SOTR1989 Book Blog

  Hunger Games: Catching Fire Suzanne Collins   Released: September 1st, 2009  (Was originally written May 2nd, 2023) Book #17 completed for the year - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. - Katniss adapts to her new found life in the Victor’s Village - She still uses her old family home - Life is easier, but also presents new difficulties between family, Gale, and Peeta - “Sometimes things happen to people, and they’re not equipped to deal with them.” - Peter’s trauma from the arena come out in his paintings - The people in the Capital eat feasts, vomit back up and keep eating.  All while vast regions starve to death all over - There is a new Hunger Games this year featuring some of the past winners going against one another - The Arena has a lot more environmental factors going this time around, so no longer is the enemy your only problem - The team concept helps make basic necessities easier - Peeta’s love for Katniss is incredible. - Good suspenseful ending On to Boo...

99 Stories of the Game Wayne Gretzky   Released: October 18th, 2016  (Was originally written March 25th, 2023)  Book 13 complete for the year. I’m a big fan of Wayne Gretzky as a person.  I haven’t seen much of his play, and I hope to remedy that as I find out what big games to go back and watch. I remember watching reruns of him hosting SNL May 13th, 1989.  It’s arguably my favorite episode of the show.  That was one of the first DVD movies I ever made.  I have enjoyed the person he is, as well as his character and good hearted nature. This was less a biography, and more of a history of hockey as a sport from Gretzky’s own personal point of view.  The result is just as amazing as one would expect. Things I took away (I would say 99, but would be a stretch): - “But being faster and tougher doesn’t necessarily make you better.  I have been on a team that came out on top in a game even though we knew that the guys in the other room were more sk...

  A Reporter’s Life Walter Cronkite   Released: October 28th, 1997   (Was originally written April 10th, 2023) Book #15 completed for the year. Took me substantially longer to get through this one.  Very good read.  If you want to know what a true journalist is like, read this book.  Completely forget the world of news as you know of today, and find out what truly objective news reporting is.  Who, What, Where and When.   First of all, Walter Cronkite is a legend.  Arguably the greatest news icon of all time.   Reading this book surprised me.  This man saw a great deal more than I could even imagine. Things I took away from this one: ——— - His father used to stroke his mustache when deep in thought or admiring something (something I do with my beard) - A good cigar is “A long-leaf wrapper and a short-leaf filler.” - Unwritten rules of the 1920’s traveling man: 1. Don’t drink out of the glass, you don’t know what people hav...

Wall Street Money Machine Wade B. Cook   Released: April 1st, 1996  (Was originally written March 30th, 2023) Book 14 completely for the year. I found this one in a Goodwill.  It’s older (mid-90’s) and a lot of the world has changed since then.  But still brings some good knowledge and education on how you can do things financially. Wade B. Cook was from Seattle, and yes he did go to jail because of tax issues.  Doesn’t matter because there are still things to be learned from this book. - $2 million should be the ultimate goal - True wealth, from a financial point of view, is simply having enough income to live the lifestyle you want. - “Start thinking about 10-day returns, or two to three week returns.  At least think monthly.” - You have to like the company you are investing in - When investing, ask yourself 5 questions: 1. What does the company do? 2. Is the company exciting? 3. How much debt do they have? 4. What is the break-up value of a company? 5. W...

  The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins   Released: September 14th, 2008  (Was originally written April 11th, 2023) Book #16 complete for the year: The Hunger Games I don’t want to spoil anything because it is a very good read and I certainly recommend it to anyone who wants a good book.  These are more general notes. - District 12: Where you can starve to death in safety - The people who live in the district eat wild dogs.  Not intentionally, but if you accidentally take one out, meat is meat if you’re starving - You become eligible for reaping the day you turn 12 - The reaping is held in the square, one of the few pleasant places in town - The Hunger Games revolve around a governing body punishing society for an uprising against them.  So they take 24 youths (2 from each district) and they fight to the death.  The victors get food for their district while the rest starve. - Haymitch is a former Reaping winner.  He is a crazy alcoholic, which makes me...

Fatal Vision Joe McGinniss   Released: January 1st, 1983  (Was originally written March 11th, 2023) Book 11 done for the year Pretty good book.  US Army Officer Jeffrey MacDonald is charged, while stationed at Fort Bragg, in the gruesome murders of his wife and 2 young daughters.  The book covers a decade’s worth of events as the case drags on.   - The only reason I read this book is because Mick Foley mentioned it in his autobiography “Mankind: Have A Nice Day!” - 663 pages makes it the longest book so far this year - Themes of the Manson Family Murders come into play due to the 1969-1970 time frame, and characters that have the personality of “killer hippies” - Most Memorable Quote: “Acid is Groovy, Kill the Pigs!” - Books sets up a back and forth where the accused may or may not be guilty.  Leaves an open interpretation impression - Good book, not my normal style, but interesting.  Def check out if you can manage long books and intense real-life det...

The Star Trek Reader II James Blish   Released: January 1st, 1977  (Was originally written March 23rd, 2023) Book #12 complete for the year. I love the original Star Trek.  I have seen all the episodes, seen all the movies, and read several of the movie novelizations (if you have never read The Wrath of Khan in book form, I suggest you go check it out.  It might change the way you think Khan as he is a lot more vicious and punishing).  When I worked in radio, I would even go into the production studio and try to recreate Kirk’s famous “Boldly Go” speech.   This book was a collection of 19 episodes from the original series in novel form.  I enjoyed reading it.  The story that stood out the most to me was “Journey to Babel”.  So well written and exceptional in literary form. Some general notes: - The Kirk-Spock-McCoy dynamic is one of the greatest trio’s ever committed to film, book, etc. - “Journey to Babel” is an excellently written story. ...

I’m Glad My Mom Died Jennette McCurdy   Released: August 9th, 2022 (Blogger's Note: I originally read this book in late 2022.  I had not started the blog yet, and did not take the time to truly review it/take notes on what I had learned.  I reread this book in November 2024, and the following review will contain both the current review, and, as an added bonus, the  Facebook review from the original reading in 2022.) My 3rd bonus book for 2022 was Jennette McCurdy’s "I’m Glad My Mom Died".  (Reread and blog updated in November 2024) This book was very interesting.  I was working overnight in Seattle at one point and we used to read books as we waited for the busses to spin around the fuel station.  A coworker had just finished reading this book and recommended it for me to read.  "You should read this book.  It's very f*cked up."  No kidding.  There was no book sleeve (he and his mom hated book sleeves on their books, and would toss ...