Cannonball Read 17

Late to the party, but still treats

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I came late to the Carrie Fisher as an author party. I knew she had written certain ones, forgotten she’d written other ones, but never read anything. Plus, I only had a small inkling of wanting to read anything (mostly right after she passed). But then I found The Princess Diarist. Thinking it was … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:527 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Comedy/Humor, Fantasy, Health, History, Non-Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction · Tags: actors, actresses, carrie fisher, essays, memoirs, star wars ·

Mom and Me

The Brunch Shift by Adrienne Thurman

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When reading a book, you always start with the cover. When I saw it as an online reader, the cover image was just a thumbnail for The Brunch Shift. I did not think I was going to like it based on the cover alone as unfortunately, there did not seem to be anything grabbing me. I figured I knew the … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:526 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction, Health · Tags: Adrienne Thurman, diners, family, imagination, jobs, Mothers and daughters, parents, Social Themes ·

That Rumpelstiltskin is my name

Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Do you like fairy or folk tales? Do you like pure telling of said fairy tales with a small change? And do you like Rumpelstiltskin? Or at least the story, it is a little hard to like Rumpelstitskin. And if you answered yes to any of the above, you should read Mac Barnett’s version of the … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:525 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, History, Mystery, Religion, Suspense · Tags: adaptations, Carson Ellis, folktales, Germany, legends, Mac Barnett, Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis, Rumpelstiltskin ·

Not a buddy movie

Stray by Ryu Kamio

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Reading via an online reader copy is sometimes hard for me. But I persevere and just keep swimming, I mean reading. But with Stray there was the added issue of a big ol’ “watermark” in the middle of things. Nope, they did not want people copying the manga comic by Ryu Kamio and illustrator Nakamura … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:524 · Genres: Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, History, Mystery, Suspense, Young Adult · Tags: action, corruption, crime, East Asian Style, Japan, manga, Nakamura Yuu, Ryu Kamio, yakuza power ·

Silent music for peace

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals by Christy Mihaly

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals is just a WOW book. It is beautifully written, beautifully illustrated and beautifully presented. Christy Mihaly and illustrator Mariona Cabassa made this (due mid/later April 2026) book about a person and story I do not think I had ever … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:523 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction · Tags: Christy Mihaly, europe, Mariona Cabassa, Pablo Casals, Social Activists, Social Themes, Spain ·

Music puzzle

Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical Puzzles Come Alive by Erin Frankel

November 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Picture books. Love them or hate them they are a genre that has expanded my knowledge over the years. I have learned about volcanoes, bats, famous artistic nuns, poems and more. And Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical Puzzles Come Alive by Erin Frankel and illustrator Stacy Innerst … [Read more]

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:522 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction · Tags: Erin Frankel, LGBTQ, music, musicals, Oscar Hammerstein II, Performing Arts, Stacy Innerst, Stephen Sondheim, theater ·

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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