Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


Looking for an “unrealistic YA rom-com where the fat girl gets the guy?” Well, it might be more realistic than you think.

Big Boned by Jo Watson

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I started Big Boned by Jo Watson sometime last fall. And it took me this long not because it was bad, the opposite actually, but I was only reading at lunch, was not reading every day and it just got away from me.  This weekend I had a few hours with nothing bothering me expect my friend’s cat occasionally giving me the stink eye as I was not petting him and sitting in his spot. What started off as a funny-without-be-lol-funny book would have its […]

Surf and Secrets in Malibu

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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‘The Malibu fire of 1983 started not in the dry hills but on the coastline. It began at 28150 Cliffside Drive on Saturday, August 27—at the home of Nina Riva—during one of the most notorious parties in Los Angeles history. The annual party grew wildly out of control sometime around midnight. By 7:00 a.m., the coastline of Malibu was engulfed in flames. Because, just as it is in Malibu’s nature to burn, so was it in one particular person’s nature to set fire and walk […]

Don’t give up the ghost

Sheets V01 by Brenna Thummler

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Sheets V01 by Brenna Thummler is an enjoyable story. It is a graphic novel that incorporates interesting ideas of life and death. The here and the afterlife have much in common. There are rules, groups, and even laundry. Thummler’s theme in 1997-1998 might have been fresher then, but now is slightly dated. We have seen the issues with family, friendships, not fitting and dealing with the everyday. Yet, this book is still a cozy read that works well for ages 10 and up. Marjorie is […]

The struggle between who you are and who you want to be

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett was another Mocha Girls Read pick. I definitely would not have read it without the book club impetus. To no surprise, as indicated by this annual onslaught of reviews, I procrastinated reading it. I ended up reading most of it in one day. It was well worth the time and exceeded my expectations. The novel centers on two Black twin sisters who run away from a small Black community.  The town prides itself on being a close-knit town for […]

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All the Names Given: Poems by Raymond Antrobus

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I was unable to finish this book of poetry by Raymond Antrobus easily or quickly. While I enjoyed what I read of All the Names Given: Poems the poetry felt repeated and best suited for a novel and not poems. This bogged me down, making me have to stop and analyze what was read. It was not something that could be consumed in one reading. Antrobus speaks on the page, as if he is having a conversation with you. Which is an interesting concept as […]

Yo ho ho and a slice of politics

Geronimo Stilton Reporter #10 Blackrat’s Treasure by Geronimo Stilton

Mayor Good Boy by Dave Scheidt

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Two books I read that are cute but not “all time faves” for me are the two below. As an adult reading, they were nice quick reads, but for the child reader it will make them sit and read. Reluctant or seasoned veternas alike will find these delightful. I have seen the books Geronimo Stilton for several years now, but never felt I needed to read them. I knew the types of kids that were reading them; therefore, I could easily recommend the books to […]



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