January 1, 2025
Reporter and publisher Hopkins' second collaboration with her illustrator daughter Bateman is as heartfelt and practical as What to Do When I'm Gone (2018). While Bateman's worries about someday living without her mom inspired that book, this time mother and daughter confront an ending that's already occurred--Hopkins' sudden split from her husband and Bateman's father--to help readers through similar grief. Structured as a countdown in days to getting over X (a stand in for your ex), Hopkins' typed-text advice begins on day 1,582 (aka immediately post-breakup) in full panic mode. Bateman's accompanying cartoons show a woman vomiting before lying on the bathroom floor, counting out loud, ""to hear the sound of a human voice that's not leaving you."" At first daily, updates become less frequent as healing, however slowly, occurs. Hopkins nimbly treads the line between personal and universal, sharing profound self-realizations alongside solid advice (hint: break stuff) while Bateman's light, joyful illustrations often incorporate all kinds of (former) couples. Part graphic memoir, part self-help guide, their book will make any ""dumpee"" feel less alone.
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