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The best we could do is Thi Bui’s beautifully rendered investigation into her heritage when the birth of her own child raises emotional questions of displacement, identity and parental responsibility. She seeks to understand as an adult her own parent’s lives and the personal and political histories that led to their fleeing South Vietnam in 1976 with children in tow. The struggle to adapt to this new way of life, the painful loss of their homeland and the intergenerational effects of displacement are stunningly illuminated by the author/artist in this touching personal tale of identity, family and home.

Bui, Thi. The Best We Could Do : An illustrated memoir,  New York : Abrams Comicarts, 2017.

http://www.abramsbooks.com/thebestwecoulddo/

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4197-1877-9

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Diagnosed with bipolar disorder near her 30^th birthday, Ellen wrestles with the boundary between her creativity and her condition. Fearful that pharmaceuticals will destroy her creativity, she strives for balance, conversationally reflecting on the enjoyable highs yet abysmal lows and deftly using illustration to graphically communicate her states of mind. This in turns humorous romp and informative delve into clinical aspects of the disease explores the concept of the artist as madman. Like a diary of her therapy, the reader is carried through to her conclusion that there is reward in persisting with the process.
Forney, Ellen.  Marbles: mania, depression, Michelangelo & me, London : Robinson, 2013.

http://www.tcj.com/reviews/marbles/

https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?

isbn=9781472106896