Alex #3 / $3.00 / 50g
I picked up a copy of this zine on a whim while visiting Bluestockings in NYC, and I feel so lucky to have found it. I was originally attracted to it by the handmade details – the covers are stamped and dated by hand – and drawn in to the typewritten text, which is laid out in a simple but original cut-and-paste style. Anne is someone who is simply meant to be a storyteller. She begins with a thoughtful of account of writing with a typewriter, the slow process of putting a story together coherently – and without typographical errors! – and the distinctly different feeling from sitting in the front of the computer. Then, positivity, gender identity, alcoholism and its history within her family, and a long, winding coming out story.
Alex #4 / $3.00 / 35g
Once I began reading this zine, I was locked into it and didn’t want it to end. This issue is quarter-size (as opposed to the previous half-size), and includes just as much handiwork as the last one. This zine comes out after five months of something like writer’s block, which began when Anne quit drinking. She begins by writing about her participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, which reaffirmed her belief in the importance of storytelling. Y’all know how much I love (and need!) to read about addiction and sobriety, so I was especially taken in by the pieces on the why and how of drinking and then not, but Anne also writes about gender ambiguity (and how this has played out in medical situations), overheard conversations, thoughts on her experience with Hurricane Irene, and more.
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All I Want Is Everything #1 / $3.00 / 70g
How much do I love this zine?! This one is written by Caitlin Constantine, who wrote I Was A Teenage Mormon about six years ago, another favourite of mine. So this was a really nice surprise to get in my mailbox, along with a friendly letter. It’s a pretty hefty zine at fifty-six half-size pages, and I’ll warn you that it could be triggering. Caitlin writes about spending part of her teen years and most of her twenties being married to an abusive man. She chronicles some of this abuse, and explains how she managed to finally leave him and forgive herself for staying with him for so long – she speaks out against victim-blaming in an excellent open letter to La Roux, who recently said some pretty harsh things about abused women in an interview, but also feels that there must have been something broken within herself for not having left him immediately when she was able to. Another great piece is titled On The Pointlessness Of Nostalgia, wherein she writes about her own nostalgic feelings for things like 1990s girls culture and her thoughts on recent calls for a riot grrrl revival, and reminds us that we have well-known women today like M.I.A., Janelle Monae, Beth Ditto and Gabourey Sidibe – women that the world of 1993 likely would not have paid much attention to. As well, she includes lists of inspirational things, stuff that she’s recently done for the first time and some words on author Joan Didion and runner Kathrine Switzer. I really could go on about this one forever, but this paragraph is getting long, so you’re just going to have to read the zine yourself.
All I Want Is Everything #2 / $2.50 / 50g
In this issue, Caitlin takes us across the United States with her partner and their love of running. Participating in marathons and exploring New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and more, we are treated to something of a travel journal as well as a portrait of both the breathtaking and grotesque sites of America. Caitlin’s talent for writing and enthusiasm for life are refreshing and inspiring.
All I Want Is Everything #3 / $3.00 / 60g
Caitlin’s grandmother dies, and her niece is born. This text-heavy perzine is a wonderful and well-written reflection on life, death, love, childhood, feminism, matriarchs, miracles and more. She tells the tale of a dramatic and powerful grandmother named Kiki, whose exciting life inevitably ends. We learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the other women in her family – her mother and younger sister, as well as herself. She writes about finally feeling like a Real Life Adult, and the kind of life that she would like to create for herself. Always open and honest, with a self-awareness and skill found in the best of writers. Such a good read.
All The Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues / $3.00 / 40g
This zine can be described in all sorts of ways – charming, nostalgic, bizarre, intense. Julia writes about a mother who was once a riot grrrl inspiration – dancing around the house to Bikini Kill and Bratmobile, reading books and cooking good food together. All of that changed as she spiraled into addiction and was no longer able to keep things together. This writer can be both funny and bitter, writing stories about failed holidays and embarrassing moments and physical abuse. I need to tell you that it took me weeks and weeks to read this zine – I’m completely in love with it, but due to the nature of some of the pieces, I had to continuously put it down and pick it back up when I was ready for it again. As a sidenote, it’s absolutely beautiful, with handwritten pages and nice illustrations. Sixty-four pages of heart-wrenching tales.
Betrayal: A Critical Analysis of Rape Culture In Anarchist Subcultures / $1.00 / 30g
In the few months that I’ve been stocking this zine, I’ve sold more copies than many other titles might sell in a year – I think this speaks volumes to the dearth of information on rape culture within anarchist subcultures, and the desire among us not only to read about it, but to analyze it, criticize it, and write our own stories. This zine is a must-read for anyone involved in punk, anarchism, and other collective efforts to dismantle the patriarchy. And hey, if the title doesn’t get you, the shiny gold cover certainly will.
Breakfast For Dinner #1 / $3.00 / 35g
Breakfast For Dinner has the perfect balance between seriousness/hilarity, stories/comics. A portion of this issue was created during the Chicago Zine Fest, where I was also present, and it’s pretty cool to read another’s perspective of the same events. But the main reason I’m so stoked on it is because of the piece Spin The Bottle, in which Marc processes some thoughts on sobriety and relationships which really resonate with me. I can’t wait to read the second issue.
Broke Ass #2 / $1.00 / 40g
In the spring 2010 issue of this Newfoundland punk zine, Steve shares some silly stories (and comics!) about quitting Facebook, doing terrible things in public bathrooms, and being a depressed houseguest, plus a just plain weird tutorial on how to build a hyper reality chamber. Bonus: Minimum Wage Maximum Rage, where friends tell tales about quitting their jobs. Broke times / fun times.
Broke Ass #3 / $1.00 / 55g
Super sweet and funny zine by Steve, who’s living in Montréal by way of St. John’s, Newfoundland. It’s pretty classic punk rock cut-and-paste fun times with, you got it, stories about being broke. Highlights include postage scams, coffee scams, a tale of autumn wandering, a whole page on anxious scalp-pickin’, plus Virgil’s review of a Green Day show in 1995.
Broke Ass #4 / $1.00 / 55g
This zine is so funny that the first time I read it, I wound up reading entire pages out loud to my roomie. I was in the kitchen and she was in her bedroom, and I basically yelled these stories at her and she couldn’t even understand what I was saying because I was laughing so hard that I was crying and couldn’t finish a sentence anyway. I gave a copy to a friend a month later and they did the same thing to me. It was pretty great. My favourite parts are the comics, prank call stories, and a piece on being a good houseguest – some people really need to learn this shit! Bonus: Reprints of Upstairs Nooz, Steve and Hari’s short-lived newsletter from their St-Henri apartment.
Cheaptoys #5.5 / $1.00 / 20g
Punk rock tour zines! This one is subtitled The Hu-mid Summer Issue, written between Bloomington, Indiana and Portland, Oregon in the summer of 2010. Giz writes of pen pals, Greyhounds, and having a crush on an entire city. He writes about the DIY punk scene in his hometown of Draguignan, France (and the effect that a flood had on basement shows), plus the significance of zine trades and more.
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Cheaptoys #10 / The Triumph Of Our Tired Eyes #2 / $2.00 / 30g
Giz and I made a split zine! I’d call Cheaptoys something of a punk-perzine, always full of tour stories and photos from various travels and shows. Giz begins by writing of his experiences in the suburbs of Monaco and Paris, and his desire to leave France for library school. Also documented are adventures from presenting at an academic conference in Utrecht, Netherlands, to playing Plan-It-X Fest in Bloomington, Indiana (up the scholar punx!), plus an interview with an anonymous graffiti artist, and more. In the second issue of The Triumph Of Our Tired Eyes, I’ve written about hitchhiking from Montréal to Halifax and the three weeks that I spent on Canada’s East Coast during the summer. Almost entirely handwritten (I have really neat printing, I swear) with simple illustrations throughout. If you ever wondered what a zine residency looks like, this is it. I stayed in the shed at the Roberts Street Social Centre for two weeks, then spent a few days in Sackville, New Brunswick for Sappyfest. Read along as I work through my syndrome de la page blanche and punch a dude in the face. Il faut remarquer que ce split-zine est écrit en français-anglais, un mélange de langues comme on s’écrit dans nos lettres. (It should be noted that this zine is written in a mixture of French and English, just like we write to each other in letters).
Deafula #1 / $2.00 / 20g
In the first issue of this series, Kerri writes about her life as a deaf person – how her hearing loss happened, how deafness has shaped the person she is, and how hearing people treat her based on this knowledge – as well as the difference between being little-d deaf and being a part of capital-D Deaf culture, plus some basics for hearing people on communicating with a deaf person (first and foremost: do not make assumptions about how they can communicate!). She writes also about how being “mainstreamed” (attending public schools, being raised heavily immersed in hearing culture, etc), has informed her ideas of “normal”.
Deafula #4 / $3.00 / 35g
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Deafula #5 / $2.00 / 35g
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Dig Deep #1 / $1.00 / 20g
So, there is this genre of zines that really only exists in my head, and I call it “go get ‘em zines” – basically, they’re kinda zines that are written well, that present a generally positive attitude and that make one feel ready to take on the world. Think Nothing Rhymes, Riot Wife, Fuck Shyness and Adventure Time. Well, now we can add Dig Deep to the list. Heather is a librarian in Chicago (something you can read more about in Into The Grid), and she strikes me as someone who’s able to find happiness in the small moments in life. Which is what it’s all about, really. She writes about exploring the libraries in every town that she visits, a resolution to do Significant Things in the months leading up to her 30th birthday, impromptu dance parties, and the place that she calls home. Plus funny work tales and a series of ten-word zine reviews.
Dig Deep #2 / $1.00 / 20g
The first issue of Dig Deep was one of the most sweet and thoughtful and interesting zines I read all of last year and this second issue does not disappoint. It’s slightly smaller than quarter-size (my math skills, or lack thereof, get the best of me in these kindsa descriptions) and Heather writes about things like an impromptu trip with a friend to England and France (making me relive my own wonderful memories of those countries), and includes a piece on her oldest t-shirt. Perhaps the most moving and thought-provoking is a piece on street harassment, documenting not only the ways that men have catcalled and even followed her home, but also the way this made her feel and how she changed her habits because of it (which, obviously, we shouldn’t have to do). This is countered with an empowering piece on a monthly women-only dance night that happens in Chicago and her experience with attending for the first time. “No boys, no booze, no judgement.” This is an all-around excellent perzine and I’m sure many people can get something out of it, be that a lesson, a book recommendation or a reminder of memories past.
Dig Deep #3 / Your Secretary #10 / $2.00 / 30g
A split zine by two of my favourite zinesters! Heather and Jami each write about being librarians, but have very unique voices. Jami can offer deadpan sarcasm and bittersweet tales where Heather writes lighthearted amusing anecdotes and heartfelt tales and lists. Both sides have moments that can be laugh-out-loud funny, charming… or anger-inducing (the things dudes do in libraries!). Heather writes about libraries as a safe space, creating a zine collection, and working with teens. Jami writes about leaving Detroit, working in a zoo library, and teaching people how to use the internet. She also shares tidbits about all the libraries she’s known. This is a really sweet and fun read.
Dig Deep #4 / $1.00 / 20g
I love Heather and I love Dig Deep! This is a pocket-size zine, all sweet and texty, about friendship – like the friend she’s had since they were born sixteen days apart, to the rad zine community in her city – and projects – like participating in Fun-A-Day and co-organizing the Chicago Zine Fest. Such a good read, the kinda zine that’ll make you write a letter to everyone you know, just to tell them you love them.
Dig Deep #5 / $1.00 / 15g
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Doris #22 / $1.00 / 25g
This is the I, J, K issue of the encyclopedia set. After the introduction and an interview, we see pieces titled Justine, Just In Case (about emergency contraception), and Keesley High School. A lot of the writing is about Cindy’s teenage years and she makes herself very vulnerable within; admissions to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, things that begin to change when she learns about feminism and anarchism. “I want to stay up all night talking, not drunk, talking and remembering everything, with stars passing through the sky, the rain falling on the roof. I want to watch you and learn your ways. I want to break off this shell I’ve put on myself, that sometimes resembles resignation, resembles panic and desperation, covers something too big to explain, but with patience and care, maybe I can explain it to you.”
Doris #23 / $2.00 / 55g
The is the L, M, N, O issue of the encyclopedia series. Love, ladies lunch, menstrual extraction, Nicky, ocean… One of the themes of this issue seems to be sharing stories between generations; Cindy writes about her relationships with both a younger friend, and her grandmother. This issue is about surviving abuse, about memories, about learning when to accept a situation and when to fight it. Vulnerable as ever.
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Doris #25 / $2.50/ 50g
It’s no secret that I love this zine. I’ve got a Doris tattoo for goodness’ sake. I’ve read this issue a couple of times, and I just sat down and re-read it tonight and I think it means even more to me now than it did the last time. The letter Q is the theme (because Cindy was doing an alphabet series), so that means Questions and Quitting. The last seven pages are dedicated to Cindy’s tale of how she quit drinking. Let’s just say that some of those paragraphs are relateable. (You can read more about it in her comp zine Filling The Void: Interviews About Quitting Drinking & Using, also available through Fight Boredom Distro). The bulk of the zine features questions asked by friends and readers, like What do you want to do most? and What are your favourite comfort foods? So she writes about setting up a five-year plan to achieve her goals, filtering out negativity, allowing herself to dream, memories of her mother, and admits to having a thing for Hello Kitty bandages (me, I’ve got one on my hand right now ‘coz I’m no good at climbing fences). This is my favourite part:
“Friendship should not be a way to pass the time, a way to kill time, a distraction. Friendship should be a beginning place for the revolution.
Prioritize friendship. Don’t get sucked into the isolation of just being a couple or wanting just trueloveonepersontoreallyunderstandyou. Don’t force someone to be monogamous, don’t force someone to be non-monogamous. If your loved one is sick or hurting so bad, prioritize them. Know the difference between self-righteous politics and a politic of compassion and love. But prioritize friendships. Talk to your friends about your hopes and dreams and fears and secrets that you usually save for your lover. Let them close to you. Commit yourself to them. Move to maintain friendships, not just to maintain relationships.
Don’t let yourself become bored. If you are bored, there are things that need doing.”
Doris #26 / $2.50 / 40g
This is part of the alphabet series, and the letters S and T are covered. Hello shyness, social ecology, and truth. Cindy says in the intro, “I tried to outlaw cynicism in my life. It’s just so corrosive. But like any good anarchist, I rebel against all laws. And so I ended up just having to find a proper place for it. One hour a day in the afternoon it’s cynical hour. Get it all out and then move on to more productive things.” With that, she answers (in comic form) the question, “What do you think it is to be shy in a scene that asks for punk girls to be strong and bold when some of us are just quiet and self-contained?” The topics of social ecology and sustainability take up the greater part of the zine, and of course she makes me feel hopeful in a way that no one else can.
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Doris #27 / $2.50 / 40g
I devoured this zine the morning after having received it in the mail. This is the UVWXYZ issue, completing Cindy’s alphabet series. Entirely handwritten / typewritten as usual, with her adorable drawings throughout. She writes about growing up and learning not to be scared (after doing things like riding the bus to the end of the line and sitting through the wrong classes just because she was too shy / embarrassed to ask for proper directions and admit that she’d made a mistake), moving to Portland and discovering Food Not Bombs, touring with her band, buying a house in Ohio and learning how to make new friends. She’s also included a comic about writing and learning to get over her own fear of failure or of not being a “good enough” writer. She includes the tricks that famous writers have used in the past for inspiration, and shares her own thoughts on creating. “I write in my journal because it helps me to learn to be present and to process what I see and feel and think. I write Doris because I believe that in order to change the world fundamentally, we have to challenge ourselves and each other to be brave and alive. And we have to take our experiences and find the lessons in them and pass on these lessons in a way that doesn’t alienate.” If you’ve never read this series before, well… why not?
Doris #28 / $2.00 / 36g
Cindy Crabb did a reading from this zine in Chicago during the zine fest and I’m pretty sure half the room was on the verge of tears by the end of it. She read about the suicide of a friend of hers; a trans person and survivor of abuse, someone with whom she’d discussed the pros and cons of killing ones abusers (wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall for that conversation). But that’s not all. She writes a lot about living on a farm with her dogs, sheep and miniature horses and the way that living off the land is a lifestyle that you have to slowly work toward. Some people make the mistake of getting chickens right away, she says, and then they can never spend a night in town because someone’s got to feed them. So she writes about sharing resources with the neighbours and her dreams for the future. The last half of the zine is about discovering anarchism as a teenager, confronting racism and quitting drinking. It’s a really good read, heavy on the text, with her signature drawings throughout. Readers will be pleased to know that a second anthology is set for release in the summer of 2011.
Doris #29 / $2.00 / 25g
From the intro: “The stories I like to read out loud are always so sad. I kept saying at every reading, ‘The next issue of Doris will be about how healing is possible and everything doesn’t always have to hurt so bad and love is possible and sweet.’ This isn’t exactly about that, but there are hints of it here. Each story holds a little hint.” In this issue, Cindy writes about coming to terms with her queer identity, which required processing things like internalized misogyny and self-hate, about Feminism 101 class and learning the ways in which the patriarchy functions in our society, institutions, personal relations, political movements and within ourselves… about the different kinds of queers she met in cities like Portland (“they were reading the SCUM Manifesto”) and San Francisco (“it was ‘sex-positive’ and whereas I’d always felt like a slut before, here I felt like a prude”), about Ida and queer inspiration… This is the main part of the zine, though she also tells stories of her miniature horses (Peanut and Sassy), farm-livin’, facilitating workshops at the Rock Camp For Girls, and includes a tutorial on how to fix a broken cassette tape. This issue feels a little disjointed and hastily-written, but likely reflects where her mind was at at the time (just about to leave for a book tour, I believe). Her writing keeps me going, makes me feel like I’m on the right path.
Doris #30 / $3.00 / 55g
In this half-legal sized issue of long-running and much-loved zine Doris, Cindy writes about a number of things, from learning about bee-keeping from her sister to forming study groups with friends; from what “community” really means to the important, difficult, and often questionable work of accountability processes. Beyond the highly vulnerable writing that we’re so used to, also included is an interview that she conducted with members of Support NY (originally printed in Maximum Rocknroll), and part one of a comic about doing a West Coast tour with her band Snarlas. This is one of those rare zines that gives me butterflies in my tummy while my brain is a-buzzin’.
Everybody Moon Jump #11 / $1.00 / 15g
A zine by my favourite small-town dweller. It’s about quitting the internet, muckin’ around in swamps, working with the elderly, choosing to be single, living life intentionally… A combination of smart and weird and hilarious. A quote: “My dad is watching UFC on tv and I want to work on my embroidery on the same couch, but our conflict of interests played out so literally would be too hysterical, and I’d drop the needle probably.”
Everybody Moon Jump #12 / $1.00 / 20g
I’ve re-read this zine multiple times recently, and love it every time. Dave begins this issue by writing about his average day – his morning routine, day at work, evening at home with the family, et cetera. Then his dream-average day, the kinds of friends and partners he would have, nothin’ fancy, just being happy, y’know? Oh, and having a man-harem and going snow-shoeing. There is one line that floors me every time though, from the dream-average day: “…and I go over and hug them and remember a time when I hated myself too much to hug.” That’s when I remember that that time is now. Mental health, body image, and addiction are recurring topics in Dave’s zines and this is no exception. His strong suits are brutal honesty and humour, making for very original writing that’ll have you laughing and crying (or laughing ’til you cry). There’s some stuff in here on reconciling internet porn addiction and sex positivity, plus really sweet lists and zine reviews. Top-notch perzine.
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Femme À Barbe #1 / $1.00 / 60g
Put together by J Bee of comic zine Sassyfrass Circus, this compilation is all about “unacceptable” body hair – and I’m not talkin’ about cis lady feminists and their (our) hairy pits. The first issue features a wind range of submissions, from a short history of hairy women saints to a piece written by an FTM trans person on the importance of body hair to frustrated rants about trying to remove stubborn facial hair. And there’s an article called The One With The Young Person Frustrated By The Complexity Of Maturing – were they trying to make their title sound like an episode of Friends? Possibly. Anyway, this zine is incredibly unique and is sure to become a hit. Half-size, 44 pages, black and white.
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Femme À Barbe #2 / $1.00 / 35g
The much-anticipated second issue of J Bee’s Femme À Barbe is finally here! This issue contains contribu- tions of art and writing on the topic of body hair (facial hair to be more specific – the French title translates to Bearded Lady). Sari of perzine You’ve Got A Friend In Pennsylvania and feminist comp zine Hoax, writes about their history with body hair, from being encouraged to shave as a pre-teen and eventually quitting but always having troubles with facial hair – and their mother’s treatment of it. Bastian Fox Phelan writes about the reactions to their first zine on the topic, Ladybeard, and others write about facial hair in relation to transitioning, to racist beauty ideals and to privilege. Really great comp zine.
Femme À Barbe #3 / $1.00 / 35g
“Dare to imagine a world full of women with beards and other gender outlaws, to imagine the possibilities of a feminist cultural politic that rejects the bullshit concern that feminism appear normal, a queer cultural politic that rejects the mainstream gay desire to assimilate and consume. Make a spectacle of yourself. Join the femme à barbe insurgency!” This issue contains pieces by Jessie Dress, Sam Ectoplasm, Dalice Malice and more.
Filling The Void: Interviews About Quitting Drinking & Using / $5.00 / 100g
This is one hefty zine – nearly sixty half-legal size pages. It was compiled by Cindy Crabb of Doris and her sister Caty, and contains interviews with eight different people about their experiences quitting drinking (and using drugs, in some cases). I read it over the course of several days (I recently quit drinking as well), and found much hope and inspiration in the words of others. It was really nice to recognize myself in these words and feel less alone. You can watch my video review of this zine here.
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FIT: A zine about sports, fatness, feminism & disability / $2.00 / 40g
So, the title makes the topic pretty obvious, but you must know how wonderful this zine is. Andrea made it as a creative project for her Feminist Disability Theory & Practice class at Concordia, but don’t be fooled – this is not an academic essay, it’s a zine though-and-through. Mostly handwritten, including illustrations and cut-and-paste details. She’s writing about fitness and various privileges as someone who is feminist, queer, and a cross-country runner. I’d recommend reading it alongside Get Fit For The Pit, also available via Fight Boredom Distro.
Former Selves #1 / $1.00 / 10g
In this first issue of Former Selves, Samantha writes of internal conflict over identity, including the various reasons she’s claimed straight-edge in different stages of her life. Super thoughtful zine created in twenty-four hours. “Feminism seems as integral to my being as blood. But everyday I am figuring out what that means.”
Former Selves #2 / $1.00 / 20g
The first half of this issue contains some of Samantha’s thoughts on masculinity, patriarchy, and men’s place within feminism, while the second half feels more personal, with reflections on her involvement in the zine world, and her identity as a ‘house punk’ – ie: a homebody who tends to take care of travelin’ punks. And let’s face it, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to attitudes toward women who stay at home in any capacity. This is a really good read.
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Get Fit For The Pit #1 / $2.00 / 25g
Such a good comp zine! This one is all about health and fitness, specifically viewed through a punk and activist lens. In the intro, Nicole says that she’d like to counter the romanticization of sleepless nights and drunken adventures. This first issue includes contributions by Maranda Elizabeth (of Telegram), who writes about joining their local roller derby league, Ramsey Beyer (of List), who shares a comic about crossfit (noting that her fitness friends are interested in her ‘punk life’ but her punk friends scoff at her interest in exercise), Ele (of Cats Teeth), who writes about hooping, as well as several pieces on running, rugby, yoga and more. It’s a pretty inspiring read and a creative theme.
High On Burning Photographs #7 / $1.00 / 30g
Ocean is an excellent writer, always fillin’ my heart with hurt and hope at the same time. In this issue, she writes a lot about the past – about severing ties with her mother, self-injuring as a teenager, regretfully throwing away her zine collection after getting kicked out of her father’s house – but also, sweet dates and the kinda friendships that save your life. There’s a pretty great piece on welfare rights activists from the late-1960s up until more recently, plus graffiti photos from around Pittsburgh, which always makes me happy.
How Many Pictures Of Dicks Do I Have To Look At Before I Stop Wanting To Look At Pictures Of Dicks: A Diary Of Gay Porn Addiction / $1.00 / 40g
If ever a zine needed to be read in a safe space, this is it! This is something of a journal, put out by Dave Cave of Everybody Moon Jump. Y’all know how hilarious he is, and there’s a little bit of that here, but the writing is very intense. Suicide ideation, self-injury, and body hate are written about without any kinda sugarcoating or shame. Basically, he acknowledged that he’s addicted to internet porn, and is now taking steps to cut it out of his life. This zine is an account of his first month porn-free, wherein he writes about his feelings on why he’s using porn and why it’s a problem, concrete steps he’s taking to remove himself from the cycle of addiction, as well as the daily minutiae that one would read about in a journal or perzine. Add this one to the list of great zines on addiction and recovery.
Hungry: A (Re)collection of Memorable Meals & Disordered Eating / $2.00 / 20g
What a wonderful zine from Clara Bee, whom you may know from I’ve Got Strange Powers and Radio Antarctica. Although illustration is her main means of expression, this zine is one of her more text-heavy efforts. Completed during a two-week residency at the Roberts Street Social Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Hungry chronicles memories of meals throughout her life – documents of disordered eating (consider this your trigger warning) as well as moments shared with friends and past lovers. It’s beautiful and unique and absolutely worth a look.
Il y a des bonheurs réservés aux pouçeux / $3.00 / 60g [English title: Montreal - Vancouver and the Joys in Between]
Ce zine est extra. Élise raconte ses histoires de voyages sur le pouce, à travers le Canada, avec son partenaire. J’ai l’impression que plusieurs zines de voyage contiennent beaucoup de chialâge, – comme par exemple le fait de ne pas être embarqué sur le pouce ou bien de dormir dans une tente qui laisse passer la pluie- mais pas ce zine. Il raconte (presque) uniquement les moments agréables de leur périple. Elle écrit au sujet des chauffeurs et des familles qui les ont aidés à traverser le pays, les paysages bucoliques, et les amusantes conversations qui sont arrivées. Le zine au grand complet est écrit à la main avec grand soin, et est rempli de dessins supers cute. Ça donne envie de voyager. / This zine is awesome. Élise recounts the story of hitchhiking across Canada with her partner. I feel like a lotta travel zines document the worst parts of the trip – a failure to catch rides, the perpetually-leaking tent – not this zine. She writes (and illustrates) the most pleasant parts of their journey – the drivers and families who brought them across the country, the beautiful landscapes, and fun conversations. It’s entirely written by hand and filled with cute drawings. Totally makes me wanna travel. S’il-vous-plaît notez si vous voulez la version française ou anglaise de ce zine. / Please note whether you would like the French or English version of this zine.
Imaginary Windows #5 / $2.00 / 25g
A chance meeting turns into Erin moving from New York City to New Zealand. This is the story of her first visit. It’s a zine about mythology, about art, about traveling, about falling in love. Stories and recipes and book reviews and more. Erin is my favourite whimsical storyteller femme pen pal dreamboat and I can’t wait for the next issue.
In Situ #2 / $3.00 55g
I don’t read a lotta comics, but I’ll still say that In Situ is one of my favourites. Each page holds six panels, telling the story of Sophie’s day with stark illustrations, and words that are carefully timed for humour, wonder, sadness. This issue chronicles a move from Oakland, CA to Montréal, a season spent sleeping on friends’ couches, writings and actions in solidarity with students in Québec, and a chance encounter with a Neil Young back patch. The first issue was printed as a book and is available in the Books section of this website.
In Situ #3 / $3.00 / 45g
Friendship, karaoke, des manifs contre la hausse des frais de scolarité, riding bikes, reading tarot, climbing fences… “The word for the summer is brave.”
