words of coffee

Book Review of 'Voices in the Sea Foam' , by Kotaro Thank you to the author Kotaro, Kondansha Comics and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. What if the Little Mermaid were reincarnated as a boy in the present day, and upon falling in love with another boy, suffered the curse weighing on his soul ? Unable to speak or communicate properly when that special boy is around, feeling his feet burning with immesurable pain as he walks, as if stepping on a thousand sharp knives. This is the premise and the story of the main character, Aito , and how he falls for Tory - the new boy at his high school. Toru practically begs Aito to work with him in a school project. He needs Aito to record a song for. What prompts Toru to do this is the video that pops up in his cellphone - he falls in love with Aito's voice instantly.  I absolutely loved everything in this book and how beautifully crafted is. It hooked me from start to finish. What I didn't like was th...

 'Castle Swimmer: Volume 3' by Wendy Martin [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the author Wendy Martin, the publisher Ten Speed Graphic and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This brand-new Castle Swimmer's volume is as addictive and heartwarming as the first two volumes.  Impact-Site-Verification: c673a114-7fbb-41e9-bd13-9f1eca5918d6 I deeply love and adore this story , these beautiful characters like Kappa and Siren, the atmosphere of the mers and underwater ambience. This volume focuses on the main story as well as two subplots: the prophecies and how Kappa is pulled to them, Siren fleeing the castle to find a cure for the curse and to find his dad, and the efforts of the new soon-to-be ruler appointed by Siren to rebuild and strengthen the kingdom.  New characters pop up and new information about prophecies is given to Kappa and Siren.  It pains me to read how Kappa and Siren miss each other constantly. They are so dear to me, and I hope I r...

'Away to See: Martha's Vineyard' by Liz Norwood and Paul Norwood [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the publisher, the authors and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This collection of paintings and poems about Martha's Vineyard is an exquisite sensory experience to get to know a place you may or may not have visited.  Martha's Vineyard is an island in Massachusetts.  What I enjoyed most about this book was the beautiful, vibrant full-color paintings depicting a local place.  #AwayToSee #Netgalley

'Milk & Mocha:Our Little Moments, Comics Collection' by Melani Sie [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publisher, the author Melani Sie and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This collection of little comics having as main characters the cutest bears named Milk and Mocha is by far the lightest, endearing and adorable collection I've ever read !  I never heard about them before reading this collection, I did not know they were popular on the Internet. Although I'll search for the author in order to read more about them!  This book explores the most intimate, daily human interactions - the little gestures of love for your significant other, the adventures of going on a trip together, the faces or movements you make when they're taking a photo of you or you're taking it,...  This book portrays the experience of appreciating life and the little pleasures of it.  I highly recommend it! It's such a cute collection of comics.  ...

 'A Vow In Vengeance' by Jaclyn Rodriguez [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the publisher Zando Projects, the author and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. In a world dominated by the magic of tarot cards and twisted politics , a mortal named Rune is forging a desperate plan to take her family back: being Selected by the cruel Immortals. She's taken to their lands and thrown into the Forge, an academy to learn her strength (her Card power). She'll make friends and enemies while trying to take down the Immortals and not to fall in love with the arrogant prince of the Druids: Draven. This book is a dance to the senses : a sharp, witty and smart main character (Rune) in a dark academia setting while swaying through political schemes and a blooming romance with the prince. My favorite part of this book was Rune. I love her. I adored the friends she made along the way and hated the enemies with the same effervescence. Besides, this story is so beautifully wo...

"Taylor Swift: The Unofficial Search and Find Biographies" by Gus Morais [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is an in-depth graphic summary of Taylor Swift's eras and albums plus the Eras Tour , which I didn't expect it to be included as an era of its own but I loved it. Such an amazing show, such an incredible era we had. I miss it and it felt so nostalgic and so lovely to see and catch certain details, like the specific dresses for each era, the whole stadium,... What surprised me most was some intricate details throughout the eras, which is clearly a product of a good investigation of the artist and her musical trademark. (Which I loved.) I loved the details that referenced some scenes from the music videos (Rep music videos, Lover, Folklore cabin, Evermore performing a "ritual" with the magic, sparkly bright lights,...), and the artist herself and her work. ...

 'Love Languages' by James Albon [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the author James Albon, the publisher IDW Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. A comtemporary slow-burn love story between two foreigners that meet in Paris and slowly develop a friendship that would change into love. Sarah is from England and Ping is from Hong Kong . Sarah speaks English and is still learning French, and stopped her Cantonese lessons. Ping speaks Cantonese and English, which still is trying to learn more about, as well as French. They are each other's anchor and support.  What I found more lovely and beautifully woven is the relationship and the romantic attraction that blooms between them and how the invisible strings work in their favour to unite them once again against all odds. Laced with emotional, romantic and humour doses , this story shaped in the form of a vibrant, detailed graphic novel is quick-paced and is perfect for reading it in one-sitting. Thi...

 '31 Days Of Spooky' by Harper [BOOK REVIEW] Thank you to the publisher Harper and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. '31 Days of Spooky' is an anthology of short slightly scary horror tales and stories along with one or two illustrations accompanying the scary tale.  I enjoyed the book overall. Ghostly appearances, mysterious figures, and some emotional stories.  Each tale is quite different from one another: an old house that belonged to a newly wed couple, a mother in the road with her baby, two friends playing hide-and-seek in a forest and a cemetery, unsolved or hidden murders at a house or a hotel,... Many different topics and plots are embedded in this collection of short horror stories.  It is beautifully illustrated painting and embodying the image, or the essence or a scene, of the story itself. It is a quick, fun read.  #31DaysOfSpooky #Netgalley

'The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell' , by Laura Alary and Ellen Rooney  Title: The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell Writer: Laura Alary Illustrator: Ellen Rooney Genre (s): Picture Book, Astronomy, Non-fiction Language: English Publisher: Kids Can Press Publication Date: 3rd May 2022 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Link to buy the book! Thank you to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell is a lovely, fascinating picture book about women and astronomy . It talks about women's rights , desires and dreams and aspirations; bonds Maria had with her family; the environment she grew up in,... This book is written by Laura Alary , and is illustrated by Ellen Rooney . Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer that grew up believing she did not need someone else 一of authority一 to think for her, or telling her what to ...

'Anne of Green Gables: the manga' , by L. M. Montgomery Title: Anne of Green Gables Author: L. M. Montgomery Illustrator, adaptor, and lettering: Kuma Chan, Stacy King, and Daria Rhodes Genre (s): Historical Fiction, Manga  Language: English Publisher: Manga Classics Publication Date: 10th November 2020 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This manga of Anne of Green Gables tells the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl that is adopted by the Cuthbert siblings, Marilla and Matthew. Anne is an efferverscent, vivacious redhead girl with a strong, dynamic imagination. I do find this character one of the most human characters I've ever read.  This book has beautiful and sophisticated illustrations that capture the very essence of all the characters and their own stories: Anne, Marilla, Matthew, Gilbert, Diana,... Both heart and feelings , emotions , are captured so well in this book.  In this book, we...

'The Lost Ages, Vol. 1: The Fort on the Moors' , by Jerôme LeGris Title: The Lost Ages I: The Fort on the Moors Author (s): Jerôme LeGris (writer), Didier Poli (illustrator) Genre (s): Fiction, Graphic Novel Language: English Publisher: Europe Comics Publication Date: 21st April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /4 Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  A tale of survival and bloodshed , and rival clans and unchanging cycles. 'The Lost Ages' is a graphic novel that tells a post-apocalyptic story about how the world fell in 999 (or at the beginning of 1000), and how humans are a few thousand years later. They need to relearn and to rebuild everything that was lost. But there are some of them that are not willing to change their way of life.  A powerful, brave female warrior is the main character of this story: Elaine . She loves her people, protects them in the best way she can and to the end. She is loyal and ...

'Touch Is Really Strange' , by Steve Haines Title: Touch Is Really Strange Author: Steve Haines Genre (s):  Non-fiction Language: English Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Publication Date: 21st April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ /3 Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This is a book about touch , about what effects physical touch and interactions have on us. It is about how we perceive and how we sense touch and social interactions. It has a few simple " exercises " inside to do if we want to feel what the author is talking about. I expected something way different form this book, but it does not mean that I didn't enjoy it. I did it. I did really love , especially, the simple, beautiful illustrations . I strongly believe they were perfect for this kind of book. I did really liked them.  For me, it was just a simple book about touch, honestly. As I've said before, I expected something different...

'Witching Moon' , by K. E. Bonner Title: Witching Moon Author: K. E. Bonner Genre (s): Fantasy Language: English Publisher: Belle Isle Books Publication Date: 27th April 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ /3 Link to buy it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I liked a lot this book, I have found in it a great, immersive fantasy reading .  The characters were good, and I liked them. The things that carried the entire book , in my opinion, were Anne - the main character - and the plot, absolutely. The plot is addictive and it makes you want to read more and more.  I highly recommend you this book!  Until the next post! ♡

'A Dragonbird in the Fern' , by Lauren Rueckert Title: A Dragonbird in the Fern Author: Laura Rueckert Genre (s): YA Fantasy, Mystery Language: English Publisher: Flux Publication Date: 3rd August 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book . I have found the worldbuilding , the characters , the plots , so interesting . Everything. It's hard to find books like this one, in which you love everything. I adored Jiara, it's a character so beautifully human, so well written. The relationship between Jiara and Raffar was so cute and so beautiful to read. I loved them. And Scilla . Her whole story was so emotional and so terrifying in some parts. I loved the way the author wrote it in such a perfect way. The descriptions were so beautifully written. This is a murder mystery , fantasy book about Jiara trying to find out her sister's killer, and trying to live ...

'City of Shattered Light' , by Claire Winn Title: City of Shattered Light Author: Claire Winn Genre (s): Science Fiction, Dystopian Language: English Publisher: Flux Publication Date: 19th October 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 'City of Shattered Light' is a YA dystopian fiction book about Asa Almeida, the main character of the book. She's the heiress to a powerful tech empire. She wants to prove herself, and to save her sister from reprogramming. When her ship lands in Requiem , the only thing that will be of help for her sister will be to join Riven Hawthorne's crew and herself. A spreading virus , expanding like gunpowder. Secrets shattering among the pages. A girl fighting for her life and for her sister's. Enemies to lovers slowly learning from each other, taking its time to reveal their true feelings, and thoughts about each other. Space , planets. I fou...

'How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed' , by Megan Devine Title: How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed Author: Megan Devine Genre (s): Self-help, Nonfiction Language: English Publisher: Sounds True Publication Date: 18th May 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy the book! Thank you to the publisher Sounds True and Netgalley for this e- ARC in exchange for an honest review.  How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed  is a self-help book about grief and loss, and anxiety and fears.   The author talks about how grief  affects us, and how to carry with it, and with loss and anxiety. The book gives us more information to learn more about them. It creates more awareness about them.  I also found it very helpful the exercises that were in the book to calm the mind, how it gives you things to do to calm it : meditation, draw something calming,... I found all of them so helpful!  Also, it gives you space to feel good while reading it in a way so calm and quiet. It lets you express...

'Rebel Girls Champions: 25 Tales of Unstoppeable Athletes' by Rebel Girls Title: Rebel Girls Champions: 25 Tales of Unstoppeable Athletes Genre (s): Biography, Children, Nonfiction, Sports Language: English Publisher: Rebel Girls Publication Date: 12 October 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to the publisher Rebel Girls and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.  'Rebel Girls Champions: 25 Tales of Unstoppeable Athletes' is a book about 25 women in sports , and how was their life and how they became what they wanted to become to, and how they kept fighting for their rights and their dreams . This book encourages girls and shows them that they can be whatever they want, that they are strong.  There are many sports in this book: snowboard, field hockey, soccer, etc. I found this book a light, fresh reading for all ages , but especially for children . It is a book that I highly recommend!  This book comes out on 12 October 2021 ! So stay tuned, an if ...

'Flower Crowns & Fearsome Things' , by Amanda Lovelace Title: flower crowns & fearsome things Author: Amanda Lovelace Genre: Poetry Language: English Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing Publication Date: 5 October 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Link to buy it on Amazon ! Thank you to the publisher Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Before I start, I must say that I am a huge fan of Amanda Lovelace, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book. I have absolutely loved it! 'Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things' is a book of poetry that talks about women , abuse, sexism , love,... It talks about many topics and the author writes it in a way so beautifully written . It talks about death , cheating, trauma, and misogyny, too. I found really interesting the way the author talked about some topics, like the body image , how we perceive and love ourselves, the sexism inside many regular things we are used to do...

'Wish Hunter' , by Hero Bowen and Jordan Riley Swan Title: Wish Hunter Authors: Hero Bowen & Jordan Riley Swan Genre (s): Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary Language: English Publisher: Story Garden Publication Date: 1st June 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 4 stars Thank you to the publisher Story Garden and Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A tale of lost loves, search of our inner self and dark families.  ‘Wish Hunter’ , by Jordan Riley Swan and Hero Bowen , is a fantasy book about a woman who steals wishes to pay off a family debt to the Wishmaster. Nadia Kaminski has lost many things in the past year: her beloved husband, and her freedom. She is bonded to pay off the debt her family has because of her, when she nearly died.  When Nadia comes across the perfect opportunity to steal a wish for herself, she takes it—and the rock star she’s stolen it from desperately wants his wish back. As Nadia tries to figure out how to get ...

'Where Did the Universe Come From? And Other Cosmic Questions' , by Chris Ferrie and Geraint F. Lewis Title: Where Did the Universe Come From? And Other Cosmic Questions  Authors: Chris Ferrie, Geraint F. Lewis Genre (s): Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction Language: English Publisher: Sourcebooks Publication Date: 7th September 2021 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  / 4.7 Thank you to the publisher Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This book talks about the birth of the universe , its formation and the chemicals that were involved, and what are we made of.  It is a book for people who is deeply in love and wants to know more about the science of the universe , and its objects and its physics, because there are some details that involve the creation, and the chemicals that were born and needed for the making of the cosmos as we know it. There are informative chapters in which the authors talk about the elements and events that were necessary for ...