Kierra's Reading Corner

Hi everyone! Welcome to my book world :). Here, I'll be reviewing books that I've read. Feel free to send me any recommendations! 

[kierrasreads]

A long overdue review

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry for vanishing like that! I had no energy to pick up a book, let alone update this blog! I promise to have a more consistent posting schedule :). Check out the images for the books I've read, DNFed, and am currently reading.

Got any suggestions for me? Let me know by replying to this post!

Until next time,

Admin K.

[kierrasreads]

The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde Review

Plot

This is Oscar Wilde's tale of the American family moved into a British mansion, Canterville Chase, much to the annoyance of its tired ghost. The family -- which refuses to believe in him -- is in Wilde's way a commentary on the British nobility of the day -- and on the Americans, too. The tale, like many of Wilde's, is rich with allusion, but ends as sentimental romance...

Discussion

I love that being Americans basically made this phantom a mess, ha! That was pretty funny...sounds like someone doesn't like Americans. All that aside, it was an interesting story.

Rating

5/5

[kierrasreads]

Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz (Oz #4) by L. Frank Baum Review

Plot

When Dorothy recovered her senses they were still falling, but not so fast. The top of the buggy caught the air like a parachute or an umbrella filled with wind, and held them back so that they floated downward with a gentle motion that was not so very disagreeable to bear. The worst thing was their terror of reaching the bottom of this great crack in the earth, and the natural fear that sudden death was about to overtake them at any moment.

Discussion

This one was okay...not my favorite in the series, but still an enjoyable read.

Rating

3/5

[kierrasreads]

Ozma of Oz (Oz #3) by L. Frank Baum Review

Plot

Readers of all ages will welcome the chance to be reunited with Dorothy Gale and such beloved characters as the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, as well as to meet new favorites such as the Hungry Tiger, whose appetite is never satisfied; Princess Langwidere, who has thirty heads; Billina, a talking chicken; and Tiktok, a mechanical man.

Blown overboard while sailing with her uncle, Dorothy finds herself in the fairy realm of Ev. She sets out with her friends to rescue the Queen of Ev and her ten children, who have been imprisoned by the cruel Nome King. But even Ozma, the wise Ruler of Oz, is no match for the clever king, and it's up to Dorothy to save everyone from terrible danger. But will the Nome King's enchantments be too much even for the plucky little girl from Kansas?

Discussion

Not bad! It's interesting that the movie Return to Oz mentions the Gnome King, who doesn't even appear until now. And that princess...eeesh.

Rating

3/5

[kierrasreads]

The Secret in the Stacks (The Bookshop Detective, #3) by Kat Finn Review

Plot

A former librarian turned bookshop owner uses her literary expertise and newfound amateur sleuthing skills to solve a decades-old missing person case in a small coastal town, uncovering long-held secrets and finding her place in a close-knit community.

When Olivia Paige inherits her aunt's bookshop in charming Millbrook Cove, she expects a quiet life surrounded by books. But a cryptic letter discovered in a rare edition of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" plunges her into a 30-year-old cold case. As Olivia investigates, she clashes with skeptical locals and forms unlikely alliances, including a gruff fisherman with surprising literary knowledge. With her keen analytical mind and vast knowledge of mystery novels, Olivia must piece together clues from dusty records and town gossip to solve a long-buried secret-and possibly put herself in the crosshairs of a killer who thought their crime was long forgotten.

Discussion

This one was a bit odd to me! The pacing seemed off- I was left with more questions than answers.

Rating

2/5

[kierrasreads]

Magus of the Library (Volume #8) by Mitsu Izumi Review

Plot

Chaos reigns as a gigantic, unknown spirit descends upon Aftzaak. It soon becomes clear that the creature does not act of its own accord, thanks to an artifact whose very existence is forbidden: the Loop of Servitude. The Central Library—consumed by the thought of any attack on the creature turning into a religious calamity—finds itself at a standstill.

Discussion

This was a great volume! I definitely want more, haha.

Rating

4/5

[kierrasreads]

Magus of the Library (Volume 7) by Mitsu Izumi Review

Plot

Dangerous Literature Mulligad, a thrilling action-adventure novel in which the titular character slaughters every member of the upper class, is the talk of the town. Yet not everyone is a fan. Critics campaign to have the violent book struck from shelves, causing quite a stir in the Central Library. As a result, Theo and the other trainees find themselves contending with the black text, a tome that has catalyzed countless calamities...

Discussion

Me thinks that this volume is relevant in the American political climate...with book bans, censoring on social media...something to think about.

All that aside, this was a great volume!

Rating

5/5

[kierrasreads]

Claws of Justice (Mint Chocolate Chip Mysteries #1) by Emmie Lyn Review

Plot

"I’m Sunny Shaw, and regardless of what my name might suggest, my world has become rather dim as of late.

With a bankrupt business to save, homeless kittens that need rescuing, and a new business partner distracting me with every glance, there seems to be a disaster waiting at every turn.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, a murder literally lands on my doorstep—or at least the corpse does. Now I’m struggling to figure out which problem to solve first!

My business partner seems to want to share more than our lease, but I have to take that step very slowly. Of course, I can’t in good conscience leave the kittens to wander the streets. Then again no business means no money.

Decisions. Decisions."

Discussion

Not a bad read! It was a bit too fast in some parts, but I liked the original plot ideas. It's nice that the main female character is pretty relatable.

Rating

3/5

[kierrasreads]

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor #2) by Laurie Gilmore Review

Plot

When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can't understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues...she just needs someone to help her out. Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help! Hazel didn't go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might just be as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns that the bookstore sells.

Discussion

I'm sorry to fans of this book, but I couldn't finish this book at all! Too much spice for my taste. I could barely get through the parts that I read.

Rating

2/5

[kierrasreads]

Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada and Philip Gabriel (Translator) Review

Plot

A whimsical, charming novel about a mysterious library in Tokyo that opens after dark, following the employees who bond each night over special meals inspired by the books on the shelves. The Night Library on the outskirts of Tokyo isn't your ordinary library. It's only open from seven o'clock to midnight. It exclusively stores books by deceased authors, and none of them can be checked out--instead, they're put on public display to be revered and celebrated by the library's visitors, akin to a book museum. Otoha Higuchi, the newest employee, has been recruited to work at the library by the mysterious anonymous owner. There, Otoha meets the other staff, comprised of former librarians and booksellers who, like her, have been damaged in some way by the rocky publishing industry- yet none of them have ever given up on their dedication to books. Night after night, Otoha bonds with her colleagues over meals in the library cafe, each of which are inspired by the literature on the shelves. When strange occurrences start happening around the library that may bring the threat of closure, it forces Otoha and the library staff to rethink their entire relationship with work and what they really want in life.

Discussion

Are they hiring? Because yes, please! I absolutely loved this read- it was a bit different from the other Japanese novels that I've read.

I need more, STAT.

I also like that the dishes are different, but they're all inspired by other novels. As someone who has to cook dinner for themselves from now until the end of eternity, maybe that's how I should meal prep. It would save the trouble of figuring out what to do for dinner every night (and my wallet would agree, since I frequently get food delivered when I'm too tired/impatient to cook).

Rating

5/5

[kierrasreads]

Disney Manga: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Full-Color Manga Edition by Dan Conner, Jun Asuka (illustrator), Manuel Puppo (illustrator) Review

Plot

The plot of this manga follows the plot of the movie, but for those who haven't seen this masterpiece, it follows the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Depressed, and longing for something more, he finds himself in Christmas Town. What ensues is Halloween and Christmas merging, and the subsequent chaos.

Discussion

Although I read this last year, I'm posting this review in honor of the late and great Catherine O'Hara (whoever's calling the shots for this year, what were you thinking?!). Her impact on the world can't be understated.

I absolutely love this manga and movie, so a win is a win!

Rating

5/5

[kierrasreads]

Komi Can't Communicate (Vol. 35) by Tomohito Oda Review

Plot

Komi’s final year of high school is going great! She led her class to victory at the culture festival (i.e., their ramen was a hit and nothing burned down), and she’s getting close to her goal of 100 friends! But her younger brother Shosuke isn’t having the same luck. Recently a menacing new group led by Tadano’s sister has started to target him, and they’re determined to make him smile!

Discussion

This one was definitely slower compared to the other ones, but I still had a good time reading! I'm glad Munbagi finally came to her senses...now if Hitomi can leave Shosuke alone, that would be great! Just because he doesn't smile/engage with others doesn't mean that he can't, nor should he be forced to!

Rating

3/5

[kierrasreads]

The New Jim Crow (10-year edition) by Michelle Alexander Review

Plot/summary

Seldom does a book have the impact of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow. Since it was first published in 2010, it has been cited in judicial decisions and has been adopted in campus-wide and community-wide reads; it helped inspire the creation of the Marshall Project and the new $100 million Art for Justice Fund; it has been the winner of numerous prizes, including the prestigious NAACP Image Award; and it has spent nearly 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Most important of all, it has spawned a whole generation of criminal justice reform activists and organizations motivated by Michelle Alexander's unforgettable argument that "we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it." As the Birmingham News proclaimed, it is "undoubtedly the most important book published in this century about the U.S."

Now, ten years after it was first published, The New Press is proud to issue a tenth-anniversary edition with a new preface by Michelle Alexander that discusses the impact the book has had and the state of the criminal justice reform movement today.

Discussion

An eye-opening read! This book definitely made me realize my privilege and overall obliviousness towards mass incarceration in general. This book also reconfirms my disdain for Bill Clinton, 45/47, and of course, Ronald Reagan.

Rating

4/5

[kierrasreads]

Komi Can't Communicate (Volume #34) by Tomohito Oda Review

Plot

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve. Luckily she meets Tadano, a timid wallflower who decides to step out of his comfort zone in order to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

It’s culture festival time! As third-years, Komi and her classmates can opt out of participating in order to focus on exams, but Komi (at Najimi’s instigation) convinces everyone that they should enjoy one last festival together. Now it’s Komi’s job as class rep to make sure everyone works together to get their booth ready in time. Can a girl with a communication disorder wrangle so many unique personalities, or will the culture festival turn into a culture flop?

Discussion

I love this volume! It's nice to see Komi as the class representative, in a way, being the Tadano of her class. Can Manbagi please give that boy a definite answer?! And Kawai...girl, you gotta chill.

The new characters weren't that memorable to me, but it was nice to see Nakanaka and Yamai (cringe at her) working together still, and getting a glimpse into their band's music!

Oh, Najime, you won't ever change, will you?

Rating

3.5/5

[kierrasreads]

The Spellshop (Spellshop #1) by Sarah Beth Durst Review

Plot

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

Discussion

Cozy, cozy, cozy! I can definitely relate to Kiela- I would hardly leave the library or bookshop if given the choice! Or you know, having to go to work.

Some parts were a bit too slow for me, and Kiela's hostility to Larran was a bit off-putting. Like, take it easy! Still, I'm glad to see her growth!

Caz and Meep are also totally adorable! And it's so nice to have a genuinely nice male lead character.

Rating

4/5

[momentoscinefilos]

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) dir. Henry Selick

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