Author: Ryan

Skyward

Background

Published in November of 2018, “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson, follows the journey of Spensa, a young girl living on the planet Detritus, who dreams of becoming a pilot like her father. Her world is under constant attack by mysterious aliens known as the Krell, causing the people to live under military rule just to survive. Despite societal prejudices against her family due to her father and her own personal challenges, Spensa strives to prove her worth and uncover the truth about her father’s past.

Skyward
Skyward

My Thoughts

Another book by Sanderson that took a minuted to get going, but I really enjoyed it. I was home sick while I was reading this book and loved that I could just devour it. It kept my full attention for hours and I’m looking forward to the sequel.

That said, “Spin” is a little overpowered and somewhat reminiscent of “Bella” Swan from Twilight. We don’t get much of a description of her other that she was small with brown hair (and eats rats). However, just like “Bella”, she has some unexplained secret powers that save the day in the end. Regardless, her character was much less brooding and more fun than Twilight. She went through the standard hero’s journey and actually grew through the story. Her spunk and resilience were tempered with her eventual acceptance of her humanity and finding comradery.

Recommendation

Great book.

Firefight

Background

Published in Jan of 2015, “Firefight” “Firefight” is a science fiction novel by Brandon Sanderson and is the second book in the Reckoners series. We follow the protagonist David Charleston as he continues his battle against the Epics, superpowered individuals who have subjugated Earth. In this installment, David travels to the city of Babilar (formerly Manhattan) to confront a powerful Epic named Regalia. As he delves deeper into the mysterious workings of the Epics’ powers, David grapples with his feelings for Megan, an Epic whose abilities and intentions remain unclear. “Firefight” blends action, mystery, and romance, expanding the Reckoners’ universe and exploring themes of power, redemption, and identity.

Firefight
Firefight

My Thoughts

Extremely readable and a great sequel. It had all the trimmings; more character development, a continuing story, the same tone and pacing, inside jokes from the first novel, and (of course), exposition. Much like producer Joss Whedon, Sanderson isn’t afraid to break a few eggs in his characters as well. Scattered through the book are some pretty expected graphic deaths of people the reader has learned to know and love. Honestly, I had a hard time putting this one down.

Recommendation

Great book. I’m excited to get to the next one in the series.

Yumi Painter

Background

Published in 2023, “Yumi and the Nightmare Painter,” is a fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson. Set on the planet Komashi, the story follows Yumi, a spirit-calling yoki-hijo, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter. The duo must work together after swapping bodies to uncover the secrets behind a world controlled by a memory-erasing Father Machine. Narrated by Hoid, this third book in the Cosmere universe’s “Secret Projects” campaign blends mystery, adventure, and magic.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

My Thoughts

The start was a little rough as the reader bounces back and forth from Yumi to the Nightmare Painter. Both worlds follow different sets of issues and seemly even basic physics and it took a while to parse it out since they were so foreign to our own concepts. However, the story pulls together and just keeps getting better and better. I loved the ending.

Recommendation

Great book.

New Spring

Background

Published in 2004, “New Spring” is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan serving as a prequel to his acclaimed Wheel of Time series. The book explores the early years of two central characters, Lan Mandragoran and Moiraine Damodred, starting with the events of the Aiel War and leading up to Moiraine becoming an Aes Sedai. The story kicks off with a prophecy about the birth of the Dragon Reborn and follows Moiraine and her friend Siuan as they begin their dangerous quest to locate the newborn dragon.

New Spring
New Spring

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the Wheel of Time series and have been interested in this book for a bit. Particularly, since the the release of the Wheel of Time series on Netflix. I was very bothered by a few things in the series which I took as gratuitous or without precedence. This continued to needle at me, in particular the sexual relationship between Moiraine and Siuan.

However, the build up between Lan and Moiraine was fun. To see Moiraine as both childish and petty was enjoyable and was well within the character arc. However, Lan continued to be Lan, just as hard as he ever was. It’s difficult not to like the guy, but I was hoping for more of a glimpse of his youthful imperfections. Perhaps his woman troubles will have to do.

Recommendation

A fun book. However, I would recommend you read the series before this prequel. I don’t know I would be a fan of some of the characters without having the rest of the story already in my mind.

Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be

Background

Published in 2015, “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be” by Frank Bruni challenges the notion that attending an elite college is the only path to success and happiness. Bruni argues that students should prioritize finding a college where they can thrive academically and personally rather than focusing solely on prestigious institutions. Drawing on research and interviews with students and professionals, Bruni advocates for a more holistic approach to college admissions and highlights the achievements of individuals who have found fulfillment outside of the Ivy League.

Where You Go In Not Who You'll Be
Where You Go In Not Who You’ll Be

My Thoughts

This book was heavily aligned with my personal beliefs about higher education and what “where you go” says about your potential and character. I have a saying that “nothing decreases your respect for a degree more than earning it.” I didn’t walk for my undergrad but I do remember looking down the line of people in my graduate program and thinking that each one of them had the same degree I had. Since I worked with them, I knew who didn’t do the work, who didn’t know the content, and who wouldn’t have graduated if they didn’t ride the coattails of their group, which only received top marks because someone else did all the work. Of course, this is a microcosm of the greater system, but it illustrates the college experience can vary even at the same institution. Imagine the variance of experiences across all the world’s centers of learning.

I also remember talking to a young lady who just finished her BS from Harvard. I was suitably impressive and I asked her what it was in. “German” was her excited reply. Having studied German in high school and a bit in college, I started speaking to her in German. Long story short, I didn’t speak much German. She didn’t understand much German (admitted it was me speaking it), but her level seemed to be about a first year student. Yet, she had a BS from Harvard. I was pretty disappointed in Harvard and that has colored my thoughts on the subject ever since.

Where you go does matter, but not for the reasons you might think. Go to Harvard if you want to study business or law and cost isn’t a factor. Those connections may mean something to you down the line. However, find the school that speaks to your wants and needs. I was very happy with my education from a state school and I feel it has served me well.

Recommendation

Given the soaring costs of tuition and the growing ubiquity of college educated people, this message needs to be heard.

Romney: A Reckoning

Background

Published in 2023, “Romney: A Reckoning” is a biography of former Presidential nominee Mitt Romney written by McKay Coppins. Romney has been both the darling of the GOP as the lead Republican and fell out of favor as he questioned the Republican party for standing behind President Trump through thick and thin. The book takes the reader through the beginnings of the Romney fortune, his upbringing, and through his years in politics through 2023.

Romney: A Reckoning
Romney: A Reckoning

My Thoughts

The book cast Mitt Romney as someone who put principle over preference and as a man of honor and integrity. I was no fan of Mitt Romney through the presidential election as I believed he was not the person to represent my religion. Similar to Harry Reid, I had a hard time seeing eye to eye with these men and felt they shouldn’t be the standard bearers. Also, I didn’t see President Obama as someone that could be beaten. He was too well loved and the country simply couldn’t vote against him. (I do agree with Romney’s opinion that President Obama was out of his depth, but was just to arrogant to understand it.)

The ongoing feud with President Trump was interesting to see from Romney’s perspective. I’m inclined to believe the narrative as truth is a relative term for President Trump. He was a terrible President and was an embarrassment to our country. In fact that he is the front runner again is simply terrifying. I’m just as impressed with President Biden and I honestly fear for our nation in the coming years.

Recommendation

Not a bad read.

Skinny Bastard

Background

Published in 2009, “Skinny Bastard,” challenges conventional dietary norms and advocates for a plant-based lifestyle to achieve optimal health and vitality. Through a combination of hard-hitting facts, humor, and practical advice, the book sheds light on the detrimental effects of meat and dairy consumption on health, the environment, and animal welfare. With a straightforward and no-nonsense approach, it empowers readers to take control of their health by adopting a plant-based diet, offering a wealth of information and resources to support this lifestyle change.

Skinny Bastard
Skinny Bastard

My Thoughts

I enjoyed how the book is written and after several attempts at reading some dietary books, which ended up written for women, I was hoping to find something a little more geared to men. This seemed to be a good alternative.

However, the book turned out to be just another attempt to push people into a fad diet with some tired slander and cherry picked research. (Much of which has been discredited in the last decade and even retracted by one of the doctors they cite.)

Recommendation

It started well but quick spiraled. Skip this one.

The Sword of Shannara: In The Shadow of the Warlock Lord

Background

Published in 1977, “The Sword of Shannara: In The Shadow of the Warlock Lord” is the first book in a series by Terry Brooks. The story is set in the Shannara universe, where the last remaining descendant of the Shannara family, Shea Ohmsford, is tasked with finding the powerful Sword of Shannara to defeat the evil Warlock Lord. With the help of his brother Flick and the wise Druid Allanon, Shea embarks on a perilous journey, facing various magical creatures and challenges.

The Sword of Shannara
The Sword of Shannara

My Thoughts

I don’t remember too much about this book but I could have sworn I’d read it before. Still, Terry Brooks is finding his feet with the characters and series in general. While I understand the need to set up heroes and villains, I feel the characters are too black and white. All good or all bad. The elves, dwarves, and so on are a little bit different than other cultural mainstays such as Tolkien. Like many series, the first book could stand on it’s own without going further, but I’m interested to see where the story goes from here.

Recommendation

Not bad, but there are better stories out there.

Steelheart

Background

Published in 2013, “Steelheart,” is a novel set in a dystopian world where individuals with extraordinary powers, known as Epics, rule with tyranny and oppression. The story follows David Charleston, who seeks revenge against the most powerful Epic, Steelheart, for the murder of his father. As David joins a group of rebels called the Reckoners, he delves into the mystery surrounding the Epics and their weaknesses, ultimately confronting Steelheart and his minions.

Steelheart
Steelheart

My Thoughts

I’ve been reading a great deal of Brandon Sanderson and much of it has to do with his writing style. So far, I’ve enjoyed nearly everything that he has put forward.

This book started a little more violent than his usual work and there is so much the reader is left to wonder as the world starts unfolding. That continued to the end where there are so many questions to be answered.

This is the classic hero’s tale and Sanderson didn’t push the protagonist’s abilities too far in the first installment. It was very well written and has been one of the few books that kept me wanting to read more.

Recommendation

If you are in to super powers, heroes, n’ such, this is a great book.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Background

Published in 1999, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third book in wildly popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This book starts in the now familiar world of magic living along side the normal world of muggles in modern day England. Harry Potter is a 13 year old who keeps finding the fate of the wizarding world in his hands.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

My Thoughts

When I was in grad school, I found mental rest by reading the Harry Potter series after struggling through all of the dense material of my classes. I started reading this again in a similar situation and found it a great way to wind down from the day. It has been a continual pleasure to read.

Of course, there are flaws in everything. Rowling’s writing builds upon itself and she adds more and more depth to the world of magic she created. This causes the occasional lack of consistency such as how difficult it was to produce a corporeal patronus in this book as to how easy it became later has he taught it to the D.A. members. Also, the near infinite ways magic we see used in the world could be easily applied to different situations. Still, we forgive these little issues because it’s just so fun to read.

Recommendation

A great book and a great series. And yes, it is better than the movie.