history/schmistory – Cannonball Read 17

Something that happened in the ’80’s can be history, right?

Robert Pickton: The Pig Farmer Serial Killer (Crimes Canada: True Crimes That Shocked The Nation Book 1) by Chris Swinney

October 30, 2019 by kfishgirl Leave a Comment

So my friend got me started listening to a true crime podcast based on the most recent story she heard. It was about a pig farmer named Robert Pickton. He was apparently a semi-notorious Canadian serial killer. I didn’t even know that Canada had serial killers! She told me about a book that they kept mentioning, but it was like $15 and I didn’t feel like spending any money that day, so I borrowed the Kindle Unlimited version of the story from Amazon. Well, it […]

History and travel: bingo two for two in a series (#History/Schmistory & Travel)

His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire #1) by Naomi Novik

Throne of Jade (Temeraire #2) by Naomi Novik

October 19, 2019 by Aquillia Leave a Comment

I’m pretty behind on Bingo, so trying to catch up before it ends! Some quick reviews of two entries in a series I’ve been reading this year, both on audiobook: Temeraire (AKA His Majesty’s Dragon) and Throne of Jade, by Naomi Novik. Temeraire fits the History/Schmistory square, since it’s set in an alternate history, and Throne of Jade satisfies the requirements for Travel. This was the series Novik was known for before she delved into folklore fantasy with Uprooted and Spinning Silver. They’re difficult to compare, as […]

You can hate the heroine; don’t hate the novel

Atonement by Ian McEwan

October 6, 2019 by KimMiE" 3 Comments

CBR11bingo: History/Schmistory (historical fiction) BINGO: Two Heads Are Better Than One, Back to School, Own Voices, Classics, History/Schmistory While having lunch with a friend recently, we started talking about books and he mentioned that he doesn’t have any use for novels that are “about writing.” On reflection, I realized I am often quite taken with novels that could be classified as metafiction (The Magpie Murders, The Word is Murder/The Sentence is Death, and, going all the way back to CBR V, The Tragedy of Arthur). So […]

Expanding Horizons

The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia (Author), Simon Bruni (Translator)

September 18, 2019 by KatSings Leave a Comment

Bingo Update: This is for my History/Schmistory square. The book is, according to the publisher, “set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and the devastating influenza of 1918.” I learned SO MUCH about Mexican history reading this book, even if it is a work of fiction. Every now and then a monolith that should be seen as evil does something good, even Amazon (who we appreciate for our buyhole, obviously). Amazon sent out a list of books they were offering for free for World […]

“Monsters aren’t born, ever. They’re made, piece by piece and limb by limb, artificial creations of madmen who, like the misguided Frankenstein, always think they know better.”

Vox by Christina Dalcher

September 12, 2019 by scootsa1000 Leave a Comment

CBR11 Bingo: #history/schmistory Vox was an interesting reading experience. I was completely absorbed by it, but really only liked about half of it, and very much hated the ending. And yet, I think I would recommend it…but not to everyone. Does that even make sense? In a potential future (or is it now?), our extremely conservative right-wing religious government decides that they’ve had just about enough of women. All women are ordered to leave their jobs in order to maintain their homes and take care […]

“The mind has a mind of its own.” (CBR11 Bingo)

A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain, Hillary Huber (narrator)

September 10, 2019 by faintingviolet 2 Comments

This one was okay and therefore 2 stars. I don’t often rate books 1 or 2 stars, at this point in my Cannonball history my to read list is pretty well-honed in on books that I’m going to have a good response to (making them 3 stars or higher). But, back in the spring when I still had an Audible subscription this was one of their free Originals so I scooped it up. I’m not sad I chose it, I just wish it knew what […]

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Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
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Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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