Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


Join the CBR18 Book Bingo Reading Challenge—Now Underway!   

Food and Sex and Second Chance Romance

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

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A few years ago, Theo and Kit broke up right before embarking on a three week food and wine tour of southern Europe. Now, after accidentally redeeming their vouchers for the same trip, they find themselves in close quarters as they travel through France, Spain, and Italy on a gourmand’s dream vacation. In an attempt to get over the awkwardness and maybe recapture their former friendship (the two met as children and were thick as thieves until the breakup) they decide to compete to see […]

A Gay Romp

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

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Alex is the son of the US president. He’s well-liked by his friends, intelligent and witty. His mother sends him and his sister on a diplomatic mission: attend the Royal Wedding of the crown prince of England. Unfortunately for Alex, he is forced to interact there with the prince’s younger brother Henry. Alex thinks Henry is a stuck-up sod and goes to confront him. Hijinks ensue, and the two end up faceplanting into a seventy five thousand pound or dollar (the novel is unclear about […]

We’ve done it all before and now we’re back to get some more.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

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Sometimes I think the only way to keep something forever is to lose it and let it haunt you. ― Casey McQuiston, The Pairing “Those men are terminally straight.” “Nobody’s straight on a European vacation.” ― Casey McQuiston, The Pairing CBR16 Bingo: Golden This book contains golden everything. From the food (golden honey, golden grains, golden baked bread, golden pastries, golden saffron), to the characters (sun-kissed and golden, golden hair, golden skin), and emotions (golden memories, golden opportunities, and people more precious than gold), just […]

I get the appeal but not my cup of tea

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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I was gifted this book by the fabulous @teresaelectro as part of the 2022 CBR Book exchange. Thank you very much for the books, teresaelectro! August is a 23 year old just trying to figure out her own place in the world. She has just moved to New York City to attend what feels like her fourth college. She’s finally free from her mother and her mother’s obsession with finding out what happened to her brother. August no longer has to act as an accomplice […]

The time-travel queer romance that stole my heart.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a love letter to New York, queer history, and believing in the impossible.  August moves to Brooklyn, New York, to disappear in the crowds and finish her degree. She switched majors and moved around, but feels like New York is meant for her. The book begins with August interviewing for an apartment. Her potential roommates are an intriguing couple, Myla and Niko. Niko is a psychic. Myla is a mixed-media artist. The third roommate Wes comes later, but we meet […]

I wish I would have known Chloe was based on Paris Geller and Kat Stratford before I read this.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

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As nearly always happens with me upon reading a book that generates such strong opinions in both directions, I am puzzled by the negative reactions here. I’ve seen so many people saying they hate Chloe as a main character, and I’m like, why? She’s just a teenaged girl. Granted, one that is inspired by, among others, Paris Geller and Kat Stratford, so she’s a bit more intense and difficult than your average teenager, but she’s still just a kid, and kids make dumb choices. I […]



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