Processing: 100 Comics That Got Me Through It

by Tara Booth

Riotous bodies abound in these deeply honest comics that will get you through it (or at least help)

“When you order CBD gummies for your anxiety but forget to consider your eating disorder.”

Known for her buzzing colors, delightful patterns, sharp humor, and unflinching vulnerability, Tara Booth does not miss any mark in this exquisitely woven collection of pure and nasty magic. Part advice column and exhibit, exploration of psychic pollution and tranquility, Processing is—quite simply—intrepid: in its honesty; its unapologetic grossness; its unrivaled and frank portrayal of life with a body that bleeds.

In the grand tradition of underground women cartoonists like Julie Doucet and Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Booth draws a horned up woman laying rose petals on the bed, to distract from the bedbugs before her hookup arrives. She bears witness to the reality of wearing a t-shirt with no bra—when you stretch, your boobs, sometimes, pop right out. This is all just life but we don’t often see it on the page. Undaunted, Booth draws it.

When advice from spiritual gurus like Tara Brach and Ram Dass just aren’t cutting it, take solace in the genuine arms of Tara Booth: a fearless cartoonist who is unafraid to put her existential angst, blemishes, and stains right on the page, and who—with relentless relatability—makes us all feel a bit more at home in our too-human vessels. With color that vibrates and fluids that impose, Processing lays Booth bare—literally and figuratively.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Nonfiction, Memoir, Graphic Novels Comics, Mental Health, Art

396 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Dylan Stoepel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me feel less alone and like I want to paint again. Their work on sobriety/alcohol, depression and sex was extremely relatable...

"I think it can be harmful to be overly optimistic about what sober life might look like."

"Healing doesn't happen any quicker just because I've learned enough to recognize why I feel the way I do. Or because I've found better ways to communicate or self-soothe. It doesn't speed up just because I've reached a goal, or twenty...Healing is a slow thing, and I feel impatient."

[gabrielle]

enjoyed very much :)

[no elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

tara booth x fashion brand company collab when..?? some of the mEnTaL hEaLtH vignettes get a lil self-obsessed with it. maybe yr thinking thats not a fair criticism for an autobiographical comic but i dunno maybe it is ! im doling out free mental healthcare advice for all: try a touch of dbt or at least ease up on the self-diagnosis.. also while we're at it let's dismantle the self a little. it's not that interesting! loved the complex naturist paintings ("forest bather" is wonderful!), her colors & patterns, the rough style of her art. "drain hair lasso" was cute. i enjoyed reading some of this !!

[King]

So wonderful to have such a thick book filled with Booth's expressive, poignant and funny paintings and comics. At times, I wished there were a few more transitions or delineations between comics but overall it's such a stellar read. And I will return to it over and over again to remind myself all that comics can be.

[Peter Landau · Rating 5 out of 5]

She may be my favorite contemporary painter, and not a bad cartoonist either.

[Emma Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wish that I could multiply and go on living with all the people that I’ve loved and had to leave.”

[Bob Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Booth's comics get ME through it !

Quick video review :
https://youtu.be/NA8O5NUYzF4

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sizeable collection of Tara Booth comics, Processing features a no-filter approach towards exploring social anxiety, mental health and all manner of issues specific to Booth herself. The strips are wildly all over the place with respect to subject matter, but tied together well with Booth's wry musings and observations. She renders her comics with blobby, inky watercolors, that are vibrant and expressive. Her style reminds me a bit like a cross between Tommi Parrish and Brecht Evens, a result that is fun to look at.

These types of comics don't particularly resonate with my tastes, and I do find the "therapeutic art" genre to not be all that appealing, but it's hard to deny that Booth isn't delivering on what she sets out to do. The stories here have authenticity to them, governed by the blunt and emotional honest in her writing. Booth's own struggles are laid bare here, and almost unapologetically so. It's the type of autobiographical work that will resonate with plenty of readers, which ultimately makes Processing a comic that will be revelatory for many. What I'll take away most though is that Tara Booth is a funny storyteller with a truly unique artistic voice.

[Megan Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful! Tara's style is so distinct and fully her own, and her honesty in diving into her own psyche is so funny and poignant at the same time. The comics come in little vignettes that flow together beautifully, often separated by wordless spreads of densely painted pages. This book is so special, and I'm so happy to have a copy permanently on my comics shelves.

[Annabelle Brazeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, les personnages sont à la fois grotesques et touchants. L'autrice met des mots sur le sentiment de vide d'une séparation, d'une dépendance, et sur son désir désespéré de guérison. J'ai adoré cette magnifique bande dessinée colorée avec chacune de ses cases peintes. Le fini est franchement original. Gros coup de cœur ❤️

[Melissa Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous painterly works - very inspiring & very moving - highly recommended

[Emily Sørensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg er så utrolig glad i streken til Booth! Den er så barnslig, men også så detaljert og fin samtidig. Det maleriske er en så unik måte å lage tegneserier på. Jeg har fulgt Booth sine ting på Instagram i mange år, og det var gøy å se det samlet som et større narrativ i en bok.

Booth er åpen, rå og ærlig, både om problemene sine og hverdagstingene man relaterer til. Boka går fort å lese, men har mange nydelige oppslag man blir sittende og beundre. Siden dette er satt i en bok med fokus på å overkomme traumer, avhengighet og problematikk rundt mental helse, kunne jeg ønsket meg en sterkere konklusjon eller mer refleksjon på slutten.

Alt i alt glad for å eie denne boka ❤️

[Olivia Cranston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A window into my soul . Saying things that I have been thinking and doing it beautifully . Down to the cold bed comic (I’m literally in my bed, very cold bc it’s cold everywhere else). Very gorgeous colorful absurd illustrations . Fun Monday night read .

[Yasmeen Jaaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

gonna start making comics this month and this was very inspiring and awesome. i like that comics can look however u want and will resonate with who they are meant to resonate. reading these felt like play in an awesome way

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

lov her!!!!!!

[Kayden Kruchoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by book format and artistic style

[Michael Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Marilou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coup de ❤️ pour Processing de Tara Booth. Son travail pictural est tellement expressif... — c’est vibrant, autodérisoire, plein de tendresse en même temps et de désarroi aussi. Elle aborde des choses qu’on garde souvent pour soi : l’anxiété, le corps, la honte, la difficulté de rentrer en relations avec les autres et le monde, la solitude, la guérision tant attendue… Et pourtant, jamais ça ne tombe dans le "quétaine". Au contraire, c’est drôle, étrange, profondément humain. Je me suis reconnue dans ces courtes histoires. Ça m’a fait du bien!

[Lindsay W · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible art, fantastic comic. I will recommend this to all my dorky friends who think there is a barrier of entry to getting into gns! LOOK HOW COOL THEY CAN BE!! LOOK! HOW! GORGEOUS!

[Ems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik zou willen dat ik foto’s van bladzijdes kon toevoegen :’)
Deze comics hebben me weer even hoognodige inzichten gegeven

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I Came to Read This Book: It landed on a few 'best of' lists for 2024 graphic novels so I borrowed it from the library.

The Plot: Ohhh is there one? This is really a series of vignettes and scenes that detail their relationship with others, with their body, and with their mental and physical state. A huge portion of the book tackles relationships and sex in particular - from an amusing musing on what it must be like for a guy to...engage with...a butt...to some deeper takes on how instability in childhood leads to selecting partners that have an unstable relationship with you as an adult. So yeah, we take swerves here.

The Good & The Bad: I can sum this one up pretty succinctly: I read it in a night. Not because it was soooo engrossing, but because this really feels like more of an art project. I mean that on multiple levels. I could see Tara Booth's sketches and work being displayed in a post-modern gallery. I can see a lot of people not liking her art, which is, decidedly, a little primitive feeling compared to some of the other more traditional graphic novels I've read over the past year. I couldn't identify the "100 comics" in here because it all largely flows together as a series of thoughts, musings, reflections, and short anecdotes.

So if you want to consume something simply to crawl into someone else's brain for a short time, this is a good choice. You might not like the art, you might not agree with everything she says, but it's certainly a different type of graphic novel: More of a modern-day memoir that arrives in fits and spurts. I suspect there would also be at least one gem for nearly everyone to pull away for themselves in here - I definitely found a few. Did much stay with me? Not exactly. She had one or two musings on relationships in particular that I thought were interesting, like how she thinks she'll enjoy being single when she's in a relationship and wants a relationship when she's single, but on the whole this thing was almost too digestible, passing through me like a Cheeto melts in the mouth.

The Bottom Line: An interesting, different, thoughtful graphic novel that's more focused on concept than story.

Anything Memorable?: I read this in one night!

2025 Book Challenge: Book #14 in 2025.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a reforming anxious/avoidant this was a tough read. I just want to scream that "it doesn't have to be like this!" Canon events though, we can't interfere. The art reminds me of a mix of Tommi Parrish's paintings and Em Franks crude characterizations. You can go from the ugliest depiction of a person to a beautifully detailed full-page spread you can get totally lost in. I was worried Tara wasn't in therapy for all she talks about here, but it does get a brief mention in the end. At the right time in your life, maybe this type of relating would be helpful to you as it was to Booth, but it did make for a frustrating read because it's so long and full of self-depreciation and anxiety and depression. It's like that sometimes, though, and I wish her luck. I hope the cartooning continues to help.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of graphic comics or manga but I do appreciate the very colorful artwork with the humorously poignant messages (if that makes sense). I think whatever reaches people to tell them they are okay where they’re at, to hang in there and feel their feelings, has a place in today’s media. I don’t bring any awareness of this author/artist’s other work or online platforms to this review. I can relate to her feelings and that’s what any good book aims for. I hope the readers who need this are able to find it!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Tara's unique comics and relatable TMI diary style online for years, so this book is an awesome addition to my collection. It's funny, poignant, and often beautiful to peek into her healing journey. I can tell she's a huge nature lover like me. I've been thinking about that Raam Dass quote for days. Just wish I could tear out some pages and hang them on my wall. I can't wait to see what Tara does next.

[Herbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book exists in the intersection of graphic memoir and solo art exhibition. The word "comic" itself here feels like it's short-changing Booth's artistry and expression. Yes, they are often sequential pieces of art telling a short story, but the book is much more than 100 quippy bits. Booth's style often appears quite rudimentary but is interspersed with these vivid and incredible works of art. The content is deeply personal and candid.

Despite the page count, this is a very quick read.

[Renee Brazeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autobiographical reflections on life, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and sobriety. Nauseating neon patterns with a painterly Peter Doig sensibility offer incredibly comic juxtaposition with the heavier subject matter. Relatable, real, comical, self deprecating, reflective. The drawing style is incredibly inspiring for visual artists with painterly approaches. Highly recommend this approachable honest and relatable read.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tara Booth's colourful, expressive drawing style. These comics are funny and insightful, I really like how honest they are about the dark feelings and thoughts that most people would never admit to, but that we all have. Reading it made me feel less alone, I also love the drawing on the cover for this which is what drew me to it in the first place.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a list of Tara Booth's 100 favourite comics she read!

Booth is so raw and honest here (I hope she's seeing a therapist!). It was incredible. Her artwork is either beautiful or ugly with no in-between, it's great. Her colour palette is wonderful.

Required reading for people interested in other's experiences dealing with mental health issues.

[Katherine Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give it a million stars if I could. I felt the portrayal of life with depression and anxiety, and the absurd moments it creates—I genuinely LOL’ed at unexpected moments. I found myself going back to certain comics and also sending them to friends…I loved it, will come back to this again, as well as devour all of Tara Booth’s current and future work!

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…

…uncomfortable from the pictures, but I understand that this is part of the delivery so important? I didn’t think that I’d like it, but it made me slow down and see a different side on some things… the flower pages will always be stunning