Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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Based on the Icelandic tradition of Jólabóka-flóðið

The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore

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The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore celebrates Jolabokaflod in a special way. This is a delightfully illustrated book, by Kitty Moss, about the joys of finding the right book as the right gift, and the family that you give it too. Then, while reading on Christmas eve with you hot chocolate (or chocolate bar), we see how the spirit of the season is among us. Based on the Icelandic tradition, we have a diverse family, their friends, and community waiting and getting ready for […]

Lost in the Noir of Iceland (And Liking It)

The Dark Iceland Series (1-6) by Ragnar Jónasson

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After reading the Martin Beck novels last year, I decided to continue with Nordic noir. I had heard about a series set in Iceland, specifically the remote area of Siglufjörður, and featuring  a young detective named Ari Thór Arason. I read these novels on Kindle and on Audible, where it helped to hear the correct pronunciations of some of the more challenging (to me) place names. Then author is supposed to be a big fan of Agatha Christie (as am I). He has translated fourteen […]

Devoured In a Day

The Island by Ragnar Jónasson

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Best for: Fans of Icelandic crime books. In a nutshell: Ten years ago, a woman died. Someone went to jail for that murder. Ten years later, friends get together to commemorate the death, and another person dies. This time, the friends are literally on a deserted island, so … it’s gotta be one of them. Right? Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: This is the second in the Hidden Iceland series. I enjoyed the first one. Plus at this point I’ll read basically anything […]

From Thor to Monkey Kings

Arthur and the Golden Rope: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Kai and the Monkey King: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

Leo and the Gorgon's Curse: Brownstone's Mythical Collection by Joe Todd-Stanton

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Joe Todd-Stanton has a four (so far) book series about the Brownstone family. They are adventurous children who have amazing times being heroes. The narrator is Professor Brownstone, a Brownstone descendent, and his vaults of books and artifacts. Well they don’t tell the story, but they help us find the stories, as each piece is linked to one of his ancestors and each has its own wonderful, far-out story to tell. The first in the series is Arthur and the Golden Rope: Brownstone’s Mythical Collection. Arthur […]

A quiet book with a powerful story of connection and survival

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

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This was the second book that the marvelous and generous faintingviolet got for me last year during the Holiday Book Exchange. This book is outside of what I usually pick up to read, but I’m thankful that I gave it a chance. Agnes Magnusdottir has been convicted of murder and sentenced to die in the early 1800s of Iceland. While she awaits her execution she is sent to live with a district official and his family. There’s his wife Margret, a very sick woman who […]

Unexpected Wrap-Up to the Trilogy

Cage by Lilja Sigurðardóttir

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Best for: Those who like to follow through with a series. In a nutshell: With a time jump six years, we learn that some characters from the last two books have been punished, while others have become bolder. We also meet a couple new folks. Worth quoting: N/A Why I chose it: I bought the trilogy all at once, and for the most part I’m happy I did. Review: This was one of those books where, with about 40 pages to go, I thought ‘wait, […]



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