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Cannonball Read II: In My Pants

The Second Season Begins November 1st / Nicole Fuscia

Book Reviews | October 13, 2009 | Comments (121)

Gather round, boys and girls. Gather round. As the leaves change colors, the temperature drifts lower, and the curses of football fans fill the air, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new chapter in Pajiba history. Many of you know the legend of the original Cannonball Read, wherein Sir Prisco the Ragey challenged himself to read one hundred books in the span of one year and enlighten us with his reviews on said tomes. Valiant Alabamapink looked at him and said, essentially, “I can kick your ass, so bring it, fool.” Thus was the Cannonball Read born.

Not content to simply watch, several other Pajiblets wanted in on the action as well, and what began as a friendly competition between two of our favorite people grew like herpes sores in Paris Hilton’s Wonder Cave. Some combatants even reached the ultimate goal (Prisco, Sophia, Jen K.) while others, like Rusty, swept the floor with contenders in the 5K readoffs (big books in very short periods of time). The Cannonballers’ reviews were added to the site and inspired literacy and lively debate, and now it’s just as much a part of our collective identity as the MurderTank, Godtopus, and Julie’s breasts.

Beginning November 1st, 2009, we are proud to bring you Year Two of the Amanda Amos Kickass Cannonball Read. Prisco has passed his scepter to me, and you can bet your ass I’ll beat you with it if you step out of line. We’re changing the guidelines a bit, but keeping it simple, because half of you are drunk at any given point in time. Instead of 100 books, we challenge you to read 52 in one year. That’s not so bad, is it? Just a book a week. You can do it, slugger! You read the book; you post your thoughts, opinions, or reactions on your blog (if you don’t have one, get one, and welcome to the twenty-first century), and then do it all over again the next week. Simple. We’re even offering a little incentive: For anyone who reads and reviews all 52 books, we will make a contribution in that Cannonballer’s name to the Little Pink Growing Up Smart Scholarship Fund.

Links to all participants’ blogs (and a weekly count) will be located on a web page here on Pajiba, because we’re getting all streamlined and shit. A Cannonball Read category will even be added to the navigation bar. Reviews are essential; I know Prisco was cool with people just saying “Hey, I read War and Peace but I’ll do the review later,” but I’m kind of a demanding bitch. One of the best things to come out of Cannonball Read 1.0 was the posting of participants’s reviews here on the mother site, and we’d like to continue in that spirit, and expand it a whole big lot. (Yes, that’s a professional literary term.) Meaning, I’m asking you to commit to writing three or four paragraphs about the book, in the hopes that we can share your musings with other Pajibans, who will either check it out for themselves or run away from it in stores. Reviews from participants will continue to be posted on this site at 8 a.m. EST. It’s a great way to become a bigger part of the Pajiba community, honor Alabamapink, and — our ultimate goal here — encourage reading.

So there you have it. Grab a library card, raid your grandmother’s bookshelves, park your ass at Borders for a couple of hours, whatever. There are thousands of books out there waiting for you to put your grubby little mitts on them, rummage through them, and tell us what you think about them. If you’re a continuing Cannonballer, just keep posting them there thoughts of yours. If you’re a newcomer and you want to jump on in (please jump on in; I have a lot of free time on my hands) email either me or Dustin or check out the Cannonball Read group on Facebook.

Read, suckers, read!


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Comments

I swear to GOD I will actually review the shit I read this time around. I got so backed up with late reviews by the end of the first run that I gave up. I will do this for both Little A and my tits.

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 11:37 AM

You guys are the bees knees for starting CBR and promoting whatchareadingfor? values. I wasn't going to participate because I read for a bloody living and that's an unfair advantage, but I'm so happy to see CBR alive again that I can't resist. Must.Support.Cause.

So, it's on.

I challenge Pajibans far and wide to out-read a literature scholar this year. And I'll add a CBR page to my bitty blog, too--asap.

Posted by: Ranylt at October 13, 2009 11:39 AM

I want to do it this time round!

Posted by: dene at October 13, 2009 11:40 AM

And I was THIS close to starting "Book Buyer's Rehab".

Posted by: DoctorControversy at October 13, 2009 11:44 AM

Ooh, only 52? That will make it much easier on those of us who have full time jobs plus part time jobs plus classes in which we have heavy reading and writing assignments. Hooray! I can totally do 52! I think. Probably not actually at one a week though, because of the aforementioned classes. Anyway, WHOO! I'll do it for Little A! And Julie's tits!

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 11:44 AM

Woohoo! I can never finish NaNoWriMo so now at least I have a way to feel accomplished in November.

Posted by: Rusty (formerly Genny) at October 13, 2009 11:47 AM

/looks at chest

So, THAT'S where those came from. Huh.

/jiggles

Say, not bad. Not bad at all.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at October 13, 2009 11:47 AM

A-yup.
I'm in... even if Nicole IS totally "anti" today.

Posted by: Spender at October 13, 2009 11:47 AM

I will do this in the hopes that my literary conquests will extrude enough karmic energy to counter the illiterate stupidity parlayed onto the world by the Jackass, Kanye West.
But, I'll probably just read sex books- so maybe not.

Posted by: ShannonAnn at October 13, 2009 11:47 AM

The Naughty Librarians beckon me.

Plus, I was thinking of starting a blog soon anyway being a recently minted 10 percenter. Thanks corporate America!!! Whooo!!!

Posted by: Antietam at October 13, 2009 11:49 AM

My master's paper should be complete by November 15th, so count me in (2 weeks late!)

Posted by: ami at October 13, 2009 11:50 AM

Also, Ranylt has a blog!? I had no idea. Yay!

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 11:50 AM

Wait, what did I miss? Did Tracer grow boobies because he likes to read? Is that where mine came from? Thanks Laura Ingalls Wilder!

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 11:51 AM

Only my last 3 reads had a sentence or 2 reviews so I feel mostly ok. I always felt like a needed a big treatise when I was doing a write up. I think 3-4 paragraphs is doable enough. Ended up with 19 books read. As long as no major projects kick my ass again I should be able to beat that.

Let's do this! I had no idea there was a FB Cannonball Read group. I will join tout suite!

Ranylt: I miss your reviews on Pajiba!

Posted by: TylerDFC at October 13, 2009 11:54 AM

Jesus, that picture is making me wince.

Posted by: Jay at October 13, 2009 11:57 AM

I've been really tryin', baby
Tryin' to hold back this feeling for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then, c'mon, oh, c'mon
Let's get it on
Ah, baby, let's get it on
Let's love, baby
Let's get it on, sugar
Let's get it on

Im'a lay a moose pickling on all y'all.

Posted by: admin at October 13, 2009 11:58 AM

Julie, if that's the case I have been totally ripped off.

Posted by: Rusty (formerly Genny) at October 13, 2009 12:01 PM

So, I have to get a fucking blog, do I? Shit. Shit shit shit shit.

Okay.

Posted by: Pinky McLadybits at October 13, 2009 12:01 PM

Alright, I got no more excuses. I got books laying all over the house that I never got around to reading. I've been meaning to start a blog, but never have anything worth writing about. I wanted to join in the CBR 1.0, but I knew I could never read 100 books in a year.

But 52? OK. No more excuses. You have made the CBR doable for me. Not only that, but Roger Ebert waxed eloquent about books on his blog last week, so I'm doubly inspired. I'll reread the Churchill that I read years ago to refresh my memory, and then start in on Volume III of "The History of English Speaking Peoples". I can get through a volume a week, right?

-Ralphie

Posted by: Ralphie at October 13, 2009 12:03 PM

I'm still on my first 100, since I started a couple of months after everyone did. Am on 83 right now, in fact. So I'm not doing it this round, but it's definitely been a lot of fun.

Posted by: figgy at October 13, 2009 12:03 PM

Also, I like my title better:

Cannonball II: Electric Bookaloo: In My Pants: Not Without My Library Card: Mother May I Read With Danger

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 12:07 PM

OK, I am in. I wasn't going to keep doing it, but I am, seeing as 52 is more than doable. I am bummed I didn't reach 100 this time though, but there's no way I would by December which is when I started. I will reach 100 one year though. Maybe even this time. Who knows?

Posted by: Carrie at October 13, 2009 12:09 PM

Sounds like fun. Where do I sign?

I guess I'm going to have to set up one of these newfangled blogs all the kids are talking about... but if I can fulfill my lifelong dream of being published on Pajiba (above the fold) then I'll do what needs doing.

Posted by: Yossarian at October 13, 2009 12:12 PM

I'm in!

My mother, the librarian, approves!

Posted by: mswas at October 13, 2009 12:18 PM

Jesopus fuck. First I am dragged kicking and screaming to Facebook Academy, and now I have to start a blog? I just know this is a plot to alert the government to my every move.

Posted by: Cindy at October 13, 2009 12:22 PM

I'll give it a go. Those reviews will probably be my downfall, though. Do boring books on CSS and typography count?

Posted by: jM at October 13, 2009 12:25 PM

Hmm. Since I have mostly fallen off the reading wagon, I don't think I could even knock out 52 a year.

But, I've been thinking about this for awhile, and was going to suggest (back when the CBR was 100 books in a year) doing a quarter Cannonball. Now that we're down to 52, I'm aiming for a half Cannonball. Who knows, maybe once I get back into the swing of things, I'll actually get close to running with the big kids?

So yeah, I'm signing up for 26 books in a year, which I am unofficially dubbing the Half Cannonball.

Now, as for this getting a blog thing... Well, we'll just have to see about that.

Posted by: tamatha at October 13, 2009 12:26 PM

But...

Is there something for those of us who can't read? For your information, I've had a personal assistant type out all these goddam comments close to two years now. Go on, introduce yourself.

Hi everyone! I'm Sally Merriweather, Jeremy's personal assistant! Mister Skitz (as I like to call him) is right - I've had the pleasure of typing out his comments for him for almost two years now, both here and on Facebook. Typically, my day starts around five a.m., when Mr. S rolls out of the sack and has his first drink of the day - usually something mixed with juice - and he goes over his plans for the rest of the afternoon while I read him random gossip blogs and entertainment sites (like Pajiba!). Afterward, I help him with grooming Wendel (or "Little S"), picking out his outfit for the day, and give him a ride to his place of employment. I'll usually keep myself busy doing a crossword or refilling his drink(s) until he decides to post something (or as he like to call it "Getting these goddam voices outta my fucking skull before I shit words all over the place"). I'll get up to close the door to his office so Mr. S can remove his pants - he says he can't think with "all that friggin' material choking the shit outta my damned legs" - and I'll take my seat at the keyboard. As far as style goes, Mr. S usually says something along the lines of "Make 'em all big letters so people know I'm yelling in my head" or "Bulky letters 'n shit, so there's no questions about my brain stuff". That about covers my job. It's pretty much the same every day, except for that one time I had to drive him out to the Junkyard because he had "some meat to bury." Nice meeting you everyone!

... and then I was all like "If you wanna go, holmes, I'm right here mother fu - WHY ARE THERE SO MANY WORDS ON THE COMPUTER?! I DIDN'T SAY THAT MUCH STUFF WITH YOUR FINGERS! DON'T YOU TRY ANYTHING TO LEAVE ME! IS THAT A "DEAR POLICE, PLEASE HELP ME LETTER"? NO? Okay then. Where the hell was I? Nevermind - just delete the whole thing. Let's go get something to eat...

Posted by: Skitz at October 13, 2009 12:35 PM

Aww, man! I just devoured 10 books in 11 days! I woulda been....(add 2...carry the 1...divide by)...that's too much math for me, but I woulda put a dent in it.

Ok, I'ma quit my whining now.

I'm in.

Posted by: Eyvi at October 13, 2009 12:41 PM

OK, I really want to do this, but I have no idea where you get a blog, how to start one, and what to do with it. Any suggestions???

Also, in case anybody doesn't know, there is a website called paperbackswap.com where you can sign up to swap your old books with other users. It is a good way to unload some of those books you never liked and get some that you will.

Posted by: Commander Strikeher at October 13, 2009 12:43 PM

52? Pussies.

Although, 52 might make it possible for me to post coherent reviews. I've gotten a lot of flack for not having comprehensive reviews posted on the mother site, and I was almost murdered for dismissing Jane Eyre a few months ago.

Anyway, woohoo! Official web page stuff and everything!

Posted by: Marra at October 13, 2009 12:44 PM

This time I am finishing. Can I save the book I'm reading now for my first review? Or is that cheating?

Posted by: jack at October 13, 2009 12:45 PM

Commander Strikeher, I (and most people) prefer blogger.com; it's run by google and is really user friendly. Some other readers, including Prisco, I think, last year used wordpress.com, which I understand is also really user friendly.

Posted by: Marra at October 13, 2009 12:47 PM

OK, I really want to do this, but I have no idea where you get a blog, how to start one, and what to do with it. Any suggestions???

I found Wordpress to be easy enough (and it's free).

http://wordpress.org/

Posted by: Ranylt at October 13, 2009 12:48 PM

I just realized who the blonde in the header photo looks like: Wembley Fraggle.

http://oneswayingbeing.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/wembly.jpg

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 12:53 PM

Oops, Marra and I crossed in the ether. Of course Blogger is free, too.

Posted by: Ranylt at October 13, 2009 12:54 PM

Here's a tip: free blogs available at Blogger. It's where I got mine! (If'n you come up with a really cool title, Julie will perform sexual favors.)

Posted by: Nicole at October 13, 2009 12:54 PM

Shit, I'm an asshole. I'll shut up now.

Posted by: Nicole at October 13, 2009 12:57 PM

Impress me, people. I've learned some new tricks.

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 12:59 PM

FYI - I was an asshole for posting about Blogger, since others had already given info on that. Not an asshole for offering up Julie's favors; that's just fact.

Posted by: Nicole at October 13, 2009 1:11 PM

All right I'll nut up and start a blog, but I'm warning y'all ,I read some horrible, horrible books. So, just be prepared. It's not going to be pretty. I may have to step up to books without pictures to impress you people.

Posted by: mrcreosote at October 13, 2009 1:28 PM

Nice. I was planning on starting again October 1st to give myself a little break (I ended on September 1st with 96 books read, fuck me), but then I got Veronica Mars on DVD and... you know how it goes.

I am going to totally write reviews this time, I swear.

Posted by: vikky at October 13, 2009 1:43 PM

Reviews are essential; I know Prisco was cool with people just saying “Hey, I read War and Peace but I’ll do the review later,” but I’m kind of a demanding bitch.

I'd be careful about testing Nicole. She doesn't even believe in safewords.

Posted by: branded at October 13, 2009 1:46 PM

52 sounds do-able, but I didn't plan on becoming a blogger. Ist there any way around that?

Come to think of it, I kinda have a blog. I can use a certain board-feature, if that's possible.

Posted by: FabMax at October 13, 2009 1:48 PM

If I actually wrote up all the damn books I read in the past year, I would have crossed the finish line months ago. Stupid no-post-for-too-long-fuck-people-will-hate-me fueled anxiety.

So, maybe I'll be a little less neurotic this year, nut up, and post more classy reviews like my gigantic rant against Stephen King on The Stand, or my gigantic rant against Stephen King on Blaze, or my epistolary rant against Bram Stoker on Dracula. Yup, classy's my middle name.

Posted by: Robert at October 13, 2009 1:51 PM

You had me until...Facebook? AND a blog? Jesus Christ, people, I just bought my first non-work computer in July! I'll have to think about it. Maybe I'll just post 100 word reviews in whatever thread happens to be open on this site at the time I finish the book.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 13, 2009 1:55 PM

I'm in - probably at a slower pace than last time, though. Besides, it's not like I have anything else to blog about. I wish that were sarcasm. But really, it's a good excuse for my Amazon addiction.

Posted by: Jen at October 13, 2009 2:03 PM

I can definitely use an excuse to not feel guilty about NaNoWriMo, awesome.

So wait, Nicole the authoress of this post, what's your email?

Posted by: caroline at October 13, 2009 2:07 PM

All right, I'll pull my blog out of dis-use, but only so that I can do the Cannonball Read without starting a new one!

Posted by: Alexandra at October 13, 2009 2:14 PM

I am so in this, it is insane. You're on, Julie's boobs!

Posted by: Jeremy Feist at October 13, 2009 2:15 PM

I'm in. I'm finishing up my Cannonball Read Season One tomorrow, once I finish 'Assassination Vacation.' I started October 15th, I'm finishing on the 14th.

Posted by: Rebecca at October 13, 2009 2:36 PM

Okay I'll first admit that I won't complete 52 books. I'm easily distracted by magazines, websites and e-newsletters (not functionally illiterate) but I will TRY TRY TRY (like rugby).

Secondly, being an Amanda in my 30s I feel personally connected to CBR's origins.

Thirdly and lastly, I'm not starting a new website, login, blog but using this as an excuse to rehabilitate www.MyTravelBug.org and feature great travel writing and/or international authors. Please send suggestions along and I'll put them in my queue.

Onwards Pajibians! (DRINK!!)

Posted by: amanda47 at October 13, 2009 2:42 PM

Are the powers that be seriously contemplating an alternative to a blog? It would be quite delightful to have another option.

Posted by: Sassy Rouge at October 13, 2009 2:51 PM

I second calling it "Mother May I Read With Danger."

Um, yeah, I got 7 in the first round (I started January 1st, so I still have over two months to read the last 93!), but even if I failed miserably, I will still try valiantly to reach 52 this time around, as well. Count me in again! At least if I still read at the same pace again this round, I'll fail only half as much.

Posted by: whatBENwatches at October 13, 2009 3:13 PM

I really really want to do this, but I don't think I have the discipline (or the time). I had resolved at the beginning of this year to just read 20 pages per day at a minimum, and I only lasted a few months.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at October 13, 2009 3:19 PM

Ok...I'm in. But be forewarned Pajibapuppies and puppettes, I can devour a 500 word tome in about 4 hours, I'm a happily unemployed exile in London UK and have nothing but time to read and down cheap bordeaux.The bump in the road for me is going to be the reviews...but I'm feeling kind cocky.

Posted by: brite at October 13, 2009 3:40 PM

I'm in. Just signed up for a blog and everything!

Posted by: me not you at October 13, 2009 3:42 PM

Darth - Join me for the Half Cannonball! Then I'll feel less lonely. I promise no mocking if you only do a Quarter Cannonball.

Posted by: tamatha at October 13, 2009 3:43 PM

ack ack ack. Did I say 500 word tome...you all know I meant 500 pages didn't you? This is what comes from drinking too much cheap bordeaux children.

Posted by: brite at October 13, 2009 3:44 PM

Hey Brite, I'm probably going to sneak a few 500 word books in there. Dr. Seuss gets no pub on this site. Besides I'm in a book club with G.W. so...

Posted by: mrcreosote at October 13, 2009 3:53 PM

Don't lie brite, you're gonna try to win the Cannonball Read with Frog and Toad books.

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 3:54 PM

Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count. Please say Little Golden Books count.

Pokey Little Puppy... Man, that sumbitch tugs at my heartstrings...

Posted by: Skitz at October 13, 2009 4:02 PM

Fuck a bunch of pokey little puppies, The Monster at the End of This Book is where it's AT.

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 4:11 PM

Is it bad that I involuntarily squeed when Julie mentioned Frog and Toad?

Screw you guys. I'm reading/reviewing it. But I promise to keep the children's lit to less than 75%.

Also: Marra, do you hate Jane Eyre? Because I hate Jane Eyre. You cheeseballs! How dare you claim to be tough 'n' hard?? Marra and I know where it's at. IT'S ALL ABOUT JANE AUSTEN!! SO SUCK IT, BRONTE GEEKS!!!

And will Li'l Pink still get her scholarship bones if I cheat include children's lit? I'm thinking novel-sized children's lit, though, like The Mysterious Benedict Society.

And while I'm at it, does Goodreads count as a blog? It's pretty close, right? Or do you want, like, a real bloggy blog?

Posted by: Jelinas at October 13, 2009 4:18 PM

For Julie:

The Monster at the End of This Book


One down, fifty-one to go.

Posted by: Yossarian at October 13, 2009 4:21 PM

Amanda47 - you too should join me (and maybe Darth, if I can convince him) on the Half Cannonball. The more the merrier, I say. The main thing is to read *more* books than we currently are.

Posted by: tamatha at October 13, 2009 4:23 PM

Mrcreosote, julie, skitz...yah...that's what I get for being cocky.

Posted by: brite at October 13, 2009 4:25 PM

EEEEEE, Yossarian!!! Now I can read it every day. Oh, I'm so scared of monsters...DON'T TURN THE PAGE!!

Posted by: Julie at October 13, 2009 4:25 PM

Haha, I totally own The Monster at the End of this Book. But I also have a five-year-old, so I have an excuse. (Really! It doesn't matter that I already had it before he was born. Right? Right?)

Posted by: Alexandra at October 13, 2009 4:27 PM

Oh alright, anything for Julie's boobs (and Lil'A of course). Maybe that will help me get through the pile on my floor. Wait...we're starting in November? Why? I'm reading a book now and I have a long train trip at the end of October. You mean those won't count?! Shit. Oh and does it have to be fiction? Only I'm apparently in a "read random crap" phase. Including books on particle physics.

Posted by: Joker at October 13, 2009 4:30 PM

New blog, new year, new reviews. I'm so ready for this one.

Posted by: Melody at October 13, 2009 4:32 PM

I'm in. Or at least I'll give it a shot. And (as others have said) if it gets me out of NaNoWriMo, more's the better!

Posted by: Captain Tuttle at October 13, 2009 4:41 PM

YEEAAAAAH, suckas, I just set up my new WordPress blog: BookBloggyBlogg!!

I'm so excited, I could throw up!!

Or maybe that was just the sight of my coworker's leftovers in the toilet. Seriously, I have got to get a new job. *sigh*

Posted by: Jelinas at October 13, 2009 4:57 PM

"ack ack ack. Did I say 500 word tome...you all know I meant 500 pages didn't you? This is what comes from drinking too much cheap bordeaux children."-Brite

Perhaps Green Eggs and Ham x 10?

Brag all you want but we'll believe it when we see the reviews. I don't have much faith in your writing (or typing) ability.

May I add that starting CBR on Nov 1st is a brilliant excuse for me to avoid the family this holiday season? My liver thanks you

Posted by: amanda47 at October 13, 2009 4:59 PM

I want in. Even if I have to give up my precious tv time (I can forgo my Clean House reruns... a person probably shouldn't watch 5 episodes a day) and stop wasting time on the internet so much. And... sigh... even if I have to start a blog. Looks like I'll be hitting the library this week!

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 13, 2009 5:07 PM

Is there something for those of us who can't read? For your information, I've had a personal assistant type out all these goddam comments close to two years now. Go on, introduce yourself:

Um, did no one bother to read the Skitz post up there? You know, the one that is going to be overlooked for the EE 'cuz no one bothered to comment? Which is a fucking shame, because it made me snort milk out of my nose?

Posted by: Xtreme at October 13, 2009 5:08 PM

Oh, I'm definitely in again this year. I love it.

Posted by: lizzieborden at October 13, 2009 5:08 PM

I'm in!

Posted by: MissNev at October 13, 2009 5:20 PM

I was also tempted to get in on the last CB read but I am scared even at the notion of 52, let alone 100.

But I am gonna give it my best shot this time and get in there! I was cleaning out my suite and I made a place for all the books that I have bought and not made time to read yet. I need to start reading them and I am also looking to do more writing so this should be great!

Posted by: Alli at October 13, 2009 5:26 PM

I own both "The Monster at the End of This Book" AND "The Pokey Little Puppy" (12"x24" edition). You people never cease to amaze me. Anyone up for reviewing "The Phantom Tollbooth" or some Madeline L'Engle?

Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 13, 2009 5:30 PM

THREE-NINETEEN I LOVE THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH!

I guess I'll have to get my copy back from my boss...

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 5:37 PM

Yossarian!! Thank you so much, that made my day!

Posted by: Lauren at October 13, 2009 5:41 PM

The Cannonballers’ reviews were added to the site and inspired literacy and lively debate, and now it’s just as much a part of our collective identity as the MurderTank, Godtopus, and Julie’s breasts.

Alright, maybe it's just because I lurked for so long, but I have to wonder. Has anyone here actually ever seen Julie's breasts? I mean, do we really know that they're all that and a bag of tits?

Anyways, I'm thinking that I already am so busy, what's one more major commitment? Cannonball, ho!

Posted by: coryo at October 13, 2009 5:46 PM

I love Madeline L'Engle! I'm totally reading and reviewing A Swiftly Tilting Planet and Many Waters

Posted by: Alexandra at October 13, 2009 5:49 PM

Has anyone here actually ever seen Julie's breasts? I mean, do we really know that they're all that and a bag of tits?

OH, they are, young coryo. They are real, and they are SPECTACULAR.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 6:06 PM

Anna, I take it you've seen then? And Julie, I promise you're not just a piece of meat to me. How could you be, considering I've never seen your grade.

Posted by: coryo at October 13, 2009 6:14 PM

I am not happy about this mandatory review nonsense. I just barely passed the 52-book mark this go-round, with maybe 20 real reviews written, and I had 6 months of unemployment to help me out.

Question: is there going to be a page minimum? Because obviously I'm going to try to do it, since I can't disappoint my newly acquired Queens library card.

Posted by: SaBrina at October 13, 2009 6:37 PM

OH, they are, young coryo. They are real, and they are SPECTACULAR.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 6:06 PM
---------------------------------------------------
Don't forget the superpowers.

Posted by: Lauren at October 13, 2009 6:38 PM

I just thought of my out. ee cummings-style paragraphs, here I come!

Posted by: SaBrina at October 13, 2009 6:43 PM

i don't know what i'm more nervous about: reading all these books or writing using Proper Noun Upper-casing. i usually just forget the shift key until i need a good ampersand.

also i have the complete works of frog and toad, so, um, be forewarned.

Posted by: gp at October 13, 2009 6:59 PM

GP has the limited edition "Frog and Toad After Dark"

Forewarned indeed

Posted by: mrcreosote at October 13, 2009 7:16 PM

it features such lost classics as 'frog and toad up all night', 'frog and toad gone wild', 'frog and toad's first dp' and 'backrooms with frog and toad'.

god help you all if i find "that" amelia bedelia book.

Posted by: gp at October 13, 2009 7:31 PM

Which one, gp, "Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower"? Because I don't think it's about what you think it's about.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 13, 2009 7:38 PM

it's not

(yet)

Posted by: gp at October 13, 2009 7:43 PM

Sweet Christ on a unicycle (Skitz, I'm still waiting for my design, you bastard! I know you can read!!!) I've got 36 of y'all so far.

Which makes me happy in the pants. And I don't get a lot of action these days *glares* so my pants don't get happy all that much.

Guidelines, tips, clarifications:

You must have a blog. I need something to bookmark and check. It's free, it's easy, and if I can do it, anyone can. (Seriously, I'm technotarded. I can't even hook up the DVD player in my bedroom. *glares AGAIN*)

If you have not done so yet, EMAIL me with your bloggy blog address. That's how you get on the list. Exception: anyone in this thread who said "I wanna do it!" and has a link to their bloggy blog in their handle/username was added, so you best not be fucking with me.

What kind of books? Any kind you like; it doesn't have to be all fiction or all novels or all autobiographies. Short story collections acceptable. Please, no fewer than 150 pages. NO FROG AND TOAD NO MATTER HOW MUCH I MOTHERFUCKING LOVE THAT BOOK OH MY GOD I WANT TO BE 8 YEARS OLD AGAIN.

Email me or post your shit on the Facebook group. Yes, I will repeat this. I have an actual job that doesn't let me be on Pajiba all day, because my manager walks by a lot and I have bills to pay so I can't afford to get fired for you fools.

Skitz needs to win EE this week. Hell, he needs an honorary EE lifetime award.

Julie's tits are AMAZING.

Posted by: Nicole at October 13, 2009 7:59 PM

NO FROG AND TOAD

you BITCH!
(okay, how bout fanfiction?)

Posted by: gp at October 13, 2009 8:29 PM

No fanfic. No comic books. No special edition of People magazine about Michael Jackson's untimely passing. A good rule of thumb is, if other people can buy it or get it from the library, it's all good.

Posted by: Nicole at October 13, 2009 8:36 PM

I'm hoping Sally Merriweather wins EE this week. I like the cut of her jib.

Posted by: mrcreosote at October 13, 2009 8:46 PM

no, *sniff*, graphic novels of artistic measure and historical importance, at least to me, then?

Posted by: gp at October 13, 2009 8:49 PM

Oh. Hee! I started a new blog, just for the occasion. I'll email you!

Posted by: Anna von Beaverpuppet at October 13, 2009 8:51 PM

I'm in.
Which means I have to get a blog.
You've only got yourselves to blame, okay?

Posted by: ScienceGeek at October 13, 2009 8:52 PM

Count me in! I want amazing tits, but I'll settle for spectacular.

(Rusty, Wilder didn't do anything for me either.)

Posted by: Diana at October 13, 2009 8:52 PM

Last year broke my heart and kicked my ass.
But I can't pass up the chance to earn money for that kid.
I'm in.

Posted by: Prisco at October 13, 2009 9:06 PM

Taa-daah! Blog!

That was easier than expected. Emailing Nicole, next. After that, 52 books.

I'm going to need a new bookshelf. The future Mr Geek (fuck it, I'm just calling him ITGeek from now on) is already getting shirty about how much of his remote-controlled cars/computer building/general weird shit space has been lost to bookshelfs.

Posted by: ScienceGeek at October 13, 2009 9:37 PM

The only thing keeping me from participating last year is that I'm a total procrastinator about writing, even when it's stuff I assign myself. But I'll suck it up this time.
I'm in!

Posted by: Blonde Savant at October 13, 2009 9:56 PM

Can I opt in on January 1? Like Figgy, I started this year's CBR at the first of the year. At the rate I'm going, I'm not going to make 100, but I'm all about Y2/52, just starting a little late...

Love.

Posted by: naivehelga at October 13, 2009 9:59 PM

This, of all things, has brought me out of my four-year lurking streak. That's right, I've been a dedicated lurker since before this place even knew what TV was!

I've just gotten back into the 'spirit' of reading after so many semesters of textbooks and this is the perfect challenge at the perfect time.

www.ReadingTornado.Wordpress.com

RSS this bitch!

Posted by: Tornado at October 14, 2009 1:00 AM

There, I got a fucking blog. Happy???

Posted by: Commander Strikeher at October 14, 2009 1:08 AM

I'm so in! And I am so planning on starting with The Phantom Tollbooth! I haven't convinced my husband to read it yet, so I got to get working on that.

Hmm. Maybe I should go take a look at my blog now that I actually know someone might glance at it.

Nah. I'm too lazy to really care about how I came off last year or whenever the hell I last posted.

Now, are we talking weekly reviews here, or are we going at whatever book by book pace until we hit 52? Is that on facebook? Heading over to facebook. Too excited about this.

Posted by: leuce7 at October 14, 2009 3:17 AM

You got Prisco back in the action. Well done Miss.

Also, I love how much people here love reading. I love that blogs have already gone up talking about it and being excited about it (yes some of y'all are on my reader). I'll put my own up also.

I'm having an 'I love you guys' moment.


OK, I'm done.

Posted by: Carrie at October 14, 2009 5:11 AM

You can read the 52 books however you like - one a week; five in a row with a break; all 52 before Christmas, whatever you want. You just need to finish before October 31, 2010.

I'm using my newfound power to overrule Prisco and say that The Phantom Tollbooth is allowed, but we won't be posting a review of it on the site. I hope that's a satisfactory compromise, and yes, that book is amazing.

Posted by: Nicole at October 14, 2009 9:58 AM

Oh bring it, beaches. I just checked out Mary (historical fiction told from the point of view of Mary Todd Lincoln) from the library on Sunday afternoon. It's Wednesday morning and I'm to page 500 out of 700. Yes, that's 500 pages in three days and it's not fluff reading, either.

Fast and with X-treme Comprehension, that's me. I can do this in my sleep.

Oh wait, so I have to get a blog or something. I think I have one around here somewhere. I guess I'll have to blow the dust off it.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 14, 2009 10:20 AM

Snuggie, I was just skimming that entry-You checked out Mary Todd at the library? Well, other than that Mrs. Lincoln...

Posted by: mrcreosote at October 14, 2009 10:22 AM

Mah bloog is here: http://kriegerfrau.blogspot.com/

Don't read the other stuff! It's old! And naughty! (Or boring, whatever.)

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 14, 2009 4:40 PM

omg, snuggie, i can almost see down your shirt!

*watches as profile views go through the roof*

Posted by: gp at October 14, 2009 7:41 PM

I want to do the Cannonball Read!!! Sign me up. My blog (created just for this) is http://scoutbat.wordpress.com

Posted by: Lisa at October 18, 2009 11:27 AM

oh man, I bet I'm too late for this, right? I just made a blog for it. Fuck it, I'm doing it anyway. I don't need to officially be part of a sanctioned group, right? Do I?

No, no I'm definitely a valarian.

Posted by: rebecca at October 23, 2009 3:21 PM

oh man, I bet I'm too late for this, right? I just made a blog for it. Fuck it, I'm doing it anyway. I don't need to officially be part of a sanctioned group, right? Do I?

No, no I'm definitely a valarian.

Thirdy.tumblr.com

Posted by: rebecca at October 23, 2009 3:22 PM

oh man, I bet I'm too late for this, right? I just made a blog for it. Fuck it, I'm doing it anyway. I don't need to officially be part of a sanctioned group, right? Do I?

No, no I'm definitely a valarian.

Thirdy.tumblr.com

Posted by: rebecca at October 23, 2009 3:24 PM

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