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blithesquesttoread's reviews
476 reviews
A Sign of Affection, Volume 1 by suu Morishita
5.0
Okay wow. What just happened? Why did I choose to read this manga now?? WHYY :'(
I'm not sad because I didn't like it, quite the opposite actually. A sign of Affection is undoubtedly beautiful and cute to read. The female MC is just too cuteee! My heart was with her throughout the volume 1. The male MC is, well, weird? I mean when it comes to manga, expressions matter a lot I have come to realize and whenever he was with Yuki (MC) his facial expressions seemed weird, maybe coz he was trying to interpret things that Yuki said. It was fun really to figure out their interactions!
Yuki is a college student who is full of life. She is a curious bud as can be seen with her interactions but sometimes feel underconfident about her experiences. A chance encounter leads her to meet with Itsuomi-san, a friend of friend and things change in her life - starting with a rush of feelings. Itsuomi-san is a globetrotter and knows three languages, sign language not being one of them. When he meets Yuki, it is like he is invited to a different world to experience. And so their story begins.
The thing about this manga is that it got over too fast for me. I now need the second volume asap. Plus, I remember making a pact with myself about not starting manga which are ongoing but apparently I don't listen to myself :| Now I have to wait and I don't want to wait! But coming onto the story, as I said, it is cute and like a slice of life, leaving you to digest more of it. I loved Yuki and her friend! As for Itsuomi-san, I did like him but frankly, not as much as Yuki. I still need more content to come to a decision about him lol. Ahh, now I will just count days till I can finally read the second volume!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy via netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I'm not sad because I didn't like it, quite the opposite actually. A sign of Affection is undoubtedly beautiful and cute to read. The female MC is just too cuteee! My heart was with her throughout the volume 1. The male MC is, well, weird? I mean when it comes to manga, expressions matter a lot I have come to realize and whenever he was with Yuki (MC) his facial expressions seemed weird, maybe coz he was trying to interpret things that Yuki said. It was fun really to figure out their interactions!
Yuki is a college student who is full of life. She is a curious bud as can be seen with her interactions but sometimes feel underconfident about her experiences. A chance encounter leads her to meet with Itsuomi-san, a friend of friend and things change in her life - starting with a rush of feelings. Itsuomi-san is a globetrotter and knows three languages, sign language not being one of them. When he meets Yuki, it is like he is invited to a different world to experience. And so their story begins.
The thing about this manga is that it got over too fast for me. I now need the second volume asap. Plus, I remember making a pact with myself about not starting manga which are ongoing but apparently I don't listen to myself :| Now I have to wait and I don't want to wait! But coming onto the story, as I said, it is cute and like a slice of life, leaving you to digest more of it. I loved Yuki and her friend! As for Itsuomi-san, I did like him but frankly, not as much as Yuki. I still need more content to come to a decision about him lol. Ahh, now I will just count days till I can finally read the second volume!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy via netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Star⇄Crossed!!, Vol. 1 by Junko, Junko
4.0
Okay first of all... How could they end the manga like that?! I am sooo curious now and disappointed that I don't have the second part. Don't worry it isn't a cliffhanger ending, just a curious one (which seems to be worse than cliffhanger lol).
I really liked reading this particular manga! I gotta admit that it is quite different from the manga I have read so far and it didn't disappoint me! The artwork was really done well and I gotta say it was cute. The plot was a unique one, I mean we would know in the subsequent parts whether it uses any similar, popular tropes or not, but there was a lot of potential I could see developing in the further parts. I don't know if it is only me but both the main characters seemed a bit silly lol which no doubt was amusing and wanted me to explore the book further. I am excited to see how the story progresses!
*I was provided an arc by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I really liked reading this particular manga! I gotta admit that it is quite different from the manga I have read so far and it didn't disappoint me! The artwork was really done well and I gotta say it was cute. The plot was a unique one, I mean we would know in the subsequent parts whether it uses any similar, popular tropes or not, but there was a lot of potential I could see developing in the further parts. I don't know if it is only me but both the main characters seemed a bit silly lol which no doubt was amusing and wanted me to explore the book further. I am excited to see how the story progresses!
*I was provided an arc by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas by Kimberly Willis Holt
4.0
I want to begin by saying that I am positive I have an invisible faucet fitted somewhere near my eyes which breaks apart whenever I read. Nothing else can explain my reaction while reading this beautiful book. I honestly never thought Middle Grade Books would want me to try so hard as to not cry (a lie, I think I have been teary eyed in most of them). They are supposed to feel childish and a cool refreshing reads then why do they seem like coming home?
This books is no different, trust me. It started of slowly, just describing the friendship of Rylee and Twig and the plot setting that was chosen. It seemed during that moment that nothing significant would be coming out of it. The words described personalities of Twig and Rylee which made it easier for me to picture them. Then 9/11 attack was described and the what was the town’s response. And that was the turning point of the book. It was like slowly and gradually important stuff started to unwrap. There is no way I can talk about them without giving spoilers but I will still brief through all the stuff. We saw how sometimes friendship breaks apart, but can be still glued back in months or in years. Then we saw how families navigate through divorce and death. Beautiful narration of stories from oldies could be seen and even if I personally couldn’t get majority of the references, I still enjoyed reading about them. It’s like some people will be nostalgic about those stuff while some would be looking out to find something new, interesting and exciting. Various aspects of growing up were covered and somehow through all of this, I tried very hard to not see how my life had been during those years and what would the impact have been.
Finding Zachary Beaver was an excuse to make the readers go on a journey they wouldn’t regret being on. The blurb gives a gist of the different different characters and events it was going to discuss about. It’s really surprising how events affect not only our lives and understandings or surroundings for that matter, but how they tell people a story, an event however unfortunate to visit back to and think about how different things could have been. How hard this novel hits you is quite subjective I believe but there is no way that it wouldn’t hit you hard and make you wonder about a lot of things.
Trigger Warnings: 9/11 attacks description, Vietnamese war mention and discussion, Death of a loved one, Divorce, mention of instances of Bullying.
NOTE: I was provided with a copy via Netgalley for the Turn the pages tour in exchange for an honest review.
This books is no different, trust me. It started of slowly, just describing the friendship of Rylee and Twig and the plot setting that was chosen. It seemed during that moment that nothing significant would be coming out of it. The words described personalities of Twig and Rylee which made it easier for me to picture them. Then 9/11 attack was described and the what was the town’s response. And that was the turning point of the book. It was like slowly and gradually important stuff started to unwrap. There is no way I can talk about them without giving spoilers but I will still brief through all the stuff. We saw how sometimes friendship breaks apart, but can be still glued back in months or in years. Then we saw how families navigate through divorce and death. Beautiful narration of stories from oldies could be seen and even if I personally couldn’t get majority of the references, I still enjoyed reading about them. It’s like some people will be nostalgic about those stuff while some would be looking out to find something new, interesting and exciting. Various aspects of growing up were covered and somehow through all of this, I tried very hard to not see how my life had been during those years and what would the impact have been.
Finding Zachary Beaver was an excuse to make the readers go on a journey they wouldn’t regret being on. The blurb gives a gist of the different different characters and events it was going to discuss about. It’s really surprising how events affect not only our lives and understandings or surroundings for that matter, but how they tell people a story, an event however unfortunate to visit back to and think about how different things could have been. How hard this novel hits you is quite subjective I believe but there is no way that it wouldn’t hit you hard and make you wonder about a lot of things.
Trigger Warnings: 9/11 attacks description, Vietnamese war mention and discussion, Death of a loved one, Divorce, mention of instances of Bullying.
NOTE: I was provided with a copy via Netgalley for the Turn the pages tour in exchange for an honest review.
Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada
5.0
I honestly don't know on what basis I should give this book stars so I decided on these all aspects: Was it engaging? yes. Was it entertaining and made me want to look stuff up? yes. Was the art awesome? definitely yes. Do I wish it dragged more long? yes.
To elaborate, I loved this book a lot. It can be considered to be my first memoir and on top of that it was a graphic novel (I am trying to read more graphic novels!), so I was a bit timid to pick it up. But since it was set in South Korea and had a political theme and the MC loves to read books, I don't think I couldn't have not picked it up. I don't know much about the political affairs of South Korea but this surely made me super intrigued to know more about it. It talked about so many important things - corruption, police brutality, sexism, activism, feminism etc. And even though it discussed so many things, it didn't seem that heavy to read. I flew through the pages like my life depended on it and made so many notes to look things up.
I especially liked the fact that it didn't go much deep into the happenings or politicians because it made me look up about them. And apart from that, I don't think so much of information would have been suitable for this book. Apart from that, I cannot stress about how important this book is. Starting from as little as banned books, it made me wonder which all books are banned at present in my country and on what basis. It is exceptionally necessary to make students and youths to realize that govt. authorities are accountable to us because they have a societal responsibility that cannot be neglected. And at the same time, we as citizens shouldn't sit back and let things happen the way they are happening. Through a very simple example, this book passed on a very good message - nothing can be apolitical. Politics is present in every part of our lives, even when we think it isn't.
Apart from that there were these moments in the novel wherein not so implicitly, women's struggle were highlighted for which I am glad. I cannot believe that when I started reading this book, I was trying to translate some of my known words from English to Korean! Omg, these instances were so hilarious and it made me realize that watching all those kdramas did pay off in some way ;) And the art was just super fantastic!!! I loved it to bits <3<3 Oh and also, keep a pen and paper ready nearby because there is mention of various books that one might want to check out as well as certain political leaders and instances mentioned.
Trigger warnings: Violence, Tear gas, hinting at sexual assault.
I was provided an arc copy via netgalley and the publisher in exachange for an honest review.
To elaborate, I loved this book a lot. It can be considered to be my first memoir and on top of that it was a graphic novel (I am trying to read more graphic novels!), so I was a bit timid to pick it up. But since it was set in South Korea and had a political theme and the MC loves to read books, I don't think I couldn't have not picked it up. I don't know much about the political affairs of South Korea but this surely made me super intrigued to know more about it. It talked about so many important things - corruption, police brutality, sexism, activism, feminism etc. And even though it discussed so many things, it didn't seem that heavy to read. I flew through the pages like my life depended on it and made so many notes to look things up.
I especially liked the fact that it didn't go much deep into the happenings or politicians because it made me look up about them. And apart from that, I don't think so much of information would have been suitable for this book. Apart from that, I cannot stress about how important this book is. Starting from as little as banned books, it made me wonder which all books are banned at present in my country and on what basis. It is exceptionally necessary to make students and youths to realize that govt. authorities are accountable to us because they have a societal responsibility that cannot be neglected. And at the same time, we as citizens shouldn't sit back and let things happen the way they are happening. Through a very simple example, this book passed on a very good message - nothing can be apolitical. Politics is present in every part of our lives, even when we think it isn't.
Apart from that there were these moments in the novel wherein not so implicitly, women's struggle were highlighted for which I am glad. I cannot believe that when I started reading this book, I was trying to translate some of my known words from English to Korean! Omg, these instances were so hilarious and it made me realize that watching all those kdramas did pay off in some way ;) And the art was just super fantastic!!! I loved it to bits <3<3 Oh and also, keep a pen and paper ready nearby because there is mention of various books that one might want to check out as well as certain political leaders and instances mentioned.
Trigger warnings: Violence, Tear gas, hinting at sexual assault.
I was provided an arc copy via netgalley and the publisher in exachange for an honest review.
A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
4.0
I'm still very confused about this book, to be honest.
When I first read the blurb, I thought this book will be something different from what I actually read. I anticipated some great changes in how people think or something as monumental but well what I got was quite unexpected. Basically, it was reality. Reality in its core, the most gruesome scenes and ideologies described. Starting from crimes, accidents, gossips, catcalling, assumptions about someone's character, gender roles, restrictions on women, societal norms and constraints, rape, sexual assault, drug abuse, domestic violence, misogyny, patriarchy, child abuse in form of physical abuse, bullying, depression and death.
I wasn't surprised by where the plot was going because this is something one sees around a lot. So it didn't hit me hard because the situations got worse and worse. And somewhere again it had the same thing, about seeking validation from someone else, leading to realization that you are worthy. Which is fine but I didn't really want to see it here. The thing I really loved about this book was that the author didn't shy away from discussing these topics. It was like an open ended discussion, you know, it lead you to form your own perspectives and theories about the characters and the issues discussed. The other thing was the lack of remorse on part of the characters which somehow brought them to life because it is uncommon to see people realize and accept their wrongdoings. Same thing happened here.
So, basically, I do recommend this book because it can be very moving for some people. The book was written with keeping in mind the stereotypes we see in the society and it held onto that and expressed how situations are so stuffing because of these very stereotypes.
When I first read the blurb, I thought this book will be something different from what I actually read. I anticipated some great changes in how people think or something as monumental but well what I got was quite unexpected. Basically, it was reality. Reality in its core, the most gruesome scenes and ideologies described. Starting from crimes, accidents, gossips, catcalling, assumptions about someone's character, gender roles, restrictions on women, societal norms and constraints, rape, sexual assault, drug abuse, domestic violence, misogyny, patriarchy, child abuse in form of physical abuse, bullying, depression and death.
I wasn't surprised by where the plot was going because this is something one sees around a lot. So it didn't hit me hard because the situations got worse and worse. And somewhere again it had the same thing, about seeking validation from someone else, leading to realization that you are worthy. Which is fine but I didn't really want to see it here. The thing I really loved about this book was that the author didn't shy away from discussing these topics. It was like an open ended discussion, you know, it lead you to form your own perspectives and theories about the characters and the issues discussed. The other thing was the lack of remorse on part of the characters which somehow brought them to life because it is uncommon to see people realize and accept their wrongdoings. Same thing happened here.
So, basically, I do recommend this book because it can be very moving for some people. The book was written with keeping in mind the stereotypes we see in the society and it held onto that and expressed how situations are so stuffing because of these very stereotypes.
Fairytale by Danielle Steel
3.0
This review is long overdue.
Fairytale is a modern adaptation of the old classic - Cinderella. This was definitely the very reason I picked up this novel and, well, to put it... it was too similar to the plot we see in Cinderella.
Camille's parents are "the perfect couple". The books starts with describing how they met (Christophe and Joy), how they instantly knew they were made for each other, it was an easy romance and they knew they would end up together. Christophe always knew he wanted to get into winery business and Joy being a business intellectual, they decided to move to Napa Valley in order to build their own vineyard and a chateau to have their own peaceful living. Camille inherits her mother's intellect and starts at a young age to look into the business matters. Soon after Camille's graduation, Joy dies of breast cancer and it is up to Camille to take care of the estate and her father's distress.
Up till this time the story was going okay. I mean the setting seemed too idyllic but it was alright. The story progresses with us meeting the sophisticated French lady who apparently has shifted to Napa Valley out of the blue. She is going around throwing lavish parties and it is during one such party that she meets Christophe. Now, the thing is this whole plot scenario was just too much. The lady wanted to apparently 'fish for a man who would take care of her expenses' and that's why she came to Napa Valley. First of all, to find a partner I don't know why she would come to a literally secluded area where it would be apparent that mostly families live?? Second of all, it was kind of stupid of her to go around throwing parties, I mean you got money why are you wasting it just to lure men in?? And third of all, this scenario seems really regressive to me...
Now the point here is that she was after this particular rich and handsome friend of Christophe whose wife died of breast cancer just like Joy a few years before her. That guy instantly seemed to know that she was after his money and he even warned Christophe to stay away and alert of her. Now the plot seemed to progress in a way that he somehow ends up having a fling with her and they have repetitive such flings and somehow he ends up proposing her. Did I mention it was kind of just 6 months after Joy died? Well, moving on... we have the same plot lines that we see in Cinderella... somehow Christophe and Camille become distant, the lady (I forgot her name lol) makes a ton of changes in the house, Camille feels sad and burdened etc.
Now, Christophe used to travel a lot for his business trips and after Joy died, this came to a standstill. But Camille had persuaded him to continue with the trips. It is in such a sudden manner that he dies. He kept everything in Camille's name and this is where the plot becomes more sinister and the lady and her two sons try to coerce money out of her. Things get so bad that they are ready to murder her by any means. And well, I want to describe the plot more but I guess it can potentially be a spoiler so I'll stop.
The writing style was good, no doubt about it. It was written in the same format how Fairytales are actually written. The fact that it was a modern adaptation of Cinderella could be seen clearly from the way story progressed. It's just that it somehow was regressive in the sense I had to question whether this actually happened or not. No doubt such cases aren't uncommon but I expected to have a plot twist in such a manner that we see a different approach to this particular story. I liked how Camille's romance was not the focal point of the whole story but at the same time who she ends up saying she loves him was kind of cliched. VERY. But leaving that aside, there were only a handful of characters I actually liked - The grandmother, Joy, Christophe's friend (we don't see a lot of him but he was a good character) and Camille as well although I hoped she would have taken more of an action.
Lastly, it isn't like the book was full of old stereotypes, there were certain key points that I really liked such as characters like Joy. We see that there were two types of relationships that were depicted - one where marriage was the answer and one where companionship was. And as I said earlier, romance wasn't the key point and honestly it would have been better if it wasn't present at all. It was fairly easy to guess how the plot would progress and end and that was a major meh point for me. So I would just say that liking this book is very subjective I guess, it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But of course, you can give it a try.
*NOTE* I read this book just before a major reading slump hit me or it was during the slump? I don't remember. That could be one of the reasons why the review sounds so critical.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Plane Crash, mention of poisoning leading to death, arson, brief scene of sexual assault, ill-treatment of people, misogynistic characters.
Fairytale is a modern adaptation of the old classic - Cinderella. This was definitely the very reason I picked up this novel and, well, to put it... it was too similar to the plot we see in Cinderella.
Camille's parents are "the perfect couple". The books starts with describing how they met (Christophe and Joy), how they instantly knew they were made for each other, it was an easy romance and they knew they would end up together. Christophe always knew he wanted to get into winery business and Joy being a business intellectual, they decided to move to Napa Valley in order to build their own vineyard and a chateau to have their own peaceful living. Camille inherits her mother's intellect and starts at a young age to look into the business matters. Soon after Camille's graduation, Joy dies of breast cancer and it is up to Camille to take care of the estate and her father's distress.
Up till this time the story was going okay. I mean the setting seemed too idyllic but it was alright. The story progresses with us meeting the sophisticated French lady who apparently has shifted to Napa Valley out of the blue. She is going around throwing lavish parties and it is during one such party that she meets Christophe. Now, the thing is this whole plot scenario was just too much. The lady wanted to apparently 'fish for a man who would take care of her expenses' and that's why she came to Napa Valley. First of all, to find a partner I don't know why she would come to a literally secluded area where it would be apparent that mostly families live?? Second of all, it was kind of stupid of her to go around throwing parties, I mean you got money why are you wasting it just to lure men in?? And third of all, this scenario seems really regressive to me...
Now the point here is that she was after this particular rich and handsome friend of Christophe whose wife died of breast cancer just like Joy a few years before her. That guy instantly seemed to know that she was after his money and he even warned Christophe to stay away and alert of her. Now the plot seemed to progress in a way that he somehow ends up having a fling with her and they have repetitive such flings and somehow he ends up proposing her. Did I mention it was kind of just 6 months after Joy died? Well, moving on... we have the same plot lines that we see in Cinderella... somehow Christophe and Camille become distant, the lady (I forgot her name lol) makes a ton of changes in the house, Camille feels sad and burdened etc.
Now, Christophe used to travel a lot for his business trips and after Joy died, this came to a standstill. But Camille had persuaded him to continue with the trips. It is in such a sudden manner that he dies. He kept everything in Camille's name and this is where the plot becomes more sinister and the lady and her two sons try to coerce money out of her. Things get so bad that they are ready to murder her by any means. And well, I want to describe the plot more but I guess it can potentially be a spoiler so I'll stop.
The writing style was good, no doubt about it. It was written in the same format how Fairytales are actually written. The fact that it was a modern adaptation of Cinderella could be seen clearly from the way story progressed. It's just that it somehow was regressive in the sense I had to question whether this actually happened or not. No doubt such cases aren't uncommon but I expected to have a plot twist in such a manner that we see a different approach to this particular story. I liked how Camille's romance was not the focal point of the whole story but at the same time who she ends up saying she loves him was kind of cliched. VERY. But leaving that aside, there were only a handful of characters I actually liked - The grandmother, Joy, Christophe's friend (we don't see a lot of him but he was a good character) and Camille as well although I hoped she would have taken more of an action.
Lastly, it isn't like the book was full of old stereotypes, there were certain key points that I really liked such as characters like Joy. We see that there were two types of relationships that were depicted - one where marriage was the answer and one where companionship was. And as I said earlier, romance wasn't the key point and honestly it would have been better if it wasn't present at all. It was fairly easy to guess how the plot would progress and end and that was a major meh point for me. So I would just say that liking this book is very subjective I guess, it is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But of course, you can give it a try.
*NOTE* I read this book just before a major reading slump hit me or it was during the slump? I don't remember. That could be one of the reasons why the review sounds so critical.
Trigger Warnings: Death, Plane Crash, mention of poisoning leading to death, arson, brief scene of sexual assault, ill-treatment of people, misogynistic characters.
The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics by The Kao, Min Christensen, David Daneman
5.0
I first heard about this anthology through Snailords account (he has a story in it!) and I immediately knew I had to read this book.
I loved the simple narration of all the experiences of the contributors. There's something amazing about depictions of self-love and acceptance of one's identity and I'm so glad I get to read this anthology. Not only did I discover different experiences but also some amazing artists I'm going to Google asap!
I loved the simple narration of all the experiences of the contributors. There's something amazing about depictions of self-love and acceptance of one's identity and I'm so glad I get to read this anthology. Not only did I discover different experiences but also some amazing artists I'm going to Google asap!