Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About Jake

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I love reading! (Learn more about this Cannonballer: Jake's Quick Questions interview.)

Jake's Reviews:

Book So Nice, He Named It Thrice

New York, New York, New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation by Thomas Dyja

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I’ve waited a long time for a book like this. I’ve always wanted to know how New York City became NEW YORK CITY! in its modern day form. How it “came back” from its struggling 70s and who benefitted versus who got left behind. I was hoping for something in scope that could synthesize politics with culture. Thomas Dyja does that and so much more in a delightfully readable, single volume. Dense but easy to engage with, this book starts from the beginning of the […]

…but you can’t pick your family.

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

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After immersing myself in the Bernie Madoff story following his death, I was kind of caught off guard at a character that, while probably not based on Madoff given the timing of publication, certainly resembles him. This was probably my favorite Inspector Gamache novel so far. It also reminded me of what frustrates me about the series. I’ll share what’s good in the paragraphs below and then post a spoiler alert to express my frustrations, which will mostly be for longtime Gamache readers. Both the […]

The Vanities Bonfire

The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust by Diana B. Henriques

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Having read this and listened to a podcast, I’m convinced the Bernie Madoff thing was far more complicated than even he realized. Madoff, who died last week, has been an intriguing character in American history, though a mysterious one. He tried to fall on his sword regarding his Ponzi Scheme, and when that failed, he haphazardly and, it seems, untruthfully, explained how it worked and when it started. Diana B. Henriques does as good of a job as one can recently expect with untangling the […]

Pacific Dreams

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

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I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Those who know me know that I’m a big fan of the Hard Case Crime label. I collect the novels and make a commitment to read at least one a month. Publisher Charles Ardai has made a point to reach out extensively to the HCC fan community; passing out ARCs and bonus copies before they go on sale. A few months ago, some of us got an […]

Reading Days

In the Cut by Susanna Moore

The Papers of Tony Veitch by William McIlvanney

Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke

The Devil in Her Way by Bill Loehfelm

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In sleep debt and haven’t had time to write reviews like I’ve wanted to the last few weeks so here are a few things I’ve read lately… In the Cut **** It’s tough to talk about this one. The writing is superb, bordering brilliant. The scenes are rich. The ending…good but not good? I don’t know. I liked it a lot but I can’t really say why except to say it’s well-written and thrilling. Erotic in a messy way. It addresses the way physical attraction […]

Meet the Plumbs

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

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My memory from the last few years is hazy but if I recall correctly, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s 2016 novel The Nest was one of the breakout hits of the literary year. I remember seeing it everywhere and hearing about its existence, even if I didn’t know the plot. A little research confirmed at least some of this: the book sold for 7-figures to a publishing house and there were like a billion (very available) copies at my local libraries. This no doubt was a hit with the […]



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