Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

‘Who wants us, outside? The world is full of terrible people’: A castle can be a home, a fortress, a prison

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

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Since I finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle — my second Shirley Jackson thanks to JenX’s recommendation — I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the things that are not said. We go through so much of life living in our own heads while interacting with others who carry their own histories and lives and have their own shit happening. As important as it is to hear what is said to us, just as important is the ability to see the meaning behind […]

“I am forty four and I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.”

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

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When Sally catapults to national attention for putting her adoptive father’s body out with the trash, little does she know that this is not the first time she’s been in the headlines. I don’t read a lot of suspense, but after seeing this book all over my Goodreads feed the last couple of years I was sufficiently intrigued. That’s a pretty startling image to start off with, one’s father in the trash! Nugent creates a fascinating dual character study following Sally and Peter, and I […]

“You won’t necessarily win against fate, but you should at least put up a fight.”

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

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I am a huuuuuge fan of Liane Moriarty. I came to her as I’m sure a lot of people did, with her breakout hit Big Little Lies and I’ve never looked back. I am yet to find a book of hers that doesn’t completely capture my attention, as I forego all responsibilities and obligations in favor of reading. This book was no different, as it had me spellbound, though it was a bit more of a headscratcher than her previous books, with more mystical and magical elements […]

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 […]

“You won’t necessarily win against fate, but you should at least put up a fight.”

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

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On a flight from Hobart to Sydney, a strange woman goes up the aisle delivers unnerving predictions to the passengers about when and how they will die. At first the passengers dismiss it as some kind of stunt, try to put it out of their minds – until the first deaths begin. When I reveal that I enjoy reading tarot cards, people inevitably ask if I actually think I can predict the future with them. Actually I am not really sure if one can, but […]

More danger, calamity and heroism in space (Bingo)

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

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CBR16 Sweet Books: Binge CBR16 Bingo: Celestial (set in space. I’m sure the characters observe lots of stars on their epic journeys through space) Spoiler warning: this is the third and final book in the Illuminae Files. A lot of stuff happened in the previous two novels, and it will be impossible to review this book without referring to some significant plot points. Additionally, I don’t see how this book would be a satisfying reading experience taken out of context. So if you aren’t up […]



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