How many times have you participated in CBR? Has it changed the way you read? So it looks like, from my profile page, I’ve participated in seven CBRs. Several of those years, though, I know I didn’t meet my goal (I usually go for a quarter Cannonball and anything beyond that is gravy) and I think there was one year I signed up and then didn’t do any reviews. I think that may have been the Year of Bad Health, so I’ll try not to judge myself too hard. It’s difficult to say it’s changed the way I read; I […]
Hey look, I did a thing. After eight months…..STATS!
As some of you may have noticed, we’re doing something a little different this year. Namely, I have a new baby in the house (she’s currently mewling at me from her swing, refusing to go to sleep), and don’t have the time for the monthly updates. So I instead wanted to focus on quarterly updates (which I think I did last year). That turned into a half-year update….and here I am in August finally getting around to it. But – and this is the good news – I’ve taught myself a bit of coding, which has made my job so […]
August Bingo Check In – The Game is Afoot
It’s August Check-In time for the CBR11 Book Bingo Reading Challenge! There are 43 Cannonballers playing, and you have posted over 250 reviews. This post is a place for you to ask questions, ask for recommendations for categories, and find a review buddy if you need one. You can always post your questions in our Facebook group – Cannonball Read Book Chat, or on Twitter @cannonballread. Finally, we’ll be posting administrative notes and reminders. Administrative Stuff Important Clarification: I wanted to clarify 2 of the squares on the Bingo card for this year: Remix and Classic. We had mentioned the #CannonBookClub Classics […]
Quick Questions with a Cannonballer: Ale
How many times have you participated in CBR? Has it changed the way you read? This is my sixth year of cannonball and it’s definitely changed how I read. I’m actually a much slower reader now since I’m reading to review instead of just to enjoy, but I was totally more prepared for close-reading during my MFA thanks to CBR. I also read much more widely now and am up for trying a book with a good review even if it’s not a genre I’m normally into. You’re an Adjunct in Creative Writing, which sounds awesome. Which is hardest to write: […]
The CBR11 Book Bingo Reading Challenge Begins
After the success of last year’s inaugural Book Bingo Reading Challenge, we are delighted to bring it back for a second year! Select five squares across, down, diagonally, or 5-up (four corners + center square), and get an entry into a drawing for some cool prizes. Complete the entire card – a blackout! – and get 15 entries into our drawing. Download your game card below, and post your reviews tagged with cbr11bingo for chances in our prize raffle. You can ask questions, ask for suggestions, and look for a review partner in the comments below and in the monthly […]
Why I Cannonball
I can still vividly remember clicking onto Pajiba in March of 2009, to see Dustin’s post that AlabamaPink had died from leukemia. I know I gasped aloud and started reading thinking “no, no, no, no.” How could the death of this person I’d never met affect me so much? A young mother, whose witty, snarky comments had made me laugh was no longer on this Earth, and I was just sitting at a computer, expected to carry on the work of the day as usual. That might be the reason I’m doing what I’m doing what I’m doing for CBR. […]
Quick Questions with a Cannonballer: crystalclear
How many times have you participated in CBR? Has it changed the way you read? This is my 5th CBR, and it definitely has changed the way I read. I read more carefully and think of things I want to put in my reviews. On the other hand, reading a book I know I’m not going to review is a bit more relaxing! You work in the Youth Services department at a library and host toddler storytime? This sounds divine and adorable. What’s your favorite thing about working with these future readers? Seeing the children get excited about a book, even […]
Quick Questions with a Cannonballer: Alexis Dubief
How many times have you participated in CBR? Has it changed the way you read? I was a CBR lurker for ages but officially joined up for CBR6 in 2014. Cannonballers introduced me to romance reading (Malin and Mrs. Julien are largely to blame) and even today, 5-star reviews on CBR account for ~70% of my book purchases. Murderbot Diaries, The Hating Game, Saga, Fangirl, etc.: many of my all time favorites came directly from the rave reviews of other Cannonballers. You wrote a book! Cannonballers loved it! Tell us about that process. A few years ago a reputable book […]