Religion – Page 62 – Cannonball Read 17

Friends Forever. Or not.

Friends Forever by Shannon Hale

October 12, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

In the third installment of Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham’s graphic Novel, we have read this story before: Eighth grader coming of age during the late 1980s. No matter the decade, subjects do not change as we still deal with friendships, boys, family, finding your friends, finding confidence, finding the right outfit. Still, the fact that this is based on Hale’s own growing up makes it more special to me (as I’m usually a fan of anything they write and we are of a similar […]

Hitting you in the feels

The Wishing Balloons by Jonathan D. Voss

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home by Zahra Marwan

September 24, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When I do a picture book review post I try and put the same theme together. Does not always work of course, but this time, I am putting together two books that gave feels. Or will give feels to the reader. Both books have a message, are soft but strong and know how to tug at the ol’ emotions. In many ways, we have seen these messages to distractions. It is their illustrations that give them fresh tones. The Wishing Balloons is a thoughtful and […]

Let me tell you about a secret

Nasreen’s Secrete School by Jeanette Winter

September 24, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Jeanette Winter’s style comes alive in this 2009 picture book, Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan. The colors of the illustrations are rich, deep, and plentiful. I have always appreciated how things are fanciful and realistic at the same time. This story is based on the story of a girl of Afghanistan, who of course, has had her and her family names changed to protect everyone. This book has come back into our knowledge due to recent events in the country. Worries that […]

I’m an Atheist and This Book is Exhausting

Hi, I'm an Atheist by David G. McAfee

September 12, 2021 by Emmalita 6 Comments

I am an atheist and I was so exhausted by this book. David G. McAfee’s Hi, I’m an Atheist: What That Means and How to Talk About it With Others is often sloppy, arrogant and patronizing. McAfee is so focused on proving atheism is better than religion that he undermines his own advice about how and why to talk to people about being an atheist. Very few experts on communication recommend founding a difficult conversation on the idea that one position is clearly better than the […]

I stole the images from online, but all thoughts and opinions are mine

Talking to Strangers: A Memoir of My Escape from a Cult by Marianne Boucher

August 25, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

One thing I like about working at a bookstore is you never know what you will find. And when circumstances had me finding Talking to Strangers: A Memoir of My Escape from a Cult my first thought was (as I only saw Talking to Strangers), “So?” But then I looked at the cover and thought, “Well that’s interesting. Let’s give Marianne Boucher more of a look-at later.” I left it, face up on my desk, and a nosy coworker looked at it, “What’s this…. oh! […]

Familiar faces and story with a twist

Manu by Kelly Fernandez

August 25, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Best friends, magic and religion mix for a fantastic fantasy graphic novel called Manu by Kelly Fernandez. The themes, landscape and feeling of the novel itself is based in the author/illustrators Dominican and American heritage. This is a modern fairy/folk tale that combines classic story and new imagery. Manu was a foundling. Manu is always getting into trouble. Manu is a bit “too much” for her classmates. But Manu is loved by the headmistress and her best friend, Josefina. This is a school for magical […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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