As I look outside my window:
Right now I am:
Thinking and pondering:
On my bedside table:
On my tv this week:
Listening to:
On the menu for this week:
Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday
Sunday -
On my to do list:
Happening this week:
Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -
What I am creating:
My simple pleasures:
Looking around the house:
From the camera:
Title: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 3
Author: Milcha
Publisher: Yen Press 2023
Genre: Manga
Pages: 288
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
It’s off to the temple for the torch-lighting ceremony! But what should be a mundane ritual is turned on its head when the legendary priest Heika Demint takes a liking to Raeliana…and demands Noah break up with her?! Meanwhile, Vivian Shamal is determined to have the duke for herself—and desperate times call for desperate (and deadly) measures. As the day of Beatrice and Noah’s fated first encounter approaches and the terms of Raeliana and Noah’s engagement draw to a close, it seems inevitable for the couple to go their separate ways… So why does Noah insist he still needs his fake fiancée?!
Oh we get a villain character introduced in this volume! I love seeing Raeliana adjust to the differences from the book and what she is actually experiencing. I’m very obsessed with this series. It’s just so much fun!
Why Raeliana….
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 2
Author: Whale
Publisher: Yen Press 2018
Genre: Manga
Pages: 272
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
Raeliana McMillan thought she was escaping death through her fake engagement to Duke Noah Wynknight…only to realize that he’s a whole different kind of danger! Thoughtful and flirty one moment, cold and calculating the next, Noah is quickly blurring the line between obligation and volition. On top of that, her resentful ex and Noah’s jealous admirers all seem to be plotting against her—as if she didn’t have enough to worry about. And with the heroine Noah is fated to fall for missing, Raeliana’s starting to wonder just how much her actions are changing the story…
Yeah! We finally get this story really going! I loved seeing Raeliana interact with all the characters, especially Adam, and start to figure out her storyline. We get to see elements of more mysteries in the background as well as some great little action scenes. And we get a monster hunt! I am very intrigued as to where this is going. Also, what’s with the seemingly telepathic connection between Noah and Adam? Interesting…
Why Raeliana….
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor (The Carls #2)
Author: Hank Green
Publisher: Dutton 2020
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 452
Rating: 2/5 stars
Reading Challenges: COYER; Quarter of a Century - 2020
Where I Got It: ebook
The Carls disappeared the same way they appeared, in an instant. While the robots were on Earth, they caused confusion and destruction with only their presence. Part of their maelstrom was the sudden viral fame and untimely death of April May: a young woman who stumbled into Carl’s path, giving them their name, becoming their advocate, and putting herself in the middle of an avalanche of conspiracy theories.
Months later, April’s friends are trying to find their footing in a post-Carl world. Andy has picked up April’s mantle of fame, speaking at conferences and online; Maya, ravaged by grief, begins to follow a string of mysteries that she is convinced will lead her to April; and Miranda is contemplating defying her friends’ advice and pursuing a new scientific operation…one that might have repercussions beyond anyone’s comprehension. Just as it is starting to seem like the gang may never learn the real story behind the events that changed their lives forever, a series of clues arrive—mysterious books that seem to predict the future and control the actions of their readers—all of which seems to suggest that April could be very much alive.
In the midst of the search for the truth and the search for April is a growing force, something that wants to capture our consciousness and even control our reality. A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor is the bold and brilliant follow-up to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. It is a fast-paced adventure that is also a biting social commentary, asking hard, urgent questions about the way we live, our freedoms, our future, and how we handle the unknown.
Such a disappointment of a book. I really enjoyed Green’s first book and was interested to see what happened after April “died.” The book started well with chapters from each of April’s friends discussing their lives after the first book. Of course, we all knew that April would be back. But once she was back, the book started to go off the rails for me. There’s a whole middle section that seemed superfluous. Multiple characters just spin their wheels for entire chapters. It was boring. And then the action kicks back in and I could not care less. Too much deus ex machina and weird philosophical tangents that muddled the message.
The Carls
#2 A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 1: A His-and-hers Contract
Author: Milcha
Publisher: Yen Press 2017
Genre: Manga
Pages: 272
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
Eunha Park thought she was getting another chance at life when she awoke in the world of a novel. The only problem? Raeliana McMillan, the character she was reborn as, is fated to be killed by her fiancé! For the sake of her survival, she comes up with an idea—get into a fake marriage with a man more powerful than her groom-to-be. But when that protection comes in the form of Noah Wynknight, the duke with a warm smile and cold heart, Raeliana realizes she might be a bit in over her head…She’s going to regret this plan, isn’t she?
Okay… the premise of thus series is just silly and yet I was very intrigued by it. I was wanting something a bit more lighthearted and fun after my focus on horror manga. We dive into a book within a story and follow Eunha as she inhabits Raeliana’s body and life. The first volume was pretty slow, but that was to be expected. We needed to meet all the characters and acclimate to the world. Still I was entertained and cannot wait to keep reading.
Why Raeliana….
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Next up on the TBR pile:
Here's my randomness for the week:
I’m way too hot and sticky this week… Thank goodness for pool days.
I started an actual novel and I’m really into it. My reading may actually be getting back to normal.
Loving my new(er) jean shorts. I actually like jean shorts again?
Started a new-to-me K-drama and it’s so good! It’s Hometown Cha-cha-cha in case anyone was actually wondering.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: The Familiar
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Flatiron Books 2024
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 379
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf
Where I Got It: Book of the Month May 2024
In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position.
What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.
Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.
So incredibly boring. That’s my review…
I was so very excited to get this from BOTM last year. I was hoping for a magical fantasy mystery with great characters. Instead, I got a very very very slow moving story with just a little bit of magic and no interesting characters. Luzia wasn’t going to be that interesting, but I hoped that she would be the entry point for the readers to get involved in a great expansive mystery. Most of the book is so incredibly slow and and boring. I kept wanting the plot to actually pick up. When it finally does, it includes a romance that I really never bought at all. Why include that part? No need. I finished this reluctantly.
Next up on the TBR pile:
June TBR Pile (29/34):
Bookworms BC: Water Moon by Samantha Yambao Sotto ✓
Friend BC: The Wedding People by Alison Espach ✓
Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: (already read)
Kid Book Club: May the Best Player Win by Kyla Zhao
Kid Read Aloud: Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl ✓
Fantasy: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins ✓
Romance: Enchantra by Kaylie Smith ✓
Romance: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry ✓
Romance: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez ✓
Romance: Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti ✓
Romance: Seoulmates by Susan Lee
Comics: Uzumaki by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Betwixt
Comics: Gyo by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Deserter by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Tombs by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Soichi by Junji Ito
Comics: Alley by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Black Paradox by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Smashed by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: The Liminal Zone by Junji Ito ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 0 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 11 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 12 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 13 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 14 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 15 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 16 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17 ✓
Comics: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18 ✓
Comics: Twisted Wonderland Vol. 1 ✓
Comics: Twisted Wonderland Vol. 2 ✓
Comics: Twisted Wonderland Vol. 3 ✓
Comics: Twisted Wonderland Vol. 4 ✓
1,000,000 Page Goal
Monthly Total: 8308 pages
Pages Remaining: 147,072 pages
Current Read - The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo; Black Rose Auction series; more manga
Books I Gave Up On (1) - The Book of the Most Precious Substance by Sarah Gran: Billed as a romance thriller. It was neither. Somehow the book made sex magic boring. Gave up about halfway through.
Books Bought/Received (12)
I grabbed two books from this month’s Book of the Month selections.
A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle Jensen
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab
I also had a preorder copy of Irresistible Devil by Jenny Nordbak and Stolen Vows by San R. Miller get delivered.
And during the Bookish Retreat, I bought seven books and received two in the exchange.
The Sirens by Emilia Hart (Afterword)
Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove (Afterword)
Hooked by Emily McIntire (Under the Cover)
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa (Under the Cover)
Grave Matter by Karina Halle (Under the Cover)
Matrix by Lauren Groff (Flagship)
The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (Flagship)
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper (exchange)
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (exchange)
UnRead Shelf Progress
Starting Number: 298
Books Read: 2
Books Acquired: 12
Books Unshelved: 0
Finishing Number: 308
July TBR Pile:
Bookworms BC: Already read
Friend BC: The Mayor of Maxwell Street by Avery Cunningham
Nerdy Bookish Friends: Already read
Kid Book Club: The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele
Kid Read Aloud: TBD
Fantasy: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Scifi: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
Romance: Wicked Pursuit by Katee Robert
Romance: Divine Intervention by R.M. Virtues
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 1
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 2
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 3
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 4
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 5
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 6
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 7
Comics: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol. 8
Movies Watched
Kpop Demon Hunter - Amazing! And the soundtrack slaps.
TV Shows Watched
Leverage: Redemption
Doctor Who
Last Week Tonight
Um, Actually
Game Changer
Murderbot S1
Welcome to Wrexham S4
Andor S2
Clarkson’s Farm S4 - Finished
Goblin S1 - Finished this one. Loved it so much!
Clone High S1 - Finished
Smartypants
Alice in Borderland S2
SKZ-Talker (2022)
SKZ-Talker Go (2022)
SKZ Code (2022)
Comments - Another manga heavy month, but I’m okay with that. Beyond the reading, I did watch some great media.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Next week I am going to reveal my Number 1 Stray Kids song. But first, I thought I would do my Top 5 subunit and solo songs. Can you guess my bias?
5. Wow feat. Lee Know, Hyunjin, Felix
4. Up All Night feat. Bang Chan, Felix, Changbin, Seungmin
3. Railway - Bang Chan
2. Red Lights feat. Bang Chan and Hyunjin
1. Escape feat. Bang Chan and Hyunjin
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: The Wedding People
Author: Alison Espach
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. 2024
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 384
Rating: 2/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Read Around the US - Rhode Island
Where I Got It: Book of the Month
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.
In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.
Oof! Terrible people being terrible to each other. I really do not like reading books where people just stumble around low key being terrible to everyone around them. I understand Phoebe’s initial state of mind and the choices she makes. What I do not get is the rest of the book. No way that she radically changes her mind that quickly without true intervention. I did not find this book funny or tender. I really need to stay away from these types of contemporary fiction books.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Ne’er Duke Well (Belvoir’s Library #1)
Author: Alexandra Vasti
Publisher: Griffin 2024
Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Romanceopoly - Sunset Picnic (New-to-me Author); Cover Lover - Period Clothing
Where I Got It: Library
Spice Level: 5
Peter Kent—newly inherited Duke of Stanhope and recently of New Orleans, Louisiana—must become respectable. Between his radical politics and the time he interrupted a minor royal wedding with a flock of sheep—not his fault!—he’s developed a scandalous reputation at odds with his goal of becoming guardian to his half siblings. For help, he turns to the cleverest and most managing woman of his acquaintance, Lady Selina Ravenscroft.
Selina is society’s most proper debutante, save one tiny secret: she runs an erotic circulating library for women. When Peter asks for her help, she suggests courtship and marriage to a lady of unimpeachable reputation. (Which is to say, definitely not herself.)
But matchmaking doesn’t go according to plan. Peter’s siblings run rampant on Bond Street. Selina ends up in the Serpentine. And worst of all, the scorching chemistry between Peter and Selina proves impossible to resist. For the disreputable duke and his unpredictable matchmaker, falling in love just might be the ultimate scandal.
I don’t remember where I saw this book recommended, but the review focused on the wit and comedy along with the steam. Sounded perfect for me! I grabbed it from the library and dove in. Overall, I’m a huge fan of Peter and Selina’s love story. They are two characters clearly meant to be together, but of course, Selina doesn’t see it. I really enjoy romances where the man falls first if it’s a hetero pairing. They do have great banter throughout the book. I loved their interactions and Selina’s schemes to get Peter a wife. My biggest complaint was the quick ending. We didn’t really get to see enough of the two characters after they decide to marry. My eternal complaint about romances.
Belvoir’s Library
#1 Ne’er Duke Well
#2 Earl Crush
#3 Ladies in Hating
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18
Author: Junji Ito
Publisher: VIZ Media 2021
Genre: Manga Horror
Pages: 192
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
In order to thwart the culling game, Itadori needs the help of Kinji Hakari, a third-year who is currently suspended from Jujutsu High, so he decides to participate in an underground fight club where Hakari works as a bookie. Meanwhile, Fushiguro infiltrates the fight club and heads for Hakari’s base of operations, but another Jujutsu High third-year is using their cursed technique to block his way!
Fushiguro is back! I am so glad! I love his character and wanted to see more, but he’s been absent for multiple volumes. We get to see him team back up with Itadori to convince a suspended student to join the cause. And we learn all abut the culling game. This volume felt like it was setting up bigger events to come, but still enjoyable.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17
Author: Gege Akutami
Publisher: VIZ Media 2021
Genre: Comics
Pages: 200
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
Hunted down by Okkotsu and on the brink of death, Itadori recalls a troubling family scene from his past. But why is the former form of Noritoshi Kamo there? As the sorcerers begin to take action toward suppressing the lethal culling game, Maki pays the Zen’in clan a visit…
We get to check back in with Itadori and Okkotsu after the abrupt shift of the world in the last volume. I loved learning more about Okkotsu and get his actual game play. But my favorite section of this volume was focused on Maki. The Zen’in clan is fascinating and I was hoping to see more from them. We finally get to see the ultimate play for Maki and Mai. I cannot wait to see how this plays into the larger storyline.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 16
Author: Gege Akutami
Publisher: VIZ Media 2021
Genre: Comics
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
After he consumes Mahito’s soul, Geto reveals part of his nefarious plan to Itadori and the others. In that moment, Choso recognizes the evil sorcerer possessing Geto's body and is filled with rage! Who is this evil sorcerer, and what relation do they have to Choso? Now that Gojo is imprisoned and the foundations of jujutsu society are crumbling, what will happen to the world as it devolves into destruction and chaos?!
And with that, everything changes! We start by wrapping up the Shibuya incident and then we jump forward. Things are drastically different in this world of Tokyo. All of our heroes are on the run or are not on the page. The fate of so many is left hanging. But at least we get to check back in with Choso and Itadori and see more from the Zen’in clan. I loved seeing the reappearance of another student of Gojo’s and some more action sequences. On to the next volume!
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 15
Author: Gege Akutami
Publisher: VIZ Media
Genre: Comics
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
Sukuna is on a murderous rampage. Meanwhile, invaluabe Jujutsu Sorcerers have been taken down, and even Kugisaki falls into Mahito’s trap! Feeling the burden of his sins, Itadori finds it hard to keep going, but he rushes off to help Kugisaki anyway. Can he reach her in time?!
Another super serious volume. I couldn't imagine the story going the way it is and yet I am so invested. I really hope Kugisaki makes it, but considering what happened, I’m not confident. And we get the set-up for what seems to be last act for the Shibuya Incident.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 14
Author: Gege Akutami
Publisher: VIZ Media 2021
Genre: Comics
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
Oh no… I don’t think this incident is going to end well for our heroes, especially Idatori. Sukuna coming out was not the best plan of action, but sure made for some exciting pages. I’m still slightly confused by the weird Todo and Idatori brothers thing, but I assume it has something to do with the larger weirdness surrounding the sorcerers.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Say You’ll Remember Me
Author: Abby Jimenez
Publisher: Forever 2025
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Romanceopoly - Valentine’s Day (Grand Gesture); Read Around the USA - California
Where I Got It: Library
Spice Rating: 4
There's no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.
But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is enough to forget what's between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.
I have really enjoyed all the Jimenez romances that I’ve read before this one. But this one just really did not work for me. In general, I appreciate about Jimenez balances romances and real life obstacles and difficulties. Unfortunately, this one leaned too much on the serious plot lines. I didn’t feel that there was enough romance. Our main characters spend almost the entire book apart. I want to read romances where we get to see the main characters interact in person with each other. We didn’t get that here. Instead, there’s a lot of crying about money and Samantha’s mom’s condition. Important stuff. But this read more as a women’s lit selection than romance. A rare disappointment for me.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 13
Author: Gege Akutami
Publisher: VIZ Media 2020
Genre: Comics
Pages: 192
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!
Dagon has evolved into a terrifying curse, releasing a flood of endless cursed energy attacks at Nabito, Maki, and Nanami! At the same time, a group of curse users devoted to Geto attempt to summon the jujutsu world’s most terrifying threat.
Holy cow! So much action in this volume. And so much death. I was completely riveted by the story here. I cannot wait to see how the jujutsu sorcerers respond to Mahito and Geto’s attacks.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Next up on the TBR pile:
Based on my new obsession, I decided to do a Top 10 series of my favorite Stray Kids songs. There are so many songs, but I keep coming back to the same ones again and again. (I’m focusing on songs featuring all 8 members; no subunit or solo songs.)
Many people would probably put this song as their Number 1. I do absolutely love it, so it shows up on my Top 10, but as Number 2. Still I cannot help singing along to this one.
Bonus music show performance video.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Title: Twisted Wonderland: Book of Heartslabyul, Vol. 4
Author: Yana Toboso, Wakana Hazuki
Publisher: VIZ Media 2024
Genre: Manga
Pages: 194
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series
Where I Got It: Library
Stranded in the world of Twisted Wonderland, Yu must brave a magical school filled with ghosts, monsters, and uncooperative students!
Now that he’s officially a student at Night Raven College, Yu has to deal with Heartslabyul housewarden Riddle when his magic and emotions go wild! Yu and his fellow students Grimm, Ace, Deuce, Trey, and Cater confront the rampaging Riddle. But is he too powerful for them to get back under control?
Yeah! Such a great conclusion to this story. We get to see Riddle absolutely lose his mind a la the Queen of Hearts. We get to see how the characters react and attempt to put everything right. Chenya was a great addition to the cast. I would love to read more in this world.
Twisted Wonderland: Book of Heartslabyul
Next up on the TBR pile: