Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time
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Urban Blues

Paper Gods by Goldie Taylor

Violent Spring by Gary Phillis

February 26, 2021 by Jake Leave a Comment

I read two great gritty urban mystery reads this past week. Both uniquely told in their own way but both addressing the politics and social systems of Atlanta and Los Angeles respectively in a way that I found compelling… Paper God (TW and minor spoiler: Book has a trans character in which a threat of violence is implied and a tragic love story is involved. Nothing happens to them but it’s also not the most trans-positive story) I’ve read a lot about Atlanta this past […]

Filed Under: Mystery Tagged With: Atlanta, Gary Phillis, Goldie Taylor, Ivan Monk, los angeles, mystery, Paper Gods, politics, Rodney King, Violent Spring

Jake's CBR13 Review No:28 · Genres: Mystery · Tags: Atlanta, Gary Phillis, Goldie Taylor, Ivan Monk, los angeles, mystery, Paper Gods, politics, Rodney King, Violent Spring ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

Let It Burn…Wanna Let It Burn…

Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha

June 11, 2020 by Jake Leave a Comment

Steph Cha has a hell of a tightrope to walk with this one. A fictional retelling of the murder of Latasha Harlins, she breaks down the impact of it between both families impacted: the black family that mourned her and the Korean family that produced her killer. Writing black characters, specifically in a context such as this, is a tall task for a non-black writer. But Cha is successful. She navigates this with a less-is-more approach, focusing on how grief and racial trauma impact both […]

Filed Under: Mystery, Suspense Tagged With: Latasha Harlins, los angeles, mystery, Racism, Rodney King, Steph Cha, Your House Will Pay

Jake's CBR12 Review No:99 · Genres: Mystery, Suspense · Tags: Latasha Harlins, los angeles, mystery, Racism, Rodney King, Steph Cha, Your House Will Pay ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments


Recent Comments

  • MsWas
    on The best surprise I’ve had so far this year
    What a lovely review of what sounds like a loving and beautiful book!
  • Emmalita
    on 29 Minutes to Yummy
    I love Isa Chandra Moskowitz! I’ll have to see if my library has this one.
  • KimMiE"
    on They go into the woods and do what?
    Wow. . .I am horrified and also fascinated.
  • BlackRaven
    on They go into the woods and do what?
    I hadn't heard the phrase, but knew that it seemed to be a popular way to end a relationship (dude/dudettes...
  • carmelpie
    on They go into the woods and do what?
    I went for a beautiful hike recently. Every time I peered over the edge, the climax of this story flashed...
See More Recent Comments »

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