Isabella's Reading Corner: 5 Centimeters per Second

5 Centimeters per Second story by Makoto Shinkai & art by Yukiko Seike

Published June 26th 2012 by Vertical

5 Centimeters per Second is a really sweet, sad story about a boy named Takaki & a girl named Akari who meet & fall in love, but drift apart when she must move away with her parents. It is mostly told through the eyes of Takaki, who develops such a strong bond with Akari that it is hard for him to let go, even if he may never see her again. 

Takaki’s feelings are full of intensity and emotion. This is a heartbreaking and beautiful tale - brilliantly evocative of a romantic first love. As the story delicately unfolds we are allowed to witness their snippets of time together. Takaki’s memories are depicted with an almost dream like quality and we are left to wonder how much of those feelings have been built up in his mind.

For anyone who has ever experienced unrequited love, even if you are not a fan of manga, this book is for you. 

From the publisher:

Love can move at the speed of terminal velocity, but as award-winning director Makoto Shinkai reveals in his latest comic, it can only be shared and embraced by those who refuse to see it stop.

Takaki Tohno quickly befriends Akari Shinohara when she transfers to his school. They grow closer to each other due to similar interests and attitudes; for instance, they both prefer to stay inside during recess due to their constitutions. As a result, they form a strong bond. 

Upon ending their school year, Akari moves to Tochigi, due to her parents' jobs. The two keep in contact by writing letters, but eventually begin to drift apart.

You can read my original Isabella's Reading Corner post on 5 Centimeters per Second here.

Current Read: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Published June 14th 2016 by Simon & Schuster

You will be scared. But you won’t know why…

Isabella's Reading Corner: The Griffin & Sabine Books

The Griffin & Sabine Books by Nick Bantock

Published by Chronicle Books

The Griffin & Sabine books are a beautifully illustrated, stunningly packaged series of books. They tell the romantically mysterious story of Griffin Moss and Sabine Strohem through their love letters.

The book begins when Griffin receives a postcard from Sabine claiming she knows much about him, although they have never met. 

Their correspondence continues in the form of postcards and actual envelopes that are pasted into the books, which contain their letters that you are able to open and read yourself. I absolutely love these books – the wonderfully surreal story & the gorgeous artwork.

There are 6 books in total, that are divided into two trilogies – Griffin & Sabine, Sabine’s Notebook, The Golden Mean followed by The Gryphon, Alexandria, The Morning Star. The first book, Griffin & Sabine, was originally published in 1991 and the last, The Morning Star, in 2003.

A final volume in the series is going to be published this month, The Pharos Gate – I am so exited! It has been such a long time since I have read the books that I decided to start rereading them this month in preparation.

If you enjoy strange & fantastic art, then these books are most certainly for you. If you are a dreamer, these books are for you. They are absolutely breathtaking and the imagery and format only add to the amazing story. A gorgeous gift for yourself or anyone you love.

The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy:

Griffin & Sabine

Sabine’s Notebook

The Golden Mean

The Morning Star Trilogy:

The Gryphon

Alexandria

The Morning Star

You can read my original Isabella's Reading Corner post on the Griffin & Sabine books here.

Anticipated Reads for March 2016

Anticipated Reads for March

Below are titles of books released this month that I am most excited about reading. I would love to hear if you are thinking of reading any of the titles on my list. 

Are there any books you are looking forward to that I've not included? Please let me know!

Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

Published March 1^st 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books 

Red Queen meets Shadow and Bone in a debut fantasy about a girl forced to use her gift for sensing—and absorbing—other people’s feelings to protect the empire from assassins. Steeped in intrigue and betrayal, Burning Glass captivates with heartrending romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s quest for redemption. 

Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

Published March 1^st 2016 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes Novel) by Brittany Cavallaro

Published March 1^st 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books

The first book in a witty, suspenseful new trilogy about a brilliant new crime-solving duo: the teen descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. This clever page-turner will appeal to fans of Maureen Johnson and Ally Carter.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Published March 8^th 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Rebel of the Sands reveals what happens when a dream deferred explodes—in the fires of rebellion, of romantic passion, and the all-consuming inferno of a girl finally, at long last, embracing her power.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices) by Cassandra Clare

Published March 8^th 2016 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

The Shadowhunters of Los Angeles star in the first novel in Cassandra Clare’s newest series, The Dark Artifices, a sequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series. Lady Midnight is a Shadowhunters novel.

The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins

Published March 8^th 2016 by HarperTeen

Wendy Higgins, the author of the New York Times bestselling Sweet Evil series, reimagines a classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale with The Great Hunt, a dramatic, romance-filled fantasy with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.

The Keeper of the Mist by Rachel Neumeier

Published March 8^th 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

A lush new fantasy about finding the will to lead against all odds, perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.

The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller

Published March 8^th 2016 by Viking Books for Young Readers

The adventures of a British girl in China, hunting for the orchid that will save her family.

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Published March 22^nd by Dial Books

The intrigue of The Raven Boys and the "supernatural or not" question of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer coalesce in this young adult mystery, where nothing is quite as it seems, no one is quite who you think, and everything can change on a dime.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

Published March 22^nd by Margaret K. McElderry Books

In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault.