August 2019 – Ryan’s Book Blog

The Blood of Olympus

August 23, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is the last of the Percy Jackson series and he and his friends square off against the earth itself in the form of Gaia. It was released on October 7, 2014 and Disney Book Group announced they were going to print 3 million copies for the first run.

My Thoughts

Just like the others in the series, it was a good read and kept me entertained. It reads like you would expect a young adult book to read with a good reflection of awkward moments pretty much all youth experience at some time or another.

There were a number of “demi-gods” that we followed through their journeys so there were at least 2 stories going on at the same time. I think it was an effective way to represent teamwork and I liked that Percy wasn’t the only one in the limelight.

Recommendation

Good read for the kids. Make sure to start the series with the first book though.

A Man Called Ove

August 22, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

A Man Called Ove was written in 2012 and translated to English in 2013. It quickly made it to the best seller’s list where it stayed for almost a year. It is a story of Ove who was orphaned at 16 and had to make his way through the world. Ove is a hard man of integrity. His life and moral reasoning are only in right or wrong. The story picks up after his wife has passed and he finds most of the world has passed him by as well. He wants to join her but finds himself following his integrity into something else to live for.

My Thoughts

Like all of Fredrik Backman’s books, this one started slow and ended well. I had to plow on for a while but the book was more than worth it in the end. I honestly teared up a time or two.

Integrity isn’t something we see a great deal of these days. Or maybe it just seems that way. I feel for Ove and feel myself becoming more and more like him as time goes by. Perhaps that’s just my self flattery.

Recommendation

Great book. It has some strong language so not for the little kids.

Bear Town

August 21, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Bear Town is the prequel to Us Against You by Fredrik Backman. It gives the story of a town in the cold North of Sweden and it’s love of hockey.

My Thoughts

I really didn’t like the book that followed this one but I thought I’d give Mr. Backman the opportunity to redeem himself. It wasn’t bad. It was harder to read knowing what was coming and how it would end but it was still worth the read. This book gave me more to think about than the other.

Recommendation

Not his best work but not his worst.

Things My Son Needs to Know about the World

August 16, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in June of 2019, this book only came out a couple of months ago. It is a series of stories and thoughts from a young father to his son.

Things My Son Needs to Know about the World

My Thoughts

This book was hilarious. As a father, I can certainly related to most of the frustrations and ironies of becoming a young father in this time in world history. Much is expected…

Mr. Backman is Swedish, so there are a few things which are a bit different but really it’s all the same game. We (fathers of the world) are all tasked with raising the next generation with more expectations than any time before us.

Recommendation

A great book for the new father. Not for someone who is sensitive to strong language.

Britt Marie Was Here

August 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

“Britt Marie Was Here” is a spin off of My Grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry. In this book, Britt-Marie has left her husband and found a job in an economically depressed town. There she meets some unexpected friends and learns a lot about herself.

My Thoughts

I really didn’t have a good attitude going into this book. Britt-Marie was my least favorite character in his earlier novel. Yet, it was so good… So I read this one. Despite the slow start, it got better and soon I wasn’t having to force my way forward. By the end, it earned a solid ok. There just wasn’t many people in the book I can empathize with. Everyone is not particularly likeable in there own way which, though realistic, isn’t that fun to read about.

Recommendation

Not a bad book but I would pass on this one.

Us Against You

August 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is the story of Beartown and hockey. It is also the story of one city against other. It is also the story of prejudice and crime. But it is mostly about hockey.

My Thoughts

This is such a base story. It takes you through the basest of people and brings them to some sort of redemption. There isn’t much hope. There isn’t much growth. Though it was well written, I really didn’t like it.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

Game of Thrones

August 7, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is the story of the 7 kingdoms and the intrigue around and by the ruling classes.

My Thoughts

The vaunted game of thrones… I haven’t seen it and doubt that I will. We always hear the book was better anyway right? Well, now I know all about the Starks, Robert the king and all the others. I can understand why it draws people in. It is a great story. Or rather, it is a great mesh of stories. It was hard to keep track of after a while and I had to reread a few bits. However it was worth the time.

Recommendation

This book is not for children but it is a good story.

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

August 5, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Eleanor Oliphant is a woman who has a hard time in just about all situations. However, she has never missed a day of work and keeps her desk and her life spotless. Eleanor did not have a “normal” family life and it is greatly impacting her.

My Thoughts

I nearly put this book down a number of times. It was hard to read as Eleanor is so damaged. It is hard to hear the darkness in people. It puts me in a bad mood…

However, I’m glad I worked through it. There is still hope in the world.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one. I don’t know I would recommend it.