Completely Full Bookshelf

This is my fifth week of reviewing a book in a row—we're making it happen, y'all! And it's so good for my mental health—especially when the book is really good and compelling, reading is just about the most enjoyable thing I can do on my own, and it keeps me going through the weirdnesses of each week. I stayed up way too late last night reading the entire second half of the book I'm reviewing today—I just couldn't put it down! So let's talk about it, and maybe talk you  into reading it! 😜 Adult Books: Matchmaker Written and illustrated by Cam Marshall Graphic novel · 2023 (previously published online) Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · The complete collection of cartoonist Cam Marshall's joyful queer slice-of-life webcomic! Best friends Mason and Kimmy live through their early twenties in the early ‘20s, navigating a global pandemic and terrifying job market alongside making friends, dating, and playing way too

People in my life who read this blog will know that I've had some big change in my life this week, and I'm grateful to those same people for staying connected with me. I'm going to fight to stay connected with them too. I haven't read much this week, which is a shame, because I've gotten to visit several wonderful  bookstores I'm hoping to post about soon, and I have all these new books I want to read! I made myself sit down and finish the book I had started last week—which was of course totally fun and I'm glad I did. So I'll share about that book today, and hopefully I'll get to read all my other cool books and talk about them soon! Middle Grade: Yummy A History of Desserts Written and illustrated by Victoria Grace Elliott Graphic novel · 2021 Book 1 of 2 ( Yummy  · Tasty ) Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · Cake is delicious, and comics are awesome: this exciting nonfiction graphic novel for kids combi

I've only got one short review this week, but hey, it's more than zero, and we love that! Also, I want to say thank you for all the kind comments you all post, especially those from last week—I have been a little short on time to post my own comments and reply to y'all's, but I appreciate your kindness all the same, and wanted to say that here! With that, let's dive in! Early Reader/Middle Grade: Princess Princess Ever After Written and illustrated by K. O'Neill Graphic novel · 2014 Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · When the heroic princess Amira rescues the kind-hearted princess Sadie from her tower prison, neither expects to find a true friend in the bargain. Yet as they adventure across the kingdom, they discover that they bring out the very best in the other person. They’ll need to join forces and use all the know-how, kindness, and bravery they have in order to defeat their greatest foe yet: a jealous sorceress

Hey everyone! I'm glad to be back for the second week in a row—I've realized I missed reading so much , and getting back into books has been astoundingly good for my mental health. So for once, I'm going to try to heed this message, and actually continue reading—I've got some more books on the horizon I'm excited to try next. In the meantime, I've got a review of a truly delightful YA romance graphic novel for y'all today—so let's dive in! Young Adult: If You'll Have Me Written and illustrated by Eunnie Graphic novel · 2023 Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · Momo Gardner is the kind of friend who’s always ready to lend a helping hand. She’s introverted, sensitive, and maybe a little too trusting, but she likes to believe the best in people. PG, on the other hand, is a bit of a lone wolf, despite her reputation for being a flirt and a player. Underneath all that cool mystery, she’s actually quick to smile,

Hey, I'm rushing to get this post up because I'm bad at time management! So I'm going to cut my usual blithering at the top of the page—suffice it to say that I'm grateful for how this spring break went, and I'm grateful to be me, and I'm so grateful to have the people and books and songs in my life that I do. 😊 Also, if you missed my short post from last week , I got my first car a few weeks ago—woohoo!!! So that's that—now for some graphic novel reviews! Middle Grade: Saving Sunshine Written by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Shazleen Khan Graphic novel · 2023 Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · From Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khan comes a relatable, funny, and heart-wrenchingly honest graphic novel about Muslim American siblings who must learn how to stop fighting and support each other in a world that is often unkind. It's hard enough being a kid without being teased for a funny sounding name or wearing

Hey y'all! It's been a minute since my last post—grad school is as chaotic as ever, and I find myself unwilling to read for all kinds of strange reasons. But it's spring break (huzzah!), and I'm delighted to cram some graphic novels in. I started reading Saving Sunshine  on Friday and meant to have a full review for y'all, but I didn't quite finish reading it in time, so I'll share it in full next week. But it's been beautiful and eye-opening and sweet so far, and I'm excited to talk more about it! Also, I have big personal news I wanted to share—I have a car now!!!!! It's a beautiful Subaru, and although I tried to be extremely empirical in the car-decision process, and it is indeed rated highly, I can't deny that knowing several people who love their Subarus played a part in choosing it. But gosh—it's so  good. It has responsive steering, a powerful but really smooth engine, an absurdly smooth and quiet ride, tons of interior room for i

So many things have happened since I last posted, it's sort of absurd! I recovered from COVID, but then a few weeks later, everyone in my house got COVID again, so that was super-fun (not). I finally  got my driver's license way later than I had any reason to, so I am embarking on the thrill of car shopping! My boyfriend, who is amazing, gave me the world's cutest dog plushie. I had the same epiphany I have to have every few years, where I remember there's no point to dissecting all my anxious thoughts because that gives them credibility. It seems to be working—I've been happier the last few days! Amidst it all, I haven't really been reading, but I finally finished a graphic novel that I'm really excited to share with y'all—so let's do it! Young Adult: Nubia: Real One Written by L.L. McKinney and illustrated by Robyn Smith Graphic novel · 2021 Add it on Goodreads · Preview the illustrations · · · The publisher says: · · · Can you be a hero...if soci

This post does not need to exist, but I'm writing it anyway, if only because I want the full and complete story of my COVID adventure (see part 1 and part 2 ) chronicled on my blog! So I said on Sunday how I was feeling normal, and wow, I spoke WAY  too soon! Because on Monday, my almost-gone COVID turned into pneumonia, and I got to partake in all kinds  of fun symptoms including fever and congestion and some coughing and plenty of fatigue. Thankfully, the doctor prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler on Tuesday, and I'm feeling much better today—still tired and with a few symptoms, but able to function. (I finally got my haircut today!) Still, it's sort of wild how I've been sick for over two weeks straight (including the entire first week of the grad school semester). Don't get COVID, y'all, and if you do, take Paxlovid and rest hard ! But thankfully, things are meandering back to normal, and I'm so grateful for it!

Hi everyone, and happy MLK Day! After last week's COVID adventure , I am on the mend—still testing positive, unfortunately, but feeling normal except for occasional coughing and sniffles. I am so tired  of being stuck at home (there are people I want to see, and haircuts I desperately need to get!), but I'm going to hang in there. It'll be over soon! Also, I am headed back to graduate school this upcoming week, so only time will tell if I will continue blogging semi-consistently, or if I will be dropping off the face of the earth to focus on the million other things that comprise my life. Regardless, I'm glad I've been able to fit in six books, four blog posts, and some time spent in this wonderful blogosphere with you all before the winter break ends! Today, I've got a delightful middle-grade graphic novel to tell you about, so let's jump in! Middle Grade: Frankie's World Written and illustrated by Aoife Dooley Graphic novel · 2022 Book 1 of 2 ( Frankie

So I got COVID for the first time, which I'm not really thrilled about, I must say. My case is fairly mild, although there have definitely been ups and downs. I got on Paxlovid as fast as humanly possible, and I assume it's helping, since I trust empirical research and all that. Thanks to my mom's suggestion, warm honey water has been my best friend—the heat melts all the stupid post-nasal drip in my throat, and the honey coats and soothes all the sore spots and also adds some nice sweetness. (Why don't I eat honey more often? It's really tasty.) My mom has also  been reminding me to drink things that aren't  honey water so I don't lose all my electrolytes—thank gosh for my mom, y'all. Anyway, while my social life is entirely virtual and my body is a vessel for parasitic little demons, I figure I might as well pull my reading life together! Right before my illness, my boyfriend and I went on a lovely reading date that got me back into Solitaire , and the