Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Just a family tradition

Cemetery Game by Alan Woo and Rachel Wada

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Cemetery Game by Alan Woo and illustrator Rachel Wada is due September 2026 and was read via an online reader.  And now comes the more fun part of the review, but also a bit tricky to write. I was not a huge fan of things. I liked the idea of culture, family and traditions, but it felt flat. I liked the presentation, but the illustrations felt off, like maybe a bit computerized or not fully human formed. Yet, this is a nice book. It introduces […]

Based on historical events, still relevant today

The Yellow Hats by Kelly Matathia-Covo

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The picture book The Yellow Hats by Kelly Matathia-Covo (due mid August 2026; read via an online reader copy) is about the Holocaust. It does not come out and say that but due to the Yellow Hats (yellow stars) and the scene behind barbed wire, plus a few other pieces, we know this is the case. Based on the author’s family experiences, this is not an original theme, but an original presentation. It is an emotional story and an emotional way of telling things. It […]

Aztec Empire in Space. Tell me more.

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

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A little while ago, I interviewed G.D. Giant for Quick Questions with a Cannonballer. Of course we talked about books as part of that process. (How could it be otherwise when that’s what we’re here for?) She mentioned that A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine is one of her favorite books. The description she shared is “Aztec Empire in Space,” which, honestly, YES. I’m immediately interested. Then she mentions world building and mysteries and questions about citizenship, colonization, and belonging, and I’m immediately like, […]

A glimpse into the future

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

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I was seeing A Guardian and a Thief (2025) by Megha Majumdar all over the place at the end of last year. It was on every best-of list that I could find. It’s a finalist for the National Book Award, and has many other accolades. I thought this book was very memorable and well written, but also difficult to read because of the subject matter. It feels a little too real and a little too on point, and it is horrifying to be an intimate viewer to […]

Mia’s Hot Fake-Married Summer in Paris

Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons Book 1) by Christina Lauren

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We’re married for the summer. Summer marriages don’t get dragged down in heavy stuff. ― Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy “Which was your favorite? Living room, or bed, or floor, or bed, or wall, or mirror, or bar, or floor?” “Shhh,” I whisper, lifting my cup to take another, more careful sip of coffee. I smile into my mug. “You’re weird.” “I think I need a cast for my penis.” ― Christina Lauren, Sweet Filthy Boy Mia is not impulsive. She follows the path, checks […]

Kink, Love, and Understanding

Mastery: Sex Wizards Book 2 by Alethea Faust

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This book has no right to be as good as it is. If Sex Wizards: Initiation introduced all of the rules of magic and forced Dominai to accept his power, Mastery shows his progression as he decides to improve his skills and learn how to slow down and let things come on their own. At the end of book 1, Olbric, Dominai’s closest friend and lover, was captured and tortured by two rogue wizards. Olbric and the other members of the crux were rescued, but […]



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