Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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Burt doesn’t bite (unless, you know, you ask nicely)

Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite! by Ashley Spires

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Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite! is a cute “first read” about beetles and insects. Ashley Spires created a simple, but also includes information, fiction story. The fiction/story aspect allows it to not be an “all-encompassing fact filled book” that bogs you down. It just tells you a story as they introduce the different creatures in the book. The story is about the talents the characters have, that we all have, that might not seem great at first, but there is a place for them at […]

Absolutely do not read this book

My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent

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BINGO – The Wilds [TW: sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, abuse of a minor, gun violence, language (which I’ve included in white text below)] There’s been some discussion recently on Cannonball Read about how far into a book does one go before giving up. My procedure is to give a a book at least 1/3 of its total page count before giving up entirely. My 11th grade English teacher, Mrs. Julie Cogburn (one of the best I ever had), shared this procedure with us. […]

While I don’t know it all, I know good poetry, so get on the ball and read y’all!

Whale Day: And Other Poems by Billy Collins

Born in a Second Language by Akosua Afiriyie-Hwedie

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cbr13bingo UnCannon I think we should teach poetry in school but not just the “classics” or what “academics” like, but stuff you WANT to read. Many kids (and adults) hate poetry because it is “girly” (yes, some I was taught was “flowery/girly”) or because is dull (yes, I have fallen asleep more than once while reading some my teacher(s) was forcing on me). And yes, there can be too many rhymes (not that I am complaining mind you, some of my favorites rhymed, but if […]

Who Belongs Here?

Sun and Sand by Jamila Rowser, Neil Brideau

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Sun and Sand is a fantastic new anthology zine from Radiator Comics and Black Josei Press. It collects ten mini comics from cartoonists living in south Florida, and explores the physical, emotional, cultural, and natural connections to the area. The artists guide readers through beaches, swamps, and the human communities woven into them.  Many of the comics in Sun and Sand explore this theme with a sense of humor: assertive cockroaches, an alligator presenting an HOA violation, animals feasting on a dropped mango while the […]

It is: “These are cool books, but I do not have the 250-word minimum for each of them” time.

Wild Peace by Irene Latham

Why? A Conversation About Race by Taye Diggs

Who Loves Little Lemur? by Jay Fleck

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It is: “These are cool books, but I do not have the 250-word minimum for each of them” time. We start with Wild Peace which was penned by Irene Latham and illustrations that came from Il Sung Na.  This is a lovely poem about taking a break and about imagination set in the picture book format. The start and end have a few unusual illustrations that I never completely “got” but overall, my favorite part of the book are the illustrations. This is a relaxing […]

Musings on nature and a bit of tranquility

Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald

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As a fan of Helen Macdonald’s lovely memoir H is for Hawk, I was happy to receive Vesper Flights, a collection of her new and previously published essays, for Christmas. If you have read any of Macdonald’s work, you will know that she is an acutely personal writer, connecting her thoughts about nature to deeper personal feelings, and even modern issues and current events. Vesper Flights comprises 41 individual essays, so if you want to dip your toe into Macdonald’s writing, and maybe generate a […]



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