beauty-and-the-bookish

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

The Edge of Anything Review

Book: The Edge of Anything Author: Nora Shalaway Carpenter Publisher: Running Press Kids Genre: YA Contemporary Publication Date: March 24, 2020 Rating:

The Low Down: Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that’s stagnated her work and left her terrified she’s losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons. But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives. Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship. My thoughts: Many parents place pressure on teens to accomplish milestones. They must go to a good college, get a good job, make money etc... They must be strong, be resiliant, keep going. But what happens when they can't? What happens when their whole future collapses and they have to completely start over? Or a tragedy overtakes their mind? This book is for all the kids who struggle with their mental health and who are afraid to say anything. I loved the energy behind the writing, how it was smooth and quick, helping to propel the friendship between Saige and Len. The friendship was realistic, not without its struggles. Mental illness was part of the friendship, but it was not the centerpiece. Instead the kids guide and help each other, and learned to get help for themselves in the process. I liked how the book was friendship-centered and how the author didn't introduce romantic partners to "fix" the kids' struggles. This book was honest and realistic about mental health, showing that it is not quickly fixable, and introducing the element of therapy toward the end. *Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

#book #new release #ya #YA contemporary #mental illness #mental health #friendship #teens #the edge of anything #nora shaloway carpenter

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Ever After Review

Book: Ever After Author: Olivia Vieweg Publisher: Graphic Universe Genre: Comics/Graphic Novels Publication Date: September 1, 2020 Rating:

The Low Down: Vivi and Eva are two travelers in the countryside filled with the undead. After a train breaks down, stranding them between safe zones, the young women partner up to stay alive. Vivi is struggling with grief--and guilt--over the loss of her sister. Eva is hiding the start of a horrifying transformation. Together they'll face heat, zombie hordes, and their own inner demons, searching for signs of life in a land of the dead. This graphic novel addition to an enduring genre is thoughtful and emotion-driven, but also full of zombie scares and action. My thoughts: The art style of this book was colorful and cutesy, belying a dark tale of an apocalyptic universe filled with terror and zombies. I enjoyed the art style and the contrast it presented.

The story itself was full of promise, but its execution ultimately floundered in a sea of unanswered questions, forgotten plot points, and a bleak lack of character development. I'm not sure if it due to a loss of translation or just poor storytelling, but this story could have done with more development, background, and dialogue to make it more understandable. *Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

#ever after #graphic novel #book #new release #comics #web comic #translation

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter

Book: Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne and Crystal S. Chan Publisher: Udon Entertainment Genre: Manga/Classics Publication Date: March 31, 2015

The Low Down: A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne's tragic saga of Puritan America. My thoughts: To begin, I thought the art in this adaptation was just as superb as the art in the Jane Eyre adaptation by the same authors and illustrators. The art did a wonderful job of capturing the atmosphere of The Scarlet Letter, as well as the facial expressions and powerful emotions of the characters. The illustrator also did well capturing the setting and the time period of the story. Because I was unfamiliar with this story (I had a hard time reading the original by Hawthorne), the illustrations helped this to be accessible to me.

This story flowed smoothly and quickly because the adaptors chose the plot points well. I feel like the adaptors did a good job at capturing some of the larger complexities and themes of the novel. The story is actually quite empowering. If Ihadn't found this manga, I wouldn't have known, since I didn't fare well reading the original. I think this would be wonderful for readers who want to understand the story, but who may struggle with reading classics. This definitely inspires me to read Hawthorne's original now as well. *Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

#manga #manga classics #the scarlet letter #books #classics #classic literature #nathaniel hawthorne

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

Manga Classics Jane Eyre

Book: Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Bronte (adapted by Chrystal S. Chan)

Publisher: Udon Entertainment

Genre: Manga/Classics

Publication Date: November 15, 2016

Rating:

The Low Down:

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

My thoughts:

To begin, I would like to mention that the art in this adaptation is why I wanted to read it; but more than that, its why I stayed to the end of the story. (Besides Jane Eyre being one of my favorite classics of all time). The illustrator did a supurb job at capturing the atmosphere of Jane Eyre including the settings and the clothing of the time, and also captured the facial expressions of the characters well.

Going into this adaptation I was just a bit concerned because Jane Eyre is one of my favorite stories and some of the adaptations were a miss for me. But i didn't need to worry. While the manga followed the story closely, the added element of illustration really brought it to life in a way that I enjoyed and that I can see others enjoying as well. The story itself flowed quickly and smoothly. I think that this adaption would be wonderful for readers who are afraid or inexperienced with classics and would like an accessible and easy to understand adaptation.

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

#classics #classical literature #classicalliterature #jane eyre #books #manga #charlotte bronte

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Something is Killing the Children Volume 1

Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 James Tynion IV BOOM! Studios Comics/Horror May 20, 2020

The Low Down: When children begin to go missing in the town of Archer’s Peak, all hope seems lost until a mysterious woman arrives to reveal that terrifying creatures are behind the chaos - and that she alone will destroy them, no matter the cost. My thoughts: I enjoyed the art in this graphic novel immensely. I enjoyed its dark and gory aesthetic, which added to the atmosphere the author was going for in the story.

The story itself is just what it sounds like. Something is killing the children. And there is one woman who was hired to destroy this creature. It was a rather straightforward narrative, as far as horror stories go, but it put forth a lot of questions that were not addressed in this first volume. After a point, I ended up skimming through the rest of the story, because this one did not hold my interest as much as I would have liked it to. I would like to read the other volumes to see if any of my questions are answered though. *Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*

#book review #graphic novel #comics #horror

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Christmas Angels Review!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I want to thank netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gosh. This book hit me in the feels. The first thing I thought when I finished it was that it was perfect for a Hallmark movie. I mean it hit all the checkboxes. Small town? Check. Restoring an inn? Check. Handsome man with dog. Check and check. Wholesome romantic scenes? Check.

I loved all of the characters in this story, even the side characters. I was pleased to see that side characters got a good amount of page time and had their own personalities. I was also pleased to see that our main guy Matt respected Liz' ideas and intelligence, and the slow burn romance between them.

#christmas #christmas angel #nancy naigle #wholesome #hallmark #movies #sentimental #contemporary romance #romance books #romance

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Cat’s Cafe Review

Book: Cat's Cafe Author: Matt Tapley Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing Genre: Comics and Graphic Novels Publication Date: May 26, 2020 Rating:

The Low Down: Serving up more than just coffee and tea, Cat’s Café provides its cast of adorable characters a gentle, supportive space and a hefty serving of the warm and floofies. Welcome to Cat’s Café, a neighborhood coffee shop where all are welcome! Based on the popular webcomic, Cat’s Café introduces readers to the adorable denizens of this world. There's Penguin, who has a bit of a coffee problem; Rabbit, whose anxiety sometimes overwhelms him; Axolotl, whose confidence inspires his friends; the always-supportive Cat, who provides hot drinks made with love and a supportive ear for anyone's troubles; and many, many more. With a sensitive take on real issues and a gentle, positive outlook, Cat’s Café is about the power of acceptance, friendship, and love ... and delicious cups of coffee. My thoughts: *Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!* At first I thought this was just going to be a wholesome, lighthearted and cute comic collection with adorable animal characters. And I mean... it was.

But then sometimes it would dig deeper, and cover more sensitive topics. But even if it did cover more hard stuff and hit me in the feels, it was still one of those books that truely did feel like a safe space to me and would wrap me in a hug. What really hit me about this book was the way in which it handled anxiety and other mental illness, with rabbit as one of the characters, and other topics. I personally saw myself in rabbit and hyena A LOT, and it made me cry seeing the other animals being so sweet, wholesome and supportive. This comic collection will definitely stay with me for a long time.

#comics #catscafe #newcomics #graphic novel #matt tarpley #cats cafe #wholesome #inclusive

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

On this blog:

We know and believe black lives matter🖤

We offer love, support and alliance with POC🖤

We want justice for POC who have lost their lives due to racism and ignorance🖤

We do NOT support, or like white supremacists, or racists 🚫

We stand with POC against racism🖤

We know that ALL black skin is beautiful 🖤

POC, all shapes and sizes are beautiful 🖤

POC should be able to live in peace without fear🖤

POC are loved and safe on this blog🖤

If you don't support these beliefs, and facts, or have arguments against any of them then I am telling you to unfollow me right now.

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

This blog supports the Black Lives Matter movement and stands with POC, both in the US and across the globe, in demanding an end to racially motivated police brutality, and the dismantling of the systems that protect perpetrators from justice.

The first pride was a riot, started by queer and transgender people of colour. To condemn rioting against police as a form of protest would be to disregard the efforts of those who began the LGBTQ+ rights movement. We were not given our rights. They were fought for. They were taken by force from oppressors.

POC will not be given their rights if they ask nicely. They cannot wait quietly until the police deign to stop killing them. The police will not stop racially profiling, harassing, terrorising, abusing, and murdering until they are made to stop.

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Kakushigoto Review

Kakushigoto: My Dad's Secret Ambition Vol. 1 Book: Kakushigoto: My Dad's Secret Ambition Vol. 1 Author: Koji Kumeta Publisher: Kodansha Comics Genre: Manga Publication Date: March 17 2020 *Thank you NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!* Rating:

The Low Down: Kakushi Gotou is a single father with a secret: He’s a top-selling manga artist of a raunchy series that perhaps isn’t suitable reading material for his young daughter, Hime. So he does what any doting father would do—he hides it all from her, no matter the hijinks that ensue! My thoughts: First of all, let me show you the adorable artwork in this manga.

This manga was funny, and some of the jokes made me laugh out loud. The father/daughter relationship was very sweet and reminded me of Haruhi Fujioka and her dad from Ouran Host Club, and Hime herself reminded me of Tohru Honda. (Hime being a bit clueless and Naive. The manga itself was atmospheric and heartwarming, and I learned a surprising amount about the manga industry. I am very interested to see where the relationship between Hime and her dad leads, and see what other shenanagans they get themselves into.

#manga #new manga #dad and daughter #funny #funny dad

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

Hey y’all. You should read some of these!

24 LGBT+ Books by Black Authors

I’m seeing a lot of the same books on my dash, so I spent a few hours researching some lesser-known books. These books fall across a variety of genres and age group. 

Ways you can help

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

“There are a few things in life so beautiful they hurt: swimming in the ocean while it rains, reading alone in empty libraries, the sea of stars that appear when you’re miles away from the neon lights of the city, bars after 2am, walking in the wilderness, all the phases of the moon, the things we do not know about the universe… and you.”

— Beau Taplin

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

So tired.

Depression tired.

are you?

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

“If you have a warm soul, you will always be a home for love.”

— Juansen Dizon

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

😍😍😍😍

instagram | marthay.k

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

❤️❤️

“I had no idea what I wanted, only that I wanted something, which is the worst kind of wanting.”

— David Levithan

[beauty-and-the-bookish]

seelieknight