I have read a lot of graphic novels and manga that detail sexuality and I happy to find this that details Rebecca's experience of asexuality. I did enjoy this one and their experiences of aceness. I also thought that the colours and artwork were very great and added to the story at hand. It was a great graphic novel and I do recommend that it is read to explore asexuality and see how it can affect people in their lives.

This book was informative. I think not enough people talk about ace and what it’s like. It would be nice to see more in the media on this topic.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Interesting book about growing up asexual but told in the form of a graphic novel.

a book with just as much of an identity crisis as that of its author.

this book is mis-titled. i would expect a book called “how to be ace” to provide guidance to readers looking to learn more than the bare minimum about asexuality. instead, the educational content of “how to be ace” could fit on a pamphlet, or perhaps a zine. honestly, the best part of the book was the list of resources as the end.

as for the rest of the book, it feels like the author wrote this book for herself to work through her struggles with her own sexuality. the storytelling was clunky (the author fails to mention her twin sister until 1/3 of the way through!) and the art felt underdeveloped and amateurish (not to mention that a few images were hard to read due to lack of contrast and clarity).

ultimately, while i appreciate the ace rep, i would not recommend this book as a starting place for someone hoping to learn about asexuality.

thank you to netgalley and jessica kingsley publishers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

As far as diversity is coming in books, asexuality is still so rare to see, and well portrayed and explained like it is in this book. I love this story, the "characters" are endearing and it was so refreshing to read.

I am not really into graphic novels, so maybe that was a mistake on my part, but also couldn't get into this.

I wish that there were more things or people speaking about asexuality when I was growing up. Now there's thankfully more coming out (haha), but people still don't quite understand the spectrum that is asexuality.

I know it would have made things a lot easier for me when I was younger. Now hearing people share their thoughts and experiences that resonate so thoroughly with me and mine, everything makes sense and feels so RIGHT.

There were parts that seemed a bit narrow, but that's likely due to it being specific to them and their experience. It is a spectrum, so while we all fit under the umbrella the whole umbrella doesn't apply to all of us. Some are sex positive, sex neutral, or sex repulsed. The main similarity is that we don't feel sexual attraction. (Now there are exceptions like demi or grey sexuals who can experience it with an emotional bond, but the majority of the time it's just not there.)

I really enjoyed this graphic novel on a very personal journey with coming to terms with one's anxiety and asexuality. Definitely had some things I could very easily relate to. I think with asexuality, ones path and coming to terms and acceptance is so personal and individual, and it's so great to see this author's personal journey, while also knowing that someone else's journey could be completely and totally different, and they are still ace. This graphic novel wasn't preachy or just blasting info, I greatly enjoyed it.

I was provided a copy of this ebook by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The title says it all! This book is the author's journey as she learns about herself and what it means to be asexual.

I read enjoyed this graphic novel. It was short and sweet and straight to the point, which I loved. It was a book of self-discovery, which is something most of us can relate to even if we aren't asexual. I know I could relate a lot with me just figuring out my own sexuality. But even more so, this is a great introduction to asexuality and what it means. The book was also very inclusive and made sure to explain that there are different things that fall under the umbrella of asexual. I would highly recommend this for those who are trying to figure out their sexuality or just want to learn more about asexuality.

As someone that’s went back and forth on whether or not I’m ace in the last 5 years, having resources like this as a teenager would have been life changing. I think one of the hardest parts of realizing you’re on the ace spectrum is coming to terms with the fact that you will never have the “normal” life experiences that everyone talks about and having to find a way to be okay with that. Also just feeling different is so hard but asexuality is so misunderstood and dismissed that it makes you feel completely alone. I’m glad teenagers will have this book to help them feel a little less alone.

This was a really great read that was educational and personal. I liked how the author balanced personal experiences in every chapter with a little bit of facts at the end to expand on the idea they were representing in the chapter. It was a great flow from confusion to some understanding. This book does a great job of helping others think about how they might identify and think about their own life experiences.

As someone who is exploring being Ace, I found this a very useful tool to those who are questioning. The art style is beautiful, the dialogue is great and very engaging. I would recommend this for older teens and up.

My Thoughts 💭

■ Art:
I think the publishers really did this book dirty through NetGalley cuz the ARC quality is really bad. Unfortunately, this meant I wasn’t able to read some of the little notes or see the tiny drawings the author left because they just looked like a blur. Which is a shame because the art is so cute! It’s simple, yet detailed enough to understand the vibe of each panel.

*chef kiss*

■ The memoir:
Though I’m not asexual myself, I do have a character I’m writing about who is and thought this book would give me more insight than I had already researched. However, asexuality and its various forms are explained in very simple terms for a general audience, so I didn’t really learn anything new in that regard. What I did find interesting was the actual memoir part of the book. Everything about the author's life and her struggle with bullying growing up, anxiety, mental illness, and just trying to fit in and find a connection with people outside of the social norm. As a neurodivergent introvert and as someone who is not interested in relationships at this time in my life, I really felt I could relate to the author.

Another thing I really liked is how she emphasized how important representation in media is. Most LGBTQ+ characters in shows are shown as stereotypes or just plain unrealistic. Seeing authentic representation allows people to see themselves through different people and feel seen and valid.

Recommendation 👍
Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn the basics of asexaulity and looking for a memoir with cute art.

★★★★☆

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This was so beautiful! I think this is such an important book in the hands of teenagers trying to figure out their sexuality. The art style was so simple, yet so inviting and I loved the intersection of sexuality and mental health. My only critique is based on the story line, I’m not sure who the audience is. It seems to speak to young teenagers, but there’s a lot of talk of sex, and even some illustrations that are on the graphic side. And a lot of the story takes place with her as an adult.

I LOVED this graphic novel! I related to the main character more than I ever have in a book before. I’m glad there is finally a (slow) rise in asexual representation in the world of literature, I feel like it is a super important topic that just isn’t discussed a lot, plus the art style is adorable, I would definitely read more from this author!

How to be ace is a story of a young girl who thinks she's broken because she does not want or need physical touch or sex to be herself.
We follow along as she tries to tell herself that it will come one day. She'll find the " right one" and will blossom into the sexual being everyone else seems to think she should be.
Finally, she realizes that is just not who she is, and stumbles across the name for her feeling he. She is asexual.
A perfect way for those who feel g if their feelings are real and may e this is what they are, or just someone questioning their own type of sexuality.
It's all handled with sensitivity and brutal honesty. Worth the read to understand what asexual is to those who fall I into this category.
Thanks to @netgalley and Jessica Kinsley Publishers for allowing me to read the arc I exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion
Also thanks to the author Rebecca Burgess for sharing her personal story to help others who are finding their way.

This graphic novel memoir is insightful and shines a light on a lesser known and ignored section of the queer community- a true winner.

Following Burgess on her journey to figuring out who she is, why she is, and how to feel comfortable in her skin was emotionally investing and beautifully done. Burgess shows a character finding her way through life and her sexuality. A journey that many people experience and many people feel alone in - including Rebecca herself. The story is broken into the different parts of her life. From feeling like the odd one out to discovering a term for what she feels to finding her own path to love and life. Her sexuality doesn't define who she is but it has shaped a lot of her experiences through out life that have made her who she is. This book gives validation to many people who might be experiencing the same things and shows that though they may feel alone, they aren't as alone as life may seem. Sometimes that is the comfort you need to keep you going.

I loved this book. If I could I would get a copy of for school libraries because you know there are young people that need to hear that their experience is recognizable and relatable, whether they are questioning or are themselves ace or someone with an ace friend. That it is a memoir and a graphic novel is perfect.

I really loved the art style in this graphic novel! The colors and lines jumped off the page and I found myself often looking at panels over and over again!