I am so behind! It’s been a crazy few months with my Europe trip, school, and everything else. But I like to write and send these posts out anyway just to say I got something for MYSELF done.
If you’ve never read my posts before, this is how I currently rank things.
- 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 I somehow made it through. This category is also for when I absolutely DESPISE something I’ve watched or read.
- I could make fun of it because of how bad it is or because it lacks anything of real merit in substance.
- 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 that 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
There You’ll Find Me (2011) 7.5/10
Finley Sinclair is not your typical eighteen year old. She’s witty, tough, and driven. With an upcoming interview at the Manhattan music conservatory, Finley needs to compose her audition piece. But her creativity disappeared with the death of her older brother, Will.
She decides to study abroad in Ireland so she can follow Will’s travel journal. It’s the place he felt closest to God, and she’s hopeful being there will help her make peace over losing him. So she agrees to an exchange program and boards the plane.
Beckett Rush, teen heartthrob and Hollywood bad boy, is flying to Ireland to finish filming his latest vampire movie. On the flight, he meets Finley. She’s the one girl who seems immune to his charm. Undeterred, Beckett convinces her to be his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide.
Once in Ireland, Finley starts to break down. The loss of her brother and the pressure of school, her audition, and whatever it is that is happening between her and Beckett, leads her to a new and dangerous vice. When is God going to show up for her in this emerald paradise?
Then she experiences something that radically changes her perspective on life. Could it be God convincing her that everything she’s been looking for has been with her all along?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I would have loved this book as a teenager! It has a cool Irish actor who plays a sexy vampire in a different film, beautiful Irish customs and lore spread throughout the story, and a pleasant message on faith and trust. However, I’m not a teenager anymore, so the story didn’t hit as strongly as it could have. This is a shame because this book DID come out when I was only 20.
Its message on toxic food mentality and doubt hit home for me, though, because I teach teenagers who struggle with these things.
Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War (2004) 10/10
Candy lives in Chickentown USA: the most boring place in the world, her heart bursting for some clue as to what her future may hold. She is soon to find out: swept out of our world by a giant wave, she finds herself in another place entirely…
The Abarat: a vast archipelago where every island is a different hour of the day, from the sunlit wonders of Three in the Afternoon, where dragons roam, to the dark terrors of the island of Midnight, ruled by Christopher Carrion.
Candy has a place in this extraordinary world: she has been brought here to help save the Abarat from the dark forces that are stirring at its heart. Forces older than time itself, and more evil than anything Candy has ever encountered.
Goodreads Synopsis
I don’t have much more to say about this book. I like listening to it on audio with narrator Richard Ferrone, but I miss the paintings I’m so familiar with when I read the physical copy.
The Ravenmaster’s Secret: Escape From the Tower of London (2003) 7/10
It’s 1735. Forrest Harper’s life inside the Tower of London consists of three ways to pass the chores, chores, and more chores. His only friends are the spirited ravens he tends with his father. So when vicious Scottish Rebels are captured, Forrest can’t wait to prove himself by standing guard. If only Forrest’s prisoner hadn’t turned out to be the noble and daring Maddy. And if only Maddy wasn’t about to be executed. . . .
Now, as Forrest chooses between friendship and family, safety and escape, he and Maddy must flee, somehow navigating the cold, dank corridors of the Tower.Synopsis via Goodreads
I found this story engaging but a little rushed. I wanted more context on which conflict between the English and the Scots it was referring to, but I thought it was a fine read for middle school kids! I want to learn more about the Tower of London, and maybe find some books about possible hanutings and ghosts.
The Phantom Tollbooth (1961), 10/10
For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. . . .
Synopsis via Goodreads
What can I say? This book is charming, and I never get tired of reading it. (Even though I often fall asleep reading it because I’ve read it so many times).
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall (2024) 8/10
In this gorgeous stand-alone fantasy romance perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft, a rebellious witch undertakes a last-ditch quest to restore magic to medieval Wales—as two princes vie for her heart.
Ffion is the last hedgewitch in Foxhall. To work her magic, she takes only what nature can spare, unlike the witches of the powerful Foxhall coven, who sacrifice whole forests to fuel their spells. But across the warring kingdoms of Wales, all magic is fading. Even the dragons have vanished.
Prince Taliesin would love nothing more than to watch magic die. But when his father charges Tal and his brother, Dafydd, with destroying King Offa’s dyke—the massive earthen wall raised by their Mercian enemies to the east, which may be the cause of magic’s disappearance—he begrudgingly seeks aid from a witch.
Because whichever prince succeeds in destroying the dyke will win the throne, and Tal is willing to do whatever it takes to become king. Even if the Foxhall coven refuses to help him. Even if he’s forced to team up with a spitfire hedgewitch who hates him almost as much as he hates her magic. And even if Dafydd proves to be a worthier rival than he anticipated…for the crown, and for Ffion’s heart.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I wanted to give this story the benefit of the doubt. Reviews on Goodreads made it seem like this story was a bit of a mess. I didn’t think so. The ONE thing I would change is how Anna Bright handled the love triangle. I didn’t think it was needed or believable, really. BUT I did like how the story ended and thought the final romantic pairing between Tal and Ffion was well chosen.
Comics
Kubo won’t let me be invisible (2019) 6/10
High school student Junta Shiraishi has a simple goal—to live a fulfilling youth. However, achieving this goal appears to be harder than expected, as everyone in his surroundings often fails to notice him due to his lack of presence. In fact, Shiraishi’s lack of presence is so severe that people think his seat in class is always empty, and mistakenly assume that he often skips school. There is even a weird rumor spreading around in class, claiming that those who successfully spot Shiraishi will be blessed with good fortune for the day.
So far, the only person who notices his existence is Nagisa Kubo, the girl seated next to him. Unfortunately for him though, Kubo likes to tease him on a daily basis and often puts him into unprecedented and nerve-wracking situations. However, as Kubo’s playful antics continue to involve the reluctant Shiraishi, he may soon discover that his youth might not be as boring as he initially thought.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
Nope. I categorize this story as a shoujo manga made for lonely teenage boys who want to get a girlfriend. The girls never truly feel REAL. They are just busty caricatures of what authors (and their intended audience) THINK girls are like. I would have liked it fine if not for all the blatent butt and chest shots and borderline sexualized images of the main girl character.
Hiyokoi (2009) 7/10
Little 15-year-old Hiyori Nishiyama gets into an accident the day before her high school entrance ceremony, leaving her hospitalized with severe bone fractures that prevent her bones from growing. Due to her timid nature, even after recovering, she hesitates to attend class.
But when Hiyori finally decides to go to school for the first time in a year, things take an unexpected turn. As she introduces herself, she is abruptly interrupted by Yuushin Hirose, a tall and outgoing boy. Hiyori not only loses her chance to make a good impression on her classmates, but Yuushin ridicules her by comparing her to a baby bird. However, due to Yuushin’s sociable nature, she slowly feels more at ease around her classmates. With Yuushin at her side, Hiyori hopes to accomplish her goal of making friends.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
Meh. I’ve grown out of this story. Would I recommend it to teenagers? Sure! The story is sweet, and the situations are ones that younger readers would understand, especially as they navigate love and relationships for the first time.
Lydia’s Great Escape (2022) 6.5/10
Lydia thought she’d finally get to live a life of luxury after being reborn as a noble in a magical world. Little did she know, she’s actually a side character in a novel doomed to die at the hands of Ash, the merciless, psychopathic villain. Her best shot at escaping is to have the heroine distract him while she tries to run away. But the only problem is… the heroine keeps dying! With a limited number of magic tricks up her sleeve and her quick wit, will Lydia ever make her great escape?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. . . I didn’t hate it. BUUUUUUUUUUUUT I don’t think I believe the love story was real. The magic stuff was also quite weird, and I didn’t get why certain characters were needed. Oh well. At least I didn’t hate myself by the time I finished it!
Movies
Flow (2024) 8.5/10
The world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world.—Charades
Many people are gushing about this film! It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Movie and has some pretty spectacular visuals and music! However, this isn’t my type of movie. I like structure and a clear-cut vision for the story from the get-go. This movie. . . was more abstract and almost ethereal. I didn’t understand why things were happening in the world, but I did care!
Anyway, I recommend this for animation lovers! It feels somewhat like walking into a dream at times. Warning though, there is no dialogue, so if you hate that, don’t watch this movie!
Flipped (2010) 8/10
The Loskis and the Bakers have lived across the street from each other since 1957 when the Loskis moved into the neighborhood. They, as families, have never spent any time together socially in the differences especially between the family patriarchs, judgmental Steven Loski who has always viewed the Bakers as beneath him, especially since they won’t even maintain their yard, while free-spirited Richard Baker has other priorities in life with the family’s limited funds to worry too much about what Steven thinks.
Juli Baker, now in the eighth grade in 1963, has had a crush on classmate Bryce Loski ever since the Loskis were unloading their moving truck when she and Bryce were in the second grade, and Juli looked deeply into Bryce’s eyes. Bryce, however, has done whatever he felt he needed to do to avoid Juli, finding her overbearing and annoying.
Several events in Bryce and Juli’s lives are shown this year, seen individually from Bryce and Juli’s very different perspectives – that may change the tide in their relationship, the ups and downs that are also affected by external forces combined with the strength or weakness within each of them.—Huggo
This was an unexpected find! I was randomly looking on YouTube and found clips of the love story between the two main characters. Before long, I realized these clips were not from a book but an actual movie! So I looked it up and watched it on a Sunday by my lonesome to avoid seeing Expedition Big Foot again.
I liked the story because it reminded me of my Grandfather. I wondered if it was the world he grew up in as a teenager.
Shows
Amphibia (2019) 8/10
Ordinary Anne Boonchuy, 13, finds a music box that sends her to Amphibia, a world full of frogs, toads, and giant insects. With help from Sprig, she must adjust to life in Amphibia and discover the first true friendship in her life.
Synopsis via IMBD
I finally saw this whole show! The second season and the first half of the third season were the best parts. I love the Plantar family, Anne, and Anne’s parents, as well as most of the secondary characters. However, this show should have had four seasons. The second half of the third season seemed rushed, with big chunks from the plot missing.
I wasn’t much of a fan of most of the romantic couples in the show because they had no time to develop. But that’s fine! I’ll come back to the show and skip through the stuff I’m not a fan of.
The Little Lady’s Babysitter (2022) 7/10
Tooru Kirishima’s notoriety is spread far and wide in the underworld. He is most commonly known as “The Demon of Sakuragi”—a man who is not afraid to resort to violence if deemed necessary. After almost jeopardizing a peace treaty, his boss tasks him with the most difficult job he has ever had: taking care of seven-year-old Yaeka Sakuragi—the boss’ precious daughter—so that Tooru understands what it means to be responsible for another life.
At first, the two do not seem to meet eye to eye, as Tooru has no clue on how to communicate with Yaeka, and the young girl is not used to expressing her emotions. However, as time goes on, they come to understand each other despite their differences. The fearsome right-hand man of a yakuza boss and the child he must protect are about to learn that family is not always bound by blood.
Man, am I tired of horribly rendered CGI backgrounds in anime. But I’m a sucker for tough guys learning to love and care for kids. So, I liked this story and read the manga chapters already out!
What this story lacks is FILLER. Not the stupid kind that makes a story drag, but the kind that gives depth and flavor to the characters and their stories. Plus, there wasn’t a consistent PLOT to follow along to.
Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniosan (2021) 7.5/10
In the studio of the morning childrens’ show “Together with Mama,” a crew of miserable adults prepares their facades of amicable smiles and cheerful exteriors to educate a group of innocent preschoolers. In the middle of it stands Uramichi Omota, a former gymnast who can’t help but bring the kids down to earth by revealing the harsh and depressing reality of adulthood, even in front of the rolling cameras.
Behind the scenes, Uramichi’s much-desired peace is disturbed by his two bothersome juniors who work as the show’s rabbit and bear mascots and singers: Utano Tadano, a woman who only wishes to get married; and Iketeru Daga, a handsome man with a crass sense of humor. From smoking and exercising to nihilistic outbursts, everyone’s big brother Uramichi always brings up the not-so-moral side to his life lessons.
I felt conflicted seeing this show. On the one hand, I understand the struggle of being single and not quite having direction in your early thirties/late twenties. However, these adults sure are cynical. I kept waiting for them to find meaning and purpose in their lives and jobs, but it never really came.
But. . . it made me laugh, so I’ll probably watch it again someday!
Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015) by Dan Povimore and Jeff Marsh, 10/10
Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother, Ferb Fletcher, are determined to make every day of their summer vacation fun. They try building a full-scale roller coaster, becoming musicians, building a backyard beach, and traveling back in time to meet dinosaurs. Their family pet, Perry the Platypus, doubles as a secret agent and battles evil. Meanwhile, older sister Candace is tattling on them to Mom and Dad, though she can never seem to catch them in the act.
I’ve already talked about this show so. . . . yee haw, I love it, and you should go watch it no matter your age!
Tonari no Seki-kun: Master of Killing Time (2014) 6/10
All Rumi Yokoi wants to do is focus during school, but she is constantly distracted by Toshinari Seki, her neighboring classmate. Paying attention during class is the least of Seki’s worries, as he obsesses over intricate setups created using an assortment of items, from an elaborate domino course on his desk to a treacherous war played out with shogi pieces. Yokoi desperately attempts to focus in class, only to be repeatedly sucked into his intriguing eccentricities; however, they always seem to end up with her getting in trouble with their teacher. Fortunately, lessons will never be dull with Seki’s antics around!
I forgot how much I HATE Seki messing around in class doing stupid things. I don’t think it’s funny. I’m simply amazed he hasn’t failed all his subjects yet, horsing around with Pai Shou and Gundam dolls. If I were his deskmate, I would try to sabotage him at every opportunity.
And there you have it! I’ll post the one for March really soon, too!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 