I feel like I am reading too many books.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa (Translator), Catherine Ho (narrator)
Audiobook for about 15%. This was nice after I had some mixed feelings over the last few Japanese novels. I liked a quiet and shorter novel about characters who find themselves living at the Morisaki Bookshop. I really liked the relationship between the protagonist and her uncle which is not something you see often. I am looking forward to the next book.
1.25x. Read on Kobo Mini. September 13-14, 2024.
The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
This was recommended to me by a book club friend who likes Golden Age mysteries like I do. Aside from a likeable protagonist Robert Blair, I was indifferent to most of the other characters. The plot was a bit odd. It’s quite dated with its views about the Irish. There is sexism that’s a bit different than the usual type because it was written by a woman. I think some of it was suppose to be tongue in cheek but some of it was probably played straight. There were a couple of darkly funny lines and social commentary was good too. I do not think I’ll read another Tey novel anytime soon, but it wasn’t bad.
Sept 14, 2024.
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, Júlia Sardà (Illustrator)
The story is about the talented Mary Shelley. I really like Júlia Sardà’s illustrations after The Liszts. This was wonderfully illustrated.
Sept 16, 2024.
Ascendance of a Bookworm (Manga) Part 1 Volume 1 by Suzuka (Artist), Miya Kazuki (Original Story), Quof (Translator)
I found this recommendation for cozy manga awhile ago. I didn’t know or forgot that it was an isekai. I like isekai (portal fantasy). This was based on a light novel which I think I can track down on the internet. I’ll probably stick with the manga since my library seems to have most of the 18 volumes that’s been released. It’s cute and fun so I’m looking forward to using it between all my other reads.
Sept 17, 2024.
Cold Clay by Juneau Black, Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)
While I have this series on ebook, I found a couple of the audiobooks on Libby. It’s a nice fantasy cozy mystery series. I liked the narration except for Orville the bear. The plot and the twists are predictable, but I do like most of the characters. I like Vera’s style as an investigate journalist and detective. I did find the miscommunication trope in the romance annoying as I usually do with most modern romances. Other than that, I will continue with this nice series.
1.25x. Sept 14-18, 2024.
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds, narrated by an ensemble including the author
Audiobook for the last 40%. Read this to complete the 2024 Storygraph genre challenge: Read a short story collection by a black author. Jason Reynolds is a great middle grade and children’s author. He really captured the feelings of kids especially those who are going through things. In this short story collection, a lot of the kids were dealing with bullying, chronic illness, or parental health issues. Some of them were dealing with regular kids stuff such as liking a girl. As with most short story collections, I didn’t love every one of them and my attention wavered. Around the 60% mark, I found and checked out the audiobook. I should have listened to this from the beginning. Each short story was narrated by a different narrator and it was more engaging than reading. Good writing.
1.25-2x. Digital reading with Kobo Mini. Sept 18-19, 2024.
Weslandia by Paul Fleischman, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)
About a boy who spends his summer founding his own civilization in his own backyard starting with gardening. It was quite empowering and imaginative. I liked the late 1990s style art in this and it felt nostalgic for me.
September 20, 2024.