The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story by Marie Kondō

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Distributors
Published: 2017
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Manga, Educational, Organization, Lifestyle, Cute

---

BLURB:

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author and lifestyle/cleaning guru Marie Kondo, this graphic novelization brings Kondo’s life-changing tidying method to life with the fun, quirky story of a woman who transforms her home, work, and love life using Kondo’s advice and inspiration.

Hollow Fields, Vol. 1

Hollow Fields, Vol. 1 by Madeleine Rosca

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: November 28th, 2017
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Manga, Humor, School, Steampunk

---

BLURB:

A full-color revisit to the critically acclaimed steampunk hit!

Little Lucy Snow was supposed to attend a prestigious boarding school; however, a macabre twist of fate finds her enrolled instead at Miss Weaver’s Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfettered, also known as Hollow Fields. Located on the outskirts of Nullsville and run by the insidious Engineers, the grim boarding school dedicates itself to raising the next generation of mad scientists and evil geniuses!

Classes include Live Taxidermy, Cross-Species Body Part Transplantation, and Killer Robot Construction. For her own survival, Lucy must master her lessons quickly. At the end of each week, the student with the lowest grades is sent to the old windmill for detention…and so far, no child has ever returned.

Slumbering Beauty, Vol. 1

Slumbering Beauty Vol.1 by Yumi Unita

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: November 2017
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Tween, Manga, Humor, High School, Friendship

---

BLURB:

High school student Yaneko loves to sleep, so much that she can barely wake up of her own accord. That is, until she is roused from her slumber by a sleep spirit known as Nerim. Yaneko must accompany the benevolent spirit on his daily work route, as he grants the gift of comfortable sleep to people (and animals!) of all ages. But just what is his true purpose and why has he chosen Yaneko to be his assistant? This could very well be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!  

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1

The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Cassandra Jean

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Distributor
First Published: November 7th, 2017
Publisher: Yen Press
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Action, Demons

---

BLURB:

Hanging out with her best friend, Simon, is just about the most exciting thing in Clary’s life…that is, until she realizes there are people only she can see. But when her mother disappears and a monster attacks her, Clary has to embrace a world that she never even knew existed–a world full of vampires, werewolves, demons, and those who fight for the humans, Shadowhunters…

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

Manga Classics: Jane Eyre by Stacy King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Comics Distributors
First Published: November 15th, 2016
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Manga, Classics, Gothic, Romance

---

BLURB:

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

A Bride’s Story, Volume 2

A Bride’s Story, Vol. 2 by Kaoru Mori

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: October 25th 2011
Publisher: Yen Press
Recommended Age: 11+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Manga, Historical Fiction, Family, Marriage, Culture

---

BLURB:

Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori’s tale of life on the nineteenth-century Silk Road continues as the young bride, Amir Halgal, struggles to remain with her new groom despite the wishes of her family, who would see her wed another. Will Amir be able to preserve the bonds she has cultivated in her new home?

A Bride’s Story, Volume 1

A Bride’s Story, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: May 21st, 2011
Publisher: Yen Press
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Manga, Historical Fiction, Family, Marriage, Culture

---

BLURB:

Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori (Emma, Shirley) brings the nineteenth-century Silk Road to lavish life, chronicling the story of Amir Halgal, a young woman from a nomadic tribe betrothed to a twelve-year-old boy eight years her junior. Coping with cultural differences, blossoming feelings for her new husband, and expectations from both her adoptive and birth families, Amir strives to find her role as she settles into a new life and a new home in a society quick to define that role for her.

My Brother’s Husband Volume 1

My Brother’s Husband, Volume 1 by Gengoroh Tagame

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: May 2nd, 2017
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Recommended Age: tempted to say “all”
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Manga, LGBT, Japan Culture, Family

---

BLURB:

Yaichi is a work-at-home suburban dad in contemporary Tokyo; formerly married to Natsuki, father to their young daughter, Kana. Their lives suddenly change with the arrival at their doorstep of a hulking, affable Canadian named Mike Flanagan, who declares himself the widower of Yaichi’s estranged gay twin, Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to explore Ryoji’s past, and the family reluctantly but dutifully takes him in. What follows is an unprecedented and heartbreaking look at the state of a largely still-closeted Japanese gay culture: how it’s been affected by the West, and how the next generation can change the preconceptions about it and prejudices against it.

Stargazing Dog – Takashi Murakami

Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: NBM Publishing
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Manga, Slice of Life, Drama, Dogs

---

BLURB:

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this story centers on Oto-san, a man who finds himself abandoned by his family and friends with nothing in his life happening the way he had planned. He embarks on a road trip to escape it all, and he soon discovers the only one he can count on completely is his faithful, recently adopted dog, who helps him see the light at the end of the tunnel. Illustrating the valuable lessons of friendship and loyalty, this is a heartwarming tale of two endearing characters and their shared adventure into the unknown.

Awkward – Svetlana Chmakova

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: Yen Press
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Normal
Genres &  Themes: Middle Grade, Manga, Friendship, Art & Science, School Life

---

BLURB:

Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don’t get noticed by the mean kids.

Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.