The sweetest fluffiest most adorable manga ever. Frankly this may be too cute for my fragile heart. It's basically about a lonely salary man who is adThe sweetest fluffiest most adorable manga ever. Frankly this may be too cute for my fragile heart. It's basically about a lonely salary man who is adopted by a college age kid and his much younger brother. It's so cozy and sweet and all about food and I JUST LOVE IT so much. This book will not hurt you, it is like a graphic novel meets hot water bottle - nothing but warmth and comfort. (There is also a live action adaptation.) ...more
I was given an advanced reader of this book and have been waiting to crow about it. I ADORED it. It’s basically 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with I was given an advanced reader of this book and have been waiting to crow about it. I ADORED it. It’s basically 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. It’s what I wanted Miss Peregrine's Home to be. It’s delightful and comforting and warm. HIGHLY recommended....more
I already love R Cooper and this is (I think) their first foray into sci-fi. It's really touching and complex. Essentially it is a human planetfall stI already love R Cooper and this is (I think) their first foray into sci-fi. It's really touching and complex. Essentially it is a human planetfall story, which is to say the human is the fish out of water on an alien planet with a complex political system. As one might expect from Cooper, there is a lot of romantic pining, a few deftly handled sex scenes, and some very interesting complexities around sexual representation and gender fluidity that will appeal to fans of my book The 5th Gender. ...more
This is one of my favorite romantic short stories OF ALL TIME. It is a perennial comfort read for me. It’s a sweet contemporary romance set in the UK This is one of my favorite romantic short stories OF ALL TIME. It is a perennial comfort read for me. It’s a sweet contemporary romance set in the UK about a granddad finding his second love later in life. It is truly charming and if you want a pick-me-up, Granddad's Cup of Tea will work even better than an actual cup of tea (and I don’t say that lightly). Although, honestly, why not have both? ...more
Lyn Gala’s sci-fi romance Earth Father’s Are Weird made me ridiculously happy. It’s so charming. Human military dude accidentally becomes surrogate foLyn Gala’s sci-fi romance Earth Father’s Are Weird made me ridiculously happy. It’s so charming. Human military dude accidentally becomes surrogate for tentacle alien children. All the feels. Found family, adorable squidies. Gah. So cute. I LOVE this author’s Claiming’s series, so I bought this one without bothering to read the blurb or sample. I REGRET NOTHING. ...more
Molly Moves Out by Susan Pearson is one of my favorite books of all time. It's what I would call 'young reader' level, and it struck the cord of my crMolly Moves Out by Susan Pearson is one of my favorite books of all time. It's what I would call 'young reader' level, and it struck the cord of my crazy independent streak, even when I was very very young....more
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood is also characterized by simple clean vocabulary but has some of the most miraculous and intricate drawinKing Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood is also characterized by simple clean vocabulary but has some of the most miraculous and intricate drawings I've ever seen, by Don Wood. I love the premise (of refusing to get out of a bath) and I can still stair for hours at the detail in those amazing full page illustrations. (It helps that the artist's model for the king, Harry Bidgood, was a family friend.)...more
Gay contemporary romance, May December. English professor gets accidentally involved with a hot young mob hit man, hyjinks and happily ever afters ensGay contemporary romance, May December. English professor gets accidentally involved with a hot young mob hit man, hyjinks and happily ever afters ensue.
Mary Calmes is probably one of my favorite romance authors. Many of her books are comfort reads for me, and this is definitely one of them. Nate is a truly appealing main character and great central voice, incredibly likable. The drama is fun and fast-paced, there are lots of themes of found family which I always enjoy. The sex is hot yet also super romantic. So really, what's not to love? Oh also it tackles one of my personal favorite romance themes: May December where the younger man is the aggressor.
However, if you are expecting the traditional style and pace of a bog-standard romance novel, with Mary you're likely to be disappointed. Like many of her books, Acrobat (not about an acrobat) is conversational and gentle and rambling. This feels more realistic to me, and more like actual relationships. Everything still ends happily, and many of the standard romance archetypes are in place, it's just that the execution pattern is abnormal. I really like that. Her books often read more like windows into the life of the main character at the time when they meet their eventual forever love.
Thus we see Nate dating and even liking another man, even though we know that's not the man he ends up.
I enjoy Mary's characters so much, that I don't mind simply spending time with them, even if they are dating other people. Although, there is never any cheating and it will all come out fine in the end.
If you like'd this book in particular, I suggest trying Frog next....more
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