Review: Bless 1 by Yukino Sonoyama

In this YA manga, Aia, a model-gorgeous high school student with a talent for makeup and classmate Jun, a pretty, shy and quiet girl team up to organize a school fashion show. Throughout the story, Jun builds up her confidence while Aia continues to master and turn his love for makeup into an art form.

This is a cute story with lovable characters, you want to root for. Although it seems that the transitions “between scenes” were awkward this did not overshadow the central themes. The artwork was stunning. 

Mangas and comics do have themes and Bless 1 demonstrates that confidence and pursuing one's dreams and passions is key to a happy life. Also that self-confidence especially during the teenage years can really have an impact on one's future. I liked that Bless 1 did not stick to traditional gender roles. It shows Aia, a boy doing and loving something that is normally associated with girls, makeup. This should be applauded. Some of the best makeup artists in real life are men. I would read subsequent installments of Bless. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Yukino Sonoyama and Kodansha Comics for a digital copy of #Bless in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll

Pleasantly surprised that  "Real Life and Other Fictions” was an enjoyable read. Susan Coll’s weaves an interesting We are introduced to Cassie, a woman in her 50s who finds herself at a crossroads. Orphaned as a toddler, she has spent her life tortured by the mysterious circumstances that caused her parents’ demise. She is also haunted by a “mythical creature” that she blames for her situation, her parents' demise, blurring the boundaries between reality and myth. It makes one question Cassie’s actions and thought processes. She almost seems to be unhinged. Her search for answers has consumed her five decades on earth and leads her from a failed career as a journalist to a community college lecturer. 

One day with her patience exhausted, not only from the past but also her present - her somewhat unstable, meme famous, cheating husband Cassie seizes the opportunity, takes her teething puppy, and embarks on a spontaneous road trip in search of the truth. She’s determined to start at the beginning and uncover the secrets of her past. This irrational spontaneity occurs a few times throughout the novel and leaves one to think that Cassie may actually be unstable. One of the very few issues I have with her. Cassie's journey unfolds as a surreal, comedic adventure infused with chaos, warmth and unraveled secrets. As she moves through this surreal landscape she encounters a colorful cast of characters, including an odd somewhat cold cryptozoologist who joins her quest. There may or may not be hints of a buddy romance here. This novel is definitely worth a read. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Susan Coll and HarperCollins for a digital copy of #RealLifeandOtherFictions in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: The Intuition Toolkit by Joel Pearson

  In "The Intuition Toolkit: The New Science of Knowing What without Knowing Why," Joel Pearson, a leading Australian neuroscientist, provides practical advice to people who seek  guidance when it comes to decision making. Pearson shares five practical guidelines for cultivating intuition, which is backed by scientific research. In the book, the author emphasizes that while some individuals naturally use intuition more than others, everyone can develop and trust their own intuitive abilities. He provides five essential rules for harnessing one's intuition, summed up by the acronym SMILE: Self-awareness, Mastery, Impulses and Addiction, Low Probability and Environment.  Pearson uses numerous stories that underscore the scientific foundation, accessibility, and intrigue of intuitive understanding. This is just like any other self-help book, you get out of it what you want and cannot compare your interpretation of the information presented to other people. The information was thoughtful and Pearson presented it in a way that people can understand and follow.  

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Joel Pearson and Simon & Schuster Australia for a digital copy of #TheIntuitionToolkit in exchange for my honest opinion.

REVIEW: Push, Then Breathe by Luissa Kiprono, MD

Push, Then Breathe: Trauma, Triumph, and the Making of an American Doctor by Luissa Kiprono, MD. 

Luissa Kiprono's memoir, "Push, Then Breathe" describes her remarkable journey from cherished childhood memories in Romania under Ceausescu's regime to enduring harrowing captivity and abuse by her father. She was able to escaped that marked the start of her path toward freedom, independence, and success. Steered by a resolved determination, hope and a positive outlook, Dr. Kiprono overcame her unimaginable circumstances. This memoir conveys a message of hope and empowerment to women, emphasizing one’s built-in worth.  It also shows the importance of pursuing one’s goals without self-imposed beliefs or limitations. Achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, a doctor that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Kiprono now shares her experiences in a memoir that promises to enthrall and motivate readers.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the author Luissa Kiprono, MD for a digital copy of  #PushThenBreathe in exchange for my honest opinion. Disclaimer: Image courtesy of NetGalley.com. 

Review: Sketchy 1(Manga) by MAKIHIROCHI

 

Ako is stuck in a repetitive cycle, drifting through her twenties working at a video rental store and spending time with her boyfriend. Her days blend into one another in a monotonous haze. However, everything changes when she encounters a girl skateboarder practicing a daring trick. Intrigued, Ako feels a magnetic attraction to the sport. As she delves into skateboarding, dormant dreams and aspirations resurface, reigniting her passion and resolve. Ako decides to transform herself, determined to embrace change before it's too late. But can anyone truly be too late to uncover a new passion?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the author MAKIHIROCHI for a digital copy of the manga #Sketchy in exchange for my honest opinion. Disclaimer: Image courtesy of NetGalley.com.