Welcome back! I should come out right away and let you know I read a lot of books and comics this month. When I don’t have to work I become a book reading sponge. It will be just as crazy next month! Hooray for summer vacation! But anyway, here is how I rate things generally.
- No redeeming qualities whatsoever visually, aesthetically, or as a story.
- It was so boring I could barely pay attention or it frustrated me SO much I couldn’t finish.
- I had a headache but somehow made it through.
- I could make fun of it. . . because of how bad it is.
- It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just blah.
- There were various interesting aspects but nothing to really gush about.
- A solid story. Good characters, plot, and visuals. However, it’s not amazing.
- I genuinely enjoyed watching/reading it. I could see/read it again with friends.
- A great experience! As a film/show it is visually stunning and has an incredible story I could go back to multiple times. As a book, I could do the same.
- Near Perfect (nothing is perfect.) It has become one of my favorites. I could also write entire articles on it.
Books
Hallowe’en Party (1969) by Agatha Christie, 7/10
A teenage murder witness is drowned in a tub of apples. At a Hallowe’en party, Joyce, a hostile thirteen-year-old, boasts that she once witnessed a murder. When no-one believes her, she storms off home. But within hours her body is found, still in the house, drowned in an apple-bobbing tub.
That night, Hercule Poirot is called in to find the ‘evil presence.’ But first he must establish whether he is looking for a murderer or a double-murderer!
Synopsis via Goodreads
I believe this is the last Agatha Christie book Kenneth Branagh adapted into a film. I haven’t seen it because Death on the Nile (2022) was garbage and I don’t trust him anymore. Maybe it’s good. . . meh.
Anyway, this book was fine. I figured out the killer relatively easily and thought it was interesting enough to finish. That said, this is my most BLAH read from Christie. Maybe someday I’ll pick this back up again. Probably not.
Wonderstruck (2011) by Brian Selznick, 8/10
Ben and Rose secretly wish for better lives. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother’s room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.
Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories – Ben’s told in words, Rose’s in pictures – weave back and forth in symmetry.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I really loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) and bought this book a while ago. Sadly, I was never really in the mood for it so it collected dust for several years on my shelf. Now I’ve read it and it was a genuinely great experience. I wish I could have seen more references to silent film acting, like in Hugo, but that is my inner film nerd talking.
The biggest highlight of this book was definitely the artwork Selznick painstakingly did! It’s SOOOOOOO gorgeous!
Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom in Imperfection (2021) Nobuo Suzuki, 7.5/10
Wabi Sabi is the Japanese Zen philosophy that all things are imperfect, unfinished and impermanent. It is a fresh way of seeing and moving through the world when our lives, literally and figuratively, feel cluttered. This book shows us how to apply this concept in the context of daily life and offers ideas on how to see it, embrace it and incorporate it into everyday thoughts, objects and situations.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I don’t know how I feel about this book. On one hand, I loved its message about embracing the messy part of life and embracing the natural world. I really want a blank wooden floored room with that unfinished circle on the wall I can meditate and unwind in.
On the other hand, I didn’t agree with its message about abandoning the independent self and any idea that things can be eternal. I’ve never agreed with that aspect of Buddhist/Hindu thinking so whenever I come across it I get anxious and combative.
Unlocking the Spell (2012) by E. D. Baker, 8/10
Now that Annie has helped her sister Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) wake up from the 100-year curse by finding her beloved prince, you would think that things would get back to normal. Think again! That beloved prince, Beldegard, is stuck in the body of a bear and the only way that Annie can be free of the two irritating lovebirds is to help-by finding the evil dwarf who cast the spell. Luckily, Annie has assistance from handsome prince Liam, and she has many tricks up her non-magical sleeve . .
Synopsis via Goodreads
I thought I wouldn’t like continuing this series, but have changed my mind. This is a great, corny series I would love to introduce to my girls someday. I love the idea of a princess being anti-magic and becoming this indomitable force in her society, a society that is obsessed with physical perfection! It was great fun and perfect for tweens and young teenagers.
The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book (2021) by Kate Milford, 8.5/10
The rain hasn’t stopped for a week, and the twelve guests of the Blue Vein Tavern are trapped by flooded roads and the rising Skidwrack River. Among them are a ship’s captain, tattooed twins, a musician, and a young girl traveling on her own. To pass the time, they begin to tell stories—each a different type of folklore—that eventually reveal more about their own secrets than they intended.
As the rain continues to pour down—an uncanny, unnatural amount of rain—the guests begin to realize that the entire city is in danger, and not just from the flood. But they have only their stories, and one another, to save them. Will it be enough?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I need to re-read this book later. It took me some time to get into it, but I loved the folktale feel of its characters and stories. My favorite was probably the one where a little girl cheats the devil out of some of his teeth, or the girl who falls in love with a boy born out of ice. There are many wonderful nuggets scattered throughout the stories, which appeals to me because I like connecting all the dots through multiple reads.
Chasing Vermeer (2004) by Blue Balliett, 7/10
When a book of unexplainable occurrences brings Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, and an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one — neighbors, parents, teachers — is spared from suspicion. As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth, they must draw on their powers of intuition, their problem-solving skills, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I enjoyed walking back into kids’ minds and rethinking how I approach teaching kids and learning about new things. I also appreciated how it talked about Vermeer and how we perceive art and its part in our lives. I don’t think I’ve ever really MESHED with this book, even when I was a kid. It’s one of those books I’ll keep on my shelf because someone might love it in the future but I doubt I’ll read it again any time soon.
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie (1934), 7.5/10
Was it a misstep that sent a handsome stranger plummeting to his death from a cliff? Or something more sinister? Fun-loving adventurers Bobby Jones and Frances Derwent’s suspicions are certainly roused–espeically since the man’s dying words were so peculiar: Why didn’t they ask Evans? Bobby and Frances would love to know. Unfortunately, asking the wrong people has sent the amateur sleuths running for their lives–on a wild and deadly pursuit to discover who Evans is, what it was he wasn’t asked, and why the mysterious inquiry has put their own lives in mortal danger…
Synopsis via Goodreads
The payoff for this story was. . . lackluster. I didn’t like Bobby and Frances that much and thought they were way too trusting of certain characters. I figured out who the killers were and wondered to myself “It can’t be that simple!” Nah it was. Maybe I need to re-read this in a couple of years.
Lily of the Valley by Sarah M. Eden (2022) 7/10
Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tight-knit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting—until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.
Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester. The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Reading this was somewhat of an accident. I went to my TBR shelf, picked it up, pursued the first few pages, and read it in one day. It is a cozy romance with some interesting characters. However, I think Eden must have gotten tired or something because the quality of her writing went down. There was WAY too much TELL in the writing. What I mean is, that instead of showing why a character was sad she just said they were sad. This may seem like no big deal but it made it somewhat dull in parts.
The Merchant and the Rogue by Sarah M. Eden
London, 1865
Vera Sorokina loves reading the Penny Dreadfuls and immersing herself in tales of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her own days are filled with the often mundane work of running the book and print shop she owns with her father. The shop offers her freedom and an income, and while she is grateful for the stability it brings to her life, she often feels lonely.
Brogan Donnelly was born and raised in Ireland, but has lived in London for several years, where he’s built a career as a penny dreadful writer. He has dedicated himself to the plight of the poor with the help of his sister. But with no one to share his life with, he fears London will never truly feel like home.
Brogan and Vera’s paths cross, and the attraction is both immediate and ill-advised. Vera knows from past experience that writers are never to be trusted, and Brogan has reason to suspect not everything at Vera’s print shop is aboveboard. When a growing criminal enterprise begins targeting their area of London, Brogan and Vera must work together to protect the community they’ve both grown to love. But that means they’ll need to learn to trust each other with dangerous secrets that have followed both of them from their home countries.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Someday I want to buy an anthology of Penny Dreadful stories from this time period! I think I would genuinely really enjoy reading them. My German soul would appreciate it. This story is good but not great. I did like having yet another wonderful Irish man as a male lead. Also, I liked the references to Russian activists trying and failing to change their country for the better.
Manga/Comics
One Punch Man by ONE, Drawn by Murata Yusuke, 10/10
After rigorously training for three years, the ordinary Saitama has gained immense strength which allows him to take out anyone and anything with just one punch. He decides to put his new skill to good use by becoming a hero. However, he quickly becomes bored with easily defeating monsters, and wants someone to give him a challenge to bring back the spark of being a hero.
Upon bearing witness to Saitama’s amazing power, Genos, a cyborg, is determined to become Saitama’s apprentice. During this time, Saitama realizes he is neither getting the recognition that he deserves nor known by the people due to him not being a part of the Hero Association. Wanting to boost his reputation, Saitama decides to have Genos register with him, in exchange for taking him in as a pupil. Together, the two begin working their way up toward becoming true heroes, hoping to find strong enemies and earn respect in the process.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I figured out how this manga keeps people interested. Instead of drawn-out battle scenes where you wait in anticipation for the hero to beat all odds or for couples to finally figure out they love each other, we have this unbridled desire for one thing. We want Saitama to show up and punch something! I do like many of the other characters but I do spend the majority of this manga waiting for Saitama to punch a cocky villain to pieces.
The art is great, but I’m struggling to justify buying this because I don’t like the oversexualized drawings of most of the female characters. Here is a list of my top five favorite characters from this series.
- Saitama (Because he punches stuff and is overall hilarious.)
- Zombieman (He is so cool and reminds me of a film noir lead).
- Metal Bat (I like how he faces foes head-on and how much he loves his sister.)
- Garou (He shows me cool martial arts moves and has a genuinely interesting redemption arc.)
- Genos (He provides me with cool-looking fight scenes.)
A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing (2022) by Hei Quan / Bai Dian, 6.5/10
I couldn’t find a synopsis for this webtoon. . . so here is the general gist of what happens. Ahem. A girl goes into a game as a wolf character and gets captured and enslaved in the game by a sheep king character. They go on a quest for some stolen artifacts. . . and it turns out they are both real people. They get married and there . . . you go.
It was fine. I wasn’t invested in the story as much as I was confused and striving to figure out what was going on. I thought some parts were funny, but will not go back to this story ever again.
The String of Red Fate by CHEON JIAN, CUMIN, IUDAS (2020?), 6/10
After getting pulled into a novel, Leann lives her life as a priestess in a temple, while healing people who are tangled up in red strings. The red string is a death flag that slowly ruins the body and brings you closer to death. And other than the main protagonist, Leann is the only one who can see and remove them.
But when she heals an injured man on the street, the red string of fate connects the two of them together, and there is no way of removing it! To make matters worse, the man she is connected to happens to be the worst villain in the novel, Abell! Can she escape from him and live a peaceful life without hindering the original story of the novel?Synopsis via Pocket Comics
So. . . I have no clue how Leann fell in love with the demon king dude. (Or is he the Grim Reaper? I never figured that out.) The red string of fate is really common in Asian folklore but it is nonsensical in this comic. That is how the main characters were connected in the first place and it gets toxic and controlling pretty fast. I didn’t even finish this. I feel no guilt.
Blue Snake and Red Moon by Sirial (2021), 5/10
Leerang has had a lot of bad luck, but getting tricked into being buried alive as the bride of a ghost might really take the cake. Leerang is tied to the ghost by a red string of fate, and somewhere between the world of the living and the dead, she’s slowly dying. Just then a blue snake appears and tells her that she can return to the living if she ties herself to him instead. But there’s a reason Tajin has been sealed beneath the earth for the past three hundred years, and now she has no choice but to find out why.
Synopsis via Tappytoon
This story was ALL OVER THE PLACE. It is a true miracle I could follow anything that was happening. People died and I didn’t get it. The emperor’s sister(?) went crazy with lust for him. The snake guy fell in love. . . sort of. . . the main girl was born from him? . . . what. . . I wouldn’t recommend this in the least. I thought it would be like Kochou no Yumeji but sadly got something more like a knockoff version of Demon Slayer.
Daytime Shooting Star by Mika Yamamori (2011), 10/10
Falling in love has been likened many times to being on a rollercoaster—it has its ups, its downs, its twists and turns. But an amusement park ride always comes to an end eventually, then you’re left to wait in a long line before you get the opportunity to ride again. That metaphor is strangely appropriate, especially for this manga. It’s not just about falling in love the first time—it’s about picking up the pieces when the first time doesn’t work, and eventually learning how to fall in love again.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Re-reading this I realized how messed up the teacher-student relationship setup is in this manga series. I’m sooooooo happy Yamamori decided to have the female lead get with her classmate Mamura in the end. Since I’m a teacher now, how Shishio disregarded his position as her teacher and started a relationship with her made me angry! Her uncle had every right to step in and tell him to break it off. Maybe some people who read this won’t agree with me. Perspective is KEY to understanding why I think this way.
That said, I really love this series and haven’t changed my mind. Read it if you love slice-of-life romance manga!
Lackadaisy by Tracy J. Butler (2006), 8/10
If you follow YouTube animation you should recognize this volume. The idea behind this story is Prohibition Era New Orleans with anthropomorphic cats. Reading this for the first time I liked the characters but worry about the moral implications behind most of their actions. The art is fantastic and I look forward to where this story ends up!
Blood Stain by Linda Sejic (2018), 7.5/10
The synopsis for this story says nothing about it so I’ll do a quick one here. Basically, a woman with a college degree can’t get a job so as a last resort she goes to work for a crazy lab professor who looks like a serial killer. I like it so far, but can’t give a concrete thumbs-up for it yet. The art is great and I wonder when/if it will turn into a romance.
Punderworld by Linda Sejic (2019), 7.5/10
Same author as Blood Stain! This is basically Persephone and Hades again but not as angsty and sexual as Lore Olympis. (Though Lore Olympis has better art). I’m interested to see where this goes, but again, can’t give it a real score because it isn’t even close to done.
He Can’t Be This Dumb by Pop and Navi (2021), 9/10
Renowned for its exclusivity, only the children of Korea’s elite can attend International Island High. But when Kang Doha, an ordinary girl from an average family, is given a lucky chance to enroll, she’s thrust into an unfamiliar world of money and power. Despite trying to fly under the radar, she somehow ends up in the same dorm as Rowoon, the most popular guy in school! He seems to have it all, but when it comes to girls, he’s completely clueless. Can Doha teach him how to win a girl’s heart?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I still like this. This is kind of shocking because most Webtoons leave my memory forever within a few days because they all have the same story. What sets this story apart is the straightforward and earnest relationship the main characters develop with each other. There isn’t a lot of drama or toxic situations. (Hurray!). Give this Webtoon a look! It is really well-drawn and has a very satisfying ending.
The Protection of Lariensa Genesis by Han Sulon and O.M.G (2021), 4/10
Reading about Lariensa was an innocent pastime, but Song Yiseul never imagined becoming personally entangled in her story. When she wakes up in a fictional world as Lariensa’s best friend Marilyn, she quickly realizes that her favorite novel’s star desperately needs her protection. The thing is, Lariensa is just a little too sweet for her own good, which makes her an easy target for master manipulators like Sibel Noma Kahn. As Lariensa’s loyal friend, it’s up to Marilyn to save her from the boy who will one day ruin her life. But Marilyn’s desperate attempts to circumvent Sibel only seem to pique his devilish curiosity. With the antagonist now suddenly interested in her, Marilyn sets out to foil Sibel’s sinister plot to use her to get to Lariensa.
Synopsis via Tappytoon
First of all, the title of this Webtoon makes no sense. It isn’t even about Lariensa for 80% of the time. Secondly, how the heck did Marilyn fall in love with the toxic, obsessive blue-haired guy? She said for 85% of the series he was garbage and she wanted nothing to do with him. Then POOF! she was in love. Goodness. . . There wasn’t anything to like about the characters or the story. I will probably forget it in maybe. . . two weeks.
My Lord Pay Attention to Your Reputation by Jing Yu He He (2019), 3/10
A foolish and stubborn little servant girl has to serve this Lord day and night. This lord is not only crafty, unruly, and handsome, but the most important thing is that he’s super lazy! He plays with his little servant girl all day long, but he cannot resist. What will they do?
Synopsis via Mangakaalot
So. This has no story. I found it randomly and read it in maybe forty minutes. Now. There are several red flags I wish people would notice.
- The king basically makes the heroine marry him although she said MULTIPLE times she wanted to see the world and not stay.
- The girl was maybe 14 and he was almost 30. Yeah. . .
- The king rapes her. There is no going around it. It is played off as comedy but I was disgusted with how he got her pregnant because he couldn’t hold himself back anymore.
- Turns out the heroine was a kidnapped princess
Don’t read this. The art is crap. The themes are crap. The main guy is crap.
Elegant Yokai Apartment Life by Kouzuki Hinowa, 7.5/10
Inaba Yuushi’s parents died in his first year of middle school, so he moved in with his relatives. Though they did care for him, he could tell he was a burden and happily prepared to move to a high school with a dormitory. Unfortunately, the dormitory burned down before he could move in! Yuushi doesn’t want to live with his relatives anymore, but it’s rough finding lodging as an orphaned student with little money. He finally finds a room in a nice old building which seems too good to be true.
The catch is that it is a Monster House, a place where humans and supernatural creatures—ghosts, mononoke, etc.—live together. Another high schooler lives there, a cute girl named Akine, and she’s completely unfazed by the monsters. In fact, she can even exorcise evil spirits! Yuushi’s high school life just got much stranger than he ever bargained for!
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I’m a big fan of any manga that refers to Japanese spirits. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2003) and Mushishi (1999) are two great examples of this. I also really love Kochou no Yumeji even though it has its flaws.
What I like about this apartment-based manga is its message on family and community. I also appreciate the types of relationships the main character Inaba develops with different teachers, students, and spirits. What I didn’t like about this series at times wasn’t the content as much as how many fans tried to force the ship between Inaba and his best friend. I wanted to scream at times “Not every meaningful relationship in our life HAS to be romantic.”
Movies
Godzilla Minus One (2023), 10/10
Post-war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.
Synopsis via IMBD
So this is a Godzilla movie. The only Godzilla movie I remember seeing is one from my childhood with a giant spider and cave people. Godzilla has to save its child from the giant spider at some point and . . . that’s all I remember. If it isn’t obvious, these types of movies aren’t my thing.
Now, this movie moved me to tears. I genuinely cared about the characters, their world, and their future. Godzilla as a villain felt so real and his defeat was well won. Also, the soundtrack was absolutely beautiful! Also, also, the special effects on its 15 million budget were so impressive that I went on a spree online to figure out how they did it.
If you love films, especially World War II films, I would highly recommend this movie.
Barbie (2023), 7/10
Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Synopsis via IMBD
I bit the bullet and watched this movie with my Mom during our impromptu girl’s night. It was as underwhelming and confusing as I thought it would be. I know this is an openly feminist film but I’m not sure what change in society it was calling for. It didn’t really even show how the “patriarchy” was controlling everything. People just said it was. I actually empathized more with Ken’s situation. Speaking of Ken, he was my favorite character. I feel like that wasn’t supposed to happen. (That said, there is no way Ken could have found the types of books he did in a Middle School library. In reality, he would have found young girl romances, manga, and comic books.)
Now, this doesn’t mean I didn’t like this move. I liked the Barbie world and it did make me ponder how I view myself as a woman. Multiple jokes and scenarios made me laugh, like the wierd Barbie living alone.
The Chipmunk Adventure (1987) 7/10
Hahahah. . . I thought about this movie randomly because of the Barbie movie. Basically, the chipmunks and the Chipettes go on a tour around the world to collect dolls to win $100,000. But the villains are trying to use them to illegally sell diamonds. (Dun dun dun!). I couldn’t find any streaming service showing it and almost lost hope. Then I found a DVD version in a forgotten box in my room. (Why do I own it on DVD? Where did I even find it?)
This was a fun jaunt down memory lane for me. I enjoy the music and the world and think the villains are ironically funny.
Anime/TV Shows
Hilda Season 3 (2023), 10/10
If yo haven’t seen this show before, it is about a young girl who moves to the city and meets magical creatures. I love this series! It is visually beautiful, has a creative world, and has wonderful messages about prejudice and friendship. I watched this third season in less than two days and am so happy with how this story is evolving with each new season! What really stood out to me in this third season was how Hilda fought for her right to grow and continue her life.
Scissors Seven (2018), 7/10
I couldn’t find a good synopsis for this either. . . but here is the gist. A lispy voice guy tries but fails to earn money in his island town. It turns out he used to be a super talented assassin guy and that’s as far as I got. I only got through season 1. The humor either made me laugh my head off or cringe at how irreverent or crude it was. So. . . who knows if I’ll actually finish it.
That said, the animation is freaking awesome! I want to do a study of some of its fight scenes sometime in the future for fun.
The Pink Panther (1969), 8/10
Fun times. I used to watch these shorts as a kid on Boomerang and liked the Pink Panther character. He isn’t as much a Bugs Bunny character as an everyday man with varying relationships and power dynamics with different characters. At one point he’s running from termites and losing. In another, he’s outwitting a man painting his house. I don’t like this show as much as traditional Looney Tunes, but I enjoy coming back to it every once in a while.
Fun side fact, I LOOOVE the animated Pink Panther openings for the live-action detective comedies. My favorite is Richard Willaims’. Check it out! It is one of the best examples of 3D drawing in 2D animation!
Traditional Mickey Mouse Cartoons 1930s, 9/10
These old shorts are so zany! I loved going through them with my brother. My favorite one so far is the one where Mickey is a Knight who has to fight for the hand of a princess.
Summer Strike (2022), 8/10
The general gist of this Korean drama is a young woman decides to quit her job after multiple traumatic events hit her all at once. She wants to rediscover her love for living and decides to live in an old Billiards building in a small country town for $50 a month for one year.
I really liked this story. The main leads aren’t toxic, injured, or depressed, the characters develop meaningful relationships with each other, and not everything works out. Yet, despite different sad events all the characters learn to seek happiness and love forward.
I’ll come back to this series again when I feel I’m in a rut.
Our Blues (2022), 7/10
I wanted to like this. It has a small town, people going through different realistic/raw life situations, and really nice-looking food. However, scattered themes in this story concerned me. The one that stuck out the most was the abortion one of the teenage characters wants to have to live her youth to the fullest. It was hard for me because she is six months along and the young man who is the father doesn’t want to abort the baby. As far as I know, she decides to keep the baby but it was shocking to me how selfish her mindset was about the whole situation. She keeps blaming the young man for everything, is generally rude and cold about it at times to said young man, and doesn’t take responsibility for her choices.
I don’t often talk about these type of subjects, but this is one of the few I am very passionate about. I decided not to finish this show, just because of how upset it made me at times.
Thanks for reading! See you next time!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 