I love my local public library ...
Back to regular schedule ...
Rewatching Saiunkoku - so pretty - sigh -
I've been reading more regarding this series as in manga scan and light novels translations - and thinking about Shurei and Ryuuki. I do want Ruuki to be happy but I think he may not end up with Shurei at the end ... there are too many obstacles ...
eta: of course, Ryuuki is a fictional character, I can't help feeling sorry for him ... - In a way, Seien/Seiran is better off than Ryuuki. Being monarch is not a piece of cake it seems. True one can live in luxury but one has obligations, too.
72. 1 Volume of Yakitate!! Japan (焼きたて!! ジャぱん, Yakitate!! Japan meaning "Freshly Baked!! Ja-pan", the "pan" also meaning "bread" in Japanese).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Takashi Hashiguchi
from Viz Media website:
The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but Kazuma won't let anything prevent him from achieving his nation-changing, freshly baked goal. Relocating to Tokyo, Kazuma seeks to further his studies at Pantasia, a famous bakery chain. But will he rise to the challenge and pass the entrance examination, or will his best intentions fall flat?
Some points:
- Shouldn't read this when hungry since the bread looks so good
- However since I'm not a good cook, the technicality bread talks aren't interesting so I'm not sure about this. I may get book 2 and 3 just to give it another chance but there are too many books I want to check out so I don't know ...
Bottom line, wait and see, I guess.
73. Tuesdays with Morrie. First sentence: "The last class of my old professor's took place once a week in his house, by the window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves."
wiki
Some points:
- I always wanted to read this book for a long time. I guess because of the hype and everything.
- The lessons are so simple - I don't mean it as insult or disrespect - like things usually are simple things are the most thoughtful and deepest in meaning.
Bottom line, I always hated goodbyes. I'd rather be the person who leaves than the one that's left behind but... I guess I don't have a choice in this matter.
74. 7 Volumes of Othello (オセロ, Othello).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Satomi Ikezawa
from Del Rey website:
Vol 1: HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES
Yaya’s high school friends haven’t been very nice. They call her “Yaya the cry-ya! Yaya the misfi-ya!” But no matter how badly they act, Yaya is just too naïve and trusting to believe the worst of her friends. Hard-rocking, butt-kicking Nana is just the girl to grab hold of Yaya’s timid demeanor and turn it upside down. Nana exposes Yaya’s “friends” as slime bags, doles out punishment, and does it all with style. Can there be anything that terminally shy Yaya and hyper-confident Nana have in common? Well, for one thing, they’re the same person. . .
Vol 2: WAIT WHILE I CHANGE INTO SOMEONE MORE COMFORTABLE
Shy Yaya spends her time in awkward conversations with her handsome classmate, guitarist Moriyama; dressing up with fellow fans of the rock group Juliet; and avoiding her bitter, sadistic ex-friends. But whenever Yaya bumps her head or looks into a mirror, she changes into her other personality-boisterous, tough-as-nails Nana, who punishes the guilty and belts out Led Zeppelin tunes. Now Moriyama’s mysterious adult friend, Shôhei, sets his sights on Nana. He is rumored to have close ties to the music industry, but instead harbors a secret agenda.
Vol 3: ROCK & ROLL WOMAN GIVES ME THOSE ROCK & ROLL BLUES
Timid Yaya is the victim of every bully in school, but she has a secret kept even from herself: She has another personality named Nana, who is all too willing to kick butt. While nice-guy guitarist Moriyama begins a tentative romance with Yaya, the constant appearances of brash Nana reveal the truth about his would-be girlfriend. And soon Moriyama’s charismatic professional-musician friend Shôhei takes too much of an interest in Nana’s killer singing voice . . . and body! Can Nana resist the very man Yaya has idealized all her life?!
Vol 4: BRIGHT, CHEERY, AND THE SCARIEST WOMAN ALIVE
Too-shy Yaya is no match for the clever manipulations of the latest transfer student, Megumi Hino-Hino-chan-whose bright, optimistic exterior shields a perfect storm of selfishness, jealousy, and sadism. Hino-chan has her tentacles in all aspects of Yaya’s life, including her budding relationship with nice-guy Moriyama and a strange unspoken animosity with rakish, ex-rock star Shôhei. Perhaps Yaya’s aggressive alter ego Nana can cut Hino-chan down to size . . . especially when Yaya is pressured into signing a legally binding contract with her arch enemy!
Vol 5: TAKING MATTERS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Master manipulator Megumi Hino-Hino-chan-is enraged by her failure to bring down timid Yaya Higuchi and her alter ego, the confident and boisterous Nana. So Hino-chan decides to take the ultimate revenge. Using the singing contract that Yaya desperately wishes to null and void as a means to her mean-spirited ends, Hano-chan makes her an offer. She will rip it up . . . if Yaya agrees to play a little game with her. If Yaya can catch Hino-chan and steal the contract, Hino will cancel the agreement and return the application fee. Sounds simple, yes? But there’s a little hitch. Yaya must chase Hino while skydiving!
Vol 6: ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: YOU WON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE YOURSELF
The only compensation for cute Yaya’s terminal shyness is the take-no-prisoners vengeance of her alter ego, the raucous Nana. But Yaya doesn’t even know that her Nana personality exists! Now, just as Yaya and nice-guy Moriyama seem ready to begin a romantic relationship, Shûko, Moriyama’s strong-willed ex, shows up and wants him back. Worse, she captures one of Nana’s rampages on video . . . learning her secret, and revealing it to a very shocked Yaya!
Vol 7: ME, MYSELF, AND MY OTHER SELF
Shy Yaya has always lacked the self-confidence to follow her heart-whether that entails pursuing her budding relationship with the nice-guy guitarist Moriyama or making her singing aspirations a reality. That’s why Yaya has suddenly given her alternate personality, the loose cannon Nana, complete control of her life. Can the world survive a full-time Nana? Can polar opposites, Yaya and Nana, find enough middle ground to make their mutual dreams come true? It’s all here in the exciting final volume of Othello!
Some points:
- I've heard about this series but didn't check it out because of the premises - double personalities, dark ... but I borrowed all 7 books at the local public library when I saw them - I didn't know it was complete - a bonus.
- First impression, I like Yaya and Moriyama kun and other nice characters just fine. However, I feel that the bullies are getting off too easy especially Megumi ... also the arch behind Sohei and Megumi and her brother was hardly expanded - of course that would lengthen the series ... It does get repetitive a bit.
- Over all it's an interesting series. I wouldn't have read but for the library.
Bottom line, I probably will read the series before their due date.
Rewatching Saiunkoku - so pretty - sigh -
I've been reading more regarding this series as in manga scan and light novels translations - and thinking about Shurei and Ryuuki. I do want Ruuki to be happy but I think he may not end up with Shurei at the end ... there are too many obstacles ...
eta: of course, Ryuuki is a fictional character, I can't help feeling sorry for him ... - In a way, Seien/Seiran is better off than Ryuuki. Being monarch is not a piece of cake it seems. True one can live in luxury but one has obligations, too.
72. 1 Volume of Yakitate!! Japan (焼きたて!! ジャぱん, Yakitate!! Japan meaning "Freshly Baked!! Ja-pan", the "pan" also meaning "bread" in Japanese).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Takashi Hashiguchi
from Viz Media website:
The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but Kazuma won't let anything prevent him from achieving his nation-changing, freshly baked goal. Relocating to Tokyo, Kazuma seeks to further his studies at Pantasia, a famous bakery chain. But will he rise to the challenge and pass the entrance examination, or will his best intentions fall flat?
Some points:
- Shouldn't read this when hungry since the bread looks so good
- However since I'm not a good cook, the technicality bread talks aren't interesting so I'm not sure about this. I may get book 2 and 3 just to give it another chance but there are too many books I want to check out so I don't know ...
Bottom line, wait and see, I guess.
73. Tuesdays with Morrie. First sentence: "The last class of my old professor's took place once a week in his house, by the window in the study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink leaves."
wiki
Some points:
- I always wanted to read this book for a long time. I guess because of the hype and everything.
- The lessons are so simple - I don't mean it as insult or disrespect - like things usually are simple things are the most thoughtful and deepest in meaning.
Bottom line, I always hated goodbyes. I'd rather be the person who leaves than the one that's left behind but... I guess I don't have a choice in this matter.
74. 7 Volumes of Othello (オセロ, Othello).
wiki
Manga updates
Written and illustrated by Satomi Ikezawa
from Del Rey website:
Vol 1: HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES
Yaya’s high school friends haven’t been very nice. They call her “Yaya the cry-ya! Yaya the misfi-ya!” But no matter how badly they act, Yaya is just too naïve and trusting to believe the worst of her friends. Hard-rocking, butt-kicking Nana is just the girl to grab hold of Yaya’s timid demeanor and turn it upside down. Nana exposes Yaya’s “friends” as slime bags, doles out punishment, and does it all with style. Can there be anything that terminally shy Yaya and hyper-confident Nana have in common? Well, for one thing, they’re the same person. . .
Vol 2: WAIT WHILE I CHANGE INTO SOMEONE MORE COMFORTABLE
Shy Yaya spends her time in awkward conversations with her handsome classmate, guitarist Moriyama; dressing up with fellow fans of the rock group Juliet; and avoiding her bitter, sadistic ex-friends. But whenever Yaya bumps her head or looks into a mirror, she changes into her other personality-boisterous, tough-as-nails Nana, who punishes the guilty and belts out Led Zeppelin tunes. Now Moriyama’s mysterious adult friend, Shôhei, sets his sights on Nana. He is rumored to have close ties to the music industry, but instead harbors a secret agenda.
Vol 3: ROCK & ROLL WOMAN GIVES ME THOSE ROCK & ROLL BLUES
Timid Yaya is the victim of every bully in school, but she has a secret kept even from herself: She has another personality named Nana, who is all too willing to kick butt. While nice-guy guitarist Moriyama begins a tentative romance with Yaya, the constant appearances of brash Nana reveal the truth about his would-be girlfriend. And soon Moriyama’s charismatic professional-musician friend Shôhei takes too much of an interest in Nana’s killer singing voice . . . and body! Can Nana resist the very man Yaya has idealized all her life?!
Vol 4: BRIGHT, CHEERY, AND THE SCARIEST WOMAN ALIVE
Too-shy Yaya is no match for the clever manipulations of the latest transfer student, Megumi Hino-Hino-chan-whose bright, optimistic exterior shields a perfect storm of selfishness, jealousy, and sadism. Hino-chan has her tentacles in all aspects of Yaya’s life, including her budding relationship with nice-guy Moriyama and a strange unspoken animosity with rakish, ex-rock star Shôhei. Perhaps Yaya’s aggressive alter ego Nana can cut Hino-chan down to size . . . especially when Yaya is pressured into signing a legally binding contract with her arch enemy!
Vol 5: TAKING MATTERS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Master manipulator Megumi Hino-Hino-chan-is enraged by her failure to bring down timid Yaya Higuchi and her alter ego, the confident and boisterous Nana. So Hino-chan decides to take the ultimate revenge. Using the singing contract that Yaya desperately wishes to null and void as a means to her mean-spirited ends, Hano-chan makes her an offer. She will rip it up . . . if Yaya agrees to play a little game with her. If Yaya can catch Hino-chan and steal the contract, Hino will cancel the agreement and return the application fee. Sounds simple, yes? But there’s a little hitch. Yaya must chase Hino while skydiving!
Vol 6: ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: YOU WON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE YOURSELF
The only compensation for cute Yaya’s terminal shyness is the take-no-prisoners vengeance of her alter ego, the raucous Nana. But Yaya doesn’t even know that her Nana personality exists! Now, just as Yaya and nice-guy Moriyama seem ready to begin a romantic relationship, Shûko, Moriyama’s strong-willed ex, shows up and wants him back. Worse, she captures one of Nana’s rampages on video . . . learning her secret, and revealing it to a very shocked Yaya!
Vol 7: ME, MYSELF, AND MY OTHER SELF
Shy Yaya has always lacked the self-confidence to follow her heart-whether that entails pursuing her budding relationship with the nice-guy guitarist Moriyama or making her singing aspirations a reality. That’s why Yaya has suddenly given her alternate personality, the loose cannon Nana, complete control of her life. Can the world survive a full-time Nana? Can polar opposites, Yaya and Nana, find enough middle ground to make their mutual dreams come true? It’s all here in the exciting final volume of Othello!
Some points:
- I've heard about this series but didn't check it out because of the premises - double personalities, dark ... but I borrowed all 7 books at the local public library when I saw them - I didn't know it was complete - a bonus.
- First impression, I like Yaya and Moriyama kun and other nice characters just fine. However, I feel that the bullies are getting off too easy especially Megumi ... also the arch behind Sohei and Megumi and her brother was hardly expanded - of course that would lengthen the series ... It does get repetitive a bit.
- Over all it's an interesting series. I wouldn't have read but for the library.
Bottom line, I probably will read the series before their due date.