Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Obviously, I am not the target audience for this one

Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

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Sometimes, I enjoy reading the novels from Rick Riordan Presents because it’s an easy way to explore/get an intro to mythology and folklore from other cultures, and it also allows me to support a brand I like (diversity and representation are good things). Other times, I am reminded how much I am not the target age range for these. This is the second one in this specific series within the Rick Riordan Presents novel, and I’m not entirely sure why but I didn’t enjoy this […]

Cool drink of love

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta

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I was going to cut back on the number of reviews I did this year, but then well, books happened! Books like Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta and illustrated by Bassent Dawoud (due January 2026, read via an online reader copy). There are several books on the Islamic faith for the younger crowd. However, they are mostly repetitive and hit the “big events” and there is nothing wrong with that, but I needed something different and I found it […]

Finding Home

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

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If you want a really tough read, and not just because of the theme, then pick up As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh. None of the difficulties I had with this book comes from the story or even technically the writing itself. However, my issues were that the beginning is slow. There is a lot of build up, taking what feels like forever to “get to the point.” The author, like her main characters, are terrible flirts (as in they like […]

I’m on a role with Author Leila Boukarim

Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim

Lost Words: An Armenian Story of Survival and Hope by Leila Boukarim

Sundays Are for Feasts by Leila Boukarim

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Once upon a time there was a day where picture books were read. Each one was special in their own way, but since they were picture books I didn’t want to weaken their goodness with a too long review for each one individually, Therefore, I put them in one review. Each one was read via an online reader copy. I will start with Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim and illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Due later in July 2025, this book is about a […]

No matter how they look, a sister is a sister

My Sister the Apple Tree by Jordan Scott, Jamal Saeed, and Zahra Marwan

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Diversity  CBR17 Pie Chart Challenge My Sister the Apple Tree by Jordan Scott, Jamal Saeed, and Zahra Marwan is due this fall (September 2025). I was able to read it via an online reader copy. Now, I know I probably won’t be purchasing a finished copy for myself, but this book is a very contemporary themed picture book that is good for the older reader and should be read.  A young child starts their story with the birth of twin goats. They are envious that […]

Came For The Recipes, Stayed for the Memoir

Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora by Reem Assil

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CBR 14 Bingo: Star The author is a well-known, award-winning chef. I am on a cooking spree these days – what can I say? It relaxes me. And I especially enjoyed this cookbook, not the least because I love Middle Eastern cuisine. Arabiyaa is a mix of cookbook and memoir, telling us the stories of the recipes but also of Assil’s life and her path toward becoming a chef (hint: it’s not straightforward). The book is divided into five sections that cover all the basics of […]



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