Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A true story of dissociative identity disorder and being transgender

The Third Person by Emma Grove

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I picked up The Third Person (2022) by Emma Grove specifically for Cannonball Bingo. I wanted another graphic novel to read, so I looked at NPR’s Best Books of 2022 and decided that Grove’s memoir looked interesting. Fortunately, it was available at my library, and I didn’t have to wait long. When The Third Person arrived, I was surprised that it was a huge tome of over 900 pages. The majority of the story is a conversation between Emma and her therapist, Toby. Emma wants and needs the therapist’s okay to […]

Just in time for the movie

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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It was only when the trailer for the new movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, popped up on my Youtube page that I realized there was another Hunger Games story that I’d somehow missed. I’d read the original Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins–really getting caught up in the action in the first book, but losing interest and gaining frustration by the last book. I never made it through all the movies, but it was an intriguing story that stuck with me. Thus, after watching the trailer, I immediately […]

“My biggest concern is the misuse of science to support policies.”

The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis

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I wanted to find a good political book for Cannonball Bingo, and my husband quickly recommended The Fifth Risk (2018) by Michael Lewis. I listened to the first couple of minutes on Audiobook, and thought it sounded interesting. So, I decided to give it a shot. The reason I found the beginning of the book so interesting was that it described in detail what was happening in government offices when Trump took over after the election. Civil service workers were waiting with their binders full of information […]

“She remembers that today is Sunday, which six days out of seven is not true.”

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

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I found The Swimmers (2022) by Julie Otsuka on NPR’s Best Books List. To be honest, I think I was specifically looking for a short, but good, book and The Swimmers fit the bill. I try to swim once in awhile, so I figured this book might even be relatable and/or motivating on that level as well. It turned out to be very different from what I expected as well as different from most novels that I’ve read. The Swimmers begins with the description of a swimming pool and the many people […]

I am the tree and you are the bird. Fly off as you please, you will always come back to sit on my branches.

A Long Way from Douala by Max Lobe

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Pa had brought out our entire stock of beer. Simon, Roger and I had the job of serving. We ran to and fro between the kitchen, the living room and the porch. Our hi-fi pumped out old Makossa hits: our parents’ favorites. A few women neighbors of their generation, also wearing kaba ngondos, had begun shimmying in the empty space at the center of the room. They looked like they were showing off: you can’t dance the Makossa without showing off.” ― Max Lobe, A […]

“Always be quiet when a heart is breaking.”

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

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CBR Bingo – Relation(ship) I was looking for a book to dive into whole to lift my spirits post-layoff and a friend recommended this, saying she “recommends it for anyone who loves books and needs a warm hug.” In my opinion, she nailed the recommendation for my situation. This book is just sweet enough, but also just dark enough, to appeal to a troubled mind looking for distraction. Any book lover will be delighted to dive into this world. Jack Masterson, Willy Wonka-esque children’s author, […]



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