Fiction – Page 30 – Ryan's Book Blog

Old Yeller

May 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

A 1956 children’s novel written by Fred Gipson about a young family in 1860s Texas. It is the classic tale which has been remade by Disney a year later.

My Thoughts

I hadn’t ever seen Old Yeller but knew of the ending by watching the movie “Stripes” when Bill Murray gives his inspirational speech bringing their troop together.

I also didn’t know the book was written in the 1950s. I thought it was older as it was set in the 1860s. I remember thinking that a lot of the attitudes toward kids have certainly changed in the years past. Physically discipline has pretty much gone by the way side these days. However, such was not the case in the book. As we are getting closer to another hundred years past, I wonder what else will have changed…

Recommendation

I really liked it. My guess was the book was better than the movie but I will have to see the movie to know.

Eldest

May 10, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2005, “Eldest” is the 2nd novel in the inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini. In this book, Eragon visits the elves and learns the nature of magic. He becomes part of the dwarven family of Hothgar and meets another rider…

My Thoughts

I did enjoy the book but so many things happen so fast it taxes my already suspended reality. The character of Eragon is likable and wants to do the best he can. However, he blunders through just about everything. Still, I’m excited to start the next book.

Recommendations

If you read the first, you have to read the second.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

May 8, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is the book following the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and picks up right at the end of the previous book. Written in 1980, the book continues with Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian finding their way through the Universe almost to the very end.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

My Thoughts

As ridiculous as the first, I was entertained throughout the entire book. I didn’t get what the “end of the universe” was until I read the book. That concept had me rethinking how it would work several times.

Recommendation

If you liked the first, you will like the second. Definitely read them in order though as you would be very lost.

The Last Olympian

May 2, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The last book of the Percy Jackson series, The Last Olympian sees the fulfillment of the prophecy and the final battle of monsters and demi-gods.

My Thoughts

I know the books are aimed at teenage readers but I still loved them.

Recommendation

Read them! You’ll enjoy it.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

April 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Book 4 of the Percy Jackson series is The Battle of the Labyrinth. This book sees Percy blow up another school and get propelled into another adventure in the world of the Greek Gods and heroes.

This time around the “Lord of Time” Kronos is finally reformed. Percy’s rival/nemesis Luke gave everything to bring the titan back. Grover finally finds the god Pan and comes into his own.

My Thoughts

There is a lot of growth in our hero and the main characters in this book. Percy is still 15 but is starting to deal with a lot more than monsters chasing him. The author does a great job, as always, of blending a good tale from the legends of mythology and giving them a modern bend.

Recommendation

A good read and a great book

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

April 26, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Douglas Adams’ classic is read by the comedian Stephen Fry and brings us all back to a time when digital watches were the bleeding edge of technology. The Hitchhiker’s Guide is the first of a series of 5 books first published in 1979. It has since gone on to be a TV series and a full motion picture.

My Thoughts

This book has brought a smile to me several times over my life. I really enjoy the dry wit and the general ridiculousness of each situation. Author’s character keeps getting placed in situations from ridiculousness to impossible. In each situation he somehow maintains his demeanor and sanity. Of course, this simply serves to juxtapose the ridiculousness of our daily lives against the over the top situations presented in the novel. Author somehow moves forward just as we do.

Recommendation

Don’t panic! Just read the book. You’ll enjoy it.

Eragon

April 20, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance Cycle. Written by Christopher Paolini in 2002, it delivers the classic hero’s tale of a orphan book who is more than he appears.

My Thoughts

Eragon was fun to read and goes down pretty easy. Outside of it being more or less unbelievable at times, it was an enjoyable book.

Recommendation

Great book if you like the genre.

A Wrinkle in Time

April 19, 2019 by Ryan

Background

A Wrinkle in Time is a 1962 science fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle. The story follows Meg Murry, a young girl who, along with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin O’Keefe, travels through space and time to find her father, a brilliant scientist who has been missing for five years. Along the way, they encounter three mysterious beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which—who help them on their journey. The novel explores themes of love, courage, and self-acceptance, and it has been praised for its innovative use of science fiction and fantasy elements.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I wasn’t that taken with the story and don’t remember that much about it.

Recommendation

I will have to re-read it.

The War I Finally Won

March 31, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The War I Finally Won follows the book The War that Saved My Life. It is the story of a young woman in England during WWII. Now orphaned, she is finally able to have the surgery to correct her club foot and be more like other people. Yet, she soon learns much more about the wide world as a German immigrant comes to stay with them.

My Thoughts

This is a good book to transport yourself to a time and place where there is a war going on. In today’s America, we don’t know a great deal about having to go without or having to come together for a greater cause outside our own desires. I think back to after 9/11 and the feeling in the county. The unity and lack of backbiting was a silver lining to the tragedy. Sadly, it was short lived.

This book isn’t my usual fair. As with the book proceding it, I read it because others were and I wanted to understand where they were coming from.

Recommendation

I don’t know if I would recommend this book or not. I didn’t really enjoy reading it and I don’t know what I got out of it in general.

The Last Mile

March 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Last Mile is a story of the vindication of a death row inmate, Melvin Mars, after 20 years of false imprisonment. A washed up detective, Amos Decker, helps to put the pieces together the murder of his parents who and why his parents were killed.

My Thoughts

This book was well written and kept me engaged and entertained. I’m not quite sure what I was looking for but the plot took another direction

Recommendation

If you like mysteries, this is a great book.