Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 5

by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars The team has made it to Akira’s hometown and are settling in nicely. That is until a group of miscreants with their own bucket list enact their plan to cause chaos and turn everyone into zombies. Now they’ll have to team up…

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The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

4 stars Delightfully strange. This book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who keep the universe working properly as they go up against sabotage, covert operations, and family struggles. Fascinating characters. Unique dynamics. Such an interesting story. Honestly, there were parts of the science and interworking that went right over my head, but it…

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Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 4

by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Another strange and delightful volume of zombie apocalypse adventures. Akira continues his bucket list with friends Kencho and Shizuka, heading toward his childhood hometown. Along the way, they pick up a new ally and enjoy some rest and relaxation along with hard…

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Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 3

by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 3 stars Akira and Kencho make plans to leave Tokyo, but first they must secure a new set of wheels. They reunite with an acquaintance at an RV show, team up, and hit the road. But the journey is not without unforeseen obstacles. I…

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Gwei the Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee

Illustrated by Basia Tran 5 stars Heartwarming and sweet. Hungry ghost Gwei can’t wait to head into the city for the Ghost Festival to snack on all his favorite foods. But no matter how much he eats, he always feels empty. It isn’t until he meets another hungry little ghost that he learns maybe it’s…

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Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 2

by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Action, humor, and absurdity. Reunited during the zombie apocalypse, best friends Akira and Kencho set off to complete their list of 100 Things I Want to Do Before Becoming a Zombie. This volume follows their attempts to play video games on a…

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Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 1

by Haro Aso Illustrated by Kotaro Takata Translated by Nova Skipper 4 stars Akira Tendo plans to work hard and make it big. But when he lands a job at an exploitative corporations, his life becomes a living hell. He has no social life, can’t talk to the girl of his dreams, and moves through…

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Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

4 stars A fascinating blend of science fiction and the supernatural paired with romance, music, found family, and questions of what makes a legacy. I really enjoyed the genre mixing. Donut-making aliens, deals with the Devil, and passion for music collide in such a unique way. Like the Béla Bartók piece that plays such a…

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Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books

by Hwang Bo-reum Translated by Shanna Tan Narrated by Rosa Escoda 3 stars A delightfully cozy collection of essays about the joys and comfort of books and reading. Bo-reum shares different ways to read more and connect more deeply with the books you read. Nicely written with an interesting blend of literature, memoir, and moments…

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Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada

Illustrated by Ko Hyung-Ju 3 stars A semi-autobiographical tale set in 1983 during South Korea’s Fifth Republic. When book-loving Kim Hyun Sook starts college, she has big dreams of classes, learning, and campus life. But when she’s invited to join an unconventional book club, her whole world changes. She soon finds herself within a world…

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