“Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real-world hollow.
Summary: In this continuation of Saint Young Men, the new season brings a host of new experiences. Jesus and Buddha tackle sports, celebrate holidays, and explore Japanese tourist landmarks, all with theological puns and cultural references. The juxtaposition of divine beings and mundane daily life brings a fresh and interesting take on the slice-of-life genre. This volume further develops a wholesome friendship, cozy moments, and the unique perspectives of the protagonists.
Summary: Volume 2 of Saint Young Men opens with the event of Christmas and Jesus’ birthday, where a misunderstanding leads to funny and surprising outcomes. As the seasons change, Jesus and Buddha experience sickness, new ways to stay active, shopping and haircuts. The pair continue to explore the human realm through their Japanese apartment while concealing their divine identities. Hikaru Nakamura mixes comedy, religious references, and slice-of-life into a unique and heartwarming story.
Summary: In this volume, winter brings about a set of new experiences for Yotsuba and friends. The introduction of the kotatsu, banana smoothies, and rock hunting bring about a cozy and fun series of chapters. Kiyohiko Azuma’s art shines through with the unique and funny facial expressions, detailed backgrounds, and simplistic but sophisticated shading, bringing life to the characters. The volume also introduces themes of change, presenting a cohesive blend of chapters and a heart-tugging ending.
Summary: Yotsuba&! is a charming and funny slice-of-life manga, featuring Yotsuba, a strange and curious young girl. In this installment, Yotsuba, alongside her friends and family, immerse themselves in new hobbies, friends, and the exciting city of Tokyo. They find themselves in comedic and relatable situations that provide endless entertainment to the reader. Yotsuba explores life with a zeal for adventure and exploration, giving the viewer a refreshing and lighthearted view of the everyday.
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga follows the character, Balram Halwai, as he discusses his rise to wealth. Over a seven day period, he writes to a famous Chinese Premier about his success as an entrepreneur, as well as his struggle of fighting the remains of the caste system and the social ladder. He writes about how he started as a driver from a little town in Laxmanghar, and he worked to own a company in Bangalore.
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a novel that follows Holden Caulfield's sudden expulsion from his all-boy prep academy. After being kicked out, Holden embarks on a three-day journey through New York City, where he meets various people who reflect his inner turmoil. Throughout the novel, Holden grapples with themes of identity and loss of childhood.
How to Make Friends with the Dark follows Tiger, a teenage girl just trying to make it through high school when her mom tragically and suddenly dies. This book follows her journey of learning to grieve and cope with her mother's death while trying to maintain her relationships.
Legend follows June and Day, two teens living completely opposite lives. June is a prodigy, destined to be one of the most successful people in the Republic. Day is a criminal, the most-wanted criminal in the country. But when June’s brother died and Day became the main suspect their lives cross in unexpected ways.
This novel by Roy questions many parts of life and being. The story follows the life of a brother (Estha) and sister (Rahel) who grow up in Ayemenem. They witness their lives gradually fall apart after an incident in which their cousin dies and they are blamed for her death. Years of mediocrity and disappointment go by, with the book eventually ending with the reunification of the siblings after being separated and washed away of hope and life. A main point of discussion Roy has is the “love laws,” which was a theme I enjoyed hearing her thoughts about.
