Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Have a Drink

Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico by Ted Genoways

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Read as part of CBR17 Bingo: border. The book takes place in Mexico, our border neighbor in the States, and talks at length about how shipping alcohol and federal politics impacted Mexico’s relationship with the US. This is one of those books where the writer is trying to tell one story but really wants to write another. Jose Cuervo as a person doesn’t seem that interesting. He’s from a famous family, has a fascinating story, did some incredible stuff and observed a lot more. But […]

Works of Pimienta

Twin Cities by Jose Pimienta

Stars, Hide Your Fire by Kel McDonald

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Somewhere I have a copy of the book, Twin Cities by Joe Pimienta. Do I know where it is? Not a chance! Books have a habit of finding safe spots that are so safe even I don’t know where they are! Therefore, thank goodness for my local library.  I’m thinking that two readings for adults would be a good idea. First, read the text then second, read the illustrations. Trying to do both at the same time is a little hard. You see, this might […]

Two pieces of history around the world

A Place Called Galveston by Andrea Shapiro

Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of Mexico's First Woman President by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky and Carlos Vélez Aguilera

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Recently I mentioned to a friend of mine that there are a lot of political titles happening, even in the children’s genres. And most are slanted seriously and obviously in one direction or the other. Therefore, when I find something that is not political, but could fit current events I try to pay attention.  Two of those books are A Place Called Galveston by Andrea Shapiro and illustrator Valerya Milovanova, as well as Claudia Said Sí!: The Story of Mexico’s First Woman President by Deborah […]

She’s an inspiration

Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez by Belen Medin

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I have read about women who ran in skirts because it was more modest. People who ran barefooted. And athletes who honor their religion by wearing a hajib. And yes, these things are controversial, but also amazing and inspiring. And Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez is also inspiring. Ramirez is from an extremely impoverished area of Mexico. But due to the life her people lead,  they are able to build up the strength and stamina required to […]

Ohhh Mexico

Mexico Set by Len Deighton

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I’m going to review this under the assumption that the reader has read the first book in Len Deighton’s Game, Set, Match trilogy. If you have not, I encourage you to do so (it’s very good!) and skip this review until you have. I liked this one almost as much as Berlin Game, perhaps even more! I love how Len Deighton writes books where he ratchets up the tension just by having people talk. It’s fun. His dialogue is great and it works well to building the story. […]

A “tumultuous time” of Reform

Benito Juárez Fights for Justice by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez

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Benito Juárez Fights for Justice by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez was in a collection of old online reader links I had. This book is from 2023 so it is not as old as some I recently found, but it is not new either. However, the great thing about it is that it is relevant any time. Of course, that also is one of the drawbacks to things as it is dealing with the injustices minority peoples are still facing all over the world, even in the […]



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