Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Not the Holy Grail of Writing

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

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Many of the DIY writing books I’ve been consuming over the last couple years mention Joseph Campbell’s extensive mythology analyses (written in 1949!), The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and credit him with inspiring them. George Lucas says Star Wars is a result of having read Campbell’s seminal work. I went into this book with the wrong expectations and was immediately disappointed. His 416-page work has little to do with writing. Although it labels all the familiar (and unfamiliar) legends from around the world, the […]

From Thor to Monkey Kings

Arthur and the Golden Rope: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Kai and the Monkey King: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Leo and the Gorgon's Curse: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

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Joe Todd-Stanton has a four (so far) book series about the Brownstone family. They are adventurous children who have amazing times being heroes. The narrator is Professor Brownstone, a Brownstone descendent, and his vaults of books and artifacts. Well they don’t tell the story, but they help us find the stories, as each piece is linked to one of his ancestors and each has its own wonderful, far-out story to tell. The first in the series is Arthur and the Golden Rope: Brownstone’s Mythical Collection. Arthur […]

“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.”

Songs of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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This is the love story of Achilles, the fighting demigod, and Patroclus, the exiled, his confidant, lover, and closest companion. Patroclus is our narrator, and through his eyes, we see Achilles grow from a smirking boy to the greatest warrior the Greeks have ever seen. It’s equal parts classic mythology with a Romeo and Juliet twist as we watch these star-crossed lovers march to the beat of destiny. Taking on the Iliad is a bold move, and Miller really gives it her all. This one […]

“Children long to be eaten. Everyone knows that.”

XO Orpheus: 50 New Myths by Kate Bernheimer (editor)

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Am I typing this up while wearing a tee featuring the cover of the d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths? YOU KNOW IT! That strange tome of simplified myth and ultra-bright illustration cracked open a need in me when I was very young. I re-read that book countless times, and used it as the entry point into the larger world of mythology. Combined with a Catholic upbringing that was far more focused on the deaths of the saints than on anything else, you could saw I […]

“May your Paths be safe, your Floors unbroken and may the House fill your eyes with Beauty.”

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

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In one word: Strange Y’all. I am straight-up mad at Susanna Clarke. HOW DARE SHE BE SO TALENTED AND CLEVER. I was delighted and amazed by her hefty debut novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and picked this one up on the recommendation of many people. It’s a slim and unassuming-looking book but she packs more creativity and strangeness into it than should be possible in so few pages. It might be the weirdest book I’ve ever read, giving Danielewski’s “House of Leaves” some stiff […]

Some interesting bits but overall kind of meh fantasy

Iyanu: Child of Wonder, vol. 1 by Roye Okupe, Godwin Akpan

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It may not be the best sign when the summary of a book on the back cover is more informative about plot and character than what’s in-between the covers. Iyanu has an interesting premise in that it’s based on Yoruba culture and lore; thankfully the story involves some local language (translated), and a small section of notes addressing the historical and mythological basis. Without these, this is a bland fantasy coming of age story. The orphan develops mysterious powers (chosen one, anybody?), a mentor who […]



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