I am here and class

[badtzphoto]

2c. 1 volume of I am here (ココにいるよ！, Koko ni Iru yo!).




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Written and illustrated by Ema Toyama

From Random House
A SUNFLOWER IN THE SHADE
Invisible to her classmates, Hikage Sumino is an eighth grader with no self-esteem. Her only friends are the visitors to her Internet blog. One day, the most popular boy in the grade suddenly talks to her. Encouraged by this twist of fate, Hikage determines to transform her life.

Some points:
- It's similar to Kimi ni Todoke, since Sumino doesn't have any friends, not by choice she's just invisible. Noone sees her nor notices her.
- She's not as lucky as Sawako in that the popular boy doesn't have any close/childhood girl friend who can befriend her.
- I'm guessing black rabbit and pig are the 2 popular boys, but I haven't figured out who is who exactly.
- She's even lonelier than Sawako.
- eta: this is an omnibus of 2 and a half volumes. It doesn't have covers from volumes 2 and 3. I hope to see other covers in next volume, but it's only icy on the cake. So ... Here are the five Japanese covers of the series:








cute, huh?
Bottom line, cute - but sad at times.


3. A Matter of Class. First sentence: "Reginald Mason crossed one elegantly clad leg over the other and contemplated the gold tassel swinging from one of his white-topped Hessian boots."




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Written by Mary Balogh

Some points:
- I've read and enjoyed Mary Balogh's Dark Angel - I like it a lot so I borrowed this one.
- I like switching times between chapters. I didn't see it coming until the chapter before last. I should have seen that coming seeing how they've been friends. I really like romantic love that is based on friendship.
- I was a bit surprised when Reginald talked about the house his father had given him and he was about making a profit running it. It seemed to be contrasting with the playboy image the chapters are portraying him. I should have known those are hints about the twists.

Bottom line, reread? probably. Recommend? If you like fluff light romance.

Continuing series: Manga

• Library Wars 3
• Happy Cafe 6

Rambling

• retro/vintage manga again: here.
• Viz website series url has been fixed. I haven't been able to find release schedule, but I'm guess it's a matter of time ...
• A short story by Isaac Asimov THE IMMORTAL BARD, I thought it was very funny.