#fustuk

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow - A fantastic fantasy novel about an epic lady knight, a cowardly scholar, and the power of stories. I need to talk about this book with everyone.

As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel - A sapphic romantic fantasy about a witch and a demon who make a Faustian bargain, whose love story is equal levels of intoxicating and beautiful.

Villains are Destined to Die by SUOL (vol 1-8) - An isekai manhwa where a college student becomes the villain in a dating sim and must be ruthless in her journey of survival. Stunning art and a fantastic main character.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - A fantastical, historical, horror novel following three women in different time periods. It's deeply unsettling and weird and magical. Excited to read more by Moreno-Garcia!

Armeveni by Nadine Takvorian - A graphic memoir, that follows not only the author, but how she learns about how her family fled Armenia during the genocide. Stunning art, well-researched and poignant about another part of history that is often erased.

Just One Gift by Linda Sue Park - A very short kids' book about a classroom who have the assignment to think of a gift they would give to someone in their lives' that they have never asked for. I cried like 4 times.

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (vol. 1-4) - A fictional memoir series about a scientist in a fake Victorian(?) England studying dragons throughout her lifetime, with drama in regards to her personal life and world politics. Very fun.

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian - A stunning fantasy graphic novel, pulling from Armenian and Persian mythology about a family making a deal with a demonic creature. Lots of familial tension, gorgeous art, and lots of focus on food.

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by Sonido Reyes - YA contemporary novels following a set of siblings as they struggle with different aspects of their identity. I bawled reading these books and the relationship between Yami and Cesar feels so real.

Out this week: Fustuk (Penguin Workshop, $17.99): 

Robert Mgrdich Apelian weaves together multiple timelines in an inventive, fantastical story of family and food inspired by Armenian and Persian mythology. Katah Fustukian has always felt like the odd one out in his family of chefs. Unlike his older siblings, he is useless in the kitchen and too young to have known their late father, a legendary chef who made a name for himself in the Pars Empire. But with his mom’s illness worsening, Katah hopes that his vision-like dreams are a sign of magic stirring within him, especially after they lead him to Az, a powerful div with some mysterious connection to his family.