Representations: https://trello.com/c/eKmvl9Zc/138-the-new-seoul-park-jelly-massacre-by-cho-yeeun I have no idea what I just read but it was certainly one of those "it wasn't fun but it was great" books. That was one hell of a ride 😂 Characters are probably the most solid part of the book (lmao), with a really cool range. I wont dive into it much, but it's a really good use of multiple POV and despite switching a ton it doesn't really get that confusing at all. Characters were also unique enough that traits, writing style and vague memories were enough for me to instantly recognise. If you've read this already, you know which part I mean. Plot is a bit wishy-washy. It's not properly explained, like, any of it tbh. It's very much open ended and not really anything is answered. But that also doesn't feel that bad honestly. There's enough of a structure there that it doesn't just feel like random events, it's all very carefully connected and it's genuinely really wonderful to piece it all together slowly.

Representations: https://trello.com/c/3MvHvYk1/137-mermaids-diary-by-chris-riddell Incredible art as always, Chris Riddell always hits hard with that. It's just art gallery level art on basically every single page??? So many full pages and even double page spreads too. Stunning, love it so much. So much detail! Characters, there were too many so most only had surface-level traits tbh, but that didn't really impact that much overall. Plot is pretty simple with very obvious morals, but good ones. Very very fun references and jokes about "human" things, certainly could easily date this book in the future but honestly it's nothing that out there like I've seen in some other books - these are just very fun even for adults 😄

Got me out of a 2 month reading burn out Incredible. The translation note about Hikaru's name at the end is exactly why I want to learn Japanese