Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 20

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 20. 2019. 210p. ISBN 9781642129120. Available in the Graphic Section of the library. 

Following his confrontation with the Crafter in Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 19, Yato is now fully committed to confronting his father, a promise he made to Hiyori with no intention of backing down. His immediate priority is acquiring a shinki of immense power, one capable of withstanding an assault from the formidable Chiki. However, finding such a rare and resilient vessel proves to be a significant challenge, complicating his preparations for the inevitable showdown.

As Yato deliberates his strategic options, a more pressing and dangerous concern emerges: Bishamon's life is now in grave danger. Having seen the crafter's appearance, Bishamon has become a direct target, putting her at extreme risk. This revelation adds another layer of urgency and peril to Yato's already complex mission, as he must now consider not only his own confrontation but also the immediate threat to a powerful ally.

Pride or Die

Montblanc, CL. Pride or Die. 2025. 336p. ISBN 9781250340474.

Eleanora Finkel, a seventeen-year-old senior, dreams of escaping her small bigoted Texas town, but her plans are derailed when she becomes a prime suspect in the attempted murder of Kenley, her school's head cheerleader. Adding insult to injury, her LGBTQ+ teen club, a vital safe space for her and her friends, is also under scrutiny. To clear their names and protect their sanctuary, Eleanora, Salim, Tyler and Noah decide to take on the role of amateur detectives, a daunting task considering their lack of experience and Eleanora's crippling anxiety.

Despite the challenges, including Eleanora's distracting attraction to Kenley and the inadequacy of her crochet hook as a weapon, this ragtag group of misfits dives headfirst into the investigation. They must navigate a web of secrets and lies as the principal seeks to expel them from school, while facing the very real possibility that the real culprit is still lurking among them, ready to strike again. The pressure mounts as they race against time to unravel this mystery of who would want to hurt Kenley. Can they determined  the true attacker before one of them becomes the next target?

History Smashers: The Mayflower

Messner, Kate. Illustrated by Dylan Meconis. History Smashers: The Mayflower. 2020. 224p. ISBN 9780593120316. Available at 974.4 MES on the library shelves.

We have all been told about how the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving with pumpkin pies and cranberry sauce. But that really didn't happen. History Smashers: The Mayflower dismantles the commonly accepted, simplified narrative of the Pilgrims' arrival in Plymouth. It challenges the familiar story of immediate friendship with the Wampanoag and the iconic corn offering, revealing that these events occurred months later. Inaccuracies and omissions in traditional accounts are exposed, highlighting the complex and often overlooked realities of the Pilgrims' journey. The book reveals their extended stay in another location before reaching Plymouth, and the troubled voyage involving a leaky second ship, the Speedwell.

Through a dynamic blend of illustrations, graphic panels, and photographs, History Smashers: The Mayflower presents a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of this pivotal historical period. Myths surrounding Plymouth Rock are debunked, and a deeper understanding of the interactions between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people is presented. By discussing these little-known details, we are challenged to reconsider our understanding of history and perform a more critical examination of established narratives.

Bomb Graphic Novel: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Sheinkin, Steve and Nick Bertozzi. Bomb (Graphic Novel): The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9781250206732. Available at 623.4 SHE on the library shelves.

Adapted into a graphic novel by Steve Sheinkin and Nick Bertozzi, Bomb chronicles the intense and perilous race between Americans and the Nazis to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. The groundbreaking discovery of nuclear fission in a German laboratory in 1938 ignites a global scientific pursuit. Soviet spies infiltrate Allied scientific communities, while daring commando raids in Norway sabotage German efforts as brilliant scientists perform clandestine work at the isolated Los Alamos site.

The graphic novel version of Bomb vividly depicts the high-stakes atmosphere, the complex political maneuvering, and the sheer scientific ingenuity that characterized this era. Detailed and colorful illustrations bring to life the historical events and the personalities involved, enriching what is already a compelling narrative. Bomb effectively captures the tension and the moral complexities surrounding the creation of the world's most destructive weapon, highlighting the profound impact it had on the arms race and the Cold War.

Emiko

Uegaki, Chieri. Emiko. 2025. 384p. ISBN 9781774885734.

Emiko Kimori is a self-proclaimed matchmaking genius. She is ready to apply her skills once more after successfully finding love for her aunt. When a new girl in town becomes her best friend, Emiko naturally takes on the task of finding her a perfect romantic match to ensure her social success. Living with her Ojiichan on British Columbia's West Coast after her parents died in a car accident while she was an infant, Emiko is surrounded by friends and neighbors, including Kenzo Sanada, who frequently urges her to stop meddling in others' love lives. However, Emiko firmly believes she has a unique insight into who belongs together and feels compelled to intervene for the sake of true love, even when her "targets" are unaware.

Because of her fervent dedication to orchestrating others' romantic fates, Emiko has little time for her own love life. She fills her days with matchmaking, brunch recipes, volunteering, a bustling social calendar, maintaining her grades, and reluctantly contemplating post-graduation plans. Yet, fate intervenes when she unexpectedly falls for the very last person she imagined. Suddenly, Emiko finds herself entangled in the intricate web of her own carefully crafted love matches, forced to personally navigate the complexities of being in love for the first time and discovering that friendship and romance are far more nuanced than her matchmaking theories ever accounted for.

A modern re-imaging of Jane Austin's Emma, Emiko showcases realistic characters. Emiko's sincere desire to help her friends is matched by her fear of what comes after graduation, as well as her reluctance to attend college. Fans of light romances will appreciate this read and will wonder how Emiko will navigate the pitfalls of her relationships with family and friends.

Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3

Muira, Kentaro. Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3. 2020. 704p. ISBN 9781506715216.  

As the hundred-year conflict between Midland and Tudor first encountered in Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 2 nears its conclusion, the renowned Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith and the formidable Guts, has become instrumental in securing Midland's impending victory. Their battlefield prowess and strategic brilliance have turned the tide of the long war, earning them both fame and the favor of the kingdom. However, this very success breeds resentment and ambition within the Midland court.

With victory on the horizon, a clandestine power struggle ignites among those seeking to gain influence. The ambitious Griffith, once celebrated as a hero, is now perceived by some as a dangerous obstacle to their own advancement. In this treacherous environment of courtly intrigue and hidden agendas, the most perilous threat is often the one that remains unseen, poised to strike from the shadows and undermine the hard-won peace.

The story continues in Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 4.

The Girl You Know

Gonzalez Rose, Elle. The Girl You Know. 2025. 288p. ISBN 9781547616039

Luna and her twin sister Solina have always been together, but a tragedy and parental drug abuse got them into the foster care system, which they fled at the earliest opportunity. Always the smart one, Solina was accepted as a scholarship student at the prestigious Kingswood Academy in Washington State, so Luna and Solina moved to a small town a few hours away from Kingswood. Luna dropped out and now works full-time to support her sister, and she has high hopes Solina will become a doctor.

Luna's world shatters when Solina storms out after an argument with Luna over revealing her intention to drop out of her elite boarding school. She is found dead just hours later, having fallen off a cliff at a popular park. Despite the police ruling Solina's death an accident, Luna is convinced it was murder, since her sister was deathly afraid of the cliffs. 

Driven by grief and a thirst for justice, Luna decides to infiltrate Kingswood, assuming Solina's identity to uncover the truth behind her sister's untimely demise. Luna navigates the treacherous social circles of Kingswood, encountering the same cunning and cruel individuals who were Solina's supposed friends. As she delves deeper into her sister's life, Luna grapples with the unsettling discovery of Solina's hidden secrets, while simultaneously navigating her growing feelings for her roommate. The closer Luna gets to the truth, the more dangerous her investigation becomes, but with nothing left to lose, she is prepared to go to any lengths to avenge her sister's death, even if it means risking everything.