Love Misha

Love, Misha
By: Askel Aden
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: June 10, 2025
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: August 4, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: misgendering, absent parent

Mom, Audrey, finally wants to spend time with Misha. She’s never around (the two don’t even live together), so this is a rare opportunity. But, Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being very open about being nonbinary. Misha even tries to write a letter to their mom to tell her how they feel, but that’s not going great either…

When a wrong turn down a forest leads to the Realm of Spirits, the mother-child duo had no clue on how to return home and must work together to try and find their way.

So, I definitely felt the Spirited Away vibes while reading this (getting lost, accidentally entering a spirit realm, having to figure out how to get home without getting eaten), but then another reviewer mentioned A Goofy Movie and now I can totally see those connections too (parent-child with a strain relationship go on a roadtrip but everything that could go wrong does).

The art in this graphic novel is fun and whimsical, capturing the magic of the spirit world perfectly. The brown and golden hues in the panels also give the feel of autumn and sets the tone.

Overall, this graphic novel is about growing up, acceptance, and forgiveness along the journey in a spirit realm that isn’t really meant for humans. It’s aimed at young adult readers, but I believe adult readers would also enjoy it (especially Studio Ghibli lovers).

*Thank you First Second and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Dunno why I felt like this month had less than previous when it has the exact same Stoked for This titles as May, but regardless, 12 titles is still a decent amount! One in particular is only an audiobook, but it’s a full production and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it (I’ve heard some previews of it and it’s FANTASTIC).

June 3, 3035

An audiobook original by one of my favorite YA authors, Jason Reynolds. This is to have a full cast, original music, and I watched an interview with Reynolds and the two Audio producers, Dan Zitt and Brian Ramcharan and it sounds SO GOOD!!

Soundtrack

By: Jason Reynolds

The interview can be watched here

A novel in verse (y’all know how much I love those) about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of going to space.

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

By: Jasminne Paulino

A YA novel in verse (I can’t help myself) that’s a coming of age about a young Black girl discovering first love and the power of a good skate. As someone who is getting into outdoor roller skating (even as a 33 year old), I’m quite excited to have that connection in this book.

Under the Neon Lights

By: Arriel Vinson

Okay, so this one is supposedly for fans of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, “You’ve Reached Sam”, “They Both Die at the End” and Tiffany D. Jackson. Jackson is an author I will read anything of, so if someone is comparing a book or offering a book up as a read-a-like for her, I will give it a shot! This one is going to be tough – about suicide, addiction, and hard truth.

Your Final Moments

By: Jay Coles

June 10, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Mia is stranded in the middle of the Caribbean. On purpose. After a crazy accident in the school’s cafeteria, Mia’s parents decide the only way to deal with her is to move her onto a batter sailboat and leave everything behind. Her life is falling apart and she’s not exactly sure who she is and what she wants.

The Uncertainty Principle

By: Joshua Davis & Kal Kini-Davis

A graphic novel with a non-binary teen on a road trip with their mom who just doesn’t seem to understand. When a wrong turn leads the duo into the Realm of Spirits, they must work together in order to find their way out.

Love, Misha

By: Askel Aden

A graphic memoir about coming of age in the time when Poland as a country transitions from communism to capitalism.

Breadcrumbs: Coming of Age in Post-Soviet Poland

By: Kasia Babis

As someone who has been watching through Law & Order: SVU with her partner for the first time, this novel about a forensic team that’s investigating the murder of a child that ends up possibly being an international coverup just screams to be something I may like. It’s also only 176 pages, so I feel like this would be a perfect afternoon read.

Not Long Ago Persons Found

By: J. Richard Osborn

June 17, 2025

So apparently this is book is the first English translation of the romantic tragedy that inspired a popular TV series in China. I honestly don’t know much about it but the fact that I’ll probably be broken after reading it…

Goodbye, My Princess

By: Fei Wo Si Cun

And just a young adult novel set in the 1960s with two sisters from a struggling, damaged family who reply on each other to survive. That is until an ugly secret tears them apart.

The Grove

By: Brooks Whitney Phillips

A middle grade novel about a young girl who just wants to skateboard and stay in one place, but her influencer, nomadic parents want to get back on the road as soon as their bus is fixed. Lindy is willing to do anything to stay in San Jose – even if that means sabotage.