue of this zine that I read (which, full disclosure, might have been some time ago). Marriage and parenthood will do that to you. I related a lot to her pieces on having a difficult relationship with your mom and about wondering how your teenage years shaped who you are now. I think there is a tendency to oversimplify some of the stuff in her life (or to write a little superficially about it) but in the handwritten part of this zine, Mel really shines which makes me think that future zines will pack quite the punch.
Digest sized, 22 pages available from cadillacgirlzine.webs.com
I feel like Mel has grown a lot as both a person and a writer since the last issue of this zine that I read (which, full disclosure, might have been some time ago). Marriage and parenthood will do that to you. I related a lot to her pieces on having a difficult relationship with your mom and about wondering how your teenage years shaped who you are now. I think there is a tendency to oversimplify some of the stuff in her life (or to write a little superficially about it) but in the handwritten part of this zine, Mel really shines which makes me think that future zines will pack quite the punch.
Digest sized, 22 pages available from cadillacgirlzine.webs.com
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