That explains the brief time skipping and short dialogue 
that’s probably why it was on my list already, tho… the art style seems a bit different so far, I guess cuz it’s older characters and more of a big(?) city setting?
Might have to add the series to my next Suruga-ya order, if I like the first volume
I am getting pretty burnt out on that style of hers. After I finish this I’ll probably take another break before finishing 青い花 later this year.
Personally, it’s my least favorite of the three series, in part because it tends to deprioritize the part I’m most interested in (the yuri) in favor of other story elements.
I can definitely understand why. It works well in 青い花, but I’m not sure how I feel about it in the other two. L27 no-furigana is a good language level for me though, so hopefully I’ll enjoy it enough to stick with it.
I’m trying to remember if the anime does the time skips or rearranges things more linearly, but it’s been too long since I watched it.
Interesting, what does it prioritize instead?
Btw the MAL review mentioned another series オクターヴ 1 | L24?? as a mature yuri read. I don’t think it involves cheating, but the premise sounded somewhat interesting. The MC is 18, and the other lead is older apparently (idk how much). Figured I’d mention in case it’s of interest.
Mostly the cheating and how it affects the characters and their families.
Also, there were some deviations into other characters I couldn’t really get invested in. To be clear, I’m not saying it’s a bad series (I wouldn’t read 10 volumes if I didn’t like it). It’s just that her series require a little more effort than the average manga series I read, so I’d like my enjoyment to make up for that extra effort.
It’s not a manga, so it might not be what you are looking for, but it’s about cheating AND it’s really good:
Gotcha. I’m probably more interested in that right now anyway… I read enough of the former on the regular anyway. The side characters thing could go either way.
Definitely hear that. I really enjoyed being in both Akira and Fumi’s heads (and many other things) in 青い花, so it was quite worth it. I’m not getting that same enjoyment with 放浪息子 so far (tho I’ve been kinda off lately so that could be why)
I’m mostly trying to stick to L27 and under rn, and my novels plate is gonna be really full soon, but I see that has an audiobook - so that’s an incentive to try it. Can certainly save higher level recs for later, in any case.
What do you like about it? I couldn’t really get a good sense from the blurb of whether or not I’d be into it, and don’t have the energy to parse Amazon reviews rn
Mostly the realistic representation of the frustration of the main character, her attitude in general, and how she deals with the mess she made for herself. I found the end very satisfying too, but explaining why would be a massive spoiler.
I’ve owned this for ages, maybe I’ll read it this year as my ‘longest in TBR’ (I have no clue which book is actually the oldest but it’s gotta be up there)
It’s been years since I read Octave (in scanlation) - I don’t really remember what happened in it, but it left a deep impression. Serious antidote to all that follow-your-dreams shit that gets pumped out in the 青春 books.
I read this series yesterday and it was surprisingly good. First 2 volumes are free, so no risk if you don’t enjoy it. 3rd volume is 99 Yen.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B08175P8D4
Edit: I see you are already aware of this. Nvm. I’ll see myself out. 
Informal bookclub?
I’d be up for it (a bit later in the year 
) as I have it on my wishlist for ages (and don’t even remember why… 
)
yeah, I was thinking earliest May but am fine with later.
I mean it’s good to know you liked it. I started it for a few min, but wasn’t quite vibing/in the mood, and ended up reading ささやくように恋を唄う: 9【イラスト特典付】 | L21 instead - which definitely really helped my mood
So I’ll give it a second try eventually, たぶん
Mid-to-end of May would be the earliest that’d work for me, I guess. There is a bookclub over at WK for 蛇にピアス | L30 that should end in late May, and depending on how I fare with it, we could start towards the end of that club. Or something
Plan for an informal club in mid/late May? Also my only knowledge of this book is that it’s spicy and involves cheating
I was just reading about this book yesterday! it was mentioned in many blogs and seeing you guys talking about it now made me want to read it so count me in the bookclub 
In the meantime I had already forgotten which book it was that I wanted to read with y’all (am I getting old? nononono 
) so I decided to set up a thread for it in the hope that I won’t forget as easily the next time around 
Pinging everybody who already read it / expressed interest in it / might be interested anyways 
: @Naphthalene @cat @Biblio @暁のルナ @misskarino @omk3
Looking for some serious identity-exploration angst - big “who (or what) am I?” type themes that aren’t easily resolved. Preference for novels with sf/fantasy elements, but open to hear about anything.
Only Japanese example I can think of off-hand is オレが私になるまで 1 | L19.
I’m sure there are heaps of I-have-become-a-monster stuff that would fit but I can’t think of any. And it feels like there should be heaps of reincarnation stuff that should fit, but the identity issues are generally easily resolved or not that important. Really looking for stuff where this is the main theme or thing driving the plot.
