I'm starting a thread to track the stuff I read in January. Tagging it #JanReads and linking it in my profile for easy reference.
1. Honey Lemon Soda 1 by Mayu Murata
A comp copy from Yen Press. A high school shojo #manga about a girl who was bullied in middle school & hopes for a change in high school. But years of grey rocking have made it hard for her to come out of her shell. Enter one of the most popular guys at school.
Has cute & refreshing vibes but honestly too young feeling for my tastes. I prefer a different type of heroine for the unpopular girl/popular boy relationship dynamic.
2. Bride of the Barrier Master 1 by Kureha
A young woman has lived in the shadow of her more powerful twin her entire life until she develops supernatural powers in her mid-teens. But past experiences have made her a contrarian & she hides her new formidable talent until the new clan head sees through her facade & asks her to be his wife.
Love the contract marriage trope, Hana is feisty, and the dynamic between her & Saku is great.
Comp copy from Yen Press.
3. Kuroko's Basketball 1/2 by Tadatoshi Fujimaki
It's very nostalgic to reread this sports #manga. Fujimaki's artwork is still a little rough, but Kuroko is such a hilarious little shit. I didn't appreciate that as much as I should have back in the day, but I definitely do now!
4. A Man & His Cat 1-7 by Umi Sakurai
I binged this #manga over the past few days. I'd read the first volume before it'd been licensed (when it was still self-pubbed on Pixiv, actually!). A great, slice of life cat manga that, while it's rated for all ages, has some really great stuff for older readers. Lots of themes related to healing from grief & trauma and the way Kanda's story unfolds through the eyes of his cat is truly masterfully done.
A great manga for music lovers too!
5. The Princess of Convenient Plot Devices 1 by Mamecyoro
A #lightnovel series about a girl who isekais into her fav BL fantasy series. She's now a princess & the lil sis of the crown prince (who's the seme). It'd be fine except in this world mpreg isn't a thing so it's her duty to bear the next heir. As a reader, she hadn't minded this plot device but now that she has to do it, she realizes how icky it is. She has no say in the matter. Funny & meta with some mystery & intrigue! #JanReads
6. Perfect World 1 & 2 by Rie Aruga
A #josei romance #manga about a young woman who reconnects w/ her high school crush later in life except in the time since she last saw him, he was in an accident & is now a wheelchair user. It's very clear the mangaka did her research about spinal cord injuries, but the heroine's anxiety about their relationship, while realistic, is making this a hard read for me. I'll probably wait until I'm in a better mood to pick up the rest of the series.
7. The Savior's Book Cafe Story in Another World by Oumiya & Reiko Sakurada
As you can guess by the title, this #manga is based on a #lightnovel (by Kyouka Izumi). Really liking this isekai subgenre of women transmigrating to another world & living their best cottagecore life. I thought the heroine's reactions to being a "savior" were relatable. When you're older, you've established a life. You know the risks of a destiny like this. Why go? #JanReads
8. A Condition Called Love 1 by Megumi Morino
A high school romance #manga featuring a demisexual heroine & a hero who falls in love too hard, too fast. The lead character in this series feel very fresh and unique in all of #shoujo and #josei (or shojosei lol). The art's so beautiful too. I do rec this one a lot.