Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

The women poets of the Harlem Renaissance

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes

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When a book has a good backstory, be it how it was made, inspired or the author themselves I usually enjoy that as much as the book. And when my personal journey is the backstory, well of course I love that! The backstory to how I found Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes (to me) was funny. The library trip with my nephew had me in the wrong section (non fiction) when we first wandered into the children’s room. Well, I […]

While I don’t know it all, I know good poetry, so get on the ball and read y’all!

Whale Day: And Other Poems by Billy Collins

Born in a Second Language by Akosua Afiriyie-Hwedie

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cbr13bingo UnCannon I think we should teach poetry in school but not just the “classics” or what “academics” like, but stuff you WANT to read. Many kids (and adults) hate poetry because it is “girly” (yes, some I was taught was “flowery/girly”) or because is dull (yes, I have fallen asleep more than once while reading some my teacher(s) was forcing on me). And yes, there can be too many rhymes (not that I am complaining mind you, some of my favorites rhymed, but if […]

I admit didn’t finish, but you know you’ve a hit when the first 4 pages have nothing horrible about them

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver

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I am not sure what to say about Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver that has not already been said. Therefore, I will write about the feelings I had and my “Mary Oliver story.” Right after Oliver passed, the local poetry group did a last-minute event to read some of their favorite Mary Oliver poems, read some of their own poetry and to celebrate Oliver. My story is this was the first time I had heard a poem by her. Or at least, realized […]

When I grow up I want to be Mama Cass, Janis Joplin, Katherine Hepburn, Caroline Jones and Rachel Wiley

Fat Girl Finishing School by Rachel Wiley

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#cbr11bingo #TwoHeadsareBetterThanOne Fat Girl Finishing School by Rachel Wiley came before the poetry collection, Nothing is Okay. And I am glad that I read that one first, as Fat Girl, in several ways, was not as strong. As much as I love Wiley, the themes are consistent, therefore, you know they style after reading (or listening) a handful of poems. That is not to say they are all not amazing, they are. Wiley knows how to twist a phrase around on itself and punch you. […]



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