Fiction – Page 31 – Ryan's Book Blog

The Titan’s Curse

March 28, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Titan’s Curse is book three in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The Titan Kronos is slowly coming back to power and his general Atlas is freed of his burden. Percy and his friends have to save an innocent creature from sacrifice or Kronos will return.

My Thoughts

After I read book 2 I had to move along to book 3. Another fun read from Rick Riordan. Percy is getting more familiar with his powers and is noticing he has feelings for his friend Annabeth.

Recommendations

Another great book

The Sea of Monsters

March 27, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Sea of Monsters is book 2 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy finds himself back in adventures as his beloved Camp Half Blood is under siege.

My Thoughts

I hadn’t remembered I had read this till I started through it again. There are more books in the Percy Jackson series and I thought this was one of them. However, I was glad I read it again.

Recommendations

Great read. Perfect for the teenage boy.

The Secret Lives of Wives

March 25, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This book on how to stay married by Iris Krasnow was written to counter the focus on divorce. It is a collection of stories of women who have stood by their man and made the best of what they had.

My Thoughts

This really isn’t my normal fare but I was interested in the idea of what makes people stay together. There just isn’t much focus on the majority of people who slog it out year by year and keep their marriage together. Like many, I assume, I thought my first marriage was going to last. It didn’t. There were lines I wasn’t willing to be crossed… This book has stories of women who had all manner of nonsense happen in their marriage and yet they stuck with it.

There is a lot of research on how we become happier with age. How having social connections positively correlates with health and longevity. How a married person is more likely to have long term financial success than their single counterparts. In short, it’s good to get married and stay married.

Getting married and staying married is a daily choice. Sometimes the choice to stay together is easier than at other times. Marriage is constant communication, compromise, forgiveness, and service. I’m convinced there is no one way to do it and it was interesting to hear how others went about it.

Recommendation

An interesting read. I would recommend it to anyone who is married and wouldn’t mind a look what keeps other marriages going.

Slaughterhouse-Five

February 26, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Slaughterhouse-Five is a novel written by Kurt Vonnegut that follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II soldier who becomes “unstuck in time” and experiences his life in a non-linear fashion. The novel explores the themes of the destructiveness of war and the inevitability of fate, while also incorporating elements of science fiction and satire. Billy’s experiences as a prisoner of war and a witness to the bombing of Dresden are juxtaposed with his later life as an optometrist and his encounters with aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. Through Billy’s story, Vonnegut challenges traditional notions of storytelling and the linearity of time, ultimately questioning the human capacity for compassion and understanding in the face of senseless violence.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t impressed with this one. Vonnegut is a master writer to be sure. His method of writing comes across as both easy and sincere and the reader is effortlessly transported to the story.

However, the story was very strange. I actually liked that it was disjointed and the concept of time travel through life moments was a very interesting thought. When put in context of when this book was released, it was lightyears ahead of it’s time (pardon the pun).

My Recommendation

This book belongs to a different era and was written for a different audience. It is great for historical perspective but I didn’t enjoy it. “So it goes.”

Memory Man

February 24, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Memory Man is a thriller novel by David Baldacci that follows the story of Amos Decker, a former professional football player turned police detective who suffers from a rare condition called hyperthymesia, which gives him a perfect memory. Decker’s life is forever changed when his family is brutally murdered in their home, leaving him devastated and with a thirst for justice. The case goes unsolved for years until a man walks into a police station in a small town and confesses to the crime. However, Decker is not convinced and begins to investigate the case on his own, uncovering a web of lies, corruption, and secrets that lead him to the shocking truth about what really happened to his family.

My Thoughts

This kind of book really isn’t where I tend to spend my time. It is a mystery-drama and I tend to stay away from both. However, I really enjoyed it. I found I was engrossed in the story and I really didn’t expect it.

The protagonist had a little too much super power for my liking but he was effectively balanced by his general crustiness. The surprise inclusion of rural Utah peaked my interest as well. It was reminiscent of the old Fletch movies which pictured folks from Provo as illiterate pig farmers.

My Recommendation

This was an enjoyable read but it isn’t for the kids.

Nineteen Eighty-Four

February 19, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

George Orwell’s well celebrated book on totalitarianism. The story follows “Winston” through his life as a minor party member. He lives in relative squalor while “inner party” members have the luxuries. Yet the poorest people are kept on the edge of starvation so they never rise up and overthrow their oppressors.

My Thoughts

This really gives a chilling vision of what life might be like under the boot of a totalitarian regime. As I was reading, I became very thankful for the freedoms I have. I believe it is helpful to remind ourselves of how good we have it every now and then. Being thankful really isn’t something we do well these days.

Recommendation

Likely you read this in High School (or will read it). I would suggest you re-read it. It was certainly worth my time and attention.

The Bourne Legacy

February 12, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Bourne Legacy is a book written in 2004 by Eric Van Lustbader who used the character created by Robert Ludlum to create a sequel to the The Bourne Ultimatum again by Robert Ludlum.

The story follows David Webb as he is pulled back into becoming Jason Bourne to protect himself and his family.

My Thoughts

Yet again, this book had nothing to do with the movie. However, this time I hadn’t seen the movie…

I think I am done with Bourne books for a while. This book felt like it should be the end of his story but I was surprised to learn that there were several more books written on him all by Eric Van Lustbader.

(The Bourne Betrayal, The Bourne Sanction, The Bourne Deception, The Bourne Objective, The Bourne Dominion, The Bourne Imperative, The Bourne Retribution, The Bourne Ascendancy, The Bourne Enigma, The Bourne Initiative and The Bourne Nemesis which is expected in Sept of 2019.)

I do love a good story though and this one didn’t disappoint.

Recommendation

A good book. If you like action and adventure, I would recommend it.

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.