My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart

4 stars A sweet rhyming tale about embracing who you are and accepting others’ true selves. The school dance is here and the narrator is excited to attend. But when they’re forced to choose between pink and blue, they don’t see where their purple shadow fits in. With a bit of encouragement, the students find…

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Goosebumps: Deep Trouble by R. L. Stine

2 stars This one was okay. Took a quick dive into fantasy, which was unexpected. Based on the cover, I thought there would be more sharks in this one. Growing up, I was always too scared to read Goosebumps because of the covers. But now that I’ve read a few as an adult, I realize…

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I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 3 by Okura

Translated by Leighann Harvey 5 stars Another fantastic collection of comics. There are so many interesting interactions at play in this volume from secret crushes to coworkers, parents and siblings to friends. We see more dynamics between Hiroki and his father in this volume, which were well done. I loved how the family countered Akiyoshi’s…

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Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding

by Rob Sanders Illustrated by Robbie Cathro 5 stars Absolutely adorable. This delightful picture book tells the story of Michael McConnell and Jack Baker’s journey to getting married. Told by the two grooms on their wedding cake, it follows how they met all the way through their decades-long marriage. Beautifully written with lovely parallels drawn…

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Before We Say Goodbye (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #4) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Translated by Geoffrey Trousselot 3 stars A heartwarming exploration of grief, regret, family, and love. From those who didn’t express themselves before it was too late to those who feel they’ve wronged their loved ones, CafĂ© Funiculi Funicula gives customers a chance to resolve unfinished business with those they’ve lost. Though they can’t change the…

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The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Gumluck #1) by Adam Rex

4 stars Wasn’t sure what to expect, but this one was adorable. Meet Gumluck, also known as the Little Wizard Who Lives in the Big Hill, or so he thinks. He spends his time thinking of others, helping them without thanks, and doing his best to make them happy. All he really wants is to…

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Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter (Ham Helsing #1) by Rich Moyer

2 stars Ham Helsing comes from a long line of daring vampire hunters. After his older brother dies in a tragic wingsuit accident, he takes up the family mantle and sets out to defeat a vampire. Along the way, he encounters a ninja pig, a were-boy, a robot knight, and many more interesting characters. Figure…

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