SOTR1989 Book Blog

  Fourth Wing Rebecca Yarros   Released: May 2nd, 2023 My 20th book for 2024 was Rebecca Yarros’ “Fourth Wing”. Here we go!  My 50th book reviewed!  It's been a pretty good run so far.  To those of you who have been reading and following along, I thank you for your support.   "Fourth Wing is a nonstop-thrilling adventure fantasy set in the brutal and competitive world of a military college for dragon riders, which includes elements regarding war, battle, hand-to-hand combat, perilous situations, blood, intense violence, brutal injuries, death, poisoning, graphic language, and sexual activities that are shown on the page. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note, and prepare to enter Basgiath War College..." - Description from beginning of the Novel This was my sister Megan Perry’s book of the year for 2023.  While she has not (yet) reviewed this book, she really enjoyed it and encouraged me to check it out.  You can ch...

  Deceptive Calm Patricia Skipper   Released: May 2nd, 2023 My 19th book for 2024 was Patricia Skipper's “Deceptive Calm”. If you've been following along, you're probably wondering what happened to "Fourth Wing".  Don't worry, I read both at the same time.  The opportunity to read this book sprang up, and I decided to check it out. The book itself is very fascinating.  It follows Vanessa Condon's journey through life along with her friend Trisha.  Vanessa is a light-skinned Black woman raised in a black orphanage in South Carolina.  Her "mother" figure, Sister Roe, is a take charge outspoken Baptist.   Vanessa meets Barry following a white-supremist attack, as his father takes care of her at the local African-American hospital.  A relationship ensues with some shocking revelations.  As her life moves into adulthood, a series of tragic events leads her to assuming a new identity and starting life over, 3,000 miles away in San Francis...

  Jaws Peter Benchley   Released: February 1st, 1974 My 18th book for 2024 was Peter Benchley’s “Jaws”. I picked up a side job at Barnes and Noble this past September and found the 50th anniversary hardcover.  I had to pick it up.  I have heard legends about the novel over the years, much of which has been overshadowed by the blockbuster Steven Spielberg film. Most people are unaware that the film was actually based on a novel.  A rare moment where the movie is built from a novel as opposed to having a novelization written around the screenplay.   Martin Brody is a very human character.  He is a very sexual being, he drinks to excess when stressed, he smokes cigarettes, he gets emotional, and you really see something relatable based on the events he faces in the book. In the film, there is never really shown a true reason why the mayor is so hellbent on keeping the beaches open during the summer outside the economics of the local community.  ...

  Planet Simpson Chris Turner   Released: October 12, 2004 My 17th book for 2024 was Chris Turner’s “Planet Simpson”. I was browsing around the Gaithersburg Wonderbook  when I stumbled upon this book.  The subject was super interesting. I love "The Simpsons".  It was released the year I was born, so it's been pretty cool to grow up with the series, and still see new episodes released even today.  It truly has made a strong pop cultural impact on both a national and international scale.   I always remember watching The Simpsons at 6:00p & 6:30p weeknights on Fox 5 in southcentral Pennsylvania.  Even more so were the nights when a severe thunderstorm came roaring through the area.  I vividly recall the many adventures of Springfield as a red ticker ran off an alerting buzz and we received the weather report scrolling across the bottom from the National Weather Service in State College, PA.   Since I've always seen the series ...