Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

The size of history

We Are American, Too by Kristen Mei Chase and Jieting Chen

The Memory Cake by Caroline L. Perry and Jen Bricking

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History is all around us. And history can be as large as World War II or as small as being the second person of your race being born in a town.  We Are American, Too tackles that second theme. Kristen Mei Chase and illustrator Jieting Chen follow a family on an important day of celebration. They are honoring their history, family, their people and even themselves. The originality of the book comes from how the story is told, instead of “just another immigrant story” which […]

Overthinking a Celebrity Chef Memoir

Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

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I have always watched a lot of TV and movies but due to various circumstances, there have been many times in my lives where I didn’t have cable. First I was overseas and relied on DVDs to binge all the popular series, then Netflix became popular and networks like ABC and The CW all had their own apps so I could watch the last 5 episodes of the shows I was currently into. In other words, I have never really watched channels like The Food […]

I want to ride my bicycle and eat noodles

Noodle on a Bicycle (Caldecott Honor Book) by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang

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I can be a snob when a book is given high praise. Especially winning something like the Caldecott or even a Caldecott honor award. Now, that is not to say the book wasn’t deserving, but I have the personality that says, “Was it really that good?” Usually, I can enjoy it, but no, it was not worth the “hype.” I said usually. The picture book Noodle on a Bicycle (Caldecott Honor Book) by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang (as the illustrator) was worth the award(s) […]

Finally a way to get rid of the so-called Spice Coke

Saved By Cake: Over 80 Ways to Bake Yourself Happy by Marian Keyes

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I don’t think I’ve ever read a cookbook written by a novelist; I’ve read novels that have recipes in them, but that’s a different thing. I’ve only read 1 novel by Marian Keyes; I was visiting my mom who lived in Ireland at the time, I was bored, and I pulled a book off one of here shelves. It was Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes, and I remember it being basically a group of friends navigating modern life with a strong dose of romance. […]

Don’t pass on these Passover books

An Invitation to Passover by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen and Mariia Kolker

Why On This Night? : A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration by Rahel Musleah and Louise August

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Both of the Passover books in this review are from February 2024, however, I still had online reader copies of both. The first, An Invitation to Passover by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen and illustrated by Mariia Kolker was read in full, while the second, Why On This Night? : A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration by Rahel Musleah, and Louise August was skimmed. With that said, both seem to be really good Passover stories. Olitzky’s story is a younger introduction to the […]

You put tea in what now?

Brew Bake Sip & Savour by Bird & Blend Tea Co

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When one of my favorite tea shops in Scotland announced they had a cookbook coming, I definitely pre-ordered it. Then Barnes and Noble canceled the pre-order. Then I had to get it off of the general internet; ordering it from the shop online store would have cost more in shipping than the book. But I finally got Brew, Bake, Sip & Savour. I’m not super surprised, but it is almost a necessity that you either have or are pretty familiar with Bird & Blend Tea […]



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