Non-Fiction – Page 30 – Ryan's Book Blog

Yes Please

February 21, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The biography of Amy Poehler. This book takes her from childhood to the publish date of 2015.

My Thoughts

I’m not really sure what I had expected with this one. I mentally link Amy Poehler with Tina Fey in many ways so this seemed like the natural progression in terms of which books to read. I really enjoyed Bossypants so I guess I figured I would enjoy this as well.

There is something frantic about Ms. Poehler’s work that takes away from my enjoyment. She is being herself and that comes through in the book. There really isn’t anything wrong with it in general. Maybe it hits a note that I’m uncomfortable with in myself…

Anyway, I enjoy her work in general and she does make me laugh. That said, I didn’t really enjoy the book.

Recommendation

I wouldn’t recommend this one.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

February 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Marie Kondo shares her love of “tidying” and her life philosophy in this book published in 2015. At the time of this writing, it has sold over 1.5 million copies. She even has a show on Netflix where she helps others “tidy”.

My Thoughts

I had heard of Marie Kondo as a verb from my wife. (As in, “I just Marie Kondo-ed this closet.”) I believe she learned it from our friend Miranda… Anyway, I heard a podcast from the UK which called her “mad as a sack of rabbits” because Marie was advocating getting rid of books. Books! That hit me. I love books. I have a lot of them. Rather, I had a lot of them…

Yes, I drank the KoolAid on this one. In reading the book, I was gradually persuaded that keeping my “Natural Disasters” textbook from college, which I had never cracked afterward, yet it cost me than $100, wasn’t really the best idea. I drug that book, and boxes like it, over 2000 miles when I moved a decade ago! After reading this book, I just couldn’t figure out the why behind that decision.

My closet is clean, my clothes are folded in neat little squares, Goodwill got a major donation and I’m happy about all of it. Next, is my filing cabinet…

Recommendation

This book changed my mind on something. That doesn’t happen often. I would suggest reading it so you too can brag about how many bags of clothes you removed from your drawers.

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.

Girl Wash Your Face

January 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Girl Wash Your Face is a self help book from Rachel Hollis who does a variety of things from podcasting to seminars and a little bit of everything in between.

This book is aimed at women who want to better themselves by feeling more empowered by believing they are good enough.

My Thoughts

I listen to the Rise Together podcast and several women in my life are very familiar with Rachel Hollis. Many of the stories she tells in this book I had heard before. It reads a lot like she talks so it felt very familiar.

It is targeted toward women so I shouldn’t have felt bothered that she kept addressing the reader as “Girl!”. But it was a grating after a while. It is a lot like going to a yoga class and the instructor speaks to us all like we are all middle aged women.

Still, the message was good and I certainly respect where she is coming from. She certainly doesn’t have any issue sharing her feelings and what is on her mind. Yet, it felt like oversharing a couple of times. I don’t know, I like the Hollis couple and I will continue to listen to the podcast but, I didn’t get too much out of this book.

Recommendation

If you are a woman, you’ll likely like this book.

Grant

December 28, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Grant by Ron Chernow is the biography of the Commanding General of the Civil War and our 18th President. Mr. Chernow takes us through the early life of Hyrum Ulysses Grant, on through West Point where he became styled Ulysses S. Grant, through his business exploits, through the Civil War, through both terms of his Presidency, and on through the his tragic death.

My Thoughts

Growing up, I’ve heard the name Grant more associated with “General” than President. Though he was both, I think that is more of how we think of him.

I was very touched by his honesty and saddened by how he was taken advantage of… Not to be too Pollyanna, I believe there are people like him everywhere. People do the right thing everyday without much fanfare.

I was glad to hear the story and it knit a good deal of history together for me.

Recommendation

Very good read but sooo long. It is well over a 1000 pages so buckle up! However, I must say I didn’t get bored the entire time. That says a lot…

Theft by Finding

December 14, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

David Sedaris is an acclaimed writer who started gaining fame in the 90’s as Ira Glass from “This American Life” picked him up on his talk show. Theft by Finding is a compilation of Mr. Sedaris’s diary which he has kept since the 70’s to 2002.

My Thoughts

This diary was one of the more depressing things I have been subjected to in a long time. I couldn’t finish it… I’ve found David Sedaris to be witty and engaging through my experience with “This American Life” but I didn’t enjoy his diary at all. It saddens me to think that there are many people out there with as bleak a life as Mr. Sedaris.

Recommendation

I would not recommend this book. There was little to nothing redeeming about it.

Ezra

December 12, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Ezra is found in the Old Testament of King James Bible. Originally Ezra was combined with Nehemiah and is the last book(s) of the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus and later Darius (kings of Persia) allow the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra prays and gets the people back on track…

My Thoughts

As this is the first time I’ve included scripture in this blog, I wanted to give a quick reference as to why. I read scripture daily though it is only a chapter or 2. There are times I jump around but I’ve been plowing through the Old Testament recently. My current intent is to finish it but I’ve been known to be distracted…

The book of Ezra is hard to keep straight because it isn’t in chronological order. Lots of genealogy is listed (“Of the sons of…”) and it really doesn’t flow. This is definitely a book that it was helpful to do a little background reading while I was reading.

Recommendations

Find yourself a good Bible study guide and have fun!

Neil Patrick Harris

December 11, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Choose Your Own Autobiography is an unconventional memoir written by comedian and actor, Neil Patrick Harris. The book allows readers to follow different paths through his life story, with the ability to choose their own adventure and jump between chapters at will. Harris provides a candid and entertaining look into his upbringing, rise to fame, and personal relationships, all with a playful and self-aware tone. With plenty of humor, pop culture references, and unexpected twists, Choose Your Own Autobiography is a unique reading experience effectively reflects the essence of Neil Patrick Harris’s personality.

My Thoughts

This was a welcome change of pace from the history books I have been reading. This is a irreverent, fun, and (at times) a very inappropriate book. However, it was entertaining.

Recommendations

Not for the kids…

Bible and Sword

December 10, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Bible and Sword is a history of the rise of Christianity in Great Britain and ultimately why and how modern day Israel came to exist.

My Thoughts

I’ve often wondered why so many countries have been so interested in Israel and why they have been willing to risk so much for little immediate benefit. I have read the biblical accounts about the return of the Savior and know the gathering of the 12 tribes is a big part of what comes before the 2nd coming. However, I didn’t really think that was was the driving force. Of course, it is much more complicated.

The plight of the Jews throughout the centuries has almost been unbelievable. We tend to think of such things as behind us at this point in time yet, with this history has a backdrop, it has vastly improved my understanding of the motivations of the interested parties.

Recommendation

I’m glad I was exposed to this information. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the histories of Europe and the Middle East.

In the Garden of Beasts

December 6, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

In the garden of beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin is about the Dodd family and their experience in pre-WWII Germany. William Dodd, the American Ambassador to Germany in the 30s, lived in Berlin with his family, including his daughter Martha. Mr. Dodd hoped that Germany’s government would never take on beliefs and practices of the Nazi party forming under his nose.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the description of how the Nazis came into power and how so many of the people really couldn’t believe what was going on. As our country is going through a populist phase, it is all too easy to draw parallels to the same kind of things happening today in our very own great country. Freedom of speech and religion is overwhelming important. We can not lose these freedoms…

Recommendation

I became a little lost with all the characters introduced in the book. It was an important book and I’m glad I read it but I had to push through some slow periods.