Candy Bunny Reader

  Oh, this was so adorable! I remember the anime for this one came out a few years ago, but I never got around to watching it. When I saw they had the manga at my local library I knew it was a sign to start the story. Somali and the Forest Spirit by Yako Gureishi is set in a world where magical creatures dominate and humans are nearly extinct. They had a giant war in the past against each other. Our titular forest spirit is a Golem, and he finds a little human girl named Somali who was lost in the woods. She calls him "Dad", and they decide to travel to help her find her human birth family. Somali wears a hoodie with minotaur horns on it and pretends to be a minotaur, because if other creatures found out she is actually a human, it would be dangerous. Somali and Golem encounter a lot of fascinating characters along the way, who help them and teach them so much.  This was one of those fantasy traveling stories that feel cozy but also mysterious at the same time. I'd put t...

  These are all 5 star books! What great luck that I found new favorites this year. I hope you found new favorites too! 1. One Piece Volumes 17, 18, 20, and 21 by Eichiro Oda (I read these in the beginning of the year before switching over to the anime) 2. Avatar: The Rift Volume 1 by Gene Yang 3. Witch Hat Atelier 11 and 12 by Kamome Shirahama (I also reread all the volumes up to 12 this year) 4. Akane Banashi Volumes 2 and 3 by Yuki Suenaga (although I don't feel like continuing with this series) 5. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei 6. The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo 7. Avatar North and South Volumes 1-3 by Gene Yang and Michael DiMartino 8. Avatar Imbalance Volumes 1-3 by Faith Erin Hicks 9. If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia/Holden So 10. The Sprite and the Gardener by Rii Abrego 11. Toph's Metalbending Academy by Faith Erin Hicks 12. If You'll Have Me by Eunnie 13. Unfamiliar Volumes 1 and 2 by Haley Newsome 14. Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by J...

  I'm in the mood to share more anime/manga poems! Here's one inspired by Gakuen Alice. The original manga series is by Higuchi Tachibana. The video above is the opening for the show. Poem: Best friend! Best friend! Don’t leave me! I will follow you To the ends of the earth To find you What is this place? A magical school? Do I even have Magic powers of my own? I wonder if I can make Any new friends I did! I did! Many! But of course You will always be My number-one friend Now let’s figure out what secrets This magic school is hiding

  Here are my answers for this year's Midyear Freakout Tag! I do these every end of July.  Let me know what you think! 1. Best book of the year so far? If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So 2. Best sequel(s) you read so far? Serafina and the Twisted Staff, and Serafina and the Splintered Heart, both by Robert Beatty 3. New releases you haven't read yet but want to. Funny Story by Emily Henry 4. Most anticipated releases for the 2nd half of the year. Silverborn, The Mystery of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend  Sylvia Doe and the 100 Year Flood by Robert Beatty My Salty Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows 5. Biggest disappointments of the year. Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman 6. Biggest Surprise of the Year Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans 7. Favorite new author. Robert Beatty! 8. Some new favorite character(s). I got several: Ermengarde in A L...

  You are seeing this post now because I forgot to make one in December! Luckily the "worst books" were all 3 star books. Not the worst things I ever read, but they could've been better. I will have links to their reviews if applicable. I DNF'd a total of 30 books last year. But it was worth it. Life is too short to read things you don't like/find boring. Here are the worst books of 2023: Given Volume 4 by Natsuki Kizu Given Volume 6 by Natsuki Kizu Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman Our Dreams at Dusk 2 by Yuhki Kamatani Our Dreams at Dusk 3 by Yuhki Kamatani Sheets by Brenna Thummler All of the books I DNF: Anne of Windy Poplars by LM Montgomery You're Welcome Universe by Whitney Gardner Take me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson Monday is Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson Nancy Drew and the Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene Lunch Money by Andrew Clements American Panda by Gloria Chao The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford Spinning by Tillie Wald...