From the front flap: Poignant, funny, and utterly original, Ethel & Ernest is Raymond Briggs's loving depiction of his parents' lives from their chance first encounter in the 1920s until their deaths in the 1970s. Ethel and Ernest were solid members of the English working class, part of the generation that lived through the most tumultuous years of the twentieth century. … [Read more...] about Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs: B
Comics
Black Cat 9-11 by Kentaro Yabuki: B+
I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain how Black Cat manages to be so incredibly appealing, but these three volumes were a real pleasure to read and left me wanting to devour more of the series as soon as possible. Volume nine begins in the middle of a confrontation between Cerberus, a trio of elite members of the Chronos Numbers, and Creed, the villain of the piece who is … [Read more...] about Black Cat 9-11 by Kentaro Yabuki: B+
Jack and the Princess by Raye Morgan and Junko Okada: B+
Karina, the 22-year-old princess of Nabotavia, is going to be returning to her home country soon and getting married to an aristocrat of her aunt’s choosing. Lonely and looking to enjoy her final summer of freedom, she attempts to befriend Jack, the new head of security for her uncle’s Beverly Hills residence and only other young person around. Jack’s resistant at first, owing … [Read more...] about Jack and the Princess by Raye Morgan and Junko Okada: B+
Happy Cafe 2 by Kou Matsuzuki: C+
From the back cover: When two mysterious young men walk into the café to declare war, Uru's passion gets the best of everyone, and they accept the challenge—with one condition: the loser will have to quit the industry for good. However, just before the contest, Shindo sprains his wrist! And when Uru's mother shows up at Bonheur, will she convince Uru to go back home? Café … [Read more...] about Happy Cafe 2 by Kou Matsuzuki: C+
Married Under the Italian Sun by Lucy Gordon and Mayu Takayama: B-
When Angela—an actress who’s been playing a “dumb bimbo” called Angel for eight years—is jilted by her wealthy husband, she’s too weary to battle his lawyers and instead accepts an Italian villa for a divorce settlement. Upon moving to Amalfi, she meets Vittorio, the former owner who assumes a lot of negative things about her character, given the life she comes from, only to … [Read more...] about Married Under the Italian Sun by Lucy Gordon and Mayu Takayama: B-