Ryan – Page 33 – Ryan's Book Blog

The Odyssey of Echo Company

February 3, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Odyssey of Echo Company is a military history given by multiple perspectives of the people who served our country in Vietnam.

It details how a young man joined the Army went through boot camp and found himself halfway around the world. It documents several battles including the Tet Offensive and gives some perspective on how those soldiers felt both during the war and after.

My Thoughts

War is hard enough without so many of the public against you. Beyond the horror of theater, the most difficult thing for me to read was how our soldiers were treated when they came home.

A lot of the book had the feel of tall tales as it seems doubtful that one person could be so lucky. Still, I guess anything is possible.

Recommendation

Not for the faint of heart.

The Return of the King

February 2, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The third and final book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Return of the King finally sees the great war through and ends an age on Middle Earth.

My Thoughts

Again I enjoyed the read. The most recent movie gets further and further away from me as I read the actual book. Though it follows it closely, it isn’t much of a match for the book.

Recommendation

If you haven’t read it then you should.

The Bourne Supremacy

February 2, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Bourne Supremacy was published in 1986 and became a movie in 2004. The book follows Jason Bourne who is trying to find a normal life as David Webb, a professor of Asian studies. He quickly finds himself pressed back into the life of an assassin he can’t quite remember yet is trying to forget.

My Thoughts

I didn’t really know the Bourne Series were books till recently. This book didn’t resemble the movie at all. I mean not at all! The title is the same and some of the characters are the same but that’s really about it.

All that said, I really enjoyed the book. It was like a brand new Jason Bourne story. It was sort of like finding a vintage James Bond that I’d never seen.

Recommendation

Great book and well worth the read.

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.