Flying Witch, Vol. 1

Picked up this manga on a whim at my local library and it's so cute and funny. I love the Harbinger so much HAHA. I don't know, I always love it when traditionally scary characters are represented with a charming personality. I'm not usually one for fantasy in manga, but it's incorporated in such a way in this slice of life that I like (low fantasy ftw).

Hirayasumi, Vol. 1

I think it's been a year and a half since I last read manga...safe to say it's been a hot minute. But! Oh my god. I already know that I'm a SoL whore in animanga, books, and shows, but I just discovered the sub-genre of iyashikei, or healing slice of life. Highly sensitive beans such as I appreciate this very much. I also loved the art style. Honestly, a major reason why I can't get into animanga is because of the overly sexualised illustration styles and depictions of women, but so far so good.

I also want to read Yotsuba&!, the original Midnight Diner manga (Shin'ya Shokudō), and Chi's Sweet Home. I'll definitely be on the lookout for other wholesome manga series (with minimal romance please!) ^-^

Darling - India Knight

To Uncle Matthew, Davey, and dearest Jassy, thank you for being the most lovable characters I have met this year. This book felt like being invited to a cosy family dinner and feeling immediately at home. I also just love the Radletts for their hatred of modern minimalist house decor (!!). The ending, though. Not expected. Nor necessary. My heart was broken, but I still loved the book with my entire being.

I Love You So Mochi - Sarah Kuhn

As much as Kimi acts like your stock-standard YA protagonist, the journey which she embarks on romantically and personally was sweet and endearing to read. The descriptions of the food! Places! Emotions! And Akira is the perfect book boyfriend, much to the despair of my perpetual singlehood.

The Art of Frugal Hedonism - Annie Raser-Rowland, Adam Grubb

I absolutely adore this style of charming, humorous writing. This is probably my lifestyle bible in all honesty. Frugality runs in my veins and it was immensely comforting to know that there are other humans ditching the ideas of happiness we've been force-fed for the simpler pleasures of life.

Radio Silence - Alice Oseman

Frances, Frances, Frances. I need to create a page of every book character who I relate to because my GOD my need for academic validation was well-represented through her. And a page for lovable characters. *Cough* Aled Last *cough*.

Funny Ethnics - Shirley Le

Growing up as an ethnic minority myself, Le's depiction of growing up Asian in Australia could pass as my own childhood memories.

Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata

For better or for worse, this was the book that changed my writing style permanently - even beyond the creative realm. The deadpan narration coupled with needless yet vital descriptions and astute worldly observations was my introduction to translated literature. Keiko felt like looking into the mirror, as uncomfortable as that was. The decision she made at the end of the book reaffirmed that I must follow my own path in life - this book is a reminder of that.

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel - Mariah Marsden, Brenna Thummler

Thummler's illustrations are beautiful. If I could, I would take every page and stick them on my walls. This was released after the first season of Anne with an E was released, and the fact that she resembles Amybeth McNulty so much solidifies my love for this comic.

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window - Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

I was today years old when I learnt that there was a Totto-Chan anime feature film released in 2023 (I'm going fucking insane!!@#). This book was beyond gorgeous. I'll admit that it took me a while to get into it, but I devoured it after making it through the first few pages, in love with the childlike whimsy and naïvety.

Cat's Eye - Margaret Atwood

Oh, Margaret, I love you. Growing up has never felt more vividly painful. I liked this more than the Handmaid's Tale to be honest. I remember when my high school English teacher saw me reading this. I think it was the first time I felt like a literature snob.

Pachinko - Min Jin Lee

It was insane how absorbed I was with this book. Possibly my favourite of all time. I had borrowed this book on a one week loan (due to its popularity) and was devastated when I had to return it halfway through. It was certainly a fight to get my hot little hands on it again.

At Dusk - Hwang Sok-yong

This read like a hearty swig of melancholia. This was my gateway drug into other works by Hwang.

Familiar Things - Hwang Sok-yong

RAHH I LOVE THIS BOOK. Authorial commentary on those left behind by economic mobility but wrapped up in a little magical realism (ft. dokkaebi)? Hell yeah!

Princess Bari - Hwang Sok-yong

I swear, the books I read by Hwang just get better each time. We follow Bari, a North Korean girl fleeing from famine during the 1990s, throughout her journey spanning China and the United Kingdom. THE IMAGERY! Gorgeous.

Sweet Bean Paste - Durian Sukegawa

Okay, this is the best piece of translated Japanese literature I've read thus far. I think I cried. In terms of quotes, you best believe I'm highlighting the entire fucking book.

“People’s lives never stay the same colour forever. There are times when the colour of life changes completely.”

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo

I bought this initially when I was going through my minimalism phase back in 2020/21(?). I loved seeing Chiaki's lifestyle transformation and newfound optimism for her life. That kind of thing always makes me happy.

Love and Gelato - Jenna Evans Welch

The Netflix adaptation did NAWT do this justice. But yes, take me to Tuscan countryside. Now.

Kisses and Croissants - Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

I too, would love to be taken around Paris by a stranger, but that is not how our world runs!

Ever After High School Stories - Suzanne Selfors

I love Ever After High with every fibre of my being. And I loved being able to follow the lives of more minor characters in the series against the landscape of the Fairy Tale World.