Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

My 2020 Resolution and a Cannonball!

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life by Charles Darwin

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In December 2019, before we knew what the following months held in store, I made a New Year’s resolution to read On the Origin of Species. I have a beautiful folio edition that I received for my birthday, and I wanted to check it off my TBR list for a couple of reasons. First, as I’ve mentioned before, I learned as an adult how much I love science. Second, and more importantly, in a country where roughly 20% of adults reject the idea that humans […]

Not sure what to make of this one

Sadness by Donald Barthelme

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A friend of mine lent me this book (in fact, was rather insistent that I read it), saying it helped define who he is today. Normally, I enjoy reading books that give me insight into what makes the people I know tick, but in this case, I read this collection of short stories, and I’m no closer to any such wisdom. Goodreads describes this collection as “masterpieces of wit, whimsy, and satire.” I enjoy a good satire, understanding that such writing isn’t intended to be […]

Character-driven crime, as seen on TV

Bad Debts (Jack Irish 1) by Peter Temple

Dead Point (Jack Irish 3) by Peter Temple

White Dog (Jack Irish 4) by Peter Temple

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Yes, I’m reviewing books 1, 3 and 4 of a series, and one that really should be read in order.  But I picked these up in my usual cheapskate way – tempted by some kind of Kindle Deal too good to refuse, and I’d already seen the TV movies, so I wasn’t too fussed that I read them out of order (3, then 4, then 1) and don’t have 2 yet. Jack Irish (played by Guy Pearce on TV) is a former criminal lawyer, still […]

Crone power

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

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My first exposure to Howl’s Moving Castle was the Studio Ghibli film version., which I found utterly charming.  So when the Kindle Daily Deal dangled a bargain before me, I pounced, and am pleased to say that the book is similarly delightful. Howl’s Moving Castle takes place in an unspecified European landscape ruled by a fairytale logic, where Sophie Hatter, as the eldest of three daughters, is resigned to nothing interesting ever happening to her.  It’s always the youngest of three (or seven) that has […]

Charming and fun

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

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Join Lord Henry “Monty” Montague, his bookish sister Felicity and best friend/crush Percy as they embark on a Grand Tour of Europe.  The trip is intended to expose Monty to culture, or at least take his embarassing behaviour out of the sight of his father and anyone else important in England.  When he returns he is expected to pick up the reins and be the dutiful son and heir. The sensible well laid plans of  minder Lockwood have no chance against Monty’s recklessness.  Percy is […]

A disappointment, a pleasant surprise, and an I-should-have-known-better.

Well Played by Jen DeLuca

Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

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Continuing with my year-end wrap-up of books that I didn’t feel like reviewing earlier, this post will feature three “sequels” to books I have previously read and reviewed. First up, Well Played. Truly, a disappointment. I was so looking forward to this one, a follow-up to last year’s fun and charming Well Met. Still set in the weird little Maryland town that obsesses over a summer Renaissance Faire, this time we focus on Emily and Simon’s friend Stacey, who worked as a pub wench with […]



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