Book Review: What If It's Us

"...and I let Jonathon Groff drown them out, because that's what cute boys are for." 

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera was one of my favorite reads this year which was honestly so unexpected. I haven't been very happy with Becky since her last two novels were a bit of a flop in my eyes and I've never read an Adam Silvera book before so I really had no idea what I was in for.  This book was hilarious and adorable and everything you could ever hope for in a gay YA romance novel.

Arthur is spending his summer as an intern at his mothers law firm in the bright and exciting city of New York. Instead of exploring this new world, he sits in his room listening to the "Dear Evan Hansen" soundtrack on repeat (me too tbh) counting the days until he is back home in Georgia. Until one coffee run where he meets Ben, the cute boy at the post office in a Dream & Bean t-shirt. Ben is mailing out a breakup box, or at least trying to until a boy in a hot dog tie starts flirting with him. Ben is newly single and struggling to move on as he is spending his summer in school with his ex, which is definitely a sore subject. The boys depart without exchanging numbers let alone names but did the universe want them to meet? What was the universe doing when they met again and again? Was this really meant to be? Ben and Arthur are willing to give it a shot in hopes that this is their big city summer romance.

The characters in this book were so great and lovable. Dylan was by far the funniest character I've read of in a long time. He was sweet, caring, trust worthy, reliable, and genuinely had me laughing hysterically as I read in public. His relationship with Ben and how Ben would describe Dylan was exceedingly sweet. I have definitely mentioned before that I adore any book whose characters are just as coffee obsessed as I am. Dylan was the definition of coffee obsessed. From Dream & Bean to Kool Koffee, many hot cups were shared. Not to mention Dylan's entire wardrobe is basically just cafe t-shirts which I can only aspire to have. Dylan was not a main character but I would love to read a book from his point of view, he would make such an amazing narrator. Arthur and Ben were also super easy to like. For me personally, Arthur was extremely relatable. He loves all things Broadway (though I'm not a Hamilton fan whatsoever so those references made me cringe), he loves NYC, and hes really just looking for a show stopping romance (aren't we all?). Most of the characters in this book were sort of geeky and obsessed with something whether it be musicals or Harry Potter. I hate when YA books try too hard to be "down with the youth" by referring to pop culture a little too much. However, this book specifically wasn't too bad and was for the most part believable and realistic enough. Ben went through some inner struggle having to do with his race, which was great for readers who are going through similar issues; although, sometimes I feel like YA books try to cover as many social issues as possible, which I could probably accuse this book of as well (any Becky Albertalli book really). The only characters I did not care for were Juliet and Namrata; they seemed a little pointless in the plot. They were a bit mean at first too which I wasn't down for as a member of the Arthur protection squad.

I thought the plot was very unique. It was absolutely a Cinderella story but felt fresh and entertaining (similar to Sometime After Midnight by L. Philips). Two boys meet and part with no way of contacting the other, followed by a search and a blooming romance. I don't want to spoil the story so I'll just say that I was never overall disappointed with any events in the story. The epilogue however almost seemed unnecessary and slightly ruined the ending for me nor do I think it added anything to the story. The relationship was also kind of "instalovey" which I know many people don't enjoy, however I think the timeline fit the story pretty well.

The book also tackles some important topics really well in my opinion. There is a scene where Arthur and Ben are dealing with homophobia. This was a really great scene showing the reality of homophobia and how it affects others. There is discussion of anxiety and panic attacks as well as heartbreak, cheating, and examples of healthy relationships of different variety.

I really can't even explain how cute this book was. I want the entire world to read it and dream of a love story so adorable.

Are you going to read What If It's Us when it comes out in October??

Indiana Grace

Book Review: Captive Prince Trilogy ❤

This trilogy has quickly taken over every available place in my heart. The love I have for these kingdoms and their rulers is absolutely unbelievable. I have read many books that I've enjoyed yet only few (3 actually) have been named as my absolute favorites. I think it is obvious by now that I absolutely 100% want everyone to read these three beautiful novels; Captive Prince, Prince's Gambit, and Kings Rising. 

C. S. Pacat began writing this trilogy and sharing chapters online, after the story gained great popularity she published in 2013. The story follows Prince Damen,  the rightful king of Akielos, as he is sent to become a bed slave for Prince Laurent of Vere. Together, these men form an inseparable bond amidst the secrets and wars brewing around them. Over the course of three books, both Damen and Laurent fight against their usurpers in hopes to gain back power and support from their people. I first found these books in a blog post by Lily at Sprinkles of Dreams. I was beyond excited to start reading these books, I called up my local bookstore and reserved the first one as fast as I could (from work actually, haha). I bought the first book, a bit apprehensive as to how I would like it, as I have never read a fantasy novel. Needless to say, I was not disappointed in the slightest and bought the next two immediately.

Lily expressed concern for the controversy facing the first novel in the trilogy. I am aware that Captive Prince has many negative reviews due to subjects of forced sexual acts and slavery. Though some readers may find this extremely off putting, I don't think it is a rightful reason to negatively rate this book. It is obvious and right that rape is illegal and highly frowned upon (for lack of a better phrase) in our modern society, however as a reader we must understand the social norms and customs of the settings within the story. The kingdom of Vere is run in a very different way than our modern society where slavery and sexual acts are viewed in an opposite light. Putting that aside, I really enjoyed the first book. I knew going into the trilogy that it is a romance and so I was disappointed that Damen and Laurent did not get a long throughout the majority of Captive Prince. I understood why Damen disliked Laurent for obvious reasons yet I couldn't help but wish they'd put their differences aside sooner than later. After finishing the entire trilogy, the angst within the first book truly helped set up their relationship. While reading this book, I was trying to think of what it could mean and what the book was really trying to say. While trying to paint a bigger picture with the contents, I remembered that it is a romance where there isn't necessarily a deeper meaning. That being said, there were still many lessons to be learned about trust and honesty. Onto a lighter subject, Prince Laurent was described so beautifully. I wish these books would be made into a movie so I can see Laurent on the big screen. He is by far one of my favorite characters. Not only is he beautiful but he also bled character development. From being a smart mouthed snake in Captive Prince, we see him change into the soft and gentle young leader he truly is in Kings Rising. We see a hint of his soft side with his interactions with Erasmus. I loved Erasmus' story and was glad to see he got a very happy ending. Now to get a bit more technical. The writing in the book is beautiful. We are placed right into the middle of conflict within Akielos, yet it is not difficult to understand the setting or actions taking place. While I was reading this book, a friend described the writing as "Shakespeare shit" though I don't believe Pacat writes anything like Shakespeare, I do find this book to be slightly poetic and easy to picture. However, the tone of this book felt extremely different to the following two. This book was harsh and dark, lacking any signs of romance until the end. 

Right off the bat, Prince's Gambit felt like a different novel completely. It was much more romantic right from the start whereas Captive Prince gave a off a more sexual and dominating feel. We had a hint of romance within the first novel between Erasmus and Torveld, yet even that relationship was described differently than the relationships in this book. It sort of feels as though there is an entirely different author writing. Maybe if I reread the books over, I might change my mind. Where the first book was written poetically and dark, this book felt much lighter and almost contemporary. Laurent and Damen had dialogue that I'd never have imagined based on their interactions in the first book. It seemed a bit strange how quickly their relationship changed but looking back it makes sense based on what they went through towards the end of Captive Prince. Laurent was twice as crafty and deceptive in this second book. Which made me love him twice as much. He is such a strong and interesting character, I don't know how anyone would not love him. My notes on the second and third book blend together because I read them back to back so I'm not entirely sure of the timeline, haha. I do recall a lot of betrayal in Prince's Gambit which made this book hard to put down. I read in a review before I read this series that Laurent would eventually take Damen to bed, and so I was on edge through this entire book waiting for it to happen. I thought for sure it would take place in the third book, and so I was anxious with thinking it would change the whole atmosphere of the book, which it did; and even more so when the truth is revealed in Kings Rising. I texted my friends constantly while reading Prince's Gambit, I was so worried about Laurent discovering the truth and the outcome. Keep in mind, my friends haven't read any of this trilogy and i'm sure got pretty tired of me mentioning it. Overall, the romance and ongoing twists and turns of Prince's Gambit made this book an incredible continuation.

Okay now we get to the good stuff. This book right here crushed my heart into dust then brought me back to life. I cried many times throughout reading Kings Rising. The relationship between Damen and Laurent in this book is all I need for the rest of my life. They are so sweet and in love, I'm crying just thinking about them. Throughout these three books, the timeline of the men falling in love is very realistic. It is refreshing to see Damen and Laurent take their time especially after reading so many YA novels where the characters fall in love instantly. Their relationship appeared natural and honest. I mentioned early that Laurent's character development was the greatest in the world. He was such a sweetheart in this last book with all around realistic and pragmatic characteristics. He was his usual sharp and snarky self, but we see he is also full of self doubt and hatred. Damen and the crew that grew throughout Prince's Gambit come to his aid when he thought he had to face things all alone. The ending of this book was incredible. I genuinely had to put it down and stop reading for a bit because I wasn't sure how it would end. I knew it was a romance and it would probably end well, yet I feared the worst. I almost couldn't finish because I didn't want it to end badly.

The short stories that follow this trilogy are probably my favorite things in the whole world. Not only is Summer Palace full of beautiful romance and intimacy but it also lets readers know Damen and Laurent are still going strong after the end of Kings Rising. My favorite short story is definitely The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant. This story shows such an adorable side of Laurent. It is full of cute interactions between Damen and Laurent. Plus, we get the hear the joke about Charls and cousin Charls again, which was definitely the funniest joke in the whole trilogy.

I truly can't recommend this trilogy enough, it has made my heart so warm. (and look at these awesome Japanese versions!)

Have you read this series? What are your thoughts??

Indiana Grace

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant

Book Review: Sometime After Midnight

Sometime After Midnight by L. Philips is a sweet new young adult novel self-titled as a "cinderfella" story. Though there is so much more to this story than searching for a lost love. This story deals with grief, forgiveness, mental illness, and encourages its readers to pursue dreams even if it seems like the world is against them.

Nate Grisheimer is 17 and works at his stepmoms Dairy Barn. He's also an incredible guitarist scared to break into the musical world. A fear instilled by his musical genius father, Mick Grisheimer. When his father killed himself, Nate had no answers to his questions; all he knew was that Paradise records drove his father to suicide. The music he played with his father is kept in the walls of his bedroom, only for his ears.Then comes the beautiful boy asking him to dance at a concert for one of his favorite bands. This boy knows real music, sweeping Nate right off his feet. That is until Nate realizes this perfect boy is Cameron Pierce, heir of Paradise records.

Cameron Pierce is nothing like his father, he hopes to change the way Paradise is run and struggles to get that across to the tabloids who assume he is just your average spoiled rich kid. Cameron wants to sing, somewhere other than his shower. Yet with his connections, he can't prove himself in the music industry without being told he was given his career, and can't begin to imagine how his father would react. He keeps his hopes and dreams locked up until Nate comes along. With this new love interest, Cameron is inspired to fight back against the comfortable lifestyle he lives. With a boost of confidence and support he can achieve great things.

This book was so incredibly sweet. I loved just about every second of reading it. That being said, it was also a quick read with its classic YA writing style. I actually requested the library (also my workplace) to purchase this book and by the time it came out I didn't feel like reading it, though of course I felt obligated since I made the library buy it. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance, it was the perfect break from Captive Prince (which is basically the complete opposite of this book, review to come!). I always love reading a sweet fluffy YA after a more dense novel. If you feel the same way then this book is a foolproof option. I would love to read a sequel with Vic and Tess! ❤

I always love cute coffee talk! Almost like a crossover of my favorite things: gay fiction and coffee. This book was full of it, whether it was Cam and Tess talking business over a hot cup or Nate taking note of how Cam likes his in the morning. 

"Are you going to want more? Because I am."

"All the coffee." ❤

 The relationship between Cam and Nate was beyond adorable. I loved how supportive they were of each other. They encouraged one another both musically and emotionally. It was often said that they were a bit scared that they were being too supportive which I found refreshing and relatable. I wouldn't necessarily say that their relationship was realistic because it was extremely positive once they got together. However, there was never an issue with anyone that Nate and Cam were gay. This seemed unrealistic. We may want the world to be an overly accepting place but some people will just never be okay with homosexuality, which is why I always find it weird when books are set in a world full of acceptance. It would definitely take away from the main plot if homophobia was also thrown in so I understand, its just something I see a lot and find a bit improbable. (SPOILER?) The only thing I thought was a bit funky about their relationship was how quickly they slept together. Nate mentioned a few times that he needed to get laid yet it was clear he was a virgin. It seemed strange that they'd sleep together the same day they realized their feelings, and even after they slept together they were unsure if they'd date.

There was tons of great discussion on mental illness towards the end of the novel. Characters mentioned there should be more considerate feelings and discussions towards mental illness which is obviously something that should be encouraged and made true. This book specifically talks of schizophrenia and hinted at depression and anxiety. There was also a lot of discussion about family relationships which is just as important. The book encourages healthy relationships with family members; Cam and his father, Nate and his stepmom.

Cam was 100% my favorite character, I felt like I could really relate to him. He had so much development from the beginning of the book to the end. He matured in positive and realistic ways. (sPoILeR!1!) When Cam realized he had to give his demo to a different company in order to really prove himself in the music industry I was so proud of my baby boy. He just needed some love and a bit of encouragement to get where he wanted to be. TToTT

There's two main things that I didn't like in this book (woah 2 things, that's a lot!). First of all, why does Nate have to dress like such a dweeb. Sorry if that's mean but suspenders and a bow tie everyday is a bit much... He just sounded so uncool which didn't fit his personality at all. Also, why does the cover and every summary of this book have to do with Nate's converse, sure it kicks off the story but its pretty insignificant past the first 100 pages. Second, the lyrics that were meant to be emotional and inspiring were all super cheesy, they sounded like emo poems I wrote when I was 13 (the only song I liked and thought was actually decent was the one they wrote for Mick).

I thought it would be cute to make a playlist of music that remind me of reading this book so here it is!

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

Indiana Grace

(●♡∀♡))ヾ☆*。

Book Review: Leah on the Offbeat (spoilers!)

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli was supposed to be a good read. I was so excited to continue reading about the Simon Vs. gang yet this book left me so incredibly disappointed. For starters, I didn't really care for a Leah story line, though I know many fans asked for this exact book to be made. Leah is bisexual and in love with Abby. Ok, but where was this ever hinted at in Simon Vs? This seems like such a random concept. I've seen many others describe this book as fan fiction, and honestly that accusation is not that far off. Becky published fan fiction of her own book. Abby was so head over heels for Nick in Simon Vs. and even more so in Upside of Unrequited, so it makes absolutely no sense that she would just decide to break up with him. 

Don't get me wrong, I didn't entirely hate this book. I enjoyed the bits of the story when Simon and Bram were being adorable, yet it wasn't as often as I'd like. Honestly, I would've preferred an actual sequel where Simon and Bram take on college or something, anything other than the sequel we were given. Some other obvious flaws include the horribly paced story line, the complete change of personality in characters from the first book, and Leah's shitty character in general. 

Leah was a serious bitch in this book. She was rude to literally everyone but maybe Simon. She was super shitty to Abby, I'm surprised Abby even liked her. Her mom was such a saint to put up with Leah's bad attitude, and don't even get me started on what a jerk she was to Garrett. Leah led Garrett on throughout the entire book. She knew Garrett liked her but she liked the idea of someone crushing on her so she never admitted to him that she wasn't interested. She was mad at Morgan through the entire book because Morgan sad one stupid thing when she was angry and upset. Ok Leah.. she genuinely apologized and realized her wrongdoings, lets move on now. The whole gang was not supportive of Nick at all, which was also upsetting to read. Its genuinely like Becky scrapped all the character development from her first book but wanted to write a sequel anyways. If she was gonna switch up the characters so much she should have just written a standalone.

 The fact that she wrote this book at all really just makes it seem like shes trying to feed off of the fame from Simon Vs and Love Simon, obviously I don't want to believe that, it just really feels half-assed compared to her first book (even compared to Upside of Unrequited which I didn't even like that much either). However, I've also read some reviews where people really loved this book. Their reasons for enjoying the book is usually because they can relate to Leah and her situation or because they love that there is bi representation, and the fact that it is one of very few girl loves girl books out there. There are many books with bi representation that are a lot more genuine than this book.

 Honestly, I wouldn't even bother reading this book, especially if you loved Simon Vs. It not only has horrible characters that don't reflect those in Simon Vs, but its just really boring. Nothing really happens and then all of a sudden Abby and Leah are together. Sorry this is so unorganized, I just have lots of mismatched thoughts that have collected over the month it took me to actually finish reading this book.

Have you read Leah on the Offbeat? What did you think??

Indiana Grace

Eau de VIXX (but 2 months late...)

VIXX is back once again with a beautiful new album. I pre-ordered this album in April, a few days before it was actually released. Obviously I purchased signed copies which will always be my downfall. When will I learn not to purchase signed albums from Mwave? Probably never. I waited over two months for my albums to arrive, which sucks, but I finally have them and I'm happy as a clam! Eau de VIXX is the 3rd album from my favorites, VIXX. The album's concept is perfume, and the album features 12 songs. The physical CD comes in two versions: black, and red. I bought both versions of this album because I love spending money!! Ken signed the black album and Hyuk signed the red album. I was happy with the autographs since the only other autographed album I have is from Ravi. The CD itself comes with the usual photo cards. I received a Ken photocard and a black and white photo of N and Hongbins hands in the black version of the album. I was super excited to get a Leo card and a photo of N in the red version of the album. I was hoping for LR cards since Ravi and Leo are my favorites, but Leo's card is cute enough for now. The really unique part about this album are these red and white cards. The white card came in the black version and the red card in the red version. These are perfume cards, which is so awesome and such a great idea to include in an album with a perfume concept. I'm pretty sure the red card is scented like roses and the white card is very elegant smelling but I'm not sure what it is exactly. VIXX always makes me so proud with everything they put out and this album is the reason. The CD's are obviously the same with the same songs but they are designed differently. The black version is gray with chains while the red version is purple with a flower. Some of my favorite songs on this album include My Valentine, Trigger, Circle, and Navy & Shining Gold. These boys work so hard on the music they put out so I'm grateful for and love all of their songs! I'm especially grateful for Ravi who writes and produces a lot of VIXX's songs, I really admire his drive. I encourage everyone to give VIXX a chance and if you enjoy this album, listen to their other songs! They deserve all the love in the world so please support them! 

Have you listened to this album? Did you get the red or black version?

Indiana Grace

°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

Book and Movie Review: Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda/ Love, Simon

It is so difficult to compare Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and the movie adaption Love, Simon. I almost feel as though they're not related at all. Besides the basic plot of Simon falling in love online and being outed to the entire school, the movie definitely took some liberties. 

The book was adorable. I was hesitant to read it as it is a very contemporary YA story, which isn't usually my preferred genre. However, I was pretty surprised to find that I actually enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it enough to finish it in one night! The characters were all extremely likable and unique. The writing was very easy to follow; chapters switched from first-person narration to email exchanges, which I think helped make it such a quick read. We follow Simon as he falls for the boy he has been exchanging emails with. Both boys are hiding a big secret: they're gay. The story continues as Simon is blackmailed by Martin, and subsequently outed to the entire school when Martin realizes he'll never attain Abby's love. Simon loses all of his friends, including his mysterious online boyfriend. I thought the plot of this book was actually pretty interesting, and It was never super obvious to me who Blue was until it was revealed at the end, probably because I was reading at 3 am. I was disappointed as to who Blue actually was but, oh well. There were so many cute scenes. When they ditched lunch to have Oreo cereal, I died, too cute. I also loved that Leah had a lot of character development despite being only a supporting character. Overall, this book was super adorable. It was a quick, easy read. I don't think the issues it tackled were too serious but it was still an enjoyable read. 

The movie was also adorable. Nick Robinson made a perfect Simon. I was so excited to see the movie since I really enjoyed the book. To be honest, I enjoy cheesy contemporary love stories in the form of movies more so than books. Needless to say, the book was better than the movie. Don't get me wrong! The movie was awesome and I enjoyed it, but there is so much more detail in a book than in a movie, in my opinion at least. Had I not read the book, I think I would've enjoyed the movie a lot more. A lot changed from the book to screen adaption. The number one thing that bugged me was that Simon figured out who Blue was much earlier in the movie. Though, he then thought of different people it could be, so viewers were thrown off. I thought it was strange how they introduced him as a possible Blue so early. He wasn't even a possibility until the very end of the book. Other than that big change, there were lots of little changes. Book Simon had 2 sisters, one in college and one a high school freshman. Movie Simon had one sister, which we can assume was a high school freshman, yet she looked as if she were 10. Leah loved Nick in the book but loved Simon in the movie. A bunch of little changes from the book makes it hard to compare the two. It was almost as if they were telling two different stories. 

The book and the movie were both absolutely adorable. I recommend either. Though I don't think its entirely necessary to read the book if you've seen the film or see the film if you've read the book. It was a different experience from a book to movie adaption like Call Me By Your Name, where the book supported the film beautifully, almost like a second layer to the story (not that you can even compare CMBYN to this book, in all honesty).This was entirely different in that the movie and book feel more like two separate adaptions of the same story, which makes sense and is obviously not a bad thing. If you like contemporary romance or gay love stories in general, I think you'll really enjoy this story! (Keep in mind I am often very biased with any gay literature as it is my favorite genre, so I'd love to hear what you thought about the book!)

Have you read Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda? Have you watched Love, Simon? What did you think?

Indiana Grace

Movie Review: Call Me By Your Name

(Sorry this review is so late, I'm not even sure I fully believe what I wrote here. This movie/book is so important to me I want to write only good things about it. I'd love to here other opinions on the film though! It is my favorite thing to talk about!!)

Despite losing 3 out of 4 Oscar nominations, Call Me By Your Name will still be the highest rated movie of 2017. With a gorgeous glimpse into northern Italy in 1983, director Luca Guadagnino encourages a divine picture of our well-beloved characters, Elio and Oliver. 

Shots of an Italian countryside slip across the screen setting the stage for the youthful plot. It is a lavish summer spent on bikes or in swim trunks, listening to Psychedelic Furs on the radio, dancing under the night sky, or going for a midnight swim. A sweet summer romance that most long for develops only to disappear when reality sets in: summer is just a dream.

The best component of this entire film has to be the alluring presence and enticing appearance of the leading man, Timothée Chalamet. Dolefully, Timmy lost his nomination for "Best Leading Actor" this Oscar season. Yet this does not denounce his incredible performance that ultimately led to his true entrance into the world of acting. Though a few scenes seemed a bit lackluster to me, others were able to rectify those losses. Timmy devoted himself to this film when he found himself in Italy a month in advance to learn not only how to play the piano and the guitar but to speak Italian as well. I have never seen such maturity in a young actor before. He clearly cares a lot for his profession. Next to Timmy, Armie Hammer shines while playing Oliver. He plays Oliver almost exactly as he is presented in the novel. I often felt as though Timmy outshined Armie in most scenes. However, these men together tell a heartbreaking tale beautifully. 

Though I am sure many viewers have not read the book of the same name, I think it would be extremely beneficial. The film only scratches the surface of the gut retching emotion within the novel. To see the film only gives a shallow understanding of how these two men felt about each other. Reading the novel after the film would serve to be immensely profitable as it splurges on character development and raw emotion. Without reading the book the relationship seems too quickly developed and lacks the theme of fading time that is so present in the book. The movie appears to focus more on relationships and the idea that Elio and Oliver are homosexual. These concepts are clearly presented in the novel as well yet seem less important than exhibited in the film, in my own opinion at least. When reading the book, I found it slightly unimportant, most of the time, that the budding romance was between two men, I felt the book would have worked just as well had one of them been a woman. The movie made it more clear that their love was mostly forbidden as they were seven years apart and of the same gender. I perceived that the book and the film seemed to focus on different ideas. Though, they were essentially the same story with the same characters (with an additional French gene in Elio). James Ivory won an Oscar for his Adaption of this novel, which should prove how close the novel and film are related.

Aside from the perks of Timothée Chalamet glistening on our screens, another wonderful aspect of this film was the soundtrack! I began listening to the soundtrack, after I finished the novel and before I was prepared to see the film (it was a big deal to me ok). Amidst the classical sounds of Ryuichi Sakamoto, there were great 80's tunes allowing the listener to place themselves within 1983 Italy. Sufjan Stevens created two original songs, Mystery of Love and Visions of Gideon, both of which make this movie as harmonious as it is. The soundtrack of this film is the most pleasing and supportive soundtrack I have heard, in all honesty. I would even go as far as to say the soundtrack is my favorite part of the entire movie (besides Timmy of course). It was interesting to listen to each song before watching the film and seeing how they are implemented throughout. Some of my favorite songs off the soundtrack didn't have much emphasis within the movie, but it was cool to hear them in the background of some really important scenes. 

This film has only helped me to adore the novel more. I view it as an aid in following the romance between Elio and Oliver. I would describe the book as a second, deeper layer of the film; they work so perfectly together. Yet, on its own, this movie is a gorgeous slideshow of Northern Italy and a shallow yet satisfying development of a summer romance. I can't help but compare the novel and film, but believe me when I say they are both fully developed on their own yet work so perfectly together. If you plan to see this movie or have already seen it, definitely read the book afterward, trust me.

Here is a really awesome interview with André Aciman. He shares how much he enjoyed the film adaption of his novel!

Hope you love everything to do with CMBYN as much as I do!

Indiana Grace

Book Review: Dream Boy

I have previously mentioned that I am not an avid reader. However, recently I have been enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. I have actually read more books already this month than I had last year in its entirety. I currently have a stack of books on my bedroom floor about a mile high. I wanted to read a light and easy love story; so I decided Dream Boy would be my next read as I assumed it was more of a contemporary romance. It is not. I promise. This book is definitely not a contemporary story and it will definitely break your heart. 

Grimsley created characters that are so difficult to dislike. While reading, I just wanted to hold Nathan close and tell him everything would be okay. Most of the time Roy was likable too, and it seemed like he really did care for Nathan. The story follows a 15 year old Nathan as he moves to a new town. He meets his neighbor, Roy, and an intimate relationship blooms. The boys are drawn to each other for some unannounced reason. Yet problems arise when Roy finds Nathan living in the woods. Hes on the run from his father. It is clearly hinted that Nathans father has raped and molested him in the past. This story is a very special one. Nathan struggles realizing he is homosexual, realizing that he enjoys the intimacy with Roy. Sex was scary and painful with his father, yet it is completely different with Roy, thus causing Nathans inner struggle. Nathans struggle is less obvious than Roy's. Living in a small Christian town, with the perfect girlfriend, Roy is crushed under the weight of his affections for Nathan. 

The first half of this novel was beautiful. It was a gorgeous and important story to tell. I felt so warm and fuzzy reading the growing feelings between these two boys. Then the story changes and it is all of a sudden a ghost story. A confusing one at that. This sub plot seemed very out of place and unnecessary. I don't believe any of it helped to develop the story. This leads us to the end, the sad sad sad ending. (SPOILERS) Nathan is brutally raped and murdered by a friend of Roy. He was seemingly jealous of the relationship between Nathan and Roy. So he does what any jealous person does, he rapes Nathan and beats his head in until his skull cracks open, naturally. This was a necessary part of the story to show homophobia, however did sweet Nathan need to die? Really? The ending is actually very ambiguous and its not entirely clear whether Nathan is dead or not. I didn't really like this. Obviously I want to believe he is alive and Nathan and Roy will spend the rest of their lives together. The movie interpretation makes it cannon that Nathan is a ghost. Which isn't how I wanted this book to end. So, I'll choose to believe otherwise. 

Read the first half of this book, you will love it. Read the second half too if you want to be confused and heartbroken. In all honestly, this book has a really interesting message on the effect of child molestation on future intimacy and romance while also dealing with homophobia and self acceptance. 

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts ??

Indiana Grace

Snail Mail 101: A Guide to Pen-Pals!

Snail mail and pen-pals seem to be a lost art in our digital age. However, sending letter is a great way to get creative and make new friends from across the country or even across the world. Through pen-paling, you can learn so many new things about new people and places! So, how do you start?

HOW TO FIND A PEN-PAL:

There are a few ways to find a pen-pal over the internet. My go-to has been findteenpenpals.com for a number of reasons. This site categorizes eligable pen-pals by age, country, or interests. This is the easiest way to find a pen-pal in my opinion. You can submit an "ad" for yourself, including your name, age, interests, your perfect pen-pal, and a photo of yourself. People who are interested in the same things can send you a message or you can scroll though others "ads" to find someone you might like to exchange letters with. I have found many pen-pals through this website, one of which I have been exchanging with for two years! 

Another way to find  a pen-pal is through Twitter or Instagram. Through a hashtag like #penpalswanted you can find a few people looking for someone to exchange with. There is a large community of k-pop fans on both of these apps who exchange snail mail. I have a new pen-pal who I love receiving letters from because we have different bias groups! It's fun to have a pen-pal with different interests, because It is a chance to learn about something new; I teach my pen-pal about VIXX and Day 6, and she tells me all about BTS.

If you don't trust finding a pen-pal online, there is a chance your school has a language club who may do a pen-pal project (or start a club and a pen-pal project!!). My college has a Japanese club that is planning on exchanging letters with our sister school in Japan. This is a really great opportunity for someone who likes traveling or learning about new places and cultures!

SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED:

You can make your letter extremely simple or super extravagant. Your basic supplies include a pen, a paper, and an envelope. Your pen-pal shouldn't expect an overly exciting letter full of colorful tape and shiny stickers. You can write the most mundane letter in the world and it will still be fun to receive. However, a bright, enthusiastic letter is always amazing to open. To create a fun letter you might want to use the following:

• Memo pads
• Washi tape
• Stickers
• Doilies
• Cute letter sets
• Scrapbook paper

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

The obvious thing to include is a letter. This letter could say anything, but a good place to start is an introduction. Tell them where your from and what it's like there, what you like to do for fun, what your favorite things are, about your family or pets. As you continue to exchange letters, you can tell them about your day almost like a diary entry, about new shows you have watched, or movies you've seen recently, you can tell the anything you see fit! 

In addition to a letter, you can include a sheet of questions. These can be basic questions like "coffee or tea?" or they can be serious questions like "what is the meaning of you life?" just make sure you don't forget to answer their questions! Playlists are always a great idea for a pen-pal letter. Include 5 or so of your favorite songs at the moment, or make up a themed list like "rainy day tunes" that you think your pen-pal will enjoy. If music isn't your common interest, you can make a list of any recommendations: books, movies, restaurants, etc. 

My favorite part of a snail-mail letter are the little extras you can include. These are just little things your pen-pal might like. These are definitely not necessary but it makes everything a lot more fun:

• Stickers
• Washi tape samples
• Memo pads
• Polaroids or photocards
• Stationary
• Tea
• Face masks
• Key chains or jewelry 
• Artwork

You can buy a lot of these cute extras for super cheap. Try Aliexpress, Wish, or Ebay if you're shopping online, or try the dollar store, Target, or michaels (with coupons!) if you actually want to go shopping in person. 

HAVE FUN!

Sending letters is really a lot of fun. Try picking a theme for your letter, like Harry Potter or a color theme like all yellow. Remember that handmaid is always more heartfelt! And most importantly enjoy yourself! 

I hope you can find your perfect pen-pal match! 

Indiana Grace

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Book Review: Call Me By Your Name

“I suddenly realized that we were on borrowed time, that time is always borrowed, and that the lending agency exacts its premium precisely when we are least prepared to pay and need to borrow more...”

André  Aciman does his absolute best to piece together this gorgeous tale of first love and the reality of time in his novel, Call Me By Your Name.

I am not an avid reader. I work at a library yet I have continuously reread the same book for years. I hear praises for the worlds current great authors, yet none of them spark me. When I picked up this book it was only because I had heard great things about the film. I never expected to be found in a whirlwind of emotions and feelings I'd never felt. This book stirs such dreadful excitement towards love and a depressing empathy for inevitable change.

Does this book start out slow-moving or do I lack the experience of truly falling for another person so much so that it leads to worship; do I not understand the agonizing phenomenon that is slowly falling in love? While reading I found many descriptions and dialogue pertaining to my own thoughts and emotions. However, as I continued to read I found that the desire and despair I feel cannot compare to that of Elios for Oliver or vice versa. I have not experienced much of what this book incites and so it was difficult for me to finish without completely altering my view on romance and relationships. I was left feeling empty, hopeless, lifeless even. I felt as though I was missing a necessary maturity to rightly interpret the sentiments of this novel.

“Twenty years was yesterday, and yesterday was just earlier this morning, and morning seemed light-years away.” 

Elio is just 17 yet carries more exposure to life than me. He falls so deeply for his father's house guest, a 24-year-old Oliver. Oliver's nonchalant attitude came off unpleasant and his disregard for the outcome of his actions left me discouraged, though his bright side shines through his development.  He was sly but nonetheless apprehensive as the novel reads. Elio expresses his desire for the older man in illuminating means, painting a vibrant picture of how we view those we hold close. Elio longs to caress the pure skin of Oliver's arms; he longs for intimacy on a different level from what he has known. This forceful desire fuels his unexpected and bold actions to turn his fantasies into existence. Once Elio gets what he is craving, he is flooded in a wave of regret for destroying what beautiful and sustained longing he once had; everything had changed from here. He struggles to understand this transition in their relationship; deciding whether or not and how to step back from his hastily made decision to fulfill his ever growing appetite. Despite their newfound intimate relationship they make it a point to let their friendship continue growing. They conceive beautiful memories that each would hold onto long into their lives. Knowing their intimate relationship would remain ephemeral, the men soon realized the reality of fleeting time. Time continues to move forward, the present will soon be in the past. Nothing is truly permanent in our unforgiving world despite how deeply we deny it. Be that as it may, these moments from parallel lives can be relived through memories of past youth.

Amidst the homoerotic plot line underlies an unavoidable truth. Despite the glimmer of hope that memories forever hold a portal to the past, the overall conclusion that time is forever slipping beneath us is a scary one. To put it simply, this book made me depressed. I want to avoid engrossing myself in the idea that one day I will no longer live the life I do now. I fear the future when I fall so hard in love only to have it torn from me by the wrath of time itself.

“Over the years I'd lodged him in the permanent past, my pluperfect lover, put him on ice, stuffed him with memories and mothballs like a hunted ornament confabulating with the ghost of all my evenings. I'd dust him off from time to time and then put him back on the mantelpiece. He no longer belonged to earth or to life. All I was likely to discover at this point wasn't just how distant were the paths we'd taken, it was the measure of loss that was going to strike me--a loss I didn't mind thinking about in abstract terms but which would hurt when stared at in the face, the way nostalgia hurts long after we've stopped thinking of things we lost and may never have cared for.” 

The depression I felt from this book was not a bad emotion to experience. I gained a better understanding and outlook on life and love. Though most of the book was full of unrequited yearning or instant regret from unraveling a familiar emotion, it was a great look at understanding youth and momentary joy while scratching the surface on the importance of friendship within an intimate relationship, and diving into the uneasiness of the past and future.

"Time makes us sentimental. Perhaps, in the end, it is because of time that we suffer."

I'd love to hear any other opinions or reviews on this book!

Indiana Grace

NYC Haul (kpop and manga!)

I live about an hour and a half outside of New York City and so I visit often. Every time I go, I splurge on Japanese manga and Korean CD's. My two favorite stores are Koryo Books, a Korean bookstore with a large K-pop section, located on 32nd between Broadway and 5th; and Kinokuniya, a three story Japanese bookstore, located on the corner of 6th and 41st. Kinokuniya does have an online store as well if you are interested. I would also recommend getting a membership if you purchase a lot of manga like me! I could spend a solid four hours in both of these stores (mainly because Kino has a bomb caramel latte). Needless to say, I spent a lot of money on this trip. I'll share with you what I purchased in case you need some manga recommendations or new groups to stan!

I figured I should go to the Koryo first since I already knew what I wanted to purchase. I am a K-pop fan, however there are only two groups that I really follow. VIXX is my all time number one group and Day 6 is a close second in my heart. These are the only two groups that I listen to regularly. Not to mention my bedroom is plastered in posters of the two. I have been waiting to purchase the newest VIXX LR album, Whisper. VIXX LR is the sub-unit of VIXX featuring rapper Ravi and singer Leo (and what do you know, my two favorites in the group). In August of 2017 they released their 2nd album including four new songs and an instrumental. My personal favorite song on this album would probably be Chocolatier, but they're all great songs. The album came with a photo book, Leo and Ravi stickers, a transparent Leo photo card, and two transparent cards (one red, and one blue). The red and blue cards are to be used on a few of the photos in the book. I think this is a really neat and new feature to an albums photo book! Though It would've been cool if there were a few more red and blue photos. I kind of wish the photo card wasn't transparent as well because you can only really see it up against a solid background, but Leo looks adorable as always. If you're interested in getting a VIXX album or VIXX LR album, I would recommend VIXX LR's first album, Beautiful Liar, and VIXX's most recent album, Shangri-La.

The second album I bought was the newest Day 6 album, Moon Rise. Day 6 released a new song every month in 2017 and put each song onto two separate albums. Sun Rise was the first album released in June, and Moon Rise was the second half released in December. This album has eighteen songs, of which Hi Hello and All Alone are my favorites. Day 6 has four albums all together since their debut in 2015. I own three out of four albums and they're definitely some of my favorite CD's that I own. This specific album came with a poster of Young K, a photo book, two bookmark style cards of Jae and Dowoon, several transparent cards featuring each member, and a large fold out of all five members. I really love all of the effort that is put into Day 6 albums. The boys truly do work so hard for their fans and put out so much creative content. I was very happy to see all the goodies included with the album, though I wish I got a Sungjin poster! I always like the transparent cards of each individual member that come together to form one image when overlapped. They had similar cards in their Daydream album. You could buy any Day 6 album and you would not be disappointed at all I promise.  Though my favorite of theirs might be this one! I hope this band grows an even stronger fan base as they deserve the world for all they do. I also heard they will be doing a lot more this year and releasing even more music! 

I have been reading a lot of manga lately (other than yaoi). I also recently got a membership at Kinokuniya which is $25 a year. This membership gets me 10% off most items (which isn't a lot but it lets me justify buying 10+ manga at a time) and a $10 gift card for every $300 you spend (which is essentially like a free manga). I purchased eight manga volumes for myself and decided it wasn't enough so I went back the next day and bought five more. I bought some sequels to series I have started collecting and also some new series that I've heard good things about or that looked interesting. This is my biggest manga haul ever, and I'm super excited to read them all!

My number one priority was to complete my collection of Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. This manga is one of my favorites and I'm glad I own all four volumes now. I recommend this manga to literally everyone: young, old, male, female. I think this is a manga that anyone would enjoy. It is effortlessly hilarious. It is also a super quick read with only four volumes in the entire series (though I wish there was more). There is also an anime based on this series, If you're not a manga fan. If you are going to read any of the manga I mention here, please let it be this one because I know you will enjoy it! 

I also purchased nichijou volumes 5 and 6. I need three more volumes to complete the series and I thought about purchasing them but I figured 13 manga volumes was enough for one trip. nichijou also has an anime which is how I found out about this series. The comedy in this manga is very different from Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. It is very random humor and it often doesn't make sense to me. This isn't one of my favorites but I still enjoy reading it. I think the anime is more enjoyable as it makes it easier to understand some of the jokes. And so I would probably recommend the anime before I recommend the manga.  

I have a few random volumes of Boku No Hero Academia in Japanese. I read this series online and so I haven't purchased any English volumes, however, I have purchased some in Japanese with my favorite scenes. I've been waiting for Volume 11 to come out in English but I couldn't wait any longer and just decided to purchase the Japanese version. This volume includes the scene when all the students are displaying their new dorm rooms. This is such a cute scene; I love it so much I wanted it on my shelf!

Now onto the new manga! I have heard a lot about Bungo Stray Dogs and so I decided to purchase volume one and see what all the hype was about. Supposedly, it is about an orphan who stops someone from committing suicide. Other than what is on the back of the book, I have no idea what this series is about but I am excited to give it a try. I also found A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School, which I thought might be good as it reminded me a bit of Hoozuki no Reitetsu. This manga is the first volume as it only just started being released in English in December. I am a big fan of comedy around hell and demons. I haven't heard anything about this manga but I have a feeling I will enjoy it! 

Kiss Him, Not Me! is a manga that I've been wanting to read for a while now. As a serious fujoshi, I know I will enjoy this series. I have also just learned there is an anime following the manga! This series is about a girl who wishes the boys surrounding her would form relationships with each other instead of crushing on her. I bought the first two volumes because I knew I would enjoy it. I have read a few different yaoi manga's by the same author, Junko. Some of my favorites include Conveni-Kun, Kimi Note, Kasa no Shita, Futari, and Recipe no Ouji-sama. Junko's art style is very cute and unique as I remembered seeing it before. I have high hopes for this manga!

Now onto the yaoi! My favorite genre of manga! I have shamelessly purchased four different yaoi volumes. The English yaoi section at Kinokuniya is actually very small and disappointing as there is probably less than 20 different series within the genre. With not much to choose from I purchased three different series. I wanted to try something new so I went with Awkward Silence. The plot to this yaoi seems like it will be very cute so I bought volumes 1 and 2, I almost bought volume 3 as well but once again I figured 13 manga might be enough. If I enjoy this manga enough I could always read the rest online. A lot of the yaoi at Kinokuniya is somewhat older looking in terms of art, but this one looked like a more recent one so I decided to give it a shot. (I just looked this yaoi up on myanimelist.net and apparently I have read it before, so much for trying something new! However, I did rate it a 9 out of 10 so that's good at least).

I also purchased Jackass! which is a yaoi I have seen a lot of recently and have been meaning to read. I was excited to see it at the store but disappointed that they only had one volume. I have read this volume already and will definitely be reading the rest online. It follows two best friends who fall for eachother due to a secret kink for legs in black tights. It also features their friend and his relationship with the school nurse. I really enjoyed this volume! Plus, the art style is very clean and nice to read. I also purchased Hidoku Shinaide: Akira Takanashi's Story. This completes my set of currently published volumes of Hidoku Shinaide (my favorite yaoi on earth).  This includes six volumes of the main story, and two volumes of bonus chapters and Akira's side story. I love this yaoi so much and I was so happy to see this one on the shelf. Akira is such a cute character and although I have already read every published chapter (currently up to Volume 7) I love having my favorite series in my collection!

Have you purchase/read any manga recently? Which would you recommend? What K-pop groups do you stan and what albums do you own?

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed and found a new K-pop group you'd like to listen to or found a new manga you're looking forward to reading!

Indiana Grace

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2018 Yaoi Challenge! (+Review)

I have been reading yaoi for years now and it brings me so much joy its crazy. I have read a large share of yaoi/BL manga as I read one or two every day. Recently, in an attempt to explore different subgenres within the yaoi genre, I have been asking friends to pick one at random for me to read. This way, I avoid judging the story by its cover or its art. By doing this, I have found so much manga that I truly enjoyed reading but probably would not have read otherwise. However, I did find myself leaving many unfinished, which I don't necessarily want to do. So, I have decided to read every yaoi in numerical/alphabetical order. My go-to yaoi reader is mangago.me; On this site, there are almost 6,000 listed yaoi manga, so I have a lot of reading ahead of me. I started reading from the top of the list last week, and have completed 7 out of 5,918 yaoi manga; I have finished the numerical series of yaoi where I found some pretty bad stories and one beautiful gem.

That beautiful gem would be 1999 Shanghai. I was hesitant to start this manga as the art looked older and there were so many chapters. The comments/ratings for this manga were pretty high yet everyone said it was extremely sad; which isn't necessarily my favorite. Setona Mizushiro has illustrated this tragic love story in four volumes. The story follows two men who meet by chance one night in Shanghai. They later learn they are from opposing gangs, Xianglongji gang and Toulon gang. The men begin to share feelings for eachother developing a romantic relationship that must be kept secret from their gangs. Dawu, of Toulon gang, is a younger boy with an innocent aura, however, as the son of a drug lord he does possessive an aggressive and murderous side to himself which reveals itself as the story progresses. Dawu is surrounded by the struggles of others, including an unrequited love from another Toulon member which ultimately tears the gang apart. Xiaoxue, of Xianglongji gang, is strong but hesitant of everything as he was orphaned as a child and raped by his adoptive father. Xiaoxue struggles to deal with his loneliness and uses his childhood friend to fill the empty space in his life. Personally, I am not a fan of gang stories, yet this one had a more prominent forbidden love and didn't focus so much on the gangs themselves, though the parts that did focus on the gang rivalry were interesting and well executed. This story is so beautiful yet tragic as it is a twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet tale.

If anyone has been reading this genre for a while, I recommend doing this challenge as well. However, if you are new to yaoi, it might be best to avoid the horrible manga's like 01 Monkey. I would definitely recommend 1999 Shanghai for new and old yaoi readers, and please don't be put off by the older art style!

Indiana Grace

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BL Web-Comics You Should Read!

As a long time BL manga reader, I was surprised to see the growing popularity of web-comics or manhwa. However, it wasn't difficult to jump on the bandwagon and throw every paycheck away on Lezhin. That's right, I spend real life money on yaoi, pretty sad. I have read my fair share of web-comics so I'd like to share some of my favorites! If you like one of these you might not necessarily like another, they're all very different; featuring different art styles and genres. Yet I encourage you to give at least one a chance! 

FOOLS Let's start out strong with this amazingly adorable story. Fools follows the blossoming romance of Eungi and Jeongwoo. Although the story may seem to be progressing slowly, it makes the plot seem more realistic. It is refreshing to see ordinary characters and the natural progression in their relationship. This manhwa is not at all heavily sexual and focuses mainly on the romantic relationship. Jeongwoo and Eungi are dealing with their own backstories including exes and self acceptance, while realizing they have feelings for one another. My favorite part of this manhwa is the unique art style. Eungi is always seen wearing something turquoise while Jeongwoo wears yellow. This little detail makes this manhwa so much more unique! This web-comic will bring you so much happiness. You can read this Fools by Young Ha and Park Dam on Comica!

CURIOUS RECIPE Curious Recipe pursues the story of Junghyuk reuniting with his (secret) childhood love, Taesu.  Taesu is shocked to find his childhood friend has moved next door and claims to be in love with him. Junghyuk does his best to make Taesu fall for him through his baked sweets and kind heart. As the story continues, more obstacles separate the two yet inevitably bring them closer together. There is one psychotic character, yet I wouldn't classify the comic as psychological, It is more of a slice of life/romance story in my opinion. The art in this manhwa isn't overly exciting and I feel like the story is very fast paced, however, it is still a cute comic with well developed characters. This is a good read if you're in between a larger/more dramatic manga or comic. You can read Curious Recipe by Com on TappyToon!

ROOMMATES I'm sure your looking at this like, "What, Indiana? This comic looks like shit." BUT! trust me when I say this is one of my favorite web-comics on this list. The characters in this story are beyond adorable. There is one main story line: Jinwoo and Kisub. There is also a side story that is more relevant later in the comic: Inho and Ray. If you look past the simple art style, you will find a heartwarming story of self acceptance and courage. Jinwoo loves Kisub and Kisub loves Jinwoo, though it is a secret from one another. They struggle to find a balance between their friendship and their feelings. Inho and Ray have a past and after reuniting five years since they last saw one another, Ray has to deal with accepting himself and his feelings. The stories are heartfelt and the art truly grows on you as you keep reading. You can read Roommates by Young Seok on Spottoon!

A MAN LIKE YOU This is one of the more well known comics on this list. A Man Like You starts with Kang Jinha and Go Siwon, long lost childhood friends, meeting in their dreams. The memories of their past start to flood back and Kang Jinha admits his longing for Siwon. The story follows Siwon falling for Kang Jinha. Many troublesome things occur in this story; kidnapping, bullying, and unrequited love. This comic also has a bit of a supernatural side as Kang Jinha and Siwon are able to control and meet in their dreams using a magical stone. The overall story is a romantic one although it is continuing to get more dramatic as new chapters come out. The art in this web-comic is cute, nothing too special in my opinion but it is nice to look at, and you can see the improvement and change in the art as the story continues. You can read A Man Like You by Waje on Lezhin!

STAR X FANBOY This is another comic with a simple art style that might turn you away at first. However, this web-comic is a lighthearted shounen ai with a sweet story line. Fanboy is a theater major who is looking for a C-bot (basically like role playing on twitter?) of his favorite actor, Star. What Fanboy doesn't know is that his C-bot of Star is actually the real Star! Star is a cool and confident character while Fanboy is a shy and loving boy. Together, these two encourage each other and make good memories. From here blossoms the friendship and possible romance between an actor and his number one fan. New chapters of this comic come out twice a week so hopefully the story will progress quickly, as I cant wait to see these two act all lovey dovey. You can read Star x Fanboy by Kim Cheomji on Lezhin!

RAISING A BAT Ask me which comic I enjoyed reading the most and I'd say this one. Raising A Bat is the most heartwarming and loving story I have ever read. ChunSam is a vampire who needs blood  and MinGyum has too much blood so when their paths cross it is a perfect match. This story deals with serious subjects of abuse, neglect, suicide, and self harm. MinGyum had a difficult upbringing but finds solace in ChunSam and his family. So much happens as this story progresses, there's like seven different sub-stories within ChunSam and MinGyums relationship. The art is so beautiful and the story is so dramatic that I think anyone who reads this comic will fall in love with its complex characters and well developed plots. Don't be put off if you're not a fan of vampire stories as it's not a huge part of the story. You can read Raising A Bat by Jade on Foxtoon! 

HEAVEN & HELL ROMAN COMPANY Talk about a pretty comic. The art is beautiful, the colors are vibrant, the story is unique, and the characters are dynamic. H&HRC takes place in the offices between Heaven and Hell and follows the romance of Rum and Ginger, childhood friends. Yet my favorite story is the growing relationship between Mananan and Mr. Monday, an angel and a demon from two completely different worlds, falling in love. Their chemistry is obvious and they're both great characters dealing with their own issues. Both sets of relationships are very well developed and are displayed so beautifully in this clean art style. I recommend this to readers who enjoy supernatural sort of stories. You can read H&HRC by Mum on Lezhin!

MAKE ME BARK First of all, this is the most NSFW comic I've mentioned so far. This is also one of the most recently released comics. Sungjoon's life is crumbling before his eyes as his new apartment burns to the ground. He calls the only person he knows who lives in the city, Lee HyoIn. He moves in with HyoIn only to learn that he is not only Gay but into pet play. Sungjoon becomes HyoIn's dog and unexpectedly falls for him. The story also features another couple who intertwine as the semes of each couple and ukes of each are friends. The art style has too many shapes and too many textures; everything looks shiny and everyone has curvy bodies but the sharpest jaws. Though the art isn't the most appealing to me, I think the story itself can peak your interests. You can read Make Me Bark by Sagold on Lezhin!

THE BAKER ON THE FIRST FLOOR An underrated comic in my opinion is this one, The Baker on The First Floor. This comic follows Sun Hwa, a BL artist, and his new neighbor, the handsome blonde baker downstairs. Sun Hwa deals with self acceptance as he struggles to get over past relationships of his own and his partner. The only downside to this comic is the endless amount of flashbacks. I almost wanted to give up on this one because I was so tired of flashbacks. However, hold out and finish reading because the side stories are the cutest! I believe the art is unique and easy to look at as well. You can read The Baker on the First Floor by GyaGa on Lezhin!

19 DAYS Woah, talk about a beautiful art style. I love this comic and Old Xian with all my heart. Childhood friends falling in love mixed with stories of youth and friendships all wrapped up in a comedic bow. This web-comic features two couples, Jian Yi/Zheng Xi and  He Tian/Mo Guanshan. My personal favorite is the slowly developing romance between Mo and He Tian. Mo is a somewhat rebellious and misunderstood guy who happens to meet He Tian, the tough guy with a soft side. The interactions between these two are so funny and enjoyable to read. In more recent chapters, we can see more serious backstories, helping to further develop each unique character. The chapters are extremely short and so waiting for the next is excruciating, but I will wait for Momo and He Tian if I really have to. I would honestly recommend this web-comic to anyone and everyone, I truly love it so much. If you like this one try Mosspaca Advertising Department as well! You can read 19 Days on Old Xian's Weibo!

KILLING STALKING Trigger warning right off the bat. This story is a psychological thriller with a bit of BL. Yoonbum is in love with Sangwoo, who doesn't even know he exists. After stalking Sangwoo, Bum finally breaks into his home to learn that Sangwoo is a murderer. Despite his murderous intent, Sangwoo keeps Bum around as he reminds him of his mother. Bum is forever in love with Sangwoo despite how he is treated. I'm sure if you've heard of any of these I have mentioned, Killing Stalking was one of them. This comic gets better and better as it updates, and I am so excited to see how the plot progresses. I am not a fan of horror in any way, shape, or form. However, I thoroughly enjoy reading this story and discussing theories for each chapter. This comic does feature some BL but it should not be the main focus of the story, so I think anyone will enjoy this web-comic; though, don't read if you don't want to see stories of murder, self-harm, or rape. You can read Killing Stalking by Koogi on Lezhin!




These were some of my favorite BL web-comics, or just some comics I think everyone should give a try! I'm excited to read more web-comics and branch a bit further outside my Japanese manga comfort zone. If you have any comics to recommend, or if you have read any of these, please let me know! I love discussing manga and comics! Please, give some of these a try and I am sure you will find something you love.

Indiana Grace 

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