 Booklist starred review
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Publisher: Yen Press Publication Date: October 22, 2024 ISBN: 9781975399689 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 10/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Romance, LGBTQ+, Friendship, Music, Mental Health, School Life, Yen Press
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During a school trip to the beach, a friend group is shaken up when two of them give into their feelings and become a couple. Amber and Nico lose themselves in each other and completely and forget their friends. Slumber parties stop. Hanging out stops. When the friend group speaks up, Amber and Nico escape further into each other and into a dream world where everything is peaceful -- until Nico wants to return, and Amber doesn’t. In her anger, Amber turns their dream world into a nightmare, putting her remaining friendship at risk.
Hiroto is a pretty carefree 29-year-old, except he finds it difficult to talk to attractive women around his own age. He has no problem befriending older ladies, including an 81-year-old former lunch lady he affectionately calls Granny. He has dinner at her house twice a week until she suddenly dies of a heart attack and leaves her two-bedroom house to him. When Hiroto’s cousin Nat comes to live with him as she attends art school, the two learn to live together and figure out what it means to be adults in their various stages of life - Nat as a struggling college student with social anxiety, and Hiroto trying to figure out his purpose in life.
Illustrated by Jes and Cin Wibowo
Tony is constantly the new kid at school, having made many transfers, but this latest school is proving to be even more challenging with a more than fair share of bullies pointing out every eccentricity Tony has and posting much of it to social media. It becomes too much for Tony to handle - the bullies suck all of the joy and light from his days until he's ready to give up completely. His parents begin having him go to therapy, and he switches schools yet again to one where most students are more accepting and there are fewer bullies. Tony finds a home with the Literature Club and even finds his voice again as a champion for others with their own bullies and in their self-expression. 
Master Rei and Mira collect rainwater in a spare room, and through magic, they are able to swim in the bucket and delve into the water’s memories. Mira is able to see the town without any of the people, and she expresses a desire to come to the real town one day. This makes Master Rei hopeful. Later, Capri visits again and, disguised as Mr. Cappy, goes on an adventure with Mira inside the house. The two bond over a love of an author, and Capri discovers later that the author will be hosted for a book signing in town. With the help of Master Rei and Mr. Cappy, Mira attempts to come closer to the village and contain her anxieties so that she can attend the signing. At the end, Master Rei is informed of a new young girl in the area who needs his attention and is struggling with a similar affliction to Mira.
 Booklist review
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 10-Adult Publisher: Kodansha Publication Date: April 9, 2024 ISBN: 9798888770146 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: High School, Suitability: Adult, Manga, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Mental Health, Slice Of Life, Kodansha 
In this autobiographical comic, Thorogood details her life as an illustrator going to comics conventions, trying to break into the industry, her attempts at romantic relationships, and her struggles with her depression. She goes far outside her comfort zone and decides to meet an online friend in person, which requires traveling from England to California. The two become romantic partners, but Zoe is very conflicted because the man is still infatuated with his previous partner, and he has children who don't accept her. During the months this comic takes place, the COVID pandemic begins, so isolation makes projects difficult and cancels some of Thorogood's planned appearances. She struggles with going to conventions and imposter syndrome, feeling like her illustrations are not worthy of the praise she receives from fans who visit her booth.
Master Rei tries to help Mira overcome her shyness and make new friends, but it seems Mira is only comfortable talking to cute animal-type creatures, rather than others her age. Later, Master becomes sick and their magic goes wild, so the roles are reversed as Mira takes care of her master for a change. Once Master is feeling better, the two get to work replenishing some of the Master's medicinal ingredients, and Mira is shocked to see the cost in labor and ingredients. Then, Stella, one of Master Rei's old friends, comes by and finally gets to meet Mira, who she only knows through Rei's letters. Stella is an inventor and has created many awesome things, including crayons that draw in the air. Lastly, Rei and Mira reminisce about when Mira first came to live with Master Rei and how they started on the path of finding a way to control her powers.
 Illustrated by Tobi Tana and Nanna Fujimi
Booklist review Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Publisher: Yen Press Publication Date: July 18, 2023 ISBN: 9781975365301 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Fantasy, Mental Health, School Life, Yen Press 
Illustrated by Rito Kohsaka
As Miyo received no formal training with he Saimori family, she begins etiquette training in order to feel more worthy of her husband-to-be. And her trainer is none other than Lord Kudo's sister, Hazuki! She's also plagued by nightmares, which Kudo tries to keep away, but he's not always successful. With the increased activity of grotesqueries, he's kept busy at the office, and the strain takes a tole on Miyo's physical health. As Kudo continues to look into Miyo's family history, he also meets a strange young man -- Arata Tsuruki -- who, officially, is dispatched to help the Anti-Grotesquerie Unit, but he also seems to be connected somehow to Miyo's Usuba clan. |
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