Anne of the Library-On-The-Hill by Catherine Little

A picture book which has a little girl who meets Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was cute and very Canadian.

Feb 13, 2025.

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

This picture book was too young even for me. This was more for young toddlers and the art was fine. It was okay.

Feb 14, 2026.

Restaurant Kid: A Memoir of Family and Belonging by Rachel Phan (Narrator)

This was a Canada Reads pick. The narrator and I have similar backgrounds. I was frankly angry reading some of the things that happened to her growing up. It reminded me about moments that I wish I forgot including the racism, microaggressions, sexism and misogyny we both encountered. It was not a comfortable read. I appreciated any memoir where the author discussed their own family vulnerabilities and personal journey in depth. A good yet uncomfortable listen.

February 13-15, 2026.

Oishinbo: Japanese Cuisine: a la Carte (Oishinbo #1 ) by Tetsu Kariya

When I discovered this manga series in late 2024, I was excited to read a food manga especially after coming back from Japan. While the food techniques and food culture were good, the recurring main characters were annoying. I did not care about the ongoing feud between the protagonist and his father. They both knew a lot about Japanese cuisine so their rivalry showcased the topic. Since this manga was so long, the series were grouped in non chronological themes for this English translation. I was left feeling a tad bored and sometimes hungry. I do not think I will continue even if the food bits were interesting.

February 17, 2026.