January 2019 – Ryan’s Book Blog

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

January 30, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a children’s novel written by Tom Angleberger that was first published in 2010.

A boy named Tommy is trying to find out if Origami Yoda, who was created and given voice by an unpopular and semi-antisocial boy named Dwight, really has wisdom beyond Dwight’s abilities.

My Thoughts

This was a really fun book to read. Every now and then you have to spend a bit of time reading children’s books. I think I will lose something precious when my children are grown because I won’t have the constant stream of children’s books and other media. (Maybe it will all come with grandkids?)

This was a good story given by reports of other kids of what Origami Yoda did for them. It was a little disjointed at times but that really puts the reader in the world of middle school. A place we all likely want to forget…

Recommendation

A good read for your new double digit aged children, particularly if they are familiar with the Star Wars universe.

The Grapes of Wrath

January 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The classic book by John Steinbeck published toward the end of the great depression about tenant farmers who had to leave everything they knew to scratch out a living in the promised land of California.

My Thoughts

It’s very sad that this time was part of our country’s history. The whole book was a walk through toil and strife. And what an ending! Wow, I don’t know what to say.

Recommendation

It’s a classic and a big part of early 20th century literature so you should read it. However, it was long and painful for me.

Allegiant

January 25, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The third book in the Divergent Trilogy. Allegiant is the continuation of the saga of Tris and her friends as they find out what is outside the walls of the only world they knew.

My Thoughts

Unlike the last two books, the reader sees the world through the eyes of the main male character, Four. Unfortunately, he both thinks and acts like the Tris which is to say both childish and ridiculous.

Recommendation

This one was hard to get through. Once it became apparent what the story was about, I couldn’t wait to get through it.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

January 24, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Ken Kesey’s classic book published in 1962, adapted first for the stage in 1963, and then for the silver screen in 1975.

The story takes place in an insane asylum which is run by an iron fisted nurse who is not to be crossed.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest — One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

My Thoughts

I haven’t seen the movie nor have I seen the play. (I was surprised there was a play and that the first revisions had such big names as Kirk Douglas and Gene Wilder. Later on it had revivals with Danny DeVito and Gary Sinise. All of which I had no idea did stage acting. Shows how much I know.

I really didn’t know anything about the book other than having heard the name Nurse Ratchet and knowing a young Jack Nicholson was on the cover.

I felt it did a good job of depicting the possible horrors of the mentally ill in post WWII America. The tragic story is both inspiring and deflating. I was engaged through the entirety of the read.

Recommendation

Great book and a classic. A must read for those ready for a good story which might not end how you’d hope.

The Two Towers

January 22, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Two Towers is the sequel to The Fellowship of the Ring. It continues the story of Frodo and Sam and the Ring of Doom.

My Thoughts

I always feel a bit like I just want to get through this book. However, so much happens in it, you can’t just skip it. I’ve read it enough times and I still mix up what happens in each book.

It isn’t the first and it isn’t the last. It’s like the middle child who can’t quite get enough attention…

Recommendation

Great book. Try not to rush through it.

Insurgent

January 20, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Insurgent is the sequel to Divergent in the series by Veronica Roth. It was published a mere year after Divergent was released.

This time it goes beyond the factions. One is trying to wipe out all the resistance and take over the city.

My Thoughts

Though easy to read and not a bad story there is still too much of the odd self deprecating yet almost unstoppable protagonist who has powers beyond everyone around her. She suffers self doubt constantly yet somehow survives the un-survivable. The world is seen through the eyes of a 16 year old girl and it shows.

Recommendation

If you are a 16 year old girl then you will likely enjoy this book. However, I wouldn’t suggest it for the 16 year old girl. Yet, I was still glad I read it… If nothing else, I know what people are talking about.

The Maze Runner

January 18, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Maze Runner was written in 2009 by James Dashner and is the first book in the Maze Runner series. It is a post apocalyptic juvenile fiction book that centers on a gifted 16 year old named Thomas. He finds himself placed in a maze without memories and needing to survive.

My Thoughts

This was a good book and may even want to see the movie. (If nothing else, I’d like to see how they depicted the reavers. Though it was pretty campy at times it was an engaging read and I didn’t get bored reading it.

Recommendations

Be aware there is some nasty violent scenes and some messed up situations. However, if you are good with that, I would recommend the book.

Divergent

January 16, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Divergent is the story of post-apocalyptic world where the main character is just coming of age. It is part of the Divergent Trilogy and was made into a movie by the same name a mere 3 years after the book’s release.

My Thoughts

I haven’t seen the movie and I don’t know that I will. This book reads a lot like the Twilight Series. That is to say it is teenage girl fodder. It is a decent story and all but there are some surprisingly sensual parts of it that I don’t think the average teenager needs in their life. As a forty something man, it was a bit comical to read about the male characters. If you dropped a teenage girl in the body of man and she tried to act male, this is what you would get.

Just like Twilight, it was made into a movie pretty quickly after the books. It feels a bit like it was made for it.

Recommendation

Probably stick to the movie on this one and skip the book.

Girl Wash Your Face

January 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Girl Wash Your Face is a self help book from Rachel Hollis who does a variety of things from podcasting to seminars and a little bit of everything in between.

This book is aimed at women who want to better themselves by feeling more empowered by believing they are good enough.

My Thoughts

I listen to the Rise Together podcast and several women in my life are very familiar with Rachel Hollis. Many of the stories she tells in this book I had heard before. It reads a lot like she talks so it felt very familiar.

It is targeted toward women so I shouldn’t have felt bothered that she kept addressing the reader as “Girl!”. But it was a grating after a while. It is a lot like going to a yoga class and the instructor speaks to us all like we are all middle aged women.

Still, the message was good and I certainly respect where she is coming from. She certainly doesn’t have any issue sharing her feelings and what is on her mind. Yet, it felt like oversharing a couple of times. I don’t know, I like the Hollis couple and I will continue to listen to the podcast but, I didn’t get too much out of this book.

Recommendation

If you are a woman, you’ll likely like this book.

The War That Saved My Life

January 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2015 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley intended this book to be a historical fiction for middle school students. It became a best seller and has a sequel The War I Finally Won.

It is a story of an English girl and her brother were moved out to the country during the German assault on the UK in WWII.

My Thoughts

I read this because my 13 year old son was reading it for school. It really wasn’t a bad story but it isn’t my normal genre of book. Ms. Bradley does a good job of keeping the reader engaged and wanting to continue.

I was glad to hear there was a sequel to the book as it left off without much closure.

Recommendation

I’m about half way on this. I’m not sure why my son was reading it for school but it isn’t a bad story.