Mari's Reading Nook

When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

Pages: 336 Published: 25 March 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

John Scalzi is a madman, and I love his sense of humor. What IF the moon was cheese? That’s the question at the heart of this book, and somehow, Scalzi manages to take this absurd premise and turn it into something hilarious and weirdly touching.

From the moment I saw the title, I had the song stuck in my head—and sure enough, Scalzi acknowledges it right away. That’s what I love about his writing: he knows exactly what you’re thinking and is already in on the joke. But don’t let the absurdity fool you; behind all the cheese (literal and figurative), there’s a really good story. I went in blind, knowing nothing about the plot, just trusting Scalzi to deliver. And he did. The book is a wild mix of satire, ridiculous science and unexpectedly endearing characters.

The structure works surprisingly well. Each chapter jumps between different characters, but it never feels confusing. Clyde, Dave, and Alton, the retirees at the café, were instant favorites. Vera and the senator made me laugh so hard. And then there’s Jody. Oh my god, Jody. He’s giving Elon Musk energy—no, scratch that, he IS Elon Musk (yes I know Elon is an actually character in the book but still, Jody is him, down to his awkward little dance) A billionaire with no actual genius, just the ability to buy other people’s work (with money he doesn’t even have). His entire existence filled me with rage, and I loved every second of hating him. If Don’t Look Up made you foam at the mouth, this will too.

The humor is spot on. Scalzi’s characters are always so quick-witted, and the absurdity of the premise is balanced by characters who feel real. Of course the rich are going to eat the moon cheese. Of course people break into song at the worst possible moment. The sheer audacity of the Imagine scene? I was cackling.

But then things take a turn. What starts as a goofy, satirical adventure slowly becomes apocalyptic, and suddenly, my anxiety skyrocketed. The existential dread crept in, and for a while, I wasn’t sure if Scalzi was going to let the world burn. I won’t spoil it but the way it all resolves is deeply satisfying. Some of the emotional moments, like Jackie and Ian’s story, even made me tear up.

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

Pages: 320 Published: 27 May 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of those books that starts off a bit chaotic but quickly pulls you into its fun, lighthearted energy. At first, it feels like the story isn’t taking itself seriously at all—the character names are ridiculous (in a hilarious way), and Jasper, the love interest, feels like he walked straight out of a cartoon. But as the story progresses, you settle into the vibe and just go with it.

It’s a super fast-paced book, the kind you end up reading in one sitting. The plot revolves around Charlie, a trans teenager, and his involvement in a love letter mystery (which is such a classic teenage priority, making it even more believable and funny). The way Charlie’s identity is handled is done with a lot of care and respect, and it feels really true to how a 15-year-old would experience those emotions and struggles.

The side characters are definitely a highlight—Delilah, Xavier, Blaze, and Luis all add depth to the story, and I especially liked the reconciliation moments between Charlie and some of them, including his mom and Delilah. And then there’s Jasper, who at first seemed way too over-the-top to be a serious love interest, but as the book goes on, his motivations become clearer, and you get to know him better—turns out, he’s actually really sweet.

Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Slamet Ries

Pages: 288 Published: 4 March 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hello??!! This was incredible! Hands down my favorite read of the year so far. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ahead of time!

The characters are so well-developed, and the worldbuilding is insanely good. I had never heard of solarpunk before, but this book made me fall in love with it instantly. A futuristic society where money doesn’t exist, where healthcare, food, and housing are provided, but everyone still contributes? Sign me up. The little worldbuilding details—like everyone having a garden to help with the food supply or Oberon’s mom casually mentioning, “I know you’re old enough to be assigned your own apartment”—made everything feel so natural. The way worldbuilding is handled is chef’s kiss—not through heavy exposition, but by letting the reader experience how everything works as the story unfolds. It’s the perfect example of show, don’t tell.

Reading this was incredibly immersive. It’s a medium-paced story, which really suited the world and themes. I was so absorbed that when I finished, it felt like coming up for air—like suddenly remembering the real world existed.

I loved Oberon’s relationship with his sister, even the moments of conflict between them. It felt raw and real, just like the rest of the characters. The book never falls into the trap of making everyone perfectly enlightened just because they live in a utopia—people still make mistakes, say the wrong thing, and grow from it. It made everything feel lived in.

One of my favorite details was Oberon’s tattoo honoring past trans men—such a beautiful touch. The dream sequences were also a highlight; they were gorgeous and genuinely felt like slipping into a dream.

On top of all that, the plot itself was super engaging. I was completely invested from start to finish.

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood

Pages: 196 Published: 9 Nov 2022 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

First of all, thank you to NetGalley for the arc, I really wanted to read this one!

This hit me in a way few books do. From the first page, it pulls you in with its rawness—self-referential, deeply personal, and visually striking. It’s really unlike anything else. I was only a few pages in and I all could think was "ooh, good start."

The book is painfully relatable (and I know the author would hate me for saying that), especially in how it captures isolation and depression. At times, it felt almost too real, Thorogood is not just telling a story; she dissects her own existence, questioning the act of storytelling itself, in a really brilliant way. The meta aspect is so well done—it’s chaotic, clever, and incredibly immersive. It's a constant 4th wall break that keeps inviting you in.

More than anything, this book is about the act of creating as a means of survival—something I deeply understand. People always assume that if you create, you should be making money from it, but they don’t get that sometimes, art isn’t about productivity. The act of creating is the reward. It’s life-saving.

And I knew her art looked familiar—she’s the artist behind Rain! Her style here is even more experimental, shifting between different aesthetics to reflect her state of mind. You're being taken on a journey, and it's so good. It’s an emotional roller-coaster, and her ability to blend humor, pain, and existential dread is something else.

There’s a moment where she talks about loneliness making you self-obsessed, not out of narcissism, but because you become the only thing in your world. The book is full of these insights, little gut-punches wrapped in dark humor and beautiful art. And then there’s the thought of “would I fuck my clone” in the middle of an existential crisis about not feeling like a real person— brilliant tbh.

Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne

Pages: 367 Published: 7 Jan 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I picked up this book purely because of its gorgeous cover, and I appreciated the nod in the title to The Classic of Mountains and Seas, the famous book of Chinese mythology. Unfortunately, the content didn’t live up to the aesthetics.

One of my biggest struggles with this book was the constant jumping between multiple timelines and perspectives. It was difficult to keep track of who was who, and I found myself needing to take notes just to follow along. For some reason, I kept confusing Iris’ and Nivi’s mother, which didn’t help. The pacing was also odd—while the story moved quickly, it somehow still felt like it dragged, and by the time things finally picked up, the resolution was rushed. In this case, I didn’t mind much because, honestly, I just wanted the book to be over.

Another major issue was the writing style. The internal monologues felt overly simplistic, and the way information was dumped onto the reader without much cohesion made it hard to stay engaged. The book constantly jumped between points of view, throwing fact after fact at you, but without any real connection or emotional depth. Despite being a mystery, there was little actual suspense—I felt like I already knew everything that was going to happen.

And then there were the characters. I didn’t connect with a single one. They all felt flat, and I never really cared what happened to them. For a book that should have been filled with intrigue and depth, it was just… dull.

The History of Everything by Victoria Evans

Pages: 240 Published: 18 Feb 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The story follows two best friends, Agnes and Daisy, trying to navigate their summer together, but things get complicated when Daisy starts spending more time with her boyfriend, Noah. From early on, I could tell this was going to be one of those plots where a friend prioritizes their romantic relationship over their friendship, and honestly, it’s not my favorite trope. It’s frustrating to watch someone disregard their friends just because they’re in a relationship, even if it’s somewhat understandable—she’s a teenager and it’s her first boyfriend. Also, Agnes never really expresses her feelings clearly, which makes it harder for Daisy to realize she’s hurting her—but at the same time, Daisy should’ve just known. Friends shouldn’t have to spell it out for you to stop neglecting them.

That said, the friendship between Agnes and Daisy felt very realistic. Their dynamic, the misunderstandings, and the emotions all rang true, even if it annoyed me. Noah, surprisingly, was a decent character—he didn’t fall into the usual annoying boyfriend category, which was a nice change. I also really liked Agnes’s mother and their relationship; it added a grounded, heartfelt element to the story.

I liked the character design, the art was great overall—Agnes’ room in particular, I loved her room.

In the end, I was happy that things worked out, but this kind of plot just isn’t for me.

Crave by Maria Llovet

Pages: 176 Published: 1 Oct 2024 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maria Llovet’s Crave follows the sudden appearance of a mysterious app on everyone’s phone at a university campus. The app promises to give you what you "crave", though no one knows where it came from or how it works. Within a few hours, chaos erupts—violence, sex, and everything in between take over as people seemingly submit to their deepest desires without hesitation.

I liked the illustrations - Llovet has a very specific and identifiable art style - and the minimal dialogue let the art speak for itself. The story is incredibly fast-paced, making it a gripping read but it's also over before you know it. While some aspects may seem far-fetched, the way AI is taking over our society at the moment, maybe it's not that far. However, I found it unrealistic how quickly everyone succumbed to public displays of sex and chaos. People don’t work like that—shame and social stigma would stop them. Still, I was able to suspend my disbelief for the sake of the story’s chaotic momentum.

Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer

Pages: 368 Published: 25 April 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Saint Catherine is a beautifully illustrated and emotionally intense graphic novel that explores religious guilt, personal identity, and the struggle to define one's own morality. The story follows Catherine, a young woman raised Catholic, who moves to the city but continues going to church every Sunday out of fear that something bad will happen if she doesn’t. When she finally skips a service to spend time with her boyfriend, her worst fears come true—she is possessed by a demon. As she spirals, trying to get rid of any evil and be a "good person," she begins unraveling her own life, pushing away the people who care about her.

This book is both stressful and cathartic. If you grew up around Catholicism, it stirs something in you because of how accurately it portrays what it’s like to be raised in that environment—how stifling, punitive, and guilt-driven it can be. The story captures the weight of religious fear and self-denial so well that it’s impossible to feel indifferent while reading. Honestly, it just reminded me how much I hated growing up like that.

Catherine’s relationships add so much depth! Her dynamic with her boyfriend is refreshingly mature, even in how it ends—something rarely seen in fiction (for me at least). Her friendships feel just as real, and the side characters are complex and multidimensional. The art style and soft color palette contrast beautifully with the novel’s heavy themes, making the reading experience even more impactful. The small, quiet moments—like Catherine’s father avoiding family conflict or her mother giving her a Bible at the end and her choosing to take it—show just how complex and nuanced relationships can be. Sometimes there’s no resolution but you still love each other.

Confession by Kaiji Kawaguchi, Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Pages: 312 Published: 17 Dec 2024 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

Pages: 340 Published: 5 July 2002 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Loved it ❤️ I didn’t love every story, but I loved the experience of reading this book. Not only because it was a gift from my friends, who annotated the book with their comments, but also because Ted Chiang’s mind is something extraordinary. He has a way of thinking that makes his stories completely unique, and when I realized they were written in the late ‘90s, everything made even more sense (since they obviously inspired authors who came after him).

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid

Pages: 336 Published: 4 March 2025 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for the early copy of this book!

Home Ice Advantage by Ari Baran

Pages: 341 Published: 16 July 2024 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ari Baran never disappoints, man. They had me with game misconduct and instantly became one of those authors I automatically preorder whatever they publish. Please never stop writing about your screwed-up little guys and their stories ❤️

I was delighted when I realized both mcs were in their forties (yesss👏 let old men fuck 👏) and even happier when it turned out they were both bi. And neither of them being necessarily conventionally attractive was also fun.

I gotta admit that the beginning wasn’t really grabbing me. Ari is always heavy with the hockey part, which I love, but something about the characters wasn’t pulling me. But THEN, idk what happened but I couldn’t stop reading, I was obsessed with these two idiots. Sully is so damn earnest!! Eric is so funny!! I didn’t love how they got together but I loved the progression of their relationship. The conflict was enough to get me hooked but not too much that it made me roll my eyes and want to quit. Just the right amount of pining and mutual respect. Sully’s dumb role plays had me laughing out loud (just as fondly as Eric probably tbh). Their dynamic was so much fun and the shit they said to each other was really entertaining.

I liked the ending. Most books I’ve read recently had really disappointing endings but this one was good. But was it great? Hmm. I loved the way it ended but I wanted a little more I think.

The White and Blue Between Us by Kiyuhiko

Til Death Do Us Bard

Pages: 365 Published: 21 Nov 2023 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The main reason for wanting to read this was the title. From the moment I saw it and then read the blurb, I got obsessed with getting my hands on this book. I pre-ordered it (it only comes out in late November) and then NetGalley sent me an early copy in exchange for an honest review and I almost screamed. Yes!!!!! My expectations were high: I wanted that cozy feeling I got from Legends & Lattes and I was so ready to devour it the moment I got it.

What you need to know: There's a gruff ex adventurer married to a tall skinny bard that have old married couple banter even though they've been married for less than a year. The bard disappears one night and the adventurer will not rest until he has his husband back. They meet a full cast of characters in their journey and discover villains way scarier than they predicted.

My first thought when I started reading was that I was not loving the writing style but that it was probably because I had such great expectations. And then I thought "I would love to see this in graphic novel form because the visuals are great" and I kept feeling it all throughout the book. The plot is very interesting, and I loved the whole ex-wife vs new husband dynamic, I loved the countess and Pie and Gary, but it all went by so fast. I think I've never read something so fast paced. It was just action, action, action, which just cements my thought that it would be a great graphic novel. In this format (novel), I would've liked to see a bit more introspection, more pauses, more focus on the characters and their relationships, their feelings. I also think the formatting of the file I got didn't help since it made it seem even more jumbled. But yeah, prepare for a fast paced adventure!

How It Unfolds by James S.A. Corey

Pages: 38 Published: 27 Jun 2023 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I bought the entire The Far Reaches series on a whim and so far so good.

This short story is about a man, Roy, who is part of a team of astronauts on a mission to terraform new planets (presumably due to overpopulation). The twist is: they're not being sent into space, their clones are. More specifically, when the mission lands on a new planet it will create a duplicate of the team and everything they need to form a new colony. This way, they can bypass the problem of these journeys often lasting more than a person's lifetime - just synthesize new copies of these people when you get there!

The premise is really cool, and though the science is a bit dubious and not really well explained (how do you duplicate matter using just light?), it works well inside the universe of the story. However, the constant jumping back and forth in the timeline and the different perspectives makes it a bit confusing to follow in the beginning.

For me, I think the format worked, but based on some of the comments I've read, some people definitely did not understand what was going on (one person thought it was always the same character and we were seeing his past and future and not different iterations of the same person lol)

So, yeah, a different format maybe would've given the reader a deeper understanding of this universe, but I think the point of the author was not to write a hard sci-fi story but more of a philosophical exploration of the concept of time and our relationship with the past. Especially since the main focus of the story seems to be Roy's relationship with his ex-wife, Anjula.

In Anjula's words:

“It’s possible to be faithful to something that’s in the past. It’s not a betrayal to build something new when something old is finished.”

and Roy's response:

"Honor the past without living in it"

It’s a story about realizing that just because something ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful while it lasted and also, nothing lasts forever. Things will always end and it's not because they are over that they failed. It does a nice job with the parallelism between Roy and Anjula's story and the fall of past civilizations. And the title was clever, I liked it.

As a personal preference, I think I would've liked this story more if it was more focused on the sci-fi element than Roy's history with Anjula.

For a short story I get why it was written like this, but as a sci-fi nerd, I think I would've liked a longer story starting with (spoiler) the crew arriving in this new planet, trying to parse through all the info coming from the other colonies, some flashbacks from the original Roy, the messages from their descendants, and the whole rigmarole of finally realizing they were on earth but millions of years later. (end of spoiler)

I really liked that final twist but it would be even more satisfying after like 200 pages of build-up. Meaning, I really liked this story but I wanted more of it, I guess.

Murder on the Rockport Limited! by Clint McElroy & Carey Pietsch (Artist)

Pages: 240 Published: 16 Jul 2019 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jungle Juice, Vol. 1 by Hyeong Eun, JUDER

Pages: 304 Published: 19 Sep 2023 My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Content warnings: death, violence

Jungle Juice is a webcomic currently being published on Webtoon and Vol 1. compiles the first 12 episodes of the series. Being an avid webcomic reader for at least half a decade, I was excited to read this one.

The premise of the story is that whoever uses the insecticide "Jungle Juice" to kill a bug is in danger of getting the bug's DNA mixed with their own and becoming a human-insect hybrid. The main character has been hiding his wings for years, thinking he's a freak, when suddenly everything changes and he finds out he's not the only one, joins a human-insect academy and begins his adventure in this new world he didn't know existed.

The art is awesome. I went ahead and the checked the original webcomic for comparison and I really like how it was adapted to the book format, the differences are minimal from what I could see. The characters are also really interesting and you can tell there's still a lot to come. I imagine the story will delve into the side characters back stories and expand on the ways this universe works, which means there's a lot of room for the story to grow.

I've gotta say that having read a lot of webcomics, manga and watched a lot of anime, there wasn't a lot that felt new and distinctive about Jungle Juice to me. Yes, it has an original concept, the whole human-insect thing, but it follows the usual premise of a lot of other shōnen lit - it gave me My Hero Academia vibes, to be honest. Also it seems to suffer a bit from the ever-present exposition syndrome anime and manga have. Sometimes a bit of show, don't tell goes a long way.

That said, I think the fans of the webcomic will love owning this graphic novel and I hope it has a lot of success!