Hey guys how’s it going? Weekly Check-in Time! I consumed a ton of media these past two weeks due to being on a long road trip along with the start of summer.
Manga
Series Starters
Our Not So Lonely Planet Travel Guide
This manga is definitely one I can see reading over and over again on a road trip. I love how the main characters have met some nice people on their trip so far but some suspicious ones to feel realistic. I liked the addition of facts that occur with each country plus the food!!! If you’re a foodie who’s adventurous check this manga series out. There’s also the aspect on how people feel about lbgtqia+ couples in various countries for me also was interesting. Overall, I am curious how this series will continue on. Because of these points, I have to give this manga a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love
I have to say for me personally, this is definitely a series for people who love High School Debut and My Love Story. This is because the character dynamic is very similar but also some of the plot is too. However, there are a lot of differences with the male characters and how popular the characters are etc. Overall, I truly enjoyed this first volume and am excited to see what happens next. 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Cheeky Brat
This manga series gives me the feels of Maid-sama and Abe-kun’s got me now combined. I appreciate the character dynamic along with the sports team aspects because of how unique it brings. However, I wanted more than 6 chapters (is that me being selfish maybe) because I need more flushed out story. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Series Continuations
Living Room Matsunaga san Volumes 3 & 4
This manga series has definitely become a comfort series for me this year. I love the character dynamics, there are moral lessons presented, but overall, its just a real fun time. Because of these points, I have to give these volumes a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Abe-kun’s Got Me Now
This manga series is always very comforting to me. It could be because of the romance or because of the characters I don’t know. My main question though, is what is going to happen next, there’s some conflict but not a lot. That’s the only aspect of the series I don’t like. Because of these points, I have to give this volume a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Graphic Novel
Slip
This graphic novel is definitely fantastic if you are looking for an artist’s perspective on how they can use emotions to express themselves in a piece. I loved also the added addition of the pieces coming to life and helping the artist learn the important lessons of life especially when it comes to love and friendship. I think my only issue with this graphic novel is that there were moments that the plot was choppy and not very cohesive. Otherwise, though I appreciated the characters and the artstyle. I also would recommend it to my high school art teacher friends who may use this to help their students. Because of these points, I have to give this graphic novel a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Novel
Then There Was You
This book is not one you should take lightly. There are a lot of items that it covers such as loss of a child, school shootings and racial slurs. There are also a ton of medical discussions that have graphic detail so if that doesn’t interest you, you can skim them. Anyway. As far the rest of the content, I appreciated the research and detail that the author presented as far as Indian cultural events and the native language. In addition, I loved all of the detail that went into the characters’ careers especially the medical chopper side of things.I also thought that the journeys of both main characters was realistic and made the story better. Overall though, if you’re looking for a deep contemporary romance that has something to learn from it, I highly recommend this one. 5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Beauty and the Baller
This book was a pleasant surprise for me to read. It is one of those though that if you are not interested in play sex or football or even Star Wars references this isn’t for you. To me it personally felt like the show/movie Friday Night Lights with the characters and drama and grief in more ways than one. I really enjoyed how much depth the characters presented, and I was pleasantly surprised by the autistic representation. Overall, I enjoyed this romance and Ilsa Madden-Mills is a new author both my mother and I will be keeping an eye on. Because of these points, I have to give it a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Sydney A.Frankel’s Summer Mix up
This is one of those books that I would personally recommend for students transitioning from Elementary to Middle School but also if you’re looking for a summer book for your kids. Especially for one who needs assistance for standing for themselves and treating others with kindness. The only issue I had was that the end seemed unfinished. Overall this is fantastic. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣
The Sign for Home
Ooof this book is so good but also not one everyone will like (unfortunately its realistic soooo). I appreciate the writing style that the author presented of both of perspectives of the interpreter and the DeafBlind main character. I read the author’s note too and its amazing that she is an interpreter as well so I loved learning the jargon appropriately. I also thought that the religious aspect was a fantastic addition (even though not everyone is going to like it) because it presents the internal struggle between letting someone advocate for you or being afraid to try. The only issue I had was that yes I got closure for the ending, however I wanted more information (this is though me being nitpicky and not a reflection on the book) I wanted more detail on what happened at the end. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
The Pearls of Yesterday
So, this book was not what I was expecting. This is because it is a lot more pretentious than I was expecting. This is because there is a ton of privilege discussion along with how to maintain images. There is also parental grief and a huge love triangle so if that doesn’t interest you, don’t read this book. Otherwise, to me if you like gossip girl/rich people drama, disability representation along with diverse representation, and how being a debutante works check this book out. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Novella
The Frock Up
This novella was definitely a lot cuter than I was expecting. I also loved that the conflicts were defused realistically and quickly. The sex was also very entertaining as well. Overall, a ton of fun and I recommend this author if you need a sexy cute novella to read. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Anime
Black Clover
Movie Rewatch
Coyote Ugly
This is one of those movies that definitely is one that is fun to watch if you want to see how someone follows their dreams of becoming a song writer in the music business in New York City and how difficult it can be. However, to some people, it can be too dated to be enjoyable. I also love the music and humor that this movie has as well. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Movie
News of the World
Man! This movie was intriguing yet confusing at the same time. I enjoyed the scenery and the acting. However, the screenwriting and plot was very confusing. I mean I understood what was happening but the cinematography was choppy and I didn’t understand the point. Because of these points, I have to give this movie a 3 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣🍣🍣.
TV Show
Beat Bobby Flay
This show wasn’t the worst show ever, but it also wasn’t the best either. The concept is first two people compete like a regular food network show, then they have to beat Bobby Flay at their best dish. Thankfully the episodes we watched it was one beat one defeat but, it seems like its a bit biased to me. Overall though, if there’s nothing else on, I’d watch this again. Because of those points, I have to give this a 3 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣.
Podcast
Wandering Bryaxis
Sushirainbow 