Poll

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (light novel): Cherry struggles with communicating―even more than the average teenager. He keeps his noise canceling headphones on to avoid conversation and has trouble putting his thoughts into words. Writing haiku seems to be the only way he can express his emotions. It’s the final summer vacation of his high school years, and it’s passing by fairly uneventfully as he packs to move out of town and works part-time at a senior care center. But one day, he encounters Smile, a live streamer who’s self conscious about her buckteeth and braces. Days with her are more exciting, and as they help one of the seniors track down an old record he lost long ago, Cherry suddenly finds himself more inspired and invested than ever before. Fans of the hit anime movie will fall in love alongside Cherry and Smile in this detailed look from the characters’ perspectives!

The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 1: In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort... so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!

I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss (Light Novel), Vol. 1: ​When her engagement to the prince ends unceremoniously, details of the young noblewoman Aileen’s past life come rushing back and help her realize she’s living inside the world of one of her favorite otome games—as the heroine’s greatest rival! However, her memory has more plot holes than bad fan fiction… and the only certainty is that if she doesn’t do something quick, her death is all but assured. The hero/main-love-interest can’t be relied on, so why not see what the last boss has to say?

I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I’m the Strongest? I’m Not Even an Adventurer Yet! Volume 1: The Kingdom of Clays faces a dire crisis: an assassination attempt has just been made on its own Princess Lynneburg, and its neighboring countries eye the aftermath like starving vultures, plotting the Kingdom’s downfall. The ensuing conflict will shape the face of the continent for centuries to come...but Noor doesn’t have a clue about any of that! Having freshly arrived at the royal capital after over a decade of rigorous, isolated training at his mountain home, he’s dead set on achieving his childhood dream of becoming an adventurer, even if the only skills he possesses are useless ones. Sure, he can [Parry] thousands of swords in the span of a single breath, but everybody knows you need more than that if you want to be an adventurer! Our hero’s road to making his dream come true will be long(?) and arduous(?)—but if there’s one thing Noor’s not afraid of, it’s some good ol’ fashioned hard work!

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Vol. 1: Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou is Seiren Private Academy’s “solitary princess.” She’s a half-Russian beauty with silver hair, at the top of her class, student council accountant, and…completely unapproachable. For some reason, she’s also taken on the responsibility of reprimanding the slacker who sits next to her in class. Masachika Kuze is constantly frustrating her by falling asleep, forgetting his textbooks, and just being an overall unexemplary student. Or at least, that’s how it looks from the outside. She may put on a tough act, but she doesn’t mind Masachika as much as others would think. She even lets him call her by her nickname, Alya. Anyone hearing the comments she mutters in Russian under her breath might know how she really feels, but since none of her classmates understand the language, she’s free to say whatever she likes! Except…there is one person who knows what she’s saying. Masachika eavesdrops on her embarrassing revelations, pretending to be clueless, all the while wondering what her flirtatious comments actually mean!

The Ideal Sponger Life: Volume 1: Zenjiro has lived his life as a run-of-the-mill office drone, but an unexpected flash of magic brings him before a beautiful queen -- who wants him to marry her! What's more, if he accepts, he'll never have to work another day in his life. All he'd have to do is lounge around living the good life, freeloading off a drop-dead gorgeous monarch. Sound too good to be true? There's a catch: If he accepts, he has to kiss the Earth, his family, and the internet goodbye! Is it worth trading in everything he knows for something different... or is his bride-to-be hiding secrets about the truth of life at court?

After the top choice is selected, I will roll over every LN that received votes into the nominations for May 2025. The nominations will be open so that members can add additional suggestions.

Thanks to all who participate in the nomination and voting processes.

r/Jack

It looks like The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 1 by Natsu Hyuuga will end up being the group’s first choice.
I checked with all three libraries that I have access to (even the little local rural one) and they all had the light novel in ebook format via Libby or Palace.

I recommend going ahead in borrowing it, or getting in the hold queue, via your local library for the online ebook version or requesting it via interlibrary loan.

It is about 18$ if you want to purchase a new copy although there should be plenty of used copies around.

It is also available through the J-novel online site if you have a subscription. (Lucky you, they have a deep publication collection.)

Regards, Jack