I enjoyed the first two volumes of this series very much, and so I pre-ordered this one - and it's just arrived! [Actually, two copies arrived - I was apparently a bit too eager during the pre-ordering process {grin}.]

It's set in a bookstore that buys and re-sells secondhand manga - rather like some of the local secondhand paperback stores - and the stories are all about people reconnecting with themselves, their friends, or their hopes via a shared love of reading. There are references to real-world series (often with extensive writeups at the end of the book), and charming artwork.

One of these stories has to do with a fellow who tries to pick up a woman by pretending to love the horror manga she adores; turns out the stuff terrifies him, but he begins to discover that there's more to them than the fear factor. (The Drifting Classroom is one of the series mentioned; it's insanely dark!)

A nice little moment from another story has someone wondering what to read, and the bookstore's Shiba suggests that she close her eyes and run her hand along the shelves of manga until she feels like picking one. Could be a method for coping with those TBR shelves!

People meeting on the way to the library, getting to know each other over manga recommendations - and one story that's pure BookCrossing in nature: someone who travels the world, always carrying one book with him, explaining that whenever he bumps into other Japanese travelers they swap whatever manga they have on hand! [There's even more about long-time traveling books in that one. "The pages are dogeared from the countless travelers who have read this book. It must have been too the farthest corners of the earth."]

There's even a story about people who don't return books on time; the fellow who goes out to retrieve them meets with a variety of responses - and some very amusing coincidences!

Volumes I've registered so far:

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4

I traded this book in at Annie's Book Stop (for credit with which to buy more books, of course!). Hope the buyer enjoys it!

I just bought this book from Annie's book stop, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a traveling book! I loved reading the manga, and will definitely be looking into some of the series mentioned within it.
I'm going to an anime convention in February and hope to give the book to another manga lover so that it can travel further! I'm interested to see where this will end up ^^

I spotted this book back at Annie's Bookstop a while back, and as it's been there for some time I figured I'd buy it back and move it along. (I don't know if shshgr brought it back or if someone else just happened to find it and leave it at the same shop; either way I'm glad it's safe, and ready for more travels!)

I'm putting this book in the manga/graphic novel bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Enjoy!

Took out of Nimrodiel's manga/graphic novel box.

I think perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I read the two previous volumes. I did like the inclusion of real manga titles when characters mentioned them and the art was nice. :)

Released at the LFL at Mom’s.

When he looked up again Tas had gone. Rising to join the others, he caught sight of something small and abandoned on the floor. "Tas you forgot your pipe." He picked it up and then saw words carved into the wood he had not seen before. Find the music, find the magic.
"Did you carve this?"
Tas did not turn. "Yes," he said, reluctantly. "I have to leave it."
"But, Tas, why?"
Tas squared his shoulders as though firming some resolve. But still he did not turn. "Because the shepherd said that it could only be used once. Thats why I can't get the pipe to play that song-or any song. I've used the magic." He took a deep breath and went on. "And he said that once I found the magic I had the pass the pipe on." he paused and then he did turn, a scamp's humor in his long brown eyes. "It's going to be a long winter. I'm going to leave it here for someone else to find." "Snowsong" by Nancy Varian Berberick

Found a book? Find the magic! Welcome to BookCrossing!! If you are already a member, "Hello!", if you have only just found this lovely site, welcome!

Congratulations on finding a released BookCrossing book! You can now register on the site, if you want to. It's free to register, but of course you can remain anon. It's up to you!

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