Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Life is Beautiful, and Life is Stupid

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente

by 2 Comments

  ‘Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything pulses to a beat laid down by the Big Bang. Everything feels the drumline of creation from star to sex to song.’   How do you determine if a species is sentient? Do you go running and hiding behind René Descartes when asked? Rig-up some kind of ad-hoc test to see if they are capable of a subjective, private point of view? Or are you of the mind that if critters have feelings, that should be good […]

Where pastrami and hot dogs come from

Pastrami on Rye by Ted Merwin

by 1 Comment

Bingo 18 (Award Winner) In 2015, Ted Merwin’s Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli won the National Jewish Book Award, which is presented by the Jewish Book Council. I neither knew that nor would have cared if I had known when I bought the book, but it’s rather convenient for a Bingo Square. Basically, this book is as the subtitle suggests a social and cultural history of the Jewish deli in the United States starting in 1880sish NYC through nearly the […]

If you must break the law, do it to seize power.

SPQR I: The King's Gambit by John Maddox Roberts

by Leave a Comment

In the year 70 BC, highborn Roman official Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger tries to solve two murders, the disembowelment of a foreign merchant and the garroting of an ex-gladiator, and an arson that were all committed in his district. Organised crime has an unbreakable hold on the city, and corruption, intrigues, and brutality run rampant, but these crimes seem much more than business as usual. The book seems to be well researched and contains a wealth of information about the Rome of this particular […]

“It’s quite exciting,” said Sherlock Holmes, with a yawn.” (CBR11 Bingo)

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A Scandal in Bohemia by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

by Leave a Comment

My previous Sherlock experiences have all centered around visual adaptations, starting with The Great Mouse Detective (1986), but #CannonBookClub is always pushing me to read new to me things. My mind’s eye had a very specific versions of Holmes and Watson cobbled together over many incarnations Watson, to me, is an intelligent everyman who is aware of the things he does not know – as well as being a man of responsibility and duty. Sherlock is a bit testy, has a bit of tunnel vision […]

Laugh so Loud at the Coffee Shop that the Guy Next in Line Spills His Drink (CBR11 Bingo: The Collection)

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg

by 2 Comments

The bizarre come home to roost in Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. Fleeting daydreams turn into years long stunted relationships, science goes too far into US history, dogs navigate the meaning of “good” and “bad”, entire stories are told in the span of half-sentences, and a Minions watch holds new and aching power. The wordplay, absurdity, and bone-deep ennui of Bob-Waksberg’s previous creation, Bojack Horseman, are ever present and ready to build you up and tear you back down to the ground. […]

Angsty, charming, good….and problematic?

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

by 7 Comments

CBR11 Bingo –  Cannonballer Says So, scootsa1000 reviewed this book two months ago, and she could’ve just said, “Hey, Rainbow Rowell says this is the best book she read last year.” That would’ve been enough to get me to read Emergency Contact. Instead, she went on to give a really good review of the book. I suggest reading it. Penny is a freshman in college, and I don’t think she’s ever looked forward to anything in her life as much as she has getting away […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo