Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Think a train might hit softer than these ladies

Wild: Or So I Was Born To Be by Cristian Castelo

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cbr14bingo Scandal Level 3 (the scandalous behavior) This first volume of “the Wild” series, is set in the late 1970s and is a coming of age on the roller derby track. Do not worry about winning, just try to stay alive, as you hallucinate, dreams and the rival teams after you. The ketchup, mustard and hamburger colors show in minimalist format, the gruesome ugliness of it all (and the spaghetti eating contest wall of shame). Cristian Castelo has a warp self of self. They made […]

The Lynx Knows

Secret Identity: A Novel by Alex Segura

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I waited for this book for months. Months! And for the most part, it was worth the wait. It’s very good. I’ve read other stuff from Alex Segura, from his Pete Fernandez mystery books to the first edition of his Black Ghost graphic novel series. I love his interest in how journalism, urban corruption, and dogged investigative work come together to tell an entertaining tale. It’s right up my alley. This ambitious novel set in the comic industry in 1970s New York City could fall flat for trying to […]

Matt Scudder – Nostalgic NYC Noir

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block

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My dad was a huge fan of the prolific author Lawrence Block. Block is best known for two series of books, one following ex NYC cop Matthew Scudder and his battles with alcohol and guilt, as well as a light-hearted series about the charming burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, who always seems to find himself on a job in a fabulous residence that also happens to contain a dead body. Most of the Scudder novels are included with my Audible subscription, so I have been enjoying revisiting […]

Life in Africa, But Probably Not at All What You Are Thinking Of

A Girl Is a Body of Water by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

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There was something about the writing of this account of growing up female in 1970s – 80s Uganda that struck me as different but I couldn’t quite place it.  And then I read an interview with the author wherein she explained that as an African writer writing in English, you have a choice.  Are you writing for an English-speaking audience, for whom explanations may be needed, or are you writing for your people?  Makumbi chose the latter, and the book becomes all the much richer […]

Dirty War

Velvet Was The Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Read as Part of CBR13Bingo: Rec’d. Inspired by Emmalita’s review.  This one is a tough one to review. I really wish both Cannonball Read and Goodreads had half stars. This is a solid 3.5. I’m giving it the bump to 4 but just barely. I appreciated Emmalita’s review and others I’ve read. BookMarks collected mostly rave reviews about this book. At times, I felt like it elevated itself. The feeling of Mexico City in the 70s, political tension, Cold War flashpoint was real. The two […]

a sweet and familiar coming-of-age story that sidestepped my biggest worries

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

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Let me start out with a BIG sigh of relief: WHEW!!!! That was a CLOSE one! In a story where a 14 year old girl is introduced to sex, drugs, and rock and roll things could have gone quickly and irreparably off the rails- especially with blurbs on the jacket comparing Mary Jane to Daisy Jones and the Six and Almost Famous! Don’t get me wrong: I loved Almost Famous as a teen, but it does not treat it’s female characters with much kindness. I found Daisy Jones to be […]



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