Black Cauldron, Cerises, and Hotel William Child Bird

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50. The Black Cauldron. First sentence: "Autumn had come too swiftly."




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Written by Lloyd Alexander

Some points:
- borrowed from Bpl
- read by James Langton, he has so many voices. I'm surprised how rude and curt the voice for Ellidyr is. I like the voice for Gwystyl.
- This is a second volume of the series.
- On ward with the third book.

Bottom line, reread? definitely.


51a. 1 volume of Une tempête aux couleurs des cerisiers (うすべにの嵐).




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Manga Updates

Story and Art by Ai Yazawa

From Viz
Deux frères ennemis rêvent de devenir joueurs de base-ball professionnels. Ils se disputent la victoire sur le terrain pour remporter la phase finale du championnat des lycées et il n'y aura qu'une seule place. Mais quand l'amour entre en jeu, l'issue du match demeure incertaine... Un shôjo signé Ai Yazawa, l'auteure culte de Nana.

Some points:
- loosely translated: Two feuding brothers dream of becoming players in professional baseball. They compete for victory in the field to win the Championship Finals of schools and there will be only one place. But when love comes into play, the match remains uncertain ... A Signature shojo of Ai Yazawa, Nana cult author.
- story of loss and growing up
- in love with childhood friend.
- very good read like author's other stories.

Bottom line, very interesting one shot.


51b. 1 volume of Welcome to Hotel Williams Child Bird (鳥籠荘の今日も眠たい住人たち).




wiki
Manga Updates

Original Story by Yukako Kabei, Adapted and Art by Rihito Takarai

From Ototo
Kizuna s'adonne avec ses copines à un jeu dangereux... Réussir à voler le plus d'argent possible aux hommes qu'elles abordent dans la rue... Un quotidien morose et malsain, que la rencontre avec Yûsei Asai, un artiste peintre lunatique et renfermé, va transformer du tout au tout, après que Kizuna accepte de travailler pour lui en tant que modèle…

Some points:
- loosely translated: Kizuna and her girlfriends are playing dangerous games ... Managing to steal the most money possible for the men they encounter on the street ... A daily tedium and unhealthy, that the meeting with Yusei Asai, a whimsical painter and withdrawn, will change everything after Kizuna agrees to work for him as a model ...
- This series address the problems that young people face and dangerous things they do out of boredom.
- Kizuna isn't afraid to stand up for herself.
- Very interesting first volume so far.
- The painter is mysterious.

Bottom line, very interesting and a bit dark series.

Continuing series: Manga

• Natsume 12
• Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura 8
• Chocolat 4-7

eta: random:

• stalking twitter I came pass this conversation between VerticalEd and RockItSkates84 regarding Twinkle Star by Natsuki Takaya, the author of Fruits Basket, here. I wonder if that means Twinkle Star has been up for grab but no takers?
• I've been rereading Kobato because of CLAMP MMF at Manga Bookshelf