change – Cannonball Read 17

Treasures around us

Pearl of the Sea by Anthony Silverston

September 24, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Recently I am finding several online readers that at first glance are not “grabbing me.” (But then again, if a computer grabs you, you have bigger issues than a book not being interesting.) And, Pearl of the Sea by Anthony Silverston was one of those not at first grabbers. But once I got into it, things started looking up. Now, granted this is not a WOW BEST BOOK EVER! but a book that was a nice break from the fairly intense reads I was reading. […]

Talking about my best friend!

Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1 by Kaz Windness

October 12, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Normally I would just say this book, Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1, was just about friendship. And it is, but it is also about being different and yourself. And when you become your final self, this is a real coming out story that is trans based. Worm, sweet and a bit naïve, says they are like Caterpillar, who is a bit more practical. Such as Caterpillar points out they are not the same when Worm says they are best friends who […]

A little girl and her Babybell cheese

Looking Up by Stephan Pastis

September 27, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Looking Up is typical of Stephan Pastis and his style. Which means there is quirky, off-beat (and sometimes off color) humor. Sometimes you like the characters, sometimes not. They are not Pearls Before Swine as those characters can be adult and this book is for at least ages 10 and up (though younger could do as well, or be read to). However, that is until the end when we find a very powerful, and telling, twist. Of course, Pastis can be serious, too. After all, they […]

“My book-ordering history is definitely going to get me flagged by some evil government algorithm. Lots and lots of books about Vichy France and the French Resistance and more books than any civilian could possibly need about spy craft and fascism. Luckily, there is a Jean Rhys novel in there and a book for Eli called How to Draw Robots. That’ll throw them off the scent.”

Weather by Jenny Offill

October 31, 2020 by andtheIToldYouSos Leave a Comment

Jenny Offill’s latest exercise in approaching anxiety with compassion, Weather, kicks off right before the 2016 election. While she isn’t that exact- you come to realization through context clues- the time and feeling is accurate and thick in the air. Just like in Dept. of Speculation, Offill packs years worth of pathos into a collection close to just 200 pages. Her economy of vocabulary is something that I strive to possess. Our narrator is worried about wasting time; she sits on an unfinished masters while answering […]

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.

Help Our Mission