Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“Sometimes the universe deals us fates that make us happy, but sometimes it simply deals us fates that make us…”

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

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For my first review of 2021, I’m revisiting the world of Ashley Poston’s Once Upon a Con series. We started with Geekerella, the story of a fangirl who ends up getting a direct line to the star of the movie version of her favorite TV show…but she doesn’t know it’s him. Then we ventured to The Princess and the Fangirl, wherein a normal girl switches places with a famous actress to uncover a saboteur. Now, we visit a young lady who wins over a beastly […]

Young adult multiverse romance

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

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It’s no secret that I like young adult fiction a LOT, although I don’t always like young adult romances. I hadn’t rushed out to read The Sun is Also a Star precisely because of the romance elements I usually avoid. And while there are plenty of improbabilities and near-misses that makes this book seem…impossible…I wasn’t mad at it. The novel focuses on Natasha, a Black Jamaican immigrant who is undocumented and about to be deported (thanks to the greatest day of her dad’s life) and […]

Be Yourself, The World Will Adjust

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

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This trans coming-of-age story was a great way to jumpstart my reading in 2021.  It is the story of Felix Love, an aspiring artist who dreams of attending Brown University.  He and his best friend, Ezra Patel, attend St. Catherine’s, a private New York high school.  While Ezra’s family is insanely wealthy, Felix is a scholarship student who now lives in Harlem with his dad, who works multiple jobs to help pay for the remaining costs of Felix’s education. Felix’s dad has been very supportive […]

A delightful YA Jewish short story collection

It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman

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What does it mean to be Jewish? I have never contemplated this question, because I am not Jewish. But I am trying to read about diverse faiths and cultural perspectives, particularly when they intersect with other identities. It’s a Whole Spiel caught my eye at my library (which is now open for limited in-person browsing, thank goodness!), and I was happy to devour it over this weekend. This anthology of short stories features all kinds of Jewish voices and perspectives, from people who are culturally […]

The ones that I couldn’t finish (NOT my double Cannonball!)

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Trelegemeproblemet (The Three-Body Problem) by Liu Cixin

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon

American Demon by Kim Harrison

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Dear readers, I’m not going to lie, I’m racing against the clock to get all of my reviews finished in time for the CBR12 deadline (12 noon EST – or 6 pm Oslo time). I also need to finish 25% of the final novel I’m reviewing, co-parent my autocratic, demanding, and rather clingy almost-three-year-old, plan and prep a three-course New Year’s meal, and possibly do some last-minute shopping. No pressure, right? So when fellow Cannonballer Pixifer posted a review with all of her DNF’s for the year, […]

A really sweet and heart-warming comic about gay teens

Heartstopper, vol 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper, vol 2 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper, vol 3 by Alice Oseman

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Heartstopper, vol 1: 4.5 stars Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?   Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was […]



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