Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time
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The woman who made snow in Puerto Rico and other amazing things

Doña Fela's Dream: The Story of Puerto Rico's First Female Mayor by Monica Brown

August 28, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Women have been out and about in the political world since politics started. But they just never get the credit they deserve. Like Felisa Rincaon de Gautier or more commonly known as Dona Fela. She was a young woman during the time when many women, even those of privilege, could not read and none had the right to vote. She saw this injustice (and others) and helped where she could well into her adulthood. One day, after a tragic event, she would be asked to […]

Filed Under: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction Tagged With: Dona Fela, Felisa Rincaon de Gautier, Monica Brown, puerto rico, Rosa Ibarra, Social Themes, women politicians

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:386 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction · Tags: Dona Fela, Felisa Rincaon de Gautier, Monica Brown, puerto rico, Rosa Ibarra, Social Themes, women politicians ·
Rating:
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Cover of Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo

Surviving is an act of resistance!

Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo

July 31, 2025 by LB Leave a Comment

This book fulfills the “border” square on CBR17 bingo; Sofia exists on the border of conquered and conqueror, and explores the complexities of her mixed heritage. As soon as I saw the cover for Beasts of Carnaval, I knew I wanted to read it, and the synopsis just cemented it for me. I love stories that are about resistance and revolution and proving that the colonizers and oppressors won’t be the last ones standing. And this delivers so beautifully! Sofia’s twin brother, Sol, vanished to […]

Filed Under: Audiobooks, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Tagged With: beasts of Carnaval, cbr17bingo, colonization, enslavement, historical fantasy, no romance, puerto rico, queer lit, queer secondary characters, revolution, Rosalia rodrigo

LB's CBR17 Review No:18 · Genres: Audiobooks, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult · Tags: beasts of Carnaval, cbr17bingo, colonization, enslavement, historical fantasy, no romance, puerto rico, queer lit, queer secondary characters, revolution, Rosalia rodrigo ·
Rating:
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She broke the norm

The Girl Who Wore Pants by Susanna Isern

February 13, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While I enjoyed The Girl Who Wore Pants by Susanna Isern, I was a little disappointed that there was not any real background information about Luisa Capetillo.. There is only where she was born (Puerto Rico), who her mother (from France) and father were, and when and why she decided to wear pants. Then we have a nod towards her reading to the women of the factors and a very quick highlight of her arrest in Cuba. However, it is a nice story and shows […]

Filed Under: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, Non-Fiction, Sports Tagged With: activism, clothing, diversity, dress & hair, Esther Gili, gender, Luisa Capetillo, Peer Pressure, puerto rico, Social Themes, Susanna Isern

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:95 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, Non-Fiction, Sports · Tags: activism, clothing, diversity, dress & hair, Esther Gili, gender, Luisa Capetillo, Peer Pressure, puerto rico, Social Themes, Susanna Isern ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

I wanna be her when I grow up!

Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Diaz Merced and Rocio Arreola Mendoza

January 8, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Of course astronomers are not people we see a lot in biographies for children and especially women astronomers. But when you find a book called Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe you think, “Did I see that right? A female astronomer?”  Then you see the word “blind” and realize she was also blind. What the fudge…..????? And, yes, we read that right. Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Díaz Merced, and illustrated by Rocio Arreola  Mendoza created a book about Merced. […]

Filed Under: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, Health, History, Non-Fiction Tagged With: Amy S. Hansen, Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Diaz Merced and Rocio Arreola Mendoza, astronomers, astronomy, blind astronomers, Computer sound processing, disabilities, Hispanic & Latino, puerto rico, Rocio Arreola Mendoza, Scientists, Wanda Diaz Merced, Women astronomers

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:22 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, Health, History, Non-Fiction · Tags: Amy S. Hansen, Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Diaz Merced and Rocio Arreola Mendoza, astronomers, astronomy, blind astronomers, Computer sound processing, disabilities, Hispanic & Latino, puerto rico, Rocio Arreola Mendoza, Scientists, Wanda Diaz Merced, Women astronomers ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Sofi glared at him and it felt like coming home.

Sleeping with the Frenemy by Natalie Caña

October 28, 2024 by Emmalita Leave a Comment

Natalie Caña’s Vega Family series has grown on me. Centered around a Puerto Rican family and community in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, the books in this series feel alive. The romance is the central relationship in each book, but they happen with in the context of family and friendships. A Proposal They Can’t Refuse sets the scene with the family restaurant, El Coquí, meddling grandparents, and the younger generations’ mission to fight gentrification and strengthen the existing community. A Dish Best Served Hot […]

Filed Under: Romance Tagged With: advance reader copy, Humbolt Park, Natalie Caña, NetGalley, puerto rico, Sleeping with the Frenemy, The Vega family

Emmalita's CBR16 Review No:65 · Genres: Romance · Tags: advance reader copy, Humbolt Park, Natalie Caña, NetGalley, puerto rico, Sleeping with the Frenemy, The Vega family ·
Rating:
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cover of the book A Fierce and Subtle Poison

Old school vibes in modern YA

A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry

July 24, 2019 by cosbrarian Leave a Comment

CBR11Bingo – Reading the TBR! Lucas spends his summers on Puerto Rico, housed up in the resort his father owns.  The two don’t get along, but Lucas is able to escape by spending time with his friends on the island or romancing the girls there.  Mostly they all just horse around, and trade tales that the residents gossip on: like the house in town that’s supposedly cursed, and the scientist who lives there, and the daughter he hides.  The story of this family has transcended […]

Filed Under: Young Adult Tagged With: cbr11bingo, magical realism, puerto rico, samantha mabry, YA, Young Adult

cosbrarian's CBR11 Review No:50 · Genres: Young Adult · Tags: cbr11bingo, magical realism, puerto rico, samantha mabry, YA, Young Adult ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments


Recent Comments

  • Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
  • Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
  • Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
  • Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
  • Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.
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