One of my all-time favorite cartoonists has to be Roz Chast. Her art style is so unusual, so full of character and charm that I find myself smiling as soon as I see it. It’s impossible for me to read a Roz Chast book and feel sad. She’s just such a hilarious ray of sunshine and a real delight. Chast’s art can be seen in The New Yorker, as well as in books written by herself and others. But, no matter where you find her art, it always adds a little something that makes the piece that much better.
In this post, I’ll be focusing on Chast as an artist, which means I’ll share books that she’s written as well as ones she’s illustrated (that were written by someone else). I hope you enjoy!
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? (Roz Chast)
This was my first introduction to Chast, so it just made sense to include it at the top of this list. In a poignant book that made me laugh and cry, Chast addresses the stress and uncertainty that comes with caring for aging parents. Chast’s family is far from perfect, yet will probably feel fresh and relatable to many readers. As she works with her anxious father and overbearing mother, Chast is forced to address her own personal idiosyncrasies and come to terms with how best to cope with the fact that her parents won’t live forever. This is a beautiful, poignant story that everyone should read.
Why Don’t You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother’s Suggestions (Patricia Marx)
(Sort of) keeping on the topic of death, we have Patricia Marx’s book, Why Don’t You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It? Marx collects a series of “no nonsense” bits of advice from her mother, including appropriate boys names and the proper disposal of leftovers. Again, this was a book that made me laugh until I cried. Part of it was certainly Marx’s hilarious writing. But, a big contribution had to be Chast’s signature art style.
If you’re looking for a quick read that can be read in small bites, this is a great title to check out.
Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York (Roz Chast)
New York native Roz Chast shares her experiences with the beautiful, wonderful, terrible, and extremely complex New York area. When Chast moves from Brooklyn to the suburbs, everything becomes surreal (and the same goes for her children, when she brings them back to her old stomping grounds). So, Chast creates this book, which shows the reader everything she loves about her hometown, with helpful information for those visiting. This is a beautiful, hilarious, and really engaging story that is, as the title suggests, a love letter at its core. Whether you’re a native New Yorker or have never even been there, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this book.
No Fair! No Fair! And Other Jolly Poems of Childhood (Calvin Trillin)
No Fair! No Fair! is Calvin Trillin’s first book of poems for children (and their grown-ups). Inspired in part by personal life experiences, this silly collection takes a humorous look at the familiar and everyday life of a child. Chast’s illustrations accompany ridiculous situations, as we find out if there’s anything Matt won’t eat or if Justin really is the worst kid in the class. Can you send back a new baby brother? Calvin Trillin and Roz Chast will show us the answers!
Tired Town (Patricia Marx)
Patricia Marx (see Why Don’t You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?) presents this very funny bedtime book to help your little ones wind down at the end of the day. Nellie Bee Nightly is not tired at all. And she swears that she never will be. The popcorn is too pooped to pop. The nightstand is too tired to stand up straight. But, Nellie? Nellie is wide awake and not ready for bed at all. Instead, she does all kinds of silly things, such as hanging the bed from the ceiling or turning her room into a pool. Nellie slept last night–surely that’s enough sleep for a lifetime…right?
I Must Be Dreaming (Roz Chast)
And speaking of sleep, we have perhaps my favorite Roz Chast book: I Must Be Dreaming. I’m one of those people who loves to hear about other people’s dreams. I don’t necessarily think they mean anything, but I want to hear about the crazy, quirky concoctions that our minds produce while we’re asleep. If you feel the same way, you’ll love this book, which perfectly pairs Chast’s iconic illustrations with dreams and dream fragments (and even a little bit of the science of dreams, too!)
I love this book so much I’ve read it three times this year alone! It’s one of my absolute favorites to pick up whenever my mind just needs a little break.
You Can Only Yell at Me for One Thing at a Time: Rules for Couples (Patricia Marx)
This book (from the classic team of Chast and Marx) provides “helpful” tips for how to have a good relationship. Full of unorthodox (and often deeply questionable) advice, such as “The person who ordered the egg-white omelet has to keep her skinny paws away from the other person’s French fries” or “Force yourself to say ‘I love you’. It makes the other person feel guilty and that aways works to your advantage”, or “Live somewhere big enough that each of you can think the other is dead”, this book is sure to give couples a much-needed laugh while reminding them what it is that they really love about each other in the first place.
