family – Page 18 – Cannonball Read 17

A romance about audiobook narrators, by a queen of audiobook narration

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

May 10, 2025 by Malin Leave a Comment

Sewanee (pronounced Swanie, several characters call her Swan) Chester was a child actress on a popular sitcom, but a serious injury while filming her big break as an adult led to her losing an eye and becoming permanently scarred, so now she makes her living as an audiobook narrator. While it may not be as glamorous as acting, she’s very good at it and has won several awards. Early in her career, she also narrated romance novels, but now her cynicism makes it too hard […]

Finding Home

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

May 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

If you want a really tough read, and not just because of the theme, then pick up As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh. None of the difficulties I had with this book comes from the story or even technically the writing itself. However, my issues were that the beginning is slow. There is a lot of build up, taking what feels like forever to “get to the point.” The author, like her main characters, are terrible flirts (as in they like […]

Honey I Shrunk the Sleepover and found a magical artifact

Forsynthia V02: The Shrink Ray Sleepover by Rachel DiNunzio

May 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A while back, I found Forsynthia V01: Rise of the Cupcakes by Rachel DiNunzio in an online reader copy. I was blown away. I thought it was one of the most fun, cute, silly, adorable, graphic novels I had seen. It was “spooky” as we had to fight attacking cupcakes, but it was sweet (not just because of the cupcakes) but because it was funny, clever and the family dynamic was perfect. The sisters get along. The parents are modern and caring (if maybe a […]

Once upon a time, Roller Derby met Wrestling. They fell in love and made Extreme Pillow Fighting

Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke

May 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke and illustrator Mel Valentine Vargas is almost a perfect 5, but there were a few small things that I would have liked to have seen. With that said, this is a fun book about body image, taking back sexuality and standing up for yourself. If wrestling and roller derby got together and added pillows (and minus the roller skates) you have Pillow Talk. It is a clever way of taking a familiar story that could have just […]

My review became longer than the books combined!

Baby Play (Bilingual Portuguese & English) (Barefoot Bilinguals) by Skye Silver

Our World: England by Sumana Seeboruth

Barefoot Baby-Proof: Baby's First Words by Christiane Engel

Feelings & Firsts: Won’t Go! by Sumana Seeboruth

Feelings & Firsts: Not Tired! by Sumana Seeboruth

May 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Recently I received an envelope from Barefoot Press. (I might have cackled, “MINE! MINE! ALL MINE!” I get emotional when my book dealer comes through for me with a fix. And what a fix it was.) There were hardcovers, board books, paperbacks and one of which is an “indestructible paper not board-board books.” I wanted to read then, but decided working probably was more important. I went home, curled up on the couch and started with the board books. The first was Baby Play (Bilingual […]

Based on a Japanese folktale

The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger

April 30, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The cover of the online version of The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger (illustrator) was what caught my attention. This white cat jumped off the screen and meowed “look at my colors, my odd grin and you know you want to read me.” I debated laying down as I was at work and a talking computer screen was more than I was ready for. But I went to get some air and read it a bit later. I would love to give […]

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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