Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

He’s Grumpy. He’s a Ghost.

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani

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Online reader copies are all the rage right now, it is environmental and quick and easy to receive. Of course, I sometimes have a hard time reading books from them, but The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani and translated by Polly Lawson was an exception. I tend to be able to read picture books online as there is less text and more space to enjoy the overall work. This was especially true with Shiotani’s book. The illustrations and text was Goldilocks/Baby Bear just right. […]

Cool, but bizarre. But you know, cool.

Little Moments in a Big Universe by Todd Stewart

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Little Moments in a Big Universe is a romantic story about bravery, kindness, even environmentally friendly. There are lush, rich, deep, amazing, unique illustrations which capture each moment and allow it to explode to life. The theme is familiar, but the presentation makes for an experience unlike anything else you might have read before. The author and illustrator Todd Stewart (due mid October 2025; read via an online reader) takes several characters and an explorer in a spaceship through the universe. When they crash into […]

Familiar theme, new story

Tales from the Craft Box V02  Emily Was SO Embarrassed by Michelle Olson

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You never know who will pop up and ask you to “read their book” when you are in the book business. Now, many self published authors or small press publishers are not always worth the time, but once in a while you find a small author and/or press that is. And when I was asked by the author Michelle Olson to read their newest book Tales from the Craft Box V02  Emily Was SO Embarrassed, yes I was a little skeptical. However, I also have […]

For you and your Scamp (or Hector)

Scamp by Anden Wilder

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Scamp and Hector live in a two cat house in Anden Wilder’s Scamp. One is black and one is pink. However, one day Scamp does something she has never done before. She stands up. Both are sure cats do not stand on two feet or legs. The whole day is one thing after the other to show how Scamp is a “bad cat” (she uses a spoon, stands more than once, she even enjoys her bath). However, after a nap, Scamp realizes Hector is missing […]

Freshman Blues

How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger

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How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger is a coming of age story that we know: Girl has trouble fitting in during high school. She is not ready for the trials of being a teen. But, the thing is, she isn’t really a teen. She should be an 8th grader. She should be having homeroom, going to Six Flags, starting a first crush; not having to deal with boys who think interrupting their English teacher is funny. Doing group projects with a boy (thankfully she […]

Dear Bookstore I love you

Dear Bookstore by Emily Arrow

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While the ending was a smidgen pushy in Dear Bookstore, the overall feeling is well done. The illustrations by Geneviève Godbout set the tone that Emily Arrow has presented, well and are a great push for getting readers into brick and motor independent stores. Due mid March 2025, I read Arrow’s book via an online reader copy. The poetic nature of things starts off like any other book you have read about a bookstore. And if you are not paying attention, you will miss the […]



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