Summer Reading Recommendations Pt. 2: Graphic Novels, Comics, & Manga!

Part two of my summer reading recommendations series (find part one here!) is all about comic, graphic novels, and manga! Whether you're traveling, going out, or just trying ot make it through a hot day, you can't go wrong with picking up a visual-based form of media to keep you occupied. I've been meaning to expand my reading of graphic novels and the like, but there are a handful of ones I've read that I've loved, so without further ado, let's just jump into the recommendations!


The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
The Sandman is the universally lauded masterwork following Morpheus, Lord of the Dreaming--a vast hallucinatory landscape housing all the dreams of any and everyone who's ever existed. Regardless of cultures or historical eras, all dreamers visit Morpheus' realm--be they gods, demons, muses, mythical creatures, or simply humans who teach Morpheus some surprising lessons. 

Upon his escape from an embarrassing captivity at the hands of a mere mortal, Morpheus finds himself at a crossroads, forced to deal with the enormous changes within both himself and his realm. His journey to find his place in a world that's drastically changed takes him through mythical worlds to retrieve his old heirlooms, the back roads of America for a twisted reunion, and even Hell itself--to receive the dubious honor of picking the next Devil. But he'll learn his greatest lessons at the hands of his own family, the Endless, who--like him--are walking embodiments of the most influential aspects of existence..

I had to include the Sandman series because, well, it's no secret that it's my favorite at this point and I think it would be an awesome series to tackle during summer!
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Whiteout by Greg Rucka, Steve Lieber
You can't get any further down than the bottom of the world - Antarctica. Cold, desolate, nothing but ice and snow for miles and miles. Carrie Stetko is a U.S. Marshal, and she's made The Ice her home. In its vastness, she has found a place where she can forget her troubled past and feel at peace... Until someone commits a murder in her jurisdiction and that peace is shattered. The murderer is one of five men scattered across the continent, and he has more reason to hide than just the slaying. Several ice samples were taken from the area around the body, and the depth of the drilling signifies something particular was removed. Enter Lily Sharpe, who wants to know what was so important another man's life had to be taken for it. But are either of the women prepared for the secrets and betrayals at the core of the situation?


I love any story set in the Arctic and this graphic novel did not let me down at all. If you like some mystery, this is would be a great pick!
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Anne Bonnie by Tim Yates
Pirates, magic and adventure collide in this action-packed all-ages series from Blue Juice Comics and Tim Yates. The Great Sea is still in chaos after the mysterious disappearance of the Pirate Queen Anne Bonnie, and danger lurks over every crest. Join Ariana aboard a stolen magical pirate ship on her quest to become the world's greatest pirate. Along the way she'll make new friends - and enemies - and learn what being a pirate really means.





"Pirate, magic, and adventure"--what more could you want? Anne Bonnie is a such a fun comic that would also be a great pick for younger readers as well. I've only read the first few of this series, but I definitely plan to pick up more in the future. 
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Lone Wolf and Cub, Vol. 1 by Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima
Shogunate executioner Ogami Itto is framed as a traitor by the agents from a rival clan. With his wife murdered and with an infant son to protect, Ogami chooses the path of the ronin, the masterless samurai. The Lone Wolf and Cub wander feudal Japan, Ogami's sword for hire, but all roads will lead them to a single destination: vengeance.



I haven't had a chance to read too far into this series yet, but it has to be one of the most interesting mangas. It's incredibly complex and deep with incredible characters and a fascinating historical setting. If you have any interest in following the story of a samurai assassin and his son set in a feudal-era Japan, you have to pick this one for your summer reading (or, well, any season).
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose's ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk-climber.


Fairy tale characters are thrown into the modern-day world and it's pretty much as great as it sounds. This is imaginative, expansive, and is sure to keep you engaged with its clever ideas. 
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Ody-C by Matt Fraction, Christian Ward
An eye-searing, mind-bending, gender-shattering epic science fiction retelling of Homer's Odyssey starting with the end of a great war in the stars and the beginning of a very long journey home for Odyssia and her crew of warriors. The journey to Ithicaa begins HERE, by Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals) and Christian Ward (Infinite Vacation, Olympus).




If you want to keep your visual reading materials "classic," then why not pick up something with origins by on The Odyssey? This is a weird take on the classic story and I'll be honest, it's pretty crazy and a little confusing at times, but it's also pretty fun and has some really great illustrations.
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Finder by Carla Speed McNeil
Lose yourself in a world beyond your wildest dreams… 

Since 1996, Finder has set the bar for science-fiction storytelling, with a lush, intricate world and compelling characters. Now, Dark Horse is proud to present the first four story arcs of Carla Speed McNeil's groundbreaking series in a single, affordably priced volume! Follow enigmatic hero Jaeger through a "glorious, catholic pileup of high-tech SF, fannish fantasy, and street-level culture clash" (Village Voice), and discover the lush world and compelling characters that have carved Finder a permanent place in the pantheon of independent comics.


This is another one that's pretty cemented in the "weird" category, but it's also a bit of a classic and for good reason. There weren't a lot of good summaries for this readilt available online, but it would be very worthwhile of your time to check out. 
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai, Psouka Demizu
Life at Grace Field House has been good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious foods and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems… 

Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn—what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing.


I read this earlier this year and had such a blast. It's dark, full of surprises, and definitely a bit creepy. It's easy to fly through this one!
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Fullmetal Alchemist by 
Alchemy: the mystical power to alter the natural world; something between magic, art and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in this power to grant their dearest wish, one of them lost an arm and a leg...and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living steel. Now Edward is an agent of the government, a slave of the military-alchemical complex, using his unique powers to obey orders...even to kill. Except his powers aren't unique. The world has been ravaged by the abuse of alchemy. And in pursuit of the ultimate alchemical treasure, the Philosopher's Stone, their enemies are even more ruthless than they are...



Most people are probably aware of Fullmetal Alchemist or have at least seen the manga, but I still thought it'd be a great pick for some summer reading! It's adventurous and has some truly memorable and compelling characters.
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Have you read any of these? What manga/graphic novels would you recommend?

Reading Recommendations: Veteran's Day-Inspired Picks

Reading Recommendations:

🎖️Veteran's Day-Inspired Picks


Tomorrow, November 11th, is Veteran's Day here in the U.S. In honor of that, I have chosen to feature some veteran-inspired books to share with you all. There's a bit of a mix here content-wise, but hopefully there's a least open book here that might appeal to you and share some insight on war, the military, or what it's like to be a veteran that has returned home. I also added a few kid's books at the bottom that discuss this subject, as it's never a bad time to share the importance of honoring those who volunteer and fight for us. Enjoy!
(I added a brief summary/blurb that is provided with each book on Goodreads--some are a bit long, but I wanted to make sure to give a little info for each book! You can find the full summary/read a preview over at Goodreads as well.)

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

"In 1979, Tim O'Brien's Going After Cacciato - a novel about the Vietnam War - won the National Book Award. In this, his second work of fiction about Vietnam, O'Brien's unique artistic vision is again clearly demonstrated. Neither a novel nor a short story collection, it is an arc of fictional episodes, taking place in the childhoods of its characters, in the jungles of Vietnam and back home in America two decades later."

A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo

"The extraordinary bestseller that provides a close-up look unlike any other, at the American experience in Vietnam. Powerful, vivid, compassionate, and heartbreaking, here is a very personal and yet universal grunt's-eye-view of the hopeless brutality and the ultimate, and seemingly endless horror where men and governments sacrificed their morality and the souls of their nation."

Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War by Matt Gallagher

"When Lieutenant Matt Gallagher began his blog with the aim of keeping his family and friends apprised of his experiences, he didn't anticipate that it would resonate far beyond his intended audience. His subjects ranged from mission details to immortality, grim stories about Bon Jovi cassettes mistaken for IEDs, and the daily experiences of the Gravediggers-the code name for members of Gallagher's platoon. When the blog was shut down in June 2008 by the U.S. Army, there were more than twentyfive congressional inquiries regarding the matter as well as reports through the military grapevine that many high-ranking officials and officers at the Pentagon were disappointed that the blog had been ordered closed. Like Anthony Swofford's Jarhead, Gallagher's Kaboom resonates with stoic detachment and timeless insight into a war that we are still trying to understand."

House to House: A Soldier's Memoir by David Bellavia

"One of the great heroes of the Iraq War, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia captures the brutal action and raw intensity of leading his Third Platoon, Alpha Company, into a lethally choreographed kill zone: the booby-trapped, explosive-laden houses of Fallujah's militant insurgents. Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, this stunning war memoir features an indelibly drawn cast of characters, not all of whom would make it out of the city alive, as well as chilling accounts of Bellavia's singular courage: Entering one house alone, he used every weapon at his disposal in the fight of his life against America's most implacable enemy."

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes

"A big, powerful saga of men in combat, written over the course of thirty-five years by a highly decorated Vietnam veteran."

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

"Encapsulates the angst of the post-World War I generation, known as the Lost Generation. This poignantly beautiful story of a group of American and English expatriates in Paris on an excursion to Pamplona represents a dramatic step forward for Hemingway's evolving style. Featuring Left Bank Paris in the 1920s and brutally realistic descriptions of bullfighting in Spain, the story is about the flamboyant Lady Brett Ashley and the hapless Jake Barnes. In an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions, this is the Lost Generation."

Home of the Brave: Stories in Uniform by Various Authors, edited by Jeremy Hess

"Among these are stories by writers including Kurt Vonnegut, Tim O'Brien, Tobias Wolff, Chris Offutt, Benjamin Percy and many others. There are parades and hurricanes, people getting high and some merely getting by, as well as the human sacrifices made, the losses endured, the hardships faced because of or in spite of some connection to the military. If you've served, you might recognize a couple of these characters, or their situations. Maybe you will relate to some because you're just like them or because they served in the same place you did. If you've never served, but have had contact with someone who has, you may find similarities between a character here and a person you thought you knew."

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

"Thirty years since its original publication, Ceremony remains one of the most profound and moving works of Native American literature, a novel that is itself a ceremony of healing. Tayo, a World War II veteran of mixed ancestry, returns to the Laguna Pueblo Reservation. He is deeply scarred by his experience as a prisoner of the Japanese and further wounded by the rejection he encounters from his people. Only by immersing himself in the Indian past can he begin to regain the peace that was taken from him. Masterfully written, filled with the somber majesty of Pueblo myth, Ceremony is a work of enduring power."

The Wall by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler

"A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial."

Rags: Hero Dog of WWI by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by Petra Brown

"During World War I, while stationed overseas in France with the United States Army, Private James Donovan literally stumbles upon a small dog cowering on the streets of Paris. Named Rags for his disheveled appearance, the little stray quickly finds a home with Donovan and a place in his heart. Although the Army did not have an official canine division, Rags accompanies Donovan to the battlefield, making himself a useful companion delivering messages and providing a much-appreciated morale boost to the soldiers."

The Poppy Lady by Barbara Walsh, illustrated by Layne Johnson

"When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. She devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today. Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and artist Layne Johnson worked with experts, primary documents, and Moina's great-nieces to better understand Moina's determination to honor the war veterans."



Read any of these? What books would you include in this list? Let me know!

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Reading Recommendations: Spooky Books for Halloween! 🎃

Reading Recommendations:

Halloween Edition! 🎃

It's that fantastic time of year when we all get to (acceptably) let out our crazy dark Halloween-crazed selves, so I'm here to provide some reading recommendations to help get you in the mood (even if you're not a huge Halloween fan!).  Also, I totally didn't plan to write this post on the special Friday the 13th, but it's perfect timing!
This year I decided to subdivide my recommendations into a few different categories, so be sure to check them out. For each book I also added a brief quote or sneak of a synopsis to give you a taste of what you can expect.
Happy Halloween to all!

Eerie Forests 🌲

And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

"Why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer? Who is the beautiful boy who’s appeared from the woods? And who is the tall man with no eyes who Nori plays with in the basement at night… a man no one else can see?"

A Path Begins (The Thicket #1) by J.A. White

"A dark, forbidden forest. Vicious beasts. Deadly plants. An evil spellbook. Secrets. Mysteries. Witches, both good and bad . . . Welcome to the world of the Thickety."

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

"'It came from the woods. Most strange things do.'"

In the Forest by Edna O'Brien

A story based on actual events, In the Forest proceeds in a rush of hair-raising episodes and asks what will become of O'Kane's unwitting victims -- a radiant young woman, her little son, and a devout and trusting priest.

A Touch of Murder 🔪

The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd

"[London] is the greatest city in the world--quite possibly the greatest ever known--but on this dark early-winter day in 1850 you might be forgiven for thinking you've been transported, on a sudden, to a circle of hell even the devil has given up for lost."

Penance by Kanae Minato

"Until 2010, Japan had a fifteen-year statute of limitations on the crime of murder..." 

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

“I promise. I’ll be as silent as the dead.”
“Ah,” Uncle said, putting a hat on and tugging it low, “the dead speak to those who listen. Be quieter than even them.” 

---

“Fear is a hungry beast. The more you feed it, the more it grows.” 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

"Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;

One choked his little self and then there were Nine.

...

One little solder boy left all alone'

He went and hanged himself

And then there were None."

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

“By the pricking of my thumbs, 
Something wicked this way comes.”

Haunted Houses 🏚️ 

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

“He stepped fully into the house. The air inside was cool on his skin. He turned, expecting the front door to close on its own. But it stayed open, as it was supposed to. He shook his head, chiding himself for letting an old house spook him. He walked into the kitchen. Behind him, the front door slammed shut.” 

------

“He lowered his eyes to his dad's face. There was fear there. Fear. When your dad was frightened, there was something to be frightened about.” 

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

“Little solace comes
to those who grieve
when thoughts keep drifting
as walls keep shifting
and this great blue world of ours
seems a house of leaves

moments before the wind.” 

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

“No, no—there are depths, depths! The more I go over it, the more I see in it, and the more I see in it, the more I fear. I don’t know what I don’t see—what I don’t fear!” 

A Hint of the Fantastic 👻

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
“She ate the stars and swallowed the earth, 
She is the girl with all the power.”

The Apprentice Witch by James Nichol
"Strange things are sighted in the woods, a dangerous infestation of hex creeps throughout the town, and a mysterious magical visitor arrives with his eye on her. "

The Diviners by Libba Bray
“Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on. Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells 'em off for a coupla stones.”

Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge
"Her dying mother made a bargain with the evil, all-powerful ruler of their world that anyone who hurt her beloved daughter would be punished; her new stepmother went mad with grief when Maia's father died; and her stepsisters are desperate for their mother's approval, yet she always spurns them. And though her family has turned her into a despised servant, Maia must always pretend to be happy, or else they'll all be struck dead by the curse."

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
"“Because there are mysteries. Because there are things that people are forbidden to speak about. Because there are things they do not remember.” 

What are your favorite Halloween reads? Have you read any of these/What would you add to this list?

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Reading Recommendations: Characters With Animal Companions

Reading Recommendations:
Books With Characters Who Have Animal Friends/Companions/Sidekicks

I'm a huge sucker for books that feature characters with very specific furry friends to accompany them in pretty much everything they do. In fact, I don't even care if they're furry--I just love animal companions. I know I'm not the only one that has desperately wished, ever since I was just a small girl, to have a special little animal figure that was bonded to me and that I could communicate with all the time. Even if we couldn't communicate, I would still want one. (To be fair, I have had dogs all of my life, and they're pretty much awesome, too.) There are many more than I have listed here, of course, but here's just a small select few to get us started. 

1. Hagrid and Fang (the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

Because who doesn't love Hagrid and Fang? I love these two and I think that they are just perfect for each other, regardless of the fact that they aren't officially 'bonded' together. 

2. Lyra and Pantalaimon (The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman)

I remember reading this as a young girl and wanting so badly to have a daemon of my own. Sadly, it still hasn't happened, but it's good to know that I can always visit Lyra and Pan whenever I want.

Image: ALEXAst

3. Tashi and Katala (The Tiger's Watch by Julia Ember)

I particularly loved the companionship of Tashi and Katala because of how different and wild it was. Tashi can't directly communicate with katala in words and Katala is still a legitimate wild tiger, but they bond and learn how to work with one another. It's a fascinating relationship.

4. Rose and the White Bear (East by Edith Pattou)

This classic retelling of the folktale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" features the beautiful companionship of Rose and the White Bear. This is a lovely little book that I enjoyed quite a lot as an adolescent.

5. Mia and Mr. Kindly (Nevernight by Jay Kristoff)

Mr. Kindle is probably one of my favorite 'animal' companions. He is everything I love in an animal companion and I cannot get enough of his dry, sassy remarks. Not to mention how neat it is that he's really more of a shadow, yet he still seems to be a legitimate cat?

Image (left): @Kkharrin

Image (right): @lesyablackbird, also available as a print on her Society6 shop!: https://society6.com/blackbirdink

6. Rand and Bela (The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan)

This might be a stretch since Rand and Bela aren't really with each other all the time, but I thought it still fit well for this particular theme. Bela is a wonderful horse and I love Rand's compassion and attachment to her. 

Image

7. Sarai and her moths (Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor)

Again, is this a stretch? I don't know, but I think Sarai and her moths are have an interesting and worthwhile bond that makes it go well with the 'companion' theme as well.

Image

8. Fitz and Nighteyes (Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb)

It really doesn't get much more classics than Fitz and his trusty wolf Nighteyes. The pair grows incredibly close and also makes me immensely jealous that I do not have my own wolf to bond with.

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9. September and A-Through-L 
(The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente)

Nothing sounds better than a girl and her witty, exciting Wyvern who calls himself a 'Wyverary' because he believes that his mother was a Wyvern and his father was a library. No, I'm not kidding--this book is filled to the brim with that level of charm and wit. 

Who are your favorite character and animal companion pairs?

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