#kimiko tobimatsu

[neverthetwinsshallmeet]

#QueerYourYear prompt 44: A book published by Arsenal Pulp Press

I’m not super familiar with Arsenal Pulp Press’s catalogue, so I picked up Kimiko Does Cancer by Kimiko Tobimatsu and Keet Geniza largely because it was available at my local library and I enjoy works of graphic nonfiction. Written by Tobimatsu and illustrated by Geniza, it’s a memoir charting Kimiko’s experience with breast cancer after being diagnosed at age 25. 

Medical memoirs aren’t an area I’ve particularly read in and I genuinely think the last cancer-focused work I read might have been The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (now THAT’S a throwback), so I came into this memoir without a ton of background in cancer narratives. Kimiko Does Cancer follows the author’s experience through her initial diagnosis, treatment, and the aftermath as she negotiates how cancer has altered her body and interpersonal relationships.

Tobimatsu intentionally sets her memoir apart from other cancer stories and their relentless focus on positivity and healing. Instead, she’s candid about the toll that treatment took on her body and her relationships, especially the side effects she’s left dealing with even after her treatment ends. Tobimatsu, who is also a masculine-present Japanese Canadian lesbian, also didn’t see herself in mainstream cancer stories and found herself alienated as a queer, mixed-race person navigating her diagnosis, doctors’s assumptions, and cancer support groups. Geniza’s art is a good match to the story, the muted color palate palate and expressive figures that compliment Tobimatsu’s writing.

Kimiko Does Cancer is quite a short graphic memoir (106 pages), but it packs a lot into those pages, as Tobimatsu is frank and reflective on her experience with cancer. While I likely wouldn’t have picked this graphic memoir up without QYY to encourage me, I found it a thoughtful and worthwhile read.

[libraryleopard]

Graphic memoir

Explores the author's experiences after being diagnosed with breast cancer at at 25

Pushes back against popular cancer narratives of toxic positivity by frankly exploring the impact it had on her body and relationships

Also discusses her experience as a Japanese Canadian, masculine-presenting lesbian seeking treatment and support

Candid and thoughtful

[bookclub4m]

Episode 192 - Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics

This episode we’re discussing the format of Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics! We talk about what we even mean when we say “non-fiction,” comics vs. graphic novels, art vs. writing, memoirs vs. other stuff, and more. Plus: It’s been over 365 days since our last gorilla attack!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | Jam Edwards

Join our Discord Server!

Things We Read (or tried to…)

Moi aussi je voulais l'emporter by Julie Delporte

This Woman's Work by Julie Delporte, translated by Helge Dascher and Aleshia Jensen

Sông by Hài-Anh and Pauline Guitton

Kimiko Does Cancer by Kimiko Tobimatsu and Keet Geniza

Why I Adopted by Husband by Yuta Yagi

The Art and Life of Hilma af Klint by Ylva Hillström, translated by Karin Eklund

Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley

Nuking Alaska: Notes of an Atomic Fugitive by Peter Dunlap-Shohl

My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders by Monzusu, translated by Ben Trethewey

The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone by Joseph Tychonievich and Liz Kozik

Other Media We Mentioned

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

Fun Home (musical) (Wikipedia)

Maus by Art Spiegelman

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Mattias Ripa

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

The Essential Dykes To Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel

Displacement by Lucy Knisley

Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss, and What I Learned and Judd Winick

Melody: Story of a Nude Dancer by Sylvie Rancourt, translated by Helge Dascher

Kid Gloves by Lucy Knisley

The Mental Load by Emma

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel

What Is Obscenity?: The Story of a Good for Nothing Artist and Her Pussy by Rokudenashiko

Homestar Runner

Button Pusher by Tyler Page

Last of the Sandwalkers by Jay Hosler

Clan Apis by Jay Hosler

Ping-pong by Zviane

Dumb: Living Without a Voice by Georgia Webber

When David Lost His Voice by Judith Vanistendael

Blankets by Craig Thompson

Smile by Raina Telegmeier

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Sensible Footwear: A Girl's Guide by Kate Charlesworth

Links, Articles, and Things

Harvey Pekar (Wikipedia)

Joe Sacco (Wikipedia)

Japanese adult adoption (Wikipedia)

In the name of the queer: Sailor Moon's LGBTQ legacy

The Spectre of Orientalism in Craig Thompson’s Habibi

Cultural Appropriation in Craig Thompson’s Graphic Novel Habibi

35 Non-fiction Graphic Novels by BIPOC Authors

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

This Place: 150 Years Retold

Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Ai Weiwei with Elettra Stamboulis & Gianluca Costantini

Nat Turner by Kyle Baker

The Talk by Darrin Bell

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui

I’m a Wild Seed by Sharon Lee De la Cruz

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao

Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America by Joel Christian Gill and Ibram X. Kendi

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall and Hugo Martinez

The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book by Gord Hill

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob

The American Dream? A Journey on Route 66 Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler Man, and the Perfect Breakfast Burrito: a Graphic Memoir by Shing Yin Khor

Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, and Ko Hyung-Ju

In Limbo by Deb J.J. Lee

This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America by Navied Mahdavian

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín

Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer

Steady Rollin': Preacher Kid, Black Punk and Pedaling Papa by Fred Noland

Citizen 13660 by Mine Okubo

Your Black Friend and Other Strangers by Ben Passmore

Kwändǖr by Cole Pauls

Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey by Edel Rodriguez

Power Born of Dreams: My Story is Palestine by Mohammad Sabaaneh

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Grandmothers, Our Grandmothers: Remembering the "Comfort Women" of World War II by Han Seong-Won

Death Threat by Vivek Shraya and Ness Lee

Palimpsest: Documents From A Korean Adoption by Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom

Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank "Big Black" Smith, Jared Reinmuth, and Améziane

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Dawud Anyabwile, and Derrick Barnes

The High Desert by James Spooner

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker

Feelings by Manjit Thapp

The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson

Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard by Ronald Wimberly and Braham Revel

Bonus list: 21 Non-Fiction Manga

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

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[biandlesbianliterature]

Danika reviews Kimiko Does Cancer: A Graphic Memoir by Kimiko Tobimatsu, illustrated by Keet Geniza

Danika reviews Kimiko Does Cancer: A Graphic Memoir by Kimiko Tobimatsu, illustrated by Keet Geniza

Kimiko Does Canceris about about a queer, mixed-race woman getting breast cancer. This is a short book, only 106 pages, and it moves quickly: the first page is about Kimiko finding a lump above her breast, and then it moves through her diagnosis, treatment, and the aftermath. Tobimatsu explains in interviews/articles that she wanted to write this book because the mainstream narrative around…

[paulsemel]

In my interview with writer Kimiko Tobimatsu and artist Keet Geniza about the graphic novel memoir, "Kimiko Does Cancer," they explain how the former's story became personal for both of them.

📖🔬

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

[makeshiftlove]

Hello, friends! Kimiko Does Cancer, the graphic memoir I'm working on with Kimiko Tobimatsu, will be published this coming Fall 2020 by Arsenal Pulp Press! I've been amiss and sporadic with updating everyone, but this project really means a lot to me! It definitely feels great to fulfill one of my childhood dreams to collaborate and illustrate a necessary and meaningful story  ❤

It's available for preorder now! LINK: https://arsenalpulp.com/Books/K/Kimiko-Does-Cancer

Follow KDC on social media! IG: @kimikodoescancer FB: @kimikodoescancer Tumblr: @kimikodoescancer Twitter: @kimikotobimatsu Hashtag: #KimikoDoesCancer

Thanks for your support!❤

[libraryleopard]

April reads

asterisk designates a read

Thieves by Lucie Bryon

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

Xenocultivars: Stories of Queer Growth edited by Isabela Oliveira and Jed Sabin

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Kimiko Does Cancer by Kimiko Tobimatsu and Keet Geniza

Among Others by Jo Walton

If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So

Manywhere: Stories by Morgan Thomas

Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve*

High Risk Homosexual by Edgar Gomez

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Sensible Footwear by Kate Charlesworth

Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

When I Grow Up I Want To Be a List of Further Possibilities by Chen Chen

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

We Had No Rules by Corinne Manning

The Low, Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado, Dani, and Tamra Bonvillain

The Queen of Air and Darkness by T.H. White

Homie by Danez Smith

The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood*

[bookclub4m]

Episode 205 - Favourite Reads (and Media) of 2024

 It’s episode 205 and time for us to talk about our favourite reads of 2024! We discuss fiction and non-fiction books we read for the podcast, plus comics, videos, music, and more!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray 🦇 | Jam Edwards

Check out Hark! Jam's holiday music podcast!

Favourite Fiction

For the podcast

Anna

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence (Episode 200 - Library Fiction)

Jam

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (Episode 202 - A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking)

Matthew

The Sixth Gun Omnibus, vol. 1 by Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt, Bill Crabtree, and Tyler Crook (Episode 201 - Weird West)

Meghan

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Episode 203 - Dark Academia)

Not for the podcast

Jam

Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman

Matthew

Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day: And Other Tales of the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard, narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith

Meghan

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

Anna

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Trailer

Favourite Non-Fiction

For the podcast

Matthew

I Am the Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future by Michael Molcher (Episode 195 - Pop(ular) Culture Non-Fiction)

Meghan

Telling It to the Judge: Taking Native History to Court by Arthur J. Ray (Episode 197 - Law & Legal Non-Fiction (for the layperson))

Anna

Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions by Valeria Luiselli (Episode 194 - Indie Publishers)

Jam

Why I Adopted My Husband: The True Story of a Gay Couple Seeking Legal Recognition in Japan by Yuta Yagi (Episode 192 - Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics)

Not for the podcast

Meghan

Secret Gardens by Jennifer Potter 

Anna

Bunker: Building for the End Times by Bradley Garrett

Jam

Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run by Martinus Evans

Matthew

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Other Favourite Things of 2024

Anna

Cats

Buldak Cream Carbonara

Go Go Town!

Jam

Diceomancer

“California” by Chappel Roan

Galway Food Tour

Matthew

The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel by Jenny Nicholson

Giant Days by John Allison, Max Sarin, and Lissa Treiman

Spy x Family by Tetsuya Endo

Matthew talked about this and Giant Days in Episode 193 - Spring Media Update

Spy x Family / Designer Chairs

Meghan

Living Small - Laura Fenton (series: Small Takes)

BBC: The Secret History of British Gardens with Monty Don

Dwell magazine

Runner-Ups

Jam

Books for the podcast

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (Episode 204 - Cozy Fantasy)

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (Episode 189 - Romantic Comedies & Humorous Romance)

Any Other City by Hazel Jane Plante (Episode 194 - Indie Publishers)

Picture Books

I Won’t Give Up My Rubber Band by Shinsuke Yoshitake

100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle

Games

Wingspan (both board & Switch Edition)

Crossword puzzles

Movies/TV/Video

Delicious in Dungeon

I Saw the TV Glow

Robot Dreams

Gastronauts

I Want to Tell You About My Favorite Fight Scene 

Anna

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (Episode 201 - Weird West)

Kimiko Does Cancer by Kimiko Tobimatsu and Keet Geniza (Episode 192 - Non-Fiction Graphic Novels & Comics)

Matthew

[Tumblr won't let us post the full lists because they're too long, check the podcast site to see them all.]

Video Essays

Alpha Protocol Retrospective | An Extremely Comprehensive Critique and History

Reform!

X Men Video Game Retrospective | A Complete History and Review 

DB2024 - The Taco Bell "Wedding" in Decentraland

The Future is a Dead Mall - Decentraland and the Metaverse

The Great Game: The Making of Spycraft

The Bizarre World of Fake Video Games

Meghan

French

Balcons by Marianne Brisebois (contemporary fiction)

Cariacou by Olivier Lussier (poetry, prose)

La véritable histoire de la maison mobile des Miller by Dave Eggers (childrens, illustrated)

Fiction

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir (horror, translated)

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (cosy fantasy, series)

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (supernatural)

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (time travel)

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor (horror, vampires)

Bride by Ali Hazelwood (supernatural romance)

The Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (horror, series)

Any Other City by Hazel Jane Plante (contemporary)

Frontier by Grace Curtis (scifi, western)

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang (horror)

The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan (weird, translated, series)

The Year of the Locust by Terry Hayes (scifi, spy thriller)

Roaming by Jillian Tamaki by Mariko Tamaki (graphic novel, new adult)

Nonfiction

Instructions for Travelling West by Joy Sullivan (poetry)

Island Home: a Landscape memoir by Tim Winton (essays, memoir, Australian)

Yardwork: A Biography of an Urban Place by Daniel Coleman (essays, history, Canadian)

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Instagram, join our Facebook Group or Discord Server, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, January 7th we’ll be discussing the genre of Cultural Studies!

Then on Tuesday, February 4th we’ll be talking about the genre of Monster Romance!