I am a nerd, and I adore graphic novels. That being said, when I got word there was a graphic novel by a queer feminist artist detailing her trials and tribulations attempting to plan her wedding… I was highly dubious that, as a person with no plans to get married anytime soon, there’d be anything in it for me. Still, since I can’t help myself, I volunteered to spend my free time reading it. And read it I did—by the pool, in a plane, in a café. All three hundred-plus pages, on my tiny iPhone.
Truth is, I couldn’t put it down.
Something New is an autobiographical story (in the vein of Fun Home) about the author, Lucy Knisley, and her current husband’s highly nonlinear, sometimes heart-wrenching, path from first meeting to #marriedAF. Her journey feels similar to so many I read on APW, jumping from “why even get married” (spoiler: her partner wants to) to “OMG can I still be bisexual,” to “DIY everything forever.”
And, y’all: It’s funny. And feminist. She searches endlessly for a wedding dress with pockets (we know pockets are sexist, right?), she grapples with dieting for her wedding photos, and she struggles with the whole name change thing… while finding humor in the process.
Of course it’s not just for people getting married—after all, my currently non-engaged self devoured it—but I can imagine how nice it’d be to read when you are going through that process. I hear wedding planning is *slightly* stressful, and wouldn’t it be nice to have a funny friend going through it at the same time—even if she only lives inside your Kindle?
Plus she’s really crafty, and there’s a whole section where she shows you how to replicate all the DIYs she used, including how to make a ten-dollar veil, and homemade pocket squares.
I’ve pulled a handful of my favorite moments from the book (no spoilers) below:
These are amazing, and also, I’d forgotten about JTT till I read this, so she gets bonus nostalgia points.
Everyone should save this and laminate it and refer to it for every wedding season, forever.
Here’s a handy graphic with all your name change options. (Also helpful: these essays about name change.)
Noted: no bunnies or nuns, and bring on the chimney sweeps.
I always thought the garter toss was strangely sex-positive, but now I am so uncomfortable.
Some people want to look like a princess. Some people just want pockets. All dress goals are valid.She’s a wedding skeptic, and she breaks down all the reasons not to get married (you know, before diving in and not looking back).
Show this to your partner. Tell them you love them (and justice). What else is there?
These are the best ever, right? IF you love them (like I do) you can buy yourself a copy here and dive in. Let us know what you think in the comments!