juliraa's reviews
25 reviews

101 Moments of Joy and Inspiration by Meredith Gaston

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is a “hug in watercolour” form. Each page is a sweet pause in the day, filled with words that warm the heart and illustrations that feel lovingly painted.

Best, First and Last by Amy T. Matthews

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

I found this book quite sad at times, but one of the characters, Bon, brings a wonderful sense of humor that lightens the story. She adds a touch of fun that makes the emotional moments easier to process.

Amy Matthews explores how deeply the past can shape our present,  how it influences our actions, thoughts, and the way we relate to others. But she also beautifully shows how love, in its many forms, can overcome pain and bring healing.

It’s a true mix of feelings and emotions, a story that’s moving, heartfelt, and unexpectedly funny.

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 05 by Okura

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Volume 5 is powerful in its quiet honesty. Hiroki’s father begins to reflect on his past comments about gay people and realizes that his words, even if unintentional, might have hurt someone, possibly even his own son. It’s a moment of growth, humility, and the beginning of a deeper understanding.

This volume beautifully reinforces the idea that change and acceptance often come through reflection, not confrontation. It shows that support can come in many forms. Sometime, it starts with listening, thinking, and acknowledging one's own mistakes.

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 04 by Okura

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

In this volume, we see Hiroki a little more confident, even though he still stumbles over his words whenever he tries to hide (or reveal) who he really is. His mother remains that silent safe haven… observant, nurturing, and increasingly aware of what’s going on, even without confronting him directly.

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 03 by Okura

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Volume 3 dives a bit deeper and explores the impact of assumptions and stereotypes, especially through Hiroki’s father. It gently touches on how even well-meaning parents can hold onto outdated ideas or make casual jokes that can hurt, without fully realizing it. 💔

The story also brushes on issues like bullying and the way society still treats anything outside the "norm" as something to mock or question.

Despite the heavier themes, the manga keeps its warmth and honesty. It opens space for important conversations while still making you smile. Okura continues to masterfully balance tenderness, humor, and reality in a way that feels incredibly human.

This volume is thoughtful, relevant, and still full of love. Another solid 5 stars!

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 02 by Okura

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

The second volume of I Think Our Son Is Gay touched me even more deeply. It's truly beautiful how the mother tries to support her son, even though she’s not entirely sure about his orientation. She watches over him with love, offers gentle support, and is always there… no pressure, no judgment, just unconditional love.

The story remains light and funny, but it carries a powerful message about acceptance and the quiet strength of a supportive parent. It’s a beautiful reminder that small, loving gestures can make a huge difference in a young person’s life.

Once again, Okura delivers a warm, necessary, and heartfelt story. 

A solid 5 stars from me!

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 01 by Okura

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

I absolutely loved this manga! “I Think Our Son Is Gay” is a heartwarming and hilarious slice-of-life story that handles an important and necessary topic with grace and warmth. 

Okura does a brilliant job capturing the gentle, loving dynamic between a mother who suspects her teenage son is gay and her quiet, unwavering support for him, even if he’s not quite ready to come out.

The humor is subtle and endearing, and the characters feel so real and relatable. I appreciated how the story focuses on acceptance, love, and family in such an easygoing and wholesome way. A must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good manga with depth and purpose. 

Five stars from me! 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

informative mysterious tense slow-paced

4.0

The book starts really strong, with a shocking and interesting story that grabbed my attention right away. But as the story goes on, it focuses more on the book world and how the publishing industry works, instead of the main character’s personal story.

I think the book brings up important topics like racism, cultural identity, and how some people get more chances than others. It’s smart and makes you think, but I didn’t feel very connected to the main character. I wanted to understand her more as a person.

Still, it’s a good and important read, especially if you’re curious about how books are published and how the industry treats different voices. 

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

dark emotional sad slow-paced

5.0

I found Intermezzo really interesting. The story follows two brothers, their family, and their relationships, but it’s mostly about regret, selfishness, and grief.

The relationships in this book are complicated and sometimes confusing. The characters seem lost in their emotions, struggling to understand themselves and each other. There are a lot of unspoken feelings, and their actions often make things worse instead of better.

I liked how Rooney writes about emotions in such a real way. The story made me think about how people hurt each other, sometimes without meaning to. It’s not a happy book, but it’s deep and thought-provoking. If you like stories about complex relationships, you might enjoy this one.

Chatter by Ethan Kross

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I absolutely loved Chatter by Ethan Kross. The way he explores our inner voice and its impact on our emotions, decisions, and overall well-being really resonated with me. It made me reflect on how often I let my inner chatter take over and how I can manage it more effectively.

One of the things I appreciated the most was how Kross emphasised teaching children about their inner voice. I found it fascinating that he developed a project to help kids manage their inner chatter using a toolbox of strategies. It made me realize how important it is to introduce these concepts early, so children can grow up with the tools to handle their thoughts in a healthier way.

I also loved that Kross didn’t just explain the science, but he gave practical tools to help manage negative self-talk. Strategies like distanced self-talk, rituals, and environmental changes were simple yet powerful, and I found myself applying them right away.

This book was insightful, engaging, and incredibly useful. I highly recommend Chatter to anyone who wants to understand and take control of their inner voice. It has already made a difference in how I approach my own thoughts, and I know it will help many others too!