Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About KimMiE"

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I love reading nonfiction books, especially ones about nature, zoology, brain chemistry, and psychology. I also love the classics, especially Victorian lit. Mysteries are my go-to relaxing reads, and I read fantasy and sci fi when they come recommended. I'm definitely open to new genres! (Learn more about this Cannonballer: KimMiE”'s Quick Questions interview.)

KimMiE"'s Reviews:

H.G. Wells is the villain for boring me to death

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

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Sometimes the idea of a story is a thousand times better than the actual story, as is the case with H.G. Wells’s The Invisible Man. I look at that cover and think, “This is going to be one badass book–a fun, light read that will nevertheless leave me pondering the nature of loneliness and isolation.” (Okay, I didn’t get all of that from the cover.) With fewer than 200 pages, this book turned out to be an unexpected slog and I’m still not sure what […]

Unspeakable pain, unspeakable loneliness

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

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Decades ago, when I first heard the term “footbinding,” I thought it simply meant that the feet of Chinese girls were wrapped tightly to keep them small and delicate. Then when I learned that there was much more to it than that, I realized it was awful but didn’t give it much more thought. After reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which goes into detail about how girls as young as 5 or 6 were subjected to the practice, I’m truly horrified. If you […]

When a great story is adapted into a great movie, x2

Different Seasons by Stephen King

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At least 30 years ago I read The Shining and really enjoyed it, so I’m not sure why I never picked up another book by Stephen King. Probably it’s because I’m not a huge horror fan, although Shirley Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House started to change my mind about that. Recently, a friend of mine convinced me that I should try Different Seasons, and knowing that it contained the novella that was the basis for The Shawshank Redemption, I thought, “Yes! Excellent idea!” It’s always […]

This cat book needs more about cats

Cat Tales: A History by Jerry D. Moore

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I love this cover! It’s an illustration from Edward Topsill’s The History of Serpents, or, the Second Booke of Living Creatures, printed in 1608. If you could see it in person, you’d love it even more, because it has a metallic finish. A book with a cover like this will practically jump off the shelf into your hands. I love the 76 photos and illustrations throughout the book, which range from more historical illustrations to photos of mummified animals to a famous photo of P-22, […]

“Money, money, money!” Or, greedy Victorian bastards

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

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I’ve had the idea in the back of my mind for a long time that I’d like to read every full-length Dickens novel, but I only just recently decided to get serious about it. For some reason, I decided that also should include re-reading ones that I don’t remember well. I vaguely remember enjoying Our Mutual Friend when I read it about 15 years ago, but I couldn’t remember the details. First takeaway: Even by Dickens’ standards, this novel feels a trifle padded. I generally […]

A mixed bag of people who maybe, sorta, could’ve been famous

Banvard's Folly by Paul Collins

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Paul Collins is one of my favorite writers of historical true-crime, as seen in his wonderful books Blood & Ivy and Duel with the Devil. When I learned about his first book, Banvard’s Folly, I knew I had to get my hands and eyes on it. The subtitle promises a fascinating collection: Thirteen Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous Anonymity, and Rotten Luck. The book jacket positions it as a story of antiheroes: people who “might have claimed their renown but who, whether from ill timing, […]



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