Cannonball Read 15

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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“Her mom carefully selected her memories to reflect her established opinions, and it turned her mind into a bowl of lettuce she believed was a salad.”

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

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In the past, I’ve started my reviews with “in one word” and offered one word that sums up my feelings on a book, but over time, that has gotten stale. Instead, I’m going to give myself ten words or less to try to sum up a book, because why not. (My reviews, my rules). In Ten Words or Less: Complex female characters uncover their potential and discover family destiny. This little book charmed me and was exactly the kind of light read I needed at […]

Not So Ordinary

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

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I read this book over a month ago, so in covid time, that’s like what, 7 months ago?! When I went over to Goodreads to figure out how far behind I was in my Cannonball reviews I was like, “Oh yeeeeah. I read that!!” It was the book club pick for my local library book club, but since we didn’t meet last month (when I had read the book, Trevor Noah’s amazing Born a Crime) I figured I was off the hook this month but […]

“There are new monsters now”

Universal Harvester by John Darnielle

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This novel sneaks up on you. You’re lulled into comfort with descriptions of old video rental places, suburban living rooms, and the polite peace of the Midwest before being startled awake by sudden glances of violence and fear. These shocks originate from movies. Movies within movies. Were they intended for you to see? Why are they here? Who spliced an almost still image of heavy breathing and a woman with a bag over her head into She’s All That? Uncertainty creeps around every corner- breeding fear, […]

THE CASE OF THE MISSING NUN WHO WAS KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED (except obviously not)

The Mutual Admiration Society by Lesley Kagen

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I kind of hated reading this . I understand its goals and it had some interesting and touching moments, but was overall a slog to get through. One of many stories of childhood in the 1950s, I don’t think it offered any new point of view on the era. It does have an interesting look into grief and children, specifically losing a parent, but doesn’t dive as deeply into the topic as I wish it would have. The Mutual Admiration Society is made up of young Theresa “Tess” […]



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