Want to learn about databases without the tedium? With its unique combination of Japanese-style comics and serious educational content, The Manga Guide to Databases is just the book for you. Princess Ruruna is stressed out. With the king and queen away, she has to manage the Kingdom of Kod's humongous fruit-selling empire. Overseas departments, scads of inventory, conflicting prices, and so many customers! It's all such a confusing mess. But a mysterious book and a helpful fairy promise to solve her organizational problems—with the practical magic of databases. In The Manga Guide to Databases, Tico the fairy teaches the Princess how to simplify her data management. We follow along as they design a relational database, understand the entity-relationship model, perform basic database operations, and delve into more advanced topics. Once the Princess is familiar with transactions and basic SQL statements, she can keep her data timely and accurate for the entire kingdom. Finally, Tico explains ways to make the database more efficient and secure, and they discuss methods for concurrency and replication. Examples and exercises (with answer keys) help you learn, and an appendix of frequently used SQL statements gives the tools you need to create and maintain full-featured databases. (Of course, it wouldn't be a royal kingdom without some drama, so read on to find out who gets the girl—the arrogant prince or the humble servant.) (Source: No Starch Press)

A great hero lies undefeated on her deathbed, regretting that she never found a foe who could take her down. She never intended to meet her fate anywhere other than on the battlefield, and her peaceful demise has her wishing desperately that things could have been different… But when she suddenly comes to in the body of the young, frail Nia Liston, she’s got an all-new fight ahead of her. Nia is a sickly child, meaning she has a long way to go before she’s in fighting form. Now that she’s been given a second shot at life, however, she’s determined to get what she wants. She’s going to live—and die—for battle this time! Make way for the Merciless Maiden! *Source: J-Novel Club, Vol. 1*

Manga version of the novel Kokoro by Natsume Souseki.

Soseki Natsume's comic masterpiece, I Am a Cat, satirizes the foolishness of upper-middle-class Japanese society in early 20th century Tokyo. Written with biting wit and sardonic perspective, it follows the whimsical adventures of a rather cynical stray kitten. He finds his way into the home of an English teacher, where his running commentary on the follies and foibles of the people around him has been making readers laugh for more than a century. Beautifully illustrated by Japanese artist Chiroru Kobato, this edition provides a visual, entertaining look at a unique period in Japan's history—filled with cultural and societal changes, rapid modernization and a feeling of limitless possibility—through the eyes of an unlikely narrator. (Source: Tuttle Publishing)

From Viz: The year is 1787, Tenmei Era, a time of plague and famine in Japan, When ordinary swordsman only add to the piles of corpses on the street. But Nakoruru, a nature-worshipping Ainu priestess; Haohmaru, a bold samurai with a death wish; Hanzo, a ninja loyal to the Shogun, are samurai spirits with a common destiny. With Nakoruru's guidance, the trio battle the supernatural forces of the Dark Kingdom, led by the half-human wizard Madou Shiranui. If Shiranui's troops succeed in fomenting a war between Japan's warlords, the resulting devastation will clear the way for Dark Kingdom invasion of earth. Can the the brave samurai stave off an all-out attack by an entire legion of demons?

He was my love at first sight in the convenience store. "Sure, once it's summer, I can go out with you," he said. Summer love? Wouldn't it be exhilarating?! Yes, it is certainly exciting in many ways... Maybe with a few tears. (Source: Manga.club)

Karin's wedding is just around the corner, and while she is enjoying a blissful meal with her family, her fiance Chris and his father suddenly inform her that the engagement is off. Though shaken by their unexpected declaration, Karin asks Chris for the reason, and he reveals that he has fallen for Mary, Karin's best friend. With her honor and dignity tarnished by Chris and his father's thoughtless actions, Karin plummets into despair. However, her brother asserts that they will give them "a taste of their own medicine." The Rhedsum family shall not be trifled with! Dive into a refreshing and elegant fantasy of nobility and revenge! (Source: MangaPlaza)

**Her longtime crush is suddenly interested in her, but she knows he’s an inveterate playboy…** Natalie is a secretary who has secretly fallen in love with her boss, Kane, an incredibly successful businessman. Kane, however, is a playboy who moves from model to model. There’s no way he’d ever look twice at Natalie…or so she thinks. Determined to forget about him, Natalie undergoes an astonishing transformation. She goes on a diet and starts dating other men, but none of it makes her feel better… Kane, on the other hand, is suddenly seeing her in a new light. Assuming that she’s gotten a new boyfriend, he starts meddling in her private life. He invites Natalie over to his house for business, but things between them are about to get quite steamy!

What's a kiss that feels good? We'll end up kissing like this again tomorrow, won't we...? Her boyfriend's extremely controlling behavior is making Shuna emotionless. That's when a tutor is hired to teach her at home. "I'll teach you about more than just schoolwork." Huh? What is he saying? What do Kusunoki-sensei's fascinating words and behaviors end up making Shuna do? (Source: Pocket Comics)

American beauty Eve Craig fell under the spell of powerful Talos Xenakis in a hot-blooded Athens encounter....Three months later Eve has lost her innocence--and her memory! But she has aroused Talos's desire and his anger--she has betrayed him. So what better way to punish the woman who nearly ruined him, than marry--and destroy--her? Only she's now carrying his love-child..

With the proposal, "Let's make a baby". High school student Kotori is roped up into a fake relationship with Sei, the head of the wealthy Takamiya family. Even though Kotori's traumatic past makes her uneasy with other people, she can't escape this situation, but Kotori isn't the only one with secrets. Being forced to visit Sei every day, actually shows he's keeping some of his own! As the Takamiya family aims to continue its lineage, Kotori's gradually getting caught up in their schemes. Clumsy, but also straightforward, this story follows a lonely girl and a troubled nobleman's son's love story. (Source: MangaPlaza)