Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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What Does a Second Chance Mean

And Again by Jessica Chiarella

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Rating: 4 Stars In a nutshell: As part of a new medical trial, four individuals with life limiting illnesses are able to have their memories transferred into their own clones. Best for: Those who (like me, I’m realizing) enjoy vague sci-fi ‘what if’ books. Those interested in exploring not so much the ethics of such a procedure, but the implications for individuals. Quote that made me think: N/A (audio book listened while running, so didn’t stop to write anything down) Why I chose it: I […]

Come-Come a clover, Couldn’t wait for this to be over.

The Dark Tower VI: The Song of Susannah by Stephen King

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Every single chapter in Song of Susannah starts with the “Come-come-commala” song that we first encountered in the previous book, Wolves of the Calla, when Roland Deschain, gunslinger, does a rousing rendition of the Commala dance. I can’t comprehend why Stephen King got so obsessed with this particular song that he decided to start every chapter with a line from a stylised version of it, but geez, that little gimmick wore thin really quickly. Song of Susannah, being the sixth book in the Dark Tower […]

Death and Life Wrapped Up Together

I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney

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Rating: 3.5 stars In a nutshell: Obituary writer Bud accidentally publishes his own obituary, and subsequently ‘loses’ his job, while trying to figure out what his life means. Best for: Those who want a bit of humor with their existential dread. Those looking for a quick but interesting read. Quote that made me think: “The thing is, though, when you listen too carefully, too closely, day after day, to that pain, to that keening, it can take a toll. Because to really listen is to […]

CBR BINGO: One—R.I.P. Tree

The Killing of a Chestnut Tree (Havelock Harper Mysteries, #1) by Oliver K. Langmead

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Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. It hasn’t affected the contents of my review. I went to see John Green speak on his tour for Hollywood, Ending last Thursday, and at one point point in his talk, he said there are two types of people as you hit fifty years old: you either turn into a tree person or a bird person. I believe that I am turning into a tree person (I’ve read too much Tolkien, I think). So this is […]

Surfing siblings

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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I’ve read a number of books by Taylor Jenkins Reid and enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. I picked up Malibu Rising (2021) because I was going on a road trip and needed some audiobooks for the ride. I barely looked at the description. It was enough for me that I knew the author and it was available. Fortunately, I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention through hours of tired driving and helped to keep me awake. ***SPOILERS FOLLOW*** Malibu Rising follows the four […]

I Don’t Like Time Travel As a Solution

Human Rites by Juno Dawson

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Rating: 3 Stars In a nutshell: In this conclusion to the HMRC trilogy, the witches of the UK coven come together to fight a few different forms of the devil. Best for: Fans of the series. Fans of books about modern witches. People who don’t mind a bit of time travel as clean-up to resolve plot lines. Quote that made me think: N/A Why I chose it: I’d read and somewhat enjoyed the previous two books. (Book 1 Review) (Book 2 Review) Review: There is […]



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