Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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About Jen K

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I’ve been around off and on since the first year of CBR, and it and books have been a constant in my life through multiple moves and a major career change. I live with 3 cats, Dany, Jace and Jorah. Fantasy, specific types of sci-fi, historical fiction (especially mysteries) and romance tend to be my go to genres now a days. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: Jen K's Quick Questions interview.)

Jen K's Reviews:

Homecoming and Family Revelations

The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

December 28, 2025 by Jen K Leave a Comment

I read a few Thrity Umrigar novels a few years ago and quite enjoyed her writing. I just kind of fell out of the habit of reading this type of genre of novel so even though I like the author, I would choose other books from my TBR. Remy Wadia hasn’t been back to visit Bombay since his father died 3 years ago. He and his mother have always had a difficult relationship, and even now, he isn’t back to see her but to speak […]

Filed Under: Fiction Tagged With: Desi representation, expats, India, Thrity Umrigar

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:143 · Genres: Fiction · Tags: Desi representation, expats, India, Thrity Umrigar ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Banned books and hope in a small town

Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

December 28, 2025 by Jen K Leave a Comment

After having read The Change and The Women of Wild Hills, I decided to pick up Kirsten Miller’s other adult novel. With her other two adult novels, Miller had a big magic realism component and dealt with quite a few larger, topical issues. This one takes on a lot of similar themes but at a more intimate level, in a small Southern town setting. Surprisingly, I think I enjoyed this more than The Change or The Women of Wild Hill! Lula Dean is bitter – […]

Filed Under: Fiction Tagged With: banned books, Kirsten Miller, small town America

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:142 · Genres: Fiction · Tags: banned books, Kirsten Miller, small town America ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Still Holds Up Over a Decade Later

The Passage by Justin Cronin

December 28, 2025 by Jen K 2 Comments

I read these books as they came out but it’s been quite a while since I read the first one now, and I remember it leaving a huge impression so I have been wanting to do a re-read now that I can read the entire trilogy relatively close together (plus, does seem to go with my 2025 theme of dystopian/apocalyptic). I had forgotten that this novel and The Strain came out around the same time (The Strain actually has the earlier publication date) but both […]

Filed Under: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror Tagged With: Dystopian, Justin Cronin, the passage, vampires

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:141 · Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror · Tags: Dystopian, Justin Cronin, the passage, vampires ·
Rating:
· 2 Comments

Not sure if the curse was worse for Helen or the reader …

A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers

December 28, 2025 by Jen K Leave a Comment

The description of this novel does it a complete disservice because it makes it sound like a much more interesting novel than it is. “Passionate, doomed romance?” “Star-crossed lovers reincarnate across history” – this all sounds interesting but it’s also completely inaccurate because the “doomed romance” that starts it all? It’s a middle aged man taking advantage of a 16 year old girl – like literally, it starts on the day of her 16th birthday. It doesn’t clarify Marchant’s age but he is an established […]

Filed Under: Fantasy, Fiction, History Tagged With: Constance Sayers, curse, reincarnation, supernatural

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:140 · Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, History · Tags: Constance Sayers, curse, reincarnation, supernatural ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Obviously, I am not the target audience for this one

Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

December 27, 2025 by Jen K Leave a Comment

Sometimes, I enjoy reading the novels from Rick Riordan Presents because it’s an easy way to explore/get an intro to mythology and folklore from other cultures, and it also allows me to support a brand I like (diversity and representation are good things). Other times, I am reminded how much I am not the target age range for these. This is the second one in this specific series within the Rick Riordan Presents novel, and I’m not entirely sure why but I didn’t enjoy this […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction Tagged With: adventures of Sik aziz, Middle Eastern, middle school, mythology, rick riordan presents, Sarwat Chadda

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:139 · Genres: Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction · Tags: adventures of Sik aziz, Middle Eastern, middle school, mythology, rick riordan presents, Sarwat Chadda ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Game over, want to play again?

A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli

December 27, 2025 by Jen K Leave a Comment

I saw LB’s review of this and thought it sounded intriguing enough asa premise that I bookmarked it so remember for later. I still need to read the second one in the duology but overall enjoyed this. I will say, I was trying to overcomplicate this one a little bit with my guessing so you know, this might be more enjoyable as a read to just let it happen. As Mingshin lays dying at the foot of the throne at the hand of the man […]

Filed Under: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult Tagged With: duology, Kate Chenli, What If?

Jen K's CBR17 Review No:138 · Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult · Tags: duology, Kate Chenli, What If? ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments
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Recent Comments

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