I found the first part of this book super hard to get into, it was incredibly slow... And I even went back and re-read.

There were moments that were definitely sweet.
But I left the story feeling like I missed something important to be able to understand the story and even upon going back couldn't find it.

My initial description to my Partner: They are like Tamaki and Haruhi, just make Tamaki less self defeatist and suave. But reverse the height difference.
My later description was Shojo Manga / Romance Trope Bingo.

This manga is super self-aware while also being incredibly wholesome.
The plus of breaking the gender roles of certain tropes was just a bonus for me.

Other things you can find: Crossdressing, Muffins, Side Characters that ship them as much as you.

This book is informative, and covers a lot of information in a small package, in an incredibly approachable way.

While this information is definitely available in other formats, this book makes it feel much more personal. Talking about how A-Sexuality can vary widely from person to person, and how Asexuality and Aromanticism are not the same thing.

If I made it a drinking game, to drink every time something perverse happened I would have had alcohol poisoning.
I haven't run into a manga that made me cringe this bad in a long time, and the terrible thing is it's a plot I could have probably gotten behind if it didn't somehow have 2 (3?!?) boob grab scenes in just the first chapter.

10/10 don't recommend.

It's Gay and it's meh...

I wanted to like this book so much I tried to get into it. With a queer romance and one of the main characters being queer/non-binary...

But it just ended up falling flat... I couldn't truly find myself rooting for Dylan or Leighton or even excited to truly intrigued to find out what landed them in this place by the time we got there.

I'm not sure if I'm just not the demographic for this book (since these are 8th grade peeps!) Or if it's fully that these peeps are that flat...

Thummler owes me restitution for this book, because it felt like a personal attack on me. I found myself relating to Marjorie so much in this book, but the end of this book had me literally in tears right before I needed to leave for an appointment. Because I felt like the words being spoken were what I needed to hear at so many different points in my life. But especially when my brain ruminates on friends that have come and gone.

The Sheets Series is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it for a lot of people. While it covers a lot of heavy topics it does it in a really good way.

Spoiler

"Some lights shine brighter than others- They light up different parts of your life. But see they all cast shadows, too. There's good and bad in everyone, you know? But the more friends you have in your life... well... the more, brightness you'll have overall... You can't seek the friends "you always thought you'd have." Friendship happens naturally and... Unexpectedly with people you don't have to think twice about."

"I know almost nothing about being onstage. and a tutu is probably the least likely garment I would wear. even after one of those insane neon tracksuits. But Life is sort of a stage, right? Didn't Shakespeare say something life that? The characters, the lights- some do shine brighter than others. Like some literally sparkle, almost to a fault. Some light up the spaces on stage you never knew were important, challenging you to see new perspectives. Some are duller, some may flicker, and they all can at some point, cast creepy shadows. And some like a flame, won't last forever. But they're all there, ideally to play their part- however big or small- at eliminating the darkness."

Mariko Between Worlds is at it's core a story about when every sign points to your relationship not working out, and that even you at your core knowing this relationship isn't what you want or need but continuing to push on despite that, at the detriment to both you and your partner.

The art style for this book is gorgeous, it keeps you captivated and depicts emotions amazingly.

I think if you like "The Night is Short, Walk On Girl" Directed by Masaaki Yuasa. You will enjoy this graphic novel. It has the same quick paced energy, and types of eccentric characters you see in the film. While the mood is different I found myself thinking back on this film often.

What Does Happiness Mean To You?
A good book on a stormy day. Cuddles from the tiny gremlin in your life. Having room for dessert even after a fantastic meal.
Sie does a wonderful job of capturing the sparks of happiness we have daily. They warm our souls but are often overlooked when we reflect on our days, weeks, and months.
This was a small piece of Domestic Fluff that I desperately needed in my life, and it brought me a lot of joy as I was reading. While also leaving me giggling more than once at silly but cute interactions between Milk and Mocha.