Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Search this Site

You don’t need a little orange book to be prepared for this book

Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara

by Leave a Comment

The prose poetry allows Worst-Case Collin by Rebecca Caprara to be a quick read, but without sacrificing the story. In the tone and style of Love that Dog and Hate that Cat, Caprara created a book that is both familiar in the subjects presented (growing up, bullies, the loss of a parent, friendship, mental health issues) and different (the father’s particular mental health issues). While I felt the ending was a bit forced, it also was the only way to do it. The realism of […]

Not just the middle school blues

Other Boys by Damian Alexander

by Leave a Comment

We know this story: Boy learning who he is. And we know the story of Boy learning that he is Gay and that’s okay. However, Damian Alexander’s approach makes Other Boys a fresh take on that story. The use of the wording/phrase “other boy(s)” is used throughout the book. Sometimes it is, “You are not like the other boys” and sometimes a bit more subtle, but it is there. Sometimes it is a half-compliment and others times and out and out insult. Both will make […]

Mirror Mirror on the Wall I’ve Become My Mother Afterall

I Am Not Starfire by Mariko Tamaki

by Leave a Comment

I Am Not Starfire is a lighthearted coming of age/this girl isn’t like the other superhero story.  There are several obvious situations and solutions, but Mariko Tamaki’s text makes them fun and while not necessarily fresh, they are enjoyable to read. There are several characters who are diverse (due to race, sexuality, or personality). Of course, the story of the superhero Titan Starfire is multi-layered: she is the ultimate immigrant (she is not from this world), she is a single mom, and she is raising […]

Siblings to die for

The Blood Between Us by Z Brewer

by Leave a Comment

Had I been myself as a teenager (and I was) this book would have been a huge hit. The Blood Between Us is a thriller filled with distrust, explosions, and family secrets. Until you get to the end. And this was when my adult-self kicked in and the teenager who forgave a lot to just enjoy the story, came into play. The buildup was strong, but slow. All evidence points to an obvious ending (but honestly would be a satisfying one). That is, until the […]

So mom went to the US to study, and all I got was a year of coming-of-age

A Year Without Mom by Dasha Tolstikova

by Leave a Comment

Sadly, sometimes a book has run its course with us at the store and we prep it for returns. Occasionally, I grab one (or six, but this review is about just one) and see if I can give it a second chance.  And while I cannot give A Year Without Mom by Dasha Tolstikova a second chance at the store, I can let you fine folks know about it. I did not love this book. Part novel, part picture book, part graphic novel, part art […]

Act up!

Click V03 Act by Kayla Miller

by Leave a Comment

If you have not guessed graphic novels and I became friends a few years ago. And now I love trying all sorts of books. And when I found a copy of Click V03 Act, I was excited to give it a try. I figured it would be light and quick (it was) and I would be able to enjoy it without having to deal with “really deep” storylines. And it is a fun story about friendship with contemporary themes and tone. It is best for […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo