cozy up with a good read

welcome to my book review page!♡

I read a lot of manga, comics and novels through each year, so I wanted to make this page to share some reads I really enjoy!

Want to support an independent bookstore? I purchase my physical books from San Diego independent bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy!

Liquor&Cigarettes-Ranmaru Zariya

A perfect read for fans of the Childhood Friends to Lovers and Trial Date tropes! This one shot manga has a myriad of surprising plot points for the average yaoi (gay romance) reader: Camilo is not only an open bisexual, but he professes his feelings of affection to childhood friend Theo. While the two teeter on a “will they/won’t they” during their dating trial run, I found Zariya’s depiction of Theo as an adult man coming to terms not only with his sexuality--but also with having mutual affection for a childhood friend--to be incredibly thoughtful and realistic. Beyond the romance, the overarching plot focuses on a festival in their small Italian town, and Theo working to overcome his status as “ultimate lightweight” to win a drinking competition. After all, he does run the town liquor store!

Came The Mirror-Rumiko Takahashi

From iconic mangaka Rumiko Takahashi ( InuYasha, Ranma 1/2, MAO and more) comes this collection of five short stories all bordering between the realms of reality and nightmare. A quick read sure to put a chill up your spine, this collection includes stories of washed up manga artists casting curses on their competition and an exciting behind the scenes autobiographical story all about Takahashi-sensei’s long standing love affair with manga. Perfect for any fan of 90s/early 2000s manga, and a must read for any fan of Takahashi.

Lady Macbeth-Ava Reid

Merciless and violent, Lady Macbeth lives up to--and far surpasses-- the expectations of Shakespearean reimaginings. Reid refuses to hold back, plummeting her readers into the frigid waters that bash against the castle brick, only allowing you a moment to collect yourself in the afterglow of shock before plunging you right back into the depths. This book took me places I didn’t expect, and as the mysteries of Macbeth’s castle unfurled, what was presented was horror one cannot pull their eyes away from until the bitter end. Even if you find fantasy to not be your cup of tea, I highly recommend sitting down and trying what Ava Reid is brewing with this tale.

©repth