Poll

Yes because they are still books they are just cooler because they have pictures.

Absolutely! I count them towards my Goodreads reading challenge so I definitely count them as books!

If you are reading volumes of manga its just the same as reading a graphic novel so I count them.

I let goodreads count them to register as read with all data, but I don't count them towards my actual personal goal (which I have a thread for in a goodreads group). Same goes for Graphic Novels.

Because so much is told by the pictures in these formats, they don't feel like reading to me. I also don't count audiobooks, for similar reasons.

I didn't before but I guess it's the same thing as reading graphic novels, and I count graphic novels, so I do count them now! 🤷‍♀️

Graphic Novels/Mangas/Comic Books tell a story, just they do so by adding pictures/drawings to it. I mean, would you consider children's books with pictures as 'real' books?

Yeah, they tell you something and, as a reader, I get really involved with the plot, the characters and the illustrations. They're perfect when I'm busy or tired or when i cant read anything else.

Absolutely, 100% yes, I count them as legitimate books. So many people are entirely mistaken, they're the legitimate definition of a book, and I hate how many gatekeepers there are when it comes to this subject. I can get the same experience, experiencing a story through a graphic novel as much as I can through a written medium. I know by being an active reading of both mediums.

genuinely wanna know the reasoning behind the answer no, like how do they not count as books?

I wanted to say yes, but I accidentally selected No

I'm so glad I found this thread. I'm in the process of rebuilding my personal library and constantly find myself keeping my graphic novels, trade paperbacks, manga, and similar books separate. Then, when I look at reading challenges here and at my local library, a part of me wonders, Do they really count as books?

Sometimes, I feel a bit guilty, as if they "don’t have enough words or something." Yet, I know from academic research that any form of reading is beneficial, especially for developing minds.

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, I think this feeling comes from growing up during the tail end of the era when being a nerd was something to be ashamed of. There are still memories of being laughed at, ridiculed, and talked down to—of feeling forced to hide my love and passion for comics and other geeky things. That tiny voice in the back of my mind still whispers, They don’t count.

But seeing this thread gives me hope. It’s reassuring to know that perspectives are changing and that more people can now appreciate these works for the literary and artistic pieces they truly are.