Ryan's Book Blog – Page 39 – I read therefore I am.

The Time Traveler’s Wife

March 9, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2003 and made into a movie in 2009, The Time Traveler’s Wife is a book about a man who keeps jumping forward and backward in time.

My Thoughts

The premise was an interesting literary device but that’s really all the good I have to say about the book. The science was ridiculous, the language was foul, and there wasn’t a lot of morality in the characters. There wasn’t much that I could identify with so in short, I didn’t like it.

My wife asked me if I had heard about this book before and I hadn’t so I decided to read it. I had no idea they made a movie until I did the background searching after reading it. Such a sad surprise…

Recommendation

The worst book I’ve read in a while.

Ender’s Shadow

March 8, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Ender’s Shadow was written somewhat to give some depth to the screenplay for Ender’s Game. Originally published in 1999, it followed the other book by a full 14 years.

Ender’s Shadow is the story of of Ender’s Game from the perspective of one of the main characters, “Bean”. It shadows Bean through his upbringing and how they used him to help Ender to his goal.

My Thoughts

I didn’t even know this book existed but I read the postscript after Ender’s Game stating why it was written. Having read “Speaker for the Dead” and “Xenocide” before, it was part of the Ender saga story I hadn’t been exposed to as of yet.

It was a good book but not amazing. It makes sense why it was written and why it was important to give some perspective to the movie. Having known this beforehand I think I liked the book better than I would have otherwise. I will wait till I finish all the books before I see the movie but I’m more excited having read this.

Recommendation

This isn’t an important read but I enjoyed it.

Ender’s Game

March 7, 2021 by Ryan

Background

First published as a short story, Ender’s Game was published as a novel in 1985 but was first published as a short story a decade before. It is a science fiction story of an Earth in the future which has been invaded by aliens. These aliens were repelled but the humans want to be ready for the next time. Thus they build there military arms and look for the commanders of tomorrow. Ender Wiggin might be one of those commanders if he can survive the training.

My Thoughts

Such an enjoyable book. We teach a course using it at the Marine Corps University to spark discussion about tactics and such. I first read it when I was 10 or so and enjoyed it even then. Now, several decades later, I was still able to get into the story and enjoy it again.

I particularly enjoyed the post script in this version of the book with Orson Scott Card telling the story of how the movie came to be. That was worth the read and gave me a lot more respect for the author. I resolved to read the rest of the series based on that feeling.

Recommendation

A must read for every young man

A World in Disarray

March 6, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in January of 2017, A World in Disarray is a sobering view of geopolitics from Richard Haass who is an American diplomat and has been president of the Council on Foreign Relations since July 2003. The book outlines the major struggles and players of the world at the time President Trump came into office.

My Thoughts

As the book started, I thought this was very dated material. It is amazing how much has changed since early 2017. I think few people have really been paying attention of how the United States has moved throughout the international community during the Trump administration. There was real fear with Russia, North Korea, and China before he took office. While there are still issues there, we aren’t anywhere close to what existed as he took office.

That said, it is vital we keep looking back to history to instruct our steps forward. In our hyper-connected world, we seem to be so swayed in the thoughts and trends of the moment that we forget these roads have been traveled before. We can watch how they play out and it isn’t pretty.

I’m very interested to see where we go under the Biden administration. Will the world powers took to the United States for guidance? Will they the respect us? Fear us? Perhaps they will simply disregard us as we squabble over the ridiculous and eat ourselves alive with a runaway debt.

Recommendation

A great book and a snapshot of the times

A Memory of Light

February 27, 2021 by Ryan

Background

The 14th and final book of the Wheel of Time books. Published in January of 2013, the series was completed and the readers get to know what happened between the Dark One and the Dragon Reborn.

My Thoughts

Sadly, the final book was a bit of let down. Sanderson brought a few themes from the 20teens that really didn’t need to be there. (I won’t go into it here because the thought police are active…)

The ending was an ending and it wrapped up quite a bit. That said, there is always plenty of story to continue if someone feels the inclination.

Recommendation

If you’ve already read the last 13 books, what’s another 900+ pages?

Towers of Midnight

February 24, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in Sept of 2010, Towers of Midnight is the thirteenth book in the Wheel of Time series. The group works their way toward the last battle and Rand starts unifying the forces of light.

My Thoughts

There was almost as many questions raised as there were questions answered in this book. Moiraine and Thom? Really? What’s with the Eelfinn and Aelfinn? Wasn’t that needlessly complex to get the gholam? Anyway, the pieces on the board were set for the last book and that’s all I wanted from it.

Recommendation

Almost done…

The Gathering Storm

February 19, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in October of 2009, The Gathering Storm is the twelfth book in the Wheel of Time series and the first book for the series written by Brandon Sanderson. Robert Jordan’s widow asked Mr. Sanderson to finish the series based on the notes Robert Jordan had left. There was a surprising amount of loose ends to tie up and they decided to turn the last book into 3 books to get it done.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the writing style of Sanderson and I felt he stayed close to the personalities of the characters in the previous books.

Recommendation

It is the beginning of the end and worth the read.

Knife of Dreams

February 17, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in Oct of 2005, Knife of Dreams is the eleventh book in the Wheel of Time series. Much like book ten, there is a lot going on. Notable events are Rand’s maiming and Mat becoming nobility.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed Mat more and more in this book. I don’t like the Seanchan and though this book humanizes them a bit, I felt like it didn’t go far enough. It was an easy read in that it pulled me along.

Recommendation

Good book

Crossroads of Twilight

February 15, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2003, Crossroads of Twilight is the tenth book in the Wheel of Time series. A good deal is going on as several characters are working on their various problems.

Perrin is still trying to save his wife. Mat finally finds out who is “the Daughter of the Nine Moons”. Elayne tries to secure her throne. Rand is resting after cleansing the power. Egwene leads the rebel Aes Sedai in maintaining the siege of Tar Valon.

My Thoughts

I was really swept along with the story in this book. There is so much going on, the 800+ pages weren’t enough to describe what happens next. (I guess that’s why there are another 4 books.)

Recommendation

Good book…

Winter’s Hearts

February 10, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in Nov of 2000, Winter’s Heart is the ninth book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. After the Dark One’s unnatural heat has been dissipated by the “Bowl of the Winds”, the world is covered with an increasing cold.

My Thoughts

Very exciting so far, this book raced by without seeming too much happening. Still there was a lot of character development and I’m slowly enjoying Matt more and more.

Recommendation

It’s the next link, a must read.