Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

What’s in a name?

Spear by Nicola Griffith

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The last few years I try to read at least one or two things that I would not normally read. I have done horror graphic novels, manga, and adult novels. I did not do great (but not horrible) this year (that horror manga comic alone would have been enough), but I figured Spear by Nicola Griffith might work. It was adult, and science-fiction/fantasy (heavier on the fantasy). And it was short. I find that if you are tackling a subject/genre you do not normally, short […]

I really wanted to like this one; I really, really tried.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

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It’s 1893, and the witchways are gone from the world. There is no more big magic: no more calling of storms, no curing of plagues, no blessings on fields and pastures. But a little magic still exits. Women still charm the wrinkles out of shits, bewitch bread from burning in the oven, or enchant a needle to be threaded on the first attempt.  Though she has been living with just her abusive father for the last several years, Juniper Eastwood, a wild and ferocious independent […]

With his red hoodie and his bicycle basket full of food

Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez

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My job has many layers, but unlike an onion, only some stink. One layer that does not stink is finding new books. Today a customer needed a book for a student of theirs. Federico and the Wolf. I pictured some stuffy looking cover. An old Mexican folk tale. Rich with history but dry. Boy was I surprised! Rebecca J. Gomez and Elisa Chavarri created a clever take on the Little Red Riding Hood story told with a Mexican American twist.  Rhyming and just bouncy text […]

Looking for a story about a man in love with a cannon?

Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link

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…because have I got the book for you! Men loving cannons, zombies puking up pajamas, purses that can hold whole villages, horror writers that moonlight as upholsterers- this collection houses all of those freaks and geeks- and then some. The novella that gives this collection its title – Magic for Beginners– was the best of the bunch. It was difficult to single out one piece, as they are all delightful mix of suburban longing and creepy crawlies, but this piece reminded me of two of my […]

Where did my reading time go?

The Book of Ballads and Sagas by Charles Vess

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I actually read this weeks ago, but working in healthcare during a pandemic has meant that all of the free time that others are desperately trying to fill during isolation has gone up in smoke for me and has also rid my brain of any remotely intelligible thoughts, but I’ll give it a whirl. The Book of Ballads and Sagas is a collaboration between Charles Vess and numerous other writers, such as Neil Gaiman, Jeff Smith, Sharyn McCrumb, Jane Yolen and others. Each writer takes […]

The Glory of my Favorite Illustrator

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The end of March 2018 saw a reissue of a Tomie dePaola classic Big Anthony and the Magic Ring (now called Strega Nona’s Magic Ring). The beginning of March saw a reissue of The Clown of God (last night was the first time I could read without crying my eyes out). And early April saw a rare site: dePaola’s text and illustrations by Doug Salati with, In a Small Kingdom. It is a miracle I can tear myself away from reading them! (Yes, my friends, […]



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