Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Going to Hell and Back

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

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I have never liked The Secret History; I will admit to seeing why it’s such a favorite based on the general aesthetic (practically inventing ‘dark academia’) but that’s about it. Don’t @ me; this is not a ‘convince me’ thing. This particular hill of mine is why I was a little surprised that I liked Ninth House (Alex Stern 1) and I still like her story in Hell Bent (Alex Stern 2). The plot is pretty basic: rescue Alex’s former mentor/friend Darlington from Hell. Alex, […]

A candid capybara

I Am a Capybara by Michaela Fabbri

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I read a book the other day (I know, what a shock). It was an odd shape, lots of white, and then some gray and browns for the cover. And it would go on to tell me that, “A capybara is not a mouse, or a beaver, or a bear, and has all sorts of surprising traits you will soon discover.” You see that book was I Am a Capybara by Michaela Fabbri. It is a picture book that is told from the point of […]

The World of Raissa Figueroa

Real to Me by Minh Le

What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa

We Are One by Jackie Azua Kramer

You Will Do Great Things by Amerie

Oona in the Artic by Kelly Dipucchio

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I probably could write at least 250 words on each of these Raissa Figueroa titles, but I won’t. I will let you know about them in one review. They have just come out or will later in 2023. The first is Real to Me by Minh Le and Figueroa illustrated. This story we know because it is about imaginary friendship. Yet, there are twists and turns as well. There are two friends. One is imaginary. But, like all good imaginary friends, they are real to […]

When music is more than life

Skeleanor the Decomposer: A Graphic Novel. by Emily Ettlinger

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To start on a negative is not usually a good thing, but this review needs to start with, “Why was this book so short?” It is too short Emily Ettlinger (author of)! I see potential for a book with multiple stories for Skeleanor! I see lots of trouble and adventures she can get into and have! But until we have a book two, I must be satisfied with Skeleanor the Decomposer: A Graphic Novel.  I read this sweet story about practice and figuring out that […]

You’re a wonder, Wonder Woman

Stories Change the World: I Am Wonder Woman. by Brad Meltzer

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Wonder WomanWonder WomanAll the world’s waiting for youAnd the power you possess   Brad Meltzer has several series about famous people for the young reader. One of the most recent is Stories Change the World: I Am Wonder Woman. And there are I Am Superman, and I Am Batman as well. (I am hoping to see some Marvel people, but I do know the two schools are very separate). These books are longer picture books with colorful “bubble art.” They are like Calvin and Hobbes […]

You put a spell on me

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

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I’m officially obsessed with this series. I loved the first book so much; a queer revenge story where contemporary witches plot to get the best of their sketchy ex and overthrow a family with too much power? Yes please. The second book was solid and enjoyable, but not queer, so it didn’t stand out as much in my mind. This book though? Super queer with a main character who isn’t always the most likable, but is trying to be better for the people she loves […]



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