Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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Based in Glasgow. Used to review under the name Lollygagger. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: ASKReviews' Quick Questions interview - as Lollygagger.)

ASKReviews's Reviews:

Radiation is Not Great, Folks

Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham

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Best for: Folks who are interested in how man-made disasters come about, and how governments and individual people respond to them. In a nutshell: During a test of the cooling system, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, USSR, explodes, leading to some immediate deaths, some short-term deaths, many longer-term deaths, and the complete abandonment of an entire city. Worth quoting: “We have to be seen to be doing something.” Why I chose it: I watched the recent miniseries and given […]

Meh

I am a Hitman by Anonymous

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Best for: I can’t really recommend this book. It’s fine, but not something I’d recommend even to those who have a curiosity about such things. In a nutshell: The author claims he worked as a hit man, and details how he came into that world, and how he eventually got out. Worth quoting: Nothing. Why I chose it: Wanted an audio book to read while running and as someone who finds details and specifics fascinating, I was interested in HOW contract killing actually worked. Review: […]

Women Will Do What They Need to Survive

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

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Best for: Those who enjoy a bit of mystery, a bit of revenge, and some history. In a nutshell: Two parallel stories: In the late 1700s, Nella runs a secret apothecary in London to assist women who need freeing from abusive men. In the current day, Caroline has come to London to celebrate her 10th anniversary, only just before leaving the US for the trip, she found out her husband had been having an affair. Worth quoting: N/A – Audio book Why I chose it: […]

More of a Reference Book Than I Expected

How Bad Are Bananas: The Carbon Footprint of Everything by Mike Berners-Lee

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Best for: Anyone interested in the overall topic of climate footprints; those who are looking for some ideas on how they can reduce their own. In a nutshell: Author Berners-Lee explores the literal carbon cost of pretty much everything. Worth quoting: “Cryptocurrencies have to be one of the most fundamentally pointless ways of using energy. … Blockchain…adds even more to the energy use and the carbon footprint.” Why I chose it: I was looking for a book to leave at work and read when I […]

Stranger Than Fiction, Sort Of

The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas

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Best for: Fans of this genre. In a nutshell: Emilia is a successful author of mystery novels. She’s working on her latest book when some odd things start happening … right out of her novels. Including the latest unpublished one. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I’ve enjoyed her previous books. Review: I sped listened to this book because it was so interesting to me. Emilia is divorced and remarried – she co-parents her daughter with her ex-husband, who is now married to one […]

Weird and Sweet

Cat Lady by Dawn O'Porter

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Best for: Folks who like stories about women who society can’t quite place. A little bit like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but different. In a nutshell: Mia is married to Tristan, stepmother to Oliver, and deals with Tristan’s ex wife Belinda on a daily basis. She is an executive at a very small business, and has started attending a pet grief support group. Only issue: her beloved cat Pigeon is very much still alive. Worth quoting: “There must be so much freedom when you […]



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