The second part of my 2014 media challenge is to start and finish a different book every
two weeks that has a movie counterpart. After I finish the book I will then
watch the movie as soon as I can. Each book/movie combo will include my
thoughts on each individually and also how they compare to one another. I will
also be going through other books and giving my thoughts on them but they do
not have to have a movie counterpart.
2014 Book/Movie Comparisons
- A Lone Comparison
- The Z Word
- A Fighting Chance
- An Artsy Piece
- Go for a Drive
- America's Pastime
- A Stormy Comparison
- Game Over
2014 Book List
January
1 – January 4
Lone
Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of
Seal Team 10 (Written by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson) Going through this
book it is hard not to imagine that it feels like an action movie. The problem
is this is not a movie at all, but instead a true story told by the lone
survivor of a military mission back in 2005.Besides just telling the story of
what happened during the mission the book also includes the family aspect of
the storyteller and what they went through waiting to hear whether or not their
son was alive.
January
5 – January 9
Infected (Written by Scott
Sigler) My friend Rooster suggested this book and series to me and I am glad he
did. The book follows multiple characters that are either infected by weird creatures
that can control their mind and actions or are trying to track down the
infected. As soon as I was finished with the book I wanted to move on to the
sequel right away.
January
12 – January 16
World
War Z (Written by Max Brooks) This book is set years after a "Zombie Apocalypse"
and follows a writer looking for people to hear about their experiences during
the battles with the zombies. This book would make for a GREAT 10 episode TV
Miniseries.
January
19 – January 23
Contagious (Written by Scott Sigler)
The second book in the Infected series is just as good if not better than
Infected. As soon as the book begins you are thrust in to the ongoing battle to
stop the infections from spreading. The characters all have their little quirks
which helps you become invested in them as the book goes on.
January 24 – January 28
Fight
Club (Written by Chuck Palahniuk) My friend Sarah suggested I check this book
out because she knows I like the movie. The book is an interesting look in the
mind of someone with Insomnia. I am glad my insomnia has never been then bad. I
like the depth surrounding the main character as well as "Tyler
Durden". The mention of Stapleton airport made me smile because I remember
when my dad use to work there while I was growing up.
January 29 – February 5
The
Rookie (Written by Scott Sigler) Another great book from Scott Sigler. This
book is the first in a series about the Galactic Football League. Teams are
made up of creatures of all kind from around the universe. The story focuses on
a human that moves up from the minor leagues to a new team and has to adjust to
the fact that he isn't untouchable and needs to earn his spot on the team.
February 10 – February 14
The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and
the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History (Written by Robert M. Edsel) This book
was not what I was expecting and sadly that is not a good thing. For the first
two thirds of the book I was a bit bored and disappointed. While the facts
given were interesting the book as a whole felt more like something I would
have read in history class back in high school. The last third of the book did
have a faster pace that helped get me in to the book more but it was a little
too late.
February 14 – February 21
The Starter (Written by Scott Sigler) The second
book in the Galactic Football League series. Now that his team has made it to
the big time quarterback Quentin Barnes has to make sure his team wins enough
to not get sent back down to the minors. Lots of great characters and action in
this book from my new favorite author Scott Sigler.
February 13 – February 24
Drive (Written by James Sallis) This was a
very fast paced book about a stunt driver in Hollywood by day and a getaway
driver for criminals at night. I enjoyed that the book didn't take a lot of
time early on to setup the main characters background but instead filled it in
as the book went along. The guy may be a part-time criminal but you still want
to root for him.
February 26 – March 3
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission
that Killed Osama bin Laden (Written by Mark Owen) My friend Amanda suggested I
check out this book after telling her about Lone Survivor. This book gives a
very detailed account of the mission that involved killing Osama bin Laden from
a Navy SEAL involved. The author a former SEAL also goes in to a few other
missions that he took part in including the rescue of Captain Phillips from the
MV Maersk Alabama.
March 4 – March 6
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (Written by Michael
Lewis) This book about the Oakland A's and their successes as a team with not a
lot of money to spend is a baseball diehards dream come true. A players stats
are always under a microscope if they are in a slump or on a hot streak. But
what about when you are trying to build a team? I don't mean just batting percentage
or home runs. The stats talked about in this book are not ones you would find
on the back of a baseball card but they are just as important.
March 13 – March 17
Driven (Written by James Sallis) This was a
very good follow-up to Drive. Set seven years in the future Driver has changed
his life and his name, but the past has a way of sneaking up on you. Once
tragedy strikes he is sucked back in to his old world as he seeks revenge. This
book is just as fast paced as the first one and the new set of characters are
just as interesting.
March 18 – March 20
The Perfect Storm (Written by Sebastian Junger) My
friend John suggested this book to me as he is going over an excerpt from it
with his students. This book is based on the true story of a 'Perfect Storm' in
1991 and the Andrea Gail a commercial fishing ship that was lost at sea with
its 6 crew members. The book also talks about other people caught in the storm,
some survived and some didn't.
March 24 – March 25
Uninvited (Written by Sophie Jordan) Very
interesting book set in a time where your DNA is used to determine if you are a
killer. The fact that this is a young adult novel made me interested from the
start. Too bad I now have to wait a year for the sequel.
March 25 – March 27
Ender's Game (Written by Orson Scott Card) This was
a very well written and enjoyable Science Fiction story. All of the characters
fit in to the story perfectly. I am always interested in an action filled book
that doesn't go over the top but still keeps me interested.
March 31 – April 1
Deception Point (Written by Dan Brown) Dan Brown
knows how to turn a simple story in to something filled with twists and turns
where you don't know until the very end who is good or bad. This was the very
first Dan Brown book I ever read. It is because of this book that I have read
everything else by him.
April 7 – April 10
Catch Me If You Can (Written by Frank
Abagnale and Stan Redding) Fun book about a teenager that scammed his way
around the world pretending to be a pilot, a doctor and even a lawyer. While
pretty much everything that the main character did throughout the book is
illegal, it is hard not to root for him to succeed.
April 11 – April 16
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Written by Ransom
Riggs) I really enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for a fun young adult novel.
The one part that I thought was a bit weird was the fact that the main
character has a crush and shares a kiss with grandfathers’ old girlfriend.
April 18 – April 21
True Grit (Written by Charles Portis) Not usually
a fan of Westerns but this story about a teenage girl teaming up with a Texas
Ranger and a U.S. Marshall to hunt down the man who killed her father is the
exception. I really like that the story was told from her perspective.
April 22 – April 24
Digital Fortress (Written by Dan Brown) This is
my favorite book written by Dan Brown. The computer geek in me loved all of the
tech speak even though it is quite dated by today's standards. There are always
numerous levels of deception in his books.
April 25 – May 1
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Written by Stieg
Larsson) This is my favorite book in the Millennium Series. From beginning to
end it is an exciting story with a number of twists and turns. I like that it
has multiple mysteries that play out over the entire book.
May 1 – May 5
The Leftovers (Written by Tom Perrotta) After hearing
that this book was being turned in to a TV show for HBO I thought I would check
it out. The premise was very interesting and sounded a bit like Under the Dome
in a way, which is one of my favorite books. After finishing the book I am not
sure how or why they would turn it in to a TV show. As a whole the book is very
boring. Just when I would think something exciting was about to happen it would
pass without anything happening at all.
May 6 – May 8
Odd Thomas (Written by Dean Koontz) Living in a
small town has always sounded like a fun idea to me. I don't think it would be
very enjoyable if there were supernatural creatures running around planning to
kill people like in this story. That is unless the small town had an Odd Thomas
to protect it.
May 9 – May 14
Hollow City (Written by Ransom Riggs) This sequel
to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children picks up right after the first
book ended. I like Mr. Riggs' writing style and he knows how to tell a good
story. What I don't like is I now have to wait for some time until the next
book in the series comes out.
May 14 – May 22
May 23 – May 24
Have A Nice Day! (Written by Mick Foley) I have
been a big fan of the WWF/WWE since I was just about three years old. My
interest has grown and shrunk from time to time over the years but I never
really lose interest. Since Mick Foley joined the WWF as Mankind in the late
1990's he has been one of my favorites. This autobiography just scratches the
surface of his almost three decade tenure in the wrestling business. I still
remember where I was the night that Mick Foley describes at the end of the
book.
May 28 – May 29
The Great Gastby (Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
I originally read this back in high school and was not a big fan of it. I
thought that maybe now that I am older and wiser, ok maybe just older, it would
be different. Sadly I am still not a fan. I could not connect with any of the
characters or the story. I don't think I will be reading this book again, ever.
May 31 – June 4
Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child (Written by Bert
Kreischer) This book was written by one of my favorite comedians. I knew some
stuff about Bert Kreischer but I didn't know that the movie Van Wilder was
loosely based on an article by Rolling Stone that was written about his time in
college.
June 2 – June 4
One Past Midnight: The Langoliers (Written by Stephen
King) Stephen King is a really good writer at times, but this isn't one of
those times. The premise of the story is interesting but the way it is executed
is flawed. It seems like King lost interest halfway through writing the book
and then just threw things together to finish it up.
June 5 – June 6
The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant
Messiah
(Written by Marc Maron) I did not know much about Marc Maron until he was on an
episode of @midnight. When I came across his book I thought I would check it
out. For the first half of the book I thought he was a bit crazy but it leveled
out and by the end I was wishing the book didn't have to end.
June 6 – June 9
Casino Royale (Written by Ian Fleming) This was the
first James Bond book that I have ever read. I enjoyed the story and the
characters. It felt a bit dated but it didn't hurt the story at all.
June 9 – June 12
Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going,
and Where the Hell Are My Keys? (Written by Billy Crystal) I grew up
watching Billy Crystal movies. Recently after watching his latest special 700 Sundays I decided to check out this
book. Mr. Crystal has so many stories to tell and I am sure he could fill
another couple books.
June 13 – June 16
The Fault in Our Stars (Written by John
Green) I refuse to go see this movie in theaters. If it is even half as good as
this book I will no doubt be crying in the theater. The book was a lot better
than I expected it to be.
June 17 – June 20
Micro (Written by Michael Crichton &
Richard Preston) I decided to check out this book based on who the author was
and what the cover looked like. The story is a bit of cross between Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Innerspace. Very imaginative story that
made me wish for a sequel. Sadly though Michael Crichton passed away before
finishing the book.
June 23 – June 25
The Silence of the Lambs (Written by Thomas
Harris) This book was just as creepy as the movie was for me. Thomas Harris
knows just what to say to get under your skin.
June 26 – June 28
61 Hours (Written by Lee Child) This was my
first Jack Reacher book of the year. All of the books follow a similar pattern
in the series and at this point it makes it easier to figure out the villain
but Lee's writing style and character development keeps me coming back for
more.
June 29 – July 2
The Hundred-Foot Journey (Written by Richard
C. Morais) Very good book about a young boy from India who has a flare for
cooking and begins working his way through famous kitchens in France with top
chefs. Originally heard about this book from the movie trailer and it turned
out to be a lot more than I expected.
July 3 – July 9
Ready Player One (Written by Ernest Cline) One of
my favorite books of the last ten years. I have read this book multiple times
now and never grow tired of it.
July 10 – July 11
Vampire Academy (Written by Richelle Mead) I
think I am officially getting too old to read books where the main characters
are in some form of high school.
July 11 – July 15
Split Second (Written by David Baldacci)
July 16 – July 18
Gone Girl (Written by Gillian Flynn) I couldn't
wait to finish this book. I was hooked very early on but in the end I was a bit
disappointed in the overall ending. There were a couple things along the way
that didn't play out in the grand scheme and I wish they had.
July 22 – July 25
Hour Game (Written by David Baldacci) The second
in book in the King and Maxwell series had some really good twists that left me
guessing until the very end.
July 28 – July 29
The Giver (Written by Lois Lowry) This isn't a
very long book but it took too long to set up the characters and environment.
As soon as it started getting good it just ended.
July 29 – August 1
The Strain (Written by Guillermo del Toro &
Chuck Hogan) I know there are a lot of vampire books out there on the market
right now, but this one stood out as one of the better ones to me.
August 4 – August 7
Along Came a Spider (Written by James
Patterson) This was an enjoyable mystery novel. I liked that while it did focus
primarily on a specific case it made sure to include other cases and helped tie
everything together.
August 7 – August 14
The Fall (Written by Guillermo del Toro &
Chuck Hogan) This book started out a bit slow but once it got going it kept me
as interested as the first in the series. I look forward to finishing the
trilogy.
August 15 – August 18
Life of Pi (Written by Yann Martel) I dislike the
fact that upon telling his story of what happened to him the main character has
to alter it to appease the investigators. If you know something to be true then
why change your story to make others happy?
August 19 – August 21
Simple Genius (Written by David Baldacci) I am really
enjoying the King and Maxwell series. This book included a lot more backstory
on one of the main characters which was nice to get.
August 22 – August 26
The Martian (Written by Andy Weir) Have you ever
wondered what it would be like to be stranded on a deserted island all by
yourself? Have you ever wondered how you would get home if you were stranded on
a deserted island? Now, what if said deserted island was actually the planet
Mars?
August 26 – August 28
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Written by J.K.
Rowling) The adventures of Harry Potter have begun! The first time I read this
book was after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in
theaters. I had seen the first two movies but had not paid attention to the
books much. My brother had all the books released at the time so I started the
first one. The book is so easy to get lost in and all these years later I still
felt like a kid.
August 29 – September 4
Worth Dying For (Written by Lee Child) How is it
that Jack Reacher always finds the shadiest towns across middle America? Is he
somehow drawn to them? I like the book series but he seems to always find
himself in the worst parts of a state.
September 9 – September 12
The Revenge of Seven (Written by Pittacus
Lore) The latest book in the young adult Lorien Legacy series was just as good
as the first few books. My least favorite part about the series is that I have
to wait a year in between each book. I want to see how the series is going to
end but I have to wait another 11 months again.
September 12 – September 18
First Family (Written by David Baldacci) So far this
is the weirdest book in the King & Maxwell series. There was a lot more
deception in this book that went a lot higher power wise then any of the other
books had. I did like that the final fallout didn't happen immediately and that
they had it play out over about six months.
September 19 – September 23
The Affair (Written by Lee Child) This Jack
Reacher book felt a bit weird because the story took place in the past and felt
like a direct prequel to the very first book in the series. The plot itself
wasn’t bad, it was a typical Jack Reacher adventure.
September 24 – September 30
The Sixth Man (Written by David Baldacci) Another
exciting King & Maxwell book that kept me interested from beginning to end.
I am getting to the point though that I can guess when a twist is coming,
especially in the form of a surprise villain.
October 1 – October 6
Next (Written by Michael Crichton) My
biggest problem with this book about genetic engineering and bio-genetics was
that all the characters involved ended up crossing paths in the end. Overall
though the book was very interesting.
October 6 – October 10
The Camel Club (Written by David Baldacci) This
book started out very slow. Slow to the point that I almost just dumped it. I
stuck with it and it turned out to be an exciting book. This was the start of a
series which I think I will continue with in the future.
October 13 – October 29
Reamde (Written by Neal Stephenson) That was a
LONG book. My friend Josh suggested I check it out and I am glad he did. It was
filled with lots of twists and turns. As soon as you thought something would
get resolved it would head in a completely different direction.
October 30 – November 3
Raging Heat (Written by Richard Castle) The latest
book in the Nicky Heat series from the Castle
TV show. This book seemed a bit lost at times with parts jumping around. My
favorite part was the notes and thank you notes at the end of the book. They
were written by an editor since Richard Castle was "missing" as a
continuation of the TV show.
November 6 – November 10
The Blood of Olympus (Written by Rick Riordan) The
final book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series of books. This might
be my least favorite book out of the entire series. It was not very interesting
and I thought it was kind of thrown together in the end. I was bummed because I
have really liked the series over the years.
November 12 – November 14
Timeline (Written by Michael Crichton) This was an
interesting take on time travel. It was a very fast paced book filled with a
few twists but not too many. I do wish it was a bit longer though, parts of it
felt too rushed.
November 14 – November 18
King and Maxwell (Written by David Baldacci) I am
now caught up with the entire King & Maxwell book series. this book did not
feel like an end to the series, and I really hope it isn't. I have tweeted the
author to see if there will be any future books in this series.
No comments:
Post a Comment