It’s back to school time! Depending on who you are, going back to school can be confusing, joyful, frightening, lonely, overwhelming, hopeful, exciting, stressful, or all of the above in a single day! As the kids head back to the classroom, it is a great time to remind children of what Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, “the only way to have a friend is to be one”.

Currently, I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction, and my reading list has included some of the current (New York Times) bestselling titles. This list includes a variety of genres-from science to social justice to biography.

Manga encompasses a myriad of genres, from science fiction and fantasy to mysteries, sports, and realistic fiction (often labeled slice of life), to name a few. It’s also often grouped into broad demographic categories: shōnen (“young boys’ manga”), shōjo (“young girls’ manga”), seinen, and josei (manga for young adult men and women, respectively). These categories are mainly used by publishers and aren’t exactly genres unto themselves—you’re just as likely to see fantasy shōjo manga as slice of life shōnen manga, and they appeal to readers of all ages, regardless of gender.

You’ve probably heard about the upcoming solar eclipse on August 21. In Southeastern Wisconsin we will see a partial solar eclipse with the moon covering about 85% of the sun. The eclipse will begin at 11:53am and end at 2:40pm. The maximum coverage of the sun by the moon will take place at 1:18pm. If you want to view the eclipse be sure to get a pair of solar viewing glasses. It is unsafe to look directly at the sun because of the ultraviolet light, but certified solar eclipse glasses protect your eyes. Here are a few reading recommendations to prepare for the solar eclipse.