Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

In a distant country, war is affecting Theo in his safe home

Planting Sunshine by Andrée Poulin

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From the moment I saw the cover of Planting Sunshine (due Feb 2026, read via an online reader) it had really gotten under my skin. At first, I loved it; then I didn’t; then I felt it and hoped I would like the story beyond it. For sure this image gives one an emotional response. And to say that Andrée Poulin’s text also gives an emotional response, is an understatement. They combine poetry, graphic novel formats and novels, with contemporary events. The “Why” of a […]

There’s a lot to unpack and my suitcase isn’t big enough

My Father, the Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang

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After finishing My Father, the Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang, I texted a friend to tell her I had finally finished the difficult book I was reading. It was difficult as the pacing felt slow to me and the subject is far from easy. The main character is the first generation to be born in the states after her parents fled war-torn Vietnam during/after the war. We, like the narrator Jane, learn about things in snippets with her having to fill in the blanks. […]

Ragtag Crew of Humans Saving the World

Unstoppable #1 Victories Greater Than Death  by Charlie Jane Anders

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There are a lot of good things that are included in Unstoppable #1 Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders. However, not only is this a book that while you can stop after book one you need the series to fill in blanks, there are events that I just could not like. I know that this is a controversial statement due to the subjects included. We deal a lot with gender (in fact it is such an important part of things, when someone introduces themselves […]

Of butterflies and spirits

A Blanket of Butterflies (The Spirit of Denendeh Volume One) by Richard Van Camp

As I Enfold You in Petals (The Spirit of Denendeh, Volume 2). by Richard Van Camp

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A while back I found a reader copy request form. After asking and receiving it, I realized it was book two. I did find book one, but never got around to reading it. After receiving the second book, there was still no reading of it. I only realized why I had the delay the night I read them. They are books that must be read “at the right time,” otherwise you will not be ready for them. The books were A Blanket of Butterflies (The […]

If he wears a shirt, why doesn’t he need pants?

Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal by William H. McRaven

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Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal are the 10 steps/points that the author William H. McRaven learned while they were a human Navy Seal.  They have spoken about them at commencements and in several books for adults. This time, with Howard McWilliam creating the cartoon illustrations, they created a picture book that talks how a seal named Skipper becomes not only the best Navy Seal, but the best Seal he could be. The idea is that the little things are important such as how […]

Knight School and War

Squire by Sara Alfageeh

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I received my copy of Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas through here. I was excited to read as it was a graphic novel, but also had a look of fantasy and historical, which is a genre I enjoy. However, it was not what I was expecting. I did notice that my feelings of the book changed from “this is new and fresh” to “we do have a new voice, but I know this story.” Also, I was being influenced by having just watch […]



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