family – Page 169 – Cannonball Read 17

You crusty ol’ sea dog!

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

May 12, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A young girl and her grandmother move next door to one ol’ poop of an ex-sailor in Swashby and the Sea. And while that sounds horrible, things turn out for the best with humor, much love and the sea providing only what is needed. On the surface the book seems serious, but the overall atmosphere is light-hearted. The antics of the girl and ol’ sea dog will amuse. I found this story of love and friendship sweet and comforting with a dash of not sadness, […]

Whole new meaning to Under the Sea

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige

May 8, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I have not decided why the cover of Mera: Tidebreaker turned me off to the book. In fact, the whole story turned me off. I have never been an Aquaman fan, so maybe that was why. Maybe I was afraid that Danielle Paige would make her too “Girl Power-She-Woman-Man-Hater.” Maybe I was just really envious of her red hair. Regardless of my misgivings, when I finally found a copy of this graphic novel, I was willing to give it a shot. And I am glad […]

Surfs up and so is the adventures

Trot & Cap'n Bill Adventure V01 Sea Sirens by Amy Chu

May 8, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A pet peeve of mine is picking up book two in a series and not realizing it is book two. I did that with the Trot & Cap’n Bill Adventure series by Amy Chu. I stopped reading it and figured someday I would find book one or just see what I could see in it. What happened was that book one, Sea Sirens, found me. Browsing through some books on our return cart, I noticed it. Just sitting there. Quietly. Waiting. And Sea Sirens was […]

It’s A Wonderful Life, Ove

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

May 4, 2020 by randirock 2 Comments

“He was a man of black and white. And she was color. All the color he had.” A Man Called Ove is the story of a curmudgeon who misses his wife, Sonja, terribly… so terribly that he plans to die. He attempts three times and all attempts fail. Ove begrudgingly decides that he still has people to live for and things to do. It’s not quite It’s a Wonderful Life, but there are parallels to this beautiful, heart-warming tale. Among the many touching aspects of this story, […]

One word: DANG

Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero by Ellie Royce

May 4, 2020 by BlackRaven 2 Comments

Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero is a modern take on gender and how it is fluid. It is how Drag is not just “dressing up” but being who you are. The best part is how normal and realistic the situation is. Uncle Leo helps with homework, plays with his nephew and they have fun. Auntie Lotta sings, dances and has fun with her nephew. Just because Leo is Lotta/Lotta is Leo is beside the point. These are things we can relate to: having fun with […]

All For One and One for All…and a Baton Twirl to seal the deal

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

May 4, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I read Kate DiCamillo’s Three Rancheros series out of order. I read Louisiana’s Way Home a few years back and just finished Raymie Nightingale yesterday afternoon. You can read them out of sequence, but it helps a little to know what happened in Raymie’s world first. Because of this order of reading, I think Louisiana’s story was stronger. Maybe it was because I was introduced to her first, or maybe because I have heard Raymie’s story before: the father leaves his family for another woman. […]

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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