I
am a huge fan of Yoru Sumino’s books, and her sweet MG/YA novel showcases what
a brilliant writer she is.
The story follows Nanoka, a grade-schooler faced
with a tough question for her school assignment—what does ‘happiness’ mean to
her? Throughout the story she makes friends with a troubled girl who engages in
self-harm, a woman ostracized by society, and an old woman looking to live out
her years in peace.
The story handles tough subjects with a beautiful
gentleness and has an almost Studio Ghibli peacefulness to it. It’s a wonderful
story of family, life, and what happiness really means.
An unhappy girl who engages in self-harm, a high schooler ostracised by her classmates, and an old woman looking to live out her twilight years in peace - what could three such different people have in common? That's what grade schooler Nanoka Koyanagi is trying to find out. Assigned by her teacher to define what "happiness" means to her, Nanoka tries to find her place in the world by exploring her relationships with these three strangers, and through them, comes to know herself.
Lonely
Castle in the Mirror is a wonderful puzzle of a story that explores mental
health in youth and how a gentle hand can help someone grow beyond their fears.
It tells the story of a girl name Kokoro, who is too afraid to go to school due
to bullying. Then, she discovers a castle through her bedroom mirror run by a
girl in a wolf mask. While in the castle, she and six other students have a
chance to search for a key that will grant their wish. But only one can have
their wish granted.
A touching story of full of sympathy and warmth, it shows
how much one can gain by reaching out to others.
For fans of BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD, fairy tale and magic are weaved together in sparse language that belies a flooring emotional punch.
'Strange and beautiful. Imagine the offspring of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle with The Virgin Suicides' GUARDIAN 'Genuinely affecting. A story of empathy, collaboration and sharing truths' FINANCIAL TIMES
Translated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami _______________________________
Would you share your deepest secrets to save a friend?
In a tranquil neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven teenagers wake to find their bedroom mirrors are shining.
At a single touch, they are pulled from their lonely lives to a…
Who else can create unique worlds that sing with
life other than Brandon Sanderson?
His new standalone, Tress of the Emerald
Sea, is a wonderful swashbuckling tale of adventure, mystery, and a whole
lot of spores. Tress is such a wonderful main character, starting as someone
completely ordinary, and growing into someone still ordinary, just with a
little more adventure under her belt.
There was so much humor, twists I didn’t
see coming, and plenty of fascinating world-building that I couldn’t put it
down! Sanderson is a master of crafting an entire world around a single
thought, element, or feeling, and bringing it to life like no other.
Three years ago, Faye and her sisters were cursed by
the Midnight King. Now, separated and alone, Faye only sees her sisters when
she is dragged into the Underworld every full moon at midnight and forced to
dance with Pathos, the Midnight King himself. And Faye knows that their curse is
her fault.
When the king of Eura announces a series of balls
being held in honor of his son, Prince Leo, Faye realizes she may now have a
chance to help herself and her sisters escape the curse. But things aren’t
easy, for Pathos is determined to keep Faye in the Underworld with him.
