TsalagiWriter

This volume continues right where 8 left off; Shintaro trying to kiss Maria. And I'll admit that I was pretty happy when she pushed him and Shin went after him.

Originally, I was upset with Maria for defending him. Although, I still don't totally agree, I understand why she did. I also understand that Shintaro wants to be accepted and have friends. I also know that he likes Maria and doesn't feel that way about him. That is what I have a problem with. Shintaro is pushy, very pushy, and won't give up on getting Maria. And honestly, he is kind of a creeper. It's not cute or funny. I personally think it is pretty disturbing behaviour and I have to say Shintaro is my least favorite character.

I like Shin and just wish he would express his feelings to Maria. She feels the same way about him. I like Yusuke too. I think he is very sweet and caring. It is honestly too bad Maria isn't in love with him. I think he would be wonderful for her and he wouldn't hold back. And I'm not saying that to make Shin look bad. I do understand his reasons for holding back.

For the exception of Shintaro, I really enjoyed this volume. The characters are really deep and I like to see how they change.

I was given this book for free from the website Haunt Jaunts and 13 tales by various authors that may or may not be based on true events.

The book started strong with a story by Alice J. Black about a chair that will kill you if you sit in it. And continues with equally spooky stories. Some of the stories I really enjoyed and a few others, while I liked, didn't enjoy quite as much.

This is an enjoyable collection of short horror stories. And it was nice that at the end to read if they were based on true stories or not.

This was a book I had actually submitted one of my short stories too. My story wasn't accepted, though. I liked this book and I am grateful that I was given the chance to read it.

In this volume, Maria and her friends are starting their second school year together. A new character, Shintaro, is added in this volume. He's a grade below Maria and although he doesn't know her, he is already in love with her.

I still love Maria and her friends - they are all great. But, Shintaro is possessive over Maria. Honestly, I think he's a creeper. I hope he doesn't stick around long and I honestly hope Maria doesn't get with him. He's so. . . I just think the stuff he does is disturbing. Why would anyone be interested in being his girlfriend?

Shin and Maria had a nice moment in this volume. I think it was sweet.

And despite my annoyance of Shintaro, I am still enjoying this series.

I do understand Maria feeling bad, but at the same time, I don't think she should blame herself for how Anna feels. I'm sorry that Anna lost her voice, but she has some issues. In my opinion, she has treated Maria horribly.

At least Maria has good friends now, friends that are very supportive.

And I'm happy the teacher didn't make much of an appearance. He gets on my nerves. But, now there is a music teacher and I don't know what to think of him. Having a hard time trusting him.

It is nice to know more about Maria's past. But did Maria's mother really do that because of her? I am definitely curious about that.

Good volume.

I have said in previous reviews for volumes of this series that I like Maria. I've liked her from the beginning and I think with each volume she becomes more likable. She's changing, evolving and realizing things.

I just feel bad that she blames herself for Anna. And I'm not really sure how whatever happened to Anna is Maria's fault. Perhaps she may have been slightly clingy, but Maria seemed to be a good friend to Anna and just didn't want people using her.

And Anna. . . she's doing some pretty mean stuff to Maria. I just wonder if she told Shin the truth, or if it was all a lie? It is very hard to trust her.

Really enjoying this series.

Maria's still blunt at times, but she has made some friends. She is having fun and actually happy. And Maria realizes that she may even be in love.

Maria has definitely changed throughout these five volumes. She is still blunt, still speaks her mind. But I guess you can say she is finally letting herself feel. And I like that. From volume one, I've never thought Maria was bad. Never thought she was a Devil. She is a good, relatable character that the reader gets to see evolve. And I really like that.

I like her friends too. Not of the characters are without flaws. And I like that the class seems to be getting along with Maria now. The one who hasn't changed is the teacher. I have no idea what his problem is, but I can't stand him.

And Maria's friend Anna from her old school shows up in this one.

She seems nice enough, but it's fake. And it seems to me that she blames Maria for somehow holding her back because of their friendship. I guess she never liked Maria, but never told her, just went along with the friendship. And even Maria blames herself. I don't. If Anna didn't want to be friends, she should have let Maria know.

I just don't like Anna. She slaps people for no reason and pretends to be something she is not. She sort of seems like a Jekyll and Hyde. I just hope she doesn't ruin what Maria has now.

Can't wait to see what happens next.

I spotted this book at the library the other day. I've never read anything by the author prior to this book, but I love inspirational quotes and I decided to give it a read.

Like the author, I also collect quotes. She is right in that when we read something that strikes a chord, in a way it becomes a part of us and it is something we go back to read over and over again.

I was pretty excited to read since I love positive and inspirational quotes. Supposedly this book was inspirational quotes, but I'm not quite sure how most of these quotes are considered inspirational or even positive.

I did find a few good quotes in here, ones that I really liked. For the most part, however, I didn't find much in the way of inspirational within these pages.

And cursing doesn't bother me, but it felt out of place and not needed in a book of supposedly-inspirational quotes.

Not a bad book but it's not amazing either.

Spoilers ahead.

In volume 23, Carl left the Hilltop colony to follow the Whisperers because of Lydia. And after reading this, I feel I can say Lydia was telling the truth. She doesn't like what her group does, but I suppose she feels she has no other choice than to follow them. I also understand Carl caring. It is good to care, but at the same, they've known each other a very short time. How could he know for sure she was trustworthy? He doesn't. And even if he did know for sure, his actions were stupid. He has not only put himself in danger but everything and everyone in Alexandria are now also in danger because of his actions, because he acts without thinking. I have to say, I've not been happy with Carl these last few volumes.

I also wonder what Negan is up to. How did his cell get unlocked? He says he wants there to be trust in his relationship with Rick. After all, Negan is done, I just don't know how he can expect trust from anyone.

And the Whisperers. . . Their beliefs are crazy. They are definitely dangerous. I feel for Rick and everyone else. Things have been peaceful, maybe even normal. It seems now they will have to defend themselves again.

And Maggie had to make a hard decision. I just wonder how Rick will react to it.

The ending made me even less happy with Carl. Maybe I'm being harsh on him, but if he'd only listened, I think those people would still be alive.

I can't wait to read the volume. I wish I could read it right away, but I'll have to wait for my library to get it.

Not too much is seen of Rick or Alexandria in this volume. It focuses on the Hilltop colony, more specifically, it focuses on Carl and Maggie. There will be spoilers in this review.

Maggie is the leader of the Hilltop and some people aren't happy about that. Especially Gregory. Carl is settling in and it's not long before there is trouble. He didn't start, two other teenagers did by attacking Sophia. If Carl didn't set in, they probably would have killed her. Carl saved her, but he did go overboard by almost killing them.

The parents of the boys are mad and want Carl to be punished. They believe their boys to be innocence and Sophia and Carl are getting the blame for all of this. And I understand all parents would want justice if their child is hurt, but these parents are stupid. Their kids are the problem and started it, but they refuse to see that. Rather, they would prefer to blame it on Sophia, Carl, and even Maggie's leadership skills. And Gregory is quite the nuisance. I hope they keep him locked up.

And I'm not sure what to make of this new group, The Whisperers. How they survive is definitely different. And honestly, I'm not sure if I trust Lydia. Carl, for whatever reason, does trust her, though. I think he wants to believe that despite coming from a group like that, Lydia could change. And sure, that is possible. But, fully trusting her only after a day of knowing her? I don't think that's the best idea. And now thanks to her, Carl has become a man.

I really liked this volume, but I don't think Carl is making the best decision. Looking forward to reading the next volume.

Maria encourages Ayu to share her true feelings, but this seems to cause a rift within the class. Maria is trying to bring everyone together, but so is going on that Maria doesn't know if she'll be able to unite everyone. She has to try, anyway.

In volume 4, Maria's classmates seem to finally start to understand her and seem to even be starting to like her. She's really not a bad person. Just flawed. It's nice to see her changing and also her classmates. Most of them really irritated me in the first three volumes because of how hateful and cruel they could be.

I have to say that their teacher has serious problems. I'd be surprised if he changes. For whatever reason, he is intent on taking Maria down.

Like with volume 3, I couldn't put this down. And I really wish I could continue this right away, but I have to wait until the next volume comes into the library. I can't wait to read volume 5.

After an absence due to illness, student Hana Ibuki returns to school. She's cheerful and seems kind. Hana even helps to get the other students to join Maria's group. But, Maria is suspicious about Hana's help. She'll find out whether Hana is a friend or a foe.

As soon as Hana appeared, I didn't like her. It felt as if her kindness were only a disguise. And what I find funny is that students call Maria trouble or a devil. And even her teacher has in it for her. I do admit, she's blunt and sometimes harsh. However, Maria is never fake nor tries to hide anything. It seems to me, except for the few friends Maria has, everyone else in her class are actually the devils.

Maria is opening up some. She's trying to change while still being herself. I hope more of her past is explored and why she is the way she is. I guess you could say she has a thick skin. She's tough and tries to keep emotion out of things. It makes you wonder what happened to make her this way. Maria is not heartless or emotionless, though. She does care and wants friends.

I'm happy to see she does have a few friends, one that are willing to stand up for her.

I also thought the scene with Shin on the roof was cute.

This volume was really good and I couldn't put it down. I'm starting the next volume right away.

I've had this book for a few years now and I decided this would be the year I read it. It's taken me a while to finish this, not because I was losing interest, but I really wanted to take my time.

I knew from the first story I would love this book. And I did, very much.

Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is a collection of many stories by different writers. In this book you will find stories of handling rejection, how these authors came to want to write, making differences, and much more.

I loved many of these stories. Some made me laugh, some made me cry, and some just resonated with me so much. It is a wonderful book. It is inspiring. I love this and I'd recommend it to anyone who writes.

A few years have passed and life is actually starting to become a little normal again. Communities are thriving, trading and working together. Negan is still imprisoned. Life is good and seems to be fairly safe.

But, in a world where the dead still roam and there are no laws, how long will this peace last?

This volume seems to take place a few years after the last. Carl's a bit older, Maggie's kid is a toddler, and Rick's now walking with a cane. The dead are still around, of course, but for the most part it seems they now have a peaceful and happy life.

But that ending. . . .What was going on there? It's got me curious and worried for the group because what they've achieved has the potential to be destroyed or taken away if another threat is on the horizon

Mitsuki loves Eichi and that has kept her alive. She promised that one day would become a singer and they would meet again. But, it's been hard to keep her spirits up. Even the memories of Eichi aren't helping. And when it's let slip that Eichi has been dead for years, Mitsuki can't take it.

Will Mitsuki join her love in death, or will the love of another be enough to make her want to live?

This volume doesn't focus so much on singing as the previous two. It is more about character development and their relationships with one another. It's a sad but touching volume. I can't wait to see how the story continues.

Tomoyo has returned to school and much to Maria's surprise, Tomoyo came to her defense. Because of her bluntness, Maria still isn't very much liked. And now she's going to lead her class in a choral competition.

I read the first volume of this back in 2012 - I had won a copy of it from Goodreads. I remember really enjoying it and decided to see if my library had other volumes in this series. I liked volume 2 as much as the first and Maria definitely says what's on her mind. However, I don't believe people should be mean to her like they are. Her classmates call her evil, but from what I see, they seem to be the evil ones.

And that teacher. . . . I don't like him at all.

I'm going to continue reading this series since I'm really enjoying it.

This book has lots of colors and quite nice illustrations. I'm not so sure why it is called Haiku Inspirations as it is much more history than inspiration. There were some nice haikus as well and it is a well-researched book, one that is very interesting to read.

I didn't find inspiration in this or even meditations. It was still an enjoyable read.