Manga Mondays: Nana Vol. 8

  Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. I've really been enjoying Nana, the widely popular manga series. Out of the volumes I've read thus far, Volume 8 is by far my favorite.


Description (from Goodreads): Nana K.'s happiness with Nobu is slipping through her fingers as an unexpected complication with Trapnest's bassist threatens to upend her entire life. And unlike her past romantic woes, the choice she makes now will change the lives of everyone around her.

Review: Volume 8 is a mature exploration of the different types of love we come across in our lives, ranging from friendship, familial, and romantic. Many readers who have commented thus far on my Nana posts have stated that this series gets darker and now I know why. Things aren't great for the Nanas, both individually and together.
  Nana K's naivete and boy craziness have thus far been served as a comic relief to the serious, career focus of her roommate. Now I can't help but wonder if her ditzy, charming personality is all a front. Normally, I either felt bad for her when her heart broke from being dumped and/or used or even rolled my eyes because of her stupid mistakes. In Volume 8, however, Nana K's carelessness comes to haunt her and as a result threatens to ruin everything that has worked so well for her. At the end of Volume 8, I was so very angry at her for breaking Nobu's heart, becoming co-dependent with the dirt-bag bassist, and making everyone, including me, so disappointed in her.
  Nana O. has a strong connection with Nana K. Some reviewers have often labeled their relationship as homoerotic, but I honestly don't see it that way. I actually see Nana O. and Nana K. being more like a family unit, where Nana O. is the caretaker who shines reality upon Nana K.'s daydreams. As I mentioned in Volume 7, Nana O. has started to feel possessive about Nana K. and I now I get a clearer picture of how she reacts toward Nana K. Nana O. holds on to people in fear of losing them due to her own abandonment as a child. With her own emotional scars so fresh, she slowly learns to trust people and make friends who mean more to her than they realize. So when Nana K.'s life takes a sharp detour from Nana O., their friendship is tested in more ways than one. Nana K's betrayal of Nobu is also seen as a betrayal of Nana O. and Blast.
 Learning more about Shin and the possible reasons why he has abandoned his family also continues the theme of familial love. Perhaps he finds some fulfillment with his physical relationship with Reira, but I'm not convinced that Reira actually likes him. I see Shin as being more of a convenience though they do spend time together and look cute as a couple. It's clear that Reira's heart is set upon someone else.
  I have to mention the illustrations in this volume. They are absolutely stunning. There is a series of panels where characters are either looking back at one another or receiving the same news at the exact same time. I've never seen panels that cinematic before. The emotional expressions they emoted on the page where exactly the ones that I had on my face when I read this volume. Nana O's internal dialogue where expertly placed to mirror both her and Nana K.'s inner turmoil.
 Volume 8 was a really emotional read. It took me a while to pick up the next volume. Normally, I pick the next volume up right away to see what happens next. This time my heart broke for Nobu. He really deserves someone who will treat him right and I really hope he finds this person as the series continues because it is evident that Nana K. wasn't good enough for him.  

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong sexual content, crude humor, and some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Nana Vol 9 by Ai Yazawa, Honey and Clover by Chica Umino, Tramps Like Us by Yayoi Ogawa

First Grave on the Right Readalong: Chp 6-10

Today is the second week of the Don't Fear the Reaper read-along! We'll be discussing the first five chapters of First Grave on the Right, the first book in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. If you would like to join, please see this introduction post on how to get started! Many thanks to Lia @ Babbling About Books and Stuff for this week's questions.

1.  Shiny objects and old family stories are told in this chapter, including an old nickname for our dear Charley. What was the nickname her uncle Bob gave her when she was little? Do you have an old nickname from when you were a kid? You can share it, and if it's really embarrassing we won't mind. *wink*

I love the relationship between Uncle Bob and Charley. The nickname he gave her was Calamity because she was always either causing trouble or in the middle of it. :) As I mentioned last week, I've got several nicknames and they're all different variations of my name.

2.  In this chapter we met someone. A really special guy named Rocket. Now, my memory is not what it used to be, and I just can't remember what makes him so special. Can you tell me what makes this particular ghost unique among all the others? And how about you? What can you do that makes you special? Anything? Jump on one foot for a really long time counts. *giggle*

Rocket was such an interesting character. I hope we get to see more of him! He's got a remarkable memory of the dead, particularly who had died and when. As for me, I don't have really anything that makes me special. I do have a ridiculous memory of trivial things.

3.  Charley is really *cough* not your ordinary girl. She does something that, well, there's no way around it. She named parts of her body and the names are... oh crap, I forgot. Just my luck. *sigh* But I'm sure you guys can say what part of her body she named and what the names were. And, since we are on the matter, have you ever named a part of your body? If so, what was it and what was the name? Come on, don't be shy. *wink+crooked smile*

Charley has a wicked sense of humor. I've yet to meet a character that named his/her body parts. I don't have any of my body parts named nor really have any desires to do so. I find it a bit weird.

4. We all have our little secrets. Things we don't tell anyone, not even our bff. Char (we became close :P ) is no different, but in this chapter she shared her little (big) secret (S) with her bff. What did you think about her reaction? What would be yours?

Cookie is adorable and a bit crazy but I do adore her unflinching loyalty to Charley. I was amazed how quickly she absorbed everything that Charley told her. I would have needed more time not to just believe but to process the information.

5.  In this chapter, Char continues her heart-to-heart with her BFF and comes up with some theories about our fave badboy/possibly ghost. What do you think of it? Can it be? What do you think about him? Hot? Double chocolate hot? Super duper caramel chocolate cake with a cherry on top hot?

I don't know how to answer this one as I finished the entire book during this past weekend. *Blushes* I got on a roll after the Cookie and Charley discussion and wanted to know more about the theory. As for Reyes, he's undeniably attractive and complex, but I'm not sure how I feel about his character. I need more of him to fully form an opinion.

Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection

  Exercise tips and new diets constantly swarm us. We know what should be done though we may not necessarily follow through. For some a frightening health incident may spark a makeover and for others a little inspiration and direction could be just want they are searching for.

Description (from the Publisher): From the bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Know-It-All comes the true and truly hilarious story of one person's quest to become the healthiest man in the world. Hospitalized with a freak case of tropical pneumonia, goaded by his wife telling him, "I don't want to be a widow at forty-five," and ashamed of a middle-aged body best described as "a python that swallowed a goat," A.J. Jacobs felt compelled to change his ways and get healthy. And he didn't want only to lose weight, or finish a triathlon, or lower his cholesterol. His ambitions were far greater: maximal health from head to toe. The task was epic. He consulted an army of experts sleep consultants and sex clinicians, nutritionists and dermatologists. He subjected himself to dozens of different workoutsfrom Strollercize classes to Finger Fitness sessions, from bouldering with cavemen to a treadmill desk. And he took in a cartload of diets: raw foods, veganism, high protein, calorie restriction, extreme chewing, and dozens more. He bought gadgets and helmets, earphones and juicers. He poked and he pinched. He counted and he measured. The story of his transformation is not only brilliantly entertaining, but it just may be the healthiest book ever written. It will make you laugh until your sides split and endorphins flood your bloodstream. It will alter the contours of your brain, imprinting you with better habits of hygiene and diet. It will move you emotionally and get you moving physically in surprising ways. And it will give you occasion to reflect on the body's many mysteries and the ultimate pursuit of health: a well-lived life.

Review: I was going through a bit of genre burnout when I picked up Drop Dead Healthy wanted to read something that was completely different. While I'm not a health nut by any means, I did enjoy this book. A.J. Jacobs has been known to put himself through different experiments and chronicled what happened in his books. While he has written many books, he's mainly known for The Year of Living Biblically, in which he attempted to live his life by following every rule in the Bible for a year. In his latest release, Drop Dead Healthy, he writes about his latest endeavor: trying to become the healthiest person alive. The focus here is not just losing weight or lowering his bad cholesterol but being optimally healthiest at virtually every system of the body.
   You would think a book like Drop Dead Healthy would be boring and dull, but Jacobs infuses humor with research to prevent the book from becoming dry.  He is candid and records his results for each month and writes about what did and didn't get results. And, of course, this drives his family crazy during the whole thing.
  Jacobs covers a lot of interesting tidbits in his research, especially debunking a few well known health myths. He covered diets and exercise plans that I've never even heard of. Perhaps the book would have less staggering if he'd chosen a more narrow focus for the project, but I'm kind of glad that he didn't. There's just so much contradicting information about what is good and what isn't that it's even confusing for experts in the field. I also think that's the point of his point, there may not be just one solution and maybe the golden rule of moderation is the key to everything.
  Drop Dead Healthy is not meant to be a self-help or a manual on how to become healthy. It is a book that I would recommend in helping us rethink how well we are or aren't treating our body. I'd recommend it for those who feel like they need a boost in inspiration and who wouldn't mind to chuckle along the way. 

Curriculum Connection: Science, Health

Rating:  4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and bodily function jokes, but other than that it's pretty clean. Recommended for teens interested in health and fitness as well as for adults.

If you like this book try: A Few Seconds of Panic by Stefan Fatsis, The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted and Other Small Acts of Liberation by Elizabeth Berg, Stay Fit and Healthy: Until You're Dead by Dave Barry

Black Heart (Curseworkers #3)

  I was eagerly anticipating reading Black Heart, the third book, in the Curse Worker trilogy. My only qualm with the book is the cover. I really wish they stuck to the original cover as it matches the mood and tone of the book. This new cover does absolutely nothing and doesn't showcase the awesomeness of this series. Readers looking for a good, solid YA urban fantasy series to read should definitely pick this one up.

Description: Cassel Sharpe has been a con man for all of his life. He's been used as an assassin in a dastardly plot, but he's move beyond that glitch in his life. He's trying to be good and to do the right thing, even though the love of his life is inextricably connected with crime. How can you distinguish between truth and lies when things become blurry? With his life, future, and love on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet. This time he is playing with his heart.

Review: Black Heart is a solid conclusion to the Curseworker series. I loved this unusual world where magic, reality are intricately interwoven. To fully enjoy the solid world building and a terrific cast of complex characters, be sure to start with the beginning of the series with White Cat and Red Glove.
After going through the ringer, in more ways than one, it's surprising to believe that Cassel is up for one more adventure. He's figured out the truth about himself and his abilities as well as made the decision to no longer con people, but of course things don't go as planned. It's hard to let go of the game especially if that's all that you really know. Throughout the book there are lots of interwoven cons Cassel has either set in motion or disrupted but their ripples are still being felt. At times the government and the criminals are hard to distinguish with each driven by their own goals and manipulate the system to get exactly what they want.
  What makes the Curseworker series work for me is Cassel's voice. It never falters yet there is a certain type of vulnerability mixed with charm and sarcasm that makes him likable. He's actually the normal one in his twisted and disturbing family. When he says he wants to be good and get away from the con, you want to believe him especially witnessing his past, however, you know you're going to miss the rush of getting a way with a con or solving one.
  The pace of Black Heart is done quite well. I've gotten pretty good at figuring out a YA book's plot within the first 50 or 100 pages, but with Black Heart I like not knowing how things will end as the plot twists and turns. Along with a twisty plot, there is also a great balance between mystery and romance. There is romance where Lila, Cassel's best friend and the love of his life, is concerned. They are not on the best of terms with one another yet you can feel the romantic tension between them. The romance doesn't overtake the story, which is great because it can appeal to both female and male readers. The book's conclusion, while somewhat surprisingly happy but certainly not a pretty bow wrapped up altogether too nicely. I'm just sad to see Cassel and company go and I do hope that Black plans on doing a spin off series. If you haven't read anything by Ms. Black, do give this series a try. If you hated her faerie series, this series is really different. It's fun, smart, and very entertaining.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language, underage drinking, and a small non-explicit sex scene in the book. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Heist Society series by Ally Carter, Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich, Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale

Manga Monday: Nana Vol. 7

 Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. I've really been enjoying Nana, the widely popular manga series. It's a great series to try if you enjoy music, friendship, and relationships. Today I'll be reviewing the seventh volume of Nana.

Description: Nana K. was happy to be Blast's biggest cheerleader, but now that the band is taking off, she's discovering that there are hordes of fans eager to take her place. At the same time, her involvement with Trapnest's hottie bassist is turning into a romantic entanglement she hadn't expected. When a chance for another kind of happiness presents itself, will Nana K. be strong enough to face the difficult choices that result?

Review: Drama continues at a brisk pace in this latest volume of Nana. Unlike the previous volumes where both Nanas take part of the story, Nana K. has much larger presence in this volume as the story centers around her.
  Nana K. has always been Blast's biggest supporter. Now that band has a very good possibility in signing with a huge music record company, she feels herself being alienated with the band. It's not that the band doesn't want her around, but she really has no sense of what they are going through at the moment. Still Nana K. shows her support making food for an after party for the band though aren't able to enjoy it together.
  The story gets interesting as we follow the tangled web of relationships that burst on to the page from volume 6. Nana K. is determined to break things off with the sleazy Trapnest bassist as she becomes closer to Nosbu. After mustering up courage, Nana K. calls up the bassist and tells him goodbye, which in everyone's book means that their 'relationship' is over. In a heartbeat later she tells Nosbu and the two are together. I was really surprised how quick Nana K. was to end one relationship and then jump into another. I have to say though that I really like Nana K. and Nosbu together. I think they fit together as they both are romantics at heart. Nosbu seems to put Nana K.'s needs first by offering support and making her happy. It's really the first time Nana K. has been in relationship where her needs are deemed important. The couple is adorably lovesick which makes we worried and wondering when the shoe is going to drop.
 Nosbu feels grateful for his relationship with Nana K. and goes to thank Nana O. for her help. Nana O. has a really strange response and says that she has to thank Nosbu for making Nana K. have free reign in her kingdom. I had to reread this a couple of times to understand Nana O.'s reaction, but I think she's a bit jealous to have Nana K.'s adoration taken away from her and maybe she doesn't feel Nana K. dating a band member to be a good thing.
 In addition to Nana K.'s relationships, Shin has an interesting problem. We are given hints in previous volumes as how he works as a male escort. Reira, the lead singer of Trapnest has request Shin of his services and actually pays him. He takes it as an insult but he also seems to be falling for her. We also get a glimpse of Shin's family background as his father appears briefly and apparently is financially well off as well as distant from his son. 
 The voiceover dialogues which I mentioned last time are really having  me curious and anxious as they become darker and lonelier. Could the happy days for the Nanas be over? If so, what exactly happened? Who is responsible for the rift and is there any chance of reconciliation? I guess I'll have to see where this all leads to in volume 8.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong sexuality, some language, and crude humor. Recommended for mature teens and adults.

If you like this book try: Nana Vol 8 by Ai Yazawa, Honey and Clover by Chica Umino, Tramps Like Us by Yayoi Ogawa

First Grave on the Right Read-along: Chp 1-5

Today is the first week of the Don't Fear the Reaper read-along! We'll be discussing the first five chapters of First Grave on the Right, the first book in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. If you would like to join, please see this introduction post on how to get started! Many thanks to Christy at Love Books for this week's questions.

1. We meet some of Charley's ghostly "buddies," do you believe you have ever had a ghostly encounter?

  I can't say that I ever had one, but I do believe in spirits. Just because we don't seem them doesn't mean that they don't exisit. I'll be honest and that I would get a bit freaked out if I met one. Hopefully, the ghost will be more like Casper than the ones that Charley handles. LOL!

2. Charley named her jeep Misery. Have you ever named your vehicles? What did you name them?

 I haven't named any cars, mainly because since I have a large family the cars are passed around. I have named other objects in the house like my space heater which I dubbed Jacob after the Twilight series. ;)

3. Charley says her name "...brooks no opposition. It takes s*** from no one." What do you think your name says about you to strangers? Is there a different name that you think would suit you better?

Many people can't pronounce my name even though it's spelled out phonetically. So, I'm sure the first thing that they think of right away is that it's foreign. I find it funny watching people trying to find a polite way to pronounce it. I've resorted to having friends just call me "Rum" as a nickname because a) everyone has heard of rum before and b) it's easy to pronounce. I've also got an assorted nicknames around the house. I like my name and I think it suits me.

4. Charley says her best friend Cookie is "like Kramer from Seinfeld, only not so nervous, like Kramer might have been on Prozac." Give us your best description of your best friend. How would they would describe you?

 My best friend is practical, for the most part easily detect my moods, and can call me out stuff. I think she would describe me as passionate and deceptively demure.

5. Garrett is reluctant to believe in Charley's abilities, how would you react if a friend divulged to you that they can see and speak with the dead?

 I've heard of people who believe they are ghost talkers or have communicate with the dead. Even though they are a friend, I would still need proof before I could believe them right away.

Three Girls and Their Brother

 How many people can you name that have had 15 minutes of fame and then disappeared into obscurity? Or rather how many celebs can you think of that are popular only because someone on their family tree is well known? Can you name a celeb who's world was turned topsy turvy after they gaining fame? Theresa Rebeck's Three Girls and Their Brother gives the reader a backstage pass to the seedy world of the entertainment business where sharks and prey are abundantly available.

Description: Now that it’s all over, everybody is saying it was the picture–that stupid picture was behind every disaster. . . .They may be the granddaughters of a famous literary critic, but what really starts it all is Daria, Polly, and Amelia Heller’s stunning red hair. Out of the blue one day, The New Yorker calls and says that they want to feature the girls in a glamorous spread shot by a world-famous photographer, and before long these three beautiful nobodies from Brooklyn have been proclaimed the new “It” girls.
   But with no parental guidance–Mom’s a former beauty queen living vicariously through her daughters, and Dad is nowhere to be found–the three girls find themselves easy prey for the sharks and piranhas of show business. Posing in every hot fashion magazine, tangling with snarling fashonistas and soulless agents, skipping school and hitting A-list parties, the sisters are caught up in a whirlwind rise to fame that quickly spirals out of control.
   When Amelia, the youngest of the three–who never really wanted to be a model in the first place–appears in an Off-Broadway play, the balance of power shifts, all the pent-up resentment and pressure comes to a head, and the girls’ quiet, neglected brother reaches a critical point of virtual breakdown. And against the odds, even as the struggle for fame threatens to tear the family apart, the Hellers begin to see that despite the jealousy, greed, and uncertainty that have come to define their relationships, in the celebrity world of viciousness and betrayal, all they really have is one another.

Review: I was looking through the Alex Award book lists trying to figure out what book to read next for this reading challenge and I stumbled up Three Girls and Their Brother. I had never heard of the book and author before, but the synopsis caught my eye and I thought I would try it.
  Straddling the line of dark comedy and satire, Three Girls and Their Brother takes us backstage to the caprious entertainment industry where fame and luck sometimes intertwine and not always in the best interest of the person involved. The New Yorker does a piece on the Hellers, grandchildren of a late literary critic who are riding the coat tails of his popular and just so happen to be ravishingly beautiful. After a single photo shoot, the three teenaged sisters, ranging from 14 to 18 years old, modeling party girl careers are off to a careening start. 
 The book is told through each of the sibling's point of view, which allows us to get a closer look into this dysfunctional family and to help dicepher was is true and fantasy when fickle fame appears. The siblings are practically the only family unit as the looney mom and distant father appear on the outter fringes of the siblings' lives.
  Out of all the point of views, I really enjoyed reading from Philip, the brother who is 15 and seen as the 'plain one'. He narrates the first part, dubiously chronicling how their former Miss America mother blithely yanks the girls out of school and throws them to the jackals of publicity. It is through Philip's point of view that we remain grounded and witness how fast and easily fame takes a toll on a family that is already distant. Ironically, out all of the siblings Philip is the most sensible one but he gets shipped out to live with his distant father and stepmother for being unruly.
  My next favorite point of view was from the youngest sibling, Amelia, explains how one photoshoot became a juicy scandal for tabloids and celebrity magazines and how acting instead of modeling may be her true calling. Like Philip, Amelia's point of view points out the cut-throat aspect of the entertainment industry whether it's Hollywood or Broadway, the danger is the same- someone is always trying to steal your thunder and use you to their benefits.
  I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the Showtime TV show Entourage as it covers similar themes.  Funny and searing, Three Girls and Their Brother is an enjoyable read where you are glad that you are not a celebrity and may make you think twice about ever wanting fame.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, underage drinking, and sexual situations. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: The Year of Living Famously by Laura Caldwell, Celebrities in Disgrace by Elizabeth Searle