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Your Next Book and Manga!

By Adam Marcello
June 8, 2023

Hey there! Are you stuck on what to read next? Don't worry, we've got you covered! We asked some Furness students for their top picks and put together a list of five awesome books and mangas for you to check out. Get ready to broaden your reading horizons and dive into some captivating stories!

First on the list is "Buck: A Memoir" by M. K. Asante. This memoir shares the story of a generation through the eyes of a riveting character who navigates the challenges of urban America and a self-destructive family. Follow one kid's journey from gangs, rap, and mystic cults to an education fueled by books. According to Adam, “it was funny and an amazing experience to read. It was interesting and tells you about life and shows you how life was for black people back then.”

If you're looking for something a little different, "Vagabond" by Takehiko Inoue is a manga based on Eiji Yoshikawa's novel "Musashi'' and portrays a fictionalized account of the life of Japanese swordsman Musashi Miyamoto. The story takes place in 17th century Sengoku era Japan and follows Shinmen Takezou, a boy shunned by the local villagers for his wild and violent nature. Takezou runs away from home and joins the Toyotomi army to fight the Tokugawa clan at the battle of Sekigahara. Donte remarks, "I loved reading this manga, I really enjoyed it and it made me cry a few times."

"Opposite of Always" by Justin A. Reynolds is a bittersweet fantasy novel about a teen caught in a time loop between the day he meets his girlfriend and the day she dies a few months later. Jack doesn't intentionally travel through time, but finds himself repeatedly at the party where they first met. Sheilliam commented, "I liked that it was a mix of time travel, romance and comedy; it's good for readers who are looking for these three genres in one book. It's also good for readers who want to start slow or are being introduced to books of these genres."

"The Hatchet'' by Gary Paulsen tells the story of Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy who must learn to survive on his own in the wilderness after a plane crash in Northern Canada. Armed with only his windbreaker and a hatchet, Brian must navigate the vast forest and learn the skills needed to stay alive. Adam said, “the hatchet was so interesting and mysterious because you didn't know what was going to happen the more you read.”

Finally, "Ao No Flag" or “Blue Flag” by Kaito is a classic love triangle story with a high school setting. Taichi Ichinose finds himself in class with his childhood friend Touma Mita for the third year in a row. After a chance encounter in the library, Taichi discovers that their mutual friend, Futaba, has feelings for Touma. As they navigate their complex emotions and personal conflicts, the three classmates find themselves in an uncertain future. Evelyn notes, "#welovegaypeople."

Here are the links where you can buy all the pieces recommended in this article:

Hopefully, our list gives you some ideas for your next book or manga obsession. Happy reading!

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