Whether you have a crush, are dating, or are recovering after a breakup, webcomic creator Alex Norris offers heartfelt, affirming advice alongside endearing, hilarious comics in How to Love: A Guide to Feelings and Relationships for Everyone.
"When it comes to love, we are surrounded by rules and conventions," Norris writes. "This book will show you how absurd these conventions can be and explore other ways of doing things that might better suit YOU." The easily digestible chapters are organized under four main sections: being single, falling in love, being in a relationship, and "what comes next."
The text offers sincere advice that is inclusive of many genders and sexualities, and the accompanying colorful comic panels feature a pink googly-eyed character who adopts multiple gender expressions. This character embodies Norris's written advice through witty hijinks and blunders. For example, Norris tells readers, "Down the line it can lead to disappointment and confusion when your partner isn't who you thought." The image shows the pink character sketching a portrait of a tiny smiling face. As the perspective zooms out, however, it is revealed that the "face" is actually the end of a horse's muzzle. "You have only painted my snout. I feel like you don't even see me for who I am: a fabulous horse."
How to Love offers a refreshing, humorous perspective on romantic feelings and relationships within the context of grounded wisdom: "There will be times when you feel hurt but these are the times it is most important to be kind to yourself." --Kieran Slattery, freelance reviewer, teacher, co-creator of Gender Inclusive Classrooms