Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

An Entertaining History of the Plague

The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death by John Kelly

by Leave a Comment

The title of John Kelly’s The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death does not suggest an entertaining read, and of course in the particulars of the plague in 14th century Europe there is plenty of somber (and gross) information. But Kelly’s writing style is crisp, fast-moving, and yes, entertaining. When I told my dad the same about the book, I could practically see his eyes roll out of his head over email. But it’s true I tell you! The Great Mortality focuses […]

You’re never too old to come of age.

Motherlover by Lindsay Ishihiro

by Leave a Comment

Motherlover by Lindsay Ishihiro was sent to me from an Iron Circus Comics email. I was not specially targeted but that was fine. After all, I find some of my favorite reads because of things like this. Now, I was a little turned off first of all by the fact it was being promoted as a romance and a non-spicy romance graphic novel, slow burn one at that. But I have been trying to step outside my reading comfort zone, so why not give it […]

Summer dares and becoming aware

Ready or Not by Andi Porretta

by Leave a Comment

Ready or Not by the author by Andi Porretta is overall a nice coming of age story. Sometimes the characters are likeable and sometimes less so. They are relatable and each is unique to themselves. There are good illustrations that are not busy but not lacking with good colors in a traditional style. There is some drinking, overdrinking (a quick vomit scene) and “teen angst” situations. There isn’t anything you haven’t seen before, it is just presented in a way that feels a bit fresh […]

Sisters, secrets and dog catchers

Ruff Day (Sixth-Grade Shape-Shifter) by Steven Scott

by Leave a Comment

Ruff Day (Sixth-Grade Shape-Shifter) by Steven Scott and illustrated by Lavinia Brandizi is due in August 2025. And in fact, perhaps the whole series is. It is possible then that when reading my online reader copy I was not starting with book one. This would make sense as there are several pieces of information that are missing and are only “filled in” as almost sidebars and/or to explain to someone when they find out the secret of our main character. The premise is that our […]

She was “Sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

The Story of Fannie Lou Hamer: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers (The Story of Biographies) by Margeaux Weston

by Leave a Comment

She was born Fannie Lou Townsend. She became Fannie Lou Hamer after marrying. She would be born to a large family (20 children) run by sharecropper parents. She did as much schooling as she could, leaving school at a young age, but continuing to read and learn whenever she could.  As she grew she felt that having to work so hard for little results, the discrimination, having to struggle to take care of a family, and having no rights because she was a black woman […]

He’s a Cat. He’s a Man. He’s Cat Man.

Cat Man by Parari

by Leave a Comment

I expected Cat Man by Parari to be totally different from what it was and exactly what it was. However, I assume that it would be a one Cat story. Meaning, there would only be one cat character trying to make it in the human world. The one character who is an “oddball out” or the one who feels like they don’t fit in and wants too, while everyone else seemingly has their litter boxes in order. The main character I assumed would be a […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo