What have I been reading lately? Here are thirteen for Thursday in thirteen words each.

• A Scar Like A River by Lisa Graff
  • Girl takes a stand and realizes her full potential to take back power
• The Beginning After the End, volume 1 by TurtleMe
  • Creative isekai manga about starting over in a kingdom with powers and determination
• Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters: A Graphic Memoir by Yevgenia Nayberg
  • Memoir focused on growing up, being artsy amidst the backdrop of a disaster
• Cocoon by Machiko Kyo
  • Dark exploration of the impact and toll war can take physically and mentally
• Eden of Witches, volume 1 by Yumeji
  • Fantasy manga with a rich backstory and unique natural setting that feels magical
• Flight by Alan Gratz
  • Side story fully explored in the world of Gratz’s familiar tales of human suffering
• Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
  • Nonlinear psychological and ghost thriller with an epic cover and two intertwined stories
• Labor: One Woman’s Work by Dr. Mary Fariba Afsai
  • Audiobook narrated by Afsai about her career in obstetrics and her goals
• London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
  • Unraveling a murder mystery with more questions than answers along the Thames River
• Max, a Little Axolotl: Breaking Out by Joey Spiotto
  • Will read every book in this series with the adorable Max, an axolotl
• Mixed Feelings by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin
  • Identity and authentic coming of age mix perfectly for a middle grade audience
• My Journey to Japan: Escape to Yokai Mountain by Matthew Loux
  • A travelogue of the best of Japan but add yokai too? Yes please.
• Smash or Pass by Birdie Schae
  • Neurodiverse girl plays volleyball at summer camp and finds love and her voice