I read this as a webcomic years ago and just picked it up from the library when I saw it was produced in print. Certain strips and moments have stuck in my memory fairly well ("Crunch?????"), and the main characters are still definitely likable. That being said, it isn't much of a page turner, and the plots are usually silly and forgettable. It's worth reading, and I'll check out the second volume some day. ( )

The first collection of Meredith Gran's charming web-comic relates the adventures of two twenty-somethings in Brooklyn: Eve, a pessimistic Asian nerd who works at an organic grocery, and her roommate Hanna, a buoyant stoner who bakes her own line of pastries. Between the requisite relationship troubles, parental interactions, and sight gags, Gran often steers off into the delightfully surreal especially in "grocery misconduct," where Eve assumes control of the store, and "skate or don't" in which Gran elevates the absurdity to [b:Scott Pilgrim|29800|Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1 Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life|Bryan Lee O'Malley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168047366s/29800.jpg|30220]-like levels. Gran's simple cartoony art perfectly compliments her complex explorations into the 21st century young adult life. ( )

A lot of these webcomics seem to be kind of weird bad amalgams of TV shows that you haven't thought of in years, so you read a few and then you go "oooooh, this is Caroline in the City + Twitch City + Daria." What? ( )

The first few stories from Octopus Pie in one handy portable container. No WiFi necessary! Pick up your copy today. ( )

How can I accurately describe Octupus Pie?

Well, it's a slice-of-life comic - about Eve, and her post-college circle of friends and their lives as they're trying to get by in Brooklyn. It's nicely paced, and has that wonderful mix of oddball humour, drama, and introspection that I find so appealing. The characters are likeable, well-rounded, and the whole thing is incredlbly well drawn, especially in the later chapters, with an clean and simple O'Malley-esque cartoony feel that still allows for a surprising emotional range.

If I have to say something negative, it might be that the pacing is a bit odd at times, which, concidering it's origin as a webcomic, is not that surprising.

What really catches me, however is something else, something annoyingly intangible. A - mood? a mindset?

Bottom line: this is better than almost everything else I've ever read. It captures that feeling you get when you're not young, not an adult, and not sure of anything anymore. It's not the old "finding your place" schtick, it's too good for that, but I'm not sure I know how to describe it (which makes me a lousy reviewer, I guess).

It's of bittersweet, genuinely warm, funny, touching, and this has made it into one of my all-time favorite comics. ( )