Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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From the US. Living in the UK. Used to review under the name Lollygagger. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: ASKReviews' Quick Questions interview - as Lollygagger.)

ASKReviews's Reviews:

Come for the Stories, Stay for the Activism

A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man by Tadhg Hickey

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Best for: Those looking for inspiration from sober alcoholics / people with substance use issues. In a nutshell: Comedian Hickey shares what his life was like growing up in Cork, Ireland, with a mother who was mentally unwell. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I follow Hickey on TikTok and didn’t realise he has a book. The book is … different from what I expected. Review: I was hoping to squeeze this in as my last review for 2023 but alas, I just missed […]

No One Sleeps on this Overnight Train

Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

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Best for: Those who enjoy a murder mystery in a locked location (in this case, a derailed train). In a nutshell: Roz, retired Met police officer, is heading north on the sleeper train to be with her daughter, who is giving birth up in Scotland. Instead, she finds herself on a derailed train, with a possibly murdered influencer. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: My partner and I don’t exchange gifts at Christmas, except for one book, that we open on Christmas eve. This […]

More About People Than Ideas

Socialism 101 by Kathleen Sears

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Best for: People interested in learning about various thought leaders who might be related to socialism (but probably more likely communism?) throughout history, but not so much the practical applications behind their ideas. In a nutshell: This felt a bit like a History of Communism 101, as opposed to a primer on the different beliefs and implementations of socialist beliefs (which is what I was expecting). Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I’m very clear that capitalism is not working. I’m also not comfortable […]

Some Unexpected Twists and Turns

The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

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Best for: Fans of mysteries set in a different time. In a nutshell: Mrs King has been let go from the fancy De Vries household, where she served as a housekeeper. She now has a plan to pull off the most dramatic heist London has ever seen. Worth quoting: “Choose your first move wisely, and you could steer things any way you liked.” Why I chose it: I was looking for something interesting but somewhat mindless as I’ve been having some trouble finishing the non-fiction […]

Complex – Needs a Second Read

Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein

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Best for: People interested in a novel way of looking at the complexities of modern politics. In a nutshell: Author Klein explores the different political realities people inhabit in areas as vast as vaccines and Middle East policies. Worth quoting: We are told that the way things are is the only way they can be, because every other model has supposedly already been tried, and all have failed. But these ideas about different ways of being and thinking and living did not all fail; rather, […]

Ah, Yes. UK Cities Are Super Old

The Little Book of Glasgow by Geoff Holder

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Best for: Anyone who likes fact / trivia books. In a nutshell: A sort-of history of Glasgow (Scotland’s largest city), as told via facts, figures, and trivia. Worth quoting: “ABBA’s mega-hit ‘Super Trouper’ is told from the point of view of a disenchanted touring musician staying in a hotel in Glasgow.” Why I chose it: I recently moved to Glasgow and want to learn more about it. What it left me feeling: Amused. Review: This book is absolutely fine. It’s hard to write a review, […]



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