Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Out of step in dance, love and friendship

Leap by Simina Popescu

by Leave a Comment

One of my flaws is that I collect links to reader copies, then forget to read them. I have had one of those links for so long I had forgotten that I not only had it, but all about the book, Leap by Simina Popescu. But once I found this graphic novel, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. Dancers? Ballet? Another LGBTQ story? Not that I have anything against any of those subjects or themes, but dancing and ballet are not usually my […]

Once upon a time, Roller Derby met Wrestling. They fell in love and made Extreme Pillow Fighting

Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke

by Leave a Comment

Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke and illustrator Mel Valentine Vargas is almost a perfect 5, but there were a few small things that I would have liked to have seen. With that said, this is a fun book about body image, taking back sexuality and standing up for yourself. If wrestling and roller derby got together and added pillows (and minus the roller skates) you have Pillow Talk. It is a clever way of taking a familiar story that could have just […]

Kissed by an angel, second life or Toto, whatever you call it, it’s all about love

Toto by Hyewon Yum

by Leave a Comment

Toto by Hyewon Yum is currently available, but I had an online reader copy. Things are cute, but also serious as we are dealing with a birthmark on our narrator’s face. The usual things happen (people stare, the girl is nervous about it, her mother tries to hide it) but it is at school when our gal learns how special her mark (that she calls Toto) is. Things did not “wow” me, but I enjoyed the book. It is a nice addition to the idea […]

Sex, love, and self-forgiveness

Omega Island: Empty Heat by Wendy Rathbone

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

by Leave a Comment

“I really do hate all of this,” I confessed. “That I even have to be here. It’s a great retreat. But I hate the reasons why I’m here. I hate my body. All of it. It’s what I hide behind. It’s not the reality of me. I want to look good to the outside world, like nothing’s wrong. Like I’m worthy.” ― Wendy Rathbone, Omega Island: Empty Heat Callum is an omega who has tried everything: therapy, pills, exercise, meditation, and time. But, when the […]

Homework, boys, hidden lizard people labs

School for Extraterrestrial Girls Vol. 2: Girls Take Flight  by Jeremy Whitley

by Leave a Comment

I am giving School for Extraterrestrial Girls Vol. 2: Girls Take Flight by Jeremy Whitley a 3.5 as I need the rest of the series (and there were some story flow issues that I had). This is a series where I need everything it has all at once. I can handle it! This nickel and diming Tara and her friends story is going to make me spontaneous combust! Like Tara does one day in class.   That part of the story is from book one, where we learn that Tara is […]

I need more room for more of the illustrations.

Everybody Has a Body by Molli Jackson Ehlert

by Leave a Comment

    I like books about body positivity. And Everybody Has a Body tries to tap into this theme. Now, they tend to run the route of body “neutral” instead of being a true “positivity” book. Molli Jackson Ehlert talks to us in frank terms. You are tall. Or short. Or thin. Or hairy. Or in a wheelchair. Or have a limb difference. Or are bald. Or so much more. There are all types of bodies and they just are. And all these bodies can […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo