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:

Garbage In, Garbage Out (The Models, Not the Book)

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O’Neil

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BINGO: Yellow (this is my 12th BINGO title and I still don’t have an actual BINGO yet!) Best for: Anyone concerned about how inequity is perpetuated by seemingly ‘neutral’ or ‘scientific’ processes. In a nutshell: Data scientist O’Neil explores what she calls WMDs, or Weapons of Math Destruction – large algorithms that are largely opaque and control aspects of our lives, from college rankings and admissions to credit scores to voting. She argues that these systems are flawed and have biases built in that harm […]

You Can’t Escape Your Past

Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason

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BINGO: Fresh Start – #1 in the Reykjavik Murder Mystery series Best for: Fans of murder mysteries set in Iceland. In a nutshell: CN: Sexual Assault Detective Erlendur is called to investigate the murder of an older man. As the investigation unfolds, he discovers a possible link to crimes the victim committed in the past. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I like mysteries set in Iceland, and this series comes generally well-reviewed. Review: This book didn’t exactly go where I expected it to, […]

Power Dynamics

Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak

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BINGO: Friendship Best for: People who enjoy a quick, unexpected read, a bit in the style of Gone Girl. In a nutshell: Violet is a quiet woman who comes from a background of limited means. Stella is a very rich woman (think family money + Instagram influencer glam). They meet at college and become close friends. But that friendship seems reliant on each of them fulfilling their roles, and when one steps out, things get … rough. Worth quoting: “It wasn’t that my personality changed […]

A Thorough Exploration of Misogyny

Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny by Kate Manne

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BINGO: Book Club: Waterstones’ Ms Afropolitan Philosophy Book Club (2019) Best for: Those looking for a deeper look into what misogyny really is. In a nutshell: Philosopher Kate Manne explores different definition of misogyny, providing support for her hypotheses with case studies many of us will be familiar with. Worth quoting: “Sexism [is] the branch of patriarchal ideology that justifies and rationalizes a patriarchal social order, and misogyny as the system that polices and enforces its governing norms an expectations. So sexism is scientific; misogyny […]

Sure, Sex is Fun, But, Have You Ever Listened to Samantha Irby Read Her Own Book?

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

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BINGO: Green Best for: Anyone who enjoys clever, interesting essays that will make them laugh. In a nutshell: Author Irby is back with her third collection of essays, which cover what her life is like these days, as well as just some hilariously repetitive takes on the exact same phrase. Worth quoting: “Sure, sex is fun, but have you ever used a really absorbent towel?” Why I chose it: I was looking for a book to listen to while running, and realized I both hadn’t […]

Revolution

The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James

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BINGO: No Money Best for: Those interested in the history of enslaved people who successfully fought back. In a nutshell: Enslaved people revolt against the British, Spanish, and French over twelve years, eventually creating Haiti. Worth quoting: “The cruelties of property and privilege are always more ferocious than the revenges of poverty and oppression.” Why I chose it: I received this as a birthday gift this year. Review: You will be shocked to learn that I, a white woman raised and educated in the US, […]



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