Mental Health Awareness Month – Spotlighting Lara Pickle’s Adult Graphic Novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks!
Joana Has Dragons Inside Her. Can She Tame Them Before They Burn Her Life Down? A Young Witch Struggles with Work-life Balance, Unbearable Stress, and Finding Space for Self-Care
PORTLAND, OR (May 1st, 2024) – Oni Press, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, is spotlighting Lara Pickle’s critically acclaimed 2024 adult graphic novel I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS! The Spanish author and illustrator’s debut graphic novel, translated into English for the first time, brings readers into a world of vivid colors, casting spells, and ancient covens. Lara Pickle’s I Feel Awful, Thanks is lushly illustrated and explores the hard-fought journey of self-acceptance in a complex world of swirling emotions and powerful potions!
Joana is a young witch who secured her dream job with a coven in London, her favorite city, where she can dedicate herself to creating potions, her favorite activity! However, she will soon discover the reality of city life is not so idyllic. Finding a flat is an ordeal, her “dream job” is stressful, and she’s totally alone. Little by little, she makes her place, but fatigue, sadness, and doubts threaten to topple her hard-earned success . . . until she starts talking to a professional who helps her realize in order to take care of herself, she must know herself.
Not every problem can disappear like magic. Out in bookstores everywhere, I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS advocates for self-love and seeking help. For more resources for mental health, visit the National Alliance on Mental Health.
PRAISE FOR I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS
“Pickle’s soft, friendly artwork fits the story’s cozy vibe, with appealing characters exploring detailed London streets and colorful interiors. The panels break into jagged shards whenever Joana has an anxiety attack, and swirls of color represent her whirling turmoil. The self-help advice may not be revelatory, but the charming art and worldbuilding bolster the reassuring message that ‘it’s okay to not be okay.’ Readers will be won over.” –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Written from the heart and personal experience, Pickle’s debut is a compelling effort to help young adults feel seen through an imaginative delve into familiar psychological challenges.”—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“If you’re looking for a lovely book with great friendships and a focus on mental health, look no further. I Feel Awful, Thanks is incredibly wholesome with a great message. This is a perfect read for the upper-YA and post-YA crowd, but it’s also a great read for adults. Pickle does a great job at making mental health feel more normalized and less stigmatized, which is still lacking in society. I Feel Awful, Thanks also has a lovely romance side-plot and adorable, healthy friendships. What more could you want?”—BACKSHELF BOOKS