Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Take note

Notes to Self: Essays by Emilie Pine

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CBR11bingo The Collection This collection of essays by Emilie Pine was just released in the US but came out to much acclaim in Ireland last year. Pine, who is Associate Professor of Modern Drama at University College Dublin, has written six essays that relate to deeply personal issues for her, but which will resonate with women everywhere. In her author’s note, she writes that these essays began with a family crisis. Once the crisis passed,  …I discovered that I was still lost, still trying to […]

Write What You Know

My Dark Places by James Ellroy

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Read as part of CBR11Bingo: Biography/Memoir As I said a few weeks ago in my review of This Storm, I recently met James Ellroy at a book signing. I confess to feeling some intimidation. I’ve heard many stories over the years of Ellroy’s abrasive and forward personality in public. I shared in a social media group about getting ready to meet Ellroy and one guy shared a story about him fat shaming a kid at a book signing. Granted, it was hearsay but in line with […]

If the shoe doesn’t fit…

Glass Slippers Give You Blisters by Auch, Mary Jane

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My primary reading is Young Adult, so since this is a true kid’s book, I’ll list it as my “YOUTHS!” entry for cbr11bingo. Kelly and her two besties Lisa and Rebecca are just starting junior high. And they’re determined to launch themselves into popularity, since sixth graders are bottom of the totem pole.  Kelly talks her friends into auditioning for the drama production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, sure this will introduce them to the upperclassmen who will secure their place in the upper echelon […]

That’s so Raven?

Teen Titans: Raven by Garcia, Kami

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(I am so behind on my reviews here, but I guess it was good luck since I can return now that cbr11bingo is in swing – speaking of which, this is my entry for “ILLUSTRATED.”) This is my latest read from the DC graphic novels for young readers, and it was another good one! When a car accident leaves Raven Roth grieving her foster mother, she is also left with no memory of herself and is moved to New Orleans with her foster mother’s family […]

To the Stars!

Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan

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In this book, Carl Sagan gives at first an overview of the then current state of the exploration of the Solar System (as it was in the mid-1990s when the book was published), and then debates the question whether we should try to send humans to Mars or not as a first stage of further exploring space with people rather than robots. This leads to speculation not only on the future of space travel and its vital importance, but also on the future of humankind […]

Mixed Bag of Newest Collection by Chiang, but Still Enjoyed

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

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Well, I think that all in all I had a mixed reaction to this newest collection of short stories by Chiang. Some were pitch perfect. Others went on too long and just had a garbled message in my opinion. I still love how he talks about things such as fate, faith, love, and even touches upon how technological advancements does not always equal making things better for human beings or other species. Per usual, here are my individual ratings for the short stories. “The Merchant […]



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