Hey guys how’s it going? Weekly Check-in time with a lot of reading!
I read quite a few manga (7 volumes to be exact), 3 comic trade paperbacks, 3 romance novels and 1 romance novella. Most of these were read before the new year started with three of them being read in the new year. Onto the reading wrapup!!
Manga
Series Starters
BL Metamorphosis
I loved this so much! The character dynamic, the artstyle, and the plot was spot-on! It definitely presents the perspective of people who are fans of Boys Love and do not have many people to discuss it with. It also gave some beautiful panels of the manga that they were reading as well. I just wish where it ended wasn’t so abrupt I need more. 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Ms.Koizumi loves Ramen Noodles
This manga was not what I was expecting. It gives me Komi can’t Communicate vibes mixed with Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family except with just ramen. If you don’t know a lot about ramen/ramen shops, this manga definitely educates you on that. As far as the rest of it is concerned, the main character is a tad mean to another character, the other character was a tad pushy, and it’s an overall slice of life (which isn’t bad but there’s not a set plot/point to it except one character who’s obsessed with ramen.) Overall though, its enjoyable to learn more about ramen and because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi. 🍣🍣🍣
Ex-Enthusiasts
Well this was interesting!! 🤣🤣. These characters are very unlikable, The art is gorgeous, and the premise is very silly. However, because it is silly, I think the series is going to be interesting to continue on. The only issues I really had was that there was a lot more text than I expected plus some insulting commentary. Because of these points, I have to give this volume a 3 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣.
My Brother the Shut-in
This is one of those manga that may seem silly, however in this instance, it has dark undertones. Trigger warnings for verbal abuse and agoraphobia. I think this is something that I would love to continue eventually but I need to be in the right headspace. Overall though, I think if you’re interested in a deep sibling relationship you should check it out. 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Series Continuations
Love Massage!
I think this second volume was a disappointment for me because of the lack of cohesion between one volume to another but also because the leading guy is kinda a tad possessive and manipulative for my liking in this sequel. But the massaging is nice, there’s added characters which was good but overall, was not my favorite manga. I hope to read more to make sure this character gets better. 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Perfect World Vol 6 and 7
When it comes to this series, its up and down in its emotional pull (plus there’s interlopers I am personally not a fan of but thats just me). But this volume is one that solidified for me that I enjoy this series in the sense that it is trying to show what happens to people who are trying to follow their dream along with dealing with realistic disability representation. There are moments of a ableism and putting other people down which I am not a fan of but I understand why they are there. I am hoping for a happy ending in the end but to be honest, either outcome would work for me as long as they both learn moral lessons that are effective no matter what. Because of these points, I have to give this volume a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
So the events of the previous volume have affected this volume and there was a lot of emotions involved which when it comes to that and I am getting towards the end and I’m just like the emotions are real right now and I want to finish the series but at the same time I don’t want it to end. I am glad that I read this though to make sure everyone was ok. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Comics
Reread
Check Please!
This is very adorable fantastic story about a person who goes to college on a hockey scholarship from being an ice skater and falls in love with the team. I reread this because the last time I read this, It was an e copy that just was difficult to follow. But having the physical copy now, its definitely one I can reread again and again like a lot of other sports themed stories I have experienced. Because of these points, I have to give this comic bindup a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Sequel
Check Please! Sticks and Stones
This conclusion, I have to say had a lot more plot than the previous one in the best way. It brought up a lot more real conversations and obstacles that were realistic. However, there were some moments where there was too much happy-go-lucky involved. But I can’t exactly fault it for that. Overall, though I loved this series and would definitely reread it again and again for a pick me up. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Spider Gwen: Weapon of Choice
I think in this instance I should’ve read the previous one again. I was so confused but at the same time I felt that there was an appropriate closure of the first story arc to move on to the next one (which i am really worried about Gwen now I hope things get better). But overall, the feeling was still the same as the previous ones. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Novel
Could Be Something Good
This was an unexpected surprise. If you’re looking for a medical small town romance this is perfect along with a minor age gap. I was engaged with the story the characters and everything in between. If I had a small complaint, I could have done without the goofy if they can last 8 weeks before doing something they’re golden subplot but other than that I had a fantastic time reading this. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Nicole
So this is what is considered a Christian Romance. This entire series is to be honest but if you’re looking for an adult romantic comedy with some profound words about God and environmental concerns, I would check this out. Trigger warnings for verbal abuse, cancer, body shaming and absent father. I loved the dynamics with everyone especially when it came to the children and the adult dynamic. I think the only issue I really had with this book that I didn’t have with the other book I read in this series was that it just abruptly ended with no true closure. I also would recommend you read the first book Molly before you read this one that way you know what is happening in this book and how everyone is connected. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Love Songs for Skeptics
So this book was on my radar because of the music representation plus the main character’s skepticism about love. That’s definitely there but there’s also a lot of Alcoholism and Drug use even going to the lengths to have a stomach pumped.This is because this book represents the UK modern music scene.
Theres also grief of a mentor figure as well so keep that in mind.
It also shows the lengths publicists and journalists do to either keep their magazine running or to maintain their clients’ image or make it better.
There’s also a love triangle involved, which to be honest was effective in the sense that I wasn’t sure who she was going to be with and I am really glad that who she picked was who I wanted because it fits so much better to me.
The family dynamic also was awesome especially when its comes to the wedding/family dinners. There’s also Greek/Cyprus representation in this book so if that interests you, check this out.
Overall, I really enjoyed myself when it comes to this novel and if you like/are interested in it check it out 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Novella
Hefty
First, this is an adult smut novella not for children although there are 18 year olds having sex in this story if that doesn’t interest you please don’t read this.
Ok to the story itself, the leading guy is one I love because he worships the girl and protects her as much as he can. But the steam is also there as well (although some scenes seemed very unrealistic but thats just the cynic in me moving on) so for that reason its getting stars docked for that. Overall though, it satisfied what I was looking for and I am curious more about this subgenre. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
The Week/Year Ahead
I’ll be honest, in the future, I hope to read one of everything I have once a month. When it comes to the weekly check-ins though, they’re just going to be what they have been but there may be times where I do two weeks instead of one. What about you guys? What did you read or watch this week? What was your first read of the year mine was Perfect World vol 6. Let’s talk about it!
Sushirainbow 