Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

It’s all Greek to Me

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

by Leave a Comment

I haven’t read many Greek mythology retellings, but the ones I have read so far, I’ve really enjoyed. Namely, Madeline Miller’s Circe and The Song of Achilles. I came across Atlanta, by Jennifer Saint, at a book sale recently, and figured it would be in a similar vein. Warning: I’m going to spoil most of the book’s plot points in this review. It’s a 2000+ year old myth, and the book doesn’t really change any of the main story beats. The titular Atalanta was abandoned […]

I like cats. And drawings.

The Boy Who Drew Cats: A Japanese Folktale by Lafcadio Hearn

by Leave a Comment

There are three main times when I swear. In no particular order, when I am tired and/or mad; when I want to make a point and when something is just so fudging (only I didn’t say fudge) good. And The Boy Who Drew Cats: A Japanese Folktale by Lafcadio Hearn is one of those fudging good books. Amazing story, amazing illustrations, amazing feeling to it, even an amazing back story of the author. Perhaps more for adults (collectors of art books, of Japanese folk tales, […]

It’s the 1980s and punk is hot & so are Nina & Kerri. So, now what?

Punk Like Me by JD Glass

by Leave a Comment

Really the only part of Punk Like Me by JD Glass and illustrations by Kris Dresen is that the end happened a little too quickly, and (SPOILER) it was a little too neatly wrapped up. But that is really the only issue I have with the “overallness” of things. We follow Nina, a girl who will have many labels put on her (sister, daughter, friend, girlfriend, dyke, lesbian, swimmer, student, trouble maker, possible Annapolis bound) as she grows, but which is really her? What is […]

Gnome for the holidays

Christmas Gnomes (Gnome for the Holidays) by Kelly Green and Lisa Alderson

by Leave a Comment

I was browsing through some titles the other day in an online catalog. I found Christmas Gnomes (Gnome for the Holidays) by Kelly Green and Lisa Alderson (illustrator). I did not know what the form was (and in fact, didn’t know the story) but knew I had to get it as a gift for my sister who is a gnome lover. In fact, she’s such a lover of the fuzzy capped beings that once I asked her if she minded me getting a gnome I […]

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene don’t stop helping the bees, hunny!

Green Jolene and the Backyard Bees by Wendy Mass

by Leave a Comment

Green Jolene and the Backyard Bees is written by an author I have enjoyed reading over the years. This author is Wendy Mass. And while they have had a few different ages and have written a few different genres, their more realistic stories are fun. And when Mass collaborates with illustrator Billy Yong you get an interesting combination of realistic story, art and modern feelings. Yet, there is also a classical, family friendly feeling as well. This mixture works for today’s readers aged at least […]

Taking a Stand.

The End of the World as We Know It: New Tales from Stephen King's The Stand by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene

by 2 Comments

The Stand was first published in 1978 and is regarded among Constant Readers as King’s seminal work. Ask any true King fan for their thoughts on The Stand and settle in for the response. From the original published version vs the complete and uncut edition, the miniseries vs the ill-fated remake, Frannie (oh dear god that woman…), the “magical negro” stereotype… People have Opinions. Then, 2020 happened, and we all lived through a real super-flu. Sure, it wasn’t nearly as fatal, but it did seem […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo