Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

One December night

The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong

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The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong and illustrated by Mira Miroslavova is a delightful spiritual story with a folktale approach. The colors and images are rich and move the story along. We follow the birds during the birth of the Christ child and the gifts they give to him. Yet, even though it Christian based (the birth of Christ) it is less religious and more wanting to give the spirit of the season. I loved how Miroslavova’s illustrations are rich, pretty and show how […]

It’s Hard to Think with the Bullets Flying

Protecting the Amish Child by Dana R. Lynn

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When Francesca discovers a dead body and an autistic Amish boy in her front yard, she turns to her late husband’s friend Tanner, an FBI agent, to find out what’s going on and keep them both safe. I discovered later that this is the latest book in a long series of Amish romantic suspense novels centered in the same region, but my lack of familiarity with prior books wasn’t an issue – this works well as a standalone. I enjoyed what we saw of Fran […]

Final 2024 Leftovers

1876 by Gore Vidal

Joe Country by Mick Herron

James by Percival Everett

Slough House by Mick Herron

Kiss Her Goodbye by Allan Guthrie

The Contemplative Tarot: A Christian Introduction to the cards by Brittany Muller

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Hope everyone had a wonderful 2024. Remember that while we can’t control the horrors of the world, there is joy to be found in the presence of those we love. 1876**** Didn’t hit as hard as Burr; Burr’s presence was the center of the story that made it go, whereas this book wants to highlight every major player in the 1876 election. But Vidal does a good job of evoking the atmosphere of the time: the unapologetic corruption, the paranoia of another war and the […]

A Question of Compatibility

The Amish Matchmaking Dilemma by Patricia Johns

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When Mose comes to town in search of a wife, the local matchmaker sets him up with his childhood friend Naomi – but only as his speaking tutor, for Mose has a severe stutter. Though the pair feel drawn to each other, they seem too different in their outlooks to ever make a match of it. I’m not religious. I’m certainly not Christian. But I do enjoy reading a wide variety of books, and considering the popularity of Amish romances, I thought it was a […]

It’s the Chronic (WHAT) cles of Narnia

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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Can anyone in their 30s talk about The Chronicles of Narnia without now recalling the SNL Digital Short Lazy Sunday starring Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell? Because the minute I say the name of the series, that’s all I hear, them yelling about going to watch the movie version of the first book. As I started to write this review, I went and looked up the video and it still got a giggle, so well done to the future Mr. Jake Peralta. Buuuut anyhoo. Why […]

Purpose vs Vocation vs Career vs What Am I Doing?

The Purpose Path: A Guide to Pursuing Your Authentic Life's Work by Nicholas Pearce

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I presently work at Kellogg School of Management which is the business school at Northwestern University. As such, we have access to top rated faculty and have opportunities to see them present their work at lunch events and the like. It’s a pretty neat built-in professional development opportunity. As such, Dr. Pearce presented an event for staff the other day. Though I wasn’t able to attend, I did find out from colleagues that they received free books and I was like WHAT. FREE BOOK?! Luckily, […]



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