Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

by Leave a Comment

Oftentimes when I read a book of its time I try my best to look past the weirdness that’s built into its age and meet it where it is. Honestly, Around the World in 80 Days isn’t really worth doing that. I’m conflicted about this: this is a very influential work, obviously, but it’s also one where the culture has moved effectively past its influence and the impact is dulled. This means that there’s less payoff than there should be for the racism, sexism, and general […]

This Week, In Irish Trauma Porn…

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

The Gathering by Anne Enright

by Leave a Comment

To be fair, only half of this is Catholic trauma porn. One may wonder why Ireland, of all places, has spawned such a fabled literary heritage. Personally I think it’s their sly sense of humour, finely tuned after years of British occupation. Perhaps it’s the potatoes. Both of these books abundantly feature potatoes.  Small Things Like These (Claire Keegan) *** Bill Furlong is a coal merchant in a small town in Ireland in 1986. It’s nearly Christmas; the busiest time of the year for him. […]

For you and your Scamp (or Hector)

Scamp by Anden Wilder

by Leave a Comment

Scamp and Hector live in a two cat house in Anden Wilder’s Scamp. One is black and one is pink. However, one day Scamp does something she has never done before. She stands up. Both are sure cats do not stand on two feet or legs. The whole day is one thing after the other to show how Scamp is a “bad cat” (she uses a spoon, stands more than once, she even enjoys her bath). However, after a nap, Scamp realizes Hector is missing […]

Did you hear the one about…?

How to Make a Turkey Laugh by Chris Cate

Spooky Silly Halloween Jokes  by Chris Cate

by Leave a Comment

Hello Dads and Little Kids. I have two joke books for you. First, How to Make a Turkey Laugh by Chris Cate and second, Spooky Silly Halloween Jokes  also by Chris Cate. If you know a dad joke, you are ahead of the game. If you need to learn dad jokes, you came to the right place. Both of these books are due late summer 2025, and therefore, ready for the holiday season. You can eat your ‘taters and find out why the turkey shouldn’t be […]

Happy Holidays!

by 1 Comment

Very grateful to my cannonballer for my gifts! Margo’s Got Money Troubles isn’t the kind of thing I normally read but it came highly recommended and I thought it was worth a shot. And I’m happy to have a republished work from the legendary Cornell Woolrich added to my Hard Case Crime collection. Thank you so much! Happy holidays!

Finding happy little trees, mountains to climb and burglars to show who is the boss babe

The Swayze Year: You're Not Old, You're Just Getting Started! by Colleen AF Venable and Meghan Daly

by Leave a Comment

You are never too old to try something new, or to follow your passion. Even if that means you are in your 70s and you want to fly around the world. Even if that means you want to invent ramen noodles as we know them today. Even if you want to paint and are unhoused. Even if you want to write the classic dictionary or thesaurus.  Even if you are over the so-called, “Productive Years.” In The Swayze Year: You’re Not Old, You’re Just Getting […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo