September 2020 – Ryan’s Book Blog

The Reckoning

September 28, 2020 by Ryan

Background

John Grisham brings us the story of a war-hero-come-home to the Jim Crow South. He is the owner of a good plantation and by all appearances is doing well. Until he executes the local preacher. What happened and why did he do what he did?

My Thoughts

I didn’t really like this book. Though it was well written, it was full of ugliness that I just didn’t need. It was a compelling story and there is no doubt John Grisham is a gifted writer. Yet, I just feel dirty after having read it.

Recommendation

Just walk by this one.

Ketotarian

September 23, 2020 by Ryan

Published in 2018, Ketotarian is the name of someone who wants to live the majority of time in a perpetual state of Ketosis. This book expounds on why this might be a good way to go if you are looking for an alternative of the standard American diet.

My Thoughts

This book didn’t have any revelations other than some self-righteous justifications from someone who progressed from vegan to keto. I read the book as I have been trying to follow a keto-friendly diet for the past month or so. I haven’t really drunk the Kool-Aid but I have lost some weight.

Recommendation

It wasn’t bad if you are interested in the subject matter.

Churchill

September 20, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2017, Jacob Bannister tells the story of one of those larger than life people, Winston Churchill. We are taken through his life and share in his rise in power to one of the main figures of World War II.

My Thoughts

I found this to be a very interesting read. I knew of most of the stories in the book but I believe this one did a great job of bring the character of Churchill to life.

Recommendation

Great book. Worth the time.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

September 18, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Snape, Snape, Severus Snap! We get some glimpses into the life of one of the most interesting characters in the Harry Potter world. Published in 2006, this book starts everything in motion for the last and final book of the Harry Potter series.

My Thoughts

Again Harry is forced to consider life is not as black and white as he thought and there are usually reasons why people do the things they do. However, that still doesn’t make them right…

Recommendation

Great read. Great book.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

September 15, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Published back in 2002, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire brings in wizards from all over Europe to compete in a wizard’s tournament. Yet, who is really behind it all?

My Thoughts

A much larger book than the one previous, this one I started with my youngest but he couldn’t keep up… So, I went ahead and finished the book.

This is my favorite of the Harry Potter series, it isn’t as dark as the later books yet it has some more serious parts to it. Harry is growing up but is still a kid in many ways.

Recommendation

Great read!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

September 11, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2004, this book is the largest of the series by a good 130 pages. (Yet, was the 2nd shortest movie…) In this book, Harry and friends know “You-Know-Who” is back but the Ministry of Magic is suppressing that information. Things start going awry when they start interfering at Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

My Thoughts

Again, a great read. We are becoming a little bit older along with Harry as he starts having love interests and grappling with the subtleties of what is right and wrong.

My recommendation

Great book. Great read.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

September 2, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was published back in 2001. The 3rd book in the Harry Potter series, it introduces the infamous Sirius Black, a man convicted of murder who broke out of the wizard prison Askaban. How will Harry and his friends make it this time?

My Thoughts

As with all Harry Potter books, I have read this book several times. This time around, I was reading it with my youngest son who is new to the series. Highly enjoyable.

Recommendation

A great read and worthy of the time.