Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Search

Monster, or just another kid?

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri

by Leave a Comment

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is a graphic novel by G. Neri that is based on actual events. This is the story of how 11-year-old Roger (a fictional character) tries to make sense of the death of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer. Also 11-years-old. Also living in Chicago. A kid who was as sweet as the candy that gave him his nickname. A kid who would burn up a car if the owner disrespected him. A kid who called his grandmother home. A kid […]

Absolutely, Positively Not YA

Iron Gold (Red Rising Saga #4) by Pierce Brown

Dark Age (Red Rising Saga #5) by Pierce Brown

by 1 Comment

So, I planned on writing a big post last year or the year before about wether or not the Red Rising series is YA. I do not remember where I fell on the spectrum then but I know, without a doubt, that I fall firmly in the NOT YA camp now. That said, I would absolutely let my children read these books and encourage any reader who was interested to read them. I tend to consider readers a little more mature than the average person […]

DO NOT READ THE BOOK JACKET! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The Witch Elm by Tana French

by Leave a Comment

If you are in the least bit interested in this story- as an avid reader of Tana French or a curious newcomer- then heed the warning and DO NOT be tempted by the book jacket! The inciting action is described- in detail- right on the open flap of the cover, but you will spend a good 250 pages wandering around in wait. It will ruin one of the many surprises, and lend an unnecessary element of additional suspense to something that is already full of […]

A Long, Violent Look at the Not-So-Distant Past

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

by Leave a Comment

Verdict: A rewarding read, but definitely not for everyone. Review: Its hard to know where to start with a review, as this book was a LOT: a lot of book awards (including the Booker), a lot of characters, a lot of narrators, a lot of violence (way more than 7 killings), a lot of the CIA messing around in 3rd world countries, and a whole lot of pages (almost 700!).  Moreover, that ‘a lot’ hits you right away, kicking off with a 4 page cast […]

Ghost Boys through history

by Leave a Comment

First, Ghost Boys does seem like a fairly balanced look how the shooting of Jerome, a 12-year-old boy, by a white police officer effects not only Jerome’s family, but the officer and his family as well. Perhaps, it is tilted a little more in Jerome’s favor, but that is to be expected. Second, this will bring up the feelings and thoughts we have on the subjects presented: Someone at the hearing yells, “Black Lives Matters.” And the father of Jerome is going to sue the […]

Parts of this made me angry

by 3 Comments

This review is full of spoilers. Sorry.  And foul language. Also sorry.   Gracelings are people who have a special ability, and they are identified by having two different colored eyes.  Someone could have a Grace for cooking, or swimming, or dancing. Katsa learns at a very young age that she has the Grace of killing.  So her uncle, King Randa, uses her as his personal executioner, starting from when she is just 10 years old. As she gets older and more of a mind […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo