Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Is That Sweet? I Guess So

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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The first time I tried Intermezzo, I didn’t last ten pages. This was the fault of Conversations With Friends. I read it earlier this year in anticipation of Intermezzo and found it disappointing. I gave it a reluctant 4-stars but with more distance, I find myself continuing to dislike it. I never cared for the central relationship and while Rooney has talent, it’s evident that this was her first book and she was not yet fully confident in telling stories like this. My first go round with Intermezzo, I’m again introduced […]

Taste the story

Every Peach Is a Story: A Picture Book by David Mas Masumoto

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I have been reading picture books coming out in 2025 from online reader copies recently. Every Peach Is a Story: A Picture Book by David Mas Masumoto, Nikiko Masumoto, and Lauren Tamaki (due in March 2025) is one of those. The cover was a bit awkward, being busy and (frankly) a bit messy looking. Yet, I knew that if I didn’t like it, I didn’t have to finish it. And while it is not my favorite read this year, it has a strong place. It […]

Another Solid Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read by Emily Henry

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I love books that have banter — the sassier and snarkier, the better. While Beach Read doesn’t quite hit that banter to the extent that some of my favs like Get a Life, Chloe Brown or Red, White & Royal Blue do, it does have those moments, especially in the beginning. January Andrews is stressed about her writer’s block and grieving the death of her father a year ago, so when she comes across former college rival Gus Everett, she has no qualms about sniping […]

Can he fix it? Why yes he can!

Small Things Mended by Casey Robinson

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The story behind Small Things Mended by Casey Robinson is amusing. Or at least to me. I had asked for it via interlibrary loan and then forgot about it. It was not until the lady who works in that department of the library told me she was still looking for a copy that reminded me I had asked. And yes, it was worth the wait. Now, maybe it was not my favorite book of all time, but this book of friendship and grieving was cleverly […]

The Heart of the Lion

Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

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I did not know what to expect with the graphic novel,  Lion Dancers by Cai Tse. I guess I figured it would be about learning how to be a lion dancer. I figured there would be Kid One who is “troubled” and learns about lion dancing to “get his energies out” and/or connect to his culture. Then there would be Kid Two (or more) trying to stand in their way. And, it is a little bit like that, but there is more to things, too.   […]

Healing Grief in the Ashes

House of Frank by Kay Sinclaire

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This book starts out feeling a bit like Under the Whispering Door, which was a pleasant way to start. Main character Saika has been grieving the loss of her sister Fiona two years ago, and her magic hasn’t worked properly since then. Fiona wanted to have her ashes planted at Ash Gardens, where ashes are planted and grow into colorful trees. Saika isn’t as ready to let go of her sister in this way as she thought she was, and the owner of Ash Gardens, […]



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