kniki – Page 10 – Cannonball Read 17

A platter of insights topped with a sprinkle of advice and a drizzle of judgement

The Art of Growing Up by John Marsden

March 2, 2020 by kniki Leave a Comment

This book starts with a powerful chapter about young children and teens who are troubled and how we treat them differently as soon as they become young adults – losing our compassion and expecting them to act like the rest of us rational beings when really it isn’t possible after the dysfunctional upbringing they’ve endured. After reading this I thought the whole book was going be similar – a real challenge to my way of thinking. The rest was…… ok. Some of the writing I […]

The most fun you’ve ever had (being frugal)

The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland with Adam Grubb

February 10, 2020 by kniki 5 Comments

‘Stroke your dog’s ear between thumb and forefinger and marvel at its silkiness… Human earlobes are also good.’ Ah, so you were expecting tips on saving up slivers of soap to make a whole bar so you can save about 26 cents every few months? This book isn’t really for you, then. It’s all about philosophy and habits of mind and wisdom that will lead you to naturally spend a lot less while enjoying life a whole lot more. It’s a fairly short book, divided […]

A foreigner, but not from another country.

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

February 6, 2020 by kniki 2 Comments

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis is the story of J.D. Vance’s mixed upbringing and shows how your family and culture can ‘stick’ to you even when you successfully graduate from a prestigious university education and start a successful career. Early on in the book, Vance explains how his family came to live in Ohio: ‘To my grandparents, the goal was to get out of Kentucky and give their kids a head start. The kids, in turn, were expected to […]

I probably wouldn’t have watched the movie, so I don’t know why I read the book.

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

January 29, 2020 by kniki Leave a Comment

Will they or won’t they? This is the basic premise of Love, Rosie, previously published for some reason as Where Rainbows End. It’s written entirely in the form of emails, texts, instant messaging, and letters, and tells the story of best friends Rosie and Alex who just keep missing out on finding love with each other. After growing up together and planning on being besties for ever, something happens at the end of high school that gets in the way of their best intentions. They […]

A memoir that will send shivers up your spine and possibly make you cry.

Out of the Forest by Gregory P. Smith

January 27, 2020 by kniki Leave a Comment

I’m finding it hard to start writing about this book. It’s an incredible story of a life transformed that makes me thankful for my calm and ‘normal’ upbringing and leaves me wondering if I would ever have the strength to overcome the harrowing upbringing that Gregory P. Smith endured. I’m almost brought to tears when I think about how he was dropped off by his mum at an orphanage at ten years old, separated from his dear sisters, and immediately started suffering verbal and physical […]

Break it down, get it done.

Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight

January 25, 2020 by kniki 2 Comments

Get Your Sh*t Together is a basic, yet fun and profanity filled method for sorting out anything you need to in your life, from little day-to-day things to big life changing stuff. This is the second ‘not’ self-help book from anti-guru Sarah Knight, whose first book The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k not only gave the world a fun reprieve from having discussions with spatulas about whether they deserved to stay in their kitchen drawer – it also taught swearword-tolerant folks how to […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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