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The Cannonball Read Kicks Off This Sunday

Catch the Fever! / Nicole Fuscia

Miscellaneous | October 27, 2009 | Comments (36)

We’re just a few days away from the start of Cannonball Read II: In My Pants: Electric Bookaloo: You Get the Idea. First, I just want to thank you for the overwhelming response we received, and I would like to apologize to those of you who wanted to join but didn’t make it in time. Seriously, I was so inundated with emails, Facebook messages, and Cannonball Read group posts that I just couldn’t get you all in. We eventually had to draw the line at some point. Please, though, if you still want to do it, by all means set up your blog and play along at home. It’s your chance to make your illiterate friends feel bad about themselves.

I know some of you have already started, but in the interests of fairness I’m going to count your first post on or after November 1st as Book 1, because several of you are sitting impatiently on your To Be Read piles, chomping at the bit (I blame my mother for introducing that phrase into my vocabulary) to get going. The rest of the guidelines have been posted, both here and in the Facebook group. I’m really excited for this, even though I’m going to need a cane and a seeing eye pony at the end. I cannot tell you enough how much it means to me that so many of you have jumped in so enthusiastically. We have a great mix of Eloquents and lurkers; in fact, the latter far outnumber the former, which is awesome, because we love it when lurkers jump in. True story.

So there you have it. We’ll be posting one review per day, rotating among all the blogs. This is your chance to shine, to see your name in lights, to be a superstar. Happy reading, y’all!


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Comments

Hmmm I may use this opportunity to unofficially start over. I started a few months back, but have very much failed already. Also didn't it used to be 100 books? I guess its just 1 a week now huh?

Posted by: Temet Nosce at October 27, 2009 8:46 AM

I do not have time to participate, but I humbly request something that sounds relatively easy but is likely hard as hell:
I rely heavily on recommendations for books and used your excellent book suggestions from not too long ago to pile up my library. Sadly, I am at the end of the list. As the book reviews come in and you see if readers loved them or not (especially books read by multiple people), could you create a running tally of loved it/hated it and let us know which book(s) are being enjoyed the most? At this point, I get through a book every month or two and would love for the Eloquents to help me stuff more beautiful shit into my brain.
All the best,
Balls Out

Posted by: Kballs at October 27, 2009 9:01 AM

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Posted by: gorden22 at October 27, 2009 9:05 AM

I am currently trying to finish my last Cannonball Read 1 book in time to start this on the official date this time. My last book will only be number 60, but that's not so bad. And it's a nice round number.

Also, anyone starting before Nov 1 is a cheat in my eyes. :)

Posted by: Carrie at October 27, 2009 9:26 AM

Also, I just went to look at the official link, 102 people! Anyone know how many did the last one?

Posted by: Carrie at October 27, 2009 9:29 AM

Temet Nosce

It was 100 books last time, but it's been changed, I think mainly to encourage more people to join in. The post about it is here:

http://www.pajiba.com/book_reviews/cannonball-read-season-two.php

Posted by: Carrie at October 27, 2009 9:32 AM

I'm one of those chomping at the bit. I'm forcing myself to not start until November 1 and it feels like my stack of books are teasing me. Daily. I've never wanted to start reading so badly in all my life and I'm a voracious reader.

Huh. Maybe a new idea for getting kids reading, especially reading-resistant teenagers. NO! DON'T START READING YET!

Interesting.....

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 27, 2009 9:33 AM

Lurk, lurk.

I'm very excited to be playing! It seems like an insane amount of work on your part and I think you are a little twisted. But rock on.

Posted by: Sbrown at October 27, 2009 9:35 AM

WOOOOOO books! I haven't picked my first one yet. I guess I need to get on that bitch.

Posted by: Julie at October 27, 2009 9:37 AM

I'm sitting on my pile as well. They have they have theiir own special shelf and everything. They're so lonely! Sitting there, beckoning for my touch! Why won't somebody think of the books! *Sob*

Posted by: admin at October 27, 2009 9:43 AM

Even the spambots are bristling with anticipation, you awesome Cannonballas.

Posted by: branded at October 27, 2009 9:50 AM

Hey Balls, what do you like to read? What are your interests?

This Cannonball reminder post, while it certainly got my blood pumping, is probably not going to set the comment section on fire. Therefore I propose we hijack this bitch for a book recommendation thread. I've been building up an impressive mental list of books to read in anticipation of Les boulets de cannon lire (dans mon pantalons) and I am chomping the proverbial bit to get started.

One of the first books I will read is Ask the Dust by John Fante. From what I've read so far (I cheated a bit) it looks really good. First person narrative set in the 1930s about an aspiring young writer bumming around LA trying to make it, trying to get laid, trying to avoid the landlady who wants back rent-- the 'voice' of the narrator is really remarkable (It's been highly praised by Bukowski, among many other writers). You should at least go to Amazon.com where it lets you preview the first few pages. I bet that (and my cannonball review) gets more than a few people to add Ask the Dust to their reading lists.

I'm starting to get into Don Delillo and I am really impressed by what I've read so far. Also Nicholson Baker.

I've also been reading more translated fiction lately, especially from Latin American authors. Junot Diaz's Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao has already been reviewed here, there is also Roberto Bolano (2666 if you are feeling really ambitious, but it may be better to start small like By Night in Chile or The Skating Rink) and I was recently floored by Horacio Castellanos Moya's novel Senselessness.

Lighter contemporary American fiction? Try: The Dart League King, Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery, Magic for Beginners (eloquent women in Cannonball read: do me a favor and look into Kelly Link), or Nobody Move by Dennis Johnson.

Posted by: Yossarian at October 27, 2009 9:56 AM

but i want to start reading NOW! damn you, november 1st!

Posted by: gp at October 27, 2009 10:07 AM

I thought Lwa'e' would have jumped on this, but whatever: It's one of my peeves and usually nobody believes me, so I'll let Wiki speak for me (and can it, figgy):

"Champing at the bit (or mistakenly as chomping at the bit) refers to a tendency of some horses, when impatient or nervous, and especially if being held back by their riders, to chew on the bit, often salivating excessively."

Pedantry over.

Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at October 27, 2009 10:21 AM

Yossarian,
I DO NOT like mysteries and their ilk. They're fucking terrible.
I will try most anything that is well-written. From fantasy and historical fiction to memoirs and horror, I'll get into it if the writer is clever and understands character development and realistic dialogue. Some of my recent favorites have been "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" and "The Song of Ice and Fire" series.
I'll look into your suggestions.

QUESTION:
Does anyone own an electronic reader (i.e. Kindle)? How is it? Is it worth the money? Can you get most books on it? Xmas is coming up and I don't want the wife to needlessly waste money. Thanks!

Posted by: Kballs at October 27, 2009 10:28 AM

Since I am way too lazy to set up (let alone write) a blog, I had to think of another way to participate. How about this: I will pledge. I'll strike up a bargain with one of the Cannonballers: For every book they read and review, I will pledge $1 to the Lil' Pink scholarship fund. If they make it through all 52 books, I'll double the donation. Anyone want to take me up on it?

Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 27, 2009 10:29 AM

3:19 -- I'm your huckleberry. Only I'm planning on going for 104 books. Start getting in some overtime, my friend.

Kballs -- I own a Kindle, and I ADORE it. I can't get everything on it (including A Gathering Storm -- the new Wheel of Time, which comes out today, goddammit -- but pretty much everything else is $10. It's better if you can con others into getting one and joining your network, because you can share books. My brother and I get new books for $10 and split the cost, and you can link up to 4 people. Also, if you are not averse to torrenting, there are many books available online. However, I would hold off and see how the Nook from B&N does. It looks all snazzy and shit.

Posted by: Prisco at October 27, 2009 10:42 AM

KBalls:


If you liked Kavalier and Clay (and if you watch the show 'Hoarders') you might also like: Homer & Langley: A Novel by E.L. Doctorow, a heavily fictionalized account of famous New York recluses the Collyer brothers.

I'm not a big Fantasy reader so I'm not familiar with Ice & Fire, but I've heard good things about Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and The Magicians by Lev Grossman (the latter has been described as a more real-world/grown up Harry Potter with sex and drugs).

And if you don't mind something from the young adult section (though it is translated from German and over 700 pages) I highly recommend The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers. This one is aptly described as equal parts J.K. Rowling and Douglas Adams but I prefer Moers to either of them. I can't wait to read this to my daughter someday (I already do, but she only knows about a dozen words, all nouns, and I don't think she can follow the story to well).

Posted by: Yossarian at October 27, 2009 10:56 AM

I finished two books last night, neither of which will be counted toward my tally. I have no idea which book will be my first official one for the Cannonball Read. I shouldn't have plowed through the Dexter series and the Harper Connelly series a couple of months ago.

Posted by: Pinky McLadybits at October 27, 2009 10:56 AM

I get that there are too many and all, but I confirmed here the first day it was announced and I didn't make the list. Lame.

Posted by: jack at October 27, 2009 10:56 AM

Gathering Storm -- the new Wheel of Time, which comes out today, goddammit

SQUEEEEEE! One more book and I'm done with that mess.

Posted by: admin at October 27, 2009 10:57 AM

i'll be flying back from chicago on sunday so i'll have plenty of time to read in the airport/on the airplane.

until the read starts... i'm watching reruns of 'criminal minds' and discovery's 'a haunting.' exciting life i lead.

Posted by: Jen at October 27, 2009 11:06 AM

I don't know what I'm starting on 11/1, I guess I'd better decide! I am reading Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster right now. I'm sure I'll be done with that by then.

I get all my books for free, btw. It's called a library.

Posted by: mswas at October 27, 2009 11:11 AM

Jack Did you just leave a message in the comments, or did you get in touch with someone about it? I imagine it was an oversight, since they have had a lot of people wanting to take part.

You can still participate, just your reviews won't be posted here I think.

Posted by: Carrie at October 27, 2009 11:14 AM

Prisco - Done and done.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 27, 2009 11:18 AM

I'm deeply upset I haven't made the list. (You'd think they'd at least ask the previous participants if they were good for another go-round.) Nevertheless, good luck to all Cannonballers, and should I have a full novel at the end of NaNoWriMo, I will gladly offer it up to anyone who's willing to read/critique/offer notes.

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at October 27, 2009 11:20 AM

I have a Kindle and LOVE it. I live in the Middle East so browsing a book store isn't possible. I can download books from the Amazon website straight to my computer and transfer to my Kindle and it has saved me. Especially since my books of choice are usually social commentary type stuff that are banned over here and occasionally Nora Roberts. Don't judge me.

Posted by: Say Hello to my Camel at October 27, 2009 11:39 AM

I won't judge you about Nora Roberts, I might re-read that Quinn brothers series, although my library only has them in huge hardbacks, which is slightly annoying.

Posted by: Carrie at October 27, 2009 11:42 AM

I'm only going to step in here and say this once, and I'm not addressing it again in the next year:

If you wanted to participate, and you were somehow overlooked, it was completely unintentional. I really did my best, as did Dustin, to keep track of everyone who wanted to join. We received over one hundred emails/messages/posts in the span of one week. Dustin and I both have full-time jobs (you can thank him for this site; you don't owe me anything unless you're over 65, live in Florida, Mississippi or Alabama, and have recently visited an emergency room).

This was an open-invitation gig. If you still want to read the books, by all means do so. There is nothing stopping you from having a blog, writing reviews, linking your blog in your handle here, and sharing your thoughts on the reviews that are going to be posted (both here at the mother site and on the participants' blogs). You don't have to be in the official Cannonball 100 to play along. It's for funsies, kids. Let's keep it that way.

In short, yes, I can be a real bitch. That's not new. I do not want to be bitchy about this; I want everyone to enjoy it and get involved. However, if the whining keeps up, I'm going to get pissed off. If you have an issue, please email me privately.

Now go on with your bad selves.

Posted by: Nicole at October 27, 2009 12:01 PM

You leave Nicole alone! I'll beat you with rolled up newspapers, dammit!

For those of you upset that you missed the cut, email me at priscogospel at hotmail dot com. I'm going to create a blogroll for people to find your reviews. It's not a wait list. It's not a part of the official Cannonball. It's a page on my blog. I want everybody to play.

It's hard work. Even with Intern Rusty backing her, Nicole has a hellacocksucker job ahead. My brother missed the cut by forty minutes. He's still doing it. So should you. So you don't make the varsity. Fuck the jacket. There were no prizes last year. All that matters is reading.

So read and be well.
Prisco

Posted by: Prisco at October 27, 2009 12:54 PM

admin,
I have VERY bad news. "A Gathering Storm" is the first of three books that comprise what was supposed to be the 12th book. Sorry, but you have 3 more books to go. They should come out in relatively quick succession, though (1 every year or two).

Posted by: Kballs at October 27, 2009 1:15 PM

Say Hello to my Camel - ok, I'll give you a pass on the Kindle. I can see where banned books and lack of access to libraries can really make things difficult for readers.

Prisco - "All that matters is reading."

Can I get that on a shirt?

Posted by: mswas at October 27, 2009 4:11 PM

AUGH if I knew there was a waitlist I would have joined weeks ago! Emailing Prisco now.

Posted by: Liz at October 27, 2009 4:20 PM

CAN'T. WAIT!

Posted by: naivehelga at October 27, 2009 6:19 PM

I find the mystery genre disgusting. I hate being titillated.

Posted by: SaBrina at October 27, 2009 8:50 PM

Ha! I heart SaBrina!

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 28, 2009 10:42 AM





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