Ryan – Page 12 – Ryan's Book Blog

American Dirt

April 8, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Originally published in 2018, the book had a huge bump by Oprah endorsing it for her book club in Jan 2020. It is the story of a mother and her son fleeing from the cartels in Mexico to seek refuge in America.

My Thoughts

Pure crap. I didn’t like the book at all. The story does move you forward and keeps you wondering what comes next until you stop and think about what stereotypical drivel you are reading. It is obviously a bleeding-heart dig at the situation at the border and was written during the Trump administration. (I doubt it would be as popular if released today.) The characters are overblown and they try so hard to make them relatable. However, it is so over the top, I just couldn’t buy into it.

My mother-in-law is reading it for her book club so I decided to read it. I didn’t know what it was or what it was about when I picked it up. It was extremely validating to see all the controversy about it and how many others shared my thoughts. I particularly enjoyed watching Oprah try to back peddle and saw how it blew up in everyone’s face.

Recommendation

Pure crap. Don’t even bother with it.

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates

April 6, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in November of 2015, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates gives the story of one of America’s first conflict overseas. It details how we went from paying ransoms to fighting in our own self-defense putting us on to the world stage.

My Thoughts

This was a very interesting book. Given that I work with Marines, you would think I would have been more familiar with this story but there was a lot that surprised me. I knew we paid off the pirates to leave our ships alone until we were ready to defend ourselves but I didn’t know how close that struggle was or the real story. This was a pivotal moment in our history and could have gone very differently.

Recommendation

Great read. I highly recommend it.

The Iliad

April 2, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Tales as old as time… The Iliad, also known as the “Song of Ilium”, is an epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer in the 8th century BC. However, all of it is debatable. What isn’t debatable is it tells the story of the Trojan War, the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles, the climatic fight between Achilles and Hector, and all the Greed gods causing issues.

My Thoughts

My first thought was the translation I had was hilarious in terms of the wording. “Bite the dust,” “hurly- burly,” and other such gems were fun to come across in the Trojan setting. There were several Roman crossovers as well, “Juno” rather than “Hera” and so on. The biggest stars of this book was really Zeus and the rest of the gods. Everything was blamed on them and they were in every detail. They were constantly fighting and picked sides in the conflict.

Recommendation

It was pretty underwhelming to read but so important to Western culture that it is worth the time.

Xenocide

March 29, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1992, it is book 3 of the Ender’s Game series and was originally a larger story. However, the second half of Xenocide was split into another book published in 1996. This book brings in the story of another world called “Path” that was originally populated by people from China. However, they become pivotal to the fate of Lustitania and the 100 colonies.

My Thoughts

I’m confused about the cover-art as the ship on the cover and the setting it is in doesn’t really come up in the book. Oh well, it was the same with the last book. This was an interesting book. I liked the narration between the hive queen and Rooter. That was a fun literary device to push us to another perspective.

Recommendation

I was an enjoyable read but left me wanting.

A Very Punchable Face

March 25, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in July of 2020, A Very Punchable Face is the biography of Colin Jost who has been a “head writer” and cast member of Saturday Night Live for several years.

My Thoughts

Seeing the how the “sausage is made” can be unpleasant at times. This was one of those times for me. In short, I didn’t enjoy the book. For me, it was a reminder of how different some people’s lives are and how little hope and reason they see in their own existence. Still, I was pleasantly surprised with the archetypal story of a “regular guy” making it to the top. That was a fun story arc but most of the antidotes along the way just didn’t need to be told.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

Speaker for the Dead

March 23, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Speaker for the Dead is the book following Ender’s Game and, according to the author, the real story he wanted to tell by writing Ender’s Game. Published in 1986, it is the story of another world where there are sentient beings nick named “piggies” who the humans have been studying. Over 3000 years after the events of Ender’s Game, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is still alive due to the time dilation of light speed travel. Traveling with him is the hive queen who is the last of her kind and wants to establish a new colony. Will this world be the right one for both of them?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book but not as much as Ender’s Game. After thinking about it, there just isn’t much hope put into the future of humanity. I’d guess I like the optimism of the Star Trek universe over the possible future of ever-increasing factions and biases. Still, it was a good story and I will read the next book.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one. If you are a more casual reader, I would say, skip it. Reading it has committed me to the next book and it may lead me to disappointment.

The Crystal City

March 18, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2003, The Crystal City is the sixth and final installment of the “Alvin Maker” series. Alvin finds his people and begins the city. He also teams up with Abraham Lincoln who is down on his luck in this version of history.

My Thoughts

While I’m happy it is over, it wasn’t an enjoyable end. We finally see what the plow is for and that was pretty anti-climatic. Calvin is still a pain in the rear and there isn’t any resolution there. Alvin is still overpowered… Again, I’m glad the story is wrapped up but it left me wanting.

Recommendation

Not the best.

Heartfire

March 17, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in August of 1998, Heartfire is the fifth book in the “Alvin Maker” series. This story tells how Alvin is treated by the New Englanders while his wife is working on the slave issue down South.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t very impressed with this one. Alvin is getting too powerful and we are losing track of why we might like him. It’s kind of like Superman. At some point he is given all kinds of powers and is all but perfect in every way. It’s too much.

Recommendation

It had potential but is going off the rails.

Alvin Journeyman

March 14, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Alvin Journeyman is the 4th book in the “Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card. Published in 1995, it is the story of the events of Alvin after his time as an apprentice blacksmith. His previous master was upset with him, due to his jealousy, and accused him of stealing a large sum of gold. Much of the book deals with Alvin’s arrest, trial, and the numerous people who are plotting against him. First and foremost is his younger brother Calvin who has powers similar to Alvin but is never quite good enough…

My Thoughts

This book moved a little slower than the others but a lot of important events happened. Alvin is still the main character but the story allowed for more development of the people around him.

What didn’t work for me was the plow. I really hope this turns into something that makes sense later on but I feel like there was so much potential story there that wasn’t realized. Maybe we will see it in the next book.

Recommendation

The series slowed down a bit with this one but it is still exciting

Prentice Alvin

March 13, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Prentice Alvin is the 3rd book in the “Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card. Published in 1989, it tells of Alvin finally able to apprentice as a blacksmith in the town where he was born. He finds friendship in a young boy named Arthur Stewart who was the son of a runaway slave. Alvin continues his formal education from the local school teacher and he catches a glimpse of what it means to be a “maker.”

My Thoughts

Fun book. Alvin had learned a lot about how to be a man in the previous book but this story gives him the chance to live it. He learns the lesson early on about how destructive it is to hold hate in your heart and let it fuel your actions. Alvin does his best to be a truly good person which is all any of us can do.

Recommendation

If you’ve read this far, you are likely hooked.