#isobel harrop

[isobelharrop]

Hello! I know it’s late on Christmas Eve but I’ve been wanting to post this and I thought I might as well do it before it is TOO late. Perhaps this list will help those of you who are struggling to feel Christmassy, or if you can’t sleep and you want to watch a new festive fave. These are all under an hour!

~ My Four Favourite, Most Underrated Christmas Films/TV Specials ~

1. Olive, The Other Reindeer (1999)

I have watched this movie every Christmas for my whole life and I can’t believe it is so underseen, at least in the UK. Check this out if you like The Simpsons (it was produced by Matt Groening), weird animation styles (J Otto Seibold rules!), and the music of REM (Michael Stipe voices a reindeer).

2. Pee Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special (1988)

A weird and wonderful special which is available on Netflix UK. It is full of celeb guests - Just check out the opening - and my favourite, Pee Wee! (Then, watch Pee Wee’s Big Adventure to see my favourite film for any time of year)

3. Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas (1977)

I only checked out this short film by Jim Henson because I love the other Muppet movies and I love otters. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful, funny,and sad, films I have ever seen! A really sweet MUSICAL about a poor family of otters in the American south. I know, right? You won’t be disappointed.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Ok, so this is hardly underrated but always worth revisiting for #relatable sad Charlie Brown and an anti-commercial, underdog message.

Merry Christmas/happy holidays friends xxx

[colebern]

And more books, but not as many as you'd think considering quarentine.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

My cousin recommended this book to me, and for a while, I kept at it because I trust her opinion but wasn't truly engaged in the book. The story of a man deciding to say yes to all of his opportunities and break free from the safe confines of his life is a good premise. Once I was further along, I began to enjoy the protagonist's quirks, and by the end, I was satisfied with the journey.

Whit by Iain Banks

This is the second book I read by Iain Banks- a name that I always spell incorrectly- the first being The Business, which I highly recommend. This book is about a woman who is on the verge of taking over the religious sect she has grown up in, but there are other forces at work trying to stymie this situation. Through adventure and clear vision, she prevails. The story is a good one but sometimes gets bogged down in the philosophy of the religious group, and I just skimmed it until the plot picked up again. I will continue to work my way through his bibliography.

The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia A. McKillip

After reading the Alphabet of Thorns, I went back to the library and picked up another book by Patricia A. McKillip, and I was not disappointed. This was another excellent read if you like fantasy that isn't rooted in the world of wizards, but magic is still at work. The Bards of Bone Plain traces the stories of two bards during different times, one trying to find out what happened to his predecessor.

The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop

An illustrated journal-book that is described on its rear cover as "no ordinary snapshot of a contemporary teenage life," and I'd agree. The drawings are not fine art but a personal journey laid out in words and sketches. I'm enjoying finding these little gems in the Comic Book/Graphic Novel section of the library.

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia

Another book by Kate Racculia in the style of Ellen Raskin, who is a favorite author of mine. Mysterious events take place at an annual event for young musicians held at an old hotel- murder, suicide, appearances from the past. It was a fun read, but as I tried to reread it, I lost interest pretty quickly. Maybe it is not so engaging now that I know the plot twists.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morganstern

I love this author. Her book the Night Circus was an instant favorite, and this next book is no different. I read it for the new book club I joined and was so excited to see that it was this author. Knowing the way she crafts a story, I opted to read it (sadly done so on my phone), and now that I've finished, I'm listing to the audio version. It is a story of stories; mysterious lands build of tales and myths and fables. The symbolism in the book is one that inspires paintings and begs to be an immersive experience—an excellent book and one that I will look to have on my shelf.

[isobelharrop]

Since leaving uni (and during uni, tbh) I’ve found reading for fun incredibly difficult. My attention span is terrible and I fall asleep after a couple of pages. However, I have recently found a solution and that is in the form of graphic novels and manga. So I thought I would write up a list of a few of my favourites; I would love recommendations too (tweet me @isobeljournal)

1. Azumanga Diaoh and Yotsuba&! by Kiyohiko Azuma

It was getting the Azumanga omnibus last Christmas that really got me started down this road. I had never really read a manga before (except the first Yotsuba book which I will come back to) and I guess I had always dismissed them as I’m not really interested in magical stuff or anything like that, which I had imagined all manga was full of. However, Azumanga is the total opposite of anything like that. It’s a “slice of life” manga that follows a group of high school girls, and apart from a few surreal (and funny) dream sequences, there is none of the “weird manga stuff” I had imagined. Just a group of characters who you just learn to love and lugh at a lot, and in the end when the girls graduate from high school, it brought a tear to my eye because I had grown so fond of them, I felt like I was there.

Kiyohiko Azuma is the king of slice of life, not just for creating Azumanga, but because he also created the wonderfully sweet and hilarious Yotsuba&!. Whilst this series has a younger lead character and a younger target audience, it honestly warms the cockles of my heart so much, and each panel is so full of expression (he’s brilliant at showing emotion on Yotsuba’s little face) that even the simplest thing can make me laugh out loud reading it. Yotsuba is a little girl who seems to know nothing about the world, and through these comics we watch her experiencing the world through fresh eyes, led by her dad and neighbours.

2. Isabella Bird in Wonderland (Fushigi no Kuni no Bird) by Taiga Sassa

I found out about this manga just the other week after a holiday to Scotland and in particular, a visit to Tobermory (Balamory) on the Isle of Mull. At a museum there I learned a bit about Isabella Bird, an explorer who had lived there and traveled the world in the 19th century.  When I went on Wikipedia to find out more about her, I discovered that her journey to Japan had been translated into a manga, and I was even more excited when I found an English version available to read online.

I didn’t think that a historical manga would appeal to me this much but I devoured the whole thing in a couple of afternoons. Much like the first two, this book is very grounded in reality with none of the outlandish  “manga” conventions those unfamiliar with the genre imagine it would contain. It is also really lovingly done with real attention to detail (especially in the translation notes) and even tackles the issues of Westerners travelling and colonising the East, whilst still being funny and warm and enjoyable to read. 

Here is a link to the online version, as it isn’t available to buy in English unfortunately.

3. Fluffy by Simone Lia

I was given this graphic novel by a literary agent a few years ago and I really really enjoyed it and it’s one of those books I’ve even lent out to friends because it’s such a short, sweet, funny, and sad book. It looks at first glance like a children’s book but it’s actually an adult graphic novel with quite a lot of substance about anxiety and family and just life, really. Yet it is still light hearted; Fluffy is a bunny (who believes he is a child) with a Yotsuba-like outlook on the world. His exhausted dad/owner Michael tries to balance his bunny looking after responsibilities with an unsuccessful love life and family that is falling apart. A lot of unconventional narrative techniques such as looking into the inside of Michael’s brain or the narration being conducted by a dust particle make it stand out from other similar books (if similar books exist!)

4. Never Goodnight by Coco Moodysson

If you have seen the movie We Are The Best you will know this story anyway, as this graphic novel is written by Lukas Moodysson’s (the film’s director) wife, Coco, and it was the inspiration for the story. I recommend both the film and the book - I like her unique drawing style and the sweet and the funny tale of growing up punk in 1982 Sweden is brilliant on page and screen.

5. Ripples by Wai Wai Pang

I’ve followed Wai Wai Pang on the internet for years and always loved her work, and when this comic came out I was so eager that I ended up being the first person to order it from her shop. The artwork in this Milton Keynes-set detective story is really ingenious and uses techniques taken from detective stories such as maps, collections of evidence, and character info cards to tell the story in a really interesting and visually beautiful way. I also like how the characters are a mix of a humans and animals.

6. Solanin and Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano

These two critically acclaimed manga’s are a bit darker and weirder than my other choices, and most suitable for adult audiences, however they’re both well worth a read, Solanin in particular if you are in a similar life situation to myself and want to read a depressing story about post-uni life. The art work is beautiful in both, particularly in the backgrounds, which are contrasted in Goodnight Pun Pun in his simply designed main character, who is a bird I think? Or maybe a ghost under a sheet. Either way, it looks great. 

Solanin is a stand alone book, whcih makes it a good place to start and see how you feel about Asano’s work, whereas Pun Pun has more installments which I am yet to read, but I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in Pun Pun’s dysfunctional world.

(7. I guess I should be Annoying and remind y’all that I wrote a sort of graphic novel called The Isobel Journal which you can still buy!! Ok thanks bye!!)

[ashleyreadsya]

I adore this book it was hilarious and amazing I caught myself laughing out loud at a lot of parts. The is the journal of one Isobel she has the most random journal ever. She just puts what she feel and what moods she's in from wanting to be Beyoncé to Sea Otters. Opinions: I love this so much the graphics are amazing and the drawings are to. I think everybody needs to read this it is so uplifting and sends such a positive message to teenagers. It's like someone's tumblr blog in a book. This is basically the life of any teenager and we can relate to it so much. Overall: Buy this book it's so amazing, unique, and hilarious a must read for teens. Pre-Order it at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Isobel-Journal-Harrop/dp/1630790036/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398453199&sr=8-2&keywords=the+isobel+journal -Ashley

[chasingchapters]

The Isobel Journal 

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review so here I go:

The Isobel Journal is a great mix of ideas, art and feelings. So many things these days that are aimed at teenagers are made with no teenage input at all and while this obviously does work in some cases, a lot of the time it just doesn’t. This is where The Isobel Journal stands out, it’s a teenager writing for teenagers and the result is awesome!

The art style was very engaging and is sort of like the artistic love child of Laura Dockrill and Noel Fielding that grew up listening to indie music and went to vintage clothes shops. It was funny and refreshing and is one of those things that you can just read in one enjoyable sitting (which I did). It was sort of a jumble of messy thoughts and feelings which is really just what being a teenager is.

In terms of the format I really enjoyed it, I don’t often read books with pictures (unless I’m behind with my GoodReads reading challenge, then I am known to read a Neil Gaiman kids book) but this has really inspired me to read more art orientated books (any recommendations feel free to leave in my ask box). It also read well as an ebook I would recommend it if you only have a black and white based e-reader however I can say that reading it on my iPad was great. I do intend to pick up this book in hard copy though just because its the sort of thing thats just nice to own. I can happily give this book five stars as everything in it just felt so genuine and great. (If you were in any doubt about how much I loved this book just count the positive adjectives in this review, spoiler alert its 13 it could have easily been a whole lot more).

[readingjeanny]

The Isobel Journal

To flip through the pages feels like being hugged by a friendly person while your bed and a big cup of cocoa are waiting for you.

Isobel Harrop is "Just a Northern Girl From Where Nothing Really Happens". She tells her little stories of a modern teenage life by using sketches, photographs and drawings. Her art turns the book into a scrapbook or an art journal, as the title says.

Although the book is "written" from a teenage perspective it doesn't matter if the reader is an adult. Isobel's notes are heartwarming, her art is vividly and lovely. If you want to sneak a peek visit her blog http://wastingspacetime.blogspot.de/

This is the perfect book for a quiet sunday morning hugged by your blanket.

Isobel Harrop The Isobel Journal Hot Key Books, 2013

[isobelharrop]

Trambompoline! 2017

Expired film on Olympus Trip 35

[isobelharrop]

Herne Bay, January 2017

Expired film on Olympus Trip 35

[isobelharrop]

Leigh, Bradford, and Manchester, 2017

Expired film on Olympus Trip 35

[isobelharrop]

Film photos from around Warrington, 2017.

Using expired film and an Olympus Trip 35

[isobelharrop]

Life Update: Shortflix

Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s been a while since I have updated this blog (or any blog for that matter, I am useless at keeping these things up!)

I am just here to update you on a cool thing I am currently doing. Some of you may already know about this, but if you didn’t; I am working on a short film idea as part of the Shortflix programme being run by Creative England! I had to submit an idea for my application in the form of a video pitch, and I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the final 26 out of 300+ applications. You can see the video pitch and get an idea of my short film here:

Last week I attended two days of workshops in Birmingham that helped me to develop my story idea, and now I will be spending a lot of my free time writing the script which I will have to present in July, with the hopes that I might be one of the lucky 5 who get funding to make their short film a reality. You can read a little bit more about the scheme here.

As for the rest of my life, I have graduated from university and now proudly hold a 2:1 in English Literature and Philosophy. I moved back home, and I am working part time scooping popcorn at a cinema to earn some money. I bleached my hair and got glasses. Oh and I turned 22. 

Fans of The Isobel Journal: I haven’t given up on drawing and writing. Things are still ticking away, I just had to take a break for a while. Whilst my Shortflix film is a totally different medium to The Isobel Journal, I am still just as passionate about telling stories about ordinary girls and women and I will continue to try and do that however I can whether it is through films, books, or whatever else I may try my hand at. I just want to make things and I am so grateful to everyone who has appreciated the things I have done so far and helped me with the opportunities I have been so lucky to receive.

I am going to start trying to post a little more on here (though I know I always say that). I am going to start a series of posts about things I enjoy. I will probably call it something boring like “Isobel Likes...” but I am not sure yet. I will just post my top recommendations for films, music, books, tv shows, places to visit, snacks to eat, etc. I will try to keep it regular even if it’s just once a month or something. I will also try to post some more drawings and photographs.

So that’s all really! Thanks for reading, do follow this blog if you are a Tumblr person as I will try to come back here and post more soon, but you can also follow me on Twitter @IsobelJournal and Instagram @IsobelHarrop, and I will make sure to post there too when I have updated the blog.

Love u all

Isobel

[isobelharrop]

If I was at home today, this is what I would be doing #saveourcolleges #savepenkethsixthform

[isobelharrop]

a shy girl

[isobelharrop]

Tree dwelling 70′s pups from another one of the books I got at the car boot this weekend, 1974′s Creative Soft Toy Making. I gotta make one of these for real