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Taryn K (441 KP) rated Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 2 (manga) in Books

May 15, 2022 (Updated May 15, 2022)  
OI
Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu Volume 2 (manga)
Natsuya Semikawa, Virginia Nitouhei | 2016 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Food & Drink, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The characters are well written (1 more)
The world is beginning to expand.
Another quiet slice-of-life night at Izakaya Nobu
Much like volume 1, volume 2 of Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu takes us to the pub that sits between modern Japan and the rather medieval city of Aitheria. Again, we have Japanese, German, and English food terms going on, which keeps life interesting, but the explanations are handy, so there is minimal chance of confusion.

The book starts off with one of the soldiers from volume 1, Hans, stopping by the pub after training only to find out it's 'Kisu Day'. Hans is surprised to see Chef Nobu deep frying the tempura-battered fish and putting it on paper, which is a very expensive commodity in Aitheria. The little details really make this series special, I think.

In chapter 2, "Thief", we meet a new helper, a young girl trying to help out her family, named Effa. There is a bit of confusion, but we get to meet the new deacon in town, who has already become a regular.

Chapter 3, "An Uninvited Guest", Chef Nobu learns a 'new' recipe, and we are reminded that Shinobu can cook as well. A pompous little man and his gourmet aristocrat boss stop by in search of the Ankake Yudofu that pleased the bride-to-be in volume 1, as she praised it at her wedding. Each chapter builds ties to other people or builds ties between Shinobu/Chef and the regulars, which Is another thing I love. Ankake Yudofu is out of season, as it is no longer winter, so schnitzel is apparently just the ticket, if Chef just knew what it is.

Chapter 4, "Quarreling Craftsmen", sees two new characters introduced. Holga, a glassmaker who heard about Izakaya Nobu from the tax collector Gehrnot, who enjoyed the 'Spaghetti Napolitan' in volume 1, and Han's father, a woodworker named Laurenz. They spend most of the chapter arguing and trying each other's dishes, but it is a friendly rivalry that gets settled down by a surprising person.

Chapter 5, "The Commander's Weakness", is hilarious due to more puns on squid than I ever thought could be made, but Commander Bertholdt has to conquer his fear of squid before his arranged marriage to the daughter of a fisherman. Such a good chapter. One of my favorites. "He squidn't!"

Chapter 6, "Effa in Wonderland", sees Effa going through the back door of the pub into modern Japan. Not much cooking in this chapter, but we find out a little more about how the pub ended up being in two places at once. Thankfully, she gets back to Aitheria safe and sound.

I'm not completely sure about this being a review as much as a rundown of what happens. It's just a feel-good series, with just a hair of drama, but nothing that can't be resolved in a chapter or perhaps two. The characters are likeable, for the most part, and those who aren't are meant to be unlikeable. The interpersonal relationships are fun to see revealed. Definitely a good pre-bed book. 😊
  
13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)
13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)
Maureen Johnson | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
13 Little Blue Envelopes was a delightful read. The author knows how to keep you hooked with short easy-to-read chapters and I found myself reading a chapter every chance I got!

It had me hooked from the first envelope and read the book over a couple of days - only to find there is a follow-on novel out too!

I was luck enough to get this as a free book on Amazon kindle which is a fantastic way of discovering new authors. The book is aimed at teenage/young adult but I would recommend it for any age group.

MoMo’s Book Diary loved this delightful novel and recommends 13 Little Blue Envelopes as a 4 star read. (read May 2011)

This review is also published on http://www.momobookdiary.com and http://www.amazon.co.uk
  
    EGW Writings

    EGW Writings

    Reference and Book

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    EGW Writings application enables you to read and search the complete published writings of Ellen G....

FO
Fairest of All (Whatever After, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Abby and her brother Jonah make a shocking discovery when the mirror in the basement of their new house sucks them through and they find themselves in the woods. When they keep Snow White from eating the poisoned apple, they must find a way to fix her story and make it home.

This was a short but delightful story that anyone looking for an early chapter book will appreciate. A twist or two along the way even surprised me. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

I won this book in a contest.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-fairest-of-all-by-saran.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
In West Mills
In West Mills
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it. The things that brought the rating down for me were the transitions between years toward the end of the book. It wasn't until you were a few pages into the chapter that you knew it was 5 or 10 years later.

Knot is the kind of woman who does what she wants no matter what other people think about it. This story takes us from 1942 all the way through 1987. Telling the story and secrets of West Mills. Each character has a different story that all melds together in one incredible telling. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to other books by this author.
  
    Film

    Film

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    Film: The Key Concepts presents a coherent, clear and exciting overview of film theory for beginning...