I've been decluttering my bookshelves, and this softcover graphic-novel collection of the "Wendel" comic strips is one of the books that, while I've enjoyed it very much, is perhaps overdue to go traveling. The series ran in the Advocate magazine, and centers around young Wendel Trupstock and his friends, lovers, and rivals.

The very first strip pretty much sets the tone of the series. Young Wendel is checking out the sex ads in a magazine, gleefully discovering one that seems tailor-made for him. Turns out the ad was his parents' way of getting him to come to dinner!

There are romances, seductions, breakups, and wacky hijincks, with occasional political activism; charming and funny.

I'm putting this book in my LGBT-themed shrinking bookbox, which will soon be on its way to its first stop with quietorchid in Minnesota. Hope everyone enjoys the bookbox!

Chosen from GoryDetails' LGBT bookbox

Well, this is terrific! I read and liked this once, set it aside for a while, and liked it even better the next time I read it. The drawings are just wonderful, and the writing is clever, with a perfect mix of gentle warmth and more than a few sparks.

Our local library has just started a book discussion group for graphic novels, and it's going to be a real eye-opener for us. Our first book was 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, and DrSlump & I both loved it. Our book for next month is a classic which I won't name, because so far we both hate it. Obviously, the GN field has a lot of variety.

Based on my extremely limited experience so far, I'm putting Howard Cruse very near the top of the spectrum. Our library system has a few more titles by him, and I've already started putting them into my request list.

But that's just one person's opinion. Future readers, what do YOU think of this book?

On bookshelf next to fireplace