by Yuta Takahashi Translated by Cat Anderson 5 stars Cozy, reflective, and soothing. The Chibineko Kitchen provides a unique opportunity. There you can receive a special kagezen, a remembrance meal, which may come with the chance to talk to a deceased loved one again. Told through a collection of interconnected stories, follow those seeking connection…
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Translated by E. Madison Shimoda 2 stars Through a narrow alley in Kyoto lies the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul, rumored to help you with what you’re struggling with in life. All you have to do is find it and open the door. Follow a collection of people as they seek out the clinic…
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2.5 stars After taking a leave of absence for her mental health, Darcy returns to her job as a public librarian. The last thing she needs is more difficulties, but she’ll have to deal with aggressive journalists, creepy emails, book bans, and protesters. Okay read. I expected to enjoy this more than I did. I…
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Translated by Geoffrey Trousselot 4 stars A sweet story that wonderfully balances the heartwarming and the heartbreaking. Café Funiculi Funicula provides customers with a unique opportunity to travel through time. However, there are some rather specific rules involved including that the present cannot be changed. Follow a handful of customers as they visit loved ones…
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5 stars I read the graphic novel adaptation of this book a few years ago and loved it. Finally got around to reading the original and was not disappointed. Molly moves with her family to a renovated church in the middle of nowhere, complete with a quiet little graveyard. The place creeps Molly out, but…
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Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff 5 stars I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The novel-in-verse genre at its finest. I absolutely loved this book. Well-written with engaging characters, powerful themes, and a wonderful story. Includes themes of friends growing apart, loss, grief, guilt, racism, crushes, masculinity, family, and societal expectations. There was…
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Illustrated by Kukka Translated by Evan Ward 3 stars A mysterious tunnel rumored to grant wishes, a pair of teens with troubled pasts, and an unexpected friendship born from the desire to know more. I’ve been really loving the manga of this and enjoyed the anime so I figured I’d check out the original light…
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Story by Mei Hachimoku Illustrated by Koudon Translated by Alexa Frank 5 stars Definitely grabbed this one for its gorgeous cover. I didn’t initially realize it was based on a light novel that was made into an anime. Even without background though, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. When Kaoru overhears a legend about a tunnel…
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4 stars Delightfully spooky and surprisingly heartwarming. I never read Mary Downing Hahn’s novels growing up, but I just might after finishing this graphic novel adaptation. An interesting way to revive an older tale and make it more appealing to a modern audience. A new house, a blended family, and sinister secrets. This story had…
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