Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Entire epic fantasy in one novel: cbr12bingo “Orange” – Bingo!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

by 1 Comment

“Orange” square completes my first Bingo! The Priory of the Orange Tree was the featured speculative fiction pick of the month by Mysterious Galaxy when it was first released.  One of the booksellers, who is a huge epic fantasy fan, was eagerly waiting to read it because it’s the type of fantasy that has appendices.  At the time it came home, I didn’t have space space in the TBR.  However, it was the perfect fit for the orange square, which gave me the push to […]

The garden itself isn’t magic, positive thinking and determination are what brings the change: cbr12 bingo “Green”

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Tasha Tudor

by 3 Comments

I did not intend for The Secret Garden to  be my “Green” book for Cannonball bingo but when I finished reading it to my 8 year old last night, it seemed silly to not take advantage of it fitting the green square.  This is my beloved copy from childhood.  I can’t recall how many times it has been read over the years and with this re-read it has now been shared with both my children.  The Secret Garden captured my imagination as a child with its […]

Grounded in reality, gripping science fiction: cbr12bingo White Whale

SevenEves by Neal Stephenson

by 2 Comments

SevenEves is my “White Whale” for Cannonball bingo 12.  When it came out, my spouse raved about it and in the five years since its release, SevenEves keeps cropping up on “best of lists” and positive Cannonballer reviews.  Despite all the positivity, I was resistant to reading based on size and how that could affect my cannonball.  The White Whale square gave me an excellent reason to move it to the top of the TBR. To some extent, my title says it all.  SevenEves is one […]

“Any effective solution to eradicating American racism must involve Americans committed to anti-racist policies” – CBR12Bingo “How to”

Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

by Leave a Comment

This book fits the “How to” square by teaching me how to be a better anti-racist.  It is not enough to be against racism, one must be actively anti-racist, which is different.  I am a white woman and in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, came to realize that I was woefully under educated about the problem of racism in America.  At the time all sorts of recommended reading lists came out and Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas […]

A Storied Life: The Autobiography of Book – No Money!

Book by John Agard

by Leave a Comment

Book was given to me from my mother and so fits the “No Money!” square of bingo.  This a really cute concept, it is the history of books presented as an autobiography of, Book.  Book narrates to you its history and development throughout the ages.  This slim volume is written for a younger audience but it also would make a cute gift for the bibliophile in your life (which is how I ended up with it).  Book is eager to share and proud of its […]

Faking consumption to get husband’s attention: Debut

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

by Leave a Comment

To Have and to Hoax is the debut novel by Martha Waters and was a fun choice for that bingo square.  Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey, during her first season, found herself in a compromising position on a dark balcony with the handsome Lord James Audley.  Sparks flew between the two of them and when discovered by Violet’s mother, he instantly proposes. A love match is unusual in their society circles and for the first year everything seemed perfect.  Violet is an avid reader, […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo