Make a Little Trouble Out There

From the legendary Nora Ephron, her Wellesley commencement speech printed for the first time in book form—an inspiring and delightful challenge for anyone uncertain about what the future holds to “be the heroine of your own life.”

Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there.

In 1996, after a storied career as a journalist and achieving major success as the creative force behind classic movies like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally..., Nora Ephron returned to her alma mater to give what would become one of the most iconic commencement speeches of the 20th century. As a woman who insisted on charting her own path with all its unexpected twists and turns, she had plenty of hard-won advice to offer. Ephron wants us to welcome the mess, to be unafraid to change our minds, to seize the opportunities when they come. Most importantly, she delivers a powerful call-to-action that feels as necessary now as it did then: never back down from those who seek to disenfranchise you and always stand up for what’s right.

Life is complicated, but if you embrace it, Ephron reminds us, it will always be interesting.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs