Cannonball Read 15

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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About carmelpie

CBR14 Participant
CBR15 Participant

Likes: Humor, Scifi, Fantasy, YA and, above all else, unforgettable characters. Dislikes: Unnecessary filler, gurus, tropes (except when I like them), and life advice in ten steps or less.

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If you have to go, I will go with you.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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“Did he know, or only guess at Achilles’ destiny? As he lay alone in his rose-colored cave, had some glimmer of prophecy come to him? Perhaps he simply assumed: a bitterness of habit, of boy after boy trained for music and medicine, and unleashed for murder.” ― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles “We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake loving him in silence.” ― Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles I haven’t felt the need […]

Not every story leaves the teller unharmed

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

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“The bards all sing of the bravery of the heroes and the greatness of your deeds: it is one of the few elements on which they all agree. But no one sings of the courage required by those of us who were left behind.” ― Natalie Haynes, A Thousand Ships The more I read, the more I write, and the more I consume all forms of storytelling from films, to TV, to poetry, the more I realize how unfamiliar I am with the bases for […]

The holidays are fucking hard

This Winter by Alice Oseman

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“When people know you’re mentally ill, most people either want to ignore it completely or they treat you like your strange, scary, or fascinating. Very few people are actually good at the middle ground. The middle ground isn’t hard. It’s just being there. Being helpful, if help is needed. Being understanding, even if they don’t understand everything.” ― Alice Oseman, This Winter “I think sometimes,’ says Nick, ‘you’re so scared of being a burden that it makes you terrified to ask for help. But you […]

Why didn’t this place have an elevator? A magical one full of morphine.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

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She could hear Darlington’s voice in her head: When was the first time you saw them? Low and halting, as if he wasn’t sure whether the question was taboo. But the real question, the right question, was: When was the first time you knew to be afraid? Alex was glad he’d never had the sense to ask. ― Leigh Bardugo, Ninth House Ninth house refers to Lethe house, the watchers and keepers over the magic practices of the “Ancient Eight” houses, or magical societies at […]

Too little out of too much

The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

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Summary from the book In The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. My summary: Did not finish I’m very interested in books that deal with mental health and how therapy, medication, and select activities, such as […]

If you hit me with your cane again, you’re gone

a good myth is hard to kill by MajorGodComplex

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Kaz is a smart man, but not smart enough to reconsider snarking the most powerful man in the world when dragged out of Ketterdam and across the fold to work for him. Kaz isn’t worried. He’s got plot armor. The Darkling showed his hand much too early with all of that ‘together we’ll change the world’ bullshit.  Still, when the shadows begin to close in on him he can’t help but consider the possibility he may have miscalculated. ……………. Thanks to his black kefta, that’s […]



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