Non-Fiction – Page 28 – Ryan's Book Blog

Norse Mythology

July 11, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Released in 2017, Norse Mythology is a collection of exactly what you might think it would be. This is the mythology of Thor, Odin, Loki and all the others. Gaiman pens several of the legends and myths which have largely been forgotten in our day to day society.

My Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised at this book. I really enjoyed it largely because I hadn’t heard these stories before. I did a little bit of searching and found his book has been well received by the mythology community so I feel like it is fairly authentic.

My introduction to the topic was back in grade school where we heard where we found the names of the days of the week. I remember that lesson really grabbed my attention. (Thanks Mrs. Sanders!) Still, it took 36 years to actually hear a real myth… Sad really. Like many American’s, I am familiar with Marvel’s version of the Norse Gods but it turns out, they are a little different.

Thor is not the brightest and Loki seems to be in the center of everything. Loki’s children bring about Ragnarok. Loki is the reason Mjolnir was made and why the handle is so short. Loki seems to be the reason just about everything happened.

Recommendation

A great read! Everyone should read it.

Everything is F*cked

July 10, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Mark Manson remixes; Jung, Nietzsche, and others to bring some idea as to why the world seems as messed up as it is. Released in May of 2019, the book has met with great success.

My Thoughts

This book had me thinking again about what is important and why do I do the things I like to do. I feel like I am a centered person. I feel like I’m fair and do things for the “right” reason. Particularly inspiring was the comment in the book about how children, adolescents and adults see morality. Children do it because they are told to and fear being caught. Adolescents see things as more of a transaction. Adults do things because it is the right thing to do. These aren’t new thoughts but they are worth repeating. It is scary how often I find myself falling into the adolescent or even childlike patterns of behavior.

Recommendation

A worth while read. If you haven’t read much philosophy, some of the ideas expounded upon could be new and even challenging for a religious person.

The First Conspiracy

July 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

This is the story of the first organized clandestine attempt against George Washington. It centers in the mid 1770’s New York as Washington is just establishing himself and his army. Many want him to fail but only a few have the money and resources to do much about it.

My Thoughts

This book was a very interesting read. I really didn’t know that much about the revolutionary army. I knew they weren’t largely professional and were out manned and out gunned. We have been geographically blessed in that there is a whole ocean between us and Europe. I can only imagine what the English thought of us at that time.

The book had the feel of being well researched and well thought out. The author did a great job about letting the reader know where and when we have evidence and what is speculation. It seems the author used multiple sources and spent a great deal of time researching what went on and paid attention to who was talking and why they would have written what they wrote. All of these are markers of a quality work.

The book is written firmly from the perspective of the patriots. There were some instances where a behavior was pointed out as “shocking” or something similar where it seemed totally reasonable if you look from the perspective of the other side. If someone is loyal to England, of course they would work against, what they would consider, the radical upstarts who are taking over and running amok. Of course, the English appointed governor would try just about anything he could to undermine the new organization which just kicked him out. These things aren’t shocking.

Recommendation

Definately worth the read.

The Library Book

June 18, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Susan Orlean’s “The Library Book” released in Oct of 2018 details the goings on of the Los Angeles Central Library and centers a great deal on the fire of 1986. She also expands on what a library was, is and may become in the not to distant future.

My Thoughts

The Library Book was a somewhat dry informative read with a lot of possibility. Perfect for the topic! There is a more than a hint of the flavor of Southern California in the pages and a lot of reminders of when I used to work for a software company who catered to libraries and librarians.

Recommendation

A good read if you have interest in the subject matter.

Blink

June 2, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Blink is a book on the power of the unconscious mind and its impact on your everyday life. Published in 2005, Malcolm Gladwell teaches us that we can teach and even learn from that great machine in our heads.

My Thoughts

My thoughts is my normal convention but it seems a bit ironic here. As a psychology grad, I’ve learned a bit about priming and how we can be influenced by things we do not consciously perceive. That’s a bit of a terrifying thought when I stop to think about it.

We tend to think we are in control of most of our experiences. We aren’t. That’s hard on the pride. Still, there is a great deal we can influence and we are free to make choices. Our creator gave us that right. It stands to reason we should be as clear minded about what lay before us so we can make reasonable choices based on the information we are given.

All that said, it is a confounding principle to know that sometimes there is too much information. Too many choices are paralyzing and won’t let us move forward. It’s tempting to just flip a coin and call it a day… But that wouldn’t be very responsible would it?

Recommendation

It’s a bit of pop psychology that I think everyone would enjoy as long as they can keep things in perspective.

F Feelings

May 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The writing duo of Sarah and Micheal Bennett teamed up to give F*ck Feelings in 2015 before writing F*ck Love in 2017.

This book details the world of therapy. How to get it, when to get it, and if you should even think about getting it.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book as well and it has helped me keep in perspective all the messed up crap going on in my life and everyone else’s life.

Recommendation

I highly recommended read for all the maladjusted broken humans we tend to be.

F Love

May 28, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2017, “Fck Love: One Shrink’s Sensible Advice for Finding a Lasting Relationship” is an exploration of romantic relationships, written by psychiatrist Dr. Michael I. Bennett and his daughter, comedy writer Sarah Bennett. The book challenges the fairy-tale narratives and unrealistic expectations fostered by popular culture, advocating instead for a more pragmatic approach to love. With sharp wit and candid insights, the Bennetts argue that finding a partner isn’t about soulmates, grand romantic gestures, or waiting for love to conquer all. Instead, they emphasize the importance of looking for realistic, compatible qualities in a partner, such as emotional maturity, responsibility, and genuine respect—qualities that lay the groundwork for a healthy, lasting relationship. “Fck Love” is less an indictment of love itself and more a call to arms for rational thinking and self-respect when navigating the often tumultuous waters of romance. This book details how to thoughtfully find a partner for life and not fall into the all too common traps of bad marriages.

My Thoughts

Mark Mason did such a good job on his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck that I had to read something else of his. So I checked this book out. Of course, this is not the work of Mark Mason…

It was a great book though and rather timely. My daughter started dating this dude and I was filled with the normal angst of father (who’s only daughter is dating for the first time). I enjoyed the back and forth banter of the Bennett’s and their method of getting a point across. This book was full of good advice. (Nearly, all of which I didn’t take in my first marriage, but hope I’ve learned my lesson.)

Recommendation

A great book for those who are dating or considering dating. A must have book for those who are considering marriage. However, I would suggest you buy the actual book. The lists and multiple choice sections where hard in the audio format.

Becoming

May 25, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Former first lady Michelle Obama’s book about herself from birth through the White House. She details her childhood growing up in the South Side of Chicago, her time in college (Princeton and later Harvard) her work at a law firm (where she met her husband), their dating and early marriage, being a working mom, and then becoming the first lady.

My Thoughts

I enjoy a look into people’s lives. Particularly if those people are not much like me. Mrs. Obama is not much like me. We both grew up poor but I didn’t go to Princeton or Harvard. I don’t feel my race has that much to do with who I am but I guess that’s the point…

Whatever the political feelings toward this book, Michelle Obama is a competent capable person who accomplished a lot in her life. As impressed as I am with her accomplishments, I’m most impressed with her mother and her ability to be the rock of the family and still stay out of the way of the limelight.

Recommendation

This book was very long and it felt like I had to plod through it. It was good to hear a few things I hadn’t before and was reminded of events I had all but forgotten. I’m mixed on the recommendation.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

May 20, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in 2016, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is a self-help book by author Mark Manson that encourages readers to embrace the inevitable struggles and challenges of life, and to focus on what truly matters to them. The book promotes the idea that we should be selective in what we care about, and that by letting go of the things that don’t truly matter, we can find more meaning and fulfillment in our lives. Manson also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our own lives and choices, and accepting that pain and adversity are an inevitable part of the human experience. The book uses humor, personal anecdotes, and profanity to convey its message, and has become a popular and controversial bestseller.

My Thoughts

I really liked this book. I enjoyed his humor and the overall message. I told people at; work, church, and my poor family about it again and again.

Recommendation

A great read

Rising Strong

May 18, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Rising Strong was published in 2015. To quote Dr. Brown’s website:

The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough, often enough, we will fall. Rising Strong is a book about what it takes to get back up and how owning our stories of struggle gives us the power to write a daring new ending. Struggle can be our greatest call to courage and and the clearest path to a wholehearted life.
https://brenebrown.com/articles/2015/04/09/i-love-big-book-news-and-i-cannot-lie/

My Thoughts

I thought I would like this book a lot more than I did. The biggest reason was I had just read “Dare to Lead” and had already heard a number of her thoughts and anecdotes. They were just all a little too fresh so all I really heard was how irritating I find her. I can’t quite put my finger on why. She has really good messages and don’t have a lot against what she is saying. Maybe it’s just how she says it…

There is a certain amount of “truthiness” to a lot of what she is saying. That part I enjoy.

Whenever she talks about “the data” and how she researches and so on doesn’t feel right. Normally when a researcher talks about “the data” they are explicit in what data. Where did it come from? How was it gathered? How many participants were there and so on. My automatic BS flag gets thrown every time someone starts talking and doesn’t have much to back it up. That flag was thrown quite a few times in this book.

Recommendation

Still a good book. However, don’t read them one after the other. The reuse of the same stories seems to cheapen the message.