Top 10 Book Boyfriends (or Girlfriends) of 2011

Confessions of a Bookaholic is hosting a Ten Ten event! Today, a look back at the top ten boyfriends/girlfriends of 2011. I’m going to take this to mean characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with… and not necessarily romantic love. But I came away very connected to the character, forgetting he is not real. Because that’s great stuff people.

1. Stark McClellan (aka Stick) of Stick by Andrew Smith: I suppose it’s only logical the protagonist in my favorite book of 2011 is the one I cared for the most.
2. Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger of A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin: Petyr steals the show… and I’m not even sure he’s mentioned in Dragons! He’s a cunning, devious man and I can’t help but love him. He plays the game like a master.
3. Jon Snow of A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin: Being played by the very fine Kit Harington certainly helps, but Jon Snow’s compassionate nature, skill with the sword, and underdog status is enough. He’s a lover and a fighter and he better be back for The Winds of Winter.
4. Will of The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Emporer of Nihon-Ja by Jon Flanagan: I just adore this archer who bumbles a marriage proposal to his girl, Alyss, at the conclusion of this excellent series.
5. Horace of The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Emporer of Nihon-Ja by Jon Flanagan: The perfect counter point for Will. Just so straightforward and honest.
6. Peeta of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins: This poor dude got the shaft. I know Katniss is one tough woman but Peeta is totally dedicated and he just seems to get the short end here, even though, technically, he gets the girl. Again, it helps that he is going to be played by the adorable Josh Hutcherson.
7. Douglas Swieteck of Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt: I worry about this kid’s future and he isn’t real!
8. Han Alister of The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima: Yum.
9. Travis of Bluefish by Pat Schmatz: Just a great character and my heart went with him all the while.
10. Xavier of A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheenan: Another character that proves to be a great man and he really got the shaft!

My all time favorites (and one isn’t even human!): Marcus Flutie (Megan McCafferty), Gen (Megan Whalen Turner), Bartimaeus (Jonathan Stroud), Brigan (Kristin Cashore), and Syaoran (CLAMP).

Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

Confessions of a Bookaholic is hosting a Top 10 of 2011 event. Today, a look back at the top ten book covers of 2011. It is because of their covers (at least in part) that I read these books. Obviously, some these appeal to my feminine sensibilities! Click on the picture to go to my review of the book.

Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi (2011)

Usagi is a normal 14-year-old girl, albeit a little scatter-brained but a fun-loving, video game junkie and all around great friend nonetheless. Until she meets Luna, a black cat with a band-aid on her head. When Usagi (aka Bunny) rescues Luna from some tormentors and removes the band-aid, Luna recognizes her as Sailor Moon, the guardian of the Moon sworn to protect the Moon Princess and help retrieve the Legendary Silver Crystal. Yes, Luna is a talking cat. Dark forces are gathering in Tokyo and Sailor Moon must find the Legendary Silver Crystal before the bad guys do. She has help in the form of Sailor Mercury, aka Amy, a brilliant student and water manipulator.

I adore Sailor Moon. From the moment I saw it on USA Network back in 1996, I was hooked on this strange cartoon. The more I watched (and then read), the more I loved it. It has a complex backstory, endearing characters that mature, and some great romance! I was thrilled to learn it would be retranslated and reprinted in the US of A. And with gorgeous covers! Now, can we please see a more faithful dub of the anime and all 300 episodes subtitled. Please? Anyone? I believe the license is up for grabs!

Personal copy | Kodansha Comics | September 13, 2011 | Ages 9 + | 240 pages | ISBN 978-1935429746 | $10.99 |

Win a Page of Mangaman Art From Colleen Doran!

Are you a Barry Lyga fan? Of course you are! Because he’s excellent! I’m very excited for his next title, Mangaman (currently on order at my library). Would you like a piece of original art? Enter to win.

Children of the Sea: Volume One by Daisuke Igarashi (2009)

As a young girl, Ruka sees a fish turn into light and disappear at the aquarium where her father works, but no one believes her. Years later, the mystery of the ghost of the sea unfolds before Ruka and a pair of mysterious young boys, Umi and Sora. Both boys were raised in the ocean by dugongs and can hear the same strange calls from the sea that Ruka does. After being suspended from her handball team, Ruka becomes caught up in the boys’ world, which seems to ease her feelings of loneliness (Publishers Weekly).

So, Booklist raves about this first installment of the manga series The Children of the Sea but I have to say, I thought it was a little weird. The art is beautiful and it was easy for me to follow, but it is clearly setting the stage for more action.

My manga loves are mostly in the shojo genre, while this falls into the supernatural mystery genre. The character of Sora seemed to be going for enigmatic and aloof, but I just wasn’t feeling it. The manga does have a Miyazaki feel but when the story tried to convince me that Sora and Umi were human, I couldn’t buy in. Perhaps it was that disturbing picture of Umi at the breast of a dugong… I read this for the Garden State Teen Book Award committee but I won’t be fighting for it. I hope someone who reads a lot more manga than me reads and reviews it.

Kobato: Volume 1 by CLAMP (USA: 2010, Japan: 2007)

Ioryogi: KOBATO HANATO!
Kobato: Yes!
Ioryogi: WHAT IS YOUR WISH?
Kobato: There is a place I want to go!
Ioryogi: AND TO THAT END, WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Kobato: I must fill up a ‘bottle’ to the brim with wounded hearts.
Ioryogi: AND BEFORE YOU CAN DO THAT?
Kobato: I must do my best to earn that ‘bottle’.

In true CLAMP fashion, Kobato is a young girl of unknown (definitely other-worldly) origin on a mission. She has all the prerequisites: frilly outfits, talking plush toy-like companion, and super cute personsality.

We don’t know Kobato’s wish but we know that she must use common sense to pass a series of tests determined by every day interactions and judged by Ioryogi, the blue dog featured on the cover. He has fangs, serious flame-thrower breath, a love for sake and cold beer. He’s super critical of Kobato, but also very protective.

Once Kobato accumulates enough points, Ioryogi gives her a glass bottle that she must fill with wounded hearts. To fill it with wounded hearts, she must help cure people of their troubles. This will undoubtably lead to a series of comic and/or heartwarming interactions.

What is Kobato’s wish? Where did she and Ioryogi come from? Who is the handsome man she frequently crosses paths with?

Definitely a manga for Teens, this one will definitely appeal to CLAMP fans.

Card Captor Sakura by CLAMP (1996)

Key that hides forces of darkness, show me your true form! By the covenant, I, Sakura, command you. Release!

Sakura is a normal middle school student – athletic, friendly and poor at math. But her life changes when she finds the Clow book in her father’s library. With inherant magic she didn’t even know she possessed, she awakens the guardian beast, Cerberos, and is assigned the task of collecting the missing Clow cards before they wreak havoc on the world.

Like Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura has all the trappings of mahou shoujo or magical girl manga. Sakura captures cards in extravagant costumes, thanks to her best friend Tomoyo-chan. She has a magic wand and a magical beast to aid her in her quest.

Card Captor excels in its secondary characters: Toya (her older bother), Yukito (brother’s friend and love interest), Tomoyo (best friend), and the group of school girl friends. They are all involved in the story, whether they know about Sakura’s magic or no. Their relationships with each other and Sakura’s maturation are really at the heart of this story.

The anime is equally excellent. It is a shame that Geneon Entertainment allowed the licensing to lapse and the DVDs to go out of print. The manga has been picked up by Dark Horse and will be released in Omnibus format. It is a must have for your Children’s collection.

Publication Date: November 10, 2010

Format: B&W, 576 pages, TPB, 5 3/4″ x 8 1/4″

Price: $19.99

Age range: 12+

ISBN-10: 1-59582-522-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-59582-522-3