There Are Things I Can't Tell You by Edako Mofumofu

 
There Are Things I Can't Tell You by Edako Mofumofu
My Rating: ★★★

I received a copy from Diamond Book Distributors through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kyousuke and Kasumi have been close friends since they met in elementary school. Complete opposites, the pair were drawn to one another and quickly became friends. Now out of college, their friendship teeters on the edge of becoming something more as they struggle to define their feelings for one another. The only problem is that they are both too self-conscious to put their feelings on the table and clear the air.

I thought this was a realistic plot about best friends who have feelings for each other struggling to figure out what that means on top of talking about them. It was quite realistic to see them struggling with their sexuality, especially during a flashback sequence where Kyousuke overhears a conversation between his parents where homosexuality is described as disgusting. Starting to realize that you are attracted to the same gender and beginning to learn that people are against it is an unforgettable memory.

I think that the story does a great job at bringing depth and realism to the story in many ways. It’s quite heartbreaking to watch these two characters struggle with their sexuality, grappling with how society views same sex couples, and remembering their own hardships from their upbringing. Kyousuke is a well-developed character and majority of the story is told through him and his experiences, so I understood him well.

At the same time, I think the story is lacking in other areas. I think that there are parts of this story that are not very memorable and will easily be forgotten as time goes on. Kasumi is not developed well, and I feel like I only got to know him on a superficial level. In fact, Kyousuke is the only fully developed character in the story. I wish that we got to learn more about Kasumi outside of what we did learn. He was a little too glossed over, which made him a little hard to follow at times.

I also think that the flashbacks and the overall timeline could have been handled better. There were a couple flashbacks that threw me through a loop because I couldn’t tell if they were a flashback or taking place in the present at first. Because of this, I honestly thought the story was going to reveal that Kasumi was dead at some point because of the way the timeline was handled.

While I do have a few complaints, I think that the overall story itself is good and I’d like to read more from Edako Mofumofu in the future.

The Numerology Guidebook: Uncover Your Destiny and the Blueprint of Your Life by Michelle Buchanan

The Numerology Guidebook by Michelle Buchanan
My Rating: ★★★★★

Taking the next step in my path to learn numerology, I picked up this book and was not disappointed. This is a nice, detailed book that begins with an explanation on numerology and how there’s a difference between modern and old school numerology. Neither is wrong, it’s all up to personal preference. From there, the book dives into how to calculate your core numbers before diving into the juicy bits.

There is a lot of useful information on learning numerology along with how to compile your own numerology profile. The instructions on how to calculate core numbers along with other numbers, such as challenge numbers, are clear and nothing is left to the imagination. I like that there’s multiple ways to calculate the numbers so that people can choose the method that makes the most sense to them. The question that I had with a different numerology book was do we reduce the number if we get a power number? Michelle Buchanan provides an explanation on this so calculating is left without questions.

I love how much information is in this book without making it overwhelming for anyone dipping their toes into numerology for the first time. There are clear explanations and how to blend the information you get from the numbers together to create a clear profile. I also like that it encourages to look at both the power number and what it reduces to if you get a power number in your core numbers. There’s a reason for this and it makes a lot of sense.

Toward the end of the book, there’s other numbers to check out for when selecting baby names, pet names, and so on. I decided to calculate the numbers for my cats even though I named them when I adopted them. Their numbers are spot on. It’s pretty interesting how a name can tell us so much about a person, place, or animal.

Numerology is so interesting. I’m glad I came across this book because it’s very informative and I highly recommend it for other people just getting into numerology.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Dragó

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Dragó

My Rating: ★★★★★

Gustavo is great at being a ghost, but he’s feeling lonely because he doesn’t have any friends. You see, Gustavo is so shy that he finds it difficult to talk to people. What’s even worse is that he discovers no one tries to talk to him because they can’t see him!

This is such a cute little story about a shy ghost who just wants to make friends. The story is very short and simple, making it a perfect read for small children. The artwork is very pretty and detailed, but simple enough for kids to follow along and enjoy as they read it. If this had been around when I was a kid, I know it would’ve been among my collection because I loved ghosts and monster stories when I was a kid.

I think it’s the perfect heartwarming and encouraging story for kids. Gustavo is shy and people can’t see him because he’s a ghost, but he works up the courage to strike out and make friends. Just when he thinks no one was coming to see him, he decides to play his violin anyway. It turns out he glows when he’s doing what he loves, which draws in all the people he invited to come watch him play, allowing him to finally form new friendships. It’s a great encouraging and uplifting story for kids to read and enjoy, especially for kids who are very shy.

One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks

 

One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks

My Rating: ★★★

Juniper is one step closer to her dream of becoming a doctor when she wins a scholarship to a prominent private school. Excited to get the ultimate education at Ellsmere Academy, she discovers that she feels out of place as soon as she arrives. It turns out that she’s the only student there on scholarship. Making a close friend and evil enemy right off the bat, Juniper finds herself in for a wild ride during her first semester at the school.

This is such as sweet story that is more about friendship than anything else. Juniper is new and the only kid at the school on scholarship, so she sticks out from the rest of the kids for not being a rich legacy student. Meanwhile, Cassie has been at the school since she was a kid and doesn’t have many friends. Instead, she’s picked on and called an orphan by the resident school bully. I loved how positive Juniper and her new friend, Cassie, bonded and became essentially best friends right off the bat. Their friendship is what I love about the story.

The artwork is also absolutely beautiful. I love how vibrant the colors are and how the artwork really brings the story to life before you read the dialogue. I also enjoyed seeing the drawing process for re-inking the story at the end of the book. It was really need to see and I think it’s a nice bonus.

While I loved the story, I do have two issues. I’m disappointed that Emily, the school bully, got a slap on the wrist for her evil deeds. I know she was forgiven by Juniper, but I think it’s a shame that not much happened with Emily as the story ended. No meeting with her parents, nothing. Just a slap on the wrist and an order to stay away from Juniper and Cassie.

My second issue is the lack of a fantasy plot. I was expecting some form of magical realism, but a long running school myth and the appearance of a mythological being for a few seconds was it. From the synopsis, I was expecting much more on the fantasy front. Instead, it seemed to be inserted at the end without much thought.

That said, I do like the story. I just wish that the fantasy aspect was well executed and that the story itself was longer because it ends abruptly.

Kawaii Doodle World: Sketching Super-Cute Doodle Scenes with Cuddly Characters, Fun Decorations, Whimsical Patterns, and More by Pic Candle; Zainab Khan

 

Kawaii Doodle World: Sketching Super-Cute Doodle Scenes with Cuddly Characters, Fun Decorations, Whimsical Patterns, and More by Pic Candle; Zainab Khan
My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Are you ready to level up your doodling skills? With this book, you can learn how to doodle various kawaii characters and add some simple techniques to your drawing skills.

This book is absolutely adorable. I saw it and thought it was so cute. I’m always doodling, so I thought it’d be a cute book to get. Inside, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to draw various characters in addition to how to take these characters and create a big picture with them. There’s all kinds of neat little additions the book covers as well, such as patterns that you can use to give your doodles extra dimension.

At the back of the book, there’s a few search-and-find puzzles that also double as coloring pages. If you can’t find the item you’re looking for in the picture, there’s an answer key at the very end. I thought it was a cute idea as well as a great way to end the book.

I think this is a great book for kids learning how to draw because it teaches you how to draw simple characters and patterns. It has some simple yet great drawing techniques that will be easy for kids to pick up and really feel like they are learning without the pressure of producing a masterpiece. The step-by-step instructions are easy for kids to follow, so I think it’s the perfect book to get for any kid interested in drawing.

Ever After by Olivia Vieweg

 

Ever After by Olivia Vieweg
My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Vivi and Eva are living in a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse. Leaving the safety of the place they called home, they find themselves out in a world of wonder. The problem? This beautiful world is also riddled with the undead while the two fight to survive the horrors of their past and present.

I love all things zombies, so I was excited to get this book and read it. It’s dark and sad while somehow managing to have a positive and lighthearted message. I know that this sounds like an odd combination, but I swear that it works for the story. It does get very dark, and there is an attempted suicide very early on, but it does get positive down the line.

Vivi and Eva are living in a terrible situation. They’ve survived zombies for two years and have horrible memories associated with the beginning of the zombie apocalypse all the way up to the present. Unfortunately for Eva, she’s hiding that she’s been infected and is turning into a zombie, so she lashes out quite a bit. Meanwhile, Vivi is continuing to deal with depression and PTSD along with the guilt she has about her sister. While they both feel very alone, they’ve also accidentally found a friend in each other.

What I like about this comic is that it’s a slice of life story. We don’t find out why or how the zombie apocalypse started or how many communities full of the living are out there. The story only tells us what Vivi and Eva are going through in the present. Anything we learn about the past is through their memories, and anything about other people are based on who they meet along the way. I think it’s an interesting take on a zombie story because it’s not about the zombies nor is it necessarily about surviving the apocalypse. It’s about two people finding a way to survive the hardships they’ve each been dealt and discovering there is light for them to hold onto.

While I enjoyed the story, I also loved the artwork. It’s absolutely beautiful. If Olivia Vieweg’s other work is translated into English, I will definitely check them out.

Werewolf on the Western Front (Avery & Carter Book 2) by Shane Carrow

Werewolf on the Western Front by Shane Carrow

My Rating: ★★★★

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a few years since Lucas Avery and Sam Carter have seen each other. Their shared bond is just the past for Sam when he finds himself on patrol in France. Sam and his unit are chasing after some deserters when they hear a wolf howling. What’s odd is that everyone claims it’s impossible since there are no wolves in France. In an even stranger turn of events, a werewolf hunts down Sam, his unit, and the deserters they were chasing. Sam’s past is no longer the past when he survives the werewolf attack and finds himself in Lucas Avery’s company once again.

I was super excited when I saw that the novella I enjoyed so much was becoming a series. I was expecting more of the cheesy and goofy fun story that the novella brought and was met with that with more serious tones mixed in. The change in tone makes sense since the characters are in the thick of things during WWI. This makes the story darker than before, which also means it comes with more war information to make the story and its setting seem more realistic.

While the setting is darker than before, Sam and Lucas are the same two characters fumbling around and making obvious mistakes. This time around, a new character is added to their group. Otto brings a little extra dimension to the story while also bringing a little romance to the table for one of the characters. I loved the way all three characters balanced with each other and brought the story alive. Otto seems like a sweet guy and I hope to see him again as the series continues. The way his story was tied up, I think it could go either way.

As for Sam and Lucas, I loved them as always. They changed very little during their two years apart and it was great to see them reunite and enter a new investigation. I was hoping that what appeared to be a budding romance between them in the novella would take shape, but that appears to be off the table at the present. If that ever changes, I will be here for it.

Speaking of Lucas, I was hoping that we would get a lot more information on his vampirism. There was some development on that front, but I am a little disappointed that his personal situation was mostly about him not answering the call of his vampire side. It’s been two years since the novella took place. I was hoping for more development on that front than what we got. Hopefully there’s more development on this front in the next book even if it’s him struggling with it after tapping into some of those abilities.

As far as the mystery goes, Sam and Lucas are chasing after a werewolf this time around. I thought the werewolf lore Shane Carrow went with was interesting and a little different than what I usually see. While I figured out who the werewolf was early on, I still enjoyed seeing how the characters put two and two together on their own. I thought it was an interesting take on werewolves down to the showdown once all was revealed to the characters.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next installment. I’m also interested in seeing what supernatural entity Carrow will bring to life next.

Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi: More Than 40 Itty-Bitty Minis to Knit, Wear, and Give by Anna Hrachovec

Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi: More Than 40 Itty-Bitty Minis to Knit, Wear, and Give by Anna Hrachovec

My Rating: ★★★★★

I’ve been dying to pick this book up for some time and finally got it. I love to knit toys and cute items to sit on display, so it’s been on my list for a while. I finally picked it up not long ago because my cats like to pick up and throw small knitted items in the air. I thought I’d make them some cute toys with this book.

I’m happy to say that this is an adorable book with clear instructions for those who are newer to knitting. I like that there are clear instructions on the techniques you’ll be using with various patterns in addition to pictures before the pattern chapters begin. While the knitting abbreviations are at the back of the book instead of the front, I think that anyone new to knitting or unfamiliar with the terms will find it easy to flip to the back of the book as needed. Plus, there’s a great section at the back called knitting essentials that includes instructions on how to do various stitches and other techniques not listed at the front of the book. I think it’s odd that the knitting essentials section isn’t at the front of the book with the other tips and techniques, but it doesn’t bother me.

The patterns are cute, easy to understand, and have pictures showing how to approach the different steps. I think that it’s perfect for anyone knew to knitting in addition to anyone new to dealing with embroidery and stuffed items. Plus, the pictures showing each finished item are absolutely adorable. I’m very happy with this book and plan on making some cute tiny additions to my key-chain next.