October 2018 – Page 2 – Ryan’s Book Blog

Warriors #5: A Dangerous Path

October 11, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

In A Dangerous Path, Thunderclan Deputy Fireheart has a lot to deal with. The clan leader Bluestar thinks everyone is a traitor and their warrior ancestors have abandoned them. Tigerstar is the leader of Shadow Clan. And there is a pack of dogs loose. What will it all mean?

My Comments

Again a fun book and closer to the end of the series. In this book, we learn more of Starclan and see the end of Bluestar. As Fireheart had been named deputy, it was up to him to figure out what to do. Tigerstar was minding his Ps and Qs but it wasn’t a surprise when we found out he was behind the current tragedy to befall the ThunderClan. All and all, I enjoyed the book. I found the love interest to be about the level of a preteen which is the level of the target audience. Good book…

Recommendations

You have to read them all!

Warriors #4: Rising Storm

October 9, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Book 4 of the Warriors series is Rising Storm. Our good friend Fireheart was able to see Tigerclaw banished but is he really rid of him? What of his wee kittens? Will they grow to be like their father? (Well, we don’t find out in this book…) Bluestar, the leader of the Thunderclan, starts losing her marbles just after Fireheart is made deputy. Now it all falls to him… Sort of…

My Comments

A fun read but a little heavy handed on the Tigerclaw eyes and such.

My Recommendation

Good book and an easy read. However, be sure to start with Book 1.

Pandora’s Lab

October 9, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This book is about how science has gone wrong. How usually well meaning people have created something that can’t quite be put back into the box. “These unwitting errors add up to seven lessons both cautionary and profound, narrated by renowned author and speaker Paul A. Offit. Offit uses these lessons to investigate how we can separate good science from bad, using some of today’s most controversial creations—e-cigarettes, GMOs, drug treatments for ADHD—as case studies. For every “Aha!” moment that should have been an “Oh no,” this book is an engrossing account of how science has been misused disastrously—and how we can learn to use its power for good.”

My Comments

This was a very interesting book. I was particularly interested in the examples from history; how mustard gas was created, why DDT was banned and so on. Similar books make me want to do a lot of fact checking. I didn’t agree with a few of the examples such as e-cigarettes as I don’t think the verdict is in just yet with what their influence will be. Still it was a great read.

Recommendation

Great book. It includes stuff everyone should know but should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Music

October 5, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is yet another of the Learning Company’s “Great Courses”. It takes a learner through the very basics to some fairly advanced theory while giving a history of Western music along the way.

My Comments

There are over 23 hours of content in this course and I had to slow my listening down so I could hear the music properly. I LOVED IT! I can’t say enough good things about this course. I kept bothering my family about something I learned that day or something I thought was hilarious. Great, great, great course.

Recommendations

Everyone should listen to this course by Robert Greenberg. Play it for your spouse, neighbors, friends, distant relations, and children (including in utero).

Warriors #3: Forest of Secrets

October 2, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Book 3 of the Warrior series is Forest of Secrets. Fireheart finds out what really happened to Redtail and the intrigue deepens with Tigerclaw, Graystripe, and the rest.

My Comments

This one went faster for me for some reason. Perhaps it was because I had some time over the weekend to get through it. Either way, it went down well.The kitties are always fun. I’ve enjoyed reading the book and it has been a light-hearted diversion. The real reason I started this series was to keep up with my son who has already finished it and moved on to the next.

My Recommendation

A good read. Good for the kids but start at the first book.