Foreign Language Friday: four manga mini-reviews

Dear blog,

So I'm entirely aware that I've been awful at blogging lately. But for one thing I haven't really had time to sit down and write a review, and for another I think I've only read two YA novels so far this month.
I fail at being a YA reader, even though that's what I am. Most of the time.
Anyway. Here I am.
So for Foreign Language Friday this week I thought I might do something a little different. I've read a lot of manga recently, so I thought that I could sum some of them up in a couple of paragraphs.

50 Rules for Teenagers, volume 1

written by: Na-Ye Ri

original language: Korean

Rating: four

50 Rules For Teenagers is in a lot of ways a very ordinary sort of book. Mi-Roo, the main character, is like pretty much any other fifteen-year-old. Among other things she deals with her irritating twin brother, taking care of the house with her mother almost always away on business, assisting her crazy manga-ka sister, starting high school, and the required catty classmates. Mi-Roo is also the perfect protagonist. She's quite snarky and such, but so hardworking and thoughtful you can't help but be instantly on her side.

Maybe that's why it's such a great read; it's so familiar and, I guess, kind of comforting in that sense. Minimal intelligent thinking is required, and you can just sit back and go along with the story in all its quiet, everyday awesome.
One small, persnickety thing, because I myself am small and persnickety: I'm not so keen on the cover. That's her brother that Mi-Roo looks like she wants to eat.

Fruits Basket, volume 5

written by: Natsuki Takaya

original language: Japanese

Rating: 5

Fruits Basket never fails to rock the shojo manga world. Things are really getting going now, in the fifth volume following Tohru Honda's life staying with the cursed Sohma family, who transform into an animal of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Kisa appears on the scene, though mute and troubled by her past, and there are some mysterious connections made between Kisa and Yuki's past; apparently he knows what she's going through. The plot thickens.

I am one of the multitude of fangirls of this series. With reason, I might say. With sufficient romance, three-dimensional, complex characters with interesting pasts, humorous best friends, what's not to like? The fact that the volumes aren't longer, I guess. Anyway, Natsuki Takaya seems to really hit the nail on the head when it comes to writing about people, and emotions, and the past and the present. She has all aspects of humanity covered, including- and maybe most importantly- their flaws.

In the latter part of the book, there's an interesting subplot involving Hanajima and Yuki's fan club, which I thought was highly amusing seeing as Hanajima and Arisa are among my favourite characters, and some sufficient comic relief seeing as parts of the rest of the story were so dark.
So. Bring it on, volume 6.

Hinadori Girl, volume 1

written by: Mari Matsuzawa

original language: Japanese

rating: 3

Yoshiki's father is away working all the time, mostly on the moon. Back at home, living with his little sister Akira, Yoshiki is repairing one of his long-dormant projects; Sally 001, a robot maid. But when brought to life, Sally seems entirely incapable of doing any work, and her main skill in live is being cute and naïve to the world, including the villains who continuously try and snatch Sally away. However, despite the fact that Sally is in peril, Akira gets increasingly jealous because Sally is taking up so much of her brother's time.

The whole concept is like something from Tomorrow's World. You know; "By the year 2000 we'll be taking frequent trips to the moon and robots will be doing all our work for us."
Alas, although the plot line was entirely charming, I didn't like Hinadori Girl as much as I would have if, say, it had been longer. The whole thing felt very rushed; no sooner had Sally been brought to life than she was being stolen, so it seemed, so I never felt like I could really really relate to the characters, or really warm to them in general. Sally herself wasn't in fact as much of a central character as I thought she was going to be; the story mostly focused on Yoshiki and Akira and their strange sibling rivalry/love.
Well, I've got a copy of volume 2 from the library, so we'll see if things improve, and I'm interested to see where things are going to go.

Strawberry Marshmallow, Volume 5

written by: Barasui

original language: Japanese

Rating: 5

After volume 3, which was a little "eh", (But then "eh" in Strawberry Marshmallow terms is actually "hey, it's pretty good I suppose" in other-literature terms) with volumes four and five Strawberry Marshmallow is back on top form, with more escapades from the most kawaii posse known to mankind. Nobue, Chika, Miu, Matsuri and Ana are back for more hilarity. Among other things, Matsuri's kitten hat makes a comeback, Miu and Chika wonder how close they really are, and their everyday lives are narrated through Japanese proverbs, all with the humour, characteristics and artwork that make me love this series so much (volume 6 is out in Japan, but my best friend Google tells me it may be a while before it's released in English). Be warned: as with the other Strawberry Marshmallow volumes, there are a lot of jokes that involve the Japanese language, pop culture and such, particularly in this volume, in which the girls study English and discover the meanings of their names. Thankfully here and there there are little notes that explain some of the jokes and references, which makes things a little easier and less "awkward for the American reader." Yeah, I know I quote that a lot nowadays. But it's...so relevant. I can't resist. /sarcasm/ I'm not mocking anyone. Well, perhaps I am, but I can't even remember who now.

So. There you go. Signing off.

In My Mailbox 19 or The One With My Birthday

Dear Blog,
IMM again, hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.
Well, after a couple of weeks where I got no books at all, I suddenly ended up obtaining a load of novels.  However, today's my birthday, which probably explains a part of the amount of books I got this week (and sorry for the lame photograph).  I officially have too many books now,  but what the heck.
Anyway:

FOR REVIEW

Alas, I was unable to attend the Random House Blogger Brunch, but this week I did get sent through:

Long Lankin  by Lindsey Barraclough (not pictured because it was too huge)

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

The Kissing Game by Aidan Chambers

In The Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda

BOUGHT
I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti

Whisper My Name by Jane Eagland

Zelah Green by Vanessa Curtis

FROM THE LIBRARY

Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters

Hinadori Girl volume 2 by Mari Matsuzawa

GIFTS

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen (just about to start this)

Fruits Basket volume 5 by Natsuki Takaya

Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo (Now I can re-read it to pieces)

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

So that pretty much sums up my bookish week.  I'd better be off now.  Monday to Friday I'll be on holiday, so don't expect any more reviews and such from me for the next week. 

Five challenge- Great Re-Reads (a day late)

Before I start, I'd better say: Merry Christmas!  to the rest of the blogosphere.  I hope you're all having a day of varying degrees of awesomeness.

Now I can get on.  I was something of a blogging fail yesterday, because I never had time to post my entry for day four of the  Persnickety Snark FIVE challenge- books that I love to re-read. So, here's that entry now, and later this evening I'll probably post the entry for today, which I think is my most anticipated novels of 2011.

Anyway.  On with my list for today.  In no particular order;

ICHIGO MASHIMARO/STRAWBERRY MARSHMALLOW by Barasui

I could read these five volumes over and over am  I love slice-of-life manga, and these kawaii escapades of four tween girls and their sixteen-year-old friend Nobue never cease to amuse me.  It's silly and plotless, and that's precisely why I love it.  The girls get up to many comical comings-and-goings, but whatever they do, laughter and cuteness ensues. 

SABRIEL by Garth Nix
is the first novel in the Old Kingdom trilogy.  I'm not sure if it's the best- Lirael is probably my favourite- but it's certainly still excellent re-reading material, because it offers something new each time you read it. 

A LITTLE PRINCESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett

It's hard to say quite why I love this book so much.  I mean, Sarah's too good to be true, Becky is a walking stereotype, and how I want to beat Ermengarde round the head with a hardcover copy of Crime and Punishment.  The whole thing with her initial despair and the happy ending is hugely overdone, and Lavinia is to my mind the only character who's any fun.  So why do I love it so much, then?  Hmm.  I think just because it's so universal.  Everyone can feel hard done by, and anyone could lose a relative.  And anyone could rise above all the bad things in their lives. 

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman
The first time I read this was in May, and I've read it about three times since then.  I obsess over this book for many reasons; the subject matter, the writing style, the characters, all the classical music and just the sheer amazingness that results when these factors are all put together.  Much, much love for this novel and everything about it.

JINX by Margaret Wild

Same goes for Jinx as If I Stay.  Stunning poetry, plot, protagonists, and fragile portrayals of suburban life, that anyone and everyone should be able to connect with.

That's all for this list.  More from me...well, in a little bit, actually, when I post my list that's meant to be for today.

Foreign Language Friday: Translucent

Dear Blog,

Today I bring with me a review of the manga Translucent by Kazuhiro Okamoto for Foreign Language Friday. 

Name: Translucent (original title:  Toransurūsento- Kanojo wa Hantōmei)
Written (and drawn) By: Kazuhiro Okamoto
First published in: Japan
Translated by: Heidi Plechl

Summary (from the blurb of volume 1): Eight grader Shizuka Shiroyama is  an introverted girl, dealing with school woes, bossy peers, and a medical condition-the mysterious Translucent Syndrome- which causes her to periodically turn semi transparent or completely invisible.  One classmate, the hyperactive Mamoru Tadami, is falling for Shizuka despite her prblem, and his dogged determination and unconditional support brings hope to her life.  As Shizuka struggles to overcome her difficulties, her illness becomes a metaphor in the ordinary lives of jer classmates and friends, as they try to work their way through life and relationships.

Review: Two things before I actually start: 1), this is a review of the first 3 volumes, 'cause volume 4 is scheduled to come out on August 15 (a day after I leave to go on holiday to Italy for a fortnight, dammit) , and I've heard (ok, read on a website) that volume 5 is going to be released in November.  But this is all internet rumours, so don't believe this is the truth.  2, I told myself when I started doing Foreign Language Friday that I wouldn't spend the whole time waffling about all the manga I read.  Which is a lot.  But manga is books, and even more it is a teenage book, and even more it is a very awesome book.  Books, plural, I guess I should say.  The Translucent books are my favourite manga of all time (even better *gasp* than Strawberry Marshmallow, which I reviewed here, and Azumanga Daioh, though I guess you can't really compare them to Translucent because Translucent has a plot and Strawberry Marshmallow and Azumanga Daioh are both slice-of-life manga.  And these brackets have gone on far too long and I better get back to reviewing now).

The artwork is good; simplistic and slightly minimalist at a first look but as you look closer and get more and more sucked in, everything seems more complex and beautiful.  Much like everyday life I suppose.  One thing: the artwork sometimes looks a bit weird and surreal.  But then, it must be tricky to draw something and give the impression of invisibility (I can't draw anything to save my life).  If .  The picture on the left also a picture of nearly-invisible-Shizuka (there are some scenes in the book where you can't even see her unless you look very closely, but I can't find any on Google Images). 

Now onto Shizuka herself.  And all the technical bits about the plot and the writing and stuff you find in novels. 

Translucent is awesome because it's all about life.  There's so much to learn from the books: about first love, friendship, happiness and uniqueness.  I realised when I was typing up the summary that it probably does sound a bit corny and High-School-Musicaly.   The bottom line is IT IS NOT.  Translucent is a wonderfully touching series and it always leaves me with a warm smiley feeling when I've finished reading.

The characters are absolutely everything to this story.  Apart from Shizuka and a few other characters turning invisible now and again (including Keiko Haruna, who is always invisible, and who you only know is there because you can see her cap and glasses), the characters are all regular, everyday people, with dreams and aspirations and secrets.  What makes Shizuka such a compelling character is that in every other aspect from her Translucent Syndrome, she is an ordinary  fourteen-year-old girl.  She wants to be an actress. She has a crush.

Speaking of which.  I love, love,  love the relationship between Shizuka and Mamoru because it's so...normal.  As yet.  They're friends and then they realise that they're slightly in love with each other. Their "first date" had me in stitches.  I wish Mamoru was my friend.  He's funny, sweet, and collects plastic models.  Oh, and he pretends komodo dragons are monsters.  Who wouldn't to be his girlfriend?

Shizuka herself is a likeable character, though she's kind of pessimistic.  Sometimes I just want to pat her on the back and say, "smile, Shizuka!" but I'm the sort of person who stays up until the small hours worrying themselves sick about everything from a fear of open water to the demise of the human race, so I can't really talk.

My favourite character is probably Okouchi-san.  I know she's meant to be tough and mysterious, but the little bonus manga strips between chapters reveal otherwise. Oh, and she also has a crush on Mamoru, which adds an extra dimension to their relationship (as I said, who wouldn't like him?!).

Summary: if you read one manga, then I suppose it ought to be Translucent. It's an easy read, but it's deep and full of emotions and everyday life.  Rating: 5.

In My Mailbox 9

Dear Blog,
IMM returns, hosted infinitely by Kristi of The Story Siren.
I got some cool books this week, mostly from the library.  I live in a smallish village but we're about five miles from a town with a massive library.  It's like nirvana.  So many books *is happy just thinking about it*.  Anyway, about once a month I go into town and come back with armfuls of books (excuse the "Headspace", a.k.a teen section stickers on the side of the library books)

IN MY MAILBOX/IN THE POST
I ordered these off Amazon last week and they turned up on Tuesday:
Postcards from No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers
Paper Towns by John Green

BORROWED
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Pita Ten volumes 1 and 2 by Koge Donbo
Powers by Ursula Le Guin
Hold Still by Nina Lacour (I've wanted to read this for ages)

Well, that was my week.  What about yours?

Waiting on Wednesday: Translucent v. 4

Dear Blog,

thought I might do a Waiting on Wednesday as many bloggers seem to like participating in this meme.  It's hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.  I probably won't do it every week-I'll alternate between WoWing and Book Blogger Hopping on Friday, on alternate weeks.  I don't want my blog to be too full of memes.

I shall begin my WoWing with volume 4 of the Translucent quintet by Kazuhiro Okamoto (I'll probably talk about the series on Foreign Language Friday at some point)-my favourite shojo manga of all time.  Nay, probably my favourite manga of all time.  *squee*
I want one of those countdown things at the side of my blog, so I can make one for it.
Alas, alack, we (my family and I) are going to Italy for two weeks and we're leaving the day before this comes out.  NOOOOOOOO! I know I'd probably finish it before we'd even flown over France, but I'd still have read it.  This is brutal, dear blog.  Despite however happy loading up on Sarah Dessens and a load of other summer-y books will make me, I won't be able to get my hands on it until we get back.

Name: Translucent (volume 4)

Author: Kazuhiro Okamoto

Release date (In English): August 15th 2010

Summary (from Amazon): Our penultimate Translucent collection finds Shizuka Shiroyama struggling with her first romantic feelings, a bully, a competitive theater department, and a disease that's literally turning her translucent! Shizuka tries to overcome her greatest challenge yet when she turns completely invisible, with the danger of never being able to revert back to a "solid" form again! She's overwhelmed with fear and becomes reclusive, but her best friend - the hyperactive, hopeful Mamoru - isn't one to give up easily, and he certainly won't give up on Shizuka. Mamoru's enthusiasm for life and silly realizations will prove to be as infectious to readers of this series as they are to Shizuka herself. If only we all had "Mamoru tricksters" to cheer us up! While coping with the unpredictable Translucent Syndrome, Shizuka is determined to follow her dreams and have some fairly normal school years... despite the odd problems that life throws at her and her friends.

*squeals* 

Well, fellow bloggers, what are you eagerly anticipating?  

Review: Strawberry Marshmallow

Dear Blog,

I'm currently reading The Carbon Diaries 2017 by Saci Lloyd, and I'll write a review when I've finished.  But for now I'll review (at least what I've read of) the Japanese manga series Ichigo Mashimaro, or Strawberry Marshmallow to the English-speaking world.  Personally I like calling it Ichigo Mashimaro.  It sounds better.  Anyway.

I first came across them by way of Amazon.  I thought they looked pretty similar to Azumanga Daioh by Kiyohiko Azuma, a.k.a the first manga I read.  And probably still my favourite (Actually, I like Ichigo just as much).  Anyway, seeing as like Azumanga Daioh  it was the seemingly ordinary (but hilarious) escapades of a group of girls, I decided to give it a go.

Author: Barasui (a nom-de-plume it seems).

Volumes so far (in English): 5

Publisher: Tokyopop

Rating: 13+

Summary: Volume 1 starts with sixteen-year-old high school freshman Nobue Ito (also occasionally romanised as Itou or Itoh) introducing herself and her twelve-year-old sister Chika (who, according to Nobue, "specialises in being totally generic").  She introduces Chika's friends, the energetic drama-queen Miu (age twelve also) and crybaby Matsuri (age eleven, pictured on the bottom right) In volume two they're  joined by Ana Copolla, an English girl who's lived in Japan so long she's forgotten how to speak proper English. 

 The books follow their many adventures about the extraordinary behind the everyday. Among other things they run a doctor's surgery, pretend to be Ninjas, hilariously re-tell Cinderella, go to the beach, hold a bet to see if Nobue can quit smoking, visit a bath house, etc. etc.  There's no real plot as such.

Review: first things first (lol, that seems to be my reviewing catchphrase)- it is the cutest, fluffiest, funniest, silliest manga in the history of the world.  That is exactly why I love it.  *lists other manga read* Azumanga Daioh, Yotsubato, Tori Koro...As well as other shoujo manga with more plot like Fruits Basket and Translucent, you can see a sort of similarity between them.  That's why Ichigo is right up my street.

Some people don't like it because, well, it's plotless.  That's the point!  It is a slice-of-life manga.  Unless you're in a soap opera, life has no particular plot, does it?

Another thing some people dislike is that Nobue is a chain smoker and that sets a bad example to others.  Um, excuse me, but what teenager would read it and think, "Nobue smokes. Cool.  Now I want to!"  We all know the dangers of smoking, don't we?!  And there is yang to this yin (or yin to this yang) as she never has any money because of it, and Chika comments now and again that she'll get cancer.   An unhappy review on Amazon.com says it was suggested for her eight-year-old daughter *tut tut tut* and, "boy am I glad I did [decide to screen it]".  As one commenter pointed out (and I agree), "just because it cute makes it for kids?"  The answer is NO.  However: if you are 13 or over and liked Tori Koro or Azumanga Daioh, you will throw these two comments aside and enjoy it.  Preferably on a dark night on a comfy chair and a mug of hot chocolate.

Ichigo was originally published in a Shonen magazine, but I think that Shojo fans will enjoy it as much as Shonen readers (Shojo-aimed at girls.  Shonen-aimed at boys). Though I imagine boys reading it if it was serialised in their magazine, I can't imagine them buying the books.  The covers, I imagine, would appeal more to girls *shrugs*.  Either way.

Since I care not about Nobue smoking and the lack of plot, my only (slight) complaint is that in the first few chapters of volume 1 some of the charachers undergo lots of changes: Chika and Miu look almost identical, and Nobue's hair is blonde and much longer.  It's strange because in the opening few pages, when Nobue is introducing herself and the girls, her hair is as it is for much of the series (short and black).  But then as the story itself begins, it switches to its long blondeness until a few chapters in.  Very strange.

My favourite of the 3 I've read* is probably volume two, when it really gets going and Ana joins the gang.  It's particularly laughable when they go to the bath house and try running a doctor's surgery.  Volume 3 isn't my favourite if only because Miu seems to hog the spotlight a bit.  I know that's because of her personality but I think Chika's total word count for volume 3 is about 50.  Oh well.  

My favourite characters are probably Ana and Nobue.  And Matsuri.  And Chika and Miu.  They're all wonderful!  Such wonderful, unique, fully-formed, three-dimensional characters.

I also love the humour; sarcastic, quick-witted and dry.  Timed perfectly to boot.  I don't know why but some of it reminds be of Chandler's one-liners in F.R.I.E.N.D.S.  It's the same style of hilarity I guess. 

Summary: read it!  read it!  Ichigo is guaranteed to make you smile.  Nay, it will make you cry with laughter.  Moe has never been so cute nor so funny.

*I'm going to order volumes 4 and 5 after ordering some more Dear America/Dear Canada books from the US.  I truly live by the Erasmus quote "when I get a little money I buy books; and if there is any left, I buy food and clothes".After buying one lot of books I start saving up for another *sigh*.  Oh well.