Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Strength and kindness of the dragon

Powerful Like a Dragon by Christopher Cheng

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When it comes to history, picture books are a great way to introduce the subject. You are able to present the situation and/or issue and yet, keep it so that it gives the point of view without being “too much” and it allows all ages to be exposed to concepts, ideas and events. With Powerful Like a Dragon by Christopher Cheng and illustrator Jacqueline Tam we turn to 1941 Hong Kong during World War II and the Japanese invasion of the city. The story is […]

This book went to the dogs

Smithy and Me by Darcy Day Zoells

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The illustrations are fun and colorful in Smithy and Me by Darcy Day Zoells. And while they are not overly detailed they are not lacking either. They set the tone, give the story the push along to make you wonder “what is next?” and keep the reader engaged. The story is “50/50” (you will or won’t like it). I might not have been the exact reader for it, but it is going to be a big hit and I see awards in the future. The […]

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Updated review 04/28/2025: I needed this book to count for a reading challenge so I happily re-read it. I also, because I am, bought the graphic novel of the Hobbit this weekend during Independent Bookstore Day and of course, promptly read that. Honestly, I loved this book when I read it in school, and enjoyed my re-read of it, ten years ago. I also laughed at  lot more while re-reading. I totally blanked on how Gandalf messed with Bilbo and then he was awash in […]

Enjoyable, but Not a Standout

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

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This is an odd one to write about because while I enjoyed the process of reading it and found the story kept me engaged, enough to rate it 4 stars, I don’t think it’s going to be very memorable for me, and it was hard at first for me to even articulate why I liked it so much. So, what I liked: The short chapters keep the story moving, even though we’re jumping back and forward in time as the novel follows Tom, who has […]

Come On, Guys, Bear Just Being a Bear.

The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron

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Seem to have been running into a lot of stories lately about the wilds of Maine, and its feral folk.  I can appreciate that, years ago we took a vacation through that neck of the woods.  Maine coast was lovely, and we decided to head back through the interior of Maine just to see what there was to see.  Walls of pine was what there was.  As a Western girl, I prefer forests that are a little less crowded, I think.  But it made me […]

Rebellion on the rise

The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

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In the last novel, Paige realized the only way to change the system was to lead the system so she put her name in the ring to be the next Underqueen and won the battle. She also allied with the Ranthen (the faction of Rep that doesn’t want to oppress humans) and exposed the existence of the Rephaim to the London Syndicate. While she may have won the fight and has a loyal contingent of mime lords under her, there is still grumbling in the […]



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