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:

Doesn’t Totally Hold Up, But Still Great

Brain Droppings by George Carlin

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Best for: Fans of Carlin’s clever and confrontational style of comedy. In a nutshell: Comedian Carlin shares jokes, observations, and wordplay. Worth quoting: “You could hear a pin drop. Well, you can’t hear a pin drop. Not even a bowling pin. When a pin is dropping, it’s just floating through the air. There’s very little noise. You might be able to hear a pin land but certainly not drop.” “I hear ya.” “Wonderful. And are you picking me up visually as well?” Why I chose […]

Prairie Home Companion Meets This American Life

The Year of Living Virtuously Weekends Off: A Meditation on the Search for Meaning in an Ordinary Life by Teresa Jordan

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Best for: Those who enjoy very short essays about life in the mid-west US. In a nutshell: Author Jordan uses a (very loose) framing of virtues and vices to tell stories about her life and the lives of others. Worth quoting: “I respect people who keep their promises — when those promises are honorable.” Why I chose it: I thought it was going to be more in line with, say, an A. J. Jacobs book. It was not. Review: I purchased this book long ago, […]

A Hundred Years On, It Still Mostly Holds Up

Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism by Vladimir Lenin

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Best for: People interested in a sense of what the Marxist philosophers were saying in the 1900s. Admittedly a niche market at this point (for now, anyway). In a nutshell: The title basically nails it – Lenin argues that Imperialism is Capitalism at its end. Worth quoting: “..for both uneven development and a semi-starvation level of existence of the masses are fundamental and inevitable conditions and constitute premises of this mode of production.” Why I chose it: It was assigned as part of the Marxist […]

I Didn’t Know Most of This, But Damn

My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen

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Best for: People interested in learning a bit about what the music industry can be like for young women, and a lot about what it was like for Lily Allen. In a nutshell: Musician Lily Allen shares her life story, including all the messy bits. Worth quoting: “When women share their stories, loudly and clearly and honestly, things begin to change – for the better.” Why I chose it: I was looking for another audio book and this one was on sale. Plus, read by […]

F**k Yeah

F**k No! How to stop saying yes when you can’t, you shouldn’t, or you just don’t want to by Sarah Knight

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Best for: Fans of Knight’s previous work (like me); people who need some tips for how to set boundaries with others and themselves (also like me). In a nutshell: Knight offers suggestions and tips for how to say no in pretty much any given situation. Worth quoting: “Most people do not care nearly as much about how you live your life as you think they do.” “It’s okay to protect our mental, emotional, and physical health by saying no to our bosses if we feel […]

Cannonball With a Delightful Memoir

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong

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Best for: Anyone who likes a good comedic memoir but also appreciates some sincerity. In a nutshell: Comedian Ali Wong shares stories from her life through the convention of letters to her two daughters. She also gives her husband the afterword to tell some of his perspective. Worth quoting: “You have suffered enough.” That became my mantra for motherhood from there on out. You have suffered enough. If you can make it easier, make it easier, and don’t feel guilty about it.” Why I chose […]



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