Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on or the music we’re loving.

Chris Somerville is reading The Verificationist by Donald Antrim

Currently I’m reading Donald Antrim’s third novel, which is about twenty psychoanalysts meeting in a pancake restaurant. When the narrator, Tom, tries to instigate a food fight one of his dinner companions forces him into a bear hug, resulting in Tom leaving his body and floating to the ceiling to watch as his life slowly unravels.

I’ve become mildly obsessed with Donald Antrim’s short comic novels, as well as his latest short-story collection. His seriousness always goes hand-in-hand with his humour, and The Verificationist is like your incredibly smart friend telling you a very entertaining joke.

Tam Patton has The Complete Zap Comix on his wishlist

If modern comics have a holy grail, this lavish oversized six-volume cloth bound collection is it. Comprising every page and cover of the counterculture’s most influential comic, the cultural legacy of Zap Comix cannot be underestimated. Artists such as R. Crumb, Spain Rodriguez, S. Clay Wilson, Gilbert Shelton and Victor Moscoso fearlessly explored satire, hallucinatory fantasy, sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll without limitation. The results were genuinely revolutionary, and have continued to influence cartoonists and artists since the first issue debuted in 1968.

Alexa Dretzke is reading All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews

How to keep someone safe when they no longer want to live anymore? How to hold on to your only sister you love deeply and can’t bear the thought of life without? Doesn’t sound a fun read, I can see you thinking but Miriam Toews writes with a dry and gentle wit as she tries to understand her sister’s melancholic desire to die.

Based on her own life, Toews’ writing is unsentimental, intelligent and very readable. It came to me highly recommended and I offer it to you just as highly.

Stella Charls has made a foray into comics

I’m trying to take risks and read outside of my comfort zone this year. After countless enthusiastic recommendations from trusted friends and colleagues (see here), I’ve started with three graphic novels.

I started with Richard McGuire’s Here – comics legend Chris Ware said this unique story of the corner of a room between the years 500, 957, 406, 073 BC and 2033 AD was “life-changing”. It’s certainly a strikingly beautiful book, both in concept and design, and I was stunned by how genuinely moving I found it.

After Here almost brought me to tears, My Dirty Dumb Eyes provided laugh-out-loud comic relief. Lisa Hanawalt is crass, witty and gorgeously bizarre. Two of my favourite comedians, Patton Oswalt and Kristen Schaal are gushing fans of her surreal sense of humour, a fact that made sense immediately. Illustrated movie reviews, ‘Rumours I’ve Heard About Anna Wintour’ and ‘Tips for Living with a Significant Other’ – this collection is bursting with all kinds of colour, and is a total joy.

Now I think I’m brave enough to tackle Simon Hanselmann’s Megahex. From all accounts (and there are many – Hanselmann and his tumblr are kind of a big deal online), Megahex is dark, neurotic and depressing. But also incredibly funny (I am definitely into this combination). Fans of Hanselmann’s might also appreciate Leonie Brialey’s really lovely review published last week on The Lifted Brow. Find it here.