Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

The title I forgot, the book I enjoyed

Hummingbird Heart by Travis Dandro

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Have you requested a book from the library and when you get the notice that it is in you pick it up and say, “Why in the world did I want this book?” Well, I do that probably more than I should. However the kicker is, 8 out of 10 times I enjoy it. I think forgetting why one was getting an item/book is a good way to allow yourself to not go into something with any preconceived ideas. And Hummingbird Heart by Travis Dandro […]

Two pieces of history around the world

A Place Called Galveston by Andrea Shapiro

Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of Mexico's First Woman President by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky and Carlos Vélez Aguilera

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Recently I mentioned to a friend of mine that there are a lot of political titles happening, even in the children’s genres. And most are slanted seriously and obviously in one direction or the other. Therefore, when I find something that is not political, but could fit current events I try to pay attention.  Two of those books are A Place Called Galveston by Andrea Shapiro and illustrator Valerya Milovanova, as well as Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of Mexico’s First Woman President by Deborah […]

The Road to Nebraska

Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska by Warren Zanes

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In between the massive successes of The River tour and the release of Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen shocked fans, and his record label, with Nebraska, a bare-bones collection of songs recorded on a four-track tape recorder in the bedroom of a rented house in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Refusing to promote the album or tour on it, Nebraska was essentially dropped on the world with no explanation. Critically admired, the album sold respectably, but its reputation would only grow with time. Warren Zanes, a […]

Locked Down

The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison by Hugh Ryan

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Read as part of CBR17 Bingo: black cover Greenwich Village is perhaps the most beautiful neighborhood in the world’s greatest city. I love walking through it: the winding streets, the townhomes, the cafes and bars, the rich history. It feels like the best the city has to offer. I remember passing by the spot where the Women’s House of Detention was and thinking how beautiful the new building looked. I was curious to see where Mae West had been locked up and assumed when I […]

The encouraging message that went viral is now in a cute book with more friends

Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan's Positive Penguin by Rurutea

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I have seen this adorable little penguin on some things but never knew that it had a name or that recently they had a book come out called Koupen-chan & You: Words of Encouragement from Japan’s Positive Penguin by Rurutea. When I found this book as an online reader copy (though it is available currently), I figured I would look at a few pages (as it was nearly 300 pages). What started as a “few pages” turned into “all the pages” read. Now, it is […]

Cooking at its best is an improvisational art form.

Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen by Jyoti Mukharji, Auyon Mukharji

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I fell in love with Heartland Masala while reading an early page where Auyon Mukharji talks about developing his roti rolling skills. He shares that in the time it takes him to shape one lumpy roti, his mother can make 10 perfectly round rotis with her eyes closed. But he persists in making roti, because the only way to get better at it is to do it. I annoyed my housemate by reading this section aloud to her. Because, exactly! To get better at cooking you […]



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