Cannonball Read 12

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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About ardaigle

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I am a born and bred southerner and recent transplant to the Midwest. I read because I want to, because I NEED to, and because I'm possibly ignoring the frigid temperatures. Until spring, and then I may read outside. I also enjoy cooking, witty banter, and cheese. All the cheese.

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Ms. Tartt, you did well with the latitude you were given.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

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Y’ALL. I DID IT. I FINALLY DID IT. I READ, IN IT’S ENTIRELY, DONNA TARTT’S GOLDFINCH. ALL 784 PAGES. For the most part, Cannonball Read is a great thing for me. It’s introduced me to a network of cool people, I better remember the things I’ve read (having reviewed them), and keeps me accountable to a goal. But, the goal bit is a tricky business. With an eye on the prize of a full cannonball it can seem a bit foolhardy to tackle a loooong […]

It’s the end of the world as they knew it

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

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I’m a new-er fan of Erik Larson. I read Devil in the White City only last year (or last last year?) which makes me unique in these parts, these parts being the Chicagoland area. That book details the creation of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, as well as the horrific serial killings by H.H. Holmes during that time period, and it is compelling. It’s pretty much required reading here, much like (shudder) Kate Chopin’s The Awakening in Louisiana which I read, I dunno, 5 […]

Another book-club-recommended-rip-your-heart-out read

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

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Neither this book nor Rebecca Makkai was on my radar but this is the March selection of the ANUW (Association for Northwestern University Women) book club and they have never steered me wrong before. This book club is the reason I read Hillbilly Elegy, Between the World and Me, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, and Radium Girls (and if you haven’t read these, add them all to your “to read” pile! Anyhoo, I digress. The Great Believers was another in the long line of books […]

American Trilogy #2 – holds up to the first, but you don’t need me to tell you that Philip Roth knows what he is doing.

I Married a Communist by Philip Roth

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Philip Roth’s American Pastoral was one of my favorite reads of 2017, Pulitzer winning novels rarely let me down, and this was no exception. I did the audio of this book, and was riveted by the writing and the story. So, I had the second of his The American trilogy in my To Read pile when a wonderful CBR Book Exchange buddy gifted it to me…two year ago? Three? I’ve had it for a minute, but I decided this was the year! They say you […]

Couldn’t put it down, but had to cuz SCARY, but then had to pick it back up again.

Severance by Ling Ma

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I love post-apocalyptic literature. Don’t know why, haven’t pulled at that thread, but it is my jaaam. My bread and butter. And other sandwich metaphors. So, I was predisposed to like this (cuz it’s my favorite genre) but also NOT like it, if it wasn’t well done. And it was so so well done. The day after I finished it, I bought it for someone else to read because I need them to read it so I can talk about it. I can’t stop thinking […]



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