Herding Cats, by Sara Andersen

Sara Andersen, the angsty, artsy, introverted, and hilarious cartoonist who published Adulthood is a Myth and Big, Mushy, Happy Lump has a third collection: Herding Cats.  She's as funny as ever, but maybe a little more grown up than in her other collections.  Andersen's fans will recognize her consistent themes: introversion, procrastination, menstruation, and bibliophilia.  I can't relate to her completely, but I can enjoy the humor for sure.

Her work is self-abasing, but there's a positivity that unmistakably shines through.  Even when her autobiographical cartoon character is stressed, overwhelmed, feeling inferior, or whatever, she manages to find creative strength and will power.  I mean, she found enough energy and creativity to fill a whole book with funny comics!

In the last quarter of the book, she writes, "Making Stuff in the Modern Era: A Guide for the Young Creative."  In case you wondered about her struggles, she writes (and illustrates) this essay from her own experiences as a rising artist, trying to figure out how to make a career in art. 

I enjoy Andersen's work and anticipate that she'll continue to find some inspiration for future books!



Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!