Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Halloweentown Gets Sexy

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

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I don’t typically like romance unless it’s got some other genre along to help build story and character; just the relationship parts gets kind of one note. I picked up The Ex Hex and it’s got enough magic going wrong that it works with the relationship. What I don’t quite get is why/how putting a Welsh magic town in the North Georgia mountains is even slightly believable. I know this is both romance and magic, so it’s not exactly realism forward, btu that’s going too […]

Treat yourself! There are no tricks!

Roald Dahl: Trick or Treat: With Lift-the-Flap Surprises! by Roald Dahl

The Power of Yeti by Rebecca Van Slyke

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Sure, I like candy for Halloween, but I also like books. So, if I can treat myself with a book or two at that time of year, it is great (okay I’ll be honest, any time of the year, and you know it’s more like 13). However, I do not think Halloween (or Christmas, or St. Patrick, or even first day of school) books should be limited to one time of year. They are great no matter when you read them. And these two books […]

It’s cute! It’s spooky! It’s… kooky!

Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen

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CBR14Bingo – White Elephant: OK, this is stretching this one, but this is the perfect sort of thing to actually use in a white elephant gift exchange. It’s weird enough to make people go ??? but also interesting and cute enough to make them go !!! Sarah Andersen brings her signature humor and charm to spooky season. I’ve been a pretty big fan of her other work, and I’m a pretty big fan of crytpids (please check out some of my other questionable reading choices), […]

Perfect Halloween Read

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

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I am part of a YA for everyone book group at my local library. The organizer tries to pick books that fit the time of year, so for October, Halloween, we are reading Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. I had no idea what this book was about, which is sometimes a great way to be pleasantly surprised.  Well, I really liked this book, it was such a fun ghost story. Yadriel is a trans teen who is trying to become a brujo. His Latinix family […]

The Werewolf Stuff

First Night Howlergarten by Benson Shum

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Sadly, I must start my review with a bit of bad news. Sorry folks, but August 2023 is when First Night Howlergarten will be out. However, I want to plug it now as it is FREAKING ADORALBE. And in the meantime, I will be keeping an eye out for more Benson Shum titles. This picture book has two things that I liked about it (a character who is not “over the top” and a slightly unique ending), but the whole package is enjoyable.  We are […]

Halloween, Kangaroos and Dolphins

No Such Thing by Ella Bailey

One Day on Our Blue Planet: In the Ocean by Ella Bailey

One Day On Our Blue Planet: In the Outback by Ella Bailey

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Georgia, one late October day, notices that things are moving about. They are even disappearing. Of course, our gal knows that this has a very logical explanation. Unlike others (especially at that time of year) who think things were moved about by something (or someone) spooky, she knows that ghouls are not mischievous, but the squirrel, the shadows, the cat, and dog all have something to do with it. Yet, maybe, juuuuust maaaaybe something else is going on? Afterall, Ella Bailey’s text is saying on […]



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