Social Themes – Page 16 – Cannonball Read 17

Okay… I am reading volume 2…

Grand Slam Romance Volume 1 by Ollie Hicks, Emma Oosterhous

July 14, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr17bingo PLAY Grand Slam Romance Volume 1 by Ollie Hicks, Emma Oosterhous (Illustrator), and Wren Rios (Flatter) Where is this world of only lesbians and queer presenting people? While things are not “harping” on the queer elements, there is no question that the majority of the characters (there is one heteronormal male-presenting character) are queer. Gender also gets time up as they might want to be called a Femme Daddy, or He is a bada$$, but they are all putting the X in StriXe! Yet, […]

I recommend BINGO and this book

The Last Time We Spoke: A Story of Loss by Jesse Mechanic

July 11, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr17bingo Rec’d: Grief stories are not new, but each is unique to that person. The main thing I came away with from reading The Last Time We Spoke: A Story of Loss, is that the author (Jesse Mechanic) is human: selfish, loving, scared, fearless, angry and hopeful. They are both a reliable and unreliable narrator as they are telling the story from their eyes and over a 20 year period. The art is tone setting and allows us a peek into the mind of someone […]

Very is very good at all things…. except math

Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson

July 11, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr17bingo School There have been days when I haven’t wanted to do any reading of late and then days when all I can do is read. Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson was part of one of those reading days. It is a graphic novel that is a coming of age story, therefore it has many of the familiar goodies, with a few new elements to keep it fresh. Everyone will have their own take on things due to their experiences and where they […]

And you thought your Nanny was a strict monster!

The Sleepover: A Graphic Novel by Michael Regina

July 10, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr17bingo Black (the cover is mostly black and dark colors) The graphic novel, The Sleepover: A Graphic Novel by Michael Regina, reminds me of the RL Stine Goosebumps series or the Are You Afraid of the Dark? Series (or something similar as I know there are several thriller/horror reads out there). Things are spooky, but not necessarily over the top, but also things are not for the sensitive reader. It deals with grief (death of a caregiver who was like a grandmother to the family), […]

“We all carry our special homes with us – in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts.”

My Home Is in My Backpack by Eugenia Perella

July 9, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr17bingo, MigrantMigrant: There are many ways to find a book when you work in a bookstore. One is finished copies sent out before the book is published. This way the bookseller can get the full feeling of the book. And I am very glad I was able to do this with My Home Is in My Backpack by Eugenia Perella (due in October 2025). An online copy would not do this book justice. Clara and her family are forced to leave an unnamed home/homeland. They […]

He’s Grumpy. He’s a Ghost.

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani

July 2, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

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. […]

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.

Help Our Mission