I just finished the manga Banana Fish by Yoshida Akimi. Although classified as a shojo, this story is way beyond a shojo and in a category all it's own. If nothing else, read this manga for the plot. Sure, there's a gay relationship between the protagonists in the subtext (nothing happens, don't worry, and it's never spoken) but it's an honest, pure relationship between friends who have connected soul to soul. The ending is heartbreaking and would have been much less powerful if Yoshida-san had not finished the series the way she had. This is definitely among the best written mangas out there, even if it hasn't received much attention. I would check out 3 volumes at a time from the public library, finish those the same day, and want more (had homework though, haha).

This manga is pretty violent. It's a story about New York gangs, scandals in the U.S. government, twisted pedophiles, and boy prostitutes. Out with the guns, knives, poisons, grenades, and drugs! Even if this seems more like an adult manga, it was written oriented towards young girls. I can understand not reading it for the content if you're young, but honestly, it makes the story that much richer and believable.

I love this manga. It's action-packed rather than full of flowers, big eyes and sparkles. It's like a shonen in the way it has a lot of action and fighting but like a shojo in the way it gets into the characters heads. It makes you think about it long after you put down any volume and leaves you aching for more if you're in the middle of the series. You learn to genuinely care, especially, for the good guys. Some people might not like the art. Personally, even if the way the characters are drawn are not always to my taste, I feel that the style works well for this story. Again, it's not a typical shojo, or even a typical manga. And if you really have a need for bishies, the main character is one (which was the main reason he always got into, ahem, trouble) particularly after Yoshida-san gives him a new look modeled after River Phoenix.

Wow, I can't believe it's the new year already! So much to do and so little time. *sighs* I have been up in Lake Tahoe the past week. Mostly stayed in the resort making beaded turtles and playing tennis. I started a book called Princess by Jean P. Sasson and have about a quarter of the book to go. It's a fast read about a royal princess's life in Saudi Arabia. Quite good, and it is the actual experiences of a real princess and the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia. Very interesting read. I recommend it to feminists everywhere. Well, feminists in particular.

Most of the fictional writings that I have been working on have been on hold, since school has been keeping me busy. I hope to finish at least one chapter of something before winter break is over.

Mangas I have read lately and recommend: Cantarella by You Higuri, Godchild by Kaori Yuki, Banana Fish by Akimi Yoshida

Well, that's all I have for now!