Candy Bunny Reader

  I have been reading books that were recommended to me by some of you and some people in my personal life.  Thanks to all of you who recommended me something! Here's what I've gotten around to so far: 1. The Creepy Cat manga series by Cotton Valent --Really loved all four books! I gave each of them 4 stars . 2. Greenglass House by Kate Milford --Really cool book! I gave it 4 stars . 3. Don't Sleep There are Snakes by Daniel Everett --Unfortunately I DNF this one. I didn't like the author's writing style. 4. Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper --I am going to read this one soon! 5. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern --I will also be reading this soon! 6. The Savior's Book Café in Another World by Kyouka Izumi --Still need to read it, too. 7. Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie --Unfortunately I DNF this one. I just didn't vibe with the story. But I do want to try the author's other books! 8. Donuts Under a Crescent Moon by Shio Usui --Al...

  This book is a part of the 12 books by 12 friends reading challenge. Passing for Human by Liana Finck is a graphic novel memoir of the author growing up in addition to her family's history. The central theme is "finding your shadow...again", which is basically a message of never losing sight of who you really are, even when the world seems against you. The author illustrates this through her own love of art. Sometimes the main story line gets interrupted with the Creation story from Genesis, but it ties in really well with the overall theme.  This was such an emotional and moving memoir! I love Finck's art style--it is so unique and whimsical. I gave this book a solid 5 stars .

  I read a total of 12 books and I DNF 7 . Reviews are linked when applicable.   The following books got 5 stars from me: 1.  Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston . Full review here . 2. Basil and Oregano by Melissa Caprigione . Full review here . 3. Moment of Truth by Kasie West . Full review here . 4. Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo . Full review here . 5. Witch Hat Kitchen Volume 4 by Kamome Shirahama 6. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Volumes 4 and 5 by Saki Mikami 7. Neighborhood Story Volumes 1 and 2 by Ai Yazawa . Full review here .   The following books got 4.5 stars: 1. I Hope this Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang . Full review here . 2. A Sign of Affection Volume 8 by Suu Morishita .   This book got 4 stars: Greenglass House by Kate Milford . Full review here .   The following books I DNF because I thought the story was bad/didn't enjoy them: 1. When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin 2. Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls 3. Don't...

  There weren't many books that I gave a low rating, but there are waaaay more books that I DNF (did not finish). I guess you can consider this an unpopular opinions post. Luckily tomorrow I will post the best books of the year which includes new favorites! Worst Books (all 2 stars): 1. Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch 2. To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han 3. Magic for Marigold by LM Montgomery I decided this year to split the DNF list into 3 categories. From books I thought were boring,  books I thought were bad, and nonfiction books that were actually pretty interesting, but made their points very early on and could've been shortened down.  Here are the books I DNF because I found them boring/couldn't get into them: 1. Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman 2. To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf 3. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 4. Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth 5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 6. Rickety Stitch Volume 1 by Ben Costa a...

  Before I get into it, I have decided this will be the last Nonfiction November prompt of this year I will participate in.  I also don't feel like participating in NN next year. I don't think my feelings will change from here and next November. So what illustrated nonfiction books do I recommend? Pretty much every graphic novel memoir that I like, such as: (Pics were found on Google Images) I hope you like these books as much as I do!

  Somehow I forgot to post on here my book recommendation for day 18 of Nonfiction November! So I am putting here along with day 19. Day 18 was a pop culture book. I recommend: Day 19 is a prize winner. I recommend:

Well, even though most of what I've been reading has been disappointing recently, I do have this one nonfiction book on my TBR about foxes I'd like to checkout sometime! Here it is: (Pic was found on Google Images) Do you like reading about animals, too?

  I interpreted this prompt to mean a nonfiction book about music. So here's a book on my TBR that is about music: (Pic was found on Google Images) This is a memoir published in 2020 with a focus on Dolly Parton's music career. I might not read it this year, but I hope to get around to it sometime! What's your favorite Dolly Parton song? Mine is Here You Come Again. You can listen to it here:

  I don't believe this book was actually published at my undergrad university, but it was a book that they gave out to everyone in my incoming freshman class. And the university's logo is on it! It's an interesting account on several different families who live in poverty in the country. It really makes you think and see things differently on how we live and spending habits.  Do you know any other books on economics and how people live?

  Funny enough, this book's title has the word "stranger" in it! I read this book last year and it blew my mind. It's the true story of this guy named Christopher Knight who willingly lived in isolation in Maine for 27 years (1986-2013). He was dubbed the "North Pond Hermit". This book is written by a journalist who interviewed Christopher shortly after he was arrested. You can read the full review on my blog here . Do you know any other strange but true stories?

  We've finally arrived to part 10 of my underrated books series! I hope you like these books too. Or are planning on reading them thanks to me.  Goodreads links are provided, too. 1. Word by Word by Korey Stamper .  It's an informational nonfiction book on how the Merriam-Webster dictionary is made, written by someone who has worked there.  2. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell . A hilarious middle grade book about a boy named Billy who won't lose to a bet to eat fried worms. After all, he needs the money to buy a new bike! 3. Cake Pop Crush by Suzanne Nelson . A cute middle grade book of a girl who tries to save her family's old fashioned bakery when a rival bakery comes into town. And she catches the attention of the owner's son. 4. Bone series by Jeff Smith . An epic (and sometimes funny) fantasy adventure with a unique art style. 

  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...

So this is just a snapshot of the books I plan on reading and series I want to finish/catch up on in 2024. As always, the list is subject to change. This is just what I am currently in the mood for and can see myself reading/finishing/catching up with at least in the first half of 2024. Tell me your reading plans for 2024! Witch Hat Atelier Volume 11 by Kamome Shirahama Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townscend Serafina and the Twisted Staff by Robert Beatty Cosmoknights Volume 2 by Hannah Templar A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf The Story Girl by LM Montgomery Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Trumpet of the Swan by EB White   North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill Unbowed by Wangari Mathai Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson Holes by Louis Sachar Piranesi by Susana Clark Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes If You still Recognize Me by Cynthia So Ellie Engle Saves Herself...

  Aka the best books of this year, along with their respective reviews. Tell me your best books of the year! Here are mine... Among the Brave by Margaret Peterson Haddix Heartstopper Volume 4  by Alice Oseman Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman Legends and Lattes  by Travis Baldree Sleeping Around  by Morgan Vega Talli: Daughter of the Moon  by Sulhya Among the Enemy by Margaret Peterson Haddix Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix Bone Volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 by Jeff Smith Milk and Honey  by Rupi Kaur Nancy Drew and the Bungalow Mystery  by Carolyn Keene Witch Hat Atelier Volumes 1 , 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10 by Kamome Shirahama Nancy Drew and the Mystery at Lilac Inn  by Carolyn Keene Garlic and the Vampire  by Bree Paulsen Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen Laziness Does Not Exist  by Devon Price Chef's Kiss  by Jarrett Melendez The Doll People set Sail by Ann M. Martin How to be Ace  by Rebecca Burgess One Pi...

I read a total of 7 books! It was a great reading month. Links to full reviews will be applied when necessary. Let me know how your reading month went! 1. The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw -a historical fiction book set during and after WW2 in Hiroshima, in Japan. We follow the everyday life of 12 year old Yuriko as she deals with new changes within her own family and also best friend, Machiko. We also see her deal with the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing. It is loosely based off of the author's mother's own life. This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions! I gave it 5 stars . Full review here . 2. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend -a middle grade fantasy book about Morrigan Crow, an preteen girl who doesn't have the best life. She was born on Eventide--considered an unlucky day in her community. She is blamed for everything bad that happens, and her curse dooms her to die on her 11th birthday. But on her birthday, ...

Over on my Instagram page I was tagged by @bookdragon_24 to list some popular books I haven't read yet. Thank you, Ellie! Here is my list: The Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Dracula by Bram Stoker To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han Piranesi by Susanna Clarke The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Bouley Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner There is way more but this is what I will mention for now. That's why I have my reels of samples of my TBR over on my Instagram page for you to see what I plan on reading sometime in the future!

  I was tagged in this challenge over on Instagram by @edit.write.read.caffeinate . Check out her page! And as always, I don't tag anyone specifically. Feel free to do this tag if you feel like it! T-A book that taught me something: Laziness Does Not Exist by Dr. Devon Price . (You can see my review for it here ). This book was all about embracing rest and how being a workaholic is a product of capitalism.  E-A book I didn't want to end: I am kind of cheating with this answer because it's actually a graphic novel series, but I will say the Bone series by Jeff Smith . As of writing this post I have 5 books left to read in the series and the story is soooo good I don't want it to end just yet ! There is smaller additional material but I don't feel like reading all of it. I am only reading the main series.  A-A book by an author I love: The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery . I read it last year and it was an instant favorite (review here )! I might be done with the Anne se...

I wonder if the author of this book and I are long lost twins. They are asexual and autistic just like me, and also likes anime and cartoons.  How to Be Ace by Rebecca Burgess is a graphic novel of the author's experiences finding out they are asexual, and their experience navigating a world that puts heavy emphasis on romantic and sexual relationships. The meat of the narrative is them talking about how they felt lonely very frequently because it was hard for them to get into a serious relationship like a lot of their peers, but then they felt comfortable finding joy in just having friends. One of their friends is named Sophie and is also asexual like them! Other narrative threads include their experience having OCD and the struggle of trying to find a job after graduating during the 2008-2009 Great Recession. They also pause the story several times to explain more about the asexual and aromantic spectrums, as well as debunking myths on aroace people.  I just loved this book...

  I saw this tag over at the Instagram page of @writingwithcaitlin and decided to do it! Besides, it's been a long time since I did a book tag. 1. Next book you are planning to read: well, I am reading some smaller books (most notably the Witch Hat Atelier manga series) while I am reading my current bigger book ( I Capture the Castle ), so my next big read will be The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw . 2. Latest addition to my TBR: The Farmer's Son: Calving Season on a Family Farm by John Connell. 3. Most hyped book on my TBR: I have sooooo many hyped books on my TBR. To give a single answer, I will say: A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers .  4. Most popular genre on my TBR: I believe I mostly have romance and fantasy books. 5. Prettiest cover on my TBR: Probably a lot of them. If I had to choose one, I'd say The Star Thief by Lindsay Becker. As always, feel free to do this tag if you see this! I'd love to see your answers. 

TW: Brief mention of suicide. Ever had dreams of becoming a total hermit? Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel is a informational nonfiction book about the true story of Christopher Thomas Knight--a man in Maine who lived in isolation in a tent in the woods for 27 years. Specifically 1986 to 2013. He survived and lived by stealing people's stuff and food from nearby cabins whenever other people weren't around. Journalist Michael Finkel (the author) tells us Knight's life story up until his arrest in 2013, and then shortly after his arrest, and the possible reasons why he chose to isolate himself from society for so long. The book is mostly framed with Finkel telling us how he was able to meet Knight and the conversations he had with him. Intertwined throughout the story are snippets of how Knight's life was before and during his isolation period. Finkel also interviewed people who lived near Knight's camping ground, his family, and other people who knew him growi...