"THE ESCAPE MANUAL FOR INTROVERTS" BY KATIE VAZ

"The Escape Manual for Introverts" by Katie Vaz

Synopsis:

"Trapped in an airplane seated next to a chatterbox? Are you hosting a dinner party with people who just won't leave? Katie Vaz has the key to your escape. The Escape Manual for Introverts guides readers through different scenarios with themed chapters ("Friends," "Relatives," "Strangers," etc.). Each chapter covers a range of situations, from an invitation to karaoke night to group lunchtime. And she offers a number of escapes for each scenario: bringing odoriferous foods to lunch for a while, having a pet (real or imagined) that "requires" frequent check-ins, and even investing in a jet pack. This book features Vaz's full-page illustrated spreads, hand-lettering, and spot illustrations. From the silly to the sincere, Vaz's clever, hilarious escape plans and bizarre excuses speak to the introvert in all of us."

My Review:

This is quite an entertaining little guide for introverts. I love how this book mixes truth with humor, while teaching introverts how to escape energy draining situations. The hand drawn illustrations are especially charming—some of which are sincere, many of which are quite funny. This is a quick read that I finished in about an hour and really enjoyed.

"The Escape Manual for Introverts" is a super cute book that I highly recommend to all introverts as well as those who want to better understand the introverts in their lives.

Note: I received a digital arc edition of this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful. I have since purchased a physical copy of this book that I have on display in my office.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following its author at Instagram.com/KatieMarieVaz.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"ASTRAY" BY J.F. ROGERS

"Astray" by J. F. Rogers

Synopsis:

After a lifetime with no knowledge of her parents, troubled seventeen-year-old Fallon Webb receives a necklace once belonging to her mother. The amulet leads her on a life-changing journey through a portal to a foreign land where she encounters unusual creatures, shape-shifters, and something she’s always longed for—family.

In Ariboslia, Fallon learns her mother is alive. Vampire-like creatures have her, and many others, captive. Most distressing is the prophecy that devastated her family. Can she trust it? Because if it’s right, Fallon must destroy the vampires’ leader—her uncle—to rescue her mother and free her people from the threat.

Unprepared and afraid, Fallon sets out on the journey, with no skills to assist her quest and no other way home. In her travels, she learns about the One True God and how desperately she needs Him. Perhaps, with His help, she’ll find a way to fulfill her destiny and stay alive.

My Review:

I love love love this book! It is now a favorite of mine in the fantasy fiction genre…

"Astray" is the first book of the Ariboslia series. The fantasy elements in this book remind me of: "The Chronicles of Narnia”—with characters stepping through a portal between the human realm and a realm where magical settings, beings, and creatures exist; and “The Lord of the Rings”—influenced by folklore, mythology, and the Christian bible, with a selected group of characters sent on a quest to save the world from evil forces.

What appears to be her debut novel, "Astray" reveals its author’s amazing imagination and storytelling abilities. Something I really enjoyed is the way she uses comparative descriptions that are quite creative, fun to read, and help form vivid pictures in the minds of readers, such as: "The hairs on my arms stood up like meerkats on the lookout for danger" as a reaction to a creepy environment; and “The clouds let loose, as if God had tightened His fist around them and squeezed” in reference to a downpour of rain.

The characters of this book are quite interesting with great character arcs. Multiple races (humans, shapeshifters, vampires, and others) can be found in this book, and I love the balance of good and bad shown in every race, with a powerful story of redemption. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth and development of Fallon (the main character) throughout this book. Being in the realm of Ariboslia and surrounded by its natives changes her a great deal, for the better.

Some of my favorite quotes from "Astray" are: “No matter where you are, no matter what has happened, there is a greater purpose for everything” and “Through it all, you are loved by the One True God.”

“Astray” is an inspirational and imaginative fantasy fiction book that teens and adults are sure to enjoy!

I now look forward to reading anything J. F. Rogers ever writes! 😊

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Notes: You can find my Goodreads review of "Astray" here. Also, I received a free copy of this book from its publisher and author, for which I am incredibly grateful, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

If any of you would like to learn more about J. F. Rogers and her books, check out her website, JFRogers.com.

"QUIET GIRL IN A NOISY WORLD" BY DEBBIE TUNG

"Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story" by Debbie Tung

Synopsis:

This illustrated gift book of short comics illuminates author Debbie Tung's experience as an introvert in an extrovert’s world. Presented in a loose narrative style that can be read front to back or dipped into at one’s leisure, the book spans three years of Debbie’s life, from the end of college to the present day. In these early years of adulthood, Debbie slowly but finally discovers there is a name for her lifelong need to be alone: she’s an introvert. The first half of the book traces Debbie’s final year in college: socializing with peers, dating, falling in love (with an extrovert!), moving in, getting married, meeting new people, and simply trying to fit in. The second half looks at her life after graduation: finding a job, learning to live with her new husband, trying to understand social obligations when it comes to the in-laws, and navigating office life. Ultimately, "Quiet Girl" sends a positive, pro-introvert message: our heroine learns to embrace her introversion and finds ways to thrive in the world while fulfilling her need for quiet.

My Review:

This is a book after my own heart. Page after page after page, I felt this book was reading my mind and very reminiscent of my own life story, for the most part. I felt the same way while reading "Book Love" by the same author. I absolutely love Debbie Tung's honesty, vulnerability, sense of humor, and artistic talents seen throughout her books!

"Quiet Girl in a Noisy World" is a delightful collection of comics that tells a story most introverts can relate to, and would make a perfect gift for introverts.

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following Debbie Tung at Instagram.com/WheresMyBubble.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"BOOK LOVE" BY DEBBIE TUNG

"Book Love" by Debbie Tung

Synopsis:

"Book Love" is a gift book of comics tailor-made for tea-sipping, spine-sniffing, book-hoarding bibliophiles. Debbie Tung’s comics are humorous and instantly recognizable—making readers laugh while precisely conveying the thoughts and habits of book nerds. "Book Love" is the ideal gift to let a book lover know they’re understood and appreciated.

My Review:

Bookworms rejoice! This is the first graphic novel I can remember reading. I haven’t really had an interest in graphic novels, comics, or manga, however I love love LOVE this book! From start to finish, I was absolutely hooked. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting — every page pulling at my heart strings. Debbie Tung’s illustrations and text are positively charming, and I feel like nearly everything in this book describes who I am.

I received a digital copy of “Book Love” from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am incredibly grateful. Since I first read this book in January of 2019, I purchased a physical copy of it, have had it on display in my office, have read it a second time, and flip through it often. I cannot get enough of this book! This would absolutely make a perfect gift for any book lover!

Here is a super cute trailer for this book by its publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing.

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Note: If you like this book, I highly recommend following Debbie Tung at Instagram.com/WheresMyBubble.

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.