Oh, wait, what was I talking about? This is going to sound really advertise-y, but I’m not getting paid for this. I’m writing it because I want to. As in, I really, really loved these books SO much!
One evening, I was especially missing Japan (I do that a lot, especially when I’m stressed-out or upset. I am increasingly thinking that I’ll end up moving back someday, but anyways!), and I was browsing Amazon for some retail therapy. Grace’s book, My Japanese Husband Thinks I’m Crazy, had come up about a million times in the search results, but I always ended up passing it by because I wasn’t married. I didn’t think that out experiences would be all that similar. One night, though, I decided, what the hey, I’d go to her blog that the book was compiled from, and read the comics there. What could I lose but time, anyways, right?
Oh, I used up a lot of time, but it wasn’t a loss at all! I fell in love with her cute, quirky style, the craziness in which she lives her life (we have similar ways of thinking about a lot of things), and the gung-ho positive note with which she wrote. She’s also in-and-out of depression, like me. Her stories made me chuckle, and I related to them SO MUCH, and started to miss Japan 687,5492 times more. Really. (Thanks, Grace) So, I liked her Facebook page, and saw that she was writing a second book. When I saw that she was looking for people to review her new book, I swallowed my fear and sent her an email.
I don’t know why, but I find this sort of email really nervewracking! It’s like, how will fangirling “Hi, I really love your work, you are so talented and I am a huge fan! I related to your experiences a lot, and here is info about me, too, just in case…” come across? She’ll think I’m weird, right? It will seem braggy that I mentioned my stuff, right? But I do that so that people get a sense of who I am….. aaaah! You guys know what I mean, right? Anyways, the email that I got back was long and sweet, and she even knew who I was and had read my blog! AHH! I’m glad that I swallowed my fear.. speaking of which, I really need to write her back now. ^o^;;
So, I read both books, and that was the point of this post, right? They were so, so awesome! She gave me the e-books for free before publication, but right now, EVERYONE can get them for free on Kindle! Go, quickly, before the free promotion ends!
Not that more-than-free is a bad price AT ALL! They’re SO definitely worth it! The print versions are definitely on my Wishlist (which I use as a to-buy list, although you’re welcome to send me a surprise present from it anytime if you want to make my day!) for me to get one day. Unless someone beats me to it! Which reminds me, I want to send Grace a copy of The Princess of Tennis, too. 🙂
Hi, I wanted to know if you can use grey ink to shade things on a manga page instead of using screentones? 🙂
Sure! There are some artists that do that, or even use colored ink! It’s not as common, though.
Your version definitely resembles Grace’s! The poop hat was a nice touch, too 😉 I definitely want to buy her book after I start my new job, too. And natto! Hate how it costs like 4 or 5 times more in the States.. $3?! What is that, right??
Oh yeah, it’s SO expensive here! Even in Hawaii, where there is a pretty large Japanese population. I’m glad that I don’t like natto, because I would go broke buying it, lol.
I recognized the style right away, so I would say it worked pretty well. You can still tell you drew it, though! Haha. It’s always cool for me when people I look up to interact with each other.
You did a great job imitating her style.
Aww, so adorable! ^^
Yes, I like her comics, too! :3
I’ve seen Grace’s youtube channel, but I had no idea she’s written books. I downloaded them to my Kindle, and can’t wait to read them! Thanks for sharing Jamie (:
ahhh I know right! She’s so cute and great, I’m moving to Japan in May! I love your style so much! It’s a more shoujo manga version of hers. 🙂
Hehee, thanks Kari! I was trying to imitate her style, but I couldn’t get it exactly right. I guess it’s true that the only one who can do you is you!