Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“Drawing is completely useless…”

Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto

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I re-read this today while I was organizing my bookcases and considering whether or not to keep it. After the re-read, I’ve decided it can remain, so it’s been granted a stay of execution for now. Look Back is a one-volume manga about the friendship and working relationship of Fujino and Kyomoto. The two women meet in grade school, during which they both do comic strips for the school newspaper. Kyomoto is a shut-in and Fujino is sent to bring her her middle school diploma. […]

A Delightful Medley of the Finest New Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Freestyle by Gale Galligan

Growing Pains by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks

The Baby-Sitters Club #12: Jessi's Secret Language by Chan Chau

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

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My love of middle grade graphic novels continues to deepen as more and more great books come out. Over the past week I read these six, which almost all came out recently (Tidesong came out in 2021). What really struck me about most of them is the wonderful diversity of viewpoints and experiences, which makes for a varied and rewarding reading experience. Hopefully as the generation of kids reading these grows up, we will see a similar boom in YA and adult graphic novels. Freestyle […]

Lumberjanes do Friendship to the Max Indoors and Out

Lumberjanes (vols. 13-14) by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Dozerdraws

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Bingo review 14: Friendship Since a tagline for the series is “Friendship to the Max!”, I figure Lumberjanes vols. 13-14 counts for the Friendship square. After a few shaky installments, it feels like the Lumberjanes series is getting its groove back a little. For those unfamiliar, this is a comic book series that follows a group of girls who become friends at the Lubmerjanes summer camp aka “Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types”. April’s the leader go-getter type, Jo’s the smart […]

If Big Little Lies Met To Kill A Mockingbird

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

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I can’t claim the title of this review as my own. The cover of The Night the Lights Went Out features a pull quote from a review stating, “If Big Little Lies met To Kill a Mockingbird.” As much as I love Karen White’s books, I instantly thought, “Yeah, right.” I’m pleased to say I was wrong. This book is pure entertainment. I couldn’t put it down. I get the reticence to compare a beach-y read to a literary classic, but let’s roll with it this […]

Books Set in Australia are Best on Audiobook

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I recently listened to the audiobook of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, and it was wonderful. First, I love Australian accents, and I could happily listen to the narrator all day. Second, the book is just so dang well written . The relationships between all the characters is just wonderfully depicted, and I love how distinct the narrators’ three voices are. After finishing this, I had to immediately go out and get more of Moriarty’s books.



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