Be happy!

A couple months ago, I noticed an ad that read, “If you like V.B. Rose, you’ll like Happy Cafe!”  I know somebody likes V.B. Rose because it was requested. So I ordered Happy Cafe. It just arrived so get it while it’s hot! And don’t forget you can always request things.

“And what is the use of a book,” thought Alice “without pictures or conversation?”

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has inspired movies, songs, re-imaginings, and (of course) graphic novels. Frank Beddor re-imagined Wonderland in his trilogy The Looking Glass Wars. In his books, the true story of Wonderland, Alyss must fight to regain the throne of Wonderland, where all imagination comes from. Her enemies are The Cat, a [...]

Series ending

Two series have come to an end. Knights of the Zodiac High School Debut What shall I get now?

Easy Graphic Novels

The Toon Books are graphic novels written for beginning readers. Short stories with young characters, these graphic novels are great for the youngest reluctant and avid readers alike. Art Spiegelman created a crazed Jack in the box! Jeff Smith (of Bone fame) wrote about a little mouse getting ready for his day! That book got [...]

Week 4 Final Match-Up! Ninjas VS Fairies!

Teen Read Month Read Beyond Reality Tournament! In a very close vote, Ninjas beat Vampires and Fairies beat Zombies! So this week it’s: NINJAS vs FAIRIES! This could actually be a close match, power wise. Ninja are fast, have a variety of powers (real and illusion), but they are mortal. Fairies can vary in size [...]

Week 2: Robots VS Fairies & Aliens VS Zombies!

Teen Read Month Read Beyond Reality Tournament! ROBOTS vs FAIRIES! The Good Neighbors by Holly Black and Ted Naifah tends to make me think of a Terry Pratchett quote Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder. Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels. Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies. Elves are glamorous. They project glamour. Elves are [...]

Week 1: Wizards VS Vampires!

Teen Read Month Read Beyond Reality Tournament! Some wizards and vampires are frankly too adorable to fight. Negima!? Neo! – Negi Springfield, mage in training and master of battle magic. He is backed by his fearsome and strangely skilled class 2A. No quidditch jokes, please. Chibi Vampire – Karin doesn’t need to drink blood, she [...]

Go West?

The space for shelving manga at the West Duluth branch has doubled! So I need to buy lots of new books for the branch. The patrons there seem to prefer boy’s manga, but I thought I should throw in a few girl’s manga titles as well. Here are some titles I am thinking of ordering. [...]

As Seen On TV

Lots of popular anime is based on popular manga series. These two series have anime that is currently licensed for the Cartoon Network. Bleach features Ichigo Kurosaki, a young man who starts with the ability to see spirits and accidentally absorbs the powers of a shinigami (Soul Reaper or Death God) from Rukia Kuchiki, a [...]

A Fine Romance!

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by the ladies giving the men in their lives chocolate. Giri-choco (obligation chocolate) is given to friends, bosses, and co-workers so they don’t feel left out. Honmei-choco (potential winner chocolate) is a more expensive or homemade chocolate that a woman gives to a man she likes. She may also [...]