You know how, if you eat too much junk food over a period of time, you crave something healthy? Like, eat McDonalds and dessert, and then all you want is an apple? I feel that way about books. If I read too much chicklit or romance, I start to need a more thoughtful book. A plotline to sink my teeth into.

A few years ago, I knew a guy who was the son of literature professors. Comic books and graphic novels were his own special brand of rebellion. (of course he didn't let his parents know he actually read books, too, that would have lessened the effect.) I teased him a bit about his reading choices...that is, until he dared me to read a graphic novel he chose for me. I can't remember the name of the one he chose now, but I remember enjoying it, much to my own surprise. I read a few more my friend recommended, but it's been years since picked up another.

Until this week. The trailers for the movie "The Watchmen" have intrigued me. I wanted to see what it was about, so I picked up the graphic novel. It is really quite unlike most other things I've read. I can't say I'm really enjoying the story - it's dark, the characters are broody, and it takes a bit for a person unaccustomed to this genre to get used to reading a book this way - but it's definitely a "sink your teeth into it" kinda story. I do still want to see the movie, though - the effects look fantastic. Anyway, Alan Moore was on an episode of the Simpsons, and pretty much anyone who has enough of a sense of humor about themselves that they appear on the Simpsons is ok with me.