People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?
 

Pages: 364

Julie's Reads: The Graphic Novel Edition

 

Shows all panels of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the events around William the Conqueror's taking of England in 1066 while providing a nice comic book style narrative. 

May be the nerdiest thing I have ever bought, and I'm so happy I did. 

Pages: 52

That’s right, your favorite princess, demon, and elf-hybrid-thing from Matt Groening’s popular animated series DISENCHANTMENT is now available in comic form! 

Pages: 224

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Agnes Nutter’s prophecies are the world’s only reliable guide to the future, and according to Agnes the world is set to end next Saturday. This time, the armies of Good and Evil seem to be taking it seriously, as do the four Bikers of the Apocalypse. Naturally, they would all prefer the apocalypse didn’t happen, particularly one carousing demon and a somewhat fussy angel. Someone also seems to have misplaced the Antichrist, but that’s just a drop in the bucket, really.  

491 pages.

The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

by Adrian Tomine

Rated: 3 out of 5 stars

Pages: 200

 Adrian Tomine writes about his life as an award-winning cartoonist. He shares his questioning if his life is really worthwhile. He has a charmed career with awards and accolades but did the good out weigh the bad: the humiliation, slights and insults over the years by his own industry?

His memories remind him he is lucky to have a childhood dream as his career, but life still happens in between with chaotic book tours, disastrous interviews, awkward social interactions, and marriage. While his relationships give him fodder for his comics, do the comics give anything back? Illustrated to resemble an artist's sketchbook, he shares the ups and downs of  his life with you the reader.  

Stranger Planet by Nathan W. Pyle

 

These comics are just way too stinkin' cute. We get doggos, cats, the absurdities of celebrations, and the silliness of everyday life. I especially enjoyed "The small eight-legged creature" and the "drainage expert game".

144 pages

Graphic Novels Galore!

Fangs by Sarah Andersen

I love Sarah's Scribbles comics, so when i saw this e-galley available, I said, sure, why not? I thought the premise of vampire + werewolf romance was a bit cliche, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I liked how it poked fun at the cliches, but also presented a unique plot of its own. A fun little read for fans of funny comics. Definitely a better love story than Twilight.

112 pages



New Kid by Jerry Craft

I've seen this title pop up on so many book lists lately, I thought I'd check it out. Although this graphic novel is written for the middle grades, there are so many themes and issues relevant to adult readers. When his parents enroll him in a private school, Jordan has to adapt to a school where he is one of the few students of color. He has to learn how to make new friends while faced with racist microaggressions from his classmates and teachers. I would highly recommend this title for anyone and everyone.

249 pages




The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

Greta, an apprentice blacksmith, discovers a new passion when she rescues a small dragon from a chaotic marketplace. She then discovers the world of the tea dragons, whose horns sprout tiny leaves harvested for tea by their caretakers. This story is so sweet, and the artwork is beautiful. A lovely fantasy tale of traditions, love, and friendship.

60 pages




Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

I read this novel when it came out, but it's been a few years. When this popped up on a recommended list I thought, sure, why not? I remembered enjoying the novel, but didn't remember enough of the plot to make a reread too boring. Yet, this was so boring. The story was still exciting and upbeat, but the art was just... bleh. I'm not a fan of the blue-grey color scheme. It was nice to get a visual for some of the characters, but honestly? Just read the novel.

206 pages




Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Andersen, and Leila Del Duca (ill.)

Now this is Wonder Woman done right. Andersen is a powerful writer, and Del Duca makes the story pop with color. Diana's origin story is updated to reflect our current world, as she encounters refugees, activists, homelessness, corporate greed, human trafficking and other social issues. I love how many diverse wonder woman comics we've been getting lately, and I'd say this is one of the best ones I've read.

207 pages




Zatanna and the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody, and Yoshi Yoshitani (ill.)

We don't get a lot of Zatanna-featured comics, so seeing this one written for the younger crowd was a pleasant surprise. This book was a lot of fun! Zatanna is a normal girl living in a slightly abnormal house dealing with tricky middle school friendship troubles. Then, the son of a witch queen steals her pet rabbit's key collar and the magic house comes alive. Zatanna has to navigate the twists, turns, and terrors to rescue her father and discover her true inheritance. This book is a lot of fun!

146 pages

Black Jack Volume 16 by Osamu Tezuka

Man, I love Black Jack. Something about the combination of medical drama and a scalpel-wielding detective just fascinates me. I love it just as much for the humor as I do looking up all the strange medical conditions to learn more.

Fun, humorous, and fascinating story from a manga legend.

338 Pages

Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle

A collection of the hit web-comic, featuring the Beings who seem much like ourselves. I love the silly literal phrasing of everyday things, as well as getting to read a lot of comics that didn't make their way through social media.

Cute, colorful comics poking fun at the absurdities of life.

144 pages

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

I loved the author's first book The Hating Game and have been anxiously awaiting her newest. I waited for years! Worth it. Granted I still hold the first one as my favorite, but I couldn't put this one down! The main character is tough, funny, and full of problems which makes her feel so real. Humor abounds and the romance was enchanting though a bit drawn out. Definitely worth a read if you like contemporary romance.

Rating: 4/5
Pages: 368

How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety: And Abstinence, Drugs, Satanism, and Other Dangers That Threaten Their Nine Lives

 How to Talk to your Cat about Gun Safety: And Abstinence, Drugs, Satanism and Other Dangers that Threaten their Nine Lives
by Zachary Auburn
Pages: 144
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Collection of essays on how to talk to your cat about important life issues from gun safety to drugs to cults. Parody of parenting guides with a liberal bent.

Aisling Grey, Guardian Series by Katie MacAlister

I needed something light after Clash of Kings and turned to my favorite paranormal romance series. The books are fast-paced and funny, especially scenes with the demon-lite, Newfoundland dog named Jim (or Effrijim if you want to be technical). The series follows her entrance into the "Otherworld," coming into her powers as a Guardian and demon lord, and falling in love with a hunky dragon named Drake.

Rating: 4/5

Total pages: 1,356

Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey

Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Omg another great read!! But he is an amazing guy! Swoon for Ian...

262 Pages

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Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves

Heart-Shaped Hack by Tracey Garvis Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a funny little story! I don't know that I would have been open to Ian and the way that he tracked her down...but it was at the same time sweet.

340 Pages

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Pucked Series

Pucked by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so funny and racy that I had to limit listening to it in public, due to spurts of laughter, often followed by blushing.

Violet is really awkward and has a way of blurting out what she honestly thinks at all times, which is hilarious.

Book 36 read in 2019

Pages: 380

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Pucked Up by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story centers around trust and issues with trust. The characters in book two are very distinct from the characters in book one, which is always a good sign. This is also pretty funny and blush-worthy.

Book 38 read in 2019

Pages: 375

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Pucked Over by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whew! *fans self*

This may be my favorite in the series so far, though I have enjoyed them all. There are so many other couples that I want to read about that I'm not sure which story I want next.

Book 39 read in 2019

Pages: 350

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Forever Pucked by Helena Hunting
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was fun, as I enjoy Alex and Violet, but I would have rather had the stories for the other hockey players. This book wasn't really necessary, but all the same, I generally liked it. It did have a few laugh out loud moments.

I would have enjoyed it more overall if this one didn't fall so hard into the only HEA is one that includes marriage and kids for all the couples in the series, whether or not they seem like the type to need/want to be married and/or have kids. The whole doing what society expects, regardless of personality or life choices things is always a bit meh for me with the romance genre.

If a storyline doesn't really need to end in everyone getting married and having kids, then it just feels like wasted energy making me read it all. I get that a lot of romance readers want that though, so it seems to happen in so many books/series. I just personally don't really need or want to know a couple's future history and the names of all their kids, if it isn't relevant to the current storyline. If it was that important to me to know they get married and have kids in the future (and it never is), then I would imagine it for myself.

I think that's why this one just didn't interest me quite as much. It was too much about wedding planning and the extended HEA, and I don't want to read about that crap. It's not a real plot, in my opinion. The interesting story for me was the first one, where two people came together, despite issues and challenges. This was just excess.

Book 40 read in 2019

Pages: 308

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Pucked Under by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novella just because Lily and Randy are my favorite couple in the series. It is also not exactly necessary to the series, but for an extra, it's nice and short.

Book 41 read in 2019

Pages 188

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Pucked Off by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My previous review statement was premature. This is now my favorite book in the Pucked series, and I only wish there could have been even more of it.

This one is dark, complicated, and twisted, so obviously I loved it. It's also mired in mental health issues and the impacts of mental health issues. That sounds a bit unromantic, but it's absolutely not. Because Lance finally finds someone to be in his life who isn't abusive and unstable, and that made me very happy for him.

Book 42 read in 2019

Pages: 400

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Pucked Love by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this one a lot, as well. It seems like the issues in these last two books were greater and darker, and that was more compelling.

Book 43 read in 2019

Pages: 278

The Foxe & the Hound by R.S. Grey

The Foxe & the Hound by R.S. Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book!! It was just what I needed, a little romance and humor. It was a cute little story :) I just loved the added benefit of the her dog!!

385 Pages

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Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey

Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just loved this one!!! Such a cute story and Lucas is way more than what I thought he would be. The only down side is I wish we would have got to hear more about the letters or from his POV.

277 Pages

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Knitting in the City Series by Penny Reid

  

Knitting in the City Series by Penny Reid

Neandertahal seeks Human

I loved this book! The way her mind works is just super funny!!

403 Pages

Neandertahal Marries Human

I enjoyed this book, a perfect ending to the first book. 

410 Pages

Friends without Benefits

This wasn't near as good as the first books and I don't think that I will keep moving in the series after this. 

424 Pages

Man Candy by Melanie Harlow

Man Candy by Melanie Harlow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was full of humor and funny little moments that just make you laugh out loud. He is just such an amazing guy and was pushing so hard to show her what love can be like. 292 Pages

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Frozen by L.A. Casey

Frozen by L.A. Casey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my, this book was funny! They have some banner back and forth, that is just hilarious. They stuff they do to each other over the years is just great! I loved how much their families are all friends and play into the games between the two of them. 274 Pages

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Romance Books

The Soul Mate by Kendall Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 This was a short little romance book, to finish out a series that I started a couple of months ago. I don't know that this romance would ever be real, because it's just seems all to far off to believe that this would ever happen. But still a cute little story.  302 Pages

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Thirty Day Boyfriend by Whitney G.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is just like another book that I have read about a fake relationship, however, there is some humor in this book that made it better than some of the other ones that I have read. 119 Pages

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