Bartimaeus, Venetia, and lots of manga from Viz

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• Chapter Book: I'm addicted to books on CD :)
  
  1. The Bartimaeus trilogy 2: The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud.
     - Borrowed from BPL.
     - Read by Simon Jones.
     - Bartimaeus couldn't believe his "luck." He got summoned again after a bit more than 2 years vacation!
     - Another fun installment of this series. Bartimaeus is as interesting and fun as ever. I enjoy his sarcasm. His poking fun at Nathaniel any chance he's got.
     - In this volume, Kitty Jones had a bigger role. I'm glad her character is strong and interesting and not totally naive and falling into traps.
  2. Venetia by Georgette Heyer.
     - Borrowed from BPL.
     - Read by Richard Armitage. I didn't realize it was abridged.
     - I like Venetia a lot. I'll read the book and find out more.
• Manga:
  
  1. Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time 16: Adapted and Art by Tohko Mizuno.
     - Borrowed from ILL.
     - Continue with Akane still looking for the evil seed. She realized herself that she was tricked by Akram. I like her better in this volume. Since I read volume 17 and knew whom Akane chose, it's obvious now since he's the one who goes with her through all these hardships for more than 2 volumes!
     - Pretty art. The title page for the first chapter in volume 16 is so cool.
     - I feel a bit sorry for Akram. Even though, in the earlier volume, I was annoyed at Akane for feeling sorry for him and promised myself that I'd write the series off if she had chosen him!
     - Little mermaid and her sisters especially :) - so cute!!!! The chibis are adorable.
     - The part when the sick emperor talked, he started with "we" in one panel then switched to "I" - I wonder if that is intentional.
  2. Bakuman 16: Story by Tsugumi Ohba and Art by Takeshi Obata
     - borrowed from BPL
     - This volume is very interesting. Everyone against Nizuma. I like Nizuma more and more each volume. Same goes for Hattori.
     - Iwase was in trouble.
     - Trouble ahead.
  3. 20th Century Boys 21-22 - The End* by Naoki Urawawa.
     - borrowed from BPL.
     - I'm a disappointed in both volumes. Nothing seems to be resolved to me or I am too slow to understand. In fact, the series went down hill for me when it was revealed that Kenji had amnesia and everyone came back. Even number 13th turned out to be a good guy at the end. On top of that, it's revealed that there was another *Friend*
     - The cool thing about the last volume is the traditional Japanese singer turned punk rock star at the concert :) and Sho - Big Cho's grandson - he found out how and why his grandfather died.
     - eta: * I always thought that 22 is the last volume of the series and 21st Century Boys is a sequel. In reality, when I read a bit more about it it seems that 22 isn't really the last of the series. #2 of 21st Century Boys is the last volume of the series. The way the mangaka chose to title the series causes this confusion and expectation that something will be resolved.
  4. Kimi ni Todoke 15 by Karuho Shiina,
     - Shota and Sawako took a back seat in this volume.
     - Young Chizuru and Ryo are just too cute. They have had a whole history. It's hard for Chizuru to change that; however, since she doesn't want to lose the close relationship with Ryo, what will she do?
     - Ken looks sleazy but is a nice guy :)
     - Great series.
  5. Kamisama Kiss 11 by Julietta Suzuki.
     - borrowed from BPL.
     - fun read about preparation for a new year.
     - 4-year-old Nanami is so cute. Her family story is so sad.

Rambling:

• Chihayafuru 2 will start Jan 2013, from ANN. I hope Crunchy roll will license it.
• Silver Spoon (5 volumes ongoing in Japan) by Hiromu Arakawa, author of Fullmetal Alchemist, is licensed by Kurokawa and will be out in France February 2013 via Manga Conseil. Maybe Yen will license this.
• Aozora Yell (10 volumes ongoing in Japan) by Kazune Kawahara, author of High School Debut, is licensed by Panini Comics and will be out in France February 2013 via Manga Conseil same link as above. I'm still waiting for the extra volume of High School Debut to be licensed! - checking amazon.fr, Panini will release it Jan 9, 2013. YES!
• Interesting post about Body Image and “Say ‘I love you’” from Gagging On Sexism

Happy Thanksgiving to who celebrates.