Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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I'm left-handed! (Learn more about this Cannonballer: Halbs's Quick Questions interview.)

Halbs's Reviews:

If it first you don’t succeed brush yourself off and try again, try again

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

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My second read of the year comes from the long-standing tradition between my spouse and me: At the end of each year, we jot down five books for the other person to read over the upcoming year. I confess that The Do-Over was from the 2024 list, but in the spirit of the book, I thought I should go ahead and get ‘er read (a do-over!). I enjoyed the book and found it to be good medicine for our toxic times. Emily Hornby is the kind […]

“Nightmares do come true, but never in the shape you expect.”

Hairpin Bridge by Taylor Adams

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Shoutout to BookPage, the free monthly magazine found at all my local libraries, for recommending Taylor Adams’ Hairpin Bridge. This isn’t a book I would have picked up on my own, so it was exciting to expand my horizons with new-to-me author and a darker read than I’m used to. Overall this was a well-written, taut thriller with something meaningful to say about grief. The story begins like all good stories – in a diner. Lena Nguyen, a loner in her twenties, is seeking closure […]

Blue Notes

Cahokia Jazz by Franics Spufford

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Reading this book was a unique experience for me. Since it focuses on First Nations in America, some parts are tough and sad. I borrowed it from the library and wasn’t sure I’d finish before it was due, especially because of the heavy moments. But I felt I owed it to the main character to see it through. That’s never happened to me before. I’m glad I finished Cahokia Jazz. The story has really stayed with me, even though I’ve returned the book. The story […]

+2 Charisma

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

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This book is a warm blanket; it’s the perfect read before bedtime. Pleasant, hopeful, fun.  Riley is a high school drama kid. In fact, until recently, she was dating the best actor in town. But that has ended. School is starting back up, and now her ex has a new girlfriend. And, to make things worse, Riley is in BIG TROUBLE with her parents. In what is probably the most innocent and cutest reason to get grounded ever, Riley borrowed her mom’s car without permission […]

Semper Iocosus

Grit, Spit, and Never Quit by Rob Riggle

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Before reading this book, Rob Riggle was like the friend of a good friend. I enjoyed my time with him on The Daily Show, Bear Grylls, Angie Tribeca, New Girl, etc. But Riggle wasn’t my friend yet. This book, to continue the metaphor, is the first time Riggle and I have ever hung out without the mutual friend. It’s like our mutual friend had to cancel dinner plans with Riggle and me at the last minute, but we both still showed. And we found out, […]

Fascinating Philosophy and Science in an OK Story

The Quantum Revelations by Stuart Heinrich

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I’m immensely appreciative of Stuart Heinrich for undertaking quite a project – sharing complex and niche scientific ideas such as physical relativism and quantum cosmology with a general audience of sci-fi/speculative fiction readers in novel form. Think The Celestine Prophecy, but for science! Heinrich has previously published non-fiction articles on similar topics, and The Quantum Revelations is his attempt to integrate these areas of study into fiction. The plot is fun. In the near future, climate change rapidly accelerates past the point of no return. […]



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