Books are wonderful, and we’re so lucky to live in a world that offers so many different kinds of reading experiences – from physical books to audio books, picture books to novels, readers have their pick when it comes to how to enjoy a good story. But this weekend, you should consider picking up a graphic novel if you haven’t before, and especially if it’s an art form you already love! What’s that? Need a few reasons you say? We’ve got you covered. 😉

1. Graphic novels are fast paced and fun!

Comics and graphic novels are tons of fun to read, and if you’re trying to boost your reading count and cut down on your TBR pile, graphic novels are the perfect solution! It usually take between 2-6 hours to read a graphic novel, even for slow readers, as there are fewer words and more images, which our brains are able to process at a faster rate. Plus, with all that time you’ll save you can read EVEN MORE!

2. Stunning art is a feast for your eyes

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and with the honestly breathtaking quality of so many graphic novels you’ll feel like you’re in an art museum! But like, the world’s comfiest art museum ever because you’re actually reading in bed and this gorgeous art is in your hands OMG.

3. You just might learn something!

Just like SciShow and Crash Course have helped revolutionize the way we learn through video, graphic novels can help us learn about the past as well! With historical biographies about Martin Luther King Jr. or Mahatma Gandhi, history has never been more accessible and reader-friendly. No more achingly dull biographies or endless minutiae being droned on about in text books, graphic novels provide a more humanist element to the past than ever before, and makes it even more relevant to the people of today.

4. Graphic novels make you smarter

According to research from some very VERY smart people at California State University Northridge, not only does reading graphic novels increase your vocabulary, sometimes the language used in graphic novels is even more advanced than what’s used in books! This is because the art does not replace language, it works in concert with it, and as such word choice can be even more important when it’s being used to contextualize an image or create an impact.

5. They cover a wide variety of topics

Graphic novels don’t just cover superheroes and sci-fi/fantasy stories (though we do love the ones that do) they can also give us a view into history, or explore what it’s like to be in love, or even work as a medium for a memoir. Just like books and movies and television have examples in every genre, so too do graphic novels – there’s guaranteed to be one out there that fits your taste!

6. Visual literacy is just as important as verbal literacy

Let’s face it, as much as we love books and articles and tweets, so much of the media we consume isn’t written, it’s visual. It’s just as important for us to develop the skills that let us think critically about the images we see and what they could mean. As famed graphic novelist Scott McCloud talks about, graphic novels “give you something to see in the panels, and something to imagine between the panels”. This exercise of imagination is the same kind of work our brains do when imagining a scene out of a novel, and it’s exciting that graphic novel are able to conjure this same magic as well!

7. The I AM GANDHI graphic novel came out this week!

And this is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Featuring art from some of the best illustrators working in comics today, this stunning recollection of the life and accomplishments of Mahatma Gandhi is a can’t miss. It’s got stunning art, history, inspiration, and so much more!

Looking to do something else fun this weekend? Why not pick up a book and reread!