slice of life

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Lenni Reviews: “The Unknown” by Anna Sommer

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers.

This graphic novel tells the story of Helen, who finds a baby in her clothing store dressing room as well as Vicky, who is having an affair with one of her teachers. Their very different lives converge in unexpected ways.

This is a strange little book. It never does quite what you expect and is about as random and twisting as real life can be sometimes. Helen is a bit of a ditz but she’s sweet and Vicky is clearly a young woman with some issues to work through before she really grows up. It’s alright but kind of a spark that fades away fast. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fangirl” Vol 1, by Rainbow Rowell

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*This book has been given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Embarking on her freshman year of college, reserved and shy Cath would rather stay neck deep in her fanfiction of Simon Snow than indulge in the typical freshman experience like her twin sister, Wren. But despite her most sincere wishes to be left alone, her audacious roommate and her boyfriend open her eyes to something more than solitary fandom.

I found this unbearably adorable. I thought Cath would have this super catty roommate that bullied her and her roommate’s boyfriend would have ill intentions but this is amazingly pure and I adore it. It’s almost too pure since I remember college and while I was a good girl and went to class (yes… I was that lame) I saw some shit. It’s sweet that Cath has some decent people around her having her back; even her twin, Wren. Wren wants her own life but it’s not like she just tosses her sister to the wolves. Although, this ends on a cliffhanger so we’ll see how that holds up. 

I haven’t read the original novel this is based on, (but I will) so I can’t speak to accuracy but I liked this. Got me all nostalgic and everything! 4 out of 5

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol 10 by Tomohito Oda

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review

The meat of this volume is meeting a new character, Rumiko Manbaji; who is a super glam girl with heavy makeup and garish accessories. When the new school year starts, Manbaji is put in Komi’s class away from her usual friend group. Determined to make friends to the point she makes herself sick with worry and Komi helps her. 

There is a side story with Komi’s brother and some shenanigans involving a chicken cutlet sandwich, a bunch of them have allergies and go our for a beef dinner; but it’s Manbaji and Komi’s growing friendship that’s the best parts of this volume. Komi’s group of friends is slowly growing and it’s just so darn cute! 4 out of 5!

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Lenni Reviews: “Blue Flag” Vol. 1 KAITO

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this manga we have a love quadrangle between outsider Taichi Ichinose, clumsy and shy girl Futaba Kuze, popular jock Toma Mita, and Kiza’s friend Masumi.

It’s interesting so far and I really enjoy how Ichinose and Kuza interact. You can see how feelings formed there on either side. If they end up together, it would be adorable but I have a feeling that things are going to get super complicated and messy. But I’m here for it; I want to know what happens next. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol 9 by Tomohito Oda

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this volume, we are treated to:

  • Kimo wanting to continue her friendship with the girls she hung out with on the school trip
  • Learns to play “Eraser War”
  • Makes and gives chocolates to her friends for Valentine’s Day
  • Gets creeped on by Yamai again
  • Goes with her friends to a batting cage
  • Meets a girl, Akako Sato, who has issues being too nice
  • White Day shenanigans
  • Side story of Komi’s parents

The stories felt shorter this time, as there are more of them in this volume. I would have either preferred less stories with more length or a longer volume. Things flashed by at a breakneck pace and this is the first volume where I didn’t feel like I wanted more because it was so adorable (even though it was), I wanted more because it went by too fast. Still good but not as good as the others. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Way of the Househusband” Vol. 4 by Kōsuke Ôno

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this volume, Tatsu:

  • Goes to buy a fish and a cat steals it
  • Meets a neighbor for a BBQ
  • Helps out a friend with his food truck
  • Takes a trip to the dollar store
  • Reads to children at a storytime
  • Plays volleyball at the beach
  • Helps a kid with his summer school work
  • Hangs out with other housewives

And we get a couple side stories about his wife, Miku, and a cute cat story.

I know I keep saying this but the fact everything is played so straight and with such intensity with these otherwise mundane tasks is just gold. This series never fails to put a smile on my face; especially after reading a Junji Ito collection. Tatsu is just so passionate and well-meaning, I have no problem just watching him shop in a dollar store. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kakushigoto: My Dad’s Secret Ambition” Vol. 1 by Koji Kumeta

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

Kakushi Gotou has a secret he’s keeping from his daughter, Hime. He doesn’t work in a suit in an office; he draws hentai manga.

He doesn’t want his daughter to end up getting teased because of his career so he puts up a front and shenanigans ensue. Gotou is just a decent guy trying to do the right thing by his daughter – who is too sweet for words. The framing device seems to be an older Hime returning to their old home and discovering her father’s work so I wonder how the series will play out from here. But if you like manga like Komi or Way of the House Husband, I think you’ll find this cute as well. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Golden Sheep” Vol. 3 (The Golden Sheep #3) by Kaori Ozaki

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

No, I haven’t read the first two so let us just dive in.

Asari, Sora, Yuushin, and Tsugu are all friends who have drifted apart as they grew older and their lives change as teenagers. It’s a heartwarming and poignant story about coming of age and friendship with a few bits of romance sprinkled in. If you are in need of something fairly light-hearted, this is a cute story.

There is also a side story of a soul who comes to Earth as a young woman’s baby. This soul loves this woman so much, it keeps coming back as anyone and anything just to be near her. It’s bittersweet but adorable. Overall 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 8 by Tomohito Oda

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The bulk of this book is devoted to the class trip to Kyoto and Komi is scared to go because she skipped the last one because she had no friends to hang out with. But now, she’s able to muster the courage to go and have a good time.

We also meet a new character, Naruse; a narcissist convinced Komi is in love with him because he thinks everyone adores him. He warps every situation he’s in as “they’re only doing it because I’m so amazing. Thank goodness the trip is most of the book because Naruse is annoying. The rest is just so wholesome and genuine, it put a smile on my face. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 7 by Tomohito Oda

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

It’s Christmas season for Komi and her friends and also Komi’s birthday. While Komi struggles with gift buying, her friends go through the usual insanity of a “Present Death Game” to find something for Komi. They also have fun in the snow, go ice skating, and various other Winter and family activities.

This is still just the cutest manga and I can’t get enough of it. I’m always disappointed when I get to the end because I want more! It’d be nice if people were this kind all the time. Except for Yamai. She’s a creepy stalker and considering the books I’ve read, I have no problem judging the heck out of. She’s over the top on purpose. and whatever but she’s the worst part of this series. 5 out of 5.

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