Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About cheerbrarian

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I am a born and bred southerner and transplant to the Midwest. I read because I NEED to (as a former English major, it's in the DNA) and because I'm possibly ignoring frigid temperatures. Until summer, and then I'll just be reading outside. I also enjoy cooking, witty banter, and cheese. All the cheese. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: ardaigle's Quick Questions interview.)

cheerbrarian's Reviews:

“If we were all a little more selfish with our own lives instead of being in such a hurry to defend everything to the death the universe would be a much less scary place”

Saga (Volume 8) by Brian K Vaughan

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With a backdrop that is distinctly western, this volume starts with a wooden sign that says, “Welcome to Abortion Town!” And how you feel about that as an opening to a graphic novel (offended? jarred? intrigued) is a pretty good barometer for if you would like this series. I find it overall to be a jarring delight, but it’s not for everybody (she says, knowing she recommended it at work, and now someone she works with is reading it and she immediately had an OH […]

“Forty years on one of the most elite assassin squads on earth and it finished like this, with a free cruise and a bouncy letter from a girl who signed her letters with hashtags.”

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

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In ten words or less: Retired female assassins: promising premise, fumbles in execution. Retired female assassins are staring down the barrel of retirement when they’d rather still be staring down the barrel of a gun. They miss the action, but they’ve earned their rest and a cruise seems like, well, like something to do with plenty of time on their hands. The contract on the hitman trope is popular in books and in movies. However, Raybourn has taken us away from male characters and even […]

“Her mom carefully selected her memories to reflect her established opinions, and it turned her mind into a bowl of lettuce she believed was a salad.”

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

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In the past, I’ve started my reviews with “in one word” and offered one word that sums up my feelings on a book, but over time, that has gotten stale. Instead, I’m going to give myself ten words or less to try to sum up a book, because why not. (My reviews, my rules). In Ten Words or Less: Complex female characters uncover their potential and discover family destiny. This little book charmed me and was exactly the kind of light read I needed at […]

Jim Butcher: I would like to kick you in the shins.

Battle Ground (The Dresden Files #17) by Jim Butcher

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At the time of this writing, I have not finished reading this book, but I needed to take a break to commit some rage to the page. If anyone knows the whereabouts of author Jim Butcher so that I could have the quick opportunity to kick him in the shins, please let me know. I’ll be in and out before he knows what hit him, the “what” being my tiny feet. This is going to be a spoiler-tastic review (in fact, I’m going to reference […]

“Stories aren’t fiction. Stories are fabric. They’re the white sheets we drape over our ghosts so we can see them.”

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

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I’ve loved Sarah Addison Allen’s books since the 2007 Garden Spells (the first of the Waverly family books) and have eagerly been waiting for this one since her last book out was in 2015 (the second Waverly family book). I often recommend her to someone looking for something light and charming, as she typically weaves together magical realism with small-town charm, great for a bit of escapism or some relaxation. This book has a very different tone and while I think it’s a good book, […]

“You don’t have to have a reason to be tired. You don’t have to earn rest or comfort. You’re allowed to just be.”

A Prayer for the Crown Shy (Monk & Robot #2) by Becky Chambers

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We must protect Becky Chambers at ALL COSTS. Her writing is charming and moving and lovely and somehow, in tiny little book volumes, she finds all the right words to pluck your heartstrings and fill you with hope. Reading this book series is like talking to a friend that knows what you are going through, has been there, and has figured out the most perfect way to express the fears and emptiness that you feel. Or maybe that’s just me? Nah. These books are universal […]



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