New Books!

Hey everyone!

I recently ordered the 3rd Haruhi Suzumiya light novel (The Boredom of HS) and the 2nd Spice and Wolf L.N.

They both arrived yesterday in the mail and I've begun reading the Suzumiya book.

Let me 1st start of by saying that I'm a huge Suzumiya fan. If it's related to the series. Chances are, I know about it, own it, seen it, or plan on seeing it. I've seen all the seasons, read the books, read the mangas, seen the spinoffs (yes, even all of nyoron~), and I've even enjoyed the Nagato spin-off manga that came out around the same time the movie did.

However there are of course fans who still have yet to read the book. My only advice is this: You have no reason not to. The anime is a near-perfect transcription of what happens in the page and the dialogue. So whatever you enjoyed in the series, you're bound to enjoy in the text (unless of course, if you're just watching for the pretty pictures flashing in front of your screen then please leave the post-room)

As far as I can tell to compare for you only anime watchers. Book 3 covers the baseball tourney, bamboo leaf rhapsody, the island murder case, and the mysterious internet symbol (you know, the one where the crew has to help save the computer club's president who's gone missing. Blah, blah) The only thing that I'm not really happy about this purchase is that it seems a bit lacking compared to some of the other books. I own books 1 and 2 and I read through them like my life depended on it. Not saying I won't do the same for this one. But to me, the only chapter that might actually significantly add to the story will be bamboo leaf rhapsody and maybe a bit of the island murder case (but that's just mostly for the scene in the cave ;P). Although thinking back, book 2 only covered the film production which also technically isn't the most important to the story. However there are a few more important scenes in that book then this one probably.

Also. I felt as though each book generally tended to focus on a specific character in the series or his/her interaction with Kyon. If this is so then #3 doesn't seem to focus on anyone in particular (book 1 is about Haruhi, book 2 focuses on Kyon's interest in Mikuru-chan, but book 3...?). Although that would explain why each cover of the book focuses on that specific cover (1-Haruhi, 2-Mikuru, 3-Nagato, so...?)

Now don't get me wrong. I am in no way saying that this book will be disappointing or bad. I'm just stating that this might not be THE crucial book in the series (#1 still holds that spot...so far).

As for Spice and Wolf #2.

I also really enjoyed this an anime and am begging to god for season 3 (I can haz continuation plz?) so if anyone's heard anything. Please speak up!

As for the books, it's not too similar to Haruhi in book-to-anime plots. The plot in the book has a different take but mostly there just are different characters. But don't be turned away by this. In my opinon I don't think this hurts the series at all, on the contrary, it makes something new for me get in to. The basic plot is still there and a lot of the best scenes are also taken straight from the book (Holo/Horo and Lawrence's 1st encounter for example).

However book 1 only covered half of season 1. Book 2 picks up right before Lawrence makes his "mistake" that gives the plot for the 2nd half of the series (If you've seen the show, you should know what I'm talking about. If not, I don't want to spoil anything). So again, I'm reading something that I technically already know the outcome but I'm still just as excited. Also, an interesting little tidbit. The book came with an alternative cover. It's a bit more "americanized" as I like to call it. Basically it helps the book to be sold in normal stores since the cover is less anime-ish and more cheezy-romance novel-ish...if that makes sense. Either way the pictures are below and you can see for yourself. I liked this idea though. The 1st book only came with this version as a permanent cover. But as a true fan of the series I wanted an anime cover and so if you take of the fake cover, you get (what I believe to be) the original cover. Although, I'll admit that I'm much more comfortable with taking out the book now in the fake cover, draws less attention where-as the Haruhi book tends to get stares (sigh, some people just are rude). Granted it still is in paperback either way, but that's a minute detail.

I'm very excited to read both of these books and can't wait for more from both! I strongly suggest looking into both series!