Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Whenever Diamonds Are Involved, Someone Probably Will Die

The Man Who Died Twice: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman

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Best for: Those who enjoyed the first book. In a nutshell: Elizabeth’s ex-husband — also a former spy — is in a safe house, accused of having stolen diamonds from a criminal he’s investigating. Then, he and his handler are killed, and the diamonds are nowhere to be found. Also, Ibrahim has been mugged. Worth quoting: N/A (Audio book) Why I chose it: I loved the first one. What it left me feeling: Surprised. Review: So, you don’t NEED to have read the first book […]

An extremely unexpected new favorite.

Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong

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This book spoke to me. Katrina Kim is the most lovable, vulnerable mess of a human. I would find it concerning how much I identified with her* if I wasn’t too busy enjoying every bonkers moment of this book. I was worried as I approached the end, given how I’d lost my mind over it so far, that the ending wouldn’t do Katrina justice, but I shouldn’t have been worried. I cried happy tears and felt much resolution. *I have OCD and she does too, […]

Not what I expected, but better

Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott

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Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives (2022) by Mary Laura Philpot was another book I found on NPR’s List. I got it as an audiobook from my library as something to read on my commute, and I definitely enjoyed it. Philpott is a good writer and tells engaging stories about her life. She is relatable, funny, and likeable. I appreciated her generally optimistic outlook on life as well as her yearning for things to stay just as they are. However, I did come into this book […]

I See the Appeal

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

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Best for: Fans of cleverly constructed who done its. In a nutshell: A group of retirees investigate the murders of contractors planning to expand their retirement community. Worth quoting: N/A (Audio book) Why I chose it: I think the second or third book in this series was recently released, and I keep seeing this everywhere. I decided to see if I could enjoy a fiction audio book. Turns out I can. What it left me feeling: Impressed Review: What fun. Which, I know, weird thing […]

Who’s Your Daddy

The Frozen Crown by Greta Kelly

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I got The Frozen Crown on audiobook a while ago and only recently finished it. Not because it wasn’t good, I did like it, I think I’ve just been more interested in print books lately. Askia is the heir to the kingdom of Saravesh. Her kingdom is invaded by the ruler of the Roven Empire, Radovan, who wants her for her magic abilities. Magic abilities she has to keep hidden because of the Shazir, magic hunting priests and zealots killed her parents for plot reasons. […]

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato

Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World by William Alexander

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Do you ever read a book’s marketing summary after finishing a book and wonder what in the world they’re going on about? The teaser for “Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World” by William Alexander starts off like this: “The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Stored in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, appropriated as wartime propaganda, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato is the Rodney Dangerfield of foods. Yet, […]



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