Reading: THERE ARE THINGS I CAN'T TELL YOU - Edako Mofumofu (author), Christine Dashiell (translator)

Prose (Story): Awkward, shy, reserved, the victim of many a bully - this describes Kasumi, the glasses-wearing, soft-spoken kid who, in grade school, met his hero in the form of Kyousuke. Outgoing, into sports, with a ton of friends, handsome and charming to all, Kyousuke not only befriends Kasumi, the two become inseparable - best friends in a bond that's lasted from childhood until now - when, as young men, each is trying to find his way in the world ... while also dealing with the hidden feelings each has secretly felt for the other since boyhood.

Don's (Review): Tokyo Pop has become my go-to place for manga depicting male-on-male romance, but here things are bumped up even more as author Edako Mofumofu creates two very-real heroes in both Kasumi and Kyousuke, two guys who couldn't be more different but grow up as close as two best friends could ever be. At the same time, since childhood, Kasumi has been in love with his best friend but is too afraid to tell him ... while Kyousuke, in love with Kasumi, has some emotional scarring in his background that makes him unable to not only reveal his feelings; he also has himself convinced that such feelings are wrong, and that he could only ultimately hurt Kasumi by telling him the truth. This would seemingly set up the kind of Hallmark movie kind of plotting, where much is misinterpreted or mistakenly assumed by the characters, keeping them apart in a way that feels more like a plot device than a real relationship here. But no, even when it seems Mofumofu is going that way, the trope is avoided and the relationship between the two men gets even more complex - and threatened. Another way this manga bumps things up a notch is in the depiction of the sex scenes; while not full-on full frontal (this is from Japan, after all), There Are Things I Can't Tell You is definitely for mature audiences in its visual depictions of two men making love (something to keep in mind, depending on your feelings about m/m sex, too). While initially a bit of a shock, like everything here the eroticism/sex scenes only fit with the story and characters, and while the ending of this genuinely romantic love story felt just a bit rushed, for me it was also one of the most realistic, believable depictions of two guys falling in love - complete with emotional baggage attached - I've yet to read, particularly in a manga.  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: MEXICAN GOTHIC - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Prose (Story): Noemi Taboada, an attractive young socialite in 1950's Mexico, is pressed into action by her father after receiving a letter from her newly-married cousin Catalina, in which the normally upbeat and positive young woman sounds scattered and afraid, even implying her new husband is trying to kill her. Having been close to Catalina since childhood, Noemi rushes to High Place, a crumbling and run-down fortress high in the mountainous countryside - the family home of Catalina's new husband Virgil Doyle, who somehow comes off both exceedingly handsome and disquietingly sinister - where she not only finds her cousin a former shadow of herself, sickly and weak, but over time also learns that something is very, very wrong in a mansion where the walls seem to whisper ... the family has secrets to hide ... and High Place may hold more dangers to both Noemi and Catalina than either of them could ever imagine.

Don's (Review): Noemi Taboada progresses, throughout this slow-burn of a gothic-horror novel, from seemingly vain and privileged young beauty to a kick-ass heroine digging deep to find strengths and abilities she didn't even know she had - and I loved it. Again, it's a slow-burn to start, but that's not a bad thing as author Moreno-Garcia takes her time establishing both the odd, even creepy, members of the Doyle family (extra-big ICK for Virgil's reptilian, corpse-like father), as well as sinking readers deeply into the monstrosity that is High Place, the mausoleum of a home itself virtually becoming another character in the story. Truly gothic for a good two-thirds of the book, its tone growing darker and darker as does Noemi's situation, then for the last hundred pages or so the book breaks out more into full-on horror, where reveals and twists and more reveals ratchet up the indescribable ... wrongness of what's going on, none of which even the most bizarre of minds could probably see coming. Moreno-Garcia also works the setting, ambiance, and folklore of Mexico beautifully into her story, which seems firmly rooted in its 1950's setting as well, and by The End I was pretty much exhausted and freaked out from the reading experience, but (good or bad) got the ... closure (?) that, as a reader, more than made the reading experience both satisfying and complete. Beautifully executed, creepy and one-of-a-kind, and easily one of my top-five favorite reads of 2020.  5/5 stars

Reading: FIERY NIGHT: A BOY, HIS GOAT, AND THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE - Sally M. Walker (author), Kayla Harren (illustrator)

Based on the true story of a family's escape from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, this lavishly-illustrated (via some fine, high-quality artwork by illustrator Kayla Herran) details the story of the Butterfield family, who were alerted by neighbors the night of the oncoming blaze. Initially trying to save what belongings they could, the family was forced to leave with only whatever they could carry ... until young Justin Butterfield refuses to flee without taking his friend and pet goat, Willie. The family has no choice but to find Willie and take off, traversing on foot through the massive crowds of family, friends and neighbors trying to escape the encroaching flames. Author Sally Walker, with a number of nonfiction books for young and beginning readers to her credit, began this book after discovering a copy of a letter written by Justin, chronicling their escape, and the tension and fear of the Butterfields comes across palpably on the page, as they are soon forced to drop and leave behind even what few possessions they had grabbed in desperation, even as Justin sees escape as the only option if he wants to save Willie, his family soon taking the boy's determination to heart in their own hearts to make it. An inspiring, touching story that comes across so beautifully, via art and story, kids and parents alike will find the story of the Butterfield family's plight engrossing, all the more so because it's based in truth - yet will find the heart and hope of the story in Willie the goat as he helps empower the family to make it. Beautifully-done book, for beginning readers to adults, complete with a little background on the real-life family/story that inspired it. (Available August 1)  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: VAMPIRE STATE BUILDING - Ange & Patrick Renault (authors), Charlie Adlard (illustrator), Sebastien Gerard (colorist)

Prose (Story): The new horror series from the artist of The Walking Dead fame, this graphic novel collects the first four issues of the series as we follow Terry Fisher, a rugged New York City soldier about to re-enter active military duty, who - the night before he leaves - meets up with his friends and ex-girlfriend at the top of the Empire State Building for a going away party ... on the same night a crazed horde of bloodthirsty vampires breaks loose to take over the building - the city - and man.

Don's (Review): A genuinely interesting premise - a sort-of mythical vampire god, who has been walled up inside the Empire State Building since its construction, is set loose at last to take over and enslave mankind, turning all around him into vampires as rugged military hunk Terry Fisher parties with his friends on the roof above - somehow, in execution, lacks much in the way of originality or thrills. Bloody and gory, yes, and there are definitely tense moments that help keep you reading, but ultimately (beyond the premise) there isn't a lot new to this stock vampire story. As Terry and company try to get the 102 floors down to street level, the iconic Manhattan skyscraper crammed with vamps, anyone whose read even moderately in the genre can see almost every plot point coming. Murky, messy art both compliments yet somehow distracts from the story, and overall this reader was left both dissatisfied and underwhelmed, feeling as if I'd traveled this same old road too many times before.  2/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: EVEN SUPERHEROES MAKE MISTAKES - Shelly Becker (author), Eda Kaban (illustrator)

Prose (Story): Even superheroes aren't perfect - especially young ones still learning how to thwart nefarious schemes, catch villains, or help their fellow good guys. This follow-up to Even Superheroes Have Bad Days takes a colorful assortment of cape-wearers and do-gooders through their paces when they - well - mess up on the job.

Don's (Review): Kids will love this funny and colorful book for young readers, illustrated with zany frenetic energy by artist Eda Kaban, depicting laughing villains and hapless (and helpless) police and citizens, who look on as an equally zany group of superheroes - even with their hearts in the right place - botch up in their quests to restore order and save the day. Thing is, when you're a superhero and held to that kind of high esteem by the populace ... what do you do when you mess up? Hide? Make excuses? Go skulk off somewhere to lick your wounds, maybe reconsidering your career choice? That's where the real magic of this book comes in  - when even superheroes understand they are only human (even when they're not), and that when you mess up maybe the only solution is to admit your mistake and move on. Talk about a great lesson for a superhero to teach a kid.  4/5 stars

Reading: HOME BEFORE DARK - Riley Sager

Prose (Story): At the age of 30, Maggie Holt - home renovator/decorator - learned early on that every house has a story. She knows this first-hand, because when Maggie was five years old she lived with her parents for just three weeks in Baneberry Hall, an isolated, rather worn down estate in Vermont; just three weeks before the family was driven out by their malevolent haunted house. Soon after, Maggie's father's book about their experiences at Baneberry Hall (House of Horrors) hit the bestseller list, scarring the young girl's life for good; to this day, she is asked if what is told in the book is real, when most of what was written Maggie doesn't even remember - much less believe. Indeed, her "memories" are only as retold by her father in his tell-all book - the book that put a shadow on her life, split her parents up, and gave Maggie a level of fame she never wanted. But when her father dies from cancer and Maggie learns that not only did he never sell Baneberry Hall - but she now owns it! - the young woman, on the 25th anniversary of her father's bestselling book, heads back to the house that's haunted her entire life, ostensibly to renovate it for sale ... in reality, to get some honest answers, once and for all.

Don's (Review): In chapters that alternate between Maggie's modern-day investigation of her past and past home, along with chapters from her father's book about Baneberry Hall, author Riley Sager does a fine job of building suspense and making the reader wonder. Is Baneberry Hall really haunted by the previous owner who murdered his daughter then killed himself? Is there a more earthly explanation where, maybe, someone sought to scare her family from the house? Characters are introduced whom you are not sure are friend or foe, and while the House of Horrors chapters are so short it makes you wonder if maybe her dad's book was more of a pamphlet, with each chapter readers are fed just enough information to keep them both reading and second-guessing just what is going on. And while the book comes with its share of both surprises and satisfying resolutions - even with one reveal that I thought felt a bit forced/too convenient - I finished the book having enjoyed the ride ... even if it took me another week to decide how to rate the book overall. Something was niggling at me about it, and eventually I realized what it was; that while the book is very well-written and nicely plotted in developing the chills and unraveling its secrets, even by the end, I just couldn't find myself emotionally invested in any of the characters. Sadly, not even Maggie. And if you're not invested in even the main character emotionally, what happens to them - good or bad - doesn't resonate like it should off the page. So while stylistically quite good, and it did keep me turning the pages, ultimately Home Before Dark left me as cold as the drafty, shadow-enshrouded halls of Baneberry Hall itself.  3/5 stars

Reading: OCEAN MEETS SKY - Terry Fan & Eric Fan/The Fan Brothers

Prose (Story): Finn is a young boy who's always loved and lived by the sea, where his beloved grandfather always told him many stories ... and of the place where the ocean meets the sky. With his grandpa passed on now, stories are all Finn has left - until he decides, one beautiful sunny day, to build a boat and honor his incredible grandfather by setting out to find where ocean meets sky himself.

Don's (Thoughts): This was my introduction to the Fan Brothers, and I can't believe it took me this long to find them. The story here - of a boy finding peace after the death of his much-loved grandpa - is simple yet deeply felt in Finn's need to find closure. But wowsy-WOW the illustrations here - the genuine, frame-able artwork that is nearly every page of this brilliant picture book, is what will keep both kids and adults going back to read it over and over again. The colors, intricate detail, even imagination put into each rendering of Finn's journey is breathtaking, and after reading it once I went back a second and third time just to really look at every wave of the sea, creature Finn meets, even the wonderful library island of books (not to mention some things the brothers drop in, here and there, I hadn't caught the first time around). The sweet/bittersweet ending might go over the heads of some younger children, but is equally charming and lovely as the book itself. Can't wait to dive into more of the genuine art the brothers Fan so loving create. 5/5 stars

Reading: OLLIE'S BACKPACK - Riya Aarini (author), Virvalle Carvallo (illustrator)

Ollie is a happy school kid with a vivid imagination, who carries his trusty backpack with him all the time. The backpack is as light and carefree as Ollie is, until a bad day at and after school finds the young boy tossing extras into it (a paper with a bad grade, an extra granola bar his classmate turned down, a wheel broken off his bike, a dried-up sunflower he'd been trying to grow) - each item metaphorically representing a burden - a letdown - Ollie has taken on his own shoulders emotionally. Even a singing trophy he's just won - great news! -- still only weighs down his already overburdened backpack, and when Ollie finally rests under the shade of a huge tree, his backpack so heavy now he needs a breather, it's there the frowning kid gets his sunshine back, when he learns that sometimes you just have to let things go (both physically and emotionally) - even find the right place for the good things, like a shiny new trophy - if you want to keep your load (and step) light. It's a big, kind of heady topic for a picture book for early readers, but author Riya Aarini and illustrator Virvalle Carvallo create a wonderful, upbeat spirit in Ollie and his world via colorful, lively illustrations and talking animals and trees that help steer Ollie in the right direction. While some parents might feel the message a bit over the heads of real young kids, the fact Aarini doesn't talk down to her readers makes the book perfect for parents and their children to interact and discuss the message of knowing when to release life's burdens that lies within these pages. (Available July 12)  3.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: THE ODDMIRE, BOOK 2: THE UNREADY QUEEN - William Ritter

Possibly the best gratification you can get, when reading the sequel/second-in-a-series to a good book, is when the sequel actually surpasses the original. My fanboy-ship of William Ritter's work began with Jackaby - to this day in my top-five YA books of all time - and from that series alone Ritter became one of my few auto-buy authors. When I read The Oddmire, Book 1: The Changeling - his middle-grade novel featuring trolls, goblins, pixies and the Wild Wood's mysterious Queen of the Deep Dark (among other creatures, and humans) - I found myself completely caught up in the story of twin brothers Cole and Tinn, and their quest to find out which of them was a genuine human boy and which had been born a goblin. Very well-written, full of action and suspense, and characters (human and otherwise) you really care about ... and this follow-up, in which the young brothers try to help their friend Fable - daughter of the Queen of the Deep Dark, unsure of her own future abilities to rule - when a very bad guy with an even worse agenda seeks to start a war between the simple townsfolk of Endsborough and the creatures of magic that inhabit the bordering Wild Wood. Good as book one was, book two really expands on story, characters, and the world-building of both the human and creature realms. Tinn, Cole, their mom Annie, Fable, even the Queen have all grown since their previous adventure, even as the kids still put doing what they feel is right over listening to their mothers, all as Fable tries to find where - if anywhere - she fits into it all (truly a wonderfully funny, humane character ... especially for a future queen). We also meet new friends and new enemies, (the lines sometimes blurring between which is which), and as battle lines are drawn the reader will find affection for members of both sides, making for an even more tense final confrontation. William Ritter is terrific; never more so than in this fast-moving, action-packed tale that also tackles the meaning of friends and family - and those who become both. A wonderful sequel, better than its predecessor, and this reader couldn't be more tickled that a hint of book three even popped up by The End.  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

May/June Wrap-Ups: On the Road Again

Apologies that it's been a hot minute since I did a wrap-up, but was without a laptop for over six weeks, during which everything from updating my blog to being able to apply for work pretty much put a big chunk of my life on hold (as if COVID-19 wasn't enough). Back up and running - to a degree - as you can probably notice by a handful of new reviews (expect more in coming days), but it's been a real slog.

May SUCKED, reading-wise; only four books (three of them for kids) because the month was nothing but a mess of turmoil and ... honestly, depression. Home, work, health situations; it was a month where pretty much nothing went right, and I was glad to see it go (although the mystery novel I finished was a corker and I hope to see more in that series; check out my My Fair Latte review!)

June? Better. With the help of some truly beautiful, generous friends I was able to get my head on straighter, lessening the stress that heightened the health issues, and also monetarily held a "fundraiser" of sorts to pull me out of this black hole - which also helped a bit, thanks to some amazing people who did everything from send encouraging words to PayPal-ing their support/belief in me. It continues to be genuinely humbling.

Reading-wise? MUCH better! Read what is so far my favorite read of the year (The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires), a mystery whose thrilling ending made up for an "okay" middle (The Guest List), a cozy mystery with more depth and pathos than you'd normally find in a cozy (Game of Dog Bones), and a coming out story about a teenage girl with so much heart, it ended up one of the best middle-grade novels I've read since my own childhood (In the Role of Brie Hutchens). Any reviews you don't see for these titles, check back; will be up shortly (and click on either image to enlarge, if needed)!

Also finally got back into the movie game in June as well, thanks to a 7-day free trial of Disney+ - again, reviews to come - also on Netflix watched all 12 episode (about a half-hour each) of a very intriguing Japanese TV drama called "Erased", about a pizza delivery guy who can briefly go back in time to right wrongs ... but must do more than that to change things when his own mother is murdered. Again, reviews to come with all.

July is off to an okay start (think I have a work-from-home job that starts 3 August!), except somehow with next to no money I have to find a new place to live by the end of the month. Considering all options, while trying not to consider the ones the depression side of my mind sometimes dwells on. All I can say is ... never trust anyone, even family. Especially family.

But if it all works out, hopefully will see you again in about a month. Still trying to fundraise my way to getting life back on track, just asking $5-$10 each from anyone who can help, via PayPal at showbizbuff@gmail.com if you are so inclined!

If not, no worries - am just glad you are here and care enough about what I write, read, and watch to come back. Here's to July!

Out Now from Carina Adores: JUST LIKE THAT by Cole McCade!

Summer Hemlock never meant to come back to Omen, Massachusetts.

But with his mother in need of help, Summer has no choice but to return to his hometown, take up a teaching residency at the Albin Academy boarding school—and work directly under the man who made his teenage years miserable.

Professor Fox Iseya.

Forbidding, aloof, commanding: psychology instructor Iseya is a cipher who’s always fascinated and intimidated shy, anxious Summer. But that fascination turns into something more when the older man challenges Summer to be brave. What starts as a daily game to reward Summer with a kiss for every obstacle overcome turns passionate, and a professional relationship turns quickly personal.

Yet Iseya’s walls of grief may be too high for someone like Summer to climb…until Summer’s infectious warmth shows Fox everything he’s been missing in life.

Now both men must be brave enough to trust each other, to take that leap.

To find the love they’ve always needed…

Just like that.

In Just Like That, critically acclaimed author Cole McCade introduces us to Albin Academy: a private boys’ school where some of the world’s richest families send their problem children to learn discipline and maturity, out of the public eye.