Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

by Mariko Tamaki Illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell 2 stars A slow-paced story about what happens when the power of love works against you and how it can overshadow other aspects of your life. Freddy loves Laura Dean. But their on-again-off-again relationship leaves her confused and wondering, is it worth staying with someone you love if…

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Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Volume 1

by Yuto Tsukuda Illustrated by Shun Saeki Translated by Adrienne Beck 3.5 stars Hilarious and weird. It’s an odd one to rate. I’m not a huge fan service person, but I love the cooking aspect. I have watched the anime previously so I knew what I was getting into. For those unfamiliar with the series,…

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Cat + Gamer Volume 1 by Wataru Nadatani

Translated by Zack Davisson 5 stars This book is absolutely adorable. Riko’s life revolves around video games. When she unexpectedly adopts a stray kitten, she uses her knowledge from her favorite games to figure out how to take care of him. With her over-the-top reactions, she takes on each challenge as though it is a…

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Cursed Princess Club Volume One by LambCat

5 stars Such a fun read! I initially started reading this on Webtoon. While I miss the awesome soundtrack from the digital version, it was nice to read it as a full-sized book to really get swept up in the storytelling and visuals. The artwork is wonderful. Humorous, glamorous, sweet, adorable, with excellent creepiness splashed…

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American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

4 stars A powerful story with unforgettable characters. Alternating between three tales, follow three very different characters as they try to fit into the world around them. Jin Wang is the only Chinese-American student in a school that never lets him forget he’s different. The Monkey King masters various skills in order to distance himself…

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The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

5 stars Warning: this book comes with all the feels and will make you seriously crave a grilled cheese sandwich every time you pick it up. I’ve read so many great books this year, but this one is my absolute favorite so far! A delightful blend of humor, cheese puns, general quirkiness, and romance. Such…

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Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hannah Testa

3 stars A nice intro for young readers on why plastics are a problem and how to get more involved. Loved the push for changing local habits and fighting for large-scale solutions. This book offers a very basic look at the issues surrounding plastics, making it a good starting point. The small size makes it…

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Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione

4 stars This was such a sweet book! Basil dreams of being a fabulous magiculinary chef. But first, she must become top student at Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy and earn the scholarship that goes with the title. When she meets Arabella Oregano, the daughter of a famous chef, things start to heat up. Basil must…

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Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic

Edited by g. haron davis Stories by Saundra Mitchell, Sonora Reyes, RenĂ©e Reynolds, A. R. Capetta, Cory McCarthy, Francesca Tacchi, Ayida Shonibar, Nik Traxler, g. haron davis, Jonathan Lenore Kastin, Mason Deaver, Ash Nouveau, Cam Montgomery, Dove Salvatierra, and Emery Lee 5 stars Generally with anthologies, there are some stories that resonate with a reader…

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Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June

5 stars I went into this expecting a simple, easy-going romance read, but was pleasantly surprised. It tackled a lot of issues with insight and humor. The fabulous femme teen, Riley Weaver knows joining the Gaybutante Society will help him on his journey to podcast stardom. But when he makes a bet with Skylar, who…

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