Best of
Slice-Of-Life

2009

Barakamon, Vol. 1


Satsuki Yoshino - 2009
    "Sensei," as he comes to be known, is a city boy through and through, and has never experienced rural life until now. And by the looks of it, he has much to learn! Luckily(?), he has a willing teacher in Naru, the energetic expert islander, to help show him the ropes. But can Sensei keep up with the plucky first-grader, or will he get schooled?! Here unfolds a heartfelt island comedy about a gruff on the outside, soft on the inside urbanite teacher and his new, unfailingly kind island neighbors!

A Bride's Story, Vol. 1


Kaoru Mori - 2009
    Coping with cultural differences, blossoming feelings for her new husband, and expectations from both her adoptive and birth families, Amir strives to find her role as she settles into a new life and a new home in a society quick to define that role for her.

Pieces of You


Tablo - 2009
    Epik High leader Tablo's short stories weave together the secrets and anxieties of youth, whispering words of solace to a lost generation.

Cat Diary: Yon & Muu; 猫日記よん&むー; Neko Nikki Yon to Mū


Junji Ito - 2009
    J-kun, a dog person, was coerced into adopting two cats by his fiancee A-ko: Muu, a Norwegian cat, and Yon who has an accursed face. Much to the chagrin of J, the cats do not immediately love him. The difference between fear and comedy is paper thin. Here's a cat comedy from a horror manga author.

True Love: I'll Be Seeing You / Don't Die, My Love / A Rose for Melinda


Lurlene McDaniel - 2009
    His doctors don't know whether he'll get his vision back, and he's deeply depressed. Carley can relate. She's been scarred by a facial deformity, but she's keeping that a secret from Kyle. She's worried that if his bandages are removed and he sees her, it will be the end of their relationship. Carley wants what's best for Kyle. But what will that mean for Carley?  Don't Die, My Love Julie Ellis and Luke Muldenhower describe themselves as "meant for each other." Now in high school, they are deeply in love. Luke is a talented football player and is sure to receive an athletic scholarship to a top college, and Julie intends to follow. When Luke gets a virus, Julie persuades him to see a doctor. The test results are devastating. But Julie believes their love is stronger than anything. Or is it?  A Rose for Melinda Jesse and Melinda have been friends since the first grade. When Jesse and his mom move to California, he and Melinda bridge the miles with e-mail. When Melinda suddenly falls ill and her plans to become a prima ballerina are shattered, Jesse travels to see her, to be by her side. As their bond grows stronger, Melinda wonders whether she and Jesse can be more than just friends—and whether a new love could be enough to save her.

Chibisan Date Volume 1


日丸屋 秀和 - 2009
    This charming, slice-of-life story filled with warmth and pathos follows the interesting characters on the island.

The Kites Are Flying


Michael Morpurgo - 2009
    Said does not speak. He makes kites. Morpurgo's poignant account of the experience about how Palestinian and Jewish children live with the Wall is a message of dreams for peace and hope for all children.

Family Affair


Saxon Bennett - 2009
    Her mother has taken up private investigating, her writer’s group’s helpful suggestions have led to severe writer’s block, and her girlfriend’s family is genuinely nuts. Growing up isn’t high on her list of priorities.What grip Chase has on her life is severely challenged when her girlfriend tells her about the little oops at the gynecologist. Seems the doctor mixed up the rooms and now Gitana is expecting. The reality of Gitana’s radiant glow—and growing waistline—finally convinces Chase to accept that she’s about to become a parent. There’s only one thing to do: Chase embarks on a nine-month plan to grow up, once and for all.Only Saxon Bennett can bring to life the humorous and touching soul searching of a woman trying to become more than she ever thought she could be. Family Affair joins Saxon’s many novels about the unique choices lesbians make as they define family for themselves. Winner, Golden Crown Literary Award.

The Missing Magic


Lexi Connor - 2009
    But when B discovers that magic happens when she spells out a word, the C-H-A-O-S begins!

Better Days...


Jay Naylor - 2009
    The result is a blend of comedic and serious moments along the way.

My Husband's Woman


Dee Dee M. Scott - 2009
    When she discovers their hidden affair, she takes Byron and Meshia into a bizarre world, one of which they could never have dreamed of, not even in their worst of nightmares.

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson


Chesley B. Sullenberger - 2009
    ‘Sully’ Sullenberger—the pilot who miraculously landed a crippled US Airways Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew.On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed a remarkable emergency landing when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger skillfully glided US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. His cool actions not only averted tragedy but made him a hero and an inspiration worldwide. His story is now a major motion picture from director / producer Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks, Laura Linney and Aaron Eckhart.Sully's story is one of dedication, hope, and preparedness, revealing the important lessons he learned through his life, in his military service, and in his work as an airline pilot. It reminds us all that, even in these days of conflict, tragedy and uncertainty, there are values still worth fighting for—that life's challenges can be met if we're ready for them.

The Bell Man - The Autobiography of the Man Who Created Cast in Bronze


Frank Dellapenna - 2009
    Inspiration comes through people, not from people. It comes from another place and does not belong to you. It is meant to be shared with everyone. The Bell Man is the autobiography of Frank DellaPenna, the creator of one of the most unique musical acts ever witnessed: Cast in Bronze - combining the magical sound of a rarely seen medieval instrument of bells called a carillon with other instruments for the first time in history. He reveals secrets of his past, and walks you through his life's journey that ultimately led him to his destiny. This book will inspire anyone who has a dream...

The Fabulous Girls' Book: Discover the Secret to Being Fabulous


Veena Bhairo-Smith - 2009
    This book is the definitive guide to fabulousness for all tween girls! It includes style tips, life advice, arts & crafts, make-at-home spa treatments, and more! From "How to Launch Your Own Fashion Label" to "How to Stand Out From a Crowd," this title is geared toward helping girls become even more fabulous than they already are! There are charming black-and-white illustrations throughout.

The Easy Life in Kamusari


Shion Miura - 2009
    No phone, no internet, no shopping. Just a small, inviting community where the most common expression is “take it easy.”At first, Yuki is exhausted, fumbles with the tools, asks silly questions, and feels like an outcast. Kamusari is the last place a city boy from Yokohama wants to spend a year of his life. But as resistant as he might be, the scent of the cedars and the staggering beauty of the region have a pull.Yuki learns to fell trees and plant saplings. He begins to embrace local festivals, he’s mesmerized by legends of the mountain, and he might be falling in love. In learning to respect the forest on Mt. Kamusari for its majestic qualities and its inexplicable secrets, Yuki starts to appreciate Kamusari’s harmony with nature and its ancient traditions.In this warm and lively coming-of-age story, Miura transports us from the trappings of city life to the trials, mysteries, and delights of a mythical mountain forest.

Nameless


Sam Starbuck - 2009
    Lucas, a maskmaker and mystic, will challenge Christopher's prosaic view of the world -- but both men are lying, to themselves and to each other, and Lucas may be the one to pay the price in the end.

Good on Paper


Bodie Parkhurst - 2009
    Lucky for David, Mr. Bathsheba was busy being one of David’s best generals, so Bathsheba was home all by her lonesome...See where this is heading? Of course you do.So does Sarah Conrad, reluctant Bible scholar and unwilling paramour of televangelist Pastor Jimmy Jay Rayburn. It’s a destination she knows well. But the destination is only the beginning. Sarah doesn’t wind up sleeping with an aging “man of God” by accident. Eldest sister Elaine’s minister husband isn’t divorcing her on a whim. And middle sister Elizabeth doesn’t vanish in a fit of pique, leaving a dead dog, a roomful of blood, and Sarah and youngest Conrad DJ behind.The Conrad children survive by keeping up appearances. But it costs them. When family patriarch Dan Conrad is diagnosed with terminal cancer and the children come home to help appearances are no longer enough, and tensions rise. When somebody winds up murdered the Conrads are forced to unravel their past in order to survive their present.Set on a family farm in a fast-disappearing slice of America, Good on Paper is first and foremost a story in which to lose one’s self--readers consistently comment that they “couldn’t put it down.” But beyond that, the story raises questions. How do we determine who is “good?” How do we decide what is real? Do we respond to the victimization of others, and if so, how? How do we integrate a painful and abusive past into a vibrant and creative present and future? Above all, this story leaves readers wondering, with DJ Conrad, “...what it is about our family, our church, our society, that allows abusers to not only survive, but thrive.”By turns infuriating, hilarious, magical, frightening, and lyrical, the Conrads’ story captures the paradox lying at the heart of abusive relationships, as well as the courage, honesty and humor that the Conrad children use to survive.Tracing the Conrad chidren’s journey to healing and resolution makes for a powerful and haunting read, one that should appeal to a many, particularly those interested in understanding how the pain of an abusive past can become the fertile soil from which a rich, meaningful future can spring.

Ichiroh!, Vol. 2


Mikage - 2009
    But never say die! She's ready to give it her all in volume 2! With the help (?) of her friends, Nanako struggles through procrastination and distraction, determined to reach her goal. Unfortunately, that goal comes with a hefty price tag, and as the cost of study guides, enrollment, and dorm fees climbs, the penny-pinching Nanako jumps on the chance to make some extra cash with a part-time job . . . at a maid café?! Now with even more work on her plate, will Nanako ever be able to pull up her grades and make it into the college of her dreams?

Last Chance


Lesley Choyce - 2009
    They can't live at home, and they can't rely on the social support system. They're going to have to help each other through if they're going to make it.Previously published as Falling Through the Cracks, a Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selection. [Fry Reading Level - 3.8]

Mikako-san 1


Machiko Kyou - 2009
    Mikako Ichimura, 17 years old. Midorikawa, the strange guy who now sits next to her after a seating change and oddly prefers red pencils. At first, Mikako didn't think much of it, but after learning that they both love the same band, their relationship begins to change bit by bit...The day to day life of a 17 year girl woven together in a soft literary style.