Brothers and sisters – Cannonball Read 17

Works of Pimienta

Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta

Stars, Hide Your Fire by Kel McDonald

July 31, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Somewhere I have a copy of the book, Twin Cities by Joe Pimienta. Do I know where it is? Not a chance! Books have a habit of finding safe spots that are so safe even I don’t know where they are! Therefore, thank goodness for my local library. I’m thinking that two readings for adults would be a good idea. First, read the text then second, read the illustrations. Trying to do both at the same time is a little hard. You see, this might […]

When you think you’ve joined the good guys but you’ve really just joined a cult

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat

September 26, 2023 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

CBR15Bingo: Relation “ship” (cargo ships and relationships) Bingo: (left to right: Dwelling to On the Air) Will Kempen is on the run and on a mission: find the man who had his mother murdered and take him down. Unfortunately, his mission leads him directly into the hands of those who want him dead. After being rescued off of a sinking ship by Violet, the two of them are taken back to the hall of the Stewards (protectors of the light and fighters against the Dark […]

Living up to your infamous family heritage

Shelley Frankenstein! V01 CowPiggy by Colleen Madden

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Do you want a book where your main character has a “loud personality” and is a big sister, and is a person who does not realize that people do not like to be scared (not even a little bit) most of the time (if not all the time)? Then you probably want to read the graphic novel, Shelley Frankenstein! V01 CowPiggy by Colleen Madden. There is a cute sister/brother relationship, and the historical aspect is amusing (yes, THOSE Frankenstein’s are the ancestors of Shelley and […]

Modern nostalgia

Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by James Howe

Wait Till Helen Comes Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn

July 11, 2022 by BlackRaven 2 Comments

My 1980’s childhood called and wants its books back. Or at least, it wants to share with you two treasured favorites of mine now in a graphic novel format. Bunnicula and Wait Till Helen Comes are two books I still recommend today. They are “safe” for a younger reader, but still have the edge of a modern reader. Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by James Howe, Andrew Donkin, and illustrations by Stephen Gilpin is what you loved as a kid now in a graphic novel format. […]

Let’s go to sleep

The Dreamway by Lisa Papademetriou

July 7, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I do not remember how I found out about The Dreamway by Lisa Papademetriou but find it I did, and an interlibrary loan is how it came to be in my possession. I would have loved this as a 10-to 13-year-old. The story is cute, but not overly cutesy. There is enough fantasy to grab the fantasy reader, but enough reality to grab them, too. The sibling story is interesting. The narrator’s disability does not come into play a lot (and in fact could be […]

Looking for an “unrealistic YA rom-com where the fat girl gets the guy?” Well, it might be more realistic than you think.

Big Boned by Jo Watson

January 17, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I started Big Boned by Jo Watson sometime last fall. And it took me this long not because it was bad, the opposite actually, but I was only reading at lunch, was not reading every day and it just got away from me. This weekend I had a few hours with nothing bothering me expect my friend’s cat occasionally giving me the stink eye as I was not petting him and sitting in his spot. What started off as a funny-without-be-lol-funny book would have its […]

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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